Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp. Updates The University of Toyota's Estimator Certification Program

March 2009

Warrensville Heights , OH – The University of Toyota recently announced its continued partnership with Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp. (SWAFC) to offer the "Estimating Solutions for Profit" class as part of its estimator certification program.

"We are looking forward to another successful year working with Sherwin-Williams Automotive to supply our collision professionals with the skills needed to write better estimates and improve profits," said Brad Brahe, Toyota Body Shop Development Manager.  

"Estimating Solutions for Profit" is a seven-hour, hands-on workshop that has recently been updated, and now provides estimators with the techniques, skills, and information necessary to write more profitable estimates.  The class comprises real world estimating scenarios and industry-specific issues pertaining to body shop operations and insurance company relations.   

"It's well worth it; this class gave me a renewed focus to improve profitability through
better estimating skills and negotiations," according to Steve Spiletic, Daytona Toyota Collision Center Manager, after he attended an estimating workshop.

The damage estimators participating in Toyota's updated estimator certification program will be challenged to move away from the traditional method of estimating and embrace a more comprehensive approach—"blueprinting" the repair plan.

"Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes is proud to continue our partnership with the University of Toyota," said Jason Crager, Sherwin-Williams OEM Business Development Manager. "Sherwin-Williams strongly believes in supporting training programs that improve our industry and particularly collision shops' bottom line." 

The "Estimating Solutions for Profit" class is one of the industry's most recognized training courses; it is also approved and accredited by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) and offers 12 credits toward AMI's diploma program.

"Estimating Solutions for Profit" will be available to all of Toyota's 1,200 dealership partners nationwide, which represent approximately 450 collision centers within this dealer network.  Non-Toyota dealerships or independent body shops' estimators interested in attending a Sherwin-Williams "Estimating Solutions for Profit" class can visit http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/company/learning_center.cfm for more information and a class schedule. 

The Sherwin-Williams Company, founded in 1866, is one of the world's leading companies in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers.  Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corporation, a subsidiary of The Sherwin-Williams Company, manufactures and distributes a complete line of advanced-technology paint and coating systems for automotive and fleet refinishing industries.