After acquiring CARSTAR’s U.S. franchise network in October, company acquires affiliated franchise network in Canada. Less than two months after acquiring Kansas-based CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts, Driven Brands, Inc. announced that it has acquired CARSTAR Canada, CARSTAR is the third largest multi-store network of independently owned collision repair and glass centers in Canada, operating […]
Uni-Select Acquires Ontario PBE Distributor
Uni-Select Inc. (TSE:UNS), the distributor of automotive products in Canada and parent company of FinishMaster, Inc., announced that it has completed the acquisition, through one of its Canadian subsidiaries, of T.N. Discovery Auto Collision Ltd. T.N. Discovery, a member of Uni-Select, has been servicing auto body shops throughout the Greater Toronto Area since 1995. They […]
Leanne Jefferies Named VP of Canadian Operations for Assured Performance
Assured Performance Network announced the appointment of Leanne Jefferies as Vice-President of Canadian Operations. Jefferies will launch and oversee Canadian operations of the Certified Collision Care program powered by Assured Performance Network. Assured Performance Network is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that operates as a third-party administrator for consumer awareness, body shop Certification and Business […]
Canada – Fix Auto Adds Two to its Collision Repair Network
Fix Auto Canada announced two additions to its collision repair facility network. Paul Randles, General Manager, Fix Auto Atlantic Canada announced the addition of Fix Auto Fredericton, New Brunswick, effective October 1st. Fix Auto Fredericton has undergone major changes in the past few months, like the addition of four more work bays, a new office, […]
Fix Auto Adds Location to Network in Western Canada
Fix Auto announced the addition of Fix Auto Edmonton Yellowhead to its network, effective September 24. With nearly 20 years of experience in various spheres of the collision repair industry and over 12 years of owning and operating their own business, husband and wife team Patrick and Kristy Heard look to the Fix Auto brand […]
A Profile of the Evolving Collision Repair Marketplace – Part 4
By Vincent J. Romans and Mary Jane Kurowski, The Romans Group Part 4 of our annual series by Vincent Romans and Mary Jane Kurowski examines the consolidated U.S. and Canadian collision repair markets. <Part 3 ———————————————————————————– U.S. and Canada Consolidated North America When comparing the property and casualty insurance and auto industry, top ten insurers’ […]
A Profile of the Evolving Collision Repair Marketplace – Part 3
By Vincent J. Romans and Mary Jane Kurowski, The Romans Group Part 3 of our annual series by Vincent Romans and Mary Jane Kurowski examines the Canadian collision repair market. <Part 2 ———————————————————————————- Part 4> Canada Canada’s overall market size for both private insurance and consumer-paid vehicle repair revenue was $2.7 billion for 2014, down […]
Markham General Insurance Cancels All Auto Policies
Canada News Markham General Insurance Company has told its brokers that all existing policies for auto insurance will be cancelled as of 12:01 a.m. on June 15, 2002. Rumors had been circulating in the industry that such a move might be taken, after Markham General’s financial woes came to light just weeks ago. The company […]
Aftermarket Parts Lawsuits Hit Canada
AXA Canada and ING Canada named in class action. IBC to look at insurance company practices. Insurance companies in Canada are starting to feel the impact of the U.S. aftermarket parts class action trial that ended October 8th in Illinois with a $1.18 billion award against State Farm. Some recent Canadian events: A class action […]
Ford Purchases Hamilton, Ontario-Area Auto Recycler
John Norris from the Hamilton District Autobody and Repair Association (HARA) in Hamilton, Ontario reports that Ford of Canada has announced their entry into the Canadian auto recycling market with the purchase of Plazek Auto Recyclers of Caistor Centre, just outside of Hamilton. According to Norris, Plazek’s is a well known and respected auto recycler […]