HICKORY, N.C. – Mentor, Ohio-based DCR Systems and Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota have joined forces to build a state-of-the-art, 12,000-square-foot accident repair center near the dealer’s Hickory property. Featuring DCR’s unique patent-pending lean-based production process, Mike Johnson’s Collision Center opened to the public March 28. The grand opening of the center on June 11 will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an open house event to introduce the most advanced DCR model to date.

“Even though our DCR facilities are replications, each location continues to make subtle improvements — and this location, by far, is one of the most advanced collision repair operations I’ve ever seen,” said DCR Chief Operating Officer Lauren Angie. “We’re especially fortunate that our world-class repair system has the full support of a dealer that’s focused on the customer experience and clearly views the collision center as an extension of that experience — as a way to ensure their customers get the value they deserve.”

“It’s exciting to see DCR grow and the DCR model benefiting our customers in the Southeast,” said DCR Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Boswell. “The key to success is finding a partner like the Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota team, where the focus is on the customer. I feel confident that Mike Johnson’s Collision Center will be very successful and will serve as a model for future locations.”

Mike Johnson’s Collision Center is staffed, equipped, tooled and managed by DCR Systems and will be the first to house DCR’s proprietary Spray-Tech refinish system. The center will have the capacity to facilitate up to 200 cars per month.

Utilizing lean manufacturing principles in its approach to collision repair, the DCR process employs highly trained technicians using the latest advancements in collision repair techniques, tooling, equipment and process-driven design to streamline workflow and create consistency in guaranteed quality and vehicle delivery.

“We’re very excited because the DCR process is the most professional, best experience a customer can have when needing collision repair work done on their vehicle,” said Jay McFarland, chief financial officer for Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota, adding that: “Partnering with DCR closes the loop with our customers, allowing us to provide all the services they need for their vehicles while knowing the work will be done professionally and properly.”

The opening of Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota marked the seventh dealer-based operating cell for DCR Systems. The DCR lean-based collision repair production model is currently utilized by Cleveland-based Metro Toyota; Cleveland-based Classic Auto Group, a 24-franchise operation including manufacturer nameplates Chevrolet, Ford, Mercury, Toyota, Scion, Lexus, BMW, MINI, Mazda, Volkswagen, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Honda and Nissan; South Carolina-based Spartanburg Dodge and Spartanburg Chrysler Jeep; Jamestown, N.Y.- based Shults Auto Group, an 18-franchise operation; and North Carolina-based Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota. Several additional DCR Systems Accident Repair Centers are also currently under development.

For more information about Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota, visit: www.hickorytoyota.com.

For more information about DCR Systems, visit: www.DCRsystems.net.