Over 300 of North America's collision industry elite gathered in August at the Summitt Executive Conference Center in Chicago for the Akzo Nobel 2004 Profitability Conference. Attendees participated in 20 Group meetings, special guest speaker presentations as well as an array of business development classes including eight new courses recently developed by Akzo Nobel which addressed topics ranging from Wage and Hour Issues to Planning Additional Locations.
Mike Roberts of Mike's Auto Body in Waldorf, Maryland was honored with the Acoat selected Business of the Year Award.
"This award is given to an Acoat selected shop that has not only achieved overall business excellence but has also maintained that excel-lence over a period of years," said North American Services Manager for Akzo Nobel, Mike Sillay. "The way in which Mike Robert''s operates his business is a model of customer service, financial performance and entrepreneurial ingenuity."
Pride Awards given for community involvement, participation in the Acoat selected Benevolence Program, excellence in recruiting and retention of employees as well as improving the image of the industry were given to Brad Shelton of Shelton's Collision in Derby, Kansas and Shawn Moody of Moody's Collision with locations in Scarborough, Gorham and Biddeford, Maine.
More than 25 businesses throughout North America received Growth Awards recognizing increased incremental sales. In addition, Jewel Pin Awards recognizing businesses that have had greater than 10 years of membership in the Acoat selected program went to:
Tony's Body Shop, Oxnard, California
Dave Adams Classic Auto Repair, Orem, Utah
Hagedorn Collision Center, New Albany, Indiana
Nu-Look Collision Center, West Henrietta & Rochester, New York
"We are proud to sponsor this unique industry event," said Jim Rees, General Manager of Akzo Nobel in North America."Profitability is the driving motivation at the heart of every business. Our Sikkens brand paint system coupled with the Acoat selected program creates the optimal compliment for premier businesses in the collision repair industry. Choosing these tools enables businesses to discover the best in paint technology and business development programs," he added.
