Inspired by industry discussions on materials management, including insights shared by Richard Desvousges in FenderBender and ABRN.
In collision repair, materials management is about more than keeping shelves stocked. It’s about knowing what products your shop has, how they’re being used, and whether those costs are being accounted for on each repair order.
Consumables like adhesives, sanding discs, and masking tape can add up quickly. Without a reliable tracking process, shops risk excess inventory, wasted products, missed charges, and unnecessary expenses.
How does your shop track materials by repair order?
Knowing what’s on the shelf is only part of the picture. Shops also need visibility into what technicians use on each job and which materials may be eligible for reimbursement.
Track Materials. Control Costs. Improve Profitability.
At Colours, we offer M.E.R.E. (Managing. Everything. Required. Efficiently.), an inventory management system designed to help collision repair shops streamline operations and improve profitability.
With M.E.R.E., technicians can quickly check consumables out to individual repair orders, creating a record of materials used when it’s time to bill. This helps estimators identify recoverable materials, support accurate billing, and reduce the risk of overlooking applicable charges.
M.E.R.E. also helps shops:
- Maintain inventory visibility: See inventory levels in real time and help prevent stockouts that interrupt workflow.
- Reduce unnecessary spending: Minimize duplicate products and excess inventory while keeping essential materials available.
- Improve technician productivity: Make product checkout quick and easy, reducing time spent waiting for supplies.
- Simplify ordering: Use electronic ordering to help keep the right materials on hand.
- Manage multiple locations: Access inventory information through a cloud-based system designed for desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
Better Inventory Management Starts with Accountability
Effective inventory management also means rotating stock, monitoring expiration dates, and following consistent procedures for storing and using materials. Shops must continue to follow applicable OEM repair procedures and manufacturer guidelines to support safe, quality repairs.
When shops connect inventory tracking with repair order documentation and billing, they gain a clearer picture of where materials are going and how those costs affect profitability.
Your inventory is more than what’s on the shelf. It’s part of every repair, every invoice, and your shop’s bottom line.
Colours’ M.E.R.E. Inventory Management System helps shops take control of materials, improve visibility, and make more informed business decisions.
Ready to see what better inventory management could do for your shop? Learn more about M.E.R.E. or contact Colours to get started.