While 2008 was a difficult year for some collision repairers, others continued to grow their business and improve their financial performance, including three Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp. (SWAFC) A-Plus Network members. As a result, the company announced the recipients of its annual A-Plus Vision Group Collision Center of the Year: Jim Thompson, Bob Mickey Collision, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Brandon Gary, Champion Collision, Houston, Texas; and David Shirley, Toyota of Irving, Irving, Texas.
“We are very proud to announce our three A-Plus Network Vision Group Collision Center of the Year’ recipients for 2008 – it is with great honor to present these two owners and one dealership Collision Center Manager with this prestigious award,” said Brandon Devis, SWAFC A-Plus Network Program Manager. “Their hard work and determination to succeed all drove their respective organizations and individual groups to new heights in 2008. Their financial performance was outstanding – driving improved sales, gross profits and bottom line net profit.”
Vision Group 1, Jim Thompson from Bob Mickey Collision, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
“Jim’s leadership helped his organization finish with its strongest performance since joining our Vision Group in 2002. This success catapulted his organization to open a second location in 2009. Jim believes in his people and provides them with all the tools necessary to get the job done,” noted Devis. “In addition, he was a driving force in the establishment of our separate Vision Group for shop managers, which was established in 2008. Understanding the features and benefits of the program, Jim regularly sent several of his key staff members to each meeting, to help groom them as future leaders of Bob Mickey Collision.”
Vision Group 2, Brandon Gary from Champion Collision, Houston
“Brandon had a great 2008 and is poised to again exceed his goals for 2009. Since joining the group in Brandon has been an established leader and been very influential in bringing new members meetings and welcoming them into our Vision Groups,” said Devis. “Champions Collision was also the first Sherwin-Williams A-Plus Member to implement AWX waterborne in the Houston metropolitan market.”
Vision Dealership Group, David Shirley from Toyota of Irving, Irving, Texas
“Obviously, 2008 was a difficult year for Dealerships and yet we were fortunate to have a number of strong performances in our Dealership Group in 2008 – and one that stood out was Toyota of Irving,” said Devis. “David Shirley is one of the top dealership collision center managers in the country and posts outstanding performances. He was runner-up for the Toyota Certified Collision Center of the Year Award and is a strong leader in his group and in his facility. Toyota of Irving was a founding member of the Dealership Vision Group in 2003.”
The A-Plus Network offers members business-building opportunities including specialized management and marketing programs, continuing education through A-Plus University, contributor programs and vision group participation, as well as loyalty benefits and numerous other features, according to SWAFC.
For more information about the SWAFC A-Plus Network, visit www.sherwin-automotive.com or call (800) 798-5872.
