SIDNEY — Helman Brothers completed another successful year of operations in 2016, marking their 45th year of repairing and restoration of vehicles in the greater western Ohio area.
“Following the busy year of 2015, when Helman Brothers was certified by the national non-profit consumer advocacy organization Assured Performance and auto manufacturers including GM, Hyundai, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Mopar as an “Assured Performance – Collision Care Provider” for which less than 5 percent of body shops across the nation are able to meet the stringent requirements to become officially certified and recognized,” said Brett Helman, general manager. “Helman Brothers continued their investment into training and updating the skills of its workers to insure proper repair of today’s complex vehicles.”
His report continues:
The year 2016 was a busy year of training and education in association with I-CAR and their Professional Development Program (PDP). This program for collision repairers featured distinct training paths for each member of the repair team providing up-to-date knowledge and skills to address today’s vehicle properly. Estimating was an area of training, enhancing the skills and accuracy in estimates for the repair to the vehicle, to insure it is proper, safe and cost effective for the vehicle owner. Many areas in the actual repair of the vehicle were included. Structural and non-structural repair procedures and requirements were addressed.
The refinish or paint functions were also included. Specialty areas such as working with aluminum repair and up-to-date welding techniques and equipment were taught. This training required participation from many personnel and represented a significant investment not only in the hours given to classes but also the actual monetary investment in this training.
Helman Brothers is proud to announce that it was given the I-CAR Gold status during this past year. A certification and status that again is limited. It is estimated that only 10% of the repair shops in America currently hold this status. The I-CAR Professional Development Program is an on-going program with additional training and education provided to keep up to date with the ever changing vehicle technology.
Also, during this past year Helman Brothers was selected and certified as a ProFirst Collision Repair Facility, Certified by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. This certification was achieved after a rigorous inspection and evaluation of the shop’s operations and repair performance, worker’s qualification and training, proper state-of-art equipment to make the proper repairs and over all ability to properly repair and service all Honda vehicles. Helman Brothers became the 866th shop certified in the United States as a whole.
In summary, 2016 was a very busy year again, with significant investment in training our technicians and updating our equipment and facilities. This investment is made to insure that we will always be able to properly repairs today’s complex and ever changing vehicles.
