In 2011, AkzoNobel’s National Performance Titanium Group made a $1,000 donation to the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) in support of a contest for the industry and the DEG. The contest was designed to reward the top three individuals who submitted inquiries to the DEG that resulted in a positive response. Following are the winners:
1. Matt Hurta of Westmont Bodywerks in Westmont, Ill. – $500
2. Brady Jansen of World Toyota in Atlanta, Ga. – $300
3. Mike Ferrucci of Ray’s Carstar Autobody in Bristol, Conn. – $200
The contest was open to the entire collision industry, and the DEG says the three wines demonstrated a passion to help the collision industry by correcting issues or concerns within the estimating systems’ databases. With the support of the Titanium Group, the DEG was able to give back to three individuals that like many others take time out of their busy schedule to spend a few minutes to submit DEG inquiries. 
"I would like to thank everyone in the Titanium Group for making this contest possible," said DEG Administrator Arthur Harris. "This is the first contest the DEG has done and the response was great. The goal was to increase the awareness of the DEG and to give back to three individuals who submitted the most inquiries. Currently, the DEG processes over 1,000 inquiries a year, but since Jan. 1 of 2012, the DEG has processed 137 inquiries, a 178 percent increase over the same time in 2011.
"To say I was excited to call the winners is an understatement," said Harris.
The DEG called the owner or manager of the shop before speaking with the winners, explained what their employee had accomplished and thanked them for dedicating the time to the DEG.
Rodney, owner of Westmont Bodywerks, told the DEG he is a passionate supporter and recognizes the effort that the DEG puts into helping the industry. Rodney said he planned to pay his winning employee from his own pocket and donate the prize of $500 back to the DEG.
The DEG says it looks forward to more creative an innovative ideas in 2012 with the help of the Titanium group or possibly other organizations. Along with the contest, the Titanium group also donated an additional $2,000 to support the DEG and the March Taylor Education Foundation.
More information:
Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG)
