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Recent Columns
- Solving the Tech Shortage: How Conditions, Culture & Compensation Can Help Body Shops Attract & Retain Employees
- From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Reflecting on My Journey in the Collision Repair Industry
- In Reverse: The 1980s – The Advent of the Unibody
- Best Body Shops’ Tips: How to Position Your Collision Repair Shop for Sustainability
- In Reverse: Collision Repair Shops “ARM” Themselves
Ed Attanasio
Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco. Ed enjoys sports of all kinds and is a part time stand-up comedian.
He can be reached at era39@aol.com.
How Will 3D Printing Affect the Collision Repair Industry?
Written by Ed Attanasio
The Divergent Blade, made by San Francisco–based startup Divergent Microfactories, is a 3D-printed car that has gained national attention after appearing at the LA Auto Show recently.
We all know that 3D printing has arrived, with more and more companies jumping onboard and developing this burgeoning technology.
Are Green Shops Truly Green or Are They Just Greenwashing?
Written by Ed Attanasio
Steven E. Schillinger is the president of GRC-Pirk Management, a company that helps body shops to practice sustainable practices. He has witnessed more and more shops that falsely claim that they're green, which is called greenwashing.
I have often seen signs at body shops touting that they are "100% Certified Green" and proudly exclaiming things like "We Use Only Waterborne Paint" or "We Save Energy" or "We Recycle" and in most cases, I don't doubt these claims. But within the last few years, I have heard more and more about shops that aren't truly as green as they claim, yet they aren't afraid to tell the world that they are.
Owner of PDR Company in Buffalo, NY Sees an Industry in Trouble
Written by Ed AttanasioGlenn Kumm, 61, has been working in the collision industry for more than 40 years and by adapting to changes in the market and reinventing himself more than once, he has survived both good and bad times.
She Went from Receptionist to GM in Just 3 Years at NJ Shop
Written by Ed Attanasio
Dee Mathews worked her way up from answering phones to becoming the GM at Hampton Body Works in Newton, NJ in just three years by using skills she attained while working in the corporate world for two decades.
Her customers love her and her team respects her, and that's why things run smoothly at Hampton Body Works in Newton, NJ.
Veterans Day is Always Benevolence Day at Mike’s Auto Body
Written by Ed Attanasio
A 2013 Ford Focus Titanium went to Air Force Senior Airman Scott Woolridge from Travis Air Force Base and his family as part of their annual Benevolence presentation on Veterans Day, November 11 at the company’s Fairfield location.
Mike’s Auto Body presented a 2013 Ford Focus Titanium to Air Force Senior Airman Scott Woolridge from Travis Air Force Base and his family as part of their annual Benevolence presentation on Veterans Day at the company’s Fairfield location.
Former Technician Lands Dream Job with Bass Pro Shops
Written by Ed Attanasio
A salmon made of parts found in a body shop has received amazing reviews for Gary Miller, a former metal technician who has found a second career with his art.
Body technicians often collect items while on the job, but most of them end up in their home garages where they languish forever. But what if one of them took these objects and used them to create amazing art that received accolades by art lovers and critics nationwide?
Vintage Color Studio Features Award-Winning Roadster at SEMA
Written by Ed Attanasio
Darryl Hollenbeck and his wife Terri with their 1932 Ford High Boy Roadster, which wowed SEMA attendees who visited PPG's booth during all four days of the show.
When a major brand like PPG invites you to be part of its booth at SEMA, it's definitely a big deal and an honor for any automotive painter.
In marketing, it's always a good idea to mix it up and change your approach every once in a while.
SEMA Announces Collision Repair & Refinish Product Award Winners
Written by Ed Attanasio
Dave Holgate (left) and Hugh Atkins from Drew Technologies proudly display its company's Remote Assisted Programming kit (RAP) that makes auto diagnostics easier for shops who don't want to keep expensive diagnostic equipment sitting around in their shops.
If you're designing and manufacturing an innovative, cutting-edge piece of equipment, tool or product that can help the collision repair industry in any way, shape or form, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is willing to give you some major kudos.
Valspar's SEMA Highlights Include Celebrities and Amazing Vehicles
Written by Ed Attanasio
Tony Lanesky of Anton’s Hot Rod Shop of Cleveland, OH (left) and Valspar Automotive Regional Sales Manager Ken Papich pose in front of this 1966 Ford Fairlane GTA that Lanesky built.
Every November when SEMA rolls around, all of the paint companies step up in a big way to shine for four days and Valspar Automotive surely did exactly that at this year's Show in Las Vegas.
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PPG Shows Support for Paralyzed Veterans of America at 2016 SEMA
Written by Ed Attanasio
Julia Walker, the Director of Corporate and Venture Philanthropy for Paralyzed Veterans of America with paralyzed veteran Bill Lawson at the PPG booth at the 2016 Show.
To bring awareness and support to its cause and mission, PPG Refinishing invited the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) to be a part of their booth during the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nov. 2-5.
WyoTech Celebrates its 50-Year Anniversary at SEMA 2016
Written by Ed Attanasio
WyoTech's “Shagadelic Van" is a party on four wheels.
To mark its 50th anniversary, WyoTech unveiled two vehicles that students, graduates and instructors customized at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
NABC Presents Six Deserving Recipients with Cars at SEMA
Written by Ed Attanasio
Recycled Rides vehicle recipient Patrick Kelly (center) poses with Ted Rupert, owner of Rupert's Auto Body (right) and one of last year's car recipients, Michael Atkinson, a Navy Corpsman who now works as a metal technician.
Half a dozen deserving individuals and families from Nevada received keys to completely refurbished vehicles by the National Auto Body Council (NABC) at its annual Recycled Rides Luncheon on Nov. 2nd at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Portland Body Shop Owner Becomes Homeless Advocate
Written by Ed Attanasio
From left, Thommy, Steve and John Spinnett run the show at Steve's Imports in Portland, OR, a business Steve started 40 years ago. When he saw homeless people living in a camp near his shop, he decided to take action.
Last month, we ran an article about Steve Spinnett, a Portland body shop owner who became an advocate for local homeless people. Autobody News reached out to Spinnett to get the full story on his advocacy.