Kevin Caldwell, chairman of the 1999 International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE), opened the event with a keynote speech December 3 focusing on the industry’s accomplishments during 1999 and reminded the audience what is still left undone. Caldwell spoke about perceived declines in flat rate labor times and the progress made to recognize costs to […]
ComputerLogic Forms AutoVista Division to Seize Upon E-commerce Opportunities
ComputerLogic announced the formation of a new division, AutoVista, to promote the company’s E-commerce applications in the collision repair industry. Rick Palmer, president and CEO of ComputerLogic was quick to point out that AutoVista products are available now for use versus many other company’s E-commerce projects. Products launched under the AutoVista banner during NACE included: […]
BASF’s Winterman Sees Little Need for BASF to Acquire a Paint Company
Comments on shop, distributor and paint company consolidation as well as the investment deal with the Boyd Group Al Winterman, VP of Refinish for BASF, effectively dispelled rumors that BASF was actively seeking another paint company to merge with or acquire. Though believing consolidation among paint suppliers will continue, Winterman stated, “We’re trying to invest […]
Volvo Displays Crash Tested S80 at NACE
First Passenger Car to Achieve NHTSA’s Five Star Rating Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. will display the actual Volvo S80 that achieved the first five-star rating in a passenger car side impact crash test performed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at this year’s International Autobody Congress and […]
GM Introduces Refinish Technician Certification Program
Working with Paint Suppliers, GM develops Performance-Based Certification General Motors, working with leading paint suppliers, has developed a performance-based certification process for their dealership refinishing technicians. The new program was designed from the ground up to help ensure consistent refinish quality on GM vehicles. Brian Dotterer of GM’s Collision Repair Tech Center explained the new […]
CollisionWeek Launches Website
CollisionWeek announced November 30 the launch of their new web site at www.collisionweek.com The site is offering a free preview for users who register with the site.
Copart Opens Denver Facility
Copart, Inc., (NASDAQ:CPRT) announced November 23 that it has opened a green-field location to serve Denver, CO and the surrounding area. The Denver location is approximately 20 acres and joins with Salt Lake City to become Copart’s second location in the mountain-states area. The company now operates 68 locations in 34 states. “With the addition […]
CarStation Names LVMH Executive Bergen CIO
CarStation.com announced November 23 the appointment of David Bergen as chief information officer. Mr. Bergen has 20 years of information technology experience, currently serving as senior vice president and CIO of global information technologies for LVMH-SDG Inc. Previously, Mr. Bergen spent nearly 12 years with The GAP Inc., last serving as vice president of application […]
Boyd Group Reports Nine Month Results, Growth On Track
The Boyd Group Inc. announced November 18 that its interim report to shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 will reflect continuing aggressive growth and profitability. Sales for the nine months were CA$38 million, representing an increase of 100 percent over the same period last year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization […]
Caliber Completes $20 million Financing
Funding to support acquisition and consolidation plans. Announces first three corporate acquisitions. Caliber Collision Centers, Inc. announced February 6 that Keystone Inc., formerly The Robert M. Bass Group, and Zurich Centre Investments Limited have invested $20 million in equity to support Caliber’s efforts to lead the consolidation of the fragmented collision repair industry. Caliber plans […]