WIN opens 2027 Most Influential Women nominations Nov. 2
The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) will accept nominations for its 2027 Most Influential Women (MIW) awards from Nov. 2 through Jan. 5, 2027. Eligibility extends to women in every segment of collision repair across the U.S. and Canada.
WIN will mark the opening at its free SEMA Meet Up at 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at Benihana at the Westgate in Las Vegas. The 2027 class will be honored at the WIN Conference, May 3-4, 2027, at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront in Oregon.
An independent selection committee reviews and interviews nominees, weighing influence in the industry, professional achievement, mentorship, and community service. More than 135 women have received the award since the program began in 1999.
“By honoring these women, we are not only recognizing their impact but ensuring a vibrant, inclusive future for all who choose to pursue a career in this field,” said Jenny Anderson, chair of WIN’s MIW Awards Committee.
Driving Force Collision Network acquires Brothers Auto Body in Connecticut
Driving Force Collision Network announced Oct. 28 that it has purchased Brothers Auto Body in Cromwell, Connecticut. The deal, which closed Oct. 2, gives the Northeast group its ninth shop and its first in the state, adding to locations in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Driving Force specializes in OEM-certified repairs on luxury and electric vehicles.
Brothers Auto Body has been run by Kevin, Brian, and Michael Slifer for close to 30 years and handles collision, refinish, and mechanical work. All three brothers are staying with the shop, which keeps its name and will operate as Brothers Auto Body | Driving Force Collision Network.
According to Driving Force, its nine locations hold a 4.8-star average Google rating on over 2,300 reviews, and Brothers holds a 4.7-star rating. The network carries certifications from 28 OEM brands, among them BMW, Lexus, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, and Tesla. TRP Capital Partners backs the company, which was founded in November 2024, and its leaders have said they look for shop quality rather than size when choosing acquisitions.
“Our approach is simple. We partner with the best operators in their markets, and then we protect what makes them special,” said Darren DuVall, CEO of Driving Force.
Brothers Auto Body worked with Consolidation Coach as its adviser on the sale.
CIECA webinar to examine why shops rekey estimate data
The Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) will host “Why Shops Rekey Estimate Data — and What Can Be Done About It” on Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. EST (11 a.m. PST).
The panel includes Mike Anderson, owner of Collision Advice; Dan Stander, president of Fix Auto Highlands Ranch and chairman of the Automotive Service Association; Craig Stevens, director of solutions delivery for CCC Intelligent Solutions’ Automotive Services Group; and John Yoswick, editor and publisher of CRASH Network.
Yoswick will present results from a CRASH Network survey on rekeying conducted earlier this year and compare them with similar surveys going back to 2022. He will also cover why some shops decline to rekey as a matter of principle.
“One of the most commonly cited reasons for re-keying is when the insurer uses a different estimating system than the shop,” said Yoswick.
Stevens will discuss why rekeying often signals fragmented workflows and how the industry could record information a single time and carry it through both repairs and claims. Anderson and Stander will then talk through the challenges rekeying creates for shops and possible fixes.
MABA draws more than 100 registrants to inaugural open house
The Michigan Auto Body Association (MABA) held its first event Oct. 23, an open house hosted by America’s Most Wanted 4x4. More than 100 people registered, according to the association, which launched earlier this year as an affiliate of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS).
Attendees questioned board members during a “Meet the Board” session. SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg joined virtually and pointed to SCRS benefits that draw interest from independent repairers, including its health care program and 401(k) offering. Stephanie Sheppard of CARS Co-Op explained a MABA member benefit aimed at lowering everyday purchasing costs, and the host gave a tour of its facility.
MABA was co-founded by Don Speace and Dustin DeLongpre of Axalta. Speace said the idea grew out of what the pair heard from customers.
“As we followed up with and helped our customers, we kept hearing the same thing over and over: Michigan needs a voice,” said Speace.
Vice Chair Brian Johnson said one attendee question stood out: how MABA will choose which legislation to pursue when viewpoints differ. “We don’t have that answer at this moment, but it will definitely be discussed at our next Board meeting,” said Johnson. He added that the board has concentrated on legal requirements, budgets, goals, and securing a lobbyist in Lansing.
MABA plans additional events in the first quarter of 2027.
CRASH Network opens annual Insurer Report Card survey
CRASH Network announced that its yearly “Insurer Report Card” survey is open. Each year, more than 1,000 collision repair professionals rate the carriers active in their state on an “A+” to “F” scale, judging how each company’s claims practices affect repair quality and service to customers.
The survey takes less than three minutes, and individual grades and shop identities stay confidential. Shops that finish it and share an email address receive the results for free. CRASH Network says the grades feed into insurer rankings from more than a dozen outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Money, and USA Today.
“Because of that, we’re able to show consumers grades received by about 80 or more different carriers,” said Yoswick, referring to shops grading 20 or 30 insurers apiece.
ASE to spotlight ASE Connects and Labor Department grant in Las Vegas
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the ASE Education Foundation will exhibit at AAPEX in booth V7600, beside Joe’s Garage on Level 2 of the Venetian Expo, and at SEMA in North Hall booth 11079.
Executives will talk about the foundation’s $25 million Department of Labor grant and ASE Connects, a national effort linking shops, dealerships, and schools on industry challenges. Visitors can join ASE Connects at the booth, with free trials available through Dec. 31.
Sessions on the grant are set for Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. PT on the AAPEX press stage and Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. PT on the SEMA Collision Repair Stage in the South Hall Upper. Matt Shepanek, ASE’s vice president for credential testing programs, will give daily 2026 ASE updates from 1 to 1:45 p.m. at AAPEX Stage 2, covering the test workshop process and upcoming initiatives.
House of Kolor closes 70th anniversary with eight new colors
House of Kolor, the custom paint brand founded by Jon Kosmoski in 1956 and now part of Valspar, released eight anniversary colors Oct. 29 to wrap up its 70th year. The company named four, and fans submitted names for the other four through Facebook and Instagram.
The brand-named colors are Kozality, a midnight-tinged deep green; High Tide, a bright blue-purple; Traffik Light, a vivid green; and Sunglo, a golden yellow. Community picks are Raven’s Wing, a deep purple named by Blake Winters; Kosmic Forest, a bold green named by Richard Wilmot; Celestial Switch, a pink-purple named by Steven Carrillo; and Bordeaux Glow, a rich wine shade named by Shelley Molea.
“Inviting that community to help name these anniversary kolors was a fitting way to celebrate our legacy and finish this milestone year together,” said Tom Smith, national warehouse distributor sales manager for House of Kolor.
Family Promise receives NABC Community Partner Award
The National Auto Body Council (NABC) announced Oct. 27 that Family Promise has received its 2025 NABC Community Partner Award. The award recognizes charitable partners of NABC programs for their work nationally or in their local communities.
Family Promise, a national organization focused on preventing and ending family homelessness, has more than 200 affiliates in 43 states and has long referred candidates to the NABC Recycled Rides program. Since 2015, NABC has given more than 200 vehicles to families who completed the Family Promise program. Crash Champions recently presented a vehicle to a Phoenix-area mother nominated by Family Promise of Greater Phoenix.
“Providing these families with reliable transportation is core to our mission, and Family Promise is a tremendous partner for us in accomplishing this goal,” said Debby Robinson, executive director of NABC.
Crash Champions hosts extrication training for Oregon first responders
Crash Champions in Tigard, Oregon, hosted an NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.) program Oct. 21 for more than 30 first responders from the Portland area. Attendees came from fire agencies including Portland, Cornelius, Corbett, Molalla, and Banks.
GEICO donated the vehicles, and MES supplied the tools instructors used. The program trains crews to cut into late-model vehicles, with instruction on high-strength steel, airbags, advanced restraint systems, onboard technology, and safety around hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel vehicles.
Better Collision Centers presents restored SUV to Army veteran
Better Collision Centers gave a restored 2019 Hyundai Tucson SE to U.S. Army veteran Aimee Antonia Capuchina on Oct. 13 at its Sumter, South Carolina, facility through NABC Recycled Rides. Upstate Warrior Solution connected her with the program.
GEICO donated the SUV, and technicians Dwayne Smith, Patrick Huggins, and Jay Yomtob were among the Sumter team members who restored it. Industry partners contributed parts, materials, and services.
CARSTAR Elite of Northshore supports Paw Fest adoption event
CARSTAR Elite of Northshore in Mandeville, Louisiana, joined Baldwin Subaru at Paw Fest, a pet adoption event held Oct. 17 at the dealership in Covington, where nine dogs were adopted. The animals came from the St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services. The shop recently became Subaru OEM-certified.
“Seeing nine dogs find homes made the event especially meaningful, and we were proud to be there alongside Baldwin Subaru and everyone who helped make it possible,” said Zach Dufrene, general manager of CARSTAR Elite of Northshore.
Lisa McArdle