Recent Columns
- Toby Chess: 40-Plus Years of Service to the Industry He Loves
- Techs of the Future: Preparing & Training the Agents of Change in Future Technology
- Toby Chess Says SOPs, Industry Training & Networking are Key to Body Shops’ Future Success
- Committee Demonstrates How Same Part Can Be Described Differently
- Latest in Lawsuits Involving Shops, Insurers and an Auto Recycler
Columns
Toby Chess: 40-Plus Years of Service to the Industry He Loves
If you’ve been in the world of body shops for more than a few years, you likely know the name Toby Chess. He’s the smiling bearded guy who brings gifts to people---and no, he’s not Santa Claus.
Techs of the Future: Preparing & Training the Agents of Change in Future Technology
A few years ago, when people talked about connected vehicles and self-driving, Elaina Farnsworth said it was perceived as a computer-based industry.
Toby Chess Says SOPs, Industry Training & Networking are Key to Body Shops’ Future Success
Several weeks ago, a local body shop owner asked Toby Chess to help set up a welder to repair an aluminum deck lid on a Mercedes-Benz.
Committee Demonstrates How Same Part Can Be Described Differently
The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) Parts and Materials Committee is continuing to push for more consistency in how parts are defined and described within the industry.
Latest in Lawsuits Involving Shops, Insurers and an Auto Recycler
There was activity recently in three legal battles involving body shops, insurance companies, an auto recycler and consumers.
AWAF Hosts Training, Awards Scholarships and Continues to Inspire Despite COVID
Written by Chasidy Rae SiskAlthough in-person meetings are on hiatus due to the threat of COVID-19, the Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation (AWAF) has not allowed the chaos of 2020 to prevent them from inspiring and enlightening members.
Are You Defending Your Good Name Online?
Your reputation online is always important, but during the pandemic it’s more vital than ever.
Is Your Shop Ready for A Riot?
We have all heard about the rioting going on across the country. For months, at least a dozen cities have experienced businesses being burned, looted and extensively damaged.
Will Burgeoning E-Commerce Hurt the Collision Repair Industry?
For many months prior to March, the collision repair industry had been preoccupied with ADAS systems and autonomous cars and trucks and their effect on the collision repair business.
During a time of economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever for small business owners to understand their financial key performance indicators and use these KPI’s to make proactive adjustments to remain profitable.
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Restore Crashworthiness with Corrosion Protection---Keys to a Safe and Proper Collision Repair
Written by Chasidy Rae Sisk“Today’s vehicles are highly engineered and not forgiving of imprecise repair processes. When it comes to crashworthiness after the repair, millimeters and milliseconds matter!” according to Scott Peirce, strategic account manager at 3M, during ASA’s Aug. 19 "Webinar Wednesday."
Techs of the Future: The Importance of Creating Lifelong Learners and Implementing Hands-on Efficiency Training
Author's note: Over a year ago, Jeff Smith, a collision repair instructor at the Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center, reached out to me about the overwhelming shortage of technicians. As a result of our conversation, I initiated a new column for Autobody News, "Solving the Tech Shortage," which has since received an award.
SCRS Open Board Meeting Presentations Focus on GM ADAS Document, Data Privacy & Blueprint Optimization Tool
The collision repair industry recently had the opportunity to attend the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) open board meeting, held virtually in July.
Mitchell Doesn’t Share Data with CARFAX, as CIC Committee Works to Address Issue
Mitchell International is the latest company to publicly state that it doesn’t share U.S. shop estimate data with CARFAX.