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Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes will host the next A-Plus™ University “Winning the Keys” Estimating and Profitability Workshop Nov. 16-17, 2011, at the Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa.

Sherwin-Williams “Winning the Keys” workshop participants will obtain the skills, information and tools necessary to increase estimate profitability. Shop owners, managers, estimators and customer service representatives interested in improving their closing ratio and creating loyal customers should attend.

This two day hands-on workshop covers a variety of topics, such as:
•    The Customer Experience
•    The Estimate – Blueprint for Profit
•    Effective Communication
•    Increasing Productivity and Profitability

“Built by leading repair industry professionals for collision repair professionals, ‘Winning the Keys’ is custom tailored to teach attendees customer service and estimating,” said Troy Neuerburg, Marketing Manager - Business Services for Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes. “Attendees will leave the workshop with the necessary knowledge and tools to negotiate profitable estimates, and implement loyalty while building sales techniques.”

To register online for the A-Plus University “Winning the Keys” workshop, go to www.sherwin-automotive.com. For more information on the A-Plus Network, call (216) 332-8580.

I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, will soon offer collision repair industry professionals a new training opportunity focused on Ford’s vehicle-specific parts and repair procedures. The I-CAR course, Collision Repair for Ford and Lincoln Vehicles (FOR05), was developed by I-CAR, in conjunction with Ford Paint & Body Technology Center. Registration for this instructor-led (live) training program is currently open and the course will premiere on September 6, 2011. New classes are being added to the class schedule on a continual basis.

This course provides information on service and parts for Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including collision repair position statements, different construction materials, vehicle features, and repair considerations. An explanation of different joining methods used on Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including the use of fasteners, adhesives, and welds is provided. Considerations around properly preparing parts for corrosion protection coatings and refinishing procedures are also covered in the course. Additionally, information on electrical and mechanical systems that are specific to Ford vehicles is provided.

Bill Stage, I-CAR Director of Marketing & Distribution said, “The ability for I-CAR to develop and deliver Ford-specific training helps support the collision industry by providing an overview of key topics that are relevant to individuals who repair Ford and Lincoln vehicles. I-CAR is glad to have established its relationship with Ford Paint & Body Technology Center and believes that individuals working in the collision industry will be better positioned to provide Ford vehicle owners with a complete and safe repair. Proper training on Ford vehicles will help repairers reduce the possibility of rework and maintain the overall integrity of the vehicle.”

Information and registration for this course can be found on the I-CAR website (www.i-car.com) or by contacting I-CAR Customer Care at 800-422-7872.

Copart, Inc., a live online vehicle auction, announced August 30 the opening of its new South Atlanta facility in Ellenwood, Georgia. This latest addition to Copart's footprint marks the company's fifth facility in Georgia and the 154th facility world-wide.

Copart President Vincent W. Mitz said the 77-acre site will improve Copart's service in the greater Atlanta Metropolitan area.

"Atlanta is a major market, and our new South Atlanta facility in Ellenwood provides additional capacity to more efficiently cover the region as demand for our services grows," said Mitz.

Copart, founded in 1982, provides vehicle sellers with a full range of remarketing services to process and sell salvage and clean title vehicles to dealers, dismantlers, rebuilders, exporters and, in some states, to end users. Copart sells vehicles on behalf of insurance companies, banks, finance companies, fleet operators, dealers, car dealerships and others as well as cars sourced from the general public. The company currently operates 154 facilities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. For more information, or to become a member, visit www.copart.com.

Golden State Collision Centers, Inc. announced September 1 the business will conduct a 3rd annual internal fundraising campaign to benefit the Boy and Girl Scouts of America organizations during the month of September, 2011. 

Golden State Collision Centers will donate a dollar amount for each vehicle repaired throughout the organization’s five locations. This campaign will continue throughout the month of September, 2011, and will be earmarked for campsite development projects in the Northern California area.

“In 2009, we were approached by the Boy Scouts of America to donate a nominal dollar amount, targeted for the refurbishment of Camp Winton in Northern California. Our organization launched a month long campaign, which clearly resonated with the communities in which we do business.” said Dave Finkelstein, owner of Golden State Collision Centers, Inc. “We were thrilled to announce that over the past two years this campaign has continued to be a huge success, enabling us to contribute $11,500 to Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts Heart of Central California organizations. It is our hope that the third year of our campaign will be equally successful and that these funds will help to provide a safe, fun and productive environment to further foster the campsite programs developed by the Boy and Girl Scouts organizations.”

Golden State Collision Centers has five locations in the Northern California area, servicing customers in Roseville, Sacramento, Orangevale, Lincoln and Yuba City. For more information about Golden State Collision Centers, visit www.goldenstatecollision.com.

In a continuing effort to respond to consistent participant feedback, Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) announced on September 7 its 2012 event - featuring the milestone 30th annual NACE event - will take place Oct. 11-13 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. The 2012 event will again follow a Thursday-Saturday day pattern, with education beginning Wednesday, Oct. 10.

"Almost a year ago, we put the attendees and exhibitors in charge of key decisions about the future of ASRW, including where and when the event takes place," said Ron Pyle, ASA president. "After multiple surveys among both attendees and exhibitors, the results were clear: our audience wants this event in New Orleans, and we're pleased to make it happen."

Based on attendance trends leading up to the 2011 event, the move to New Orleans is expected to draw a significant population of new attendees, as a new region of the United States has access to this international event.

Representatives from New Orleans will be onsite in Orlando to formally open housing, assist attendees with reserving hotel rooms and answer questions about the city. 

NACE was last held in New Orleans in 1995; CARS in the late 1980s.

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has added award-winning painter, fabricator, television personality, and Autobody News Columnist Rich Evans to an already packed lineup of activities taking place this year in the north hall of the Show.

Evans, owner of Huntington Beach Bodyworks and Rich Evans Designs, is known nationally for his work on television shows such as TLC's Junkyard Wars, Chop Cut Rebuild and Car Warriors on the SPEED Channel; and for his distinctive custom painting techniques that allow him to create some of the most striking heavy vehicle graphics in the world, including his much heralded "Tattoos for Cars" series.

While Evans has built his name on custom work and fabrication, he built his career on collision repair, and he will join SCRS at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, to speak about his career in the collision repair industry and the ever-changing landscape of the business and its technical side.

SEMA attendees are invited to stop by the SCRS booth (North Hall # 10727) to take part in this live interview.

"Our goal this year has really been a strong combination of developing the best, most relevant, educational topics we could put together for the industry through our RDE program, while also embracing the best elements and opportunities the SEMA Show has to offer, and highlighting them in ways that are focused and distinct to the collision repair community," explains SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg. "Adding dynamic and well known personalities like Rich Evans into the mix, who can provide exposure and insight into collision repair expertise that is as uncommon as it is fascinating, is one way to do this. We're excited to have Rich join us in the booth for what is sure to be an interesting discussion, and a great tie in to many of the topics that will be discussed in depth during the 2011 RDE program."