Local news stories affecting the auto body industry in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
A fire is devastating to any business, especially to a small family-owned operation.
One Bolivar man is left to try and salvage the remains of an auto body shop he has owned for the last 8 years following a fire that ripped through his garage.
Caldwell, ID location
Yvonne Sundstrom, Marketing Coordinator, Kadel’s Auto Body
Don Braden, President and CEO of Kadel’s Auto Body, announced the acquisition of Rick’s Body Shop’s two collision repair shops in Caldwell and Nampa, ID. They officially become part of the Kadel’s family of collision repair centers on November 17, 2014 and will continue to operate with the same staff.
ABRA Auto Body & Glass has opened a franchise in Post Falls, Idaho, and has acquired three Central Auto Body locations in Grayslake, Waukegan and Zion, Illinois.
“ABRA is expanding and evolving to the next stage,” says Duane Rouse, ABRA’s President and CEO. “Our vision for the future is taking shape and our entire team is excited about the long-term growth opportunities ahead.”
“Expanding in Idaho is about meeting the demand of customers and insurance partners all across the country,” adds Mark Wahlin, ABRA’s Vice President of Franchise Development/Relations.
In November 2013, U.S. Army veteran Amy O’Neil was involved in an accident that totaled the car she was driving and left her without transportation ever since.
Four Floyd County residents face federal conspiracy and wire fraud charges, after being accused of a scheme to insure eight classic cars for more than they were worth, then cash in on the policies after destroying them over an eight-month period.
Charles Ray Tackett, Michael Ray Tackett, Lou Teresa Tackett and Anna Grace McGuire were indicted on November 6, each charged with a single count of wire fraud conspiracy. In addition, Charles Tackett, Michael Tackett and McGuire each face three counts of wire fraud.
After a three-week closing period, Sauk Prairie Collision Center off Highway 12 west of Sauk City, WI re-opened as Gates Collision of Madison during the week of November 3.
The Boyd Group Inc. announced on Nov. 4 the opening of a collision repair location in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The location has approximately 13,500 square feet of production space and previously operated under the name Lake City Auto Body.
"We continue our North American expansion with the opening of this new repair center and are very pleased to increase our footprint in the greater Spokane area. With this new center, we have the opportunity to introduce our high-quality brand to a large base of new customers, while continuing to improve our platform for our insurance partners" said Tim O'Day, President and COO of the Boyd Group's U.S. operations. "Our first Idaho center has the benefit of being well-positioned, within about 30 miles east of our Spokane center, which will allow our Washington leadership team to manage the location."
"Coeur d'Alene, also known as Lake City, has a year-round tourism industry due to the mountains and lakes that surround it, which will allow us to introduce our brand to all who may require our services when they visit here," said O'Day. "We look forward to providing the Idaho market with the high-quality experience we are known for at all our Gerber repair centers."
The Boyd Group is continuously looking to add new collision repair locations to its existing network in Canada and the U.S. Interested collision repair center owners are asked to contact Kim Allen, Business Development Manager, at (847) 410-6003 or kim.allen@gerbercollision.com for more information.
Wicklunds CARSTAR in Liberty, MO hosted a Military Appreciation Celebration on Tuesday, November 4th. The celebration honored the service of active and inactive military members and their families.
The event kicked off with a color guard courtesy of the VFW Liberty Memorial Post 4043, 16 year-old Alex Haywood singing the National Anthem, and 21-Gun Salute followed by a dinner. The Grateful American Entertainment Troupe and pickpocket magicians also were featured at the celebration.
“This is our way of saying 'thank you' to the military and their families for serving our country,” said Gerald Wicklund, Owner of Wicklunds CARSTAR. “We're also raffled off thousands of dollars of prizes donated by businesses in our community. Some of the prizes were gift cards, a one-night stay at a hotel and much, much more.”
Sponsors of the event included the North Kansas City Beverage Company, Hertz, Dish Pizza, Carolyn's Country Cousins & Pumpkin Patch, CM Mose and Son and Nadler's Locker. Caron's Massage also gave free massages at the event. Donations were taken for the Honor Flight Nework, a non-profit organization that provides transportation for WWII veterans to see the memorials.
Wicklunds CARSTAR is located at 941 Sutton Place, off of Highway 291 South and Hunter. For more information about the celebration, go online to www.WicklundsCARSTAR.com.
The Franklin County Planning and Zoning Commission agreed to support a rezoning for Suburban Auto Body, Inc. in Robertsville.
The zoning change from community development to commercial activity community business (CA3) is needed because the business is currently in violation of its conditional use permit. The Franklin County Commission will vote on the zoning change at a later meeting.
ABRA Auto Body & Glass helped raise $18,000 during the second annual Forest Park Charity Golf Tournament to benefit St. Louis Children’s Foundation.