The Santa Clara chapter of the California Autobody Association will meet at 6 p.m. on May 22 at Three Flames Restaurant in San Jose, CA.
Guest speaker is Mike Anderson with Collision Advice who will present "The State of the Collision Industry in 2013."
Anderson is the former owner of WagonWork Collision Centers of Alexandria, VA. he is an accredited automotive manager (AAM). Mike is the past director of the ASA Collision Operations Division and has served on the ASA Collision Operations committee. He has also served on the board of directors for WMABA and the VA Automotive Legislative Committee, and has been a member of CIC, SCRS, CAPA and the National Auto Body Council.
Free Trade Show and Training
Advanced Vehicle Technology Repairs
June 26, 2-9 p.m.
Sheraton of Cerritos
For all the info, please click here:
Axalta Coating Systems Partners With Optima Automotive For Web Presence Management Services
Written by staffAxalta Coating Systems, formerly DuPont Performance Coatings, has partnered with Optima Automotive to work with its customers on its overall web presence marketing tactics. This will include website development/design, search engine optimization, social media management, pay-per-click campaign management and reputation management.
ABRA Auto Body & Glass, a leading national vehicle repair company and one of the country’s fastest growing multi-shop repair operators, announced May 10 that it has acquired 23 Precision Collision Auto Body repair centers in the Seattle metro area and throughout Washington State. The deal marks the company’s largest acquisition in its 30 year history, its entry into the northwest region and increases the total number of new ABRA center openings this year to 37.
ABRA is rapidly becoming a collision repair heavyweight and is known throughout the industry as one of the top performing operators in the country. The company has significantly accelerated its growth in recent months and now operates a total of 172 repair centers in 17 states.
“This is a game-changing acquisition for us,” said Duane Rouse, President and Chief Executive Officer of ABRA. “We have an extremely strong management team, a scalable integration platform, a fantastic brand, and extensive expertise and experience in the collision repair industry. Acquiring these repair centers is just one more step in ABRA’s ongoing growth strategy to better serve our customers and insurance partners.”
Car-O-Liner® Names Richardson as New Key Accounts Manager
Written by staff
Car-O-Liner®, a leading global provider of collision repair equipment to the automotive aftermarket, has hired Peter Richardson as a Key Accounts Manager.
In his new role, Peter will work closely with the company's OEM and MSO partners across North America to understand their needs and offer solutions that will enhance their business. “We are excited that Peter is joining the Car-O-Liner family. He is a powerful addition to our team,” said Jeff Kern, Car-O-Liner President of the Americas. “Establishing a strategic partnership with our customers is of high importance to us. Peter’s knowledge of the industry is an asset to reinforce our relationships with key OEM and MSO partners.”
Peter joins Car-O-Liner after 10 years at Shure Manufacturing where he was responsible for sales, marketing, and customer service. Peter developed and managed Shure’s long-term relationships with national automotive OEM equipment programs, as well as directed sales initiatives and strategies to increase brand awareness and sales both domestically and internationally. Before that, he spent 12 years at SBC Telecommunications in various sales and account management positions.
Maine Legislature Holds Hearing on Right to Repair Legislation
Written by ASA staffThe Maine legislature recently held a hearing on LD 788, Right to Repair legislation, titled “Vehicle Owners and Repair Facilities.” The hearing was held in the Joint Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development.
Ken Boyce, the owner of Ken’s Auto Repair Inc. in Buxton, ME, presented testimony on behalf of the Automotive Service Association (ASA). He has 29 years of experience in auto repair.
Boyce made compelling arguments in opposition to the Right to Repair legislation throughout his testimony. He said:
“There are lots of conflicting opinions about the right to repair issue. In my opinion, this legislation has no purpose. All it would do is codify an agreement that was reached over a decade ago at the behest of the U.S. Congress after they expressed their desire to not inject themselves into the middle of the situation.
The Carlyle Group is selling its stake in Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., approximately 50,000 shares held by investment funds associated with The Carlyle Group. Goldman Sachs will act as the sole underwriter in a registered public offering of those shares. Hertz said the sale of stock by the investment firms represents practically the entire interest the funds held in Hertz stock.
Reuters reported that prior to the sales, CD&R and Carlyle were the second and third largest shareholders in Hertz, respectively, according to Thomson Reuters data. The three investment funds bought Hertz from Ford Motor Co. in 2005 for $5.6 billion.
Hertz operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty brands from approximately 10,460 locations worldwide. The company claims to have the second largest market share in the off-airport car rental market in the United States.
The Carlyle Group purchased DuPont's Performance Coatings unit earlier this year and operates the business as Axalta Coating Systems. Carlyle acquired Service King in the summer of 2012.
The 2012 Trade Show News Network’s “U.S. Top 250 Trade Shows” list has named Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) for the third year in a row.
The list represents the top 250 trade shows held last year ranked by net square footage in the U.S.
This year's ASRW event will become a two-day expo with three days of educational seminars.
ASRW is comprised of the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS).
“Out of the tens of thousands of tradeshows that take place in the U.S. each year, inclusion in this prestigious list is an excellent reminder of the size, scope and overall footprint ASRW continues to have not only in the automotive service and repair industry, but the tradeshow industry as well," said Lindsay Roberts, ASRW show director. “It’s a great accomplishment and we’re thrilled to be included again this year.”
In addition, Hanley Wood Exhibitions, which produces ASRW for the Automotive Service Association (ASA), ranked among leading show management organizations with five shows included on the list.
ASRW 2013 will be held Oct. 17-18 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, with education beginning on Oct. 16, 2013.
SCRS Recognize Standout Figures of the Collision Repair Industry
Written by SCRS staffThe Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) recognized a select group of professionals who have demonstrated outstanding service and accomplishment. The recognition was given at the association's annual Industry Achievement Awards and Reception on April 2 in Phoenix. The ceremony, a tradition that highlights the SCRS year, was presided over by newly-elected SCRS Chairman Ron Reichen, who also served as chairman of SCRS' Nominations and Awards Committee.
The first award presented was the SCRS Lifetime Achievement Award-Regional, which pays tribute to those who generously assist their local region. SCRS' Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg said, "The award is for people who inspire; people who have dedicated themselves to bettering the industry from which they have come."
