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- Day Job/Night Job: Painter Donnie Inman’s Art Gets Him Out of Prison
- Best Body Shops’ Tips: Effective Repair Planning Utilizing PCE (Process-Centered Environment)
- Do You Know Anyone Who Needs to “Digitally Diet?”
- From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Skate to Where the “Puck” Is Going, Not Where It Has Been
- In Reverse: The 1980s – “A Time of Awakening”
2018 Collision Repair Industry: A Year in Review
Written by Chasidy Rae SiskFrom President Trump’s meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un to the many tragic shootings and storms that have ravaged the United States in 2018, this year has been one of metamorphosis, altering reality and perception for many individuals.
Are You Forgetting About Half Your Customers by Not Catering to Women?
Written by Ed Attanasio
In the U.S., there are half a million women actively looking to buy a new car at any given time.
After the Donation: SF Skate Club's Donated Car Is Still Rolling Along
Written by Ed AttanasioBack in 2014, Regal Collision in Vallejo, CA, presented a completely refurbished van to the San Francisco Skate Club that is still running strong.
The Best Body Shops’ Tips: How to Prepare and Negotiate Better Deals With Industry Partners
Written by Stacey PhillipsWith the collision repair industry increasingly becoming more competitive and margins getting thinner, it’s more important than ever to negotiate better deals with industry partners, according to Eric Newell.
Day Job/Night Job: Industry Veteran Creates Vintage Wine Furniture
Written by Ed AttanasioHe's got mad skills when it comes to making furniture out of wine barrels and old wood that he finds or purchases for his creations.
The Best Body Shops’ Tips: 5 Key Steps to Implementing Practical Production Processes
Written by Stacey Phillips“Sometimes I think pushing a repair through a collision center is like putting a bag into the security scanner at the airport,” said John Shoemaker, business development manager for BASF Automotive Refinish Coatings North America. “You put the bag on the belt and hope it comes out the other end without any complications.”
In Reverse: The Fabulous ‘50s and Mr. O’Donnell’s Invention
Written by Gary LedouxThe decade of the ‘50s marked a golden era in the auto industry. American servicemen were back from the war. No longer were factories turning out bombs and bullets. It was time to build some cars that were destined to be classics---and time to introduce some new automotive technology.
How Safe Is a Collision-Repaired Police Vehicle?
Written by Gary Ledoux
We’ve all seen them on television shows, movies and of course in real life---police cruisers all smashed-up, usually as a result of an accident, sometimes sustaining collateral damage when forcing a “bad-guy” off the road, sometimes damaged at the end of a high-speed chase.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Toyota’s Training Website Offers Free Information for Collision Repairers
Written by Mike AndersonOne of the occasional frustrations I experience is seeing the industry fail to make use of some of the great (and free!) resources shops have at their disposal.
The Next Generation Speaks Out on Their Collision Repair Careers
Written by Chasidy Rae Sisk
It is common knowledge in the collision repair industry that there is a shortage of incoming technicians. Over the past few years, many articles, educational seminars and programs have been dedicated to this dilemma.
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Hey Toby! Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding, Shop Maintenance and Safety
Recently, I was asked by a shop owner to put on a Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) clinic.
The Best Body Shops’ Tips: Why OEM Certifications Are Critical to Remain in Business
Written by Stacey Phillips
For those body shops still not convinced that obtaining OEM certifications is a critical component for surviving in the future, Robb Young of Assured Performance said, “Change is necessary if you want to capitalize on the opportunity of the future. If you continue to run your business the same way you have been, five years from now your business will either be dying or go out of business.”
The Best Body Shops’ Tips: How to Take Great Photos to Support Your Estimates
Written by Stacey Phillips
Writing a proper estimate is an important component of running a successful collision repair facility.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: 4 Questions To Consider Ahead of Negotiating for Any ‘Not-Included’ Estimate Line Item
Written by Mike Anderson
Among the most common types of questions I get from shops is something like this: