R/T built by Jagraj Grewal, commands the entrance at Motorama 2026 in Toronto
NEXT GENERATION IN THE BOOTH
Fix Network Canada’s training centre becomes a gateway for young women entering the collision repair industry
ENGINES, ICONS AND OPPORTUNITY
Mike Hall joins a packed Motorama 2026 lineup featuring show cars, racing legends and student career pathways
INVESTING IN THE NEXT WAVE
ICBC commits $13.3 million to grow apprenticeships and strengthen B.C.’s collision repair workforce
THE COLLISION INDUSTRY CAN REPAIR ANYTHING EXCEPT ITS OWN IMAGE
THE INDUSTRY HAS A BLIND SPOT THE SIZE OF A GENERATION — AND UNTIL INSURERS, MANUFACTURERS, SUPPLIERS AND SHOPS ALL LOOK IN THE SAME MIRROR, THE JOBS WILL REMAIN UNFILLED, THE CARS WON’T GET FIXED, AND EVERYONE LOSES
BY DARRYL SIMMONS
There are tens of thousands of young Canadians who cannot find work, and tens of thousands of collision repair jobs that cannot find workers. The industry doesn’t have a labour shortage. It has an image problem so severe that it has effectively made itself invisible to an entire generation.
Young Canadians are struggling to find work while Statistics Canada reports 6,800 auto technician vacancies nationwide, with 2,500 in Ontario alone. The retirement wave isn’t coming — it’s already here. The jobs are there. The people are there. What’s missing is the story.
The industry earned this image problem — and only the whole industry can fix it
The stigma around trades is long entrenched. Canadian society has promoted, in the words of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, “a narrow definition of success that discounts hands-on careers.” Collision repair carries extra baggage on top of that. It is seen as dirty and intellectually unchallenging. That image belongs to a different era. ADAS calibration, EV battery proximity work, computerized diagnostics: this is precision engineering, not hammering metal in a dark garage. The financial case is equally untold. OECD data shows vocational graduates out-earn university peers by about 25% and they start without student debt. Statistics Canada recorded a lower unemployment rate for trades certificate holders than for bachelor’s degree graduates as recently as September 2025. University is being sold as the safe path. The numbers say otherwise.
Why every sector must be at the table
The collision repair industry treats recruitment as a shop-level responsibility. Individual operators post job openings, occasionally visit a trade school and hope for the best. This has failed for decades because the challenge isn’t operational. It’s reputational, and reputational problems require industry-wide responses.
Insurers depend on qualified technicians to keep cycle times and costs manageable. OEM manufacturers need certified techs who understand increasingly complex vehicles. Suppliers need a growing, skilled workforce to sell to. The entire ecosystem suffers when the pipeline runs dry, yet the entire ecosystem leaves the recruitment problem at the shop owner’s door. A co-ordinated, industry-funded campaign to rebrand collision repair as a modern, well-compensated career is not a charity project. It is a direct investment in every sector’s bottom line.
Why Bodyworx Professional is the pivot point
Bodyworx Professional published by Media Matters Inc., launched 11 years ago with a clear mission and strong industry support behind it. It was built to celebrate everyone who makes a collision repair facility run: technicians, painters, estimators, managers and support staff alike, serving as an honest, accessible guide for anyone considering the industry as a career. It was never just a trade publication. It was a bridge between the industry as it is and the workforce it needs to become.
Somewhere along the way, accelerated by the disruptions of COVID-19, that industry support eroded. Advertisers pulled back, budgets tightened and the momentum that had been built faded. But the need didn’t fade. If anything, it grew.
Bodyworx Professional has now been relaunched with renewed purpose and a platform built for 2026: a full complement of social media, impact videos and an enhanced website and digital edition designed to reach not just the industry, but the young people the industry so desperately needs to attract. The content has evolved to reflect a collision repair world transformed by technology, electrification and the relentless rise in vehicle complexity. The mission, however, remains exactly what it always was — to tell the real story of this industry, to the people who need to hear it most.
What makes Bodyworx Professional uniquely valuable right now is not just what it publishes. It is what it represents. In an industry where shops, insurers, OEMs, suppliers and training institutions have historically operated in their own separate lanes, Bodyworx Professional is one of the few platforms where all of those sectors sit at the same table. No single sector can solve this alone. But together, through a platform with the reach, the credibility and the relationships that Bodyworx Professional brings, the industry finally has the tools to make a real dent in a problem it has been talking about for far too long.
To help shape that conversation, Bodyworx Professional is establishing an Editorial Advisory Board. Technicians, painters, managers, suppliers, insurers: everyone on the same page, finally. If you’re interested, contact me directly at publisher@collisionrepairmag.com.
The labour pool is not dry. The interest simply never formed because the story was never told. That is a fixable problem, but only if the industry decides, collectively, to fix it. And if it doesn’t? The jobs remain unfilled, the cars won’t get fixed — and everyone loses.
VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1, 2026
PUBLISHER
Darryl Simmons publisher@collisionrepairmag.com
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Orest Tkaczuk | orest@mediamatters.ca
ART DIRECTOR
Yvonne Maschke | yvonne@mediamatters.ca
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Mackenzie Grant | mackenzie@mediamatters.ca
INTERIM EDITOR
Gideon Scanlon | news@collisionrepairmag.com
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT MANAGER William Simmons | william@mediamatters.ca
VP OF INDUSTRY RELATIONS & ADVERTISING
Gloria Mann 647.998.5677 | gd.mann@rogers.com
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Bodyworx Professional ™ is published quarterly, and is dedicated to serving the professionals of the collision repair industry. It is published by Media Matters Inc. Material in BodyworxProfessional™ may not be reproduced in any form without written consent from the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statements made by its advertisers or independent columnists. All facts, opinions, statements appearing in this publication are those of the writers and editors themselves, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions or endorsements by the publisher.
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People on the Move
JAMIE BEGGS: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, PPG
PPG has appointed Jamie Beggs as chief financial officer and senior vice-president. Beggs will assume the role July 6, succeeding Vince Morales, who is retiring after 41 years with the company. She will report to chairman and CEO Timothy Knavish and join PPG’s executive and operating committees. Beggs joins PPG from Avient Corporation, where she has served as chief financial officer since 2020. Her background includes more than 25 years in corporate finance, strategy and operations leadership roles. “We are excited to welcome Jamie to PPG as we drive and accelerate our growth strategy,” stated Knavish in a company release. In the same release, Beggs referenced PPG’s “incredible legacy” and indicated she looked forward to supporting the company’s continued growth and performance. Morales will remain with the company during the transition period.
collisionrepairmag.com/15824164
JASON MONACO: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CALIBER
Caliber has appointed Jason Monaco as chief financial officer. Monaco assumed the role May 4 and will oversee financial strategy and operations across the business. He brings more than 20 years of senior financial leadership experience to the position. He joins Caliber from SpartanNash Company, where he served as executive vice-president and chief financial officer. His responsibilities there included oversight of finance, IT, mergers and acquisitions and real estate operations for the grocery distributor and retailer. “Caliber has built a strong foundation and is well positioned for continued growth,” stated CEO David Simmons in a company release. Monaco described Caliber as “a strong platform defined by operational excellence” and indicated he plans to build on the company’s existing momentum. The appointment formalizes leadership of a core financial function as Caliber continues expanding its North American operations.
collisionrepairmag.com/15824316
ANDREW NEUFELD: NATIONAL KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER FOR NETWORKS AND MSO, UNI-SELECT
Uni-Select, a subsidiary of LKQ Corporation, has appointed Andrew Neufeld as national key account manager for networks and MSO within its paint and collision team. In the role, Neufeld will support program development for collision repair networks and multi-shop operators while overseeing strategic follow-up and partner support initiatives across Canada. “Andrew brings a strong operational background and extensive experience working with collision repair networks and MSOs across the industry,” stated Sylvain Seguin, vice-president of Uni-Select’s PBE division, in a social media post. Seguin added Neufeld “will play a key role in developing programs, driving strategic follow-up, and supporting our partners in achieving their growth objectives across Canada.” Neufeld indicated the position aligns with his previous experience working alongside collision repair networks and MSOs. Uni-Select operates automotive refinish, industrial coatings and collision repair distribution businesses across Canada through its paint and collision division. collisionrepairmag.com/15824433
People on the Move
STEVE HOEFT: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, BOYD GROUP SERVICES INC.
Boyd Group Services Inc. has appointed Steve Hoeft as chief operating officer for its U.S. collision business as part of a broader senior leadership restructuring. Hoeft joins the Winnipeg-based company after nine years with Bridgestone Americas, where he most recently led the company’s commercial truck group and oversaw a network of approximately 4,000 locations across Canada and the United States. In the role, Hoeft will oversee U.S. collision operations, mobile solutions, procurement, continuous improvement and safety initiatives. “These enhancements to our leadership structure have been implemented to add further strength to our executive team and align our organization with the evolving needs of the business,” stated president and CEO Brian Kaner. “Steve Hoeft’s extensive experience across a large commercial network of approximately 4,000 locations makes him the ideal leader to champion our operational strategy,” Kaner added. collisionrepairmag.com/15823456
ZACH BALTHROP: CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER, BOYD GROUP SERVICES INC.
Boyd Group Services Inc. has appointed Zach Balthrop to the newly created role of chief commercial officer. Balthrop joined Boyd in 2024 and previously led the company’s South Division.The new role consolidates responsibility for sales, marketing, client performance and mergers and acquisitions activities across the organization. Boyd also announced Cameron Dickson will succeed Balthrop as senior vice-president of the South Division. collisionrepairmag.com/5823456
SUSANN MAYHEAD: PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE, MERCEDES-BENZ CANADA
Mercedes-Benz Canada has appointed Susann Mayhead as president and chief executive officer. Mayhead will oversee Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes-Benz Vans operations in Canada. She will also lead the company’s approximately 250 employees and its network of 57 authorized dealerships nationwide. “We are excited to welcome Susann as President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. She brings extensive international leadership experience, strong financial and commercial expertise, and a peoplecentric approach. I am confident she is well positioned to lead the organization into its next phase of growth,” said Adam Chamberlain, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. Mayhead joined Daimler Financial Services in 2000 and has held senior leadership roles across finance, customer service, operations and sales and marketing in Europe, the United States and Canada. In 2021, she was appointed managing director and CEO of MercedesBenz Financial Services for Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Most recently, she served as member of the board of management for human relations and labour relations director at Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG. collisionrepairmag.com/ 15824675
INDUSTRY
CARFAX CANADA DATA POINTS TO STABILIZING USED VEHICLE MARKET
Canada’s used vehicle market is showing signs of stabilization as inventory improves and pricing levels off, according to Q1 2026 data from CARFAX Canada. The national average used vehicle listing price reached $31,907 in March, down 2.3% year-over-year, while inventory climbed 31.6% month-over-month to 235,577 units, the highest level since August 2025. SUVs represented 55.3% of listings, while used EV prices fell 6.5% from a year earlier. Atlantic Canada posted the strongest annual price growth. “That foundation allows us to deliver a level of market intelligence that is unmatched in the industry,” said Shawn Vording, president of CARFAX Canada.
collisionrepairmag.com/15822853
TOYOTA CANADA TO INVEST MORE THAN $300 MILLION IN NEW FACILITIES
Toyota Canada will invest more than $300 million over three years in a new Toronto head office and two Western Canadian parts distribution centres. The 225,000-square-foot Toronto facility will consolidate sales, marketing, distribution, service and training operations, while Toyota Credit Canada will relocate from Markham. New facilities in Surrey, B.C. and Calgary are expected to more than triple Western parts capacity and improve delivery times to dealerships. All three projects are being designed to meet LEED v4 Gold and Net Zero Carbon standards. “Today’s announcement represents a significant investment in our future in Canada,” said Cyril Dimitris, president and chief executive officer of Toyota Canada.
collisionrepairmag.com/15822970
J.D. POWER: INSURER VEHICLE PRICING MODELS UNFIT FOR PURPOSE
Vehicle pricing models used by U.S. auto insurers are struggling to keep pace with increasingly complex vehicle configurations, according to a new report from J.D. Power. More than 600,000 unique vehicle configurations were sold in the U.S. during the 2025 model year as automakers expanded trim, safety and powertrain options. The report found insurers often rely on shortened VINs that omit critical build information, creating valuation gaps of roughly US$15,000 per vehicle in some cases. Used vehicle volatility has compounded the problem in recent years. “Recent market dynamics have disrupted those historical depreciation patterns,” the report states.
collisionrepairmag.com/15821995
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INDUSTRY
DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS GENERATE RECORD PROFITS
U.S. dealership service departments are generating record revenue despite steadily losing market share, according to Cox Automotive’s 2026 fixed operations study. Average dealership service and parts revenue reached about US$9.23 million in 2025, up 33% over eight years, while dealer share of service visits declined from 33% to 29%. Convenience, communication and turnaround times increasingly outweighed price in customer decision-making. The report also found customers shown photo or video documentation spent substantially more per repair order. “The stakes are high for service experience,” said Skyler Chadwick, director of product consulting at Cox Automotive.
collisionrepairmag.com/15821977
COMMITTEE REFRESH: CCIF APPOINTS NEW STEERING MEMBERS FOR 2026
The Canadian Collision Industry Forum has appointed five new members to its Steering Committee for the 2026-2028 term. The committee helps guide CCIF event programming and identify key issues affecting Canada’s collision repair sector. New appointees include Jason Arnott, Bill Davidson, David Raposo, Luc Ruest and Rick Yates. CCIF also recognized outgoing members Brian Chiu, Christina Christopher, Jennifer Everett and Jeff Labanovich for their service to the organization.
collisionrepairmag.com/15819448
CLAIMS CURVE: CANADA AUTO THEFT CLAIMS DROP 24% IN 2025, SAYS IBC
Auto theft insurance claims and losses in Canada declined again in 2025, though levels remain far above historical norms, according to Insurance Bureau of Canada data. Theft claims dropped 24% between 2024 and 2025, while the value of claims fell 30%. Over the last decade, however, theft-related claims rose 38% and claim value surged 169%. Nationally, theft claims peaked in 2023 before falling over the following two years. “While progress is being made, auto theft remains far above historical levels,” said Liam McGuinty, vice-president of federal affairs for Insurance Bureau of Canada.
collisionrepairmag.com/15824800
AUTO PARTS REPORT: INDUSTRY SLAMMED BY DELAYS, WRITE-OFFS
Collision repair shops are waiting longer for parts, insurers are writing off more vehicles and drivers are increasingly avoiding smaller claims, according to PartsTrader’s Spring 2026 Collision Industry Trends Report. The report cites rising OEM parts prices, tariffs, weather-related supply disruptions and increasingly expensive vehicle technology. OEM parts showed the longest delivery delays, while aftermarket parts remained faster to source. The report also found higher repair costs and ADAS-related expenses are contributing to increased total loss frequency. “Customer-pay jobs did increase in 2025 and will likely continue to increase in 2026,” wrote Greg Horn, chief industry relations officer at PartsTrader. collisionrepairmag.com/15824700
Connected and autonomous vehicle technology is already being deployed in Canada, though widespread public-road adoption remains uneven, according to Barrie Kirk, executive director of the Canadian Automated Vehicles Centre of Excellence. Sectors such as mining, logistics, agriculture and airport operations are advancing more quickly because they operate in controlled environments with fewer safety complications. Ontario continues to lead in pilot projects for automated passenger and commercial vehicles, while other provinces remain cautious as regulations evolve. “The CAV ecosystem has multiple sectors each with their own characteristics, dynamics and timing,” said Kirk.
collisionrepairmag.com/15821848
ELECTRIC SLIDE: B.C. EASES ZEV MANDATE, KEEPS TARGETS
British Columbia is easing its zero-emission vehicle mandate while maintaining broader electrification goals, aligning provincial policy with recent federal regulatory changes. Amendments to the province’s Zero-Emission Vehicles Act remove the fixed requirement for 100% ZEV sales by 2035 and introduce greater flexibility in interim targets. Industry groups welcomed the move, citing affordability and infrastructure concerns as EV adoption slows. Similar adjustments are also underway in Quebec. “Today’s announcement is a positive step toward a more balanced and realistic approach to vehicle electrification in British Columbia,” the board of the New Car Dealers Association of British Columbia said in a statement.
collisionrepairmag.com/15821284
SH> U.S. ADS OVERSIGHT: CONSUMER REPORTS CALLS FOR CLEAR RULES
Consumer Reports is urging U.S. regulators to adopt stricter and more measurable safety standards for automated driving systems under a proposed United Nations framework. In comments filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, William Wallace, director of safety advocacy for Consumer Reports, argued automated systems should be evaluated as drivers rather than vehicle features. The submission also called for clearer crash reporting requirements, independent safety validation and stronger oversight when systems operate outside intended conditions. “Safety cases should not rely solely on manufacturer assertions,” Wallace wrote in the filing.
collisionrepairmag.com/15818137
IBIS GLOBAL SUMMIT 2026 ANNOUNCES VIENNA DEBUT WITH EARLY BIRD OFFER
IBIS has announced that its flagship global event, the IBIS Global Summit 2026, will take place at the Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere in Vienna from 16–18 June 2026, with early bird registration now officially open.
The annual Summit will once again bring together senior leaders from across the collision repair and wider automotive ecosystem, providing a unique platform for insight, connection and high-level discussion focused on the future direction of the industry.
Held under the global theme Connecting Changemakers, the 2026 edition will continue IBIS’s evolving conference format, designed to enable more meaningful interaction, deeper collaboration and practical outcomes for decision-makers across the international market.
The Summit attracts influential stakeholders from across the sector, including:
• Multi-site operators and independent bodyshop leaders
• Insurance companies and vehicle manufacturers
• Technology and solution providers
• Paint, materials and coatings specialists
The IBIS Global Summit has long been recognised as a key meeting point for the industry’s most senior figures — a forum where strategy is debated, partnerships are formed and the future of collision repair is shaped.
Early bird registration is now available for a limited time, offering delegates the opportunity to secure their place at a preferential rate.
Organisations looking to position themselves at the centre of the global collision repair conversation can benefit from a range of IBIS partnership opportunities, designed to maximise brand visibility, industry access and commercial impact.
The IBIS Global Summit 2026 will welcome changemakers from around the world to Vienna this June, continuing its mission to connect the leaders shaping the future of the automotive collision repair industry.
STAY CONNECTED
For the latest updates, visit ibisworldwide.com or follow IBIS Worldwide on LinkedIn.
Contact Emily Miles at emily@ibisworldwide.com for all registration bookings and queries.
Contact Louise Cooke at louise@ibisworldwide.com for all event-related enquiries.
For partnership enquiries, contact Suzie Scott, IBIS Worldwide Head of Sales, at suzie@ibisworldwide.com or call +44 7545 068455
Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere, Austria
TRAINING NEWS
WOMEN IN THE TRADES: FIX NETWORK CO-HOSTS TRAINING EVENT
Fix Network Canada co-hosted a Young Women in Trades and Technology event at its Calgary Training Centre, introducing high school students to automotive refinishing. Developed with Careers: The Next Generation, the session gave students hands-on experience with basecoat, airbrush stencil work and clearcoat application. Participants learned paint gun technique, refinishing fundamentals and shop safety procedures while working alongside female Red Seal technicians. Organizers said interest was strong enough to nearly support a second session. “This enthusiastic interest is incredibly encouraging,” said Jeff Francis, technical trainer at Fix Network Canada’s Calgary Training Centre.
collisionrepairmag.com/15821867
TRAINING VIDEO SERIES: ARA LAUNCHES NEW SERIES ON YOUTUBE
The Automotive Recyclers Association has launched a new video training series aimed at standardizing how recycled auto parts are prepared and shipped. Hosted by Emily Yancey, board member of the Automotive Recyclers Association and representative of Yancey Auto Parts in Missouri, the series is based on guidelines developed jointly with United Recyclers Group and Team PRP. The modules cover engines, transmissions, electronics and body panels, guiding recyclers through inspection, cleaning, tagging and packaging procedures intended to reduce shipping damage and improve consistency across the sector.
collisionrepairmag.com/15822976
TECHTALK360 WEBINAR: DOCUMENT EVERY DIAGNOSTIC STEP CORRECTLY
Collision repair facilities are increasingly being required to document and justify every diagnostic and calibration procedure performed on modern vehicles, according to speakers during an April 29 TechTalk360 webinar hosted by AirPro Diagnostics. Danny Gredinberg, administrator of the Database Enhancement Gateway and training facilitator with Collision Advice, joined Jordan Hendler, manager of the Collision Industry Conference and executive director of the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association, and George Avery, past chair of the Collision Industry Conference, to examine reimbursement disputes tied to inaccurate labour times and increasingly complex ADAS calibrations. “Documentation is the key for the conversation, but also to get reimbursed for the work that you’re doing,” said Gredinberg.
collisionrepairmag.com/15824929
Build Your Team. Grow Your Business.
Finding skilled technicians is only part of the challenge. Developing and retaining them is what drives long-term performance. Through the network, your shop gains access to practical support designed to help your business grow with today’s repair demands, including:
Attracting and retaining skilled technicians through dedicated recruitment support
Provide ongoing training and development to keep teams skilled and up to date
Streamlining processes and strengthening overall operational performance
Accessing preferred vendor programs and cost-saving opportunities
THE INDUSTRY DOESN’T NEED ANOTHER DISCUSSION. IT NEEDS A
UNITED VOICE.
Bodyworx and Paint Professional magazine is that pivot point. A place where the industry can align, build a shared message, fund it, and deliver it-together.
BODYWORX AND PAINT PRO MAGAZINE MATTERS
For over a decade, Bodyworx and Paint Professional magazine has been the bridge between the collision repair industry. Even as the industry evolves, the mission remains unchanged: to tell its real story to those who need to see its value and opportunity.
BODYWORX AND PAINT PRO IS ESTABLISHING AN EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD TO ENSURE EVERY CORNER OF THE INDUSTRY HAS A VOICE IN THIS MISSION.
THE ADVISORY BOARD PUTS EVERYONE AT THE SAME TABLE.
RELAUNCHING BODYWORX AND PAINT PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE
The industry has a blind spot the size of a generation — and until insurers, manufacturers, suppliers and shops all look in the same mirror, the jobs will remain unfilled, the cars won’t get fixed, and everyone loses.
THE INDUSTRIES ANSWER TO ATTRACTION AND RETENTION
Expanded digital reach. Impactful video storytelling. Social media that connects. A modern platform built to reach the next generation —where they are, how they learn, and what inspires them.
The labour pool is not dry. The interest simply never formed — because the story was never told.
But only if the industry decides, collectively, to fix it.
TO BE SEEN Built
“This lets us showcase what our team is capable of. I just didn’t expect it to get so much attention.”
— Jagraj Grewal
Jagraj Grewal grew up in the shop, learning paint and repair skills that underpin both collision work and custom car builds.
ViIolA
HOW JAGRAJ GREWAL TURNED A BODYSHOP UPBRINGING INTO A CAREER THAT SPANS HEAVY-DUTY REPAIR AND SHOW-WINNING CUSTOM CARS
BY GIDEON SCANLON
In March, heavy-duty automotive repair technician and custom car builder Jagraj Grewal had his work placed at the front of the main hall at the 2026 Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo in Toronto. The 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, known as VIIOLA, was positioned at the entrance, the first car visitors encountered as they stepped onto the show floor.
“This lets us showcase what our team is capable of,” Grewal said. “I just didn’t expect it to get so much attention.”
The car took 10 months to build, but reflects 13 years of practice. He first entered the show scene in 2013 with a heavily modified Jeep Wrangler, a long-term personal project he had been building since the late 2000s. The vehicle featured extensive fabrication, a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 swap, air suspension and show-level finishing.
That approach carried into one of his best-known projects: a 2020 Jeep Gladiator converted into a dually. The build required major structural modification, including adapting components from a Ram 3500, reworking the chassis and integrating a full air suspension system. The truck drew international attention in enthusiast media and appeared at major shows, including SEMA, marking Grewal’s arrival on a larger stage.
From there, his focus expanded into classic muscle cars and hybrid builds. Projects have included Eleanor-style Mustangs, custom Camaros and full body-swap builds combining vintage styling with modern heavy-duty platforms. The Charger project marked a shift in ambition, designed not just to compete but to represent the shop.
While his previous efforts had made waves, Grewal said the attention VIIOLA — which debuted at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas — has received eclipses his earlier work. He said his passion for the project pushed his abilities further.
“Growing up, I always liked the Charger,” he said. “I didn’t want it to be black. I wanted it to have its own identity.”
Co-Up Auto Body represented Canada at the Sema Show 2025.
“Someone suggested getting into trucks. From there, we never looked back.”
— Jagraj Grewal
That identity reflects the environment he came out of. His father, Kuldip Grewal, founded the business in 1989, a year before he was born. By the time Jagraj was old enough to understand the shop, it was already running.
“I’ve never worked another job in my life,” he said. “I’ve always worked with my dad.”
The early version of the company operated out of a 186 m² (2,000-sq.ft.) unit and focused on limousine fleet repairs. It was a two-person operation. Kuldip handled painting, metal work and estimating, building the business through long hours and incremental growth.
Jagraj was there through it.
“Any PA day, any summer holidays, you name it, I was always here,” he said. “When he was working 16 to 18 hours a day trying to get it off the ground, I was with him.”
His earliest memories are tied to paint.
“When I was a kid, I was painting my Hot Wheels cars here,” he said. “Whatever colour the painter was spraying, that’s what my car was going to be.”
In 1995, the business made a defining shift. After moving into a larger facility, a former newspaper printing shop, it transitioned away from limousine fleets and into heavy-duty vehicles.
“Someone suggested getting into trucks,” Grewal said. “From there, we never looked back.”
“Trucks keep the economy going. They’re always going to be on the road.”
The move introduced more complex work. Heavy-duty collision repair does not follow standard patterns. Trucks arrive with structural damage from rollovers and jackknife incidents, often requiring adaptation rather than fixed procedure.
The shop responded by developing its own equipment.
Co-Up Auto Body operates in Mississauga near Pearson Airport with a second heavy-equipment facility in Erin.
Heavy-duty automotive repair technician and custom car builder Jagraj Grewal had his work placed at the front of the main hall at the 2026 Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo in Toronto.
“A lot of what we use is home-built,” Grewal said.
That includes a custom frame repair system designed for large vehicles, built into the floor to handle their size and weight.
“With trucks, you can’t just put them on a regular frame machine,” he said. “We built ours into the floor.”
The system uses multi-directional pulling to correct structural damage.
“There’s no set point where a truck gets hit,” he said. “You have to be able to work from anywhere.”
The shop handles everything from dump trucks to 16 m (53 ft.) trailers, along with axle straightening and structural repairs.
“We even straighten solid axle beams,” he said. “The guys here are dedicated.”
That approach shapes how Grewal describes the team.
“My guys aren’t just remove-and-replace,” he said. “They know how to repair.”
He formally entered the trade in 2013, enrolling at Centennial College to complete his apprenticeship and earn his autobody technician licence, along with a truck endorsement.
“This is something you learn with your hands,” he said.
Alongside day-to-day work, he developed a focus on custom builds. Winning early recognition with his first show project set the direction, and the projects that followed increased in scale.
A 2020 Jeep Gladiator was converted into a dually using Ram components and extensive fabrication. Other builds included classic muscle cars and hybrid projects combining modern platforms with vintage bodies.
“We’ve built some nice cars — ’69 Chargers, Camaros,” he said. “We don’t just do one thing.”
The connection between heavy-duty repair and custom work is direct. Both rely on structural knowledge, fabrication and refinishing.
The 1969 Dodge Charger R/T “VIIOLA” was positioned at the entrance to the main hall at Motorama 2026 in Toronto.
“We specialize in everything from big trucks to restorations,” Grewal said. “The guys are well-rounded.”
The Charger that anchored Motorama brought those elements together.
Built over 10 months, VIIOLA combined classic muscle car design with modern execution. Its placement at the entrance reflected recognition for a shop better known for heavy-duty repair.
Today, the business operates in Mississauga near Pearson Airport, with a second location in Erin focused on heavy equipment. The Erin facility handles trucks, trailers and industrial vehicles. The Mississauga shop focuses on refinishing, insurance work and restorations.
“Over there, we do trailers, cranes — anything with wheels,” he said. “Here, it’s more refinishing. Paint work, restorations. We do everything.”
For Grewal, the two sides of the business reinforce each other. Heavy-duty repair builds problem-solving under pressure. Custom work demands precision and attention to detail.
Together, they define the shop.
“Honestly, I never really had another option,” he said. “This is what I was going to do.”
What he has done is extend it.
The business his father built has grown in scope and capability, adding locations and developing its own systems while maintaining its focus on repair. Grewal’s work in custom builds adds another layer, demonstrating what that foundation can produce when applied without constraint.
The long-term goal is continuity.
“I just hope one day I can pass it on to my kids,” he said. “Keep the legacy going.”
At Motorama, that work appeared in a single moment — a car at the front of the hall, representing decades behind it.
“My guys aren’t just remove-andreplace. They know how to repair.”
— Jagraj Grewal
The shop’s shift into heavy-duty repair in 1995 led to the development of custom-built equipment for trucks and trailers.
Kuldip Grewal stands in front of a custom Ford Bronco built by his son Jagraj Grewal and the team at Co-Up Auto Body in Mississauga.
Skills Showcase
ONTARIO STUDENTS TEST COLLISION REPAIR SKILLS AT PROVINCIAL COMPETITION
BY MACKENZIE GRANT
Autobody repair and automotive painting students from across the province put their skills to the test this week at the Skills Ontario Competition, completing timed, hands-on challenges in front of industry judges, educators and thousands of spectators.
Roughly 40,000 visitors passed through the competition venue in a single day as employers, suppliers and schools observed students tackling real-world repair and refinishing tasks designed to mirror modern shop conditions.
In the autobody repair competition, 12 students completed six hours of work beginning at 8 a.m. following a brief orientation, according to Bill Speed, Skills Canada autobody chair.
“Most of these students haven’t even had the opportunity to touch this equipment before,” Speed said.
Competitors were evaluated across four core modules reflecting modern repair practices, with a total possible score of 1,000 points.
The largest portion of the event focused on a structural sectioning project requiring students to complete MIG welding and adhesive bonding while following precise measurement and sectioning points.
Students were also tested on aluminum and silicon bronze welding, a computerized unibody measuring exercise and dent repair using BETAG equipment. Judges assessed accuracy, technique and adherence to industry procedures throughout the competition.
Safety standards remained a major focus, with competitors required to wear approved personal protective equipment and demonstrate competency with tools and welding systems.
Vehicles used during the competition are later scrapped, with disposal handled by Standard Auto Wreckers.
For some competitors and volunteers, the event represented a full-circle moment.
“It’s cool to see this competition from the spectator side,” said Ethan Almeida, last year’s gold medallist in autobody repair who will represent Canada at WorldSkills. “It’s surreal to see other young techs where I was a year ago.”
Speed said the competition floor also gives students direct access to industry employers and mentors.
“All of the judges are respected industry workers, all of the banners are here and recruiting,” he said. “Catherine, my former student, was here years ago and there
“It’s surreal to see other young techs where I was a year ago.”
— Ethan Almeida, 2025 autobody gold medallist and WorldSkills competitor
were judges giving her business cards while she was still in high school.”
That former student, Catherine Mathewson, returned this year as a judge in the automotive painting competition.
The two-day automotive painting event featured 10 students —- four secondary and six post-secondary —- completing bumper repair and refinishing exercises using industrystandard processes and equipment supported by Axalta and SATA systems.
College competitors refinished bumpers repaired on the first day, while secondary students completed both repair and paint work. Tasks included following technical data sheets, applying primer sealer, basecoat and clear coat systems, mixing paint materials and completing spray-out and polishing exercises.
Students were also assessed on colour
“It’s very refreshing to see young people that are still engaged in trades and competing to be the best.”
— Todd Marshall, SATA business development specialist
matching, blending techniques, spray gun setup and the safe handling of refinishing materials and equipment.
“It’s very refreshing to see young people that are still engaged in trades and competing to be the best,” said Todd Marshall, business development specialist at SATA, who volunteered at the event.
Competitors said Skills Ontario also helps raise awareness about careers in the trades.
“I think it’s important for the young generation to get back to the trades,” said Peyton Miller-Plante, a Grade 12 student with the Simcoe County District School Board.
“I started painting in Grade 10, and was offered a position in Skills Ontario. In Grade 11 I got second place and then hopefully I’ll be winning this year.”
“I always loved nice paint jobs on cars, started practicing in Grade 9, got fourth place
last year and this year I’m hoping to make it to the podium,” added Cash Hartin, a Grade 11 student with the Trillium Lakelands District School Board.
Industry organizations also used the event to connect with students. Fix Network hosted interactive activities, including a “name the car part” challenge where students could win a pizza party for their class.
“Fix loves the opportunity to be at events like Skills,” said Marissa Beattie. “It’s great to interact with students and bring awareness to the automotive industry — and to have fun while we do it.”
Top finishers from the provincial competition are expected to advance to the Skills Canada National Competition later this month, where students will compete against peers from across the country for the opportunity to represent Canada internationally.
Autobody repair winner results
Post-secondary
1. Vincent L. – Mohawk College
2. Ben H. – Algonquin College
3. GiJeong J. – Centennial College
4. Makenna M. – Fanshawe College
5. Tyler H. – Mohawk College
6. Jordan E. – Centennial College
Secondary
1. Evan B. – Halton District School Board
2. Xavier P. – Upper Canada District School Board
3. Xavier P. – Greater Essex County District School Board
4. Elizabeth M. – Limestone District School Board
5. Ty C. – Halton Catholic District School Board
Automotive painting winner results
Post-secondary
1. Alisha H. – Algonquin College
2. Qasim M. – Mohawk College
3. Shelvin R. – Centennial College
Secondary
1. Peyton MP – Simcoe County District School Board
2. Tom M. – Halton District School Board
3. Amanda M. – Limestone District School Board
IN THE WOMEN TRADES
FIX NETWORK CO-HOSTS TRAINING EVENT
INSIDE A CALGARY TRAINING SESSION INTRODUCING YOUNG WOMEN TO CAREERS IN AUTOMOTIVE REFINISHING
FBY GIDEON
ix Network Canada co-hosted a Young Women in Trades and Technology event at its Calgary Training Centre, introducing high school students to automotive refinishing. The program, now in its third year, was developed with Careers: The Next Generation, an Alberta-based non-profit that connects students with internships and apprenticeship pathways. Jeff Francis, technical trainer at Fix Network Canada’s Calgary Training Centre, told Collision Repair the initiative grew out of that relationship.
“We initially reached out to Careers: The Next Generation to see how we might work together, and it quickly felt like a natural fit,” he said. “They do a great job at the provincial level connecting students with employers and supporting them as they move toward apprenticeship. From there, it made sense to offer our Calgary Training Centre as a place to host a few try-a-trade events, with the Young Women in Trades and Technology initiative being one of them.”
The session focused on automotive painting. Students applied basecoat, completed a small airbrush stencil component and finished with clearcoat. “We put together a program that introduced the young ladies into a ‘day in the life’ of a painter,” Francis said.
Students in grades 10 through 12 were recruited through local high schools, with enrollment handled by Careers: The Next Generation
SCANLON
“This enthusiastic interest is incredibly encouraging, and we’re exploring ways we could potentially expand the program, both thoughtfully and sustainably.”
— Jeff Francis
“They learn proper paint gun technique and get handson experience with the equipment, which helps build confidence and shows them they can be successful, and take pride in their work.”
— Jeff Francis
“We put together a program that introduced the young ladies into a ‘day in the life’ of a painter.”
— Jeff Francis
The training focused on safety and basic shop skills. Students wore standard personal protective equipment and were introduced to paint gun technique and refinishing tools.
“We’ve continued to improve the program each year to better reflect what it’s really like to be a painter in a collision repair environment,” Francis said. “Safety is always the top priority, and the students quickly adapt to the same
PPE a professional painter would wear. They learn proper paint gun technique and get hands-on experience with the equipment, which helps build confidence and shows them they can be successful, and take pride in their work.”
The program has been adjusted over time based on feedback. This year, female Red Seal technicians took part in the session, helping
guide students through the work and sharing their experience in the trade.
Francis said interest in the program was strong, with enough applicants to nearly support a second session.
“This enthusiastic interest is incredibly encouraging, and we’re exploring ways we could potentially expand the program, both thoughtfully and sustainably,” Francis said.
THE HEART OF Horsepower
MOTORAMA 2026 IGNITES THE SHOW FLOOR
The 2026 edition of the Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo got underway in March at the International Centre in Toronto, bringing together racers, builders and enthusiasts for one of Canada’s largest indoor automotive shows.
The three-day event, which runs from March 14–16, occupies more than 30,000 square metres of exhibit space and features show cars, race cars, club displays and motorsports vendors.
WD-40 Students’ Day, which brought hundreds of automotive and trade students to the show floor for career panels and industry presentations aimed at introducing young people to careers in the automotive sector.
More than 100 race cars are on display in a dedicated motorsports section alongside racetracks, sanctioning bodies and equipment suppliers. The show floor also includes custom builds, hot rods, classics and modified vehicles from clubs and private builders.
Celebrity appearances remain a major draw. Mike Hall appeared for a stage presentation and fan Q-and-A. During the talk, Hall reflected on his path into television, describing how he moved from working in demolitions at the Canadian National Railway to building a restoration business before eventually appearing on the series Rust Valley Restorers.
The event's show car competition will run through the weekend, with dozens of vehicles competing across multiple classes. The event concluded with the announcement of the Motorama Grand Champion and the Valvoline Canadian 10 awards.
Mike Hall drew a crowd at Motorama, sharing his path from railway demolitions to Rust Valley Restorers.
A packed show floor at the 2026 Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo at Toronto’s International Centre, where racers, builders and enthusiasts gathered for three days of custom cars, motorsports displays, celebrity appearances and student programming.
Les Sutak showcased a 1935 Ford pickup, nine years in the making, featuring a ’33 grille and custom rear pan.
CANADA’S FINEST:
MOTORAMA’S TOP 10 BATTLE FOR GRAND CHAMPION
Top-tier craftsmanship was on full display at the Toronto Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo, where nearly 400 vehicles vied for national recognition. From that crowded field, just 10 builds earned a place in the prestigious Valvoline Canadian 10 — a curated lineup representing the best in Canadian custom automotive work. From there, the competition narrowed even further. Taking top honours for 2026, a meticulously detailed 1986 Ford Mustang known as “Foxilla,” built by Jesse Henke of JH Restorations, stood out for its precision, restraint and flawless execution. Judges ultimately pointed to the build’s consistency across every element — from body and paint to engineering and finishing — as the difference-maker in a field defined by excellence.
GRAND CHAMPION:
• 1986 Ford Mustang (“Foxilla”) — Jesse Henke, JH Restorations
VALVOLINE CANADIAN 10 — 2026 FINALISTS:
• 1932 Ford Roadster — Scott Paterson
• 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air — Randy Colyn
• 1967 Chevrolet Nova — Jeff Lutz
• 1969 Chevrolet Camaro — John Wozniak
• 1970 Dodge Charger — Wade Harsany
1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda — Ryan Marks
1972 Chevrolet C10 — Mike Hall
1986 Ford Mustang (“Foxilla”) — Jesse Henke
2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon — Tony Pappas
2022 Chevrolet Corvette — Mark Stielow
ICBC INVESTS $13.3M IN APPRENTICESHIPS Wrench ready
ICBC TARGETS TECHNICIAN SHORTAGE WITH MULTI-YEAR FUNDING AIMED AT SPEEDING UP REPAIRS AND STRENGTHENING WORKFORCE CAPACITY
ICBC will invest $13.3 million over four years in apprenticeship grants for the collision repair sector.
“We’re making this investment to help repair facilities bring more apprentices into the trade and support them through training and certification. Over time, that will mean more skilled technicians — helping reduce repair wait times after a crash for customers while maintaining safe, high-quality repairs,” said Jason McDaniel, president and CEO of ICBC.
The insurer made the announcement at Vancouver Community College alongside industry representatives, including Automotive Retailers Association board chair and president of Craftsman Collision, Rick Hatswell.
The funding will support apprenticeships for automotive refinishing technicians as well as auto body and collision repair technicians at ICBC Repair Network facilities. Eligible employers can receive up to $56,500 per apprentice to offset training costs.
The program is intended to increase the number of certified technicians and expand repair capacity across the province. The insurer links workforce shortages to longer repair timelines following collisions.
The grants also include targeted funding for women and Indigenous apprentices, along with travel support for those in rural and remote communities who must leave home to access training.
“Reducing barriers to training opportunities is essential to building a fairer, stronger British Columbia. This investment helps support women
and Indigenous apprentices and people living in rural communities access collision repair training and build rewarding careers,” said Attorney General Niki Sharma. “By supporting apprentices, we’re creating a more inclusive workforce and helping more people succeed and build a future for themselves in the trades.”
Funding will be distributed across each stage of apprenticeship training and tied to Red Seal certification requirements, with the goal of accelerating completion rates.
“These grants come at a critical time for the collision repair industry. As vehicles become more complex, the need for skilled technicians has never been greater. Apprentices are essential to ensuring safe, proper repairs and safer roads across British Columbia,” said Hatswell.
“Reducing barriers to training opportunities is essential to building a fairer, stronger British Columbia.” — Niki Sharma
“Over time, that will mean more skilled technicians — helping reduce repair wait times after a crash for customers while maintaining safe, high-quality repairs.”
— Jason McDaniel
From full-frame restorations to weekend garage revivals, Bodyworx is showcasing the best builds from our readers—and your project could be next. Whether it’s a classic brought back to life, a custom showpiece, or a work-in-progress with a story to tell, this is your chance to get recognized in print.
Submit your photos and details to mackenzie@mediamatters.ca for a chance to be featured.
MAKING SPACE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
THE CHALLENGE ISN’T JUST FINDING TECHNICIANS —
IT’S
CREATING PATHWAYS THAT KEEP THEM
BY MACKENZIE GRANT
S“Collision repair has changed dramatically. The question is whether the industry’s approach to attracting and supporting people has changed with it.”
pend any time in collision repair right now and the conversation almost always circles back to the same place: there aren’t enough technicians coming in to meet the demand going out.
It’s a familiar challenge. Shops are feeling it, schools are working to respond to it. The industry has been talking for years about attraction, training and retention. Those conversations matter, but they also tend to circle the same points without shifting what happens on the ground.
The work itself is changing quickly. Vehicles are becoming more complex, repair procedures more detailed and ADAS systems, OEM requirements and new materials have reshaped what it means to work in collision repair. The job is not what it was even a decade ago.
The young people coming into the workforce are changing too.
Over the past year of writing about collision repair, I’ve found myself coming back to one question. If the industry is evolving this quickly, why do so many of the ways we introduce it, talk about it and support people still feel like they’re catching up?
Attraction, training and retention don’t start in one place and end in another. They run through classrooms and educators, yes, but also through shops themselves — in how apprentices are brought into the work, how mentorship actually shows up day to day and how much space is given for people to learn without being rushed past that stage.
They also extend beyond the shop floor in ways that matter more than they’re sometimes given credit for. In how businesses show up in their communities. In whether shops are active and visible online in a way that reflects what the trade actually looks like today. In hiring posts and social media content that either help young people see themselves in this industry or miss them entirely. All of that shapes industry perception long before someone ever walks into a shop.
Somewhere in that space between interest and long-term retention, people are still getting lost.
The challenge, more than anything, is making sure that same mindset carries into how the industry presents itself outwardly, not just how it operates internally.
As the new editor of BodyWorx Professional, I would like this magazine to help bridge the gap between the industry as it is and the way it’s being seen by the next generation.
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