ESAB Regulators Offer Explosion Control
Welding and cutting product manufacturer ESAB says all oxygen regulators carry an inherent danger that the oxygen could spontaneously ignite if it encounters certain impurities, such as hydrocarbons, within the regulator. These accidents occur most often when regulators are used without following prescribed safety practices, but even the most conscientious worker could make a mistake.
CCAR Welcomes CSi Complete as Newest Affiliate
The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) has announced that Ohio-based CSi Complete is the newest affiliate of the organization. CSi Complete is a provider of customer satisfaction indexing and call center services to the collision repair and claims industries. With 13 years of experience, CSi Complete has completed millions of surveys and made millions
Mitchell International Acquires Scene Genesis
Mitchell International, Inc., announced that it has completed the purchase of Scene Genesis, a Web-based workflow and connectivity solutions provider dedicated to improving the claims handling process for insurers, independent appraisers and shops. Scene Genesis products include SceneExchange, an online community that connects shops that have the capacity to perform repairs with vehicle owners who
NAPA, ASE Name Parts Specialist and Tech of the Year
NAPA Auto Parts and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) have named Bill Steele the 2010 NAPA/ASE Parts Specialist of the Year and Paul Marquardt the 2010 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year. Steele is the parts specialist at Adams County Auto Supply in Gettysburg, Pa., which is one of three stores owned by
CAA Named Energy Star Partner
The California Autobody Association (CAA) announced it has been named an Energy Star Partner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in recognition of the CAA’s efforts to help its members increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CAA says it’s committed to achieving energy efficiency targets and has set energy conservation goals for
PUBLISHER’S PERSPECTIVE: See You in Vegas
Hopefully, you’re reading this on your journey to Las Vegas for this year’s International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE). As I write these words, we at BodyShop Business are busy planning for the upcoming event and looking forward to seeing many of you there. This type of face-to-face event provides all of us with an
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A/M Parts: Like, Kind and Quality?
I recently read a news story on your Web site [CAA Survey Questions Quality of CAPA-Certified Parts] and feel the need to comment. First, a little background on me. I’ve owned and operated a larger shop on the West Coast for almost 30 years and have experienced firsthand all of the different changes that have
Lincoln Electric Introduces 108 New Welding Products in Nine Months
Lincoln Electric, manufacturer of arc welding products, has rolled out 108 new products over the past nine months, the company announced, noting that the accelerated program was designed to bring the company’s improved products to the market faster and increase the breadth of Lincoln Electric’s welding solutions to its customers. Lincoln says it maintains the
ESAB Adds New Manufacturing Lines to Ohio Plant
ESAB Welding & Cutting Products has added two new wire drawing lines at its Ashtabula, Ohio, manufacturing facility to produce wire for high production submerged arc welding (SAW) applications. This addition will significantly increase ESAB’s SAW wire capacity, the company says. The new lines will descale, clean and draw the wire to the proper diameter,
PUBLISHER’S PERSPECTIVE: Squeeze or Be Squeezed
I recently had the opportunity to speak to 250 top shops from across the United States about today’s business environment. To prepare for the presentation, I had Babcox Research survey shops about how business was going this year. While my presentation was centered on customer satisfaction, the research highlighted a trend in our industry that’s