By Jenni
Sept, 18, Wichita KS. The morning awakened bright and clear, and warm and breezy; as a beautiful Kansas morning in September should. Most of the students showed up on time and quietly ready to go. I was highly anticipating this tour based on a glimpse of an Auto Craft I had on a previous assignment. This Auto Craft was however their newest one located on west Kellogg. Our instructor had set up the tour with Scott Raymond the shop’s estimator.
First stop on the tour was Mr. Scott Raymond’s Desk where all 13 of us tried to crowd around his cubicle. He told us about the shop’s estimating systems. They use both CCC pathways and AutoTexx. They also use a direct repair program (drp) where the interaction of the insurance adjuster is more limited and the work of the estimator is much more involved. Then we were led through the inventory room where all of the stock was very efficiently organized by last digit of stock number. Then on to the shop, where we saw the Chief Frame machine, and Genesis Matrix infrared measuring system. He went on to explain proper pulling techniques and the importance of safety while performing such operations and in general throughout the shop. The shop was equipped with 3 prep booths, 2 were down draft, and one was semi-down draft. Their paint was a Sikkens Mixing system and paint. Then we were shown the back where jobs were waiting to begin. Mr. Smith asked his standard question: “What do you look for in a new employee?” Mr. Raymond’s reply was that a new employee should have experience, a good attitude, and willingness. Also that expectations shouldn’t be placed, but that a job needs to be planned and to expect the unexpected to happen, and to put safety first.
Mr. Scott Raymond Showing Us the Sikkens Paint System
All in all the experience was an enjoyable one. The shop was clean, well-lit, and the techs hardworking and were so friendly they stole the instructor for a good 20 minutes just to chat while the rest of us went on the tour. All in all the tour ended up being one of the best I’ve ever been on. Mr. Raymond was very knowledgeable and thorough. Never assuming we knew something already, but also never sounding as though he were talking down to us. He didn’t give us any illusions of grandeur about the job. He gave it to us straight and brutal. Many thanks to Mr. Scott Raymond for taking time out of his workday, and Auto Craft for letting us invade for 2 hours and get an insightful glimpse into the field we are learning about.
Contact Info: Scott Raymond; [email protected] Auto Craft, 10760 W. Kellogg, Wichita, KS, 67209 (316)729-6828, Fax (316)201-6470
glen stephans says
September 30, 2008 at 2:34 pmreally good story,, well thought out.