Make-A-Wish Foundation Recognizes CARSTAR for National Fundraising Efforts
On Feb. 18, CARSTAR, headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., was recognized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s National Office for its ongoing contributions to bringing special wishes to life for children with life-threatening medical conditions. In 2008, CARSTAR raised more than $200,000 for the organization. Accepting the award from Make-A-Wish Missouri Director Sandra Lehrer was Dick Cross,
Shops Say Winter Work Boost Not Enough To Calm Fears About Recession
Shops in the Northeast and Midwest say they’re enjoying an uptick in work thanks to a rough winter, but some owners are concerned that increasingly price-conscious consumers will be willing to pay for fewer repairs once the ice melts. George McHenry, owner of Southlake Collision Center in Merrillville, Ind., told the Post-Tribune that his business
Utah Shop Beats Out Top Department Store For Customer Service Title
Utah-based Cascade Collision Repair was named No. 1 in customer service by the readers of Utah Valley Magazine, beating out leading department store chain Nordstrom’s, which came in second in the reader poll. Brian Nichols, co-owner of the three-location, family-owned business, said the pride Cascade’s employees take in their work makes the difference when it
Earl Scheib To Be Acquired By Private Equity Fund
Earl Scheib Inc. has entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to be acquired by Kelly Capital, LLC, a San Diego-based private equity fund, for $2 per share in cash in a transaction valued at $8 million. The acquisition price reflects a 567 percent premium over the last closing price of Earl Scheib’s common stock
Laws on Supplements, Steering and Total Loss Value Considered in Connecticut
The Connecticut Committee on Insurance and Real Estate had a public hearing this week covering three bills dealing with steering, total loss calculations and supplements, drawing testimony from the collision repair and insurance industries. Supplements S.B. 896 would reserve the right for an insurer to authorize any repair work beyond the original estimate before a
Connecticut Considers Laws on Supplements, Steering, Total Loss Value
The Connecticut Committee on Insurance and Real Estate had a public hearing this week on three bills dealing with steering, total loss calculations and supplements, drawing testimony from the collision repair and insurance industries. Supplements S.B. 896 would reserve the right for an insurer to authorize any repair work beyond the original estimate before a
STRANGE BUT TRUE: Truck’s Bumper a Bumper Crop of Cocaine
Forget lightweight carbon fiber and ultra high-strength steels – a truck found in a Mexican port was built from something even more exotic: pressed cocaine. On Feb. 12, police in the port of Manzanillo found a 1990 pickup truck with body panels and a bumper made from fiberglass-coated cocaine in a shipment from Colombia thanks
Martin Senour Paints’ Training Schedule Emphasizes Lean
More than 25 different classes designed to provide hands-on knowledge to automotive collision management and painting professionals will be offered in the first half of 2009 by Martin Senour Paints. Classes and technical instruction will include painter certification, VORTEX waterborne systems, color adjustment and blending, fleet refinishing, OEM certification training, accurate repair estimating and workshop
‘Cash for Clunkers’ Could Be Resurrected this Spring
Although funding for the “Cash for Clunkers” program was removed from the Economic Stimulus bill passed by Congress last week, congressional supporters have vowed to include the provision in another piece of legislation, possibly an energy bill, slated for debate this spring. The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) said it will continue to oppose the
‘Cash for Clunkers’ Could Be Resurrected This Spring
Although funding for the “Cash for Clunkers” program was removed from the Economic Stimulus bill passed by Congress last week, congressional supporters have vowed to include the provision in another piece of legislation, possibly an energy bill slated for debate this spring. The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) said it will continue to oppose the
I-CAR Education Foundation Announces 2009 Board of Trustees
The I-CAR Education Foundation announced the slate of trustees and executive committee for 2009. The following are members of the 2009 executive committee: • Chairman: Chris Evans, State Farm Insurance • Vice Chairman: Doug Webb, CSi Complete • Secretary: Bill Daly, Allstate Insurance Company • Treasurer: Chris Northup • Member-At-Large: Steve Seidner, Seidner’s Collision Centers
Caliber Collision Centers Opens New Texas Location
Irvine, Calif.-based Caliber Collision Centers has acquired a 19,000-square-foot facility in Bedford, Texas, in the Grubbs Family of Dealerships that includes Nissan, Chrysler, Jeep and Infiniti dealers. “Caliber is very excited about the opportunity to align ourselves with a dealer of such great reputation,” said Mark Sanders, Caliber’s chief operating officer. “We are looking forward