VeriFacts Automotive Offers Technical Assessment and Interactive Coaching for the Collision Repair Industry

Newport Beach, CA, December 1, 2003 — Collision repair procedures and standards have made great strides thanks to efforts by such entities as I-CAR, Tech-Cor and vehicle manufacturers (OEMs). To help ensure that collision repairers, insurance companies and consumers fully benefit from these advances as soon as they are available, Mark Olson and Farzam Afshar formed VeriFacts Automotive™ LLC.

Established in October 2002, VeriFacts Automotive is a consultancy committed to delivery of the most current repair procedures in a manner ensuring real world applications and success. VeriFacts assesses technician performance levels and provides hands-on coaching specific to the knowledge and skill gap of each technician. Periodic and expert inspection of each technician’s work ensures the “in-shop” implementation of repair methodologies that improve quality, reduce warranty work and minimize liability exposure.

Olson and Afshar—whose collective industry experience totals 35 years—believe their company plays an important role in promoting approved standards and techniques. VeriFacts’ dynamic repair methodology database, together with the advanced technical skills of their personnel, provide a foundation for the delivery of a unique suite of value-added services to the collision repair and insurance communities as well as OEMs.

Interactive Coaching for Collision Repairers

VeriFacts’ flagship service is a unique and in-depth approach to improving collision repair quality, in the most cost-efficient manner. VeriFacts’ technically skilled coaching team works with a shop’s management and staff to:

• Assess the knowledge level and identify skill gaps of the shop’s technical staff in light of the most recent collision repair methodologies (as determined by I-CAR, Tech-Cor, OEMs and other qualified sources).
  
  
• Coach technicians—using positive, interactive methods-regarding the latest repair procedures. Working side-by-side with the technician builds a respect-based relationship that maximizes the benefits of this training. “The hands-on approach works”, explains Olson, the company’s COO. “We speak the craftsman’s language and we do it in their environment, when a technician sees the improvement they achieve, they become committed to using the correct methodology for each repair.”
  
  
• Evaluate, on a regular basis, each technician’s application of proper repair methodologies. Future training is designed and delivered based on this assessment. Customized verification of this type enables VeriFacts to report technician progress and strengths as opportunities to shop management. In addition to “in-shop“ coaching, VeriFacts’ team is available to shop personnel via phone or fax to answer questions, five days a week, ten hours a day. “Our goal is to create a safe and aesthetic repair by applying the latest technology and measuring progress monthly,” explains Afshar, the company’s CEO.

Insurance Company Seminars and Services

Tailored for the needs of today’s insurance company staff, VeriFacts Automotive conducts seminars and provides services that cover today’s most misunderstood and misinterpreted areas of paint and body work, including corrosion protection, welding, structural parts issues, vehicle measuring and estimate/repair documentation.

Pre, In-Process, Post-Repair Inspection & Conflict Resolution
Aware that disagreements occasionally occur regarding correct repair methodology or the quality of a completed repair, VeriFacts offers an independent, objective assessment to resolve any collision repair issue. VeriFacts is committed to a completely factual assessment and the identification of the most cost- effective repair solution. Documentation as to VeriFacts’ findings and technical source information will be provided.

The VeriFacts Automotive coaching staff consists of industry professionals that meet a minimum of two of the following requirements: 1) experience as a vocational school or I-CAR instructor; 2) experience in a collision repair facility as a technician, estimator or manager and; 3) experience in the insurance industry as an adjuster, supervisor or trainer.

Currently doing business in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada and Texas, VeriFacts Automotive plans to expand its products and services throughout the rest of the country, targeting Illinois, Ohio and Michigan by the second quarter of 2004. As it expands, VeriFacts will continue to recruit qualified professionals to join its team. For more information, please send your resume to mark.olson@verifactsauto.com or contact him at (206) 362-3727.