Autobody News: Family-Focused Giannini's Auto Body Shop Impressed by Accudraft
Carlsbad, CA, June 13, 2017 (Newswire.com) - In any production-based environment, it’s imperative to put emphasis on the finished product, but for Mike Giannini, owner of Giannini’s Auto Body Shop in San Francisco, CA, it’s equally necessary to recognize the end user, the person whose vehicle is being repaired. He stresses to employees, “Treat every vehicle like it’s your own.”
Family is important to Giannini, who got his start in the collision repair industry while working in his father’s shop from an early age; however, he branched off on his own in 2000, opening a 2000 square foot shop across the street and in direct competition with his dad. Since then, Giannini’s Auto Body Shop has moved locations four times before settling into their new 40,000 square foot facility last year, where his 25-year-old son works as production manager of 25 valuable employees.
"It's a nicer booth and is very quiet inside. Even better, it was an easy transition to start using it---the fan comes on and you roll along. My employees like it a lot."
Mike Giannini, owner of Giannini's Auto Body Shop
“My dad is amazing,” Giannini said. “He taught me about this industry. I earned his respect by showing him what I can do, and I’ve trained my son, Tommy, in the industry as well. He’s now one of my best employees, and I’m very proud of him. I’ve also had other family members work for me in the past, and my girlfriend, Jennifer Munoz, really helped us get the new facility ready to open for business. I’m grateful to have two wonderful people at my side.”
Last year, Giannini discovered another factor to successful operations when he chose to install two Accudraft Maxdraft downdraft paint booths and an accumix SS mixing room. “I was considering five different manufacturers, but Accudraft’s sales rep really sold me on their products. It’s a great company, and they’re very professional.”
Like Giannini’s Auto Body Shop, Accudraft is a family-owned-and-operated company founded in 1977 by Guy Pippa, and the organization is now run by his three children: Guido Pippa, Giovanna Helton and Lorena Markov. With manufacturing in New Jersey and Italy, Accudraft’s strong reputation for durability, performance and product support has made them a world-leading finishing system manufacturer. Using extraction fans and specialized ventilation systems, Accudraft paint booths remove chemical fumes, dust particles, overspray and other contamination while simultaneously regulating temperature and humidity for proper paint application.
Although Giannini just installed the Accudraft equipment last year, he’s very pleased with the results of the conversion. “It’s a nicer booth and is very quiet inside. Even better, it was an easy transition to start using it---the fan comes on and you roll along. My employees like it a lot.”
Giannini praised his employees as well, stating, “My guys are amazing. The shop has all the equipment they need, and they work hard. It’s an incredible team, and I believe I have all the best employees in the city. They’re like family.”
That personal connection is also what Giannini strives for when dealing with customers. He believes that what makes his shop so unique is his emphasis on the personal touch. “Yes, it’s a mega shop, and we produce large volumes of work, but that personal touch is just so important,” Giannini said. “My customers receive my personal cell number so they can talk to me about any questions they have about their repair.”
Appreciation for the importance of customer service guides Giannini in his business, and he also takes it into consideration when determining which companies earn his business. Regarding the customer service provided by his paint booth manufacturer, he recalled, “When we had a problem, I contacted Accudraft and they flew a tech in right away to get it straightened out. I’m really impressed by how well they took care of me.”
At Giannini’s Auto Body Shop, “When a mistake occurs, we put the customer in a paid rental and fix our error immediately. Nothing bugs me more than no follow through. I definitely believe in following through on my promises---it’s great for success! Our average cycle time is under four days, and our repairs for DRPs average less than $1800. Our customer service is at 100%, and we’ve been a Tier One shop for Allstate for 13 straight months, a national record. It’s really that personal touch that separates us from other shops,” Giannini explained.
The I-CAR Platinum shop repairs an average of 60 vehicles each week, and obtaining OEM certifications is next on Giannini’s agenda. He has recently hired an aluminum-certified employee to meet the increasing demands for aluminum repair. Giannini is also planning to become more involved with the community by starting an annual vehicle giveaway donating a car to a family in need. Giannini’s Auto Body Shop sprays with PPG’s waterborne paints and was the second shop in San Francisco to convert to the more environmentally friendly option.
Giannini’s Auto Body Shop
Daly City, CA
(415) 864-2644
Company At A Glance...
Type: Collision Repair
Employees: 26
In Business Since: 2000
Number of DRPs: Three
Number of Locations: One
Combined Production Space: 40,000 square foot
SAIMA of North America Inc.
Randolph, NJ 07869
(800) 524-0340
info@accudraftpaintbooths.com
www.accudraftpaintbooths.com
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Source: Autobody News
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