SOUTHWEST NEWS (240)
Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Louisiana
Autobody News SouthWestern print edition is mailed to 7,000 body shops monthly
Auto Body World Collision Centers, with locations throughout the metro Phoenix and Casa Grande, Arizona markets, announced plans to open its ninth location in Phoenix, Arizona in June. Auto Body World has been acquired by Texas-based Service King in a deal to be finalized this summer.
Corpus Christi Shop Fire Video, Information wanted by Police
Written by KIII TV staffRelated Video
Corpus Christi Body Shop Burns, Arson Suspected, No Insurance
Written by KIII TV staffA Corpus Christi body shop owner is picking up the pieces after his shop went up in flames in the early morning of May 9. See video.
"And for me, I say, 'why, does it happen?' This, because I'm a good guy, I do favor to anybody and why does this happen to me," says Luis Baiza, owner of Baiza Paint and Body.
Around 2:30 AM in the morning, the Corpus Christi Fire Department was dispatched out to Baiza's paint and body at 601 Brownlee.
Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames spewing from the business. The shop restores old cars and the owner, who doesn't have insurance, estimates the damage to be about $75,000.
Fire investigators believe the blaze was the work of an arsonist.
"A friend of mine says he saw someone running from the shop. Pero, we don't know who it is. I want to know who it was," says Baiza.
It took about an hour to get the blaze under control. No one was injured, and firefighters were able to save a dog that lives in the shop.
If you have any information on who may have started this fire, you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477).
Caliber in Woodlands TX donates Recycled Rides vehicle to Vet
Written by staffCaliber Collision Centers’ Woodlands, Texas, location recently donated a refurbished 2004 Volkswagen Jetta to a local military veteran through the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) 2012 Recycled Rides program.
Michael Ryan Lease received the keys and title to his refurbished vehicle May 2 during a special ceremony to thank and honor him for his service in the military. Caliber said Lease was nominated to receive the Recycled Rides vehicle by ReserveAid, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to military families.
Dallas-Ft Worth Storms Take out 50,000 Autos and Damage 30,000 Homes
Written by staffTIAA Plans May 23 Meeting in San Antonio, Jeff Franco to Speak
Written by staffHunter Hooge, Membership Director the Texas Independent Automotive Association reminds members that on Weds., May 23, TIAA will be having a collision specific meeting. Jeff Franco, past president of the Arizona collision association will be speaking. The meeting will focus on:
1) Jeff's history and experience with the California Autobody Association, along with involvement in State legislation, aftermarket parts issues, along with insurance issues.
2) The benefits of belonging to an association, working as a team to tackle some of the everyday issues that collision shops deal with on a daily basis.
3) Dealing with issues on a national Level as well as being represented at Industry conferences such as CIC, SCRS, etc.
Right now TIAA is seeing significant membership growth on the collision side of the organization.
The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm at Pompeii Italian Grill, 16109 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247. Dinner starts at 7:00 pm.
For more information, contact Hunter Hooge at (210) 445-7625.
The Northwest Louisiana Collision Repair Association (NWLCRA) held their monthly members meeting on February 7 at 6:30 pm at the Country Tavern Barbecue in Shreveport, LA.
Membership dues for 2012 are due. Future meetings will be held during the day, starting with April’s meeting. Day meetings will be held from April to September.
The NWLCRA provided drinks for the judges at the SkillsUSA judging in February.
The night’s guest speaker was Clay Giecek, a Diesel Mechanic/Instructor for the Northwest Louisiana Technical College. Clay discussed the upcoming Shell Eco Challenge. The challenge is open to high schools and colleges and is a contest to see which team can design and build a car that gets the best fuel economy. Clay said that the Northwest Louisiana Technical College has been helping Benton High School, in Benton, LA, build their car for the last few years. Teams must have their cars complete a 10 lap race. This year the event is going to be held in Houston, TX. Clay said that the drivers accelerate, then coast when driving during the event; Clay said that they probably coast 9 of the 10 laps. The car is to be as light as possible. In 2010, the Challenge was held in France, and the winning car was able to get over 11,000 miles per gallon. The winner in the High School class in the United States last year got over 600 miles per gallon. Last year Benton High School was able to get over 500 miles per gallon on a Honda tiller motor. Clay thinks they will do better this year on mileage, but the car will be heavier. Teams that win this event will be on Good Morning America, as this is a World-Wide event. Any help that anyone can provide will be rewarded with a decal with their business name on the side of the car.
BodyShopBids to Offers to Help Dallas Residents Pay for tornado-damaged vehicles
Written by staffBodyShopBids, a Web-based bidding mechanism that allows consumers to solicit repair estimates from local body shops, announced that it will help cover repair costs for vehicles that were damaged during recent tornados in the Dallas metro area. BodyShopBids said it will pay for 25 percent of out-of-pocket repair costs on consumer vehicles that were damaged in the storms throughout the month of April.
Chicago-based BodyShopBids provides a Web and mobile platform to connect consumers who need auto body repairs with body shops through an online bidding system. Users are able to upload photos of their damaged vehicles and receive custom quotes from local body shops for free.
“For those Dallas-Fort Worth residents who suffered damage to their vehicle, we're hoping to alleviate at least some of the stress by providing a simple solution to get their cars back into shape and defray some of the costs," said Brad Weisberg, founder and CEO of BodyShopBids.
For more information, visit bodyshopbids.com.
Service King Looks for Funding For National Expansion
Written by staffDallas-based Service King plans to embark on an ambitious national expansion led by new president Cathy Bonner intended to double revenue over the next five years. Service King Collision Repair Centers is actively looking for private equity to help fund a national expansion effort.
The chain of collision-repair centers, founded in 1976 by current chairman Eddie Lennox, recently opened seven shops in Houston and the fact that some were profitable after three months prompted Lennox to expand beyond Texas. Jennifer Kirk, vice president of marketing for Service King, said Lennox is spearheading the effort. Lennox announced the growth strategy internally to the company’s 1,500 employees in a video broadcast April 17. “We were able to experiment with a lot of things in Houston that might work for us nationally,” said Lennox, 57, a former body-repair man who started Service King in a three-bay tin building in West Dallas.
2012 I-CAR Industry Event is in San Antonio July 18-20
Written by I-CAR staffJoin inter-industry professionals as the collision industry gathers fro the 2012 I-CAR Industry Event, July 18 – 20, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio on the River Walk in San Antonio, TX.
As an attendee you can:
- Gain knowledge from industry thought leaders and their views on the latest in collision repair technology, business and professional performance topics.
- Network with the collision industry at the I-CAR Networking Reception & Sponsor Showcase, the Collision Industry Conference meeting (CIC), the Education Foundation Golf Fundraiser, other industry meetings, and more.
- Recognize the accomplishments and dedicated work I-CAR instructors and volunteers in their commitment to bringing excellence to the industry.
- Display your company’s support of technical training to the entire industry by participating as an event sponsor.
Agenda
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
AkzoNobel F.I.T. Lunch Program
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Beyond “Green” – Sustainability & Collision Repair A compelling hour of information where you will be challenged to re-think your perceptions about the concept of sustainability and its practical application within the collision repair industry. Make solid links with the theories of sustainability and the practical needs of a collision repair business to be profitable. Presenter: Mike Shesterkin, Director of Sustainability and New Business Innovations, AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas
General Session
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
I-CAR is driving excellence with industry thought leaders' views and panel discussions on today's hottest recommended repair procedures, business and professional performance topics.
Networking Reception & Sponsor Showcase
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Breakfast
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Technical Presentations
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Volunteer/Instructor Clinic
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Find out the latest in volunteer and committee support directly from I-CAR Field Operations and offer your opinions for future development in an open forum. Discuss future I-CAR course development, increased instructor support, and best practices for effective classroom presentations.
Volunteer/Instructor Recognition Dinner
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Breakfast
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Regional Breakout Sessions
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Volunteer/Instructor Closing Session
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Business casual attire is required for all events at the meeting.
W M Automotive Warehouse in Fort Worth, TX, to Hold Home Run Celebration Open House in April
Written by StaffW M Automotive Warehouse announced that they would hold their Home Run Celebration open house event on April 21 and 22 at their distribution center in South Fort Worth, Texas. The annual celebration will feature a vendor trade show with an estimated 110 manufacturers showcasing their products at booths. Additionally, the event will include training, tours, and meals. An estimated 600 auto parts store and repair shop owners and managers are expected to attend.
“It has been over 25 years since we have done anything like this. I told my people that I wanted this to be the biggest thing to happen in the aftermarket in our region for years to come, and it’s shaping up to be better than I expected,” said CEO Wilson McMillion. “Our manufacturers have really stepped up to participate, and our people are going the extra mile to make this a super event.”
W M Automotive was established in 1976 and is headed by owner and CEO Wilson McMillion.
“We will be hosting our customers from all over Texas and Oklahoma, and we want them to have a great time,” McMillion continued. “This is going to be a real celebration!”
W M is the largest privately-owned aftermarket automotive wholesaler and store group in the South-Central region, serving over 200 Parts Plus and independent auto parts stores in Texas and Oklahoma. Parts Plus is an international group of independent distributors, retail stores, and Car Care Centers. W M Automotive is the supplier for over 100 Parts Plus Autostores in Texas & Oklahoma, as well as many other non-Parts Plus jobbers.
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