SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 2, 2012) - Mitchell today announced a new technology integration with LKQ Corporation (LKQ) as a partner in the RepairCenter™ ToolStore, making it possible for auto body repair shops to engage with LKQ's parts procurement solution directly from the RepairCenter Workspace.
RepairCenter ToolStore is a dynamic market place that empowers body shops to connect with their mission critical collision repair trading partners and third party add-on tools that help shops streamline workflows and run their businesses more profitably and efficiently. It features solutions across multiple categories such as paint, rental, parts, analytics, accessories, compliance, digital marketing, customer satisfaction and more.
LKQ's proprietary "LKQ InTouch™" electronic ordering system for quality aftermarket and recycled parts is now seamlessly integrated into RepairCenter through the ToolStore to provide auto body shops a robust parts procurement solution. Data is captured automatically through integration with RepairCenter and passed on to LKQ InTouch™ technology for real-time access to LKQ's aftermarket and salvage parts inventory. Parts lookup and ordering that previously involved multiple, time-consuming and often error-prone steps are now simplified into an intuitive workflow that allows shops to conduct their parts procurement activities within the RepairCenter Workspace.
"Having the LKQ InTouch™ technology solution integrated into RepairCenter takes parts procurement to a new level by allowing users to interact with our parts portal on a real-time basis," said Terry Fortner, Vice President of Industry Relations and Marketing Development at LKQ Corporation.
LKQ and Mitchell have been collaborating closely with CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts -- the first MSO to adopt the RepairCenter integrated solution -- to fine tune the new application. "CARSTAR has been an outstanding partner and played a major role in validating our approach. They are truly committed to customer satisfaction and delivering the highest quality repairs to their customers' vehicles in the shortest possible time. We're excited to see their shops leveraging best practices in real-time parts procurement," added Fortner.
In addition to passing data to facilitate parts lookup and ordering, the RepairCenter ToolStore also provides the ability to receive data back from LKQ InTouch™ technology. This two-way integration empowers shops to eliminate the manual steps required to update relevant parts costing and estimate information in RepairCenter, further simplifying workflow. LKQ InTouch™ technology is offered at no additional cost in the RepairCenter ToolStore and takes just one click to activate.
"Enabling LKQ's integration with RepairCenter through the ToolStore is another example of how Mitchell is connecting the collision repair industry and underscores our commitment to bring technology-driven innovations to the marketplace," said Peter Lovasz, Senior Director of Mitchell Repair Solutions." We are delighted to have LKQ participate in the ToolStore to give auto repair facilities a much more efficient parts procurement workflow and real-time access to LKQ's vast inventory of quality aftermarket and salvage parts."
RepairCenter is built on the strength of Mitchell's market-leading business management solutions, repair information content, and customer experience management functionality. RepairCenter's flexible design allows auto body shops to select the exact tools they need to create a customized Workspace. The RepairCenter ToolStore is like having every tool in the industry on hand for the collision repair workflow, whether it's for parts procurement, paint, rental, compliance, analytics or other key elements of the repair process.
To learn more about RepairCenter, visit www.repaircenter.mitchell.com, or to get additional information about building your own application in the ToolStore, contact Mitchell by email at RepairCenterInfo@mitchell.com or telephone at 1-800-238-9111.
About LKQ Corporation
LKQ Corporation is the largest nationwide provider of aftermarket and recycled collision replacement parts and refurbished collision replacement products such as wheels, bumper covers and lights, and a leading provider of mechanical replacement parts including remanufactured engines, all in connection with the repair of automobiles and other vehicles. LKQ also has operations in the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and Central America. LKQ operates more than 460 facilities, offering its customers a broad range of replacement systems, components and parts to repair automobiles and light, medium and heavy-duty trucks.
About Mitchell
Mitchell empowers clients to achieve measurably better outcomes. Providing unparalleled breadth of technology, connectivity and information solutions to the Property & Casualty claims and Collision Repair industries, Mitchell is uniquely able to simplify and accelerate the claims management and collision repair processes.
As a leading provider of Property & Casualty claims technology solutions, Mitchell processes over 50 million transactions annually for over 300 insurance companies/claims payers and over 30,000 collision repair facilities throughout North America. Founded in 1946, Mitchell is headquartered in San Diego, California, and has 1,700 employees. The company is privately owned primarily by the Aurora Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based investment group. For more information about Mitchell, visit www.mitchell.com.