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Strengthening Your Shop for Survival: Industry Leaders Weigh In
Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Every day, the collision repair industry changes. Shops face a heavy load of challenges that come in many forms – from consolidation and workforce shortages to technological advances and contention with third-party payers. Yet, the need for vehicle repairs remains consistent, demanding shops keep up with the constant evolution of the industry to remain competitive and profitable. Those unwilling to put in the work to strengthen their businesses just might see their doors shuttered before long. But what are the biggest changes and challenges facing the industry? And how can shops make sure they’re strong enough to carry the burden? New Jersey…
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She Knows Collision: Meeting the Ladies of Body and Paint Center
Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing Women are a force to be reckoned with – especially in the workforce! Yet, despite the fact that women make up nearly 47 percent of the workforce in the US, only 4.9 percent of employees in the auto body repair industry in 2024 were women, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, it’s not uncommon to walk in a shop and see nothing but men. That’s not the case at Body and Paint Center (Hudson), where 25 percent of employees are female. Owner Tom Ricci doesn’t go out of his way to hire women; he simply seeks…
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ADALB: Labor Rates, Regulations and Complaints – Oh My!
Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing Follow the yellow brick road! Follow the yellow brick road! The May 13 meeting of the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB) mirrored a trip to Oz as the whirlwind discussion left many attendees feeling as though they had encountered the various characters from the renowned film. Although the collision repair industry has become increasingly complex, not everyone on the Board seems to realize “we’re not in Kansas anymore” where everything is simply black and white. Attorney Michael Powers provided an update on the Auto Body Labor Rate Advisory Board (ABLRAB), which is charged with conducting a survey on body…
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Former MABA President Ed Nalewanski Recalls Tons of Fun as an Association Leader
Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing The history of the Commonwealth’s collision repair industry is filled with not-so-common repair professionals whose devotion to proper repairs and improving the field for everyone goes above and beyond expectations, and although many have spent recent years in retirement, their legacy lives on. Continuing its mission to catch up with some of these collision repairers who have left their mark on the Massachusetts auto body world, New England Automotive Report recently caught up with Ed Nalewanski, former owner of Ed’s Auto Body in Easthampton, to get the scoop on what he’s been up to. New England Automotive Report: When and how did you…
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JBS Collision Recognized for Doing it Differently
Published in Hammer & Dolly – Thomas Greco Publishing No one can deny that the collision repair industry has faced a plethora of changes and challenges in recent years, and many shops struggle to adapt to changes; however, that’s not the case at JBS Collision Center in Chester, MD! Their willingness to try new things recently paid off big when they were recognized as WMABA’s 2025 Most Improved Shop of the Year during the Southeast Collision Conference (SCC) in May. WMABA Executive Director Jordan Hendler and WMABA President Kris Burton both sang JBS Collision’s praises during the SCC award ceremony. Hendler commended the shop for “making a large impact in…
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Deep Rooted in Education: Texas Auto Body Trade Show Branches Out
Published in Texas Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing ABAT’s Texas Auto Body Trade Show has grown exponentially since it began in 2016, and its success can largely be attributed to the association’s willingness to branch out and try something new. This has been the case each year, and 2025 is certainly no different! Taking place September 12-13 in its new location, at the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel and Convention Center in Allen, the 2025 Texas Auto Body Trade Show promises to deliver the same high-energy education presentations that attendees have come to expect from the event, but as always (in true Texan fashion), it just keeps getting bigger and better…
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Throwing Stones to Take Down a Giant: Auto Claim Specialists Wins Fight for Mandatory Right to Appraisal in Texas
Created for Auto Claim Specialists Fort Worth, TX (June 2025) – They said it couldn’t be done. They said it was impossible. No one believed the battle to require the Right to Appraisal be included in all Texas auto policies could be won – no one except Robert McDorman, founder of Auto Claim Specialists, whose devotion to ensuring the safety of roadways in the Lone Star State inspired him to take up a slingshot in this iteration of the classic “David versus Goliath” showdown. For nearly a decade, McDorman tirelessly led the charge to persuade lawmakers of the importance of mandatory appraisal rights, and his hard work has finally paid…
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Repair Planning Software Donations Help Students Develop the Skills for a Collision Career – and Showcase Their Talents at SkillsUSA!
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation Successful collision repair professionals need to know a lot to keep pace in today’s rapidly advancing industry, and just as the various components of a vehicle are often interrelated, so are the skill sets that students are encouraged to develop. Repair planning, in particular, offers repairers insights into other aspects of the collision world, and mastering this skill can open the doors to unforeseen opportunities. This has certainly been the case for industry professional Jannifer Stimmel-Watkins. As a student, she was fortunate to have access to repair planning software – thanks to the partnership between the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and Audatex, CCC…
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Axalta Partners with CREF to Present Collision Students with a Plethora of Possible Career Paths and Promote Professionalism
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation Although the collision repair industry offers a multitude of potential career possibilities – as a technician, painter, supplier and so much more – many collision students are unaware of the extent of options available to them as a result of their studies. The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) strives to make students aware of these choices throughout the year by hosting High School and College Transportation Student Career Fairs around the country, but these ambitious events would not be possible without the support of generous industry partners like Axalta. Axalta sponsored a career fair at West-MEC High School in Phoenix, AZ earlier this school…
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50 Years and Counting: Larry Cernosek Celebrated for Business Longevity
Published in Texas Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Few businesses are built to last. According to 2024 data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 40 percent of businesses fail within the first five years and more than 65 percent falter within five years. Just over 20 percent survive to reach their 20th anniversary. It’s a pretty rare accomplishment for any business to stay viable for half a century, and such a feat certainly deserves to be celebrated! ABAT Board member Larry Cernosek (Deer Park Paint & Body; Pasadena) recently received recognition for this impressive achievement when he was honored at the Capitol for being in business 50 years. …
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Association Membership Raises the Bar and Helps Shops Clear the Hurdles
Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing OEM procedures – jump! ADAS – jump! EVs – jump! Insurer estimates – jump (and try not to fall)! Change is the only constant in the ever-evolving auto body industry, and it seems like clearing one hurdle only brings you closer to the next one on the path. As you spring over each one, the likelihood of stumbling and falling may seem like an inevitability, but shops determined to go the distance recognize the best way to overcome those obstacles is to “pole vault” over the barriers keeping them from moving forward. Association membership provides collision professionals with the right equipment…
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Mandatory RTA: One Step from the Finish Line
Published in Texas Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing The checkered flag is in hand, and Texas consumers are positioned to win as Mandatory Right to Appraisal nears the finish line! SB 458 has received favorable votes from both the Senate and the House, and it is now on its way to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk! The race to mandate inclusion of the Appraisal Clause in all Texas policies has been a long one, littered with many obstacles, but fans are cheering as it looks like the 89th legislative session will be the last lap in the battle to preserve this vital consumer protection. Authored by Senator Charles Schwertner (R-District 5)…
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Stirring Up Business: A Dash of Marketing and a Spoonful of Optimism
Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing For nearly half a decade, body shops have been juggling more work than they could handle, and then suddenly – BOOM! Things shifted; volume has been decreasing in repair facilities across the country since last year. “Not since the pandemic year of 2020 have so many US shops reported six-month sales and net profit being below the same period a year earlier,” Crash Network reported in April, citing its recent “Collision Industry Business Perspectives” survey. “Nearly half (46 percent) said their sales and net profit in the second half [of] 2024 were down from what they were in the second half of…
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The Best Technology Shouldn’t Be Reserved for Seasoned Painters: DeVilbiss’ Spray Gun Donation Allows Students to Produce a Flawless Finish
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation Educating students in collision repair requires instructors to cover a variety of topics to ensure students acquire the entry-level skills needed to obtain employment after graduation, but obtaining the necessary supplies, tools and equipment to provide instruction on everything from welding and bodywork to refinishing necessitates a financial investment that often exceeds the budgets allocated to collision educational programs. Fortunately, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) aids these programs, with generous assistance from industry employers, such as DeVilbiss, a silver-level sponsor in the Foundation’s Industry Leadership Circle. Last year, DeVilbiss’ donation of 20 DV1 Basecoat Spray Guns, 20 DV1 Clearcoat Spray Guns, 20 PROLite…
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Marching Forward: Right to Appraisal Bill Moves Ahead
Published in Texas Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Texas legislators are taking significant strides to require the Right to Appraisal be included in every Lone Star insurance policy! When insurers refuse to reimburse consumers for the cost of safe and proper repairs, policyholders’ best method of recourse is to invoke the Appraisal Clause whereby two independent appraisers attempt to agree on a fair value; if they cannot come to an agreement, an umpire is selected to cast the final, binding decision. The Right to Appraisal (RTA) saves consumers from the need to engage in costly and time-consuming litigation, but tragically, this vital protection is not available to every policyholder in…
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School Profile: Ocean County Vocational Technical School
Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing As auto body shops continue to face a workforce shortage, some collision repair instructors report a lack of interest in their programs, but that’s not the case everywhere! Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s (OCVTS) ASE-certified auto collision course receives more interest than it can handle. The school offers two daily classes with capacity of 24 students in each class, but “we have over 100 students on a waiting list because so many kids are interested in being here,” shares OCVTS Collision Repair Technology Instructor Mike Lundin. “We’re one of the only shared-time programs in the state, meaning students attend a regular…
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What’s Fueling the MSO Fire?
Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Running a collision repair shop is a tough gig – between contending with customers’ expectations, insurers’ demands and rising costs of, well, everything, many owners report struggles to turn a profit. Yet, for over a decade, consolidation has been ballooning forth in markets from coast to coast! How did the MSO boom begin, and are there any indications of implosion? Repairers first noticed an increase in consolidation in the late 1990s and early 2000s when Caliber, Gerber and Service King entered the market in California and Texas, purchasing independent shops and converting them to their brands. But beginning in 2013, more…
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Criswell Collision Center Focuses on OEM Certification and Safe Repairs
Published in Hammer & Dolly – Thomas Greco Publishing No man can serve two masters. The same concept applies to body shops. George Criswell first opened Criswell Collision Center (Annapolis, MD) in 2008 to “answer the call of [his] growing Acura and Audi dealership clientele. He decided to open his own facility because he was continually disappointed with the feedback he received about collision repair services his customers were having in the Annapolis area,” Body Shop Manager Kevin Marvin recalls. At first, the shop operated heavily on a DRP-centric model. “It was just the thing to do – get into a relationship with insurance companies so they can ramp up…
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When Will the MSO Bubble Burst?
Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing Running a collision repair shop is a tough gig – between contending with customers’ expectations, insurers’ demands and rising costs of, well, everything, many owners report struggles to turn a profit. Yet, for over a decade, consolidation has been ballooning forth in markets from coast to coast! How did the MSO boom begin, and are there any indications of implosion? Repairers first noticed an increase in consolidation in the late 1990s and early 2000s when Caliber, Gerber and Service King entered the market in California and Texas, purchasing independent shops and converting them to their brands. But beginning in 2013, more…
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Open Your Eyes: Shops Need to Follow OEM Procedures!
Published in AASPMN News – Thomas Greco Publishing Once upon a time, vehicles entered a repair shop – mechanical or collision – and could be repaired based upon the repairers’ knowledge and experience. Those days are long gone! With vehicles growing increasingly complex due to the use of new materials, inclusion of ADAS and telematics, not to mention the challenges related to electric vehicles (EVs), researching the OEM repair procedures for every job has become a necessity, even when the repair order calls for something as simple as replacing a bumper or a wheel alignment, either of which may require calibrations. Even if a shop performed the exact same repair on the…
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The Best Technology Shouldn’t Be Reserved for Seasoned Painters: DeVilbiss’ Spray Gun Donation Allows Students to Produce a Flawless Finish
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation Educating students in collision repair requires instructors to cover a variety of topics to ensure students acquire the entry-level skills needed to obtain employment after graduation, but obtaining the necessary supplies, tools and equipment to provide instruction on everything from welding and bodywork to refinishing necessitates a financial investment that often exceeds the budgets allocated to collision educational programs. Fortunately, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) aids these programs, with generous assistance from industry employers, such as DeVilbiss, a silver-level sponsor in the Foundation’s Industry Leadership Circle. Last year, DeVilbiss’ donation of 20 DV1 Basecoat Spray Guns, 20 DV1 Clearcoat Spray Guns, 20 PROLite…
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Tee Off to Support Collision Repair Schools and Students at CREF’s 2025 Golf Fundraiser!
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation Looking for an opportunity to support a great cause AND have a little fun doing it? The search is over! The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to announce that its 23rd Annual Golf Fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Refinish, is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Philmont Country Club in Huntingdon Valley, PA in conjunction with national industry meetings being held in Philadelphia that week. CREF invites collision professionals to join in “fore” a fun and impactful day on the green as the Foundation raises funds to support collision repair schools and students. Registration is now open at bit.ly/CREFgolf2025. “The…
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Donations by the Truckload: Vendors Donate Products to TCAT After Sherwin-Williams National Sales Meeting
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation There’s nothing like a collision repair industry event for bringing folks together…and when they can collaborate to support a good cause, the feeling of comradery and positivity is enhanced even more. And that’s exactly what happened at Sherwin-Williams Performance Coating Group’s 2025 Sales Meeting, held in February at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN, when vendors were invited to donate showcased products to a local collision repair education program. “During our annual National Sales Meeting, we host a vendor showcase in a large exhibit hall, and through our partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), we’ve had this awesome…
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CREF Introduces 2025 Executive Committee and Thanks Departing Members for Service
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to announce and introduce its newly appointed Executive Committee, which consists of seven industry professionals who are dedicated to supporting the future of the industry through engagement with collision schools and students. CREF’s 2025 Executive Committee includes: Chair Brenda Hogen (Parts Trader) Vice-Chair Stacy Bartnik (Intertek) Treasurer Mark Verbois (Enterprise Holdings) Secretary Sandee Lindorfer (Allstate Insurance Company) Trustee-at-Large Chris Dewes (PPG Industries) Trustee-at-Large Kayla Williams Clark (Classic Collision) Immediate Past Chair Steve Schmidt (State Farm) “As the Chair of the Collision Repair Education Foundation, my primary goal this year is to advance our mission of supporting…
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Institutional Bias? It’s a Madhouse at the ADALB
Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing Last month, New England Automotive Report explored the ineffectiveness of the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board’s (ADALB) actions regarding its never-ending review of proposed revisions to 212 CMR 2.00 et seq (available to read online at grecopublishing.com/near0325coverstory). But are those regulations even enforced? Anyone who has witnessed their handling of complaints in recent years has certainly asked this question, and it seems to be a topic worth exploring more closely. Disorder. Mayhem. Hullabaloo. These are all synonyms for madhouse, which Websters defines as “a place of uproar or confusion.” Thus, the term madhouse certainly seems to apply to meetings of the Auto Damage…
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Dealing ADAS Calibrations: What Option Is Best?
Published in Texas Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing ADAS features have become pretty standard on most vehicles; in fact, around 95 percent of light duty vehicles manufactured in 2023 came equipped with automatic emergency braking, according to CCC Intelligent Solutions’ 2024 Q1 Crash Course Report (bit.ly/CCC-CC2024q1). These days, around 70 percent of vehicles being brought to a body shop require at least one calibration, but there’s a lot of debate about whether it makes more sense to sublet this task or to bring calibrations in-house. Simple answer: there isn’t one! It all depends on your business model and what makes sense for each shop. “Calibrations are an absolutely integral part…
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WMABA School Profile: Washington County Career and Technical Education Center
Published in Hammer & Dolly – Thomas Greco Publishing When it comes to attracting young people to collision repair – and retaining their interest in the field – no tool is as valuable as engagement from local industry professionals! That certainly seems to be the case at Washington County Career and Technical Education Center (WCCTEC) in Abingdon, VA. “Industry involvement is always a plus for our students,” reports WCCTEC Auto Body Repair Instructor Brian Casey. “We sometimes have guest speakers from the local industry, which gets students thinking and talking about their future, which is always a positive. We try to take three or four field trips per year because…
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Keeping Score: KPIs for Mechanical Shops
Published in AASPMN News – Thomas Greco Publishing Running a successful automotive repair business is similar to playing a game in that respect – only whether you win or lose ultimately comes down to whether or not the shop is successful, and the best way to “keep score” requires monitoring and tracking certain key performance indicators (KPIs). But with so many moving parts, how does a shop owner or manager know which KPIs are most important? Last month, AASPMN News explored this subject on behalf of collision repair facilities (available at grecopublishing.com/aasp0325coverstory), but while mechanical shops share some of the same KPIs, they typically need to look at things a little differently. Jeff…
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CREF Welcomes Frank Pickering to Board of Trustees
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to welcome Frank Pickering, Vice President, Physical Damage for GEICO, to its Board of Trustees. “We are honored to welcome Frank Pickering to our Board,” shares Brenda Hogen, Chair of CREF’s Board of Trustees. “His extensive experience and dedication to the collision industry will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission.” Pickering began his career in the collision industry in 1998 as a sales associate for GEICO, but after several years, it was time for a change. “In my interactions with fellow associates, I heard the stories from our auto damage adjusters about being…
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Editing Sample
BEFORE: On September 28, 1970, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Chester, Pennsylvania, Kevin “Rock” Oropeza, thrived his way into the world to a 20 year old drug addicted mother while his 22 years old father was at a party with the president of the Pagan Motorcycle Clubhouse. A hyperactive child, at the age of three years old and controlled with the use of pot administered by his father; a decision that would alter Kevin‘s mind body and spirit sentencing him to a life of endless struggles. On November 18, 1992 , Kevin Oropeza was sentenced to natural life without parole for murder and conspiracy in the first- degree for the…
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A Technician Shortage Education: Are the Shops to Blame?
Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing “I can’t find help for my shop.” “No one wants to be a technician anymore.” “Kids these days just aren’t interested in collision repair.” Nearly every shop owner in New Jersey and across the country shares the same complaint, but it just may be time to recognize the issue doesn’t lie with the next generation – shops are largely to blame for this ongoing problem! Although the number of collision repair educational programs have dwindled in recent years, the remainder report high interest in collision technology; however, instructors often fail to get the support they need from the industry to keep students engaged…
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Insanity at the ADALB: Are the Inmates Running the Asylum?
Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing It’s commonly said that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” but how crazy is it to repeat the same actions and yield NO results? Yet, that’s exactly what happens at the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB) meetings time and time again! Seated under the Division of Insurance (DOI), the ADALB is charged with the regulation of motor vehicle damage appraisers in the Commonwealth. Although the Board is charged with a laundry list of duties, the bulk of its agenda in recent years seems to be consumed with two specific responsibilities: maintaining…
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RTA: A Ray of Light to Warm Consumers
Published in Texas Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Getting in a car crash tends to be a traumatic experience for any driver, but when their insurance carrier – the entity sworn to make them whole after an accident – adds insult to injury by under-indemnifying them for the claim, many vehicle owners find themselves shivering with apprehension as to how they’re going to get their car repaired or afford a replacement. But then a ray of light appears amidst the clouds for those who learn that they have the ability to contest value through their policy’s Appraisal Clause without being forced to pursue costly litigation. Unfortunately, few consumers realize they…
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The Rhythm of Success: Key KPIs for Collision Shops
Published in AASPMN News – Thomas Greco Publishing How do you measure success in your shop? Some owners define success simply by looking at the dollars they have in the bank, while others take a more holistic approach of measuring a variety of key performance indicators (KPIs); however, with the many changes that shops have been forced to make in recent years – due to the pandemic, technological advances, the lengthening average age of the vehicles and changes in consumer behavior – it’s easy to fall into a pattern of collecting a ton of data and never doing anything with it. Those numbers mean something, but if your shop’s KPIs have become…
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Retired Shop Owner Tom Rawson Cruises Through Retirement
Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing Over the years, a multitude of collision repair professionals have left their mark on the Massachusetts auto body industry through their work with associations, their dedication to performing proper repairs and their devotion to their customers. New England Automotive Report resumes its mission to catch up with retired repairers to find out what they’ve been doing since they turned over their shop keys. This month, we caught up with Tom Rawson, former owner of Rawson Auto Body in Wakefield. New England Automotive Report: When did you first get into the industry? Tom Rawson: I was into cars as a kid, but I got…
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WMABA School Profile: Carroll County Career & Technology Center
Published in Hammer & Dolly – Thomas Greco Publishing Today’s students have many options when it comes to deciding their futures, and although the auto body industry offers a multitude of exciting career paths, many collision repair educational programs struggle to attract and retain those students due to an inability to show them that potential future; outdated tools, equipment and facilities leave them stuck in the past. That’s not the case at the Carroll County Career & Technology Center (CCCTC) in Westminster, MD – the school recently invested in its collision repair technology program by renovating the shop and classroom areas. “The new shop and updated equipment have been a…
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ADALB Throws Negotiations Out the Window
Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing Merriam-Webster defines the word negotiate as “to bring about through discussion and compromise,” yet some members of the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB) appear uncertain what constitutes a negotiation, despite the fact that these two terms appear a half dozen times in Regulation 212 CMR 2.00 et seq. Although the ADALB’s January 21 meeting included a brief review of the proposed amendments to the regulation, that discussion focused on revisions to 2.02(7) Conflict of Interest and 2.02(8) Revocation or Suspension of a License. The apparent uncertainty over what constitutes a negotiation arose during the review of six complaints filed by auto body…
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2024 in Retrospect: CREF Celebrates Another Impactful Year
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation Everything the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) does for collision repair educational programs, schools and students is geared toward making as much of an impact as possible. Why? Because “impactful” means impressive, exciting, meaningful…It’s all about making a difference, and CREF certainly made a difference in 2024! “The Foundation’s goal each year is to add value to our efforts to create stronger high school and collision educational programs and a more qualified future workforce, and we are excited and proud of everything we accomplished in 2024,” shares CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode. “From school grants to scholarships to representation at various events around the…
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Collision Instructors: Fund Your Program by Applying for a 2025 CREF Benchmark Grant!
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation Collision repair is a fast-paced industry that offers a fascinating career path for young people, especially as advancing technology like ADAS and AI piques their interest, but as any industry professional can attest, investing in these innovations is expensive, creating a significant barrier for instructors who already struggle to maintain their programs at current capability levels – never mind being able to advance those programs. Although constantly advancing technology necessitates that programs keep up with the ongoing changes in the industry to ensure the industry’s future workforce is prepared to enter shops with the skills necessary to make them a valuable part of the…
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Right to Appraisal: Bringing Consumers In from the Cold
Published in Texas Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Your car is mangled, and your body aches…You just got into a minor car accident, but the initial damage may not be the most painful part of this experience! For many vehicle owners who’ve been in an accident, the real agony occurs at the hands of their insurance carriers – the entity contracted to indemnify them for their loss – due to tactics designed to increase insurer profits at the expense of their policyholders. Whether the vehicle is repairable or deemed a total loss, there’s an incredibly high likelihood of receiving a settlement offer that does not truly cover the cost of…
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Artificial Intelligence for Smart Shops: Making AI Work for You
Published in AASPMN News – Thomas Greco Publishing Artificial intelligence (AI) is often viewed as a future technology, yet AI already plays many important roles in the automotive industry. Some ADAS, such as crash avoidance systems and lane assist cameras, utilize predictive AI algorithms to enhance safety on the roadways. Vehicle manufacturers have implemented AI in the design, development and assembly of today’s vehicles. Insurers rely on AI for photo estimating and total loss triage. And AI technology also offers opportunities for automotive and collision repair shops to improve their businesses. Who doesn’t want to work smarter, rather than harder? Shrewd shop owners around the country have begun embracing AI…
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A Risky Business: Understanding Shop Liability
Published in Hammer & Dolly – Thomas Greco Publishing “Without risk, there is no reward” – perhaps this well-known and often-repeated saying helped you find the courage to pursue your dreams of a career in the collision repair industry or even open your own shop. But while some risks are worth taking, others simply expose your business to liability and endanger your livelihood. Between technological advancements in today’s constantly changing vehicles, environmental requirements and workplace safety concerns, it’s necessary to recognize the various accountabilities that fall on shops and identify methods to circumvent those potential liabilities to protect the business. As Warren Buffett said, “Risk comes from not knowing what…
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Don Kennett Delivers a Personal Touch in an Increasingly Corporate World
Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing The world of collision repair constantly changes in every imaginable way, and while Don Kennett Inc. has certainly undergone its fair share of shifts in recent years, one thing remains consistent – this family-owned-and-operated automotive paint and body supply company offers a personal touch. “The New England market has changed drastically over the past four years,” Vice President Bob Levy notes. “Private equity companies have bought out many businesses like ours, and only a handful of jobbers are left in this area. Although much of the industry’s landscape has changed – with changes in repair quality, technicians, consolidation and shops…
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Refund Fishing for Insurers: Shops Speak Out on Wilber Group’s Collections Horse Play
Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Imagine: A wife goes to the store and purchases a gallon of milk. She pays the bill and goes home, but weeks later, her husband – who never does the grocery shopping and has no clue what amount is reasonable to pay – writes to the store to demand a partial refund and insists his wife overpaid. Seems pretty ridiculous, doesn’t it? Yet, the absurdity of a similar situation is less laughable. For the past several years, shops across the country have been receiving communications from the Wilber Group, demanding partial reimbursement for invoices paid to those repair facilities by insurers…
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Professionalism and Pride: CCA Donates Student Uniforms to Lexington Technology Center Through CREF
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation “Dress for success.” This is a common expression with multiple implications – others may gauge someone’s professionalism based on their appearance, but more importantly, donning the right apparel can affect how we feel about ourselves and give us a sense of pride, a consideration that is especially true for future collision repair students who often receive mixed messages about their future career paths. The 28 students enrolled in the auto collision repair program at the Lexington Technology Center (Lexington, SC) can now hold their heads high as they proudly sport official technician shirts, sponsored by the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA), in collaboration with the…
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Progress Through Change: A Q&A with New AASP/MA President Matthew Ciaschini
Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing The association has undergone some pretty significant changes in recent months. The association has seen a recent shift in leadership as Past President Kevin Gallerani (Cape Auto Body and Service; Plymouth) passed the torch into the capable hands of Matthew Ciaschini (Full Tilt Auto Body & Collision; West Hatfield). As the association’s new president, Ciaschini has high hopes for the progress that can be achieved if the industry works together, and he sat down with New England Automotive Report to share his thoughts on what the future holds for auto body shops in the Commonwealth. New England Automotive Report: What industry experience do you…
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Paving the Road Forward: AASPMN Updates and Strategies for 2025
Published in AASP-MN News – Thomas Greco Publishing Change is inevitable, and 2024 was a year of many changes for Minnesota automotive and collision repairers. From technological advancements and differing hiring practices that impact individual shops to the AASPMN’s decision to hire a new legal team and the dissolution of the national AASP organization, things look a lot different than they did a year ago. However, amidst the many transformations in the automotive landscape, one thing remains constant: AASPMN persists in its efforts to champion shops and pave the way forward to advance and improve the industry in the North Star State. As AASPMN builds on last year’s momentum to…
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AASP/NJ Recognizes DJ’s Restoration as 2024 Body Shop of the Year
Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing AASP/NJ is only as strong as its members, and during its Annual Meeting each year, the association acknowledges the value that individual members contribute to the association and the industry at-large by recognizing an outstanding member shop with the Stan Wilson/New Jersey Automotive Body Shop of the Year Award. This year’s honoree was DJ’s Restoration (Ewing), an association member whose involvement began decades ago – before AASP/NJ even existed! “I originally got involved with the Garden State Automotive Federation,” shares Daniel Brandt, Jr., owner of DJ’s Restoration. Brandt’s passion for auto body work began when he was a teenager, but cars are…
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People, Process and Passion: Collision Restoration Joins VIVE Collision Family
Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Nearly four decades after its doors first opened in 1986, Collision Restoration (Fairfield) has begun a brand-new journey as a member of the VIVE Collision family of auto body repair facilities! Garden State collision repairers were stunned last year when Eddie Day, a prominent and respected figure in the industry, decided to retire and sold the shop he founded so many years ago (read Day’s interview at grecopublishing.com/nja0924coverstory). But the legacy he created made the facility an ideal addition for VIVE Collision’s growing organization, which is dedicated to “redefin[ing] the collision repair industry by focusing on three core principles: People, Process and…
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Seeking Ripples to Make a Huge Splash
Published in Texas Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing With 2025 underway, businesses around the country are examining their budgets and determining which investments to undertake. To deal with ongoing challenges related to advancing technology, Texas collision repair shops likely plan to allocate funding to a number of important business needs, such as tooling, equipment, training, certifications, employee benefits and so forth. But what about the challenges related to shops’ continuous struggles with insurance companies – how can repairers budget for ways to address confrontations with appraisers who under-indemnify claims or refuse to pay for the parts and procedures necessary to safely and properly repair customers’ vehicles? By joining ABAT and…