CARLSBAD, Calif., April 2, 2019 (Newswire.com) - NOTE: This October SPS was originally published online in October 2018.
With two busy shops, Tom Tracy, second-generation owner of Tracy’s Collision Center in North and Southwest Lincoln, NE, recognizes the value of equipment that repeatedly produces the same effective results.
This is why he began buying his spot welders and mig welders from GYS Welding four years ago.
“We started using GYS’s welders as soon as the company started selling in America, and we’ve had really good luck with their products,” Tracy said. “None of our welders have broken down because they are so strong, and that makes me a lot more confident in their tools. Everything I have to say about GYS’s products is good.
“GYS produces a more dependable tool, without a doubt. Speed is also a huge factor that impacts the cost of repairs, and their water-cooled attachments help make the tools efficient and fast. In the past, welders going down delayed the repair process, but we don’t have that problem with GYS. Welders are very important for the safety of today’s vehicles, and they have to be reliable. GYS has never let us down.”
Tracy’s Collision Center also believes in weld-bonding for corrosion protection and has found that the GYS welders are very effective for this purpose. The shops began using a silica bronze mig welder about four years ago as part of their preparation for repairing modern vehicles.
Tracy shared, “GYS helped us get involved with this type of welding, and it has been a big positive. Six technicians in our north shop and seven in our south shop use the welders, which is beneficial because everyone can share knowledge, but because they share the tools, it’s important that we receive support for the equipment.”
Not surprisingly, GYS provides exactly the type of support needed to keep Tracy satisfied.
“Their service has been great,” he said. “We’ve only had a few issues, which were easily resolved, and I haven’t had a bad experience with their customer service department. When they say they’re going to do something, they do it. Welding something and using that much electricity requires a lot of components, and if I need pieces or consumables, I can rely on GYS to get them to me in a timely fashion. I haven’t had any warranty issues or additional investments needed, and I can’t say that about some of the other equipment we used to use.”
Training is also non-negotiable in Tracy’s opinion.
“Our shops participate in ongoing training, and it’s a requirement that a company engage in training if they are going to sell anything to us,” he said. “GYS provided our initial training, and we’ve received additional training from an I-CAR instructor who used to work for the shop. Knowing I-CAR’s welding certification requirements helps us use the welder correctly and also taught us what it does. It’s a blessing to find such a great welder, but one of the largest challenges has been figuring out how to get the most out of the equipment.
“GYS’s welders are so consistent and produce superior welds because they are ‘smart’ welders; the welder can determine the metal thickness automatically, but it’s important to understand all of the settings because there are lots of little tricks you can employ to get the most out of the welder.”
Getting the most out of the equipment used is imperative for Tracy’s Collision Center, which repairs an average of 300 vehicles each month. Besides receiving their I-CAR Platinum certification, the shops are certified in Ford, Honda and through the Assured Performance Network. Tracy’s body technicians are also all certified welders. According to Tracy, “We’re just trying to do what we need to do to keep up with today’s changing cars. We’re very process-driven, and we try to be educated. We focus a lot on training, and we’re constantly trying to upgrade our equipment. We have a lot of long-term customers and have been voted the Best Shop in Town for over 25 years. We work hard at being what people need us to be.”
In addition to spraying with waterborne paints and recycling everything possible, the shops are involved with a lot of community organizations, including Recycled Rides, through which they’ve donated two cars each year for more than a decade.
“The body shop has been really good to a lot of people, but properly repairing today’s vehicles requires the right equipment,” he said. “My father was in masonry construction before he opened the shop, which required a lot of equipment, so investing in equipment has never been a showstopper for us because we knew that it would pay for itself. GYS’s welders are fast and efficient, and they produce exactly the type of quality repair you want. Create that type of culture, and you can turn out a really good product that will serve the consumer for the years they own their car.”
Tracy’s Collision Center
Location: Lincoln, NE
(402) 441-4820
(402) 441-4800
tracysbodyshop.com
Company At A Glance...
Type: Collision Repair
Facility Employees: 50
In Business Since: 1969
Number of Locations: Two
DRP Programs: Six
Combined Production Space: 40,000 square feet
GYS Welding USA
Company Contact: Mike Hildebrand
(636) 405-2800
gysweldingusa.com
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Source: Autobody News
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