INDUSTRY NEWS (1261)
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Audatex North America Extends Contract with Boyd Group to Provide Estimating Solution
Written by Audatex North America, Inc.Audatex North America, Inc. has announced a new multi-year agreement with The Boyd Group Inc. to provide estimating software and related tools to support the multi-shop operator (MSO) in the U.S. and Canadian markets.
The Boyd Group operates more than 200 locations across the four Canadian provinces under the trade name Boyd Autobody & Glass, and in 14 U.S. states under the trade names Gerber Collision & Glass, Pearl Auto Body and The Recovery Room. Boyd also operates Gerber National Glass Services, an auto glass repair and replacement referral business with approximately 3,000 affiliated service providers throughout the United States.
"Through an ongoing commitment to excellence, the Boyd Group is a leader in the collision repair industry and continues to build momentum as one of the fastest growing multi-shop operators in North America," said Wolfgang Ahrens, Managing Director of Audatex US. "Audatex is pleased to extend our business alliance with the Boyd Group as we support their U.S. and Canadian operations with the industry's most intelligent and complete estimating and collision repair solutions."
Boyd and its predecessor companies have been Audatex customers for more than 25 years. More than 100 of Boyd Group's collision repair centers will use Audatex Estimating technology, leveraging features such as intelligent 3D graphics, color-coded parts and digital imaging to ensure estimating accuracy and efficiency, as well as the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
"We have established and maintained a long-standing alliance with Audatex because the company continues to innovate and address the dynamic business and technology needs of our repair centers and employees, so that they in turn can better serve our customers," said Tim O'Day, President and COO of the Boyd Group's U.S. Operations.
Education Foundation Plans for 2013 Summer Golf Fundraiser in Boston
Written by staffRegistration and event sponsorship is now available for the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s 12th annual golf fundraiser event taking place Thursday, July 25, 2013 in Boston, MA. Golfers will enjoy a round of golf at the South Shore Country Club, a championship par 72 golf course designed in 1922 by Wayne Stiles and features rolling topography, elevated approaches, and pristine conditions. As the Education Foundation’s 2012 golf fundraiser sold-out six months in advance, industry professionals are encouraged to register for this year’s golf fundraiser early as it is anticipated to be sold-out by early 2013. This fundraiser takes place in conjunction with the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and I-CAR industry meetings being held that week in Boston, and funds raised through this event assist the Education Foundation in providing support to collision repair students and their school’s collision programs.
Allstate, Sterling Autobody Give Gift of Transportation
Written by staffOver Thanksgiving week, Sterling Autobody and Allstate Insurance Company donated refurbished vehicles to families and charities in nine states across the country.
In all, the companies donated more than 20 newly refurbished automobiles through the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides Program. The vehicles were restored by technicians at Sterling shops in nine states: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas and Utah. The cars were gifted to non-profit organizations, individuals and families.
“Reliable transportation is something many of us take for granted,” said Sterling Autobody Centers President Nick Notte. “We are proud to offer our time and resources to transform lives and touch families and organizations across the country. While the gift of a vehicle provides a practical means of transportation, what it really provides is hope. Allstate Insurance Company and Sterling Autobody Centers have participated in the Recycled Rides initiative for the past five years and have refurbished and gifted more than 100 vehicles across the country.”
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced it has finalized an agreement to purchase the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS), the racing trade show that has been held annually in Indianapolis since 2009.
The IMIS will be consolidated with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, which returns to Indianapolis for 2013 and beyond. The 2013 PRI Trade Show will occupy the entire Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Show days, December 12-14, 2013.
The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) is seeking corporate sponsorships to help expand its 2013 educational and mentorship programs offered to women in the automotive industry.
WIN offers several levels of corporate sponsorship opportunities, including bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond, as well as sponsorship of its annual Educational Conference. WIN said each sponsorship enables the organization to provide women in the collision repair industry with educational opportunities that position them for future success.
All sponsors of WIN are recognized on the organization’s website, promotional items, signage, and membership functions and activities. Visit WIN’s website to view the monetary donation amounts associated with each level of sponsorship.
“WIN is dedicated to providing women in the automotive industry with a platform for growth,” said Victoria Jankowski, chair of WIN’s board of directors. “The opportunities that WIN offers its members are only made possible through the generosity and support of the organizations and individuals that contribute.”
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact WIN board member Susanna Gotsch at
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Matrix Wand Captures New Collision Product Award at SEMA
Written by Ed AttanasioTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced its New Products Showcase Awards on the eve of its 2012 show to recognize the world’s most cutting-edge automotive products in the collision industry today. With more than 2,000 new products submitted for consideration, only a handful received accolades and the trophies that accompany them. It’s the Oscar, the Emmy and the Lombardi Trophy of collision combined and surely one of the most coveted awards out there, because it comes with the SEMA stamp of approval and all of the benefits associated with it.
Rich Evans and Crew Unveil 2004 H2 Hummer at SEMA 2012
Written by staffTo see photos, click HERE.
Rich Evans and crew unveiled this 2004 H2 Hummer at SEMA 2012. The H2 Hummer was built in 10 days in Canada for the first taping of Evans’ new show, “World Wide Car Building.” All nine U.S. builders were there, as well as the Canadian team from Curtis Customs.
To view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
The late writer Hunter S. Thompson (known as the father of “gonzo journalism” and a long-time contributor to Rolling Stone magazine) wrote that he feared and loathed Las Vegas, yet he consistently returned there to get in various forms of trouble and test the limits of acceptable behavior. Thompson would have loved SEMA and other automotive industry shows, because they’re great events for reporters to cover and offer a wide range of opportunities to get into mischief.
I know, because I have covered quite a few of these shows for many years as a freelance writer specializing in collision repair. I’m proud to say I survived them all. One year, I covered three in a row—SEMA, AAPEX and NACE, all in Las Vegas—and it nearly killed me. I know firsthand why many shops never attempt this schedule. After eight crazy 15-hour days and walking show floors for miles, I came down with a kind of walking pneumonia, which sidelined me for several weeks afterward.
Going Green Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive Says GRC-Pirk
Written by Melanie AndersonTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
Contrary to popular belief, going green doesn’t have to be expensive, said Steven Schillinger of GRC-Pirk Management.
“Shops can save a lot of money by greening their practices,” said Schillinger.
“Marketing tricks and television advertising do their best to convince us that in order to become more eco-friendly, we have to buy more stuff—but that’s not true. If you replace a perfectly good item just to buy a new eco-friendly one, you aren’t really doing anything to benefit the environment.” Schillinger is a registered environmental assessor and president of ReComply, an environment records management company.
How Marketing Can Help Customer-Pay Sales
Written by Melanie AndersonTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
Shop owners and managers learned how to market to self-paying consumers in a presentation led by Steve Trapp and Robert Rick at SEMA 2012 in Las Vegas.
Steve Trapp, Program Manager at DuPont Performance Services and DuPont Performance Alliance, and Robert Rick, President of RR Custom Solutions Training and Consulting, presented “Marketing to Consumers - Supporting Customer-Pay Sales Efforts.”
Current statistics show that 35-40% of customers are asking repairers to write a customer-paid estimate, with a historical 50% closing ratio on these estimates. Improving sales skills for these more price-sensitive customers is key.
Guilty of Junk Thinking? ‘How to Think Better’ at SEMA 2012
Written by Melanie AndersonTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
Two powerhouse thinkers thought they could change the way we think and so presented “Change the Way You Think at a CORE Level” at SEMA 2012 in Las Vegas.
The purpose of the presentation was to provide a clear understanding of what junk thinking is, show evidence of existence of junk thinking in the market, and provide a clear direction to depart from the junk thinking environment. According to speakers Bill Park and Dr. Byron Bissell, junk thinking is responsible for at least 80% of the problems in one’s business.
