Penske Truck Leasing Opens New Body Shop in Georgia
Penske Truck Leasing announced the opening of a new collision repair center in the Atlanta suburb Lithia Springs, Ga. The new, 20,000-square-foot facility provides collision services for chassis, body and trailer repairs, vehicle refinishing, and frame and alignment work for commercial trucks and vehicles. The facility serves the needs of Penske’s own truck fleet and
BASF Launches Lean Customer Program
BASF Automotive Refinish Solutions has launched a nationwide lean training program for its collision repair customers. The program helps BASF customers implement lean principles of reducing waste and developing a culture of continuous improvement in a collision repair center. The program was rolled out in addition to BASF’s “Change is in the Air” event, which
Ohio Body Shops Warn of Federal Tax ID Theft
At least two Ohio body shops recently had their federal tax identification numbers stolen and are warning other shops to safeguard theirs. Dawn Hilty, owner of Wingate Body Shop in Findlay, Ohio, and vice president of the Ohio Body Shop Owners Association, says someone recently acquired her shop’s federal tax ID number and has been
Study Plans to Revisit Requirement for Annual Respirator Fit Testing
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has planned a study to re-evaluate the benefits of an annual fit test requirement for employees required to use a respirator at work. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will perform the study, which is currently in its development stages, to determine the necessary intervals
Survey Indicates 3.5% Increase in Georgia Shop Labor Rate
A 2008 prevailing labor rate survey commissioned by the Georgia Collision Industry Association (GCIA) shows that those rates have risen 3.5 percent since 2007. The survey covered Metropolitan Atlanta, and a total of 287 responses in the months of March and April were tallied. Other results of the survey include: Sheet Metal Rate 2007 $39.32
PPG Announces 2008 Vibrance Collection Show Truck Appearance Schedule
PPG’s 75-foot tractor-trailer rig, custom painted in PPG Vibrance Collection colors, will crisscross the country from March through November, making 24 stops along the way at truck, car and hot rod shows and events. The truck, with PPG driver Chad Hook at the wheel, is a 2007 Freightliner Coronado. Larry Wood, chief designer for Hot
Sherwin-Williams Opens 11 New Stores
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corporation (SWAFC) has announced the opening of 11 new U.S. branches, including the opening of its landmark 200th store in the fourth quarter of 2007. These new retail locations will continue to incorporate SWAFC’s strategy to enhance the purchasing experience for its customers by including wider, more open aisles, brighter lighting and
Market Like an Insurer
Progressive’s Concierge program is the boldest action ever
taken by an insurer to mitigate the role a shop plays with the consumer. But what might the possibilities be if repairers employed some of these same strategies?
Matching Tricoat Pearls: Think Groundcoat
Making a let-down panel doesn’t solve the problem of matching tricoat pearl color. There’s got to be a better way – and there is: an invisible foundation-coat repair. If an automotive painter were asked what he did for a living, it would be fair for him to say that he’s a master illusionist. Citizen Jane
Eyes Wide Open: Two Techs Make the Transition from Shop Employee to Shop Owner!
With 60 years of industry experience between them, these two techs decided it was time to make the transition from shop employee to shop owner.