Body Shop Takes Green Approach

Even though drivers may not always keep their eyes on the road, Town Line Auto Body on Main Street is making sure it stays ahead of the curve with recent facility upgrades and an eco-friendly approach to environmentally safe products.

The 35-year-old auto body shop owned by Ron Poydomani and specializing in body repair and custom detailing will soon be  handed down to his son, Ron Jr.

Over the past several months, in preparation of the torch being passed and mandated by regulations effective in 2015, the company's managers have upgraded the facility and the product line. 

Business manager Richard Reyes who has been with the company 14 years, said improvements have been made in recycling practices for chemicals used in the trade including laquer, thinners, oils and cleaners.

One major addition to the shop is a $75,000 dust free paint booth and the use of Azko Nobel, an environmentally safe paint.

The company recently upgraded to a Chief Impulse 360 degree frame puller that is accurate up to one millimeter from any direction.

Reyes said the environmental clean up has been ongoing and included metal part recycling, switching to natural gas and installing energy efficient light bulbs all over the building. 

"We are trying to have as little environmental impact as possible," he said.

Jim Miller, office manager, said as the environmental improvements are ongoing, he will be converting the company's hard copy onto a hard drive as the business's moves to a paperless filing system. 

Miller said a client file with estimates and other documentation could contain up to nine copies of the same information.

"There is quite a bit of paper generation just in the estimates alone," he said. "This will eliminate the need for all that paper."

Reyes added the company has already seen savings and hopes the continued efforts will create more efficiency.

"We are not exactly where we want to be yet, but we are getting there," he said.

Miller said he is getting compliments from his customers on the recent improvements.

"They have noticed the cleanliness of the shop and feel good about us using cleaner chemicals and the effect on the environment," he said.

Town Line Auto Body, 781 Main Street, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.