Truro, Nova Scotia--June 19, 2013--When people are unsure of where they can park, that lack of clarity often leads to their parking their vehicles in tow-away zones without realizing it. That simple deficiency in awareness creates the potential for a confusing situation between tow truck drivers and motorists.
That lack of communication was evident on June 11 during a Nova Scotia Community College convocation ceremony at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre (RECC). During the ceremony, about 30 vehicles were ticketed and four were towed away resulting from what's been considered a perceived lack of communication between local authorities and RECC staff. Much of the confusion stems from residents parking their vehicles to within 150 metres of Colchester East Hants Health Authority's helipad. This was an issue because having cars parked too closely to the helipad made it unsafe to land helicopters in the landing zone in an emergency situation.
Charleston, South Carolina -- June 19, 2013 -- The automotive division of Quest Specialty Chemicals (QSC) has announced the acquisition of U.S. Chemical & Plastics.
U.S. Chemical & Plastics manufactures automotive refinishing products, including a full line of paints and coatings, plastic fillers, putties and other accessories used in the collision repair industry.
QSC is positioning the U.S. Chemical product line within its wholly-owned Quest Automotive Products division, joining Matrix System Automotive Finishes. Matrix System offers a complementary line of intermix basecoats.
U.S. Chemical (USC) brings several well-known products to the Quest family, including USC branded products, Pro-Spray and SprayMax.
“This acquisition means a great deal to our end users, automotive collision centers and body shops,” says Doug Mattscheck, CEO of QSC. “It positions Quest Automotive Products as a complete source for critical supplies, from substrate to clearcoat. The addition of the U.S. Chemical product family solidifies our position as a world leader in innovative automotive refinishing.”
David Brunori, president of Quest Automotive Products, continues: “We are excited at the opportunities the U.S. Chemical product family brings to our business. The Matrix product line has always been a leader in offering quality finishes, exceptional customer service, and unparalleled color matching. The U.S. Chemical products continue that tradition and create a product range that makes Quest Automotive Products a real value to customers from small shops to large collision centers.”
“I am excited to see what opportunities our international presence can open up for Quest Automotive Products,” says Tom Perry, Vice President Sales & Marketing. “There is virtually unlimited potential to take the combined product line of Matrix, U.S. Chemical and Pro-Spray to the marketplace, and I expect exceptional growth in both domestic and international markets in the next two to three years.”
Quest Automotive Products will operate manufacturing facilities in Walled Lake, MI, Massillon, OH, Canton, OH, and Biggleswade, Bedfordshire (United Kingdom).
David Brunori continues: “Our customers will not experience disruption in services or product delivery as we begin our integration of USC and Matrix System. Our focus as we integrate these organizations will be to give our customers a larger range of products to choose from and offer one-stop shopping. Equally critical is finding new relationships with customers who see the value that the Quest Automotive family of products brings to their shop. From waterborne to solvent intermix systems, from fillers and putties to clearcoats, Quest Automotive is now truly able to offer a complete range of advanced refinishing solutions.”
“Above all else, our management team sincerely cares about the end user, and we are proud to have the opportunity to supply the entire refinishing industry with the products they need and the service they desire,” concludes Brunori.
Toronto, Ontario -- June 19, 2013 -- Collision repair facilities in the Toronto area may face fines up to $5,000 for submitting inaccurate ChemTRAC reports. Toronto’s Environmental Reporting and Disclosure By-Law mandates all small operations, including collision centres and auto shops, to review and report on how toxic substances (specifically, 25 priority substances outlined in the by-law) were processed, manufactured, used, and emitted by their facilities.
Every year, businesses must report to the City if they meet or exceed the outlined thresholds or face fines of up to $5,000 for the first violation. ChemTRAC aids businesses in finding greening opportunities, reducing costs, improving efficiencies and pollution prevention.
Shops that have not yet submitted their 2012 report have until June 30 to submit their data online. Shops that have yet to collect the data, missed last year’s report, or are uncertain about the whole process have help available to them. Having completed over 100 of these reports last year, Collision Industry Information Assistance (CIIA) is well-prepared to assist shops. Working with ChemTRAC, CIIA uses an approved alternate reporting process that attempts to make the reporting process easier for shops.
Collision repair facilities and shops should do their due diligence when contracting outside help.
“There are a number of consultants in the industry that both overcharge for little or no services and are submitting reports to the City of Toronto that are fiction,” Says John Norris, Executive Director at CIIA. “Some consultants will obligate you to pay a fee for certain types of reporting that they advise are mandatory when they are not required, be careful who you use.”
Norris also says that CIIA will analyze the numbers, look for discrepancies, and advise where necessary.
“A number of shops identified their individual emissions at 100 times the actual amount, some shops identified waste volumes and costs that show they are paying far too much for some services,” says Norris. “We can catch those problems in our reporting and let you know where improvements can be made.”
For more information on ChemTRAC, please visit toronto.ca/chemtrac. For more information on CIIA, please visit ciia.com
Las Vegas, Nevada -- June 18, 2013 -- Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW), the industry's premier networking event, is pleased to announce the LKQ Insurance Client Forum will be held in conjunction with NACE. ASRW will take place Oct. 17-18, with education beginning Wed. Oct. 16, 2013, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
The fourth annual LKQ Insurance Client Forum will be held Oct. 16, for a select group of insurance clients from Canada and the United States. Limited to 60 people, this highly sought after event provides a tactical and strategic overview of LKQ. Additionally, LKQ uses the forum to solicit feedback and advice from its key clients. Several major estimating companies and other special guests will also be in attendance.
"LKQ is always listening to our customers and seeking advice on how we can better serve them, and this client-centric event was created to foster a greater level of communiciation in a small setting," says Terry Fortner, vice president of industry relations and market development. "From the clients who attend the Insurance Client Forum to the location of this event at NACE, all the details of this forum reflect our intentions to listen to our customers and create a valuable event for them."
Details regarding additional industry meetings planned for ASRW will be announced in the near future.
"LKQ has been a loyal NACE supporter for many years, and we continue to be appreciative of their participation in the event," says Dan Risley, ASA executive director. "We are excited to add the LKQ Insurance Client Forum to the growing list of industry meetings scheduled to take place during ASRW."
Mississagua, Ontario -- June 17, 2013 -- CSN Collision & Glass is pleased to announce its newest location in Ottawa, Ont., Highland Auto Body ~ CSN, located at 1504 Michael St.
At the age of 17, owner and manager of Highland Auto Body ~ CSN Peter Kuhn started his career in the collision repair industry as a technician. His decision to open his own business was sparked by his love for the trade.
“I am completely involved in my business as the sole owner and manager. I don’t do this for any other reason except for my love for my job,” says Kuhn.
Throughout his career Kuhn has seen many changes in the industry, one being the fall of the archaic concept that the collision repair industry is for men only.
“Over the years I have seen more women coming through our doors than men, so we are trying to make our facility as inviting and friendly as possible,” says Kuhn. “This is another reason why we joined CSN. The relationship will help us gain new and fresh ideas on how to improve our image and business to satisfy this type of clientele.”
The corporate team at CSN is enthusiastic about Highland Auto Body ~CSN joining the network.
“Peter and his team at Highland Auto Body-CSN are the perfect choice to service the needs of our Insurance Partners in the Ottawa area due to their experience, location and dedication to customer service. CSN now has the best representation of shops in the greater Ottawa area and we are excited to welcome them to the CSN family,” says Larry French, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at CSN.
CSN Collision & Glass proudly welcomes Peter Kuhn the Highland Auto Body ~ CSN Team. For more information on CSN, please visit csninc.ca.
Toronto, Ontario -- June 17, 2013 -- The Brimell Group’s parking lot in Scarborough, Ont., was at full capacity recently as over 900 people poured in for an up-close look at over 85 registered vehicles on display for their annual Super Tuner event. This is the fourth event of its kind organized by the Brimell Group and is open to the public, and cars of all makes and models are welcome. The Brimell Group includes Brimell Toyota, Brimell Scion and Brimell Group Paint & Collision Centre~CSN.
In addition to the great vehicles, other attractions included an FR-S Pit Stop Challenge where competitors were timed on wheel installation and removal, remote-controlled cars, a live DJ, and food and drink.
Brimell Scion has a strong partnership with the tuner community. “Scion is pretty much a blank canvas, and its products definitely lends itself to this kind of thing, ” says Richard Marsh, Manager at the Brimell Group Paint & Collision Centre~CSN. “It really resonates with the local car scene enthusiasts and their families.”
“It’s basically a group of individuals who attend different shows in the GTA and put their souped-up cars out on display for the public,” says Marsh. “We partnered with Toyota-Scion four years ago and have been running this event ever since.”
Over a dozen awards were handed out, including two $500 dollar cash prizes for Best in Show Scion, and other makes. Other categories included Best Paint, Best Engine, Best Truck and more. The Brimell Group also partnered with CSN Collision and Glass to support Make-A-Wish foundation, raising $500 dollars over the afternoon.
Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta -- June 17, 2013 -- Alberta repairers have more opportunity for training than ever before, with the grand opening last week of two Color Compass training centres in Calgary and Edmonton.
Calgary was first, with over 400 local repair professionals heading out to help celebrate the grand opening of the new training centre at 7910 - 10th Street NE. The Calgary training centre is a joint effort by two Color Compass companies, Chase Auto Body Supplies and Carlson Body Shop Supply.
In addition to tons of door prizes, including a trip to Phoenix, flat screen TVs, iPods and gift certificates, attendees also enjoyed a catered dinner. However, the real highlights of the event were the products. The evening functioned as a mini trade show, with a number of exhibits from various manufacturers. It also served as a “What’s New” night, with live demos of new products by Norton, SATA, U-Pol, Carborundum and others.
The grand opening of the Edmonton training centre took place two days later with great success as well. Over 500 collision repairers attended the event, put on by Rocky Mountain Sales, Carlson Body Shop Supply and Chase Auto Body Supplies. In addition to serving as a training provider, the new Edmonton location will also serve as a distribution centre for Color Compass.
In addition to the mini trade show and exciting product demonstrations, the Calgary and Edmonton crowds were also treated to the unveiling of a recreation 1968 Bullet Mustang, the car made famous in the Steve McQueen movie Bullet.
Core training at both facilities will focus on paint-related education, from both BASF and Akzo Nobel. In addition, the centres will also host I-CAR training and training for various allied products.
