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BY ALANA QUARTUCCIO

Great education and innovation on and off the floor.

SCC: Continued Collaboration, Continued Evolution MESSAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S

Last year, I focused on the overall theme of mentorship following the 2024 Southeast Collision Conference. Today, with the 2025 SCC in our immediate rear-view, it was refreshing to see our attendees continue to build on that theme while also focusing on collaboration, community and above it all, doing things the right way for the right reasons.

I want to first thank all of those who made the trip out to Richmond to help make our Spring “Industry Week” one to remember. As you’ll read in the following pages, from SCRS’ Spring Board Meeting and elections to the Collision Industry Conference, the week started off so strong with important conversations, updates and announcements that will shape the industry.

As we welcomed attendees to the

Southeast Collision Conference and WMABA’s Collision P.R.E.P. classes, repair professionals from all across the region took in everything we had to offer, but more importantly, they gave back. Not only did I witness countless instances of personal and professional growth, mentorship between colleagues - more than just competitors! - and motivation throughout our days of education, but I was fortunate enough to watch so many people “get it.” Seeing the light bulb go off in real time as our presenters’ words clicked into place, or watching an attendee moved by witnessing a young professional be awarded with tools to help them get a start in the industry was such an important experience for me. It was amazing to see the event through your eyes. New technology, complex repairs, and

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TREASURER John Shoemaker john.a.shoemaker@basf.com - 248-763-4375

SECRETARY Barry Dorn bdorn@dornsbodyandpaint.com - 804-746-3928

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Steven Krieps steve@gregclineauto.com 304-755-1146

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rodney Bolton (boltonconsulting61@gmail.com) 443-386-0086 Tom Brown (thbrown@ppg.com) 703-624-5819 Torchy Chandler (torchy.chandler@gmail.com) 410-309-2242 Tracy Dombrowski (tracy@collisionadvice.com) 571-458-0648

ADMINISTRATION

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jordan Hendler (jordanhendler@wmaba.com) 804-789-9649

WMABA CORPORATE OFFICE

P.O. Box 3157 • Mechanicsville, VA 23116

BY JORDAN HENDLER

shifting expectations are making every role in the shop more demanding than ever before. But the real key to navigating it all is a strong, committed team that helps each member grow not only personally, but together, too. Many of you showed yourselves as strong and committed teams, and took full advantage of everything that was on display at the Richmond Convention Center.

Success doesn’t happen in a vaccuum, and true evolution happens when we show up, talk about our wins and our losses, and learn from one another. Every single person who was a part of SCC got something out of it, I promise you, myself included. And on the heels of the experience I had watching and learning from all of you, I can’t wait to see what the future holds. When we lead with collaboration over competition, and connection over isolation, we raise the bar for the entire industry. H&D

Jordan Hendler (804) 789-9649 jordanhendler@wmaba.com

HAMMER & DOLLY STAFF

PUBLISHER Thomas Greco thomas@grecopublishing.com

SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli alicia@grecopublishing.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Alana Quartuccio alana@grecopublishing.com

SENIOR CONTRIBUTING Chasidy Rae Sisk EDITOR chasidy@grecopublishing.com

OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco donna@grecopublishing.com

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This year, as Albert Kemperle Inc. celebrates its 83rd anniversary, BASF also celebrates its 158th anniversary. We are proud of our decades of partnership with BASF and years of serving the auto paint and body industry together. Kemperle’s founders would be proud of this relationship and the growth their company has experienced because of it.

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SCRS Champions Safe Repairs, Recognizes Success at April Board Meeting NEWS NATIONAL

Investing back into the industry is the driving force behind the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and its leaders who put in countless hours to educate, inform and represent collision repair professionals in the name of kina’ole – the Hawaiian phrase for “doing the right thing, the right way, at the right time, for the right reasons, the first time.”

SCRS had much to convene about and celebrate during its most recent Open Public Board Meeting in Richmond, VA, which included welcoming newly elected Board members, recognizing departing ones and reviewing the national organization’s member benefits and goals, industry concerns and proposed federal legislation in support of safe repairs.

WMABA President Kris Burton (Rosslyn Auto Body; VA) was re-elected and will serve as vice chair. Ben Bowman (Cliff’s Body Repair; NY), Kena Dacus (Dacus Auto Body & Collision Repair; KS) and Justin Lewis (Accurate Auto Body; WA) were sworn in to their first term on the Board. Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg noted changes to the Executive Board: Tony Adams (AkzoNobel) will serve as director-at-large, Todd Hessford (Community Collision Centers; CA) has been elevated to treasurer, and Andrew Batenhorst (Pacific BMW Collision Center; CA) rose to secretary.

Amber Alley (Barsotti’s Body & Fender; CA) closed out her term as chair, handing over the gavel to Michael Bradshaw (K&M Collision; NC). Alley, who now serves as immediate past chair, called her time as chair a “humbling experience. I’m really proud

of the work we’ve done. I’m looking forward to working with the organization as we have some amazing things to support the industry.”

“Amber and I came on the Board together, about three months apart,” Bradshaw relayed. “We experienced a lot together as we worked our way up through the ranks of the Board. As I think back on the last 10 years, I am fortunate to have been surrounded by such great mentors. I’m really looking forward to continuing to do the work and really continue to push the envelope for the things that repairers are out there fighting for every day. Because that’s ultimately who we’re here to support. And I’m just so excited, thankful and humbled for the opportunity to be a part of that.”

Exiting Board members Erin Solis (Certified Collision Group), Dave Gruskos (Reliable Automotive Equipment) and Robert Grieve (Nylund’s Collision Center; CO) were presented with clocks “to represent the time they spent serving the industry,” Schulenburg noted. He also acknowledged “the sacrifices and contributions the people around this table make. Unlike a lot of organizations, our Board is entirely volunteer. The travel to the events, the dinners out, the flights, the hotels and the time away from business is all on their dime. They do it because they want to invest themselves back into the industry.”

The industry issues portion of the meeting brought light to an alarming issue that most collision repair professionals – and others – may not be taking into consideration: the exposure to dangerous

SCRS Board members (L-R): Josh McFarlin, Michael Giarrizzo, Justin Lewis, Ben Bowman, Kena Dacus, Andy Tylka, Michael Bradshaw, Amber Alley, Andrew Batenhorst and Kris Burton.

narcotics such as fentanyl, which has been uncovered in stolen recovery vehicles. Alley noted a situation where a vehicle was out of the customer’s possession for 45 days, and when it came to the shop, it was suspected that someone had been living in the vehicle.

“Our protocol is to recommend that testing be done. We educated the consumer on this and spoke to their insurance. They denied and denied.” The car sat on the lot taped up, guarded from anyone going near it. Finally, the customer decided to pay for the “expensive testing,” conducted by a team in Hazmat suits who took samples from various areas of the car. Days later, the results came back positive for fentanyl. Substance was found on the driver’s seat. Alley noted the danger this posed to the tow truck driver, police officers and anyone who could’ve entered the vehicle who were unknowingly exposed.

It’s something worth talking about at the shop, Alley stressed, adding, “We are often faced with moving quickly to take keys, and there can be risks. Safety protocols need to be thought through to protect yourself.”

Conversations regarding Right to Repair concerns were spearheaded as Schulenburg noted SCRS’ work in Washington, DC in regard to safe repair. He cited that repairers were not the ones championing previously proposed Right to Repair legislation, which “is a problem because you have groups who aren’t repairers, speaking for repairers. Somebody should be speaking for repairers to tell the actual repair story [and] work on things that actually reflect the challenges our members and their customers face.”

He introduced Megan Ekstrom, head of federal affairs for the Alliance of Automotive Innovation (Auto Innovators), who relayed what the framework is at the Capitol for the consumerdriven landmark Safety as First Emphasis (SAFE) Repair Act legislation proposed jointly by SCRS, Auto Innovators and the Automotive Service Association (ASA). Ekstrom shared the strategy behind getting the bill attention at the Senate and the House of Representatives with the goal of getting the bill introduced and how that can be achieved. Testimonials from repair professionals have helped shape the initiative and could play a valuable role in garnering attention for the bill.

industry’s story,” Schulenburg stressed. “I think that’s a really important piece because everything I’ve seen on the other side has been opponents telling the industry what they should believe or put in the words in their mouth. We have the ability to take the words from your mouth and use them to your benefit.”

WMABA Executive Director Jordan Hendler and Kris Burton took the mic during the affiliate committee report to update the Board about the 57-year-old association. Hendler expressed, “The affiliate community cannot be undersold. It’s not just about getting together to talk about issues, to commiserate and celebrate and share knowledge. The most important thing is that we as an association have gained great insight and resources. One of the best things is our collaboration with the Carolinas Collision Association and co-hosting the Southeast Collision Conference.

“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to bring CIC and the trade show together, utilizing that to bring national level speakers to our educational event,” she continued. “It’s changed the bar of what we are giving to our members.” Hendler also reported on WMABA’s fundraising efforts to give back to schools and up-and-coming technicians. She noted that a lot of work the association does with legislation also involves putting a stop to unwanted bills. “We were able to stop some bad legislation over the past few years, and I don’t think that’s celebrated enough.”

Discussion included an update on benefits, including the SCRS healthcare program and 401(k) plans. Schulenburg recently learned the plan saved a technician’s life because he didn’t go to the doctor previously, but because of the SCRS plan’s accessibility, he sought medical care, and it saved his life. “I got goosebumps; that’s impactful. Changing people’s lives for the better is what everyone around this table wants to invest their time in.”

SCRS is gearing up for the 2025 Repairer Driven Education series at SEMA which will feature many first timers presenting, including Kyle Motzkus (Hunter Auto Body; MO) and Maria Quintero (Collision Advice). The IDEAS Collide showcase will also feature a new slate including Jordan Hendler (WMABA), Rachel James (Torque Financial Advisors) and John Yoswick (Crash Network). Registration information can be found at bit.ly/2025SEMAShow. Find videos from the 2024 SEMA Show at rde.scrs.com. H&D

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CIC RECAP: Industry Instruction for the Greater Good NEWS NATIONAL

Fixing cars safely and properly matters. Shops being fairly reimbursed matters. Establishing a shop culture employees can thrive in matters. And ultimately, protecting the well-being of consumers, their families and their property matters.

The most recent Collision Industry Conference (CIC) covered all bases crucial to the collision repair industry with conversations about cybersecurity, attracting new employees, parts sourcing issues, repair planning – even mental health awareness.

A special presentation was made in honor of mental health awareness month. In the words of CIC Chair Dan Risley, one may wonder what it has to do with CIC, but in fact, “it impacts us all” and everyone who works in the shop or whom we interact with daily. He welcomed Ben Christiansen (Carcraft) who travelled from Australia to spread the message “Don’t shut the bonnet on it” and showcase a fundraiser through the sale of automobile-themed shirts to provide free counseling services.

Candid conversations are one of the most effective ways to explore burning issues that can plague the industry. Risley and Aaron Schulenburg (Society of Collision Repair Specialists) took the CIC stage to announce the launch of “The Industry Experiment,” an unfiltered “conversation-cast,” an in-person program that will encourage thought-provoking, candid conversations on such issues and “explore sometimes uncomfortable truths or perceptions.” They invited everyone in the industry to come to them with topics for this soon to be rolled out platform.

The Data Access, Privacy and Security Committee set out to “educate everyone as to what some of the challenges regarding data access privacy and security are in our marketplace,” outlined Committee Co-Chair Trent Tinsley (Entegral), as he introduced Alex Pavlinik and Allan Polak of StoredTech to present an eye-opening cautionary tale about “Lucky Bob,” the shop owner who found himself victim of a very costly bitcoin ransom scam. It wasn’t Bob’s “lucky” day at all as Pavlinik and Polak relayed how his innocent click in an email from a “trusted tool supplier” was all that threat actors needed to lock up all his files.

They can’t check out. The computers and terminals can’t access the internet.”

Lucky Bob faces the ugly game of “Let’s Make a Deal” and pays the half-bitcoin ransom which amounts to roughly $50,000. Did it solve his problem? “The hackers lied, and they did not release all the information. These are criminals, and there’s no honor among thieves,” Pavilnik stressed. Not only was Lucky Bob’s information compromised and leaked, he was out another $150,000 in recovery fees.

Being educated and aware in order to avoid situations like this is the key in all this. However, if a shop owner were to find themselves in Lucky Bob’s shoes, the first person they should contact is their lawyer. Some may think to call their IT manager first or their insurance company, but according to Pavlinik, “You call your lawyer. And the reason for that is you want to establish a term client privilege in this situation. You are now facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in civil penalties, and depending if you pay, felonies. I would highly suggest that you establish that communication first, and then you move on to the insurance company.”

Pavlinik relayed the horrors that came next: “Now, Lucky Bob thought, ‘Maybe this is a fluke. Let me check with my parts department.’ Lucky Bob checks with parts. They can’t access order forms that were stored on the computer as well. The computer files aren’t opening anymore on any of the computers in the offices. Also, something strange is happening in the office. It’s eerily silent. The phones have stopped ringing. The phones have disconnected from the cloud, no longer getting calls in. We now have customers coming up to the desk of the service department and the parts department.

I-CAR’s Scott VanHulle moderated the Emerging Technologies panel featuring Chuck Olsen (AirPro Diagnostics), Chris Chesney (Repairify) and Greg Peeters (Car ADAS Solutions) who focused on steering the industry away from the “easy button” mentality when it comes to calibrations. VanHulle lamented about the countless times he’s heard people from all segments of the industry say, “If it’s not on there, you don’t need to do it” because it “is the most untrue statement I’ve ever heard.” He stressed that those who believe that “should be stopped in their tracks and be corrected.”

While “software programs are a great tool, they are not necessarily the advancement we need,” Olsen pointed out, and Peeters highlighted the fact that “feedback, response time and follow-up, when there is a gap or an error, continues to get better, but I would love to see it get easier and better as time goes because ultimately that makes the product better and more accurate.”

“Reach out to us and let us know what you saw,” encouraged Chesney. “At the end of the day, feedback only works if we get the feedback.”

Moderated by Kye Yeung (European Motor Works), the Repair Process and Procedures Committee panel – featuring Barry Dorn (Dorn’s Body and Paint; VA), Justin Lewis (Accurate Auto Body; WA), Shawn Powell (Dorn’s Body and Paint), Jeff Butler (post-repair inspector) and Tim Ronak (AkzoNobel) – covered the various considerations involved with the clear coat process from the application to negotiation and post-repair inspection.

Consumers need to be aware of the process, and as Powell explained, it begins with the estimating process. “A lot of times, we offer to bring the customer back to the paint department and show them what the process looks like and explain why we are doing it that way to provide them a best as possible pre-loss condition and allow us to build a warranty repair when we’re done with it.”

Panelists outlined the importance of documentation to support one’s stance and to be sure repairs are done right because if there is an issue, “you can have the customer come back to you and say ‘you didn’t give me a choice; you chose to do it this way, so you owe for the correction.’ So, you can see how complicated things can get when you do a repair. Obviously, it’s not just the matter of pleasing the consumer in the present, but it can have ramifications down the road,” Yeung stressed.

Andrew Batenhorst (Pacific BMW Collision Center; CA) and panelists Kyle Pierce (Dorn’s Body and Paint; VA), Michael Giarrizzo (DCR Systems, Inc.), Tim Schneider ( and Jason Camden (Mills Auto Group) spoke about the blind spots often seen in the parts sourcing process.

Vans. Born to run.

Camden cited certifications for aluminum as an issue when a shop has a vehicle to work on but they can’t get parts for it due to the OEM requirement in aluminum. “It’s a process for us as we have to tell them to tow the vehicle to a shop that’s certified or we have to go through another process that’s a little more painstaking, but a lot of times we cannot get the parts for shops that are

not certified in aluminum. Collision shops are blindsided when this happens because they’re capable of doing the repairs, but the manufacturer requires that they be certified.”

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Cycle time uncertainty is another issue “especially when you have a lot of alternative parts that come into play,” said Giarrizzo. “We are OE certified in every brand that we represent, so what we want to do for our customer comes into play. We have a diverse customer base with some who are willing to contribute and some who can’t, but they want a safe and proper repair, so there’s a lot affecting when those parts need to be ordered just for the purpose of determining how they will be used. Then there is the whole return issue that goes along with it creating a lot of uncertainty and a lack of predictability in delays. There’s multiple platforms as well that sometimes have different price matching models from the same vendor so it creates a lot of noise in the whole process.”

When asked how tariffs may come into play, Pierce believes, “It’s still up in the air because it keeps changing day to day. It’s a

very moving target. At the end of the day, it’s going to ultimately affect price. As a body shop, our cost will go up potentially across the board or maybe just for supplies or parts, or both.”

The Talent Pool and Education Committee explored ways toward effective leadership and good shop culture in order to attract and retain employees. Edgar Chaves, Jr. (Britland Auto Body; NJ) said it starts with “consistent communication” with employees to learn about their ambitions and struggles and “just be human to them.”

“We try to get a buy-in from the team and let them make some of the decisions,” stated Michael Bradshaw (K&M Collision; NC). “It was a big decision for us to go to a four-day work week. We talked about it and took a vote as a team. We have an open door, open dialogue policy.”

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Allan Polak and Aleks Pavlinik of StoredTech educate the CIC audience about cybersecurity scares.

PAVING THE PATH TO SUCCESS: RECAP

It was an unforgettable weekend! The 2025 Southeast Collision Conference (SCC) provided crowds from the WMABA and Carolina Collision Association (CCA) regions an opportunity to connect, collaborate, grow and learn from some of the collision repair industry’s best educators and innovators at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, VA.

For the third year in a row, WMABA hit it out of the park with its trademark Collision P.R.E.P. (Professional Repairer Education Program) series featuring national-level speakers like Mike Anderson (Collision Advice), Danny Gredinberg (Database Enhancement Gateway) and Mike Jones (Discover Leadership Training). (Our full education recap begins on page 14).

“The Southeast Collision Conference was a tremendous success – bringing together the latest innovations and a powerful sense of community,” relayed CCA Executive Director Josh Kent. “It’s clear that our industry is not only evolving but thriving, and this event proved that when we collaborate, we elevate.”

SCC alternates between the WMABA and CCA regions year after year to serve as many shops as possible. This year’s Richmond event was even more enlightening as it was preceded by the Collision Industry Conference (recap on page 12) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) Open Board Meeting (recap on page 10).

In the classroom on day one, CCA President Kyle Bradshaw (K&M Collision; Hickory, NC) inspired all to think about something “you aspire to do but lack the drive and determination to do. This business takes work. It doesn’t matter what you are doing; you have to get in and grind day in and day out. Let that resonate with you this weekend. You get out what you put in.”

On the trade show floor, attendees perused the various innovations and offerings on display.

The 2025 show marked the fifth year Platinum Sponsor

Lombard Equipment has been a part of SCC. “We have a lot of customers in this area, so it’s great to come down and see them,” shared Kevin Lombard. “We had a great turn out. It’s important for us to be here to support the associations. They are a big part of us, and we are a big part of them.”

“The biggest thing that brings us back year after year is that we like to have a presence at this show as all the major companies are here,” stated Drew Holdren, a service consultant for AkzoNobel (Gold Sponsor). “I’ve always felt that it gives good information back to the body shop community. We are involved. We want to help and train and show our offerings and be a part of the community, not just on the national level, but on the local level as well. The show gets better each year, and the folks who run it are really trying to make a difference in this industry.”

“This is my third year coming to the Southeast Collision Conference,” relayed Robert Gruskos of Reliable Automotive Equipment. “The main reason we come to this is to support the local industry here, to support WMABA and CCA. It’s also great that CIC and the SCRS Open Board Meeting was held right before the show as it was an opportunity to see what the industry is doing and all the trends, and we’re here to sell some equipment.”

“It’s an amazing opportunity to see other industry professionals, see what is new and meet other shops in the market for possible opportunities for additional business,” Jill Michaels of Gold Sponsor BASF said of her third consecutive year at the show. “It’s a really good time.”

It was the first time at SCC for Carmen Stockard of BAPS. “We are a Gold Sponsor this year. We were excited to come and get set up. There’s good customers and vendors here. We’ll see what next year in North Carolina brings.”

“We have good coverage in the southeast area, so we wanted to come to the show and show our support for our franchisees

Photo coverage by Alana Quartuccio & SnapHappy Photos

Photo credit Cyber Eight Creative

and corporate offices,” reported Jeff Gross of Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists (Silver Sponsor) of the company’s second year at the show. “We met a lot of great people and made some great connections.”

“It’s been great telling the shops about our new list shop price model for repairers working with Allstate, GEICO and Progressive, and the parts estimating platforms and maneuvering our services onto those as well,” added Dale Huckabee of Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists.

CCA and WMABA extend their gratitude to all the sponsors who made the 2025 show possible, including Platinum Sponsors: Autotality, Blue Ride Color Company, I-CAR, Lombard Equipment, National Coatings and Supplies/Single Source and PPG; Gold

BY ALANA QUARTUCCIO

Sponsors: AkzoNobel, All Clear Diagnostics and Calibration, BAPS, BASF, Enterprise Mobility, KECO and Reliable Automotive Equipment; and Silver Sponsors: Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists, Car-Rep Automotive Products, Intrepid Direct, Milwaukee Tool, OEConnection, REVV, Spanesi and Symach. H&D

Executive Director’s Thoughts

The Conference education was my favorite part, seeing our attendees’ lightbulbs come on from something they learned in a session. It is such a fulfilment of purpose for us at the association to see the elevation of professionalism by engaging with repairers in this way. It is also such a joy to see vendors get behind this same mission, in supporting our efforts to bring quality education and a quality tradeshow experience, in cooperation with each other.

- Jordan Hendler

WMABA AND SCC CELEBRATE MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS

It’s become tradition to kick off every Southeast Collision Conference with an unforgettable event that brings the WMABA and Carolina Collision Association (CCA) communities together in celebration and camaraderie to set the tone for an impactful weekend filled with fellowship and fun. The 2025 kick off celebration did not disappoint!

“I’m extremely proud of the fact these two associations got together to bring the industry to the entire region,” stated WMABA Executive Director Jordan Hendler. She acknowledged the national guests in the audience as a result of the Collision Industry Conference and Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ Open Board meeting, held earlier in the week, and she noted that both associations are proud to be a part of those organizations. “It’s that community of collaboration and learning from each other that brought us together.

“This trade show is one of the biggest things for both our associations, and I want to thank our Board of Directors. We definitely couldn’t do it without them, the repairers, vendors and educators,” she added.

Hendler was joined by WMABA President Kris Burton (Rosslyn Auto Body; Alexandria, VA) to present the WMABA Board Member of the Year Award to Barry Dorn (Dorn’s Body & Paint; Mechanicsville, VA) – who Burton called a “mentor who is now family” – and the WMABA Most Improved Shop of the Year Award to JBS Collision Center (Chester, MD). “It’s one thing to be a shop of the year, but being named most improved shop is

another,” said Hendler, who added that JBS Collision has made an impact in the short time they have been a member.

“We are super excited for this year’s conference,” said CCA Executive Director Josh Kent. “It’s everything we envisioned, so we are excited about where we are going.”

Kent was joined by CCA President Kyle Bradshaw (K&M Collision; Hickory, NC) to present the CCA Board of the Member of the Year to Aritha Richardson (Enterprise Mobility), CCA North Carolina Shop of the Year to Cape Fear Collision (Wilmington; NC) and CCA South Carolina Shop of the Year to Baker Collision Center (Charleston, SC).

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S WINNERS!

WMABA Board Member of the Year: Barry Dorn (Dorn’s Body & Paint; Mechanicsville, VA)

WMABA Most Improved Body Shop of the Year: JBS Collision Center (Chester, MD)

CCA Board Member of the Year Aritha Richardson (Enterprise Mobility)

CCA North Carolina Shop of the Year: Cape Fear Collision (Wilmington, NC)

CCA South Carolina Shop of the Year: Baker Collision Center (Charleston, SC)

WMABA Board Member of the Year Barry Dorn with WMABA President Kris Burton

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WMABA AWARDS TOOL GRANTS TO ASPIRING TECHNICIANS

SCC served as an opportunity for WMABA to celebrate hard working students who are committed to making collision repair a career. Executive Director Jordan Hendler and President Kris Burton took to the SCC stage to present four tool grants to students from the association’s two “adopted schools” – Center of Applied Technologies North (Severn, MD) and Northern Virginia Community College (Wakefield, VA).

“We are excited about new people coming into our industry,” shared Hendler. “Our industry is so much bigger than the general population understands. One of the biggest things we can do is provide tools to new people coming into our industry to help get them off to a good start and hopefully prevent them from starting their careers with ‘tool debt.’

“Our association partners with our two adopted schools to create a process where our shops and the schools can connect, so students have a work environment to go into,” she continued.

Funds from annual fundraising events, such as the annual golf tournament, help grow WMABA’s Jerry Dalton Memorial Fund to make grants like this one possible, she explained.

Miles Keegan and Brian Mattern of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) were each presented with $2,000 from WMABA in addition to $1,500 worth of tools each from Milwaukee Tool for a total of $3,500 each in tools. “Milwaukee Tool really dove in to help us make this possible for our students,” stated Hendler.

“WMABA has been amazing to us,” said Laura Garcia-Moreya, program head for the automotive and collision program at NVCC, who spoke with gratitude of the support the program has received which has kept it from being cancelled. “This means a lot to us –the instructors – and also the students. Thank you Milwaukee and WMABA.” Instructor Warren Barbee called both students “brave and smart enough to go out into the field on their own, taking their skills and turning them into a career. I look forward to seeing them work hard and continue to grow.”

Keegan and Mattern both expressed their gratitude for helping them see a bright future ahead and for helping to set them up in the right direction.

In addition, tool grants in the amount of $2,000 each toward Harbor Freight tools were presented to Steve Benetta and Emma Giles of Center of Applied Technologies North, who were unable to attend the award ceremony.

coverage continues on pg. 22

MEMBERMEMBER

L-R: Ross Dickerson, Jordan Hendler, Brian Mattern, Miles Keegan, Laura Garcia-Moreya, Warren Barbee and John Shoemaker.

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WMABA’S COLLISION P.R.E.P. SCC AUDIENCE

Once again, WMABA’s Collision P.R.E.P. (Professional Repairer Education Program) provided SCC attendees with enlightening and engaging content from some of the industry’s greatest minds, leaving them armed with loads of new knowledge to use in their day to day. Read on for highlights from this year’s educational slate which covered everything from A (AI) to Z (getting out of your comfort zone).

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This command brought forth by the one and only Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) was the impetus behind “Stay Humble, Stay Hungry,” the kick-off presentation to WMABA’s Collision P.R.E.P. series. Anderson had the packed room on their feet, clapping and shouting “Amen” as he passionately shared the reasons behind his “why” when it comes to fighting for no less than safe and proper repairs.

Anderson’s “why” starts with his father, whose ankle was “blown out” when he hit the ground after jumping out of an airplane during the Vietnam War because his parachute failed to deploy. Anderson’s father was left with physical limitations due to his shattered leg, “but he never let that be an excuse for why he couldn’t accomplish something in life.” Why did that parachute not deploy? It wasn’t packed properly.

The number one lesson Anderson learned from his father was “whenever we fix a car, we are packing someone’s parachute. We will always strive to pack the parachute properly – no excuses!”

BY ALANA QUARTUCCIO

“We have to get back to basics. Get back to our value proposition and find what makes you different from your competitors,” he encouraged.

Anderson shed light on many things the average body shop owner may not be considering.

“If your customer pay is less than 20 percent of your overall sales, you are scaring customers away. When we ask the customer if they plan to go through insurance, we are sending a message that we only go through insurance. We have to change

He called out Maryland and Virginia for having the “largest decline” in average labor hours. “A lot of shops base their success on gross dollars. You can’t base your success on a dollar amount because it’s inflated and it gives us a false sense of security.” Claims are down because ADAS is working, there are more totaled cars and 40 percent of consumers would rather pay out of pocket –all reasons shops are no longer bogged down with work.

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He taught, “Talent plus productivity equals value” and urged attendees to look at average sales per body tech because “if it’s less than $83,000 a month in sales for each human in the body shop,” one will need to take a close look at estimate quality, skill set of the technician, scheduling, administrative bottlenecks or other issues that could be impacting productivity.

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Looking to the near future, Anderson predicts the consumer experience is changing with software as a service and subscription style leasing becomes more prevalent. Also, “the ADAS gold rush is over. The next gold rush is mechanical repairs for EVs.”

Mike Anderson

OEM leaders find it troubling that collision repairers may not be doing what they are supposed to in order to fix their cars right.

Attendees had the opportunity to hear from Dane Rounkles (American Honda), Casey Hamilton (Rivian) and John Eck (General Motors) during SCC’s Friday Lunch and Learn panel discussion, which also featured Bud Center (I-CAR), Barry Dorn (Dorn’s Body & Paint; Mechanicsville, VA) and moderator Kyle Bradshaw (K&M Collision; Hickory, NC), who talked training, procedures and certifications.

OEMs Speak Out

“The number one problem I see is training and the lack of use of resources,” stated Rounkles. Center agreed, adding that understanding what is involved is another source of concern. “How many shops do you see with [an actual level flat floor]?” he questioned.

“Where is the commitment from the shops for pulling the repair procedures every single time?” Eck noted.

Hamilton advised of over the air (OTA) updates taking place while a vehicle is waiting to be worked on. “By the time you start to work on it and have it in service

The True Cost of Contamination

Rick Selover (GARMAT USA Spray Booths) painted a pretty clear picture of the actual costs of improper paint booth maintenance, in both dollars and productivity.

Long gone are the days when any particle – or even an insect – could bury itself in a layer of lacquer paint and just be rubbed out. Post-conversion to enamel, dirt contamination has become a very real problem. “You would think after 40 years we’d have it figured out, but we are still fighting it today.”

Selover did research to identify the largest causes for dirt contamination, finding culpability lying within the painter or improper booth maintenance. He cited various contaminant sources including dirty filters, unclean paint suits, unbalanced paint booths, old or poor quality air hoses and the presence of sand in the booth.

The solution? Integrate best practices like better painter hygiene, Selover suggested. And “do protective maintenance on your booth. You’ve got to protect your largest assets. Paint booths aren’t cheap and won’t get cheaper. Protect your investment.”

Rick

mode, it could be a completely different car.”

Dorn – whose facility has 23 certifications – told the audience, “We have to keep in mind that ROI and profit are not bad words. That’s why we are here.” He admitted that it does hurt to lose productivity while high-level technicians are sent off for OEM training on top of the tooling and training costs, but “it’s what we have to do. It’s the Band-Aid you have to rip off. Talk to your CPA about your goals and fluid costs of certification.”

Elevating Collision Repair Customer Service

The lasting impression of excellent customer service brings referrals and repeat business to the door. And it starts with a first impression that will leave customers blown away, according to Kaye Gitibin (GO Rentals).

It begins with creating a business culture where every member recognizes, understands and wants to be a part of your mission, Gitibin explained. There’s quite a big difference between service and hospitality. “Service means doing your job with competency and efficiency, while hospitality means you are making people feel great about the job you are doing for them.

“It’s so important that you recognize your customers as they walk into your shop and make a great first impression,” he suggested.

The pathway toward elevating one’s shop’s experience to a five-star mentality starts with team engagement. “Take the time to get to know your employees. Find out who they are and what they want. Sitting down with them is very important.

Gitibin spoke of the message to “treat others the way you want to be treated” but instead prefers to change it to “treat others the way they want to be treated. Anticipate their needs and make sure they are getting the best service they can get.”

Selover

Kaye Gitibin

John Eck Dane Rounkles Bud Center Casey Hamilton Kyle Bradshaw Barry Dorn

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REDUCE Chaos with Workshop Organization

LEAVING YOUR Comfort Zone

“The same mindset that got you to where you are now, will not get you to your next level.” Mike Jones (Discover Leadership Training) captivated the Saturday Lunch and Learn audience with tons of food for thought to “get out of their comfort zone.”

Every shop owner wants the opportunity to get more or better use of their skilled labor and increase profit dollars as a result. The key to that is through workshop organization. Lee Rush (Sherwin Williams) clued the audience in on the many benefits they can achieve as a result, such as attracting and retaining talent, improving KPIs and reducing chaos in the shop.

“I remember leaving the office in haste to go outside and cool down, and thinking ‘I would rather dig ditches than live like this,’” Rush shared. “It was insane! As a collision operator, it became my goal to reduce chaos in the front office and production line.”

Technicians don’t wake up in the morning looking to go out and find the most chaotic shop to work for, Rush pointed out. Many shops may have inherited the processes they have in place, but one can make a conscious business decision to change those processes.

Pulling a technician away from metal when they are “in the zone” to perform another task is a “horrific misuse of labor,” Rush insisted. Studies show that at least one to two hours a day are wasted on waiting, walking, reprocessing and discussing.

The solution lies in visual communication so that “everything is highly visible.” Rush displayed examples of what he calls centered managed production where “I can see everything that is happening to those vehicles.” Everything should be visible in the center of the shop, and “parts carts should never go on a wall. If it’s on the wall, it’s a shelf and an expensive shelf. That is a misuse of a tool.”

“We don’t grow because we get comfortable doing things the way we do it,” he said, adding that people develop behavior patterns and that learned behavior comes from doing the same thing over and over again. Our belief systems start developing as young as four years old with 45 percent being set then; 99 percent of our belief system is set by the age of 18, according to Jones.

He challenged the audience to “listen with the intent to be influenced.” One has to “get in the game because it’s impossible to affect the score on the scoreboard if you are sitting on the sidelines.

“If you practice like a chump, you will play like a chump at game time. If you practice like a champion, you will play like a champion at game time. That is how you show up. Look at the way you practice every day.

“Winners lose more often than losers lose,” he pointed out. “If you truly play at this level and you take the fruit offered to you again and again, it won’t be over until you say so.”

“I encourage you to find a very specific thing you are focused on and get uncomfortable. When you get more comfortable with being uncomfortable, you grow.”

Understanding Safety Inspections

Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) returned to the Collision P.R.E.P. forum along with panelists Jayce Ketron (Wallace Collision Center; Bristol, TN), Bud Center (I-CAR), Gerry Rosenbarker (Mohawk Collision; Albany, NY) and Kyle Bradshaw (K&M Collision; Hickory, NC) to host a visually informative and thorough discussion on the importance of safety inspections.

“There is no easy button when it comes to safety inspections,” he acknowledged. “The only way to do it is to research every single vehicle, every single time. Learn to research. Research to learn.”

Anderson went over the seat belt inspection requirements from numerous manufacturers; some of them require all seat belts to be inspected whether they were affected by the accident or not. Volkswagen states, “You have to test it a minimum of five times.”

Anderson reminded, “You are not inspecting to see if something was damaged by the accident. If you remove the seatbelt, you want to do an inspection to make sure it was reinstalled properly. Toyota/Lexus has an inspection process following an accident and a different one if you had to reassemble it.”

He cited resources such as I-CAR where they can get access to all OEM procedures. Another issue with safety inspections is the fight for reimbursement. According to a “Who Pays for What?” survey, 40 percent of shops aren’t even asking for reimbursement.

According to Rosenbarker, the key to getting reimbursed lies in “educating the customer. Make them understand how important these safety inspections are.”

Bradshaw agreed and cited many ways that customers can resolve an impasse such as Right to Appraisal. “You have to decide what makes the most sense for your business.”

The interactive discussion included demonstration of several tools used in safety inspections, courtesy of Ketron.

Lee Rush

Mike Jones

Danny Gredinberg and Mike Anderson

Death of the Estimator Role

Andrew Batenhorst (Pacific BMW Collision Center; Glendale, CA) strongly believes “the word estimator needs to disappear from everyone’s vocabulary.”

He brought this message to the SCC repairer audience with one goal – “to challenge you and give you some tangible tools to implement in your shop. At the end of this session, you may find you need to make some changes.”

Using the concept of peeling back the layers of an onion to illustrate his point, Batenhorst dissected the estimator role – or rather the preferred term of repair planner – to answer the important question: “Is it bringing value to what is going on day to day?” The first step toward improvement starts with “dissatisfaction of the status quo.

“If you aren’t open to changing things and you are happy with the way things are now, you won’t have the capacity or the bandwidth to grow and you’ll be stuck in the current position you’re in.” Batenhorst invited all to “wipe the slate clean and think about what a repair

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of AI in Collision Repair

Artificial Intelligence (AI) need not be feared. In fact, it can help collision repair shops succeed.

Taylor Moss (OEConnection) admitted that it can certainly be “exciting and scary” at the same time, but understanding how to use this new buzzing technology can help “supercharge” one’s business. Moss put an end to misconceptions that AI is here to take jobs away. It may reduce the amount of people needed to fill customer service or estimator roles, but the need for people in those roles will most certainly continue. “People still want human connection,” he assured.

Moss demonstrated Body Shop Booster’s virtual AI assistant which can capture basic information to get the repair process rolling during off hours so “the customer gets the information they want any time of day or night. That’s the power of what the AI agent can do.” AI tools can also be programmed to send a customer a link to an authorization form or other triage information. He suggested users be mindful to not rely too heavily in ways that can affect one’s skill set. Moss has found he doesn’t handwrite much anymore as a result. “We can lose key skills in our business if we rely on technology too much so we have to be cognizant of that.”

How AI can effectively assist in repair planning is yet to be seen as there is tons of repair procedure information and parts, so if the source of that information is not reliable or verified, “that is where it can get nebulous with inaccurate data,” he cautioned.

planner should be doing and what that really looks like.

“If three estimators write differently, does that allow the same quality to be produced each time?” he questioned. Batenhorst has known technicians to use different seamsealer which would produce results with “no uniformity.”

Moving away from inconsistencies with quality and output begins with developing standard operating procedures.

The best path to sell SOPs to one’s team begins with involving them in the standard operating procedure writing process. He encouraged all to sit with their team, break out the post-it notes and markers and write down how repair planning is currently done and then evaluate whether or not each step brings value.

Taking the Blindspots Out of ADAS Calibrations

ADAS may mean less accidents and more peace of mind for the driver, but for the collision repair shop, it can be a severe liability risk if these systems are not properly calibrated.

Driver assistance systems have evolved rapidly over the past decade with new vehicles having between 50-100 sensors, according to Steve Dawson (Hunter Engineering), who got repair professionals to consider the various factors that go into subletting calibration work or setting up an in-house shop.

Dawson highlighted the various things that can go wrong if sensors and cameras are not properly repaired, reminding the repair audience they need to consider the liability risks involved. “It’s ultimately our responsibility to make sure the vehicle is operating to OEM standards when it leaves the shop, so we don’t open ourselves up to liability.

“Things are different on the collision side than a maintenance alignment,” Dawson pointed out. “I’d make sure that the procedures are sent to the sublet shop and make sure they know you expect that to be followed. There are a number of different things that have to be verified. It’s critical that they know what they are supposed to do.”

Looking ahead, Dawson believes shops need to bring ADAS calibration work in-house. Much like paint booths were once rudimentary but are now an essential part of a body shop, having an ADAS center is going to become mandatory; otherwise, “you may be subletting 50 percent of your work.”

Andrew Batenhorst

Steve Dawson

Taylor Moss

Overcoming Information Overload

Repair planning is absolutely about fixing vehicles the right way, but that actual process of documenting and communicating that process to the parties involved may also require some repairing of its own.

Danny Gredinberg (Database Enhancement Gateway) and Kyle Motzkus (Hunter Auto Body; St. Louis, MO) teamed up to arm collision repairers with insight on how to fix the “broken bond” that can easily occur with customers, technicians and insurance representatives if the “information overload” is just too much for the receiving parties to comprehend.

“You have to slow down to speed up,” Gredinberg relayed. He always invested the time to create a firm evidence package to support the repair, creating a seamless repair process that ultimately benefited the entire shop. However, he noted that the hundreds of repair information pages he pulled weren’t being read or applied by others. “I realized that maybe I need to present it in a way that

individuals can digest it.”

How can that broken bond be repaired? Motzkus suggests going back to the beginning and slowing things down. “We can get so excited when we have all this information that we tend to forget that the people we are delivering the information to may not understand what we are saying. We may not speak the same language.”

In order to get people to truly believe what we are saying –and build trust – we need to find ways to relate to them, Motzkus suggested. In the case of the customer, investing the time in getting to know them and understanding what happened in the accident helps build trust so that they can acknowledge what needs to be done with their vehicle.

“One of my favorite things is to pay attention to one’s body language and their eyes,” he shared, noting that sometimes people hear the words but are not “actively listening and listening to respond. We’re listening to figure out what we are going to say next instead of hearing what the other person is saying.” H&D

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It’s important to avoid driving without proper sensor calibration. Uncalibrated ADAS sensors can compromise your vehicle’s safety features, leading to potential malfunctions and driving hazards.

ADAS calibration is the precise adjustment of your vehicle’s sensors and cameras, essential for the optimal functioning of advanced safety systems. This process is especially critical following significant repairs, part replacements, collisions, or windshield replacements, as these events can disrupt sensor alignment. It’s important to avoid driving without proper sensor calibration. Uncalibrated ADAS sensors can compromise your vehicle’s safety features, leading to potential malfunctions and driving hazards. The calibration of ADAS can be performed in two main ways: static and dynamic. Static calibration takes place in a controlled environment, ensuring accuracy and consistency. Dynamic calibration, on the other hand, involves driving the vehicle under specific conditions to fine-tune the sensors in real-world scenarios. This comprehensive approach ensures that your vehicle’s safety systems are

and effective, providing peace of mind on the road.

Join Reliable Automotive Equipment’s Dave Gruskos for a conversation with leading OEM representatives of certified collision repair programs, sharing the latest news & updates from the OEM. This month, we meet Volvo’s Kenneth Park.

Certified Collision Repair Q&A With: KENNETH PARK VOLVO CARS USA

Dave Gruskos: What mandatory tools, equipment or facility parameters must a shop adhere to in order to be part of the program?

Kenneth Park: The tooling and equipment requirements for centers to participate in the program is quite long. High level centers are required to have the approved spray booths, welders and frame machines, as well as various other hand tools.

DG: Are there any new program requirements of initiatives you would like to share with our readers?

KP: We recently upgraded our welder requirements from 12,000 amps to 13,500 amps to ensure proper marrying on heavily structural repairs in certain areas of our vehicles.

DG: How does Volvo support shops as they navigate the investment in tools, equipment or facility upgrades to maintain certification and repair to OEM standards? Does Volvo have preferred vendors for purchasing required equipment and tools, and do these vendors offer support to the shops?

KP: We essentially do not require specific tools from specific vendors. We do have a list of approved/required tools such as benches, welders, spray booths, refrigerant machines, etc., that do comply with our requirements. However, most required tooling can be purchased from a vendor of the center’s choice. We find that vendors supplying these tools to locations offer support when necessary and we’re always happy to assist any of our Volvo Certified Centers when they’re looking to make a purchase.

DG: What role do certified shops play in communicating Volvo’s standards of quality and adherence to OEM repairs to consumers? What is Volvo doing to help these shops stand out to consumers in an increasingly competitive market?

KP: We believe that clear communication and continuous education are essential to promoting the core values of the Volvo Certified Collision Program. This program is built on the principle of prioritizing occupant & pedestrian safety, both before and after a collision. We emphasize this commitment across our network, empowering our certified locations to share that same message with Volvo drivers. Additionally, we engage with customers through multiple channels to raise awareness about the importance of high-quality collision repairs and the potential risks associated with improper procedures. Repair requirements can vary not only between vehicle makes but also between individual models. Factors such as structural design, advanced technology, and the materials used in manufacturing may necessitate specific techniques, tools, and training for proper repairs.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

# of Volvo Certified Collision Center locations: 285 (Continental US & Hawaii)

Ratio of independent to retailer-owned locations: 71% independent, 29% retailer-owned

DG: How does Volvo help shops adapt to the constantly increasing complexity of vehicle technologies, like ADAS or EV repair?

KP: We require our repair centers to maintain up-to-date training through I-CAR and to actively use our proprietary software, VIDA. This is the same diagnostic and repair platform utilized by our retailers, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all service points. By using VIDA, our centers gain deeper familiarity with our vehicles, repair procedures, and all associated parts, enabling precise and efficient repairs.

DG: What unique challenges and/or opportunities do you see for certified shops who specialize in repair of Volvo EVs?

KP: The electric vehicle (EV) market has seen steady growth, and in many regions, it's now common to see EVs on the road alongside traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This shift presents a significant opportunity for collision centers to expand both their service capabilities and technical expertise.

However, EVs differ significantly from ICE vehicles and often require additional training, specialized tools, and a higher level of investment to ensure repairs are performed safely and correctly. These added requirements may discourage some centers from pursuing EV repairs, particularly in areas where EV adoption or charging infrastructure is still limited.

That said, in markets with a high EV car parc, the opportunity is substantial. EV owners typically seek out repair facilities that are both experienced and certified by the manufacturer. By specializing in EV repairs and obtaining the proper certifications, a center can position itself as the go-to destination for EV repairs, potentially receiving referrals from other shops that focus solely on ICE vehicles.

In Q3 of 2024, we launched the EV Tier of our certification program. This new tier includes five days of hands-on training with our vehicles, prerequisite coursework, and a suite of EV-specific tools, in addition to those already required by our Certified Collision Program.

This initiative not only ensures the highest standards of safety and quality in EV repairs but also gives customers the confidence that their vehicles are being serviced by trained and certified professionals. Only collision centers that are already Certified are eligible to pursue EV Certification.

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Kenneth Park Volvo Cars USA

ADVICE INDUSTRY ASK MIKE:

What Are Uncommon Ways to Convince Students to Join the Industry?

This month, we “Ask Mike” to share his thoughts on uncommon ways to encourage younger people to join the collision repair industry. We at Hammer & Dolly hope you find the following exchange useful, and we encourage you to reach out to us if you have a question for Mike on this or any industry-related matter that he can answer in a future issue.

Hammer & Dolly: The question of how to get younger people more engaged in this industry has been asked for decades now, so let’s look at it through the lens of 2025. When you look at where we are today in answering that question versus five or 10 years ago, have you seen us make inroads? Are we still missing the mark?

Mike Anderson: First, we need to take a step back and talk about industry involvement. People at the shop level are not as involved as they need to be. I’m reminded of something I heard at church years ago. The church had a nursery; parents could drop off their little kids there while they went and enjoyed the sermons. It was always difficult to find volunteers for the nursery. A lot of older people at the church thought, ‘I’ve done my time. I’m not going back there.’ Some parents didn’t see a point in coming to church if they had to work in the nursery instead of having a break and getting their souls fed. One day, the pastor said, ‘Some of you have said you’ve already done your time in the nursery, but let me ask you a question: If you don’t get involved in the nursery, who’s going to teach your grandkids when they get older? Who’s going to minister to them? If you’re there and helping, you’re developing the future leaders of the church.’ I’ve always felt that way about vocational

schools.

I don’t care what point you’re at in your career; you still need to be involved. When I had my shops, we were in Virginia, 10 minutes from DC and 20 minutes from Maryland. We worked with seven or eight high schools, and we would often host quarterly contests. For example, we’d do one on straightening, painting or welding, and the kids would come and compete for prizes.

We realized that we had to get people interested in our industry at a younger age. One of the things we did was take a total-loss BMW, paint it white, bring it to different middle schools and let the kids draw and paint on it. We’d also take it to the Art on the Avenue event in Alexandria. Kids would draw on it there, and we’d pick the winning art.

When middle schoolers got a little older and were ready to go to high school, we’d bring in a car and give them grinders, hammers and nail guns and let them beat on it. That got their interest because they were doing something they thought was cool. So, it’s important to spark kids’ interest at a younger age, and we have many opportunities to do so.

When we visited high schools, we had a sign that listed all the positions available in the industry and what the incomes would be for those roles. One of the benefits of having that sign was letting people who liked cars but didn’t necessarily have mechanical aptitude know there was a place for them in the industry as well. We didn’t just limit our involvement to the technicians; we’d talk to the computer and accounting students, too. We also had recruitment brochures in our shops’ waiting rooms for parents to check out.

When we’d host the SkillsUSA contests at our shop, we’d invite the parents to attend. While the students were competing, I would meet with parents to debunk a lot of the myths about our industry and educate them on the career paths available.

Also, look at ways that your current employees can help. If you already have young people working for you, have them go to schools and talk to students.

H&D: When you consider what this industry has experienced over the past 25 years, it’s obvious that it’s resilient. It survived 9/11 and the recession in 2008, and the past five years have proven that it’s even pandemic-proof. The collision repair world isn’t going anywhere, so why do you think it’s always been so difficult to convince new people to view it as a viable career path?

MA: A lot of it comes down to our industry being so stressful. If you’re an estimator, you deal with friction with insurance carriers. When you’re in the front office, you’re dealing with customers who may be unhappy. There’s also the instability of overall work volume in a commission-based environment. Sometimes, our culture just isn’t attractive enough. If you were to survey people in the industry and ask them whether they’d want their son or daughter to work in it, they’d likely say no. We need to look inward to see what’s working and what isn’t before we go out and attempt to bring in new employees. What is it we’re not doing to get people into our industry? We need to educate people on the income potential and benefit packages we offer. Also, unlike construction and other trades that require people to work out in the elements, most of our work is done indoors. That’s something else we could do a better job of promoting.

Contact

Passport Nissan 5000 Auth Way

Suitland, MD 20746

Phone: 301-423-6930

Mike Anderson is an Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) and the former owner of Wagonwork Collision Centers, two highly acclaimed shops located in Alexandria, VA. He has served as a member of many industry organizations throughout his career, including the WMABA Board of Directors, the Mitchell Advisory Board, the MOTOR Advisory Board, the ASE Test Review Committee, the National Auto Body Council, the Collision Industry Conference and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists. Additionally, he is a past Virginia SkillsUSA chairman, serves as a facilitator for Axalta Coating Systems’ highly recognized Business Council 20 Groups in both the US and Canada and facilitates numerous courses for Axalta Coating Systems’ Educational Series. He currently offers expert industry consulting via his latest venture, Collision Advice (collisionadvice.com). H&D

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