House of Kolor Celebrates 70th Anniversary
Paint brand House of Kolor is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a year‑long series of special content releases, industry collaborations, new product innovations and community-driven events.
“What started as a frustration with an uninspired paint job turned into a lifelong mission to give artists and builders something better: Colors that are vibrant, formulas that are reliable and a brand that would push creativity further for generations,” said Jon ‘Koz’ Kosmoski, founder of House of Kolor. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see how House of Kolor continues to evolve while staying true to the spirit that started it all.”
This year’s anniversary celebration highlights House of Kolor’s impact, featuring new releases, exclusive storytelling and interactive, community‑driven moments. Key highlights include:
- Content drops and videos featuring milestone spotlights, behind‑the‑scenes scoops and interviews with influential painters, builders, innovators, and more.
- Engaging collaborations with standout House of Kolor supporters.
- Community engagement at races, car shows and custom events across North America.
- Technical school visits to connect with the next generation of custom painters.
- An exclusive custom-painted giveaway.
- Launches of new product innovations and eight anniversary kolors.
WIN Announces Recipient for its Inaugural ‘Founding Mothers’ Award’
The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) has announced that Haylie Colby, a painter with Nuss Collision Center in East Bethel, Minn., is the recipient of its inaugural Founding Mothers Award. The award honors the women who are active as technicians or painters on the shop floor, and are shaping the future of the collision repair industry.
Now planned to be an annual presentation, WIN said the award was established to celebrate the six “founding mothers” of WIN — Frederica Carter, Geri Kottschade, Gigi Walker,Patricia Serratore, Kathy Mello, and Marcy Tieger — and celebrate WIN’s creation and true mission within the collision repair industry.
Haylie Colby is an emerging talent in the collision repair industry, quickly establishing herself as a top painter at Nuss Collision Center in just three years, according to WIN. What began as a part-time opportunity evolved into a full-time career, where she demonstrated exceptional skill, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to quality.
The event was made possible thanks to the support of 3M, PPG, and LKQ Minnesota, who provided masks, shared expertise, and contributed to the hands-on experience.
Plasnomic Launches Industry-First Testing Program for OEM-Aligned Plastic Repair
Plasnomic has launched an industry-first testing and validation program to define OEM-aligned standards in automotive plastic repair, starting with Polypropylene weld.
“Plastic repair has lacked a clear, evidence-based standard for too long,” said Mario Dimovski, head of Plasnomic’s Global Plastic Repair Alliance Council. “What we are building at Plasnomic is the industry's foundation, where every product, process, and repair method is validated through real data, not assumptions. This is a defining moment as we move toward OEM-aligned, safe, and scalable plastic repair globally.”
Plasnomic representatives said he organization is bringing clarity to a historically fragmented space by combining ISO-accredited laboratory testing with real-world repair validation and global council oversight.
The program begins with benchmarking polypropylene weld materials against OEM substrates. Materials from over a dozen global suppliers are being evaluated across five critical performance areas: Weldability, sandability, blendability, structural strength, and impact resistance.
Testing is conducted through a leading ISO-accredited U.S. laboratory, with results independently validated. This is supported by real-world application through Plasnomic’s Technical Ambassador Team, ensuring lab data translates into consistent shop-floor outcomes, according to Plasnomic.
VIVE Collision Acquires Cherry Collision, Reaching 75 Locations across the Northeast
VIVE Collision, a leading multi-shop operator (MSO) in the collision repair industry, announced the acquisition of Cherry Collision, adding three new locations in Southern New Jersey to its growing platform. With this addition, VIVE Collision now operates 75 locations across the Northeast.
“Reaching 75 locations is an exciting milestone for our organization, but what matters most is how we grow,” shared Vartan Jerian, Jr., CEO & Co-Founder at VIVE Collision. “Cherry Collision has built an outstanding reputation in Southern New Jersey, and we’re proud to welcome the team into the VIVE Family. Their dedication to quality and the customer experience mirrors our own and makes them a natural fit.”
Auto Care Association and ASE Announce 2026 World Class Technicians
The Auto Care Association and the National Institute for Automative Service Excellence (ASE) announced the newest professionals to earn the World Class Technician designation in 2026.It recognizes automotive service professionals who have demonstrated an exceptional level of technical expertise and commitment to ongoing training and certification.
To earn the designation, technicians must pass a rigorous series of ASE certification tests across multiple specialty areas.
This year’s newly recognized ASE World Class Technicians represent a wide range of experience across the automotive service industry, including independent repair facilities, fleet operations, education, dealerships, and emerging electric vehicle service roles. The full list of technicians who earned this designation can be found on the Auto Care Association’s website.
KLST Abra Hosts Career Crawl
The KLST Abra franchise, in partnership with the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce, recently welcomed sophomores from Princeton Public Schools ISD 477 as part of their Career Crawl, giving students an immersive look at careers in the automotive repair industry.
During the visit, students experienced a day in the life of a body technician, exploring specialized equipment, stepping into the paint booth, and learning about ADAS systems and automotive glass.
“Providing students with real-world exposure to our industry helps spark interest and build skills for the future,” said Danyell Wendland, director of operations, KLST Abra. “We’re proud to give back to our community and support the next generation of skilled technicians.”
“Events like these are critical for developing the workforce of tomorrow,” said Damien Reyna, chief operating officer, Driven Brands Collision Group. “By giving students a firsthand look at collision repair careers, we help them envision a future in our industry and encourage them to explore paths they might not have considered.”
Fix Auto Spring Valley Opens
Fix Auto Spring Valley celebrated its grand opening on Friday, March 13, in Spring Valley, Calif.
“We’re thrilled to officially open our doors and welcome the community into our new facility,” said Fadi Odish, owner of Fix Auto Spring Valley. “It was great to see so many people come out, tour the shop, and celebrate with us. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality collision repairs and a top-notch customer experience to every driver who comes through our doors.”
The new collision center is I-CAR Gold certified and equipped to handle a wide range of repairs, providing drivers with expert craftsmanship, fast turnaround, and trusted service in Spring Valley and the surrounding communities.
CAWA Encourages Automotive High School Teachers to Apply for 2026 Scholarship Awards
CAWA announced the opening of applications for the Motorcar Parts of America - Selwyn Joffe Awards. The awards provide scholarships to high school teachers to support their automotive programs.
"CAWA is proud to assist automotive high school teachers, in part, to assure their programs remain viable and well-resourced for the benefit of their students and our industry", said Rodney Pierini, president and CEO, in announcing the availability of scholarships.
Teachers must be from high schools in California, Nevada, and Arizona to qualify. Those interested in applying for a scholarship should complete an application for consideration or request an application from programs@cawa.org. The deadline for submitting applications is May 31.
Jungerman CARSTAR Celebrates Technician’s 25-Year Milestone
Jungerman CARSTAR is celebrating a milestone with lead post technician Mike Williamson’s 25th anniversary with the collision repair center.
Over the past two-and-a-half decades, Williamson has become a cornerstone of the Jungerman CARSTAR team, known not only for his technical expertise but also for mentoring and training many technicians who have come through the shop, according to CARSTAR.
“Mike has been an incredible part of our team for 25 years,” said Kerry Woodson, owner of Jungerman CARSTAR. “He’s always willing to share his knowledge and help train the next generation of technicians. His commitment to quality and teamwork has played a huge role in our success.”
Abra Yankton Under New Ownership
Abra Yankton in southeastern South Dakota, welcomes new owner Bruce Nerison. Under his leadership, the location reports that it remains committed to providing top-tier repair services while strengthening its ties to the local community.
Abra Yankton operates from an 8,000-square-foot facility inside Northtown Chevy Buick GMC, staffed by five skilled technicians. The shop features over 10 work bays and two arctic paint booths, providing a full range of services, including auto body collision repair, windshield repair and replacement, mechanical repairs, and wheel alignment.
“We’re excited to continue Abra’s trusted repair standards in Yankton under new ownership,” said Nerison. “Being part of the Abra network gives us access to outstanding support and resources, allowing us to provide top-quality repairs while remaining closely connected to the local community.”
In addition to advanced repair services, Abra Yankton reports it remains committed to giving back through sponsorships of local high school and college athletics, reinforcing its role as an active and supportive community partner.
