PPG’s MVP Business Solutions team will host a conference for collision center owners and managers from across North America, March 9-11 at the Hilton Resort at Squaw Peak in Phoenix, Ariz.

PPG says the conference’s combination of management training, peer exchange and expert speakers will help shop owners improve shop performance and competitiveness despite the critical challenges facing the industry today.

“We are in the middle of a very difficult perfect storm in our industry,” said Jim Berkey, director, Business Solutions Group, PPG Automotive Refinish. “Collision centers are seeing fewer repair opportunities, fewer resources, shrinking profits, increased insurer influence, and it’s all happening in the middle of a struggling economy. Moving forward, today’s collision centers must understand the new game is quality, speed and cost.”

Keynote speakers include Michael Martyn, founder of SISU Consulting Service, and John Foppe, author, trainer and adviser to executives. Martyn, an expert in increasing the speed and effectiveness of process improvement, will discuss techniques for managing quick change and developing employee-driven continuous improvement programs. Foppe, an inspirational speaker, will present the difference between “Get it done” and “Make it happen” companies – the latter being organizations in which employees love their work, exceed their goals and elate their customers.

A number of seminars will be held, including:

• 5S Workplace Organization and Point of Use Tools
• The Throughput Performance Journey
• The Practical Application of Lean Six Sigma for Collision Repair
• Building a Winning Team
• Creating a Winning Culture
• The Art of Effective Execution
• Developing Self-Managed Workgroups
• Problem Solving and Process Improvement through Effective Facilitation

In addition, discussion groups offering an opportunity for peer-to-peer exchange of business strategies, best practices and innovations will be offered. Topics include:

• Repair Planning Best Practices
• Throughput Performance Solutions
• Dealership Collision Center Management
• Finding, Keeping and Developing Top Performers
• Marketing Best Practices
• Open Discussion Group

Conference attendance is open to owners and managers of collision centers using PPG Refinish products. For more information and to register for the conference, visit www.mvpconference.com.