Women in Auto Care Volunteers Assemble Tool Kits for Students Pursuing Automotive Careers
On June 17, Highline Warren hosted the Women in Auto Care Tool Kit Program at its Memphis distribution center. Volunteers, including Highline Warren employees, assembled 40 professional-grade tool kits, which will be distributed to female high school and post-secondary students pursuing careers in the automotive industry.
As site host for this year's event, Highline Warren provided the facility and logistical support needed to bring together volunteers and contributed to the assortment of donated products from across the industry, including tire gauges, gloves, and flashlights.
The Women in Auto Care Tool Kit Program helps young women pursue automotive aftermarket careers by distributing professional-grade starter tools and supplies. The program brings together corporate sponsors and industry volunteers from across the automotive aftermarket.
Submissions for 2027 Calendar Contests Now Open for Sherwin-Williams® Automotive Finishes, Valspar®, House of Kolor® Brands
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes is now accepting submissions for the 2027 Annual Calendar Contests, open to collision repair and restoration shops, independent designers, pinstripers, and customizers across the country. Entrants are to feature over-the-top builds finished exclusively in Sherwin-Williams®, House of Kolor® or Valspar® paint and products.
Winners of the 2027 Annual Calendar Contest will be announced in early November 2026. Winning entries will be showcased in a dedicated month of the printed calendar.
Submissions must include high-resolution images of the completed vehicle, along with details on the coatings and products used, and be submitted by Aug. 14, 2026. Entrants are also encouraged to include a short video showcasing the build or sharing the story behind the project, highlighting what made it unique, challenging or especially memorable. Selected videos may be featured across Sherwin-Williams and brand social media channels.
For collision repair professionals and production shops delivering precision and performance-driven finishes: submit a project here.
For custom painters and builders pushing the boundaries of creativity, color, and artistic expression: submit a project here.
For versatile, high-quality results across restoration, customization, and collision work: submit a project here.
Crash Champions, Allstate Donate Two Vehicles Through NABC Recycled Rides Program
Crash Champions and Allstate donated two refurbished vehicles to recipients in Wichita, Kansas, and Davie, Florida, through the National Auto Body Council's (NABC) Recycled Rides program in June.
In Wichita, Samantha Rickerson received a refurbished 2023 Jeep Compass during a June 17 presentation at Crash Champions' Wichita repair center. Allstate donated the vehicle, which was refurbished by the Crash Champions team.
In Davie, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Sergio Hernandez received a refurbished 2018 Toyota RAV4 during a June 11 presentation at Crash Champions' Davie repair center.
CARSTAR Hometown Celebrates Grand Opening in Van Alstyne, Texas
CARSTAR Hometown, owned and operated by John and Karla Royer, with the support of their two sons, Alex and Seth Royer, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new location in Van Alstyne, Texas.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together community members, local leaders and business partners to celebrate the opening of the facility and welcome CARSTAR Hometown to the Van Alstyne business community. The Van Alstyne Chamber of Commerce was also in attendance to show its support for the new business.
“We are excited to open our doors in Van Alstyne and become part of this growing community,” said John Royer. “This location represents our commitment to delivering trusted collision repair services while building lasting relationships with our customers and neighbors. We look forward to serving Van Alstyne and the surrounding area for years to come.”
YANG Announces 2026-2027 Leadership 2.0 Scholarship Recipient Troy Henke
The Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), a community of the Auto Care Association, announced Troy Henke of Clarios as this year’s University of the Aftermarket’s 2026-2027 Leadership 2.0 Program scholarship recipient.
Leadership 2.0 is a post-graduate style leadership and business skills education program designed to promote the development of the next generation of auto care leaders. The Leadership 2.0 program will take place in Summer 2026 and Spring 2027.
Troy Henke is the director of product portfolio at Clarios. Since joining Clarios in 2010 as an engineering intern, Henke has built more than 16 years of experience across engineering, commercial and marketing roles. Today, he leads a complex product portfolio, helping align product strategy, portfolio optimization, and execution across the business to support growth and operational excellence.
He is active in YANG as an ambassador and mentee, while also staying engaged with MEMA’s Modern Industry eXpertise (MiX) Council.
“I have spent my entire career in the automotive industry, and I am passionate about continuing to grow as a leader while using that growth to positively impact others” said Henke.
Plasnomic Launches Plastic Repair Excellence Center in Dallas, Texas
Plasnomic announced the development of its first Plastic Repair Excellence Center. Located in Dallas, Texas, the center will open its doors in August and serve as the flagship model for a planned network of Plasnomic Plastic Repair Excellence Centers, bringing together collision repairers, insurers, OEMs, suppliers, recyclers, researchers, and government stakeholders to advance repair-first strategies and circular repair solutions.
Unlike a traditional training facility, the Dallas Excellence Center will operate as a live repair, research, and innovation environment. It will support real world repair activity while showcasing best-in-class repair methods, products, tools, materials recovery programs, and advancing technologies, according to the company.
“This is far more than a facility,” said Mario Dimovski, President of Plasnomic. “It is the first physical step toward building the future framework for plastic repair.”
Avery Dennison Launches Online Business Bootcamp to Drive Profitability for Automotive Shops
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions announced an online training program designed to help shop professionals, detailers, and owners build a more successful business.
Led by industry experts Justin Pate of The Wrap Institute and John Duever with Vinyl Images, the Online Business Bootcamp offers a five-part learning series that teaches business strategies in a video format. Built with the shop owner in mind, the digital program offers practical solutions for common business challenges in the automotive aftermarket.
The regular one-time price for this all-access business tool is $249. However, Avery Dennison is offering a special introductory price of just $199 for the first 30 days. Featuring five video modules, the on-demand courses can be accessed at subscribers’ pace and time.
Registration is available here.
Copart Announced as Winner of 2025 National Auto Body Council® MVP Award
The National Auto Body Council® announced that Copart and Kristan Hobgood were named the 2025 winner of the new NABC® MVP Award. The award formally recognizes the NABC® partner and their team members who support the vision of the National Auto Body Council® through their daily business partnership and activities.
The announcement and presentation of the plaque honoring the award was presented during the Certified Collision Group Conference in Nashville, TN this spring.
Hobgood, sales account manager for Copart, was selected for the NABC® MVP Award for her continuing support and service in helping NABC® provide reliable transportation to those in need and deliver vehicles for first responder training. Her commitment to identifying vehicles, working with insurance carriers and determining solutions for challenges has made her an invaluable member of the NABC® team, according to NABC®. Copart also donates the towing of each NABC Recycled Ride® vehicle from their location to the repair partner who will refurbish it before it is presented to a individual or family in need.
