3 Decades of Innovation

Do you want to know what our greatest competitive advantage has been since our founding? It is our relentless quest for technological innovation. Since opening our doors in 1981, technology has shaped what we do and how we do it. In fact, many of the technological advancements pioneered at our stores have become standard operating procured in the industry. Some of our technological advancements have yet to hit the mainstream. While most of our competitors are racing to catch up, we're busy breaking ground on the next big thing. The following time line highlights some of 3D's pioneering milestones contrasted against the timeline of our industry's adaptation.

	3D Time Line		Industry Time Line
1981	3D opens, buys $2,500 fax machine.	1981	Most suppliers do not have fax machines yet
1984	3D enters DRP* World.	1984	DRPs are frowned upon in collision industry.
1985	3D First uses computerized software.	1985	Very limited software available for industry.
1985	One of the first shops in the tri-state area to install a downdraft booth with bake oven.	1985	Industry still using cross-flow booths.
1990	3D installs Akzo computing system.	1990	Less than 1,000 management systems in use in the industry at this time.
1995	3D installs Car-o-liner welding system that replicates factory spot welds.	1995	Industry uses mig welding which cannot duplicate a factory weld.
1997	3D acquires second location in Spring City.	1997	Consolidation in the industry has started.
2000	3D buys domain 3Dbodyworks.com, 3D installs and hosts its own Exchange server, 3D joins peer 20 best practices group.	2000	Most collision shops have not established a web presence at this point. Fewer than ten peer groups in the country.
2002	3D buys Oxford shop, installs web cams to digitize estimating, installs its own IT infrastructure at all locations. $1M investment.	2002	Industry continues to consolidate.
2003	3D begins digitally photographing every operation & procedure that happened and makes it appear as a video of car being repaired.	2003	Polaroids were still commonplace in shops.
2006	3D acquires 4th location- Haverford.
2007	3D buys TOC** software, gives the ability to accurately predict when vehicle moves through repair process.	2007	Shops are using management systems that are nothing more than big Excel spreadsheets.
2008	3D opens two more locations- Haverford and Wayne, hires @accelerate to teach TOC methodology, 3D is entirely paperless.	2008	Large-scale consolidators are entering the picture.
2010	3D launches automated text and e-mail status update system to customers, starts extensive in-house training with TOC facilitator.	2010	Some software programs are talking about offering e-mail messaging.
2001	3D switches to waterborne paint system.	2010	Southern California only is mandated to switch to waterborne paint system.