Robert “Bob” Lee Smith, a collision industry veteran of nearly five decades who dedicated his career to advancing professionalism, fighting fraud, and unifying collision repair trade associations across the central United States, died March 18 in Odessa, Mo. He was 82. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon March 23 at Mt. Tabor […]
OSHA Launches ‘OSHA Cares’ Initiative To Expand Compliance Assistance for Employers
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration on March 18 launched OSHA Cares, an agency-wide initiative aimed at helping businesses meet federal workplace safety requirements and build stronger safety and health programs. The initiative signals a continued shift in the agency’s posture toward collaboration and prevention — particularly for small and medium-sized […]
Fix Network Appoints Michèle Robitaille AVP of Sales and Operations for Quebec
Fix Network has named Michèle Robitaille as associate vice president of sales and operations for Quebec, Canada effective immediately. In the newly created role, Robitaille will lead the sales and operations departments across Fix Network’s Quebec market. She will be responsible for supporting network growth, strengthening operational alignment and assisting franchisees with day-to-day needs. “Her […]
Boyd Group Reports 2025 Sales of $3.1 Billion
Same-store sales returned to positive territory in the second half of the year as adjusted EBITDA margins expanded driven by cost savings and internalization of scanning and calibration. Boyd Group Services Inc. (TSX: BYD; NYSE: BGSI) reported sales of $793.9 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, up 5.5% from $752.3 million in the […]
Chilton Auto Body Acquires Marina Auto Body, Expands to 25 California Locations
Chilton Auto Body has acquired Marina Auto Body, a three-location collision repair organization in Southern California, the San Carlos, Calif.-based company announced March 18. The deal gives Chilton a total of 25 collision repair facilities across California, continuing its growth trajectory since private equity firm Trive Capital invested in the company in February 2025. At […]
PPG Names Colours, Inc. 2025 Automotive Refinish Platinum Distributor of the Year
PPG has selected Colours, Inc. of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., as its 2025 Automotive Refinish Platinum Distributor of the Year, marking the third time the paint, body and equipment distributor has received the top honor from the coatings manufacturer. The award, presented annually through the PPG Platinum Distributor program, recognizes a distributor for service, loyalty, product knowledge […]
Hotel Reservations Open for 2026 SEMA Show
Hotel reservations for the 2026 SEMA Show are now open online through onPeak, the show’s official hotel provider. The annual Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show is scheduled for Nov. 3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. The show draws thousands of exhibitors and attendees from across the automotive aftermarket, including […]
U.S. Vehicle Thefts Hit Lowest Level in Decades, NICB Reports
A total of 659,880 vehicles were reported stolen in the United States in 2025, a 23% decline from the previous year and the lowest annual figure in several decades, according to a new analysis from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The drop represents the end of a pandemic-era surge in vehicle thefts that peaked […]
Wholesale Used Vehicle Prices Up 5.3% Year Over Year at Mid-March
Used retail sales pace accelerates. Wholesale used-vehicle prices rose 5.3% year over year through the first half of March, the strongest year-over-year gain in recent months, as retail used-vehicle sales continued to accelerate, according to a pair of reports from Cox Automotive. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index increased to 213.4 at mid-March, reflecting a […]
Collision Engineering Career Alliance Receives U.S. Department of Labor National Apprenticeship Standards
The Collision Engineering Career Alliance has received U.S. Department of Labor approval of its apprenticeship model as the national standard for training and certifying collision engineering technicians, the organization announced March 18. The designation, known as National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards (NGS), provides a federally recognized framework that local programs can use to meet all […]