SIDNEY — Sidney Body CARSTAR is a collision repair facility located at 175 Stolle Ave. in Sidney, Ohio. The Sidney Body CARSTAR name formed 13 years ago when owner, Tom Martin, joined the CARSTAR Franchise. Prior to this Sidney Body CARSTAR was known as Sidney Body Shop and has been a staple of the Sidney community for many years. The CARSTAR franchise provides customers with a 5-year nationwide warranty that extends to CARSTAR facilities in 31 states. This supplements the limited lifetime warranty also offered by Sidney Body CARSTAR.
Martin’s report continues:
At Sidney Body CARSTAR customer satisfaction and quality are our top priorities. The following steps have been taken in 2015 to achieve those customer service and quality goals: ongoing employee training, new outside signage and lighting, a new measuring system and equipment/training for aluminum repairs.
In 2015 Sidney Body CARSTAR continued its effort to keep the staff trained in the latest the auto body industry has to offer. All of the office staff continues with new training programs developed by CARSTAR and job specific I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) classes. Our production staff is ASE certified and Sidney Body CARSTAR also remains the only shop in Shelby County that is I-CAR Gold certified. Three of our production employees are also I-CAR certified welders. Welding is one of the most important skills in the collision industry and directly relates to the safety of the vehicle.
Changes were made to the outside of the building for updated appearance and improved functionality. The outside signs were replaced to reflect the new CARSTAR colors and match the interior office of red and gray. Also, all of the lightning outside the building was replaced with LED bulbs. This improves visibility in the darkness and is more energy efficient at the same time.
Also in 2015 a new measuring system, called The Matrix Wand, was purchased to improve estimate accuracy and cycle time. The Matrix Wand allows the technician to measure unlimited points of damage with full XYZ position results. In most cases suspension components can be measured to verify if damage is present before the vehicle has been sent to alignment. This allows parts to be ordered earlier in the repair process and ultimately means the vehicle can be finished quicker.
New aluminum training and equipment were improvements added this past year. Now that aluminum panels are being utilized more in popular everyday vehicles, it is essential to learn the correct methods to repair them. The production employees and estimators have gone through extensive I-CAR training to learn these methods including a two-part class involving the all aluminum body 2015 Ford F150. Also, a new aluminum welder and specialized rivet gun were purchased so that aluminum panels can be repaired properly and be put back to factory specification.
Sidney Body CARSTAR and I are big proponents of giving back to the community. Once again in 2015 Sidney Body CARSTAR hosted the annual “Soaps It Up” car wash. All the money raised was donated to the Shelby County Relay for Life and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2015, I also continued his tradition of purchasing livestock and baked goods at the Shelby County Fair. I then added to his already busy schedule by serving as the 2015 United Way Campaign Chair. I helped the United Way exceed the 2015 goal and raise over $1.3 million in donations.
At Sidney Body CARSTAR we strive to put the customer first and make the repair process as seamless as possible. We feel collision repair should be the last thing on your mind. Relax, We’ll Take It From Here!
