When it comes to the collision repair competition at the SkillsUSA National Championships, the top students from both secondary and post-secondary schools from more than 30 states represent the best of the best, and the future of the body shop business.
As they compete in the body repair and refinishing competitions, they’ll demonstrate the skills, knowledge and techniques they’ve learned through their high school and technical school classes and their SkillsUSA membership.
3M Automotive Aftermarket is there to help these future technicians at every step, supplying products and solutions for the job, along with the technical expertise from the 3M auto repair experts. Each year, 3M provides more than $10,000 in refinishing and repair products, adhesives, abrasives and masking products.
3M Automotive Aftermarket has been involved with the SkillsUSA collision repair competitions for more than a decade. It has also supported the local and state contests, helping hundreds of thousands of students along the way.
Mark Algie, business development manager, heads the plastic bumper repair competition, while Dan Wittek, technical service engineer, is the segment leader for the masking segment, and Sandy Libby, all of 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, will serve as a competition judge this year.
"Participating in SkillsUSA is a great way for 3M to show its commitment to the future of the collision repair industry," said Algie. "These students competing in the National Championships are truly the best in class. If we can help teach them good technique and process – and educate them about 3M products and solutions – we can give them a good foundation for the future and help them prepare for a career in this industry. We’re in the collision repair business for the long haul, and our support of SkillsUSA allows us to give back to the growth and future of the industry."
