Body Shop History: A Look Back in Time

Body Shop History: A Look Back in Time

The auto body industry has a deep and rich history rooted in family.

Keene Auto Body: Since 1928

Ensio Piispanen immigrated from Finland to the U.S. and founded Keene Auto Body in 1928.

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Salem Auto Body: Since the 1920s

Salem Auto Body is located down the road from Gallows Hill, where Bridget Bishop was hanged in 1692 as part of the Salem witch trials.

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Corby’s Collision Center: Since 1942

Bentley (Bud) and Evelyn Corby started Corby’s in a little gas station in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.

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Rudy Schmid Total Car Care: Since 1930

Rudy Schmid started a backyard garage in Syracuse, N.Y., offering auto care and collision repair services in 1930.

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Steen & Berg Company: Since 1916

Sam Berg, a blacksmith, and Gus Steen, a painter, started Steen & Berg Company in 1916.

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Senn’s Body & Paint: Trustworthy Repairs Since 1949

Herman J. Senn Jr. opened Senn’s Body and Paint Shop in 1949 in Louisville, Ky., at the age of 18.

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Jerry’s Body Shop: A Family-Run Business Since 1971

Jerry and Marjorie Kottschade opened Jerry’s Body Shop on Oct. 15, 1971 on Rock Street in Mankato, Minn.

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Lewis Body Shop & Glass: Since 1935

Lewis Body Shop & Glass in Macon, Mo., was founded in 1935 by Carswell Lewis.

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NORTHEAST Named to Trade Show Executive Magazine’s “Fastest 50” List

The show was recognized for the second consecutive year as one of the fastest growing U.S. trade shows held in 2023.

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) announced that the NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show has been recognized for the second consecutive year by Trade Show Executive magazine as one of the fastest growing U.S. trade shows held in 2023.

NORTHEAST, which typically draws thousands of industry professionals to the Meadowlands Exposition Center (MEC) in Secaucus, N.J., every March, was named to the magazine’s “Fastest 50” for 2023. In addition, Trade Show Executive magazine also recognized NORTHEAST’s continued growth in the areas of exhibit space and number of exhibiting companies via its "Next 50" lists for 2023. 

People on the Move

Recent personnel news that has appeared on bodyshopbusiness.com.

Consolidator Report

Consolidation news from the week of April 29.

Top 5 Stories of the Week

A recap of the top five stories on bodyshopbusiness.com during the week of April 29.

WIN Announces New 2024-25 Board Leadership

The Women’s Industry Network executive board executes on WIN’s vision and mission for women serving in the collision repair industry.

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CIECA to Hold Webinar on Artificial Intelligence

The webinar, “The Fundamentals of Generative AI, Large Language Models and Implications for the Collision Industry,” will be held on Thursday, May 30 at 2 p.m. EST.

Guess the Car and Win $50!

Give us your answer for this month’s Guess the Car and you might win $50!

Lawson Products Acquires S&S Automotive

Like Lawson’s Kent Automotive business, S&S Automotive is an industry-leading distributor in the automotive dealership market.

Crash Champions Expands to Great Falls, Montana

Crash Champions has announced the successful acquisition of Mitchells’ Crash Repair, Flawless Auto Body and 3 Way Auto Body.