WEST FARGO, ND - Tri-State Auto Auction, Fargo, held an Auto Magic Reconditioning Seminar recently at the auction facility in West Fargo. Presented by Auto Magic distributor DSI Automotive Products, the seminar was lead by Rick Schmidt, Auto Magic’s director of training, who was assisted by Scott Sailers, Auto Magic’s auction manager.

More than 60 reconditioning professionals from the auction and area dealerships attended the training session, including four company representatives from Bellini SRL, an Italian company that is Auto Magic’s European master distributor.

Various aspects of vehicle reconditioning were covered including the proper application of reconditioning chemicals, tips and techniques, quality control, troubleshooting, and safety awareness. The seminar included hands-on training for the attendees on vehicles provided by the auction.

"We planned this seminar as part of our ongoing employee training program," said COO Mike Thorstad, Tri-State’s executive vice president and COO. "The recon department at Tri-State provides a valuable service to our customers, and it’s important to us to keep the quality of our recon work at the highest level."

The auction holds periodic reconditioning training seminars in cooperation with DSI and Auto Magic to keep abreast with changes in the reconditioning industry and to improve the skills of its staff.

Tri-State also uses the recently published ServNet/GM Auction Reconditioning & Guidelines Procedure Manual in the recon center to assure consistency and quality in the reconditioning process. This manual includes GM’s reconditioning specifications and requirements, Auto Magic’s six steps of reconditioning process, and a quality control checklist. Each reconditioning department employee receives a manual and is instructed on the processes it includes. The procedures outlined in the manual are used not only for GM-sponsored vehicles, but for all vehicles passing through Tri-State’s three-lane center.