Converting a Body Shop to Waterborne Paint: What to Expect
After eight years working with waterborne basecoats, I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Here’s a no-frills, firsthand account of my experience.
ABRA Auto Body & Glass Adds Muscatine, Iowa Franchise
Minneapolis-based ABRA Auto Body & Glass recently announced the opening of its 98th repair center. Located in Muscatine, Iowa, this is the second ABRA franchise awarded to brothers Tim and Jeff Weber. “We are very happy with the success of their franchise in Dubuque, Iowa," said Mark Wahlin, vice president of franchising. "Their success can
DEG Offers List of Conditions of OEM Bumper Covers when Shipped
The Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) has developed a matrix of major vehicle manufacturers (OEs) and the condition in which their bumper covers are shipped. DEG says it has received several inquiries regarding the varying condition in which OEs ship bumper covers (Raw, Primed, In Color, etc.) and related questions as to whether database labor reflects
Ohio Technical College to Showcase Custom Paint and Graphic Program to High School Students
Ohio Technical College (OTC) has partnered with Championship Auto Shows’ Student Career Day program to encourage high school students to consider jobs in the automotive industry. Championship Auto Shows – producers of the World of Wheels, AutoRama and Cavalcade of Customs car shows throughout North America – started Student Career Day as an initiative to
Sherwin-Williams Conference Focuses on Success in a Tough Economy
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes A-Plus Network recently held its Vision Group Conference at the Villas of Grand Cypress in Orlando, Fla. The conference provided the more than 60 collision shop owners and managers with training, top industry speakers and group breakout sessions, all with a focus on succeeding in a difficult economic climate. “2009 was a
CIC Panel Lists Vehicle Complexity, Training as Top Challenges
Vehicle complexity and training were the two main challenges members of a panel discussion held at the Collision Industry Conference last week in Palm Springs, Calif., said lie ahead for the collision repair industry. Members of the panel included: Guy Bargnes of Bargnes Associates; Randy Hanson, auto director for Allstate; John Edelen, president and CEO
Developing a Lean Body Shop Business Model
Figuring out what problem you’re trying to solve in your shop is the first step toward creating a clear picture of where you want your organization to go.
PPG MVP Training Earns I-CAR, AMI Accreditation
PPG Automotive Refinish has announced that its new MVP training courses centered on developing people and organizations in collision repair have earned accreditation from I-CAR and the Automotive Management Institute (AMI). According to PPG, the set of three interrelated MVP courses – Job Relations, Job Instruction and Job Methods – are designed to develop the
Parts Manager Netted $548,000 in Online Parts Scam, Police Say
The parts manager of a Toyota dealership is accused of ordering thousands of dollars worth of parts for what he claimed were body shop orders, canceling the orders, then selling the parts on eBay, making over $500,000 in the process. James Norwood, who worked at Old Mill Toyota in Omaha, Neb., was charged with felony
LEAN & MEANER: Know Your Next Move
“Learn by doing” doesn’t mean “learn lean.” It means “learn how to create the future,” and know which way to go next. And the key to that is to paint a clear picture of your future.