Logan Payne Payne & Sons Paint & Body logan@paynescollision.com (214) 321-4362
Anthony Palomo West Texas Auto Color japalomo3@yahoo.com (806) 831-7765 Corey Pigg S&W Expert Collision Repair coreyp@swcollision.com (936) 634-8361
Manuel Rubio Miracle Body & Paint manuelr@miraclebp.com (210) 843-9564
Darrell Smith McDaniel’s Quality Body Works Inc. darrell-mcdaniels@sbcglobal.net (903) 753-5391
Published by: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202, Nutley, NJ 07110
Corporate: (973) 667-6922 / FAX: (973) 235-1963
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER
Thomas Greco / thomas@grecopublishing.com
VICE PRESIDENT/SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli / alicia@grecopublishing.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Alana Quartuccio / alana@grecopublishing.com
SR. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Chasidy Rae Sisk / chasidy@grecopublishing.com
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Joe Greco / joe@grecopublishing.com
OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco / donna@grecopublishing.com
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Burl Richards / Jill Tuggle
Robert L. McDorman / Mike Anderson
www.grecopublishing.com
President’s Message
ABAT’s Baby: The Texas Auto Body Trade Show
BBefore I had grandkids, people always told me, “Wait until your first grandchild is born; it’s better than having kids.” I always laughed it off; how could it compare to having a child? Well, when my first grandchild was born, the feeling was unbelievably similar to when my own sons were born, but it’s definitely one of those things where you just don’t understand how important and life changing it is until you experience it for yourself.
The Texas Auto Body Trade Show is ABAT’s baby, but repairers from all over Texas and the country get to benefit from this bundle of joy – without the dirty diapers – and it fills me with pride to see it growing and developing year after year. Our change of venue for 2025 was an incredible success. With all events in the same hotel where our rooms were located, no one needed to leave the building, but for those who did, a ton of restaurants, shopping and entertainment were easily accessible just by walking across the street. Everyone I’ve talked to gave the venue an A-plus.
All the classes were also held under the same roof as the trade
show, despite the fact that this level of education typically isn’t available unless you travel outside of Texas. Every speaker provided information that will help attendees move forward in their businesses, and I was really impressed with and appreciative of every presentation. I want to send a special shout out to Mike Anderson for sharing his knowledge and passion with Texas repairers. He’s one of the busiest guys I know, but he’s always willing to make time to come to the Texas Auto Body Trade Show. We consider him to be an adopted son of Texas and ABAT.
Speaking with vendors on the trade show floor provided an optimal opportunity to learn about the new equipment available to make our jobs easier. Then there was the networking aspect – I learned nearly as much talking to other industry leaders outside of the classrooms as I did within them! Whether you’re a shop
continued on pg. 25
Burl Richards ABAT President
Executive Director’s Message
Resilience on Display at the Texas Auto Body Trade Show
TThis year’s Texas Auto Body Trade Show came at a time when our industry is facing some of its toughest challenges yet. Shops are slow, layoffs are happening, and with an already slim talent pool, hiring is harder than ever. Like many of you, I’ve also wrestled with staffing hurdles, tighter budgets, new software and the added complexity of hosting at a brand-new venue. Nothing feels easy right now – for any of us.
But if there’s one thing I know about this industry, it’s that we are resilient. Collision repair professionals have never been strangers to hard work or doing things the right way in the face of adversity. Even in good times, fixing cars correctly and getting paid fairly is never simple. There’s no “easy button” in this business.
And yet, despite these challenges – and even with attendance slightly lower than in years past – the show proved to be nothing short of inspiring. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Vendors reported having meaningful
conversations with attendees (a big win!), our educational classes sparked deep thinking and fresh ideas, and when it came time to celebrate, we partied like it was 1999!
The hotel and conference center were filled with hundreds of collision repair professionals, ready to learn, network and tackle the issues we face head-on with guidance from some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our competitions were buzzing with talent and enthusiasm, showcasing skills and awarding some amazing prizes. The Car Show wowed with over 65 stunning classic and custom rides. We even shared a special champagne toast at the After Party, celebrating the passage of the mandatory Right to Appraisal law
Jill Tuggle ABAT Executive Director
A TEXAS-SIZED WIN!
ABAT’s 2025
Texas Auto Body Trade Show Recap
There is only one auto body trade show in the state of Texas hosted by the one-and-only auto body association in Texas. And as the ninth iteration of the annual event proved, nobody does it like ABAT!
The 2025 Texas Auto Body Trade Show, held September 12 and 13, just hit it out of the park! It was truly a win-win for all! And the new location at the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel & Convention Center provided the perfect backdrop for the excellent educational opportunities, resources and innovations on the show floor and the unforgettable celebrations leaving all who attended with great memories for years to come!
Speaking of winning, four attendees walked away with mega bragging rights and $1,000 in their pocket after being crowned winners of the Fifth Annual BIG SHOTS Competition. The annual competition allows attendees to test their skills outside the body shop in the categories of painting, welding, estimating and paintless dent repair. First place winners (featured on the front cover) took home $1,000 in cash and an assortment of other prizes courtesy of BIG SHOTS Sponsors.
Congratulations to the 2025 BIG SHOTS competition winners!
Painter
First place: Raven Luna (Collin College)
Second place: Andy Lopez (English Collision)
Third place: Sergio Sifuentes (Asbury Collision)
Auto Body Tech
First place: Jonathan Hegarty (Lewisville ISD)
Second place: Billy Ruiz (HS Student)
Third place: Chris Netterville (Corn's Collision)
Estimator
First place: Landon McKeehan (Momentum Collision)
Second place: Ed Griffin
(Griffin's Paint & Body)
Third place: Adam Perry (Park Place Bodywerks)
PDR Tech
First place: Victor Gallegos (Elite Hail Center)
Second place: Greg Dillehay (Metro Dent)
Third place: Wendell Shults (Delete Dents)
A “winning” theme was felt in every part of the show as ABAT went all out to commemorate this year’s big Mandatory Right to Appraisal legislative win. (See grecopublishing.com/ txa0725abatfeature). During the Hollywood-themed After Party – complete with champagne toast – ABAT President Burl Richards
told all, “Our association has so much to be proud of. We made some major legislative milestones this year. We got over a big hurdle that could never have been done without all those who support us.”
This year’s Ladies Mixer was a big hit once again! Dozens of ladies in collision gathered for cocktails, yummy bites and the opportunity to make a bedazzling bracelet!
Support was shown on the show floor all weekend with attendees marching up and down the aisles to peruse the many innovations and resources returning exhibitors and sponsors had on display.
Randy Boggs of Diamond Sponsor BASF won’t pass up the opportunity to come to the Texas Auto Body Trade Show as it’s a great way to “support customers and promote new business. This show is geared towards those in the body shop industry, so that provides us the opportunity to gain more business.” Boggs also favored the new location’s layout which allowed “better movement” for attendees between educational seminars and the trade show floor.
“As returning Diamond Sponsors, we’re proud to showcase how our mobile diagnostics and calibration services help body shops across Texas keep vehicles safe and customers on the road,” reports Courtney Johnson of All Clear Diagnostics and Calibrations. “Partnering with ABAT allows us to build stronger connections with shops throughout the state, ensuring they have access to the advanced support they need, wherever they are. At All Clear, we deeply value our relationships with auto body associations like ABAT, whose resources and dedication not only strengthen our business, but also provide invaluable support to body shops and the collision repair industry as a whole.”
According to Robby Read of 1 Source ADAS (Happy Hour Sponsor), the calibration and software company returns year after year because “we enjoy the camaraderie with the people, and we like to support ABAT.”
Justin Petty of Petty Details had a blast as a first time exhibitor. He was no stranger to the show as a past attendee, but after being encouraged to exhibit, he decided it’d be a great idea to participate. “Everyone here is in our demographic, and it’s been a great opportunity to meet people. It’s been good to put the face with the name of so many I speak with regularly. It’s been a lot of fun!”
Kayla Hughs of Car-O-Liner Southwest (Happy Hour Sponsor) pointed out the positive feeling ABAT’s show brings, especially at a time when the industry is feeling the effects of a slowdown. “We look forward to this show, supporting ABAT and seeing old and new customers. It’s good to see everyone coming together for the sake of the industry.”
Creating and Planning for Post-Shop Life
How many business owners will exit their business at some point? All of them.
Matt DiFrancesco (High Lift Financial) and Laura Gay (Consolidation Coach) addressed the collision repair audience about the realities of planning for when the time comes.
Not being prepared can have serious consequences. “Some may skip a step and find out they are not prepared,” stated DiFrancesco. The duo dove into the various things business owners need to know if a third party were to express interest in buying. Possibly the most important is knowing the true value of one’s business and its free cash flow.
“One of the biggest myths is thinking that because a consolidator made an offer that number is an accurate reflection of what my business is worth, but that could not be further from the truth,” stated Gay. There are
many things one can overlook that could leave money on the table.
If one owns the real estate of their business, they may find that it’s more effective to lease their property in order to have more money post sale, suggested DiFrancesco.
They gave attendees various considerations, such as taking a good look at what a purchase of their business offers. “Shops that don’t have a lot of equipment, are not I-CAR Gold certified and don’t have a large sales volume will be valued differently than a shop that has a lot of OEM certifications, especially high-end ones,” according to Gay.
Exit planning can and should be a long-term process. “The longer time frame you give yourself to plan, the better off you are going to be,” DiFrancesco advised.
Beyond the Wreckage: Proactive Leadership, Better Communication and Less Stress
Lack of process, poor communication and reactive (as opposed to proactive) leadership is a recipe for chaos. And that can be one big serving of frustration felt throughout the entire organization right down to one’s customer base.
“If you don’t have processes in place, you are living in a complete state of chaos,” Amy Pechacek (Alpstra Training Solutions) told the audience as she laid out ways to break the chaos addiction. She referred to what is known as “false normal. You have been in this perpetual cycle for so long you don’t even realize it. You may think ‘this is just life.’”
Pechacek painted a clear picture of the vastly different functions of the “chaotic shop” and the “well run shop.” A well run shop will
have clear communication, prepped technicians and a manager who leads and doesn’t have to put out fires. The chaotic shop is the exact opposite.
“If you don’t have processes or systems, no one will know what to expect, so you wind up having chaos and emotional reactions.”
Success mainly comes from one’s soft skills, not their technical skills. “Anywhere you want to go in your life and career, 85 percent is dependent on your communication and interpersonal skills with others."
Pechacek challenged all to examine what others see when they walk into the shop and to consider what can be improved.
“Chaos doesn’t have to run your shop. We are not meant to live in survival mode.
"We are meant to thrive, have bright lives and be there to help others,” she added.
Matt DiFrancesco (High Lift Financial)
Laura Gay (Consolidation Coach)
Amy Pechacek (Alpstra Training Solutions)
Trade Show Highlights 2025
continued from pg. 10
“This was our seventh year with the show,” relayed Eco-Tech Systems’ Chris Curran, who has been coming back consistently year after year. “It’s been a good show with the same turnout we’ve seen the past few years.”
On behalf of Diamond Sponsor English Color and Supply, Alfred Avila stated, “We’re invested in giving back to the collision community because we know it’s harder and harder to get new techs into the industry. We like to support ABAT in everything they do. We always like to donate, give back and help educate everyone in the industry, and that is what brings us back each year.”
RTA Bill: A Win For Consumers
“It’s really momentous to be up here to talk about the mandatory Right to Appraisal legislation that got passed this year,” ABAT President Burl Richards stated proudly as he and Robert McDorman (Auto Claim Specialists) set out to educate the room full of repairers about what is ultimately a huge win for consumers.
“It’s been about an eightyear fight to try to get this bill passed, so give yourself a big hand because this would not have passed if it wasn't for all of you,” Richards added.
“Effective January 1, 2026, every renewed policy will have to include the mandatory Right to Appraisal,” McDorman explained as he recapped the journey which led to this victory.
Now that the bill is passed, the rule-making stage is underway.
“We turned in our data and suggestions for what we think would be fair to the consumer.”
A draft of the rules is expected to be reviewed over the coming months before the mandatory RTA goes into effect.
Richards reminded all that RTA is a resource to help their customers “when they feel pushed around by the financial burden put on them by an insurance company that forces them to total their car.”
McDorman stressed that it all comes down to the rights of the consumer to have safe and proper repairs. “Safe repairs save lives. Always.”
Returning exhibitor and BIG SHOTS Sponsor KECO Body Repair Products once again had their presence on the show floor. For Emma White, MSO/OEM relationship manager, it was her first time attending and presenting at the show. She felt it was a good show, and she enjoyed presenting and watching the BIG SHOTS Competition which KECO played a role in as a sponsor and providing materials for the pull dent portion.
“Paint Works believes in giving back to the industry, and this show helps us do that,” shared Kevin Byrd regarding Paint Works’ (BIG SHOTS Sponsor) reason for continuing to support the show each year.
The Future of OEM
What does the future of OEMs look like? Mike Anderson laid it all on the line for the audience. Collision assistant apps, software as a services and subscription services are just a few of the very many things coming down the pike that are sure to reshape the industry. It’s time for collision repair shops to get on board with it all.
“Collision notification is something we have been waiting and hoping for, and it’s starting to get traction,” he said of accident assistant apps which General Motors was the first to launch.
“When a customer gets into an accident, the vehicle or the consumer’s phone will notify the OEM. If you don’t have your CCC Grow My Network profile up to date you won’t get notified,” he warned.
Consumers want flexible vehicle ownership. “Ninety percent of vehicle owners are planning to buy a new car in the next five years. Over half of them would choose a subscription over a traditional ownership. It’s coming like a freight train.”
He spoke of other game-changers to come like the Chinese automobile manufacturer BYD which makes an electric vehicle that in just five minutes can be charged to go up to 400 kilometers. “You can charge this car in the amount of time it takes to pump gas.”
"If BYD comes to the US at some point, it’s believed they will likely sell directly to consumers like Tesla, Lucid and Rivian. No dealerships means these companies need places to do their service work for them," he pointed out.
ABAT President Burl Richards
Robert McDorman (Auto Claim Specialists)
Mike Anderson (Collision Advice)
A Calibration Conversation
The popular happy-hour segment “Industry Over a Pint” made its return with a candid calibration conversation amongst industry professionals that weighed in on everything from subletting versus in-house, tools and equipment investments, challenges with reimbursement and everything in between.
Sponsored by 1 Source ADAS, the panel featured Darrell Smith (McDaniels Collision), Frank Phillips (ADAS Solutions USA), Burl Richards (ABAT President/shop owner) and Josh Cascanet (AirPro Diagnostics) with Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) serving as moderator.
Smith’s shop sublets the work, while Richards’ shops perform calibrations in-house. Both shared the reasons for their business decision and the things they had to keep in mind along the way. Smith started doing some of it in-house but early on realized the equipment was going to be too much to keep up with and that subletting was the right way to go. Richards made the decision to invest, not only
ABAT thanks the following sponsors for their generous support of the 2025 Texas Auto Body Trade Show: Diamond Sponsors: All Clear Diagnostics and Calibrations, BASF, English Color and Supply, LLC; Gold Sponsor: NCS/ Single Source; Silver Sponsors: asTech Driven by Repairify, Cook’s Fine Auto Body and Collision, Intrepid; Kickoff Party Sponsors: BASF, Certified Collision Group; Happy Hour Sponsors: 1Source ADAS, Car-O-Liner, Enterprise, GO Rentals, REVV Tech; Education Sponsors: ProductionBoard.net, Vale Training, English Collision Equipment; BIG SHOTS Sponsors: AkzoNobel, Car-O-Liner, CCC, Enterprise, Evercoat, KECO Body Repair Products, Norton Saint-Gobain, Paint Works, Sherwin-Williams, Spanesi; Champagne Toast Sponsor: SMART Vehicle Solutions; Celebrity Sponsor: Lift King; Ladies Mixer Sponsor: Tasco Auto Color. TXA
in equipment but in the hiring of mechanics to handle the work. He also had the space to make the appropriate changes to his facility to accommodate the lighting and target distance requirements.
Conversation weighed heavily on making sure the calibrations are being done right, especially if the work is being sent out. Panelists shared how they go about tracking what is being done.
Equipment is quite a large investment. “A body shop can buy a mig welder and expect it to last 10 years. We've been doing calibrations for a few years, and we’ve changed equipment three times,” Phillips admitted.
ADAS is big now, but it’s only going to grow even more. Cascanet believes, “It will double by 2035.”
Anderson brought to light the idea of having to maintain the ADAS systems, which can begin to weaken due to wear and tear, could be an income source for shops. Phillips agreed that having to evaluate these systems is definitely the future.
Building the Office Team You Always Wanted
Chuck Baldridge (Mike Calvert Toyota) led an interactive session on how to build the right office team to get the job done right. Having clear job descriptions is important for finding the right people to fit those roles. Sharing from his own success with team building, he led the audience on a path toward identifying their core values and the codes they would want their team to live by. He suggested sharing the core values with a potential new hire up front, asking if they resonate. If they don’t, it’s not worth wasting anyone’s time.
Darrell Smith (McDaniels Collision)
Frank Phillips (ADAS Solutions USA)
Burl Richards (ABAT President/shop owner)
Josh Cascanet (AirPro Diagnostics)
Chuck Baldridge (Mike Calvert Toyota)
Equip Yourself Against Repair Nightmares.
Old, uncertified tools lurking around? Don’t let them haunt your shop. RAE provides top-of-the-line OEM-approved equipment designed to handle even the most monstrous jobs.
Trade Show Highlights 2025
Know Your “Why”
“You need to find your why, and if you do you, that is what will get you through the toughest times.”
With his “Stay Humble, Stay Hungry” presentation, Mike Anderson left attendees with much to think about when it comes to finding their reason, their purpose for doing what they do. For Anderson, it’s making sure vehicles are fixed properly – no exceptions.
“Do not put anything over a proper repair. Do not sell your soul for money because someone wants you to cut corners.” He’s lived the consequences of improper repairs. “My Air Force team died because someone didn’t fix a helicopter properly,” he said of one of the many tragedies he’s witnessed in his life that are his “why” for devoting his career to proper and safe repairs.
Customer pay is growing, and shops need to get on board with this as consumers are becoming more reluctant to file claims. “Consumers are reluctant to file claims because they fear their premiums will go up, so they are driving around with damage or paying out of pocket.”
Anderson says 40 percent of insured drivers have chosen to pay out of pocket for repairs. “We have to quit assuming that everyone wants to file insurance claims.” He warned that shops may be scaring people away if they don’t change the conversation to include options for customer pay and financing options.
Reducing Cycle Time with AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not only growing at rapid speeds, but it is absolutely here to stay and is paving its way into the future of collision repair.
According to Tom Zobelein (Vaultoniq), AI is “a gift to mankind. It’s the fastest thing moving, and it will penetrate everything we use in the future. And it’s only in its infancy.”
ChatGPT gained one million monthly users in just one month after being launched while it took Netflix three and a half years to reach one million users. Connectivity in general through the internet and smartphones have reshaped the entire world especially in the area of commerce. Therefore, it’s time for collision repair shops to take a look at the many ways AI can help streamline their work and improve cycle time.
Zobelein pointed to various tools that can capture clients’ information after hours, identify repair steps and scrub estimates, and he envisions a totally connected AI platform that covers everything from technicians to insurer communication.
“You have to be willing to enter a new era where technology can be your friend and help you out.”
He pointed to the glaring proof that ADAS is working. “The average person now only has an accident every 18 years. It’s no longer every seven to 10. However busy you are right now, that’s the new normal, unless you ramp up your marketing.”
“You need to be available after hours,” he added, pointing to various ways shops can allow consumers to set up appointments via AI technology, software programs or just simply having calls forwarded to one’s cell phone.
Offering a positive experience plays a huge role. Follow up calls can be a very important marketing tool to keep that relationship strong with one’s customers. “If someone spends $20,000 with your business, you should call them up and check in.”
Successful Repair Planning – in Spanish
Recognizing that the Spanish-speaking community is a huge part of the state of Texas and the collision industry, the educational agenda included a repair planning class taught by Ricardo Garcia (Uptown Automotive; Houston) and presented entirely in Spanish.
Unlocking Repairability Beyond Traditional Repair Techniques
Emma White (KECO Body Repair Products) helped repair professionals gain a deeper understanding on, not just how glue pull repair (GPR) works, but how this method of dent repair can be achieved in more challenging scenarios via the use of multiple tools, tab selection and pulling techniques.
Mike Anderson (Collision Advice)
Tom Zobelein (Vaultoniq)
Ricardo Garcia (Uptown Automotive)
Emma White (KECO Body Repair Products)
Trade Show Highlights 2025
Growing Tomorrow’s Technicians
There’s so much talk in the industry about how challenging it is to find good qualified young people to choose collision repair as a career and not nearly enough talk about how to inspire, nurture and grow tomorrow’s technician.
Collision Technology Professor Raven Luna (Collin College) led an interactive panel discussion featuring body shop professionals and up-and-coming technicians who shared what sparked their interest and what shops are doing to encourage young people to pursue this field.
Panelists included Marcus Godinez (Collison College professor) and Matthew Rinker (Parkwood Collision; Frisco) and budding technicians Rodrigo Guerrero and Allyn Armstrong.
Thanks to auto body educational programs like Collin College’s, students are able to discover their love for collision repair. Guerrero admits he was first interested in automotive service work, but when presented the chance to study collision, he was hooked. Armstrong’s interest developed when he explored restoration work as he took in
what a huge accomplishment it was to see the newly restored vehicle drive off when complete.
Many shop owners claim to seek an entry-level technician, yet they often expect their new hire to have three years of experience. Bringing someone up through the ranks has to be a long-term investment. “You can get long-term employees with the right system,” encouraged Godinez, who stressed that the investment into helping a young person grow in their shop will bring upon a good return.
Overcoming Information Overload
It’s better and cheaper to fix cars right the first time. In order to achieve this, the right information needs to be shared, and the right conversations need to be had. Danny Gredinberg (DEG) and industry subject matter expert Kyle Motzkus set out to educate the audience on
how to properly convey the right messages to bring out the best possible outcome.
Gredinberg shared one of his favorite quotes is “‘slow down to speed up.’ It suggests taking a pause to focus on quality over speed, and that can lead to clarity and a reduction of stress.”
There are many broken bonds in the industry. The bond between the repair shop and the insurance company is one, but there’s also a lot of disconnect between repair planners and technicians. Yet, everyone is on the same team. “You have to leave your ego at the door,” suggested Motzkus.
Building trust is key, especially with customers.
Gredinberg and Motzkus encouraged taking the time to review the repair plan with the customer and explain what things like R&I means. Hearing “no” can launch an emotional rollercoaster in people, so it’s important to keep vehicle owners informed.
Beating the Slowdown
Taylor Moss (OEC) set out to show repair professionals how to stay profitable and still win even when sales are down. His discussion focused on how to make the most of every repair, utilize tools and increase profitability at all times so a business isn’t just surviving but thriving in the long run.
Luna moderates a panel featuring Marcus Godinez (Collision College), Matthew Rinker (Parkwood Collision) and budding technicians Rodrigo Guerrero and Allyn Armstrong.
Professor Raven Luna (Collin College)
Danny Gredinberg (DEG)
Kyle Motzkus (subject matter expert)
Taylor Moss (OEC)
Join Reliable Automotive Equipment’s Dave Gruskos for conversations with industry leaders sharing their insights and the latest from the world of certified collision repair. This month, Dave talks with Vartan H. Jerian, Jr., CEO and co-founder of Vive Collision.
Dave Gruskos: VIVE Collision locations are known for operating with advanced technology and a strong commitment to safe repairs. Why is this philosophy so important to the way your locations do business?
Vartan Jerian: When you leave your vehicle with us, you’re trusting us with something that carries your family every single day. That’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. By combining advanced technology with the skill of our technicians, we make sure your car is repaired to the best of human ability. A big part of this comes from our Ambassador Program, which is designed to grow our technicians, build apprenticeships, and strengthen our culture from the shop floor up. It’s how we make sure quality repairs are not only consistent but part of our DNA and our values of People, Process and Passion for the collision industry.
D.G.: How does VIVE define “quality” in terms of collision repair, and what steps do you take across all locations to consistently deliver on those standards?
V.J.: For us, quality means doing it right the first time and giving you complete confidence in your vehicle when you leave our shop. We achieve that by investing in technician training, apprenticeships, and programs like our Ambassador Program that help teammates take ownership of both the repair and the culture in the shop. Quality is more than the end result — it’s the process, the teamwork, and the pride our technicians put into every repair.
D.G.: The investment in tools, equipment, and technology is significant. How much weight do you place on the importance of a good vendor relationship in comparison to price or capabilities?
V.J.: Price matters, but trust matters more. That’s why we partner with companies like Reliable Auto Equipment, who not only provide the right tools but also support us in technician training and development. These vendor relationships ensure
ABOUT VIVE COLLISION
Current number of locations: 64 States Represented: CT, DE, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT
OEMs Represented:
our people always have the right resources to deliver safe, consistent repairs. The cheapest option may save a dollar today, but the right partnership pays off in the long run — for our technicians and for our customers.
D.G.: How do you feel repairers can best prepare to create a shop culture where every repair is done right?
V.J.: Culture comes from the ground up and the top down. At VIVE, we invest heavily in our technicians — because they are the ones repairing vehicles and shaping the customer experience. Through our Ambassador Program, we give technicians the tools, training, and mentorship opportunities to grow their careers, while also reinforcing the pride and accountability needed for every repair. When teammates feel supported, respected, and part of a bigger mission, the culture naturally becomes one of excellence.
D.G.: What message would you share with shops about the role of training in maintaining a successful collision repair facility?
V.J.: Training is the most important investment a shop can make. Cars evolve every year, and without ongoing training, even the most skilled technician can fall behind. That’s why we’ve made training a pillar of our culture — with structured apprenticeships, advanced development programs, and the Ambassador Program helping teammates grow into leaders. Training ensures every repair meets the highest standards, but it also strengthens careers, builds loyalty, and creates the culture that customers can feel the moment they walk in.
Vartan Jerian Vive Collision
Ask The Expert Informing the Public about Mandatory Right to Appraisal
Dear Mr. McDorman,
by Robert L. McDorman
I own and operate a collision facility in Southeast Texas. I read your editorial in August and September about the Texas Mandatory Appraisal Bill rule making and appraiser/umpire criteria phase. I also attended your seminar at ABAT’s Texas Auto Body Trade Show last month. As I was listening to questions from the audience, I began to realize how important consumer awareness is for the appraisal process. It was interesting to me to learn that the Texas Department of Insurance Data Call for appraisal revealed that less than .02 percent of the motor vehicle insured claims went through the appraisal process. I would like to help inform my clients and other insured Texans about their Right to Appraisal when there is a dispute over their loss with their insurance carrier. During your seminar, you offered a graph showing the Appraisal Clause process and a QR code to a free video discussing the appraisal process. I am certain other collision facilities and citizens would like to help educate the public in this dispute resolution process for the hardfought mandatory appraisal law in Texas. Will you please provide me and other readers with the graph and free video QR code from your presentation?
Thank you so much for your comments and for wanting to help inform insureds of their legal Right to Appraisal in Texas when a dispute arises between them and their insurer over the loss. The graph and QR code to the free video discussing the Right to Appraisal process are featured on these pages. Please share this with anyone who has a dispute with their insurer over their total loss or safe and proper repair claim. The under-indemnification on total loss and repair procedure disputes we see in our office are staggering. All insured Texans should know their rights.
Also, see the graph showing the average repair claim values from the estimate of record to the award from our repair procedure dispute Right to Appraisal files. (VVE stands for Vehicle Value Experts, an appraisal firm we use for most of our required appraisals.) The difference between the average highest amount insurers agreed to pay for a repair versus the average final award is striking, as is the average difference between what insurers are
Robert is a recognized Public Insurance Adjuster and Certified Vehicle Value Expert specializing in motor vehicle-related insurance claim resolution. Robert can be reached by phone at (800) 736-6816, (817) 756-5482 or via email at AskTheExpert@autoclaimspecialists.com.
offering for total losses versus the true Actual Cash Value final awards.
In addition, see the Average Total Loss graph which shows the average settlement increase by model year for total loss claims that went through the Right to Appraisal process with our company.
As an insured citizen in Texas, I will do everything in my power to educate my fellow Texans about their legal Right to Appraisal when a dispute arises between them and their insurer.
Ask The Expert
continued from pg. 22
These under-indemnification issues on motor vehicle claims are harmful to Texans and can be detoured or stopped with widespread consumer awareness.
As I have spoken about and written about for many years, the underindemnification in repair procedure and total loss claims in Texas is rampant. Most of the estimates and supplements we see for repair claims have many overlooked (by design) safety and OEM-required operations needed to restore the loss vehicle to its pre-loss condition to the best of one's human ability. Now with the passing of SB 458, when a dispute arises over the loss on a motor vehicle repair claim, there will be a binding Appraisal Clause in the policy allowing these disputes to be turned over to industry professionals to determine the loss. With the mandatory appraisal bill rule making and appraiser/umpire criteria
phase now in process, Commissioner Brown must adopt rules delineating property damage subject to appraisal as well as the period for appraisal, which is also critical to the process. Equally critical are the qualifications and selection criteria for appraisers and umpires involved in the appraisal process. We have done an excellent job making legislators problemaware to give Commissioner Brown the backing she needs for adapting rules and requirements. We now must make her solution aware. I am confident with the right information and data she will set the correct rules and qualifications in place for motor vehicle loss disputes. I have complete faith in her to do this.
Scan here to access the free video discussing the Right to Appraisal process
The spirit of the Appraisal Clause is to resolve loss disputes fairly and to do so in a timely and cost-effective manner by unbiased industry qualified appraisers and umpires. Invoking the Appraisal Clause removes the inexperienced and biased carrier appraisers and claims handlers from the process, undermining their management’s many tricks to undervalue the loss settlement and under-indemnify the insured. Through the Appraisal Clause, loss disputes can be resolved relatively quickly, economically, equitably and amicably by unbiased, experienced, independent third-party appraisers as opposed to more costly and timeconsuming methods such as mediation, arbitration and litigation.
In today’s world, regarding motor vehicle insurance policies, frequent changes in claim management and claim handling policies and non-standardized GAP Addendums, we have found it is always in the best interest of the insured or claimant to have their proposed insurance settlement reviewed by an expert before accepting. There is never an upfront fee for Auto Claim Specialists to review a motor vehicle claim or proposed settlement and give their professional opinion as to the fairness of the offer.
Please call me should you have any questions relating to the policy or covered loss. We have most insurance policies in our library. Always remember that safe repair is a quality repair, and quality equates to value. Thank you for your question and look forward to any follow-up questions that may arise. TXA
President’s Message
continued from pg. 4
owner talking to other owners or a technician chatting with other technicians about a repair you did last week, there’s so much value to be gained when you put in the effort to engage in camaraderie and surround yourself with like-minded people. Until you experience it for yourself, it’s impossible to understand the renewed passion and energy you’ll feel leaving the show.
That feeling wouldn’t be possible for any of us without the efforts of everyone involved behind the scenes in putting the Texas
Auto Body Trade Show together. ABAT Executive Director Jill Tuggle does an amazing job of organizing the event, along with a lot of support and assistance from the team at Thomas Greco Publishing, especially Alicia Figurelli and Alana Quartuccio who both came down for the show. Our Board of Directors is active in planning the trade show and working to improve our industry every day, and the show wouldn’t be what it is without the dedication of our vendors, ABAT members and other attendees whose involvement makes this event successful year after year. It takes a true team effort to pull off an event of this magnitude, and I feel blessed and appreciative to be associated with so many passionate industry folks.
What did y’all think about the 2025 Texas Auto Body Trade Show? If you learned something new, make sure you spread the word and let people know what they’re missing, so we can keep growing every year. Stay tuned to they’re announced so you can mark your calendars for the 2026 Texas Auto Body Trade Show!
burl@burlscollision.com
Executive Director’s Message
continued from pg. 6
There were unforgettable touches throughout: striking a pose in our custom-made “magazine cover” photo booth, capturing free professional headshots in the ABAT Portrait Lounge and simply enjoying the chance to connect with peers who understand exactly what we’re all going through.
Yes, our industry is struggling – but we are struggling together. And together, we’re proving that even in tough times, we will continue to show up, support our vendors and lift each other up.
This show reminded me that we are stronger than the challenges in front of us. We are inspired to keep the momentum going with more training opportunities throughout the year and into next year – helping shops learn how to do more with less, collect every dollar and most importantly, fix every car as safely as possible.
Here’s to resilience, community and a future we’ll build together!
Why Join WIN?
WIN offers education, mentoring and leadership development opportunities to build critical skills for success in the collision repair market.
• Local/Regional Networking Events
jill@abat.com
• Annual Education Conference
• Educational Webinars
• Mentoring Opportunities
womensindustrynetwork.com
• Scholarship Program
• School Outreach Program
• Most Influential Women (MIW) Award
THE ITALIA
Designed for high production, the Italia comes with the Timeless Series Direct Drive Air Make Up Unit, completely integrated intake, heat, and exhaust system.
The Italia includes (2) 10hp VFDs, digital PLC control panel, full lower LED lighting package (every wall), and SmartPad digital control panel with EnergySmart Package, which automatically drops to idle when no spraying is detected.
The exterior of Accudraft’s Dual Skin Finishing Equipment is available in FOUR colors:
