Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWGoA) announced the grand opening of its new $6.8 million Pacific Northwest Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in Rocklin, Calif. The company also confirmed that it will invest an estimated $4.5 million to open a new training center in Eastvale, Calif., just outside of Los Angeles. These facilities, which represent an […]
California Color Source to Host Mike Anderson at Invitation-Only Luncheon July 13
California Color Source, Inc., the San Francisco Bay Area paint distributor, is hosting a quarterly client luncheon on July 13 featuring Mike Anderson, President of Collision Advice. In this second of an ongoing series, Mike will be updating California Color Source clients on the latest trends happening in the industry and how to be prepared […]
Insurance Associations Oppose Proposed California Collision Repair Labor Rate and Anti-Steering Regulations
Five trade associations representing auto insurers in California are opposing regulations proposed by the California Department of Insurance to regulate labor rate surveys and steering within the largest insurance market in the U.S. Five property casualty insurance trade associations, representing nearly 100 percent of the California auto insurance market offering both commercial and personal auto […]
Industrial Finishes & Systems Acquires Rancho Cordova Jobber
Industrial Finishes & Systems Inc., a distributor of automotive paint, equipment and supplies, announced the acquisition of Sunrise Automotive Paint in Rancho Cordova, Calif. Rancho Cordova complements Industrial Finishes & Systems, Inc. existing locations in Napa and Woodland, strengthening the company’s footprint in the Northern California region. The location will continue as Sunrise Automotive Paint […]
Two California Collision Repair Shop Owners Charged in $140,000 Felony Insurance Fraud Bust
Repairers among nine charged as part of organized crime ring busted for submitting fraudulent claims for crashes that never occurred. The California Department of Insurance announced that Juan Ortiz Velazquez, 27, of San Jose and owner of Carlos Auto Body, was arrested with seven other suspects and charged with multiple counts of felony insurance fraud […]
Claims Adjuster Charged with $276,000 Insurance Fraud in California
Claims adjuster allegedly crafted elaborate scheme using family and friends. 19 charged with embezzling from insurer. The California Department of Insurance announced that Elizabeth Louise Brown, 48, of Canyon Country, a former claims adjuster with Explorer Insurance, was arrested April 7 and charged with multiple felonies, including insurance fraud and conspiracy for allegedly embezzling more […]
Impact of Rising Minimum Wages, Auto Body Repairer Wages in 2015 and Beyond
With legislation signed this week in both California and New York raising the minimum wage in stages to $15 an hour, CollisionWeek analyzes the latest government statistics for wages for auto body repair technicians in the largest metropolitan areas across the country. With the signing of legislation in both California and New York this week […]
Service King Acquires Southern California Collision Repair Center
Service King Collision Repair Centers announced it acquired Greg’s Collision Center, a 32,000 sq. ft. facility, located at 8732 Park St. in Bellflower, Calif. The new location is Service King’s 22nd collision repair center in Southern California. “We could not be more proud to partner with the Service King Family of Repair Centers,” said Greg […]
FinishMaster Acquires Nine Location Distributor on West Coast
FinishMaster, Inc., the subsidiary of Uni-Select Inc. (TSE:UNS), announced it has completed the acquisition of the Annex Group Inc., expanding FinishMaster’s footprint in the state of Washington and across three major metropolitan markets in California. Founded in 1983, Annex has nine locations in the Seattle, Everett and Tacoma markets in the state of Washington and […]
California Department of Insurance Proposes New Labor Rate and Anti-Steering Regulations
Proposed regulations seek to improve the accuracy and transparency of collision repair labor rate surveys, clarify anti-steering requirements for insurers. In early March, the California Department of Insurance published proposed regulations to change the requirements for labor rate surveys conduct across collision repair facilities as well as amendments to anti-steering regulations. The California Autobody Association […]