Sterling to Convert All Shops to Waterborne
Sterling Autobody Centers announced it will convert all of its 60 shops in 16 states to waterborne refinishing. The conversion will begin with the opening of Sterling’s new location in Fountain Valley, Calif., on Nov. 3. “Waterborne technology is not only environmentally more responsible, but also safer for our employees,” said Tim Swift, vice
Larry Steck Remembered for Generous Spirit, Passion for Family Business
Laurence D. “Larry” Steck, 56, vice president of Steck Manufacturing in Dayton, Ohio, passed away Friday, Oct. 17, due to complications from surgery at OSU Ross Heart Hospital in Columbus. Larry Steck, a lifelong employee of Steck Manufacturing, ran the company with his brother Ray Steck. Larry started out working for his father George Steck
PPG Seminars to Focus on Color Accuracy, Improved Shop Operations
PPG Automotive Refinish will present four seminars to help attendees improve on matching OE color variations and learn steps to improve their repair process at NACE in Las Vegas. “Demystifying the Source of OE Color Variances,” Nov. 5, 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. – A seminar led by Mike Henry, PPG manager, color print tools, will cover
Automotive Cooling Products Acquired
1-800-Radiator is expanding into new markets with its acquisition of Minneapolis, Minn.-based Automotive Cooling Products Inc. (ACP), whose seven Midwest locations distribute automotive heating and cooling products. ACP served the Minneapolis, Minn.; Kansas City, Kan.; Rock Island, Ill.; Omaha, Neb.; and Madison, Appleton and Milwaukee, Wis., markets. Most of ACP’s roughly 80 employees will now
Omaha Collision Shop Receives BBB Integrity Award
Dingman’s Collision Center in Omaha, Neb., recently received the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Integrity Award for businesses with six to 24 employees. These awards focus on demonstrating ethical business practices with customers, employees and community at large rather than a company’s growth, profitability or popularity. The Integrity Award winners were chosen by an independent panel
Interviewing ABCs
Good interviewing takes time and preparation. Here are some steps you can take to ensure you hire the right person the first time.
Is a Body Shop Classification System Reality?
Hotels have a star classification system, so why can’t collision repair facilities? This kind of system would allow top shops to be compensated properly and would give consumers something to measure all shops by.
The Best of Times
Within the past couple months, the largest insurance company in the world was bailed out by the government, one of the largest investment banks in the world filed for Chapter 11, and an investment house that was considered an American icon was purchased to save it from financial demise. But still, I believe these are
Legislative Lowdown
Federal – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a proposed regulation to amend the Remedy for Violation of Requirements to Provide Personal Protective Equipment and Train Employees regulation currently in place. Specifically, this proposal clarifies that “noncompliance with the personal protective equipment (PPE) and training requirements in safety
Young Guns
Ray and Clare Santiago are hoping to set the industry ablaze with radical new ideas and a unique business philosophy.