INDUSTRY NEWS (1245)
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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."
AkzoNobel Opens Nominations for 2013 FIT Sustainability Awards
Written by staffAkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas is now accepting nominations for the 2013 FIT Sustainability Awards.
As a global leader in sustainability, AkzoNobel launched the FIT Program in 2009 in an effort to bring awareness and create a desire for change within the collision repair industry related to this critical global issue. FIT which is an acronym for Focus, Innovation and Talent, the three key criteria for the award, was established as an expansion of the Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry Program.
City officials in Marlborough, MA, will form a task force to inspect auto body and auto repair shops in the coming months after concerns that some might be doing work without the proper licenses or meeting environmental requirements.
Marlborough Code Enforcement Officer Pam Wilderman said that she has sent out 61 letters to businesses advertising auto repair or auto body work alerting them to the upcoming inspections, the Metrowest Daily News reported.
SEMA Show Enhances Services for Collision Repair Market
Written by SEMA staffThe 2013 SEMA Show will include enhanced features for the Collision Repair & Refinish market, including an expanded show floor area, targeted activities both inside and outside the Las Vegas Convention Center, and an unsurpassed educational program. The upgrades come as a result of the fast-growing interest from both exhibitors and buyers in the collision market segment.
“As interest grows and the landscape changes, we continue to evolve and are excited about the plans for 2013,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA VP of events and communications.
Auto Body Shop in Missouri Rebuilds Golf Cart Used by JFK
Written by staffInteresting story about golf cart used by JFK during St. Louis visit. Rebuilt by Northtown Auto Body and to be displayed. Click here to read and watch video.
http://fox2now.com/2013/05/03/golf-cart-used-by-jfk-to-tour-mcdonnell-douglas-to-go-on-display/
Collision Repair Education Foundation and Partners Announce $300,000 in Student Scholarships
Written by CREF staffThe Collision Repair Education Foundation announced the first round of winners of several scholarships and tool grants. These awards are part of over $300,00 in scholarships given out in May 2013 by the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The Collision Repair Education Foundation Scholarship is in its sixth year and is funded by the entire collision industry through the Collision Repair Education Campaign. The Education Foundation Scholarships offer students financial assistance with tuition and other costs associated with their collision education.
