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April Newsletter

Easter Egg Hunt

On Monday April 2, we had a staff Easter Egg Hunt! Eggs were hidden all around the shop and the staff could exchange each egg for candies and snacks!

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70th Anniversary 

Auto Body Xperts has been serving the community for 70 years! To celebration, we have some exciting stuff planned! We will be announcing it soon so stay tuned!

 

BINGO

Every day on our website we play BINGO on our website! If you win BINGO, you get a $25 Visa Gift Card! Enter to play on our website (at the bottom of our main page) today!

 

Save The Date

We’ve got lots of events coming back this summer! Be sure to save the date! For more information, check out the event page on our website! www.autobodyxperts.com/events/

  • Big Boy Car Show: June 14
  • Miss Auto Body Xperts Pin Up Contest: June 14
  • Wayland Car Show: July 21
  • Bean Bag Tournament: July 21
  • Zeeland (Holland) Open House: August 8
  • Hudsonville Open House: August 22

 

Bean Bag Tournament

Sign up to be a part of the Auto Body Xperts Bean Bag Tournament! First place wins $250! Spots are limited so sign up soon!

 

Miss Auto Body Xperts Pin Up Contest

Registration is now open for the Miss Auto Body Xperts Pin Up Contest! Register today to be a part of the event!

 

Spring Cleaning Tips

Spring is here! Be sure to include your vehicle in your Spring Cleaning. We will posting some vehicle Spring Cleaning tips on our Facebook page over the next few weeks so be sure to Like our Facebook page!

Winter may be most known for its treacherous driving conditions, but spring also can be a difficult season for driving. From wind and rain to wildlife emerging from hibernation, spring driving can be challenging in its own right. Especially during spring break where there are extra drivers on the road. Here are our Xpert tips to help you on your spring break road trip!

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#1 Check Over Your Vehicle Before You Leave On A Road Trip

Make sure all fluids are topped off, that you don’t need an oil change soon, and that your spare tire is in good shape.

#2 Research Before You Go

No matter the destination, travel is SO much easier when there’s a plan. Make sure you map out your travel routes & activities to avoid wasting time getting lost & stressing out.

#3 Take Turns

When you’re going on a road trip, take turns behind the wheel & make sure someone is sitting in the passenger seat. They can help keep you awake, aware, keep an eye out for traffic, and help with directions.

#4 Bring Snacks.

Pack lots of snacks that are easy to eat, keep energy levels high & don’t need to be refrigerated. You won’t regret it. Also bring a healthy snack, such as almonds or granola bars. They can help cut cost and will be a nice break from fast food or gas station snacks.

#5 Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

Deer, bears and other wild animals become more populous in the spring, as the warmer weather brings animals out of hibernation. Be alert for wildlife in the road, and slow down so you can stop safely if animals are on or near the roadway.

#6 Create A Playlist

Make sure you’ve updated your phone with upbeat music. Mellow music will make you tired on your road trip and tired drivers are just as dangerous as drunk drivers. Don’t forget your car charger!

#7 Abide The Traffic Laws

Make sure you’re driving at a reasonable speed on your road trip route. A $600 speeding ticket will definitely put a damper on your spring break.

#8 Determine Mileage

Fuel is a major expense on road trips. Use a RTA Fuel Cost Calculator to see how much money & gas you will need for the whole trip.

#9 Keep An Eye Out

Two-wheeled vehicles also increase in popularity in the spring, so keep an eye out for motorcycles and bicycles and share the road. Bicyclists have the same rights as other vehicles on most roads. In particular, watch out for motorcycles and bicycles at intersections and in your blind spots when you are turning, passing or merging.

gold-class

Auto Body Xperts is now I-CAR Gold Certified! The I-CAR Vision is that EVERY person in the collision repair industry has the information, knowledge and skills required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.

The Gold Class recognition is the highest role-relevant training achievement recognized by the collision repair industry. It is estimated that only 20% of repair shops currently meet the rigorous Gold Class standard. The I-CAR Professional Development Program, provides collision repair and insurance businesses with a reliable training framework for acquiring Gold Class and maintaining the up-to-date knowledge and skills that contribute to proper repairs, improved business performance and risk reduction.

A recent Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Study shows repair facilities with just six months* of PDP training saw huge gains in business performance: cycle times increase by 14.35%, touch times increase by 33.75%, customer satisfaction increases by 5%, and supplement frequency goes down by 11%!

iCar Gold Cert

To become I-CAR Gold Certified, all of our technicians received safety training, training on how to do different tasks more efficiently, and way to provide high quality work for our customers. We are proud to say that all of our technicians at all four of our locations have received I-CAR training.

 

To learn more about I-CAR and the many benefits of having a body shop that is I-CAR Gold Certified, please visit https://www.i-car.com/Home/Educational-Programs/Gold-Class-Professionals-Business-Recognition/Collision-Repair-Gold-Class .

On November 10, Auto Body Xperts had the honor of joining Jamestown Upper Elementary at the 4th Grade Mock Job Fair. Local business owners came to Jamestown Upper Elementary and got to do mini job interviews with the students.

Before the job fair, all the 4th graders studied business and did a Marketplace Project. For this project, each student made a product/service and tried to sell it. Then after wrote a report on what they have learned. At the job fair, we had the opportunity to talk to the students and hear about their Marketplace Project and what the learned from it.

Students sold item such as homemade slime and stress ball, all the way to homemade games and raffles. Through this, they learned about supply and demand, then how that affects price and levels of sales.

After they made their reports, they made resumes to use at the Mock Kids Job Fair. At the job fair there was about 15 local businesses, including Auto Body Xperts at tables all around the gym. Students came in and did a mini interview with the different businesses that were there. Students would walk up, give you their resume, and tell you about themselves. All the businesses were given a list of questions to ask and little sheets that said, “You have received a job offer from Auto Body Xperts!” If the students did well, they received a job offer!

It was a joy to see the kid’s excitement for their Marketplace Project and what they have learned!

 

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This Christmas season, Shields of Hope along with the community will be helping to support and provide gifts for families battling cancer this holiday season. These are the stories of the families being helped.

 

Ottawa County Families

Shields of Hope will be supporting 6 families in Ottawa County this year!

Family #1 – Young Spring Lake parents raising their 2 and 4 year-old boys.  Mother of the family was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in October 2017.  This wonderful family is always working to help the community and now they could use some of that support!

Family #2 – This family is 1 of 3 families in Jamestown Township that we are honored to help.  The family consists of mom, dad and 4 children ages 7, 11, 15 & 18.  Their 11 y/o son was diagnosed with Leukemia in summer 2017 and this family has faced cancer diagnosis numerous times in the past years.  They support and volunteer in the community and are true public servants to everyone around them.

Family #3 – Our second Jamestown family is comprised of mom, dad and 3 children ages 5, 7 and 11. Their 7 year-old son was diagnosed with brain cancer in early 2017.  The community and family have rallied around the family but they could use some extra love, hope and encouragement this holiday season.

Family #4 – From Allendale, this family of 5 is made up of mom, dad and 3 children ages 13, 15 and 17.  Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer in early 2017.  The family is coming to terms that this is most likely their last Christmas together and would like to make some lasting memories together.

Family #5 – Our third Jamestown family is comprised of mom, dad and 4 children ages 3, 8, 16 and 17.  This family has faced numerous tragedies including a house fire in the recent years.   Their 3 year-old son was diagnosed with B Cell ALL earlier this year and has been fighting hard ever since!

Family #6 – The final Ottawa County family lives in Zeeland Township and is made up of mom, dad and 4 children (10 year-old twins, and a 13 and 14 year-old).  For the last three years one of the 10 year-olds fought Leukemia and in August 2017 he finished treatment!  The family is working hard to get back to a sense of normalcy and is active in the community.

 

Allegan County Families

Shields of Hope will be supporting 2 families in Allegan County this year!

Family #1 – Our first Allegan County family is from Shelbyville.  The family consists of parents, both Army Veterans, and two children ages 15 and 17.  Dad was diagnosed with Multi-Myeloma and is awaiting a Stem Cell Transplant.  Currently the family is preparing to move to a smaller house due to financial challenges that are a result of the cancer diagnosis.

Family #2 – Our second Allegan family is from Wayland.  This family of 7 consists of mom, dad, and 5 children ages 5, 7, 9, 11, and 15.  Their 5 year-old daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2015 and relapsed in November 2016.  Due to the treatments the father has missed quite a bit of work.  His coworkers have rallied around him to cover his shifts but there is still a financial struggle they are facing.

 

Kent County Families

Shields of Hope will be supporting 3 families in Kent County this year!

Family #1 – The father of our first Kent County family recently gained his angel wings after battling Esophageal Cancer.  He leaves behind his loving wife and their 10 year-old son.  They fought together as a family and are in need of some extra love and support during their first holiday season without their loving father.

Family #2 – Our second Kent County family lives in Kentwood.  The family is made of mom, dad and 2 children ages 6 and 7.  Their father was diagnosed with Brain Cancer and is now unable to work to help provide basic needs for the family.  The family actively works to give back and hosts fundraisers for others in need and never questions why they were chosen to be on this journey.

Family #3 – Our third Kent County family lives in Grand Rapids.  A single mom to a 10 year-old boy is battling Colon Cancer.  She was diagnosed in May 2017 and is in need of support and extra encouragement during the holidays.

 

Muskegon County Families

Shields of Hope will be supporting 1 family in Muskegon County this year!

Family #1 – This Muskegon family of 7 is comprised of mom, dad and children ages 9, 10, 13, 16 and 17.  Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer in spring 2017.  Due to the mother’s illness only the father is working at this time.  Between treatments, running a household, and raising 5 children any extra support would be greatly appreciated during this difficult time.

 

If you would like to help out any of these families in need, please stop in any Auto Body Xperts location to grab a gift tag off the giving tree to help a family in need this holiday season.

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