Quality Collision Group Names Nino Sgro EVP of Operations for the West
Quality Collision Group (QCG) has hired Nino Sgro as executive vice president of operations for the West. He will lead operations in all of the McKinney, Texas-based MSO's western markets. QCG runs more than 100 OEM-certified locations in 13 states.
Sgro will focus on developing leaders and getting consistent performance across the western shops. He will also work with insurer partners to show the value of repairs done to OE procedures. QCG said that work will support growth in its direct repair relationships without compromising repair quality.
"Nino understands that great operations begin with great people and an unwavering respect for the repair," said Paul Williams, QCG's chief operating officer.
"We can strengthen relationships with our insurance partners by showing that OE-focused repairs create value for everyone involved," Sgro said.
Michigan Auto Body Association Launches, Joins SCRS as Affiliate
The Michigan Auto Body Association (MABA) has formally launched to represent shops across the state. It has also joined the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) as an affiliate association.
The founders say the industry lost its presence in Lansing when the state's previous collision repair association shut down. MABA's early legislative priorities include fair and transparent practices, tougher consumer protections against steering, proper payment for repair procedures that automakers require, and a way to enforce rules against unfair claims practices. Those priorities draw partly on laws already on the books in Rhode Island, and the group describes itself as modeled on the Auto Body Association of Rhode Island.
MABA also plans statewide and regional events, shared technical training, and business resources for shops of all sizes. Through the SCRS affiliation, members get access to SCRS education programs, healthcare and 401(k) benefit plans, and industry resources including the Database Enhancement Gateway.
MABA is signing up founding members, including shops, technicians, and suppliers. It will host a "Meet the Board" open house for members and prospective members Oct. 23 at American Most Wanted 4x4 in Burton, Michigan. Its annual meeting is planned for April or May 2027, with the location still to be announced.
The board includes Taylor as chair, Brian Johnson as vice chair, Joe Townsend as treasurer, and Scott Webster as secretary.
Briolf Acquires Italian Adhesives Maker Inchimica
Briolf has completed its purchase of Inchimica, a Reggio Emilia, Italy, company that formulates, manufactures, and packages adhesives and two-component polyurethane resins.
Inchimica sells into industrial, marine, automotive aftermarket, and veterinary markets under brands including Polymix, Bovimix, and Equimix. It also runs a private-label business that customizes formulas, labels, and packaging and can produce small batches. The company has about €7 million in revenue and roughly 20 employees at its Reggio Emilia plant.
The deal adds to Briolf's Bonding division, which the group started building with its acquisition of Chemfix in 2014, followed by Impacar in 2022 and Intec in 2023. Including Inchimica, Briolf expects Bonding to generate about €60 million in revenue, or around 20% of the group's total.
ASE Education Foundation Hosts Free Webinar on Accreditation Standards
The ASE Education Foundation will hold a free webinar, "Accreditation Standards Update," on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 4 p.m. ET.
Foundation representatives will give an overview of upcoming changes to accreditation standards, cover implementation timelines and transition issues, and discuss how programs can prepare and stay compliant.
Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance intended for professional development use. Anyone who can't make the live session can still register to watch the recording later and receive the certificate, and registrants will be first to get the recording. The foundation works with nearly 2,000 automotive technology training programs and more than 100,000 students.
CARSTAR Shops Help Omaha Elementary School Raise More Than $30,000
CARSTAR Northwest and CARSTAR Silver Hammer, both CARSTAR locations in Omaha, Nebraska, sponsored the Picotte Elementary School Fun Run on Sept. 18. Through sponsors, families, and friends, the annual PTA-organized fundraiser brought in more than $30,000.
The money covers classroom parties, staff appreciation, the One School/One Book program, field trip transportation, and teacher grants. This year, it will also help pay for a new outdoor learning space for students.
"We're proud to see franchise partners like Travis and his team investing in programs that create meaningful opportunities for students and families," said Damien Reyna, chief operating officer of Driven Brands Collision Group.
Fix Auto Lakeside Sponsors Lakeside Summer Stampede Rodeo
Fix Auto USA franchise Fix Auto Lakeside was an event sponsor of the annual Lakeside Summer Stampede Rodeo, a weekend event for residents, families, local businesses, and visitors.
The sponsorship put the shop's name on arena signage and at the venue entrance. During opening ceremonies, a rider carried a Fix Auto Lakeside flag into the arena on horseback. The shop was also recognized in a live announcement and featured in the rodeo's official program.
"Supporting events like the Lakeside Summer Stampede Rodeo is an important way for us to stay connected to the community we serve every day," said David Smrekar, general manager of Fix Auto Lakeside.
"At Fix Auto, we believe our role extends beyond repairing vehicles," Reyna said.
NABC Recycled Rides Gifts Six Vehicles to Service Members, Veterans, and a Gold Star Widow
The National Auto Body Council's Recycled Rides program presented six refurbished vehicles at five events in September.
Two active-duty Marines received vehicles Sept. 23 at Collision Next 2026 at the Hilton Anaheim in California. Allstate and the Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club of Southern California donated the vehicles. All Magic Paint & Body and Longo Toyota, a Penske dealership, handled repairs.
Victoria Cook-Minshue, who has served since 2024, is raising her 8-month-old son on her own.
Robert Mongan Jr., a Marine for seven years who deployed to Japan in 2025, is now the primary caregiver for his 4-year-old son.
Additional partners in the Anaheim presentation included Enterprise, PPG, LKQ, AkzoNobel, Lobo's Towing, Image Auto Glass, Axis Local, Midway Rental, KP Automotive, Jim's Towing, Penske Motor Group, Longo Lexus, Advanced Remarketing Services, Cars for Charity, and Copart.
On Sept. 17, veteran Tammy Wahl received a 2022 Kia Sportage donated by Allstate and refurbished by CARSTAR Precision Collision in Cold Spring, Minnesota.
Additional partners included LKQ, Kia of St. Cloud, Pam's Auto, Schwieters Chevrolet, North Central Distributing, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services, and Cars for Charity.
On Sept. 21, Marine Corps veteran Jay Rasche, who served from 1982 to 1985, received a 2018 Ram 1500 Sport. Allstate donated the vehicle, and Crash Champions in Schererville, Indiana, refurbished it.
Additional partners included Auto Glass Now, Hawk Auto, South Oak Dodge, AutoZone, LKQ, Cars Plus Complete Auto Repair, Superior Towing, ATE Automotive Technology Experts, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services, Enterprise, and Cars for Charity.
On Sept. 16 in Mesquite, Texas, Navy veteran Daniel Ktikyan received a 2020 Jeep Renegade Latitude donated by GEICO and refurbished by Texas Collision Centers.
Additional partners included Patterson, PDR Linx, Wheel Technologies, Complete Collision Solutions, English Color and Supply, LKQ, Advanced Remarketing Services, Cars for Charity, Copart, and Enterprise.
On Sept. 17, the same day as the Cold Spring presentation, Gold Star widow Luisa Vargas received a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude. Travelers donated the vehicle, and Caliber Collision in Franklin, Tennessee, refurbished it.
Additional partners included Enterprise, Copart, Advanced Remarketing Services, and Cars for Charity.
NABC F.R.E.E. Trains Nearly 140 First Responders at IIHS
Nearly 140 first responders from 30 rescue units across the Southeast practiced extrication on late-model vehicles Sept. 17 at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Ruckersville, Virginia. The training was part of the NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.) program.
Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, and Liberty Mutual donated vehicles for the training. Hurst Jaws of Life/MES supplied the tools used in instructor demonstrations. The program provides no-cost, hands-on instruction in extricating victims from vehicles built with high-strength steel, advanced airbags, and EV technology.
"We do these nationwide and to date we've helped approximately 7,000 first responders learn these new techniques and how to use them," said Ben Clymer Jr., an NABC board member.
"This opportunity is excellent for us to get hands on with newer vehicles and newer technologies that we don't see every day and it also gives us the opportunity to take that knowledge back to other workers to be able to share what we've learned," said Capt. Frank Crocker of the Charlottesville Fire Department.
