Optimism returning to more normal levels as owners express uncertainty about the future. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index slipped 3.2 points in January, as owners continued hiring and investing, but expressed rising concern about future economic growth. The 101.2 reading, the lowest since the weeks leading up to the 2016 elections, remains well above […]
Penfund Announces $150 Million Investment in Caliber
Penfund, the Toronto, Canada-based provider of junior capital to middle market companies in the US and Canada, announced it completed of a $150 million second lien debt investment in Caliber Collision Centers as part of a small club of lenders providing a $600 million second lien credit facility. The proceeds of this facility, together with […]
Registration Open for 2019 WIN Educational Conference
The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) announced that registration for its 2019 Educational Conference is now open. Members registering before March 13th will receive a discounted rate of $300. For member registration on or after March 13, the rate is $475. Non-members may attend at a rate of $650. Attendance at the Most Influential Women and […]
Autonomous Vehicles Permit Holders Report More Than 2 Million Test Miles in California
Critics say reports show technology not living up to hype though performance varies widely across companies. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reported that companies with a permit to test autonomous vehicles in California with a safety driver reported their technology drove more than 2 million miles in autonomous mode during the most recent […]
Carl Brabander Named Head of Global Franchising Development at Fix Network World
Fix Network World announced the appointment of Carl Brabander, former Vice President of Marketing to the new senior role of Head of Global Franchising Development, that was effective January 1. Brabander joined Fix Auto Canada as Vice President of Marketing in 2014 and has since led global marketing, advertising and brand strategies that have helped […]
U.S. Average Length of Rental Increased in the Fourth Quarter of 2018
Increase follows two quarters of flat length of rental results. After flat results in the second and third quarters, Enterprise Rent-A-Car data indicates and increase in the last quarter of 2018. Average Length of Rental (LOR) for Q4 2018 landed at 12.7 days in the United States, an increase of .3 days compared to Q4 […]
CARSTAR Adds Collision Repair Center to Network in Illinois
CARSTAR announced the addition of Tatman’s CARSTAR, a 12,000 sq. ft. collision repair center located at 701 N. Mattis Avenue, in Champaign, Ill., to its network of independently-owned facilities. Tim Tatman, owner of Tatman’s CARSTAR, started working for his dad at a young age cleaning the facility for 50 cents a week. His father opened […]
Maryland Insurance Regulator to Pay Nearly $37,000 to Settle Federal EEOC Equal Pay Suit
Federal agency finds female fraud investigators were paid less than males. The Maryland Insurance Administration, Maryland’s agency charged with regulating the insurance industry, will pay $36,802 to settle a federal pay discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced. The EEOC charged that the Maryland Insurance Administration had […]
Service King Reports 500th Veteran Milestone in Mission 2 Hire
Service King Collision Repair Centers announced a milestone in its Mission 2 Hire initiative with the recent hiring of its 500th U.S. Armed Forces Veteran. The importance of this number is embedded in the company’s short-term goal to hire 500 U.S. Armed Forces Veterans and family members within five years. Launched in May 2015, the […]
HD Repair Forum Announces Agenda
The HD Repair Forum’s development team released the agenda for its 2019 heavy-duty collision repair conference, being held April 2-3 in Fort Worth, Texas. “Last year, as a first-time event, we were very satisfied with the feedback we received on the program. Repair facility owners, fleet and body shop managers, insurance partners and other industry […]