Profiles
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Collision Career Institute Addresses Technician Shortage
Wednesday, 26 September 2018 18:17 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS As the technician shortage continues to plague the collision repair industry, the topic of attracting new blood to shops has become common at events and in facilities across the country. However, once someone new is sold on collision repair, the next concern is ensuring they receive the proper training to successfully begin a career in the industry. The Collision Career Institute (CCI) has developed a means of addressing this dilemma. According to Chief Operations Officer Amber Ritter, “CCI is an apprenticeship program that consists of 3,000 on-the-job training hours plus 250 related supplemental knowledge hours. Our role is to help recruit, manage and…
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MO Shop Owner Educates, Empowers With Wheels, Women & Wine Car Care Clinic
Friday, 13 July 2018 20:05 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS “I’ve often heard technicians say women don’t belong in a shop—what does that mean? Just do your job, and she’ll do hers!” stated Kim Barks, who co-ownsComplete Car and RV Repair in St. Charles, MO, with her father, Bob. In May, Barks hosted her first Wheels, Women and Wine Car Care Clinic at the shop in an effort to educate and empower women in their community when dealing with their vehicles. The class attracted 35 ladies, some of whom brought their daughters, inspiring Barks to teach both the current and future generations. She put a car on a lift to show the group how it works,…
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AASP/MA Welcomes Evangelos ‘Lucky’ Papageorg as Executive Director
Wednesday, 13 June 2018 22:07 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS On May 29, AASP/MA announced its recent decision to have Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg take over the role of executive director for the association. With previous experience as the executive director for the Massachusetts Auto Body Association and more recently running his own consulting business for the industry, Papageorg is excited to return to the role of executive director for a Massachusetts collision repair association. Papageorg shared, “I am especially pleased to be assisting the Board members as they strive to make AASP/MA the premiere collision repair association in Massachusetts. Together, we will work hard to advance the industry and benefit and assist its members as they work toward safe,…
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NJ’s Ultimate Collision Depends on Reliable Automotive Equipment for Everything Needed for Proper Repairs
Thursday, 10 May 2018 20:20 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS NOTE: This June SPS profile was originally published in print in June 2018 and online in May 2018. Ultimate Collision in Edison, NJ, opened its doors for business in 1988. Ultimate Collision Location: Edison, NJ (732) 494-1900 www.ultimatecollisioninc.com Company At A Glance… Type: Collision Repair Facility Employees: 28 In Business Since: 1988 DRP Programs: Six Number of Locations: One Combined Production Space: 10,000 square feet “I grew up in this industry, and there’s nothing I can’t do,” said shop owner Jerry McNee. “My focus is on correctly repairing cars. We stand up for our customers behind the scenes and make sure the work is done correctly as advertised.” The 10,000-square-foot facility employs…
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Colors on Parade Hosts Training for New Program
Monday, 19 June 2017 22:40 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Area Developers received demonstrations and hands-on training. On June 5 to 7, Colors on Parade hosted a training class in Denver, CO for their new CarLove Recon Advantage Program. Originally launched in January 2017, the program is now expanding into new markets led by Area Developers within the company who attended the training in order to acquire program certification. They will now bring the program to their home areas of Raleigh, NC; Orange County, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Southeastern Philadelphia, PA; and Denver, CO. The CarLove Recon Advantage Program is designed to simplify processes, eliminate risks, and fix costs for dealership groups, and it…
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An Introduction to WIN’s 2017 Most Influential Women Honorees
Wednesday, 05 April 2017 19:51 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS The Women’s Industry Network (WIN®) introduced its 2017 Most Influential Women (MIW) honorees on March 3. This award is designed to recognize women whose leadership, vision and commitment to excellence have enriched the collision repair industry. This year’s honorees, to be recognized at WIN’s MIW Gala and Awards ceremony during the association’s May conference in Denver, are Cristina Fronzaglia-Murray, Manager of Marketing Communications for PPG’s Automotive Refinish Division; Renee Ricciotti, Sales and Marketing Manager for 3M Automotive Aftermarket; and Elizabeth Stein, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for the Assured Performance Network. WIN Chair Petra Schroeder stated, “Having been with WIN…
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23-Year-Old Female Shop Owner Runs the Show at VA Maaco
Friday, 03 March 2017 21:45 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS The collision repair industry is known for being male-dominated, and with the increasing need for young professionals to enter the industry, it’s refreshing to meet Katie Inge, a 23-year-old shop owner in Chesapeake, VA. Inge’s passion for cars transcends any question of her place in this industry and proves that women have an important perspective to bring and role to play as we move into the future; it’s not just a man’s world anymore! Inge grew up in her father’s Maaco Collision and Repair Center, spending weekends in the shop where she learned about the entire process, from painting to sanding to…
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Maryland Shop Owners Prevail Against Short Pays
Wednesday, 25 September 2013 22:21 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Anyone who has been involved in repair for any amount of time knows how frustrating it can be when insurers refuse to pay the full amount billed for a repair. Many repairers count their losses and move on to the next vehicle, but Mark Schaech Jr., co-owner of Mark’s Body Shop in Baltimore, MD, refuses to take this insult lying down. While he and his partner, his father, would prefer to avoid the necessity of taking legal action, he’s definitely “not taking it anymore!” Schaech knows this is a common problem that shop owners face, so he’s glad to share his experience…
