Powder-X Coating Systems Ranks No. 2,185 on Inc. 5000 List
Inc. magazine ranked Powder-X Coating Systems, a manufacturer of powder coating equipment and products, 2.185 on its annual list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the country, the “Inc. 5000.” Powder-X Coating Systems, which had a 169.1-percent sales growth over three years, said the company is proud to be on the list. Powder-X says
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Receives Volvo Approval for Waterborne Paint System
Volvo has granted global technical and commercial approval of Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp.’s (SWAFC) AWX waterborne refinish system for use in all certified Volvo collision repair facilities around the world. AWX is now listed in Volvo Car’s new VIDA (Vehicle Information and Diagnostics for Aftermarket) system, as is the previously approved SWAFC’s ULTRA 7000 Basecoat/Clearcoat
ABRA Auto Body & Glass Donates to I-CAR Education Foundation
ABRA Auto Body & Glass contributed $2,500 in July to the I-CAR Education Foundation’s Industry Partners Annual Fund, which supports many foundation activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the collision repair industry. “The future of our industry relies on a having properly trained pool of employees to choose from,” Rollie Benjamin, president and
NABC Offers Information on Emergency Preparedness
In the wake of Hurricane Gustav hitting the Gulf Coast over the weekend, the National Auto Body Council (NABC) is reminding repairers that the emergency preparedness brochure, “Are You Prepared,” is available to download. The document, created in the aftermath of the violent 2005 hurricane season, is written specifically for collision repair facilities and their
ASE Drops NCTS Racing Sponsorship
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) announced that it will not return as a primary sponsor in the 2009 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS). “As one of the original NCTS sponsors, our Team ASE racing program has served the organization well since 1994, but our board has decided that it’s time to redirect
ASE/AYES/SkillsUSA Announce Testing Partnership
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) and Skills USA announced an agreement to provide end-of-program exams for students in secondary and post-secondary automotive technology programs. The new exams, set to be released in spring 2009, will combine the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) end-of-program tests into a
CRA Opposes Labor Rate Survey Data Collection By Third-Party Vendors
Representatives of the Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) and the California Autobody Association (CAA) as well as insurance companies declared at a meeting today with the California Department of Insurance that labor rate survey data should not be handled by third-party vendors. CRA lobbyist Richard Steffen said the CRA board is firmly opposed to
CEG Adds Spray Booth Distributor
The Collision Equipment Group (CEG) has signed a new distributor, New Hampshire-based Spray Booth Services & Equipment, for the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The company installs and services all types of collision repair equipment and their components. Spray Booth Services & Equipment Sales, in business for more than 12
Insurance Institute Cites Rising Collision Repair Costs for Rate Hike Request
Forty-eight New York state insurance companies, in spite of a documented decrease in driving and accidents this year, have pending rate increase requests before the New York state insurance department. The department is requiring companies to assess the impact of decreased driving (click HERE to read our story about the nationwide decrease in miles driven)
I-CAR Increasing U.S. Pricing
I-CAR announced that it will increase its price of its U.S. discount training coupons as of Sept. 1. Prices for Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual discount training coupons will be $85, keeping these the lowest-priced coupons available. Regular discount training coupons will be $105. The at-the-door price of training will be $145. I-CAR Canada,
Sherwin-Williams Opens New Houston-Area Store
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corporation (SWAFC) announced the opening of a new Houston-area branch at 1705 Garth Road, Baytown, Texas. "Our goal is to open new branches that conveniently meet the needs of our collision repair customer base around the country and bring them greater value," said Tom Hablitzel, SWAFC president. "Each location features an improved