ASE acquires WrenchWay, expands workforce platform
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has acquired WrenchWay, with the platform's co-founders and employees joining the ASE team.
The acquisition builds on the two organizations' existing collaboration. Earlier this year, ASE and WrenchWay launched ASE Connects, a platform designed to strengthen connections between schools and the collision, automotive, and diesel industries while expanding access to workforce data and career pathway support. ASE says ASE Connects will remain a major focus as the organizations integrate, with WrenchWay's technology supporting additional areas across ASE's portfolio.
WrenchWay co-founders Jay Goninen and Mark Wilson will join the ASE team. ASE and WrenchWay said they will share additional details on integration timelines and what the transition means for current users in the coming weeks.
TCRA announces speakers for second annual Music City Collision Conference
The Tennessee Collision Repairers Association (TCRA) has announced the speaker lineup for its second annual Music City Collision Conference, set for Aug. 13-15 at the Inn at Opryland in Nashville. Registration is now open.
The event will feature a trade show alongside educational sessions covering leadership, OEM repair procedures, ADAS calibration, insurance reimbursement, and shop profitability.
Confirmed speakers include Tony Adams of LeadersWay on building shop accountability culture; Joel Boyce of AkzoNobel on securing full insurance reimbursement; Dave Luehr of Elite Body Shop Solutions on operational flow and cycle time; Jeff Oldenettel of Collision Advice on OEM-based repair planning; Mark Olson of Future Forensics on OEM certification strategy and shop profitability; and James Anderson of Tractable on connecting dealership service lanes and collision centers through AI-powered scanning.
Crash Champions gathers 150+ leaders at annual Champions Workshop
Crash Champions hosted more than 150 operations leaders and corporate support staff from its network of 650-plus repair centers at its annual Champions Workshop, held June 15-18 at the Omni Hotel in Louisville, Ky.
The three-day event focused on professional development, talent acquisition, repair center innovation, and customer experience. Leaders were also introduced to new proprietary tools and reviewed ongoing investments in systems and infrastructure designed to drive consistency and improve business performance across repair centers.
"The strength of our organization starts with our people," said Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions. "Bringing our leaders together creates an opportunity to share ideas, learn from one another and focus on the priorities that will help us continue delivering outstanding results."
The Champions Workshop supplements other Crash Champions professional development programs, including the Montana Experience and GM Boot Camp. Earlier this year, the organization was recognized as a Certified Great Place to Work.
SCRS establishes ADAS Repair Division and governing council
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has established an ADAS Repair Division, along with appointments to an inaugural Governing Council, creating a dedicated platform for calibration, diagnostics, and advanced driver assistance systems repair professionals across North America.
SCRS approved the creation of the division in 2025 following direct requests from ADAS repair specialists for structured representation and advocacy. The division operates within SCRS and is led by a five-member Governing Council elected by the membership. It will organize programs, host events, develop educational content, and engage its membership while leveraging SCRS's existing framework.
Industrial Finishes names Keith Clark president, Glenn Duckworth to retire
Industrial Finishes & Systems, a third-generation, family-owned distributor of coatings, equipment, and related supplies, has appointed Keith Clark as president, effective July 1. He succeeds Glenn Duckworth, who will transition into retirement over the coming year and remain engaged as a strategic advisor to the president and the board.
Duckworth's career with Industrial Finishes spans nearly 25 years. During his tenure, the company expanded its geographic footprint and grew into one of the largest privately held distributors in its markets. Clark most recently served as the company's automotive operations manager, where he supported branch operations, team development, and strategic initiatives.
NABC Recycled Rides presents vehicles to veterans and community members across four events
The National Auto Body Council's Recycled Rides program presented vehicles to seven veterans and two community members at four separate events in late June, with GEICO, Allstate, Crash Champions, Dynasty Auto Body, and CARSTAR among the program's partners.
At a June 24 event at Crash Champions in Chesapeake, Virginia, two Hampton Roads-area veterans received refurbished vehicles donated by GEICO. Nathan Mercer, a U.S. Army veteran who served from 2000 to 2009 including in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, received a 2018 Honda Civic EX. Christina Riggins, an honorably discharged U.S. Navy veteran of 14 years and single mother whose youngest son is a liver transplant patient requiring care in the District of Columbia, received a 2019 Nissan Rogue S.
On June 26 at Dynasty Auto Body in Paterson, New Jersey, four veterans received GEICO-donated vehicles refurbished by Dynasty's technicians, as part of the shop's 14th annual community event. Recipients included Lisberth McCracken, an Army veteran and cancer survivor who received a 2021 Honda CRV EXL; Christian Camacho, an Army veteran with a 100% service-connected disability who received a 2021 Toyota Corolla LE; Julio Abreu, an Army veteran and single father of three who completed four tours in Iraq and received a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox Premier; and Andre Brown, a 100% disabled Navy veteran who received a 2024 Hyundai Tucson SE. This presentation marked Dynasty Auto Body's 25th vehicle gifted through the program.
On June 27 at CARSTAR Brooklyn Auto Solutions in Brooklyn, New York, Monique Johnson, a first-time mother whose infant son was born with a large abdominal cyst requiring surgery, received a 2024 Nissan Altima donated by Allstate and refurbished by CARSTAR's technicians.
WIN Virtual Conference announces speakers, opens registration for Sept. 10-11 event
The Women's Industry Network (WIN) has announced speakers and programming for its 2026 Virtual Conference, scheduled for Sept. 10-11 under the theme "Connected in Excellence." Early-bird registration pricing runs through July 10.
The two-day event features five-hour sessions each day, organized around three pillars: community, skills, and strategy. Day one programming includes a keynote from Erin Killcoyne-Solis, senior vice president of operations at Square One Systems, along with technical breakout sessions covering structural adhesives, AI in the estimating and repair process, and glue pull repair, and a refinish session led by Nell Wheeler-Mislang, market sales manager at Axalta Coating Systems.
Day two includes a keynote from Tifarah Senkow, vice president of sales for Canada at Advantage Parts Solutions; a workforce and education panel moderated by Micki Woods; a session on industry associations led by Jill Tuggle, president of the Texas Autobody Association; and a closing session on shop growth strategies.
Two-day registration is $110 for WIN members and $135 for non-members through July 10, after which prices increase by $25. One-day registration is $79 for members and non-members alike. Full details and registration are available at womensindustrynetwork.com.
MOTOR opens voting for 2026 Top 20 Awards
MOTOR Information Systems has opened voting for its 2026 MOTOR Top 20 Awards, which recognize the automotive industry's most impactful tools, equipment, software, training programs, and service solutions.
Voting runs July 1-31 at motor.com. The 20 entries receiving the most votes will be named winners and announced in the fall.
Friction One acquires Raybestos brand
Friction One has acquired the Raybestos brake brand, including product formulations, engineering specifications, application data, catalog resources, marketing assets, and related technical materials. The company said the first Raybestos-branded products under its ownership are expected to reach distribution in Q4 2026, beginning with friction and drums and rotors.
Friction One operates manufacturing facilities in Mexico and China with U.S.-based distribution, engineering, and supply chain resources.
CARSTAR locations earn first MINI OEM certifications in network
Two CARSTAR locations have become the first in the network to achieve MINI OEM certification. CARSTAR Centreville Collision Center in Centreville, Virginia, owned by Nedal Khatib, and CARSTAR Empire Auto Group in New York City, owned by Jonathan Diaz, each met the automaker's standards for training, equipment, and repair procedures.
MINI, a premium compact car brand under the BMW Group, requires certified collision repair centers to restore vehicles to original factory specifications for safety, performance, and appearance.
CARSTAR Bayonne sponsors F1 experience for teen fighting cancer
CARSTAR Advanced Auto Body of Bayonne, New Jersey, donated $1,000 as a grandstand sponsor to send Harrison, an 18-year-old fighting neoplasm, to the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. The sponsorship was part of a Cars and Social partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which set a $12,000 fundraising goal for the trip.
Harrison attended the race and met McLaren driver Lando Norris, whom he began following during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trip was described as a success.
"Supporting the communities we serve is at the heart of CARSTAR's mission," said Damien Reyna, chief operating officer of Driven Brands Collision Group. "Moments like this remind us that even small contributions can have a lasting impact."
