Car-O-Liner announced that its distributor, Sullivan’s Equipment Sales and Service in Danville, Ind., has opened an on-site training center. The 13,000 sq. ft. warehouse includes a remodeled training area that will feature live repairs, OEM training, proper sectioning processes and more, said Craig Sullivan, Owner and President of Sullivan’s Equipment. “Rather than telling a technician […]
NACE Releases Conference Program Details
The complete conference program, including the session and training details for both NACE and CARS, has been released for the 2016 event, taking place August 9 – 13 in Anaheim, Calif. The program features new developments, including the introduction of programs for heavy duty vehicles, expanded business management training and OE involvement, and the return […]
PDA Drives Appraisal Cycle Time to 2 Business Days
Property Damage Appraisers (PDA) announced that it has decreasing the amount of time it takes to produce an estimate following an assignment. “At PDA, we’ve reduced average cycle time for automobiles to 2.0 business days and 2.7 calendar days,” said Tom Dolfay, CEO of PDA. “We’re pleased with the improvement, but want to continue to […]
Advanced High Strength Steel Growth Exceeds Forecast
Steel Market Development Institute says AHSS fastest growing automotive material. Over the past three years, the amount of advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) used each year in automotive applications has been 10 percent higher than forecasted by Ducker Worldwide, the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) announced. SMDI is a business unit of the American Iron and […]
DCR Systems Opens Dealer-Based Collision Repair Center in Massachusetts
DCR partners with Coastal Dealerships and The Gallery Group to form The Collision Center of Rockland DCR Systems announced its sixth dealer-based accident repair center near Boston in partnership with Coastal Dealerships of Norwell and one of DCR’s existing centers, The Gallery Group in Norwood and Rockland, Mass. The center was completed in early 2016. […]
Former Auto Parts Company President Pleads Guilty to Bid-Rigging
The former president of an automotive parts company pleaded guilty yesterday and was sentenced to serve 18 months in a U.S. prison for his role in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for the sale of automotive body sealing products sold in the United States, the Justice Department announced. Keiji Kyomoto, a former […]
Small Business Optimism Drops to a New Two Year Low
Small business owners still pessimistic about the economy. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Index of Small Business Optimism declined 0.3 points in March from February to 92.6. While not statistically significant overall, the NFIB reports that four of the 10 Index components posted a gain, six posted small declines. The biggest gain was […]
Registration Open for AAPEX 2016
Online attendee registration is now open for AAPEX 2016, the global event that keeps professionals in the automotive aftermarket industry ahead of the curve. AAPEX 2016 will take place Tuesday, Nov. 1 through Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, with AAPEXedu sessions starting on Monday, Oct. 31. AAPEX registration includes access […]
Tiered Shop Definition on Collision Industry Conference Agenda Today
Proposed revision to include non-structural/cosmetic, structural and advanced material tiers in collision repair facility definition to be discussed. SCRS and Assured Performance asked constituents to tell committee to end the work on pre-meeting feedback form. ASA sees potential benefits. A proposal to define the requirements for repair facilities capable of performing non-structural/cosmetic repair, structural repair […]
BASF Acquires Refinish Paint Manufacturer in China
BASF has signed an agreement to acquire the assets of Guangdong Yinfan Chemistry Co., Ltd. in China. With this acquisition, BASF will establish a stronger coatings production footprint by gaining access to a state-of-the-art automotive refinish coatings plant in China. It will also enable BASF to broaden its automotive refinish portfolio in Asia Pacific by […]