Article Summary
Gabriel Chiappetta is a 30 Under 40 honoree at CHC Paint and Auto Body Supply who has transformed the company through digital innovation, operational efficiency, and talent development. Since completing his commerce degree at Ryerson University, he has implemented new technologies like digital ordering portals and GPS tracking while helping body shop owners optimize costs through partnerships with vendors like 3M and PPG.
- Role: Operations leader at CHC Paint and Auto Body Supply, nominated for 30 Under 40 award
- Key Achievement: Developed company-wide intranet, client-facing ordering portal, and implemented GPS tracking systems
- Innovation Focus: Partnered with 3M and PPG to introduce RepairStack and Moonwalk technologies to minimize costs and improve efficiency
- Leadership Impact: Promoted multiple managers and staff into new roles through talent identification and development
- Industry Vision: Advocates for education on technology systems as the critical factor for maximizing their value and operational success
No two days at work are the same for Gabriel Chiappetta. From mixing paint to overseeing the operations of multiple locations, there’s always something new for him to learn. In high school, Gabriel began working at the family business, CHC Paint and Auto Body Supply, where he discovered its various aspects, including operations, marketing, analytics and sales. This inspired him to pursue a career in collision repair, and after he completed his commerce degree at the University of Ryerson, Gabriel continued working at CHC.
Gabriel was nominated for 30 Under 40 by his colleague, Adam Berube, manager of digital development at CHC. “It is with great enthusiasm that I endorse Gabriel Chiappetta for his outstanding contributions to CHC,” said Adam. “Over the past year, Gabriel has proven himself to be a true driver of change, consistently seeking efficiencies in systems and processes that enhance our operations and position us for long-term success.”
A proud moment for Gabriel came in 2022 when he attended his first PPG Platinum Conference in Las Vegas. “I was able to experience many great moments with our team and see how great of an impact we have as a Canadian platinum distributor!” Gabriel said. For Adam, Gabriel has been a primary source of support for their team. “Gabriel’s ability to identify and nurture talent has resulted in the promotion of multiple managers and staff into new roles, reflecting his commitment to fostering a culture of growth and opportunity within CHC,” he said.
The industry isn’t without its challenges, especially when it comes to the rising cost of goods. “As a distributor, we are constantly working with our vendors and body-shop owners on how to optimize their products to get the full value,” Gabriel said. “We have been working with 3M and PPG to encourage body shop owners to use technologies like RepairStack and Moonwalk to minimize costs and make operations more efficient by capitalizing on charging for the products that are used on each repair through billing and inventory systems.”
Gabriel knows that utilizing new technologies is vital for success. According to Adam, Gabriel has played a “pivotal role” in launching their stand-alone digital department. In fact, Gabriel has helped develop a company-wide intranet and a client-facing ordering portal, implemented GPS tracking and reevaluated CHC’s client delivery systems.
For Gabriel, educating others is paramount. “It is our job as a distributor to teach operators how to use these systems to the best of their abilities and improve the standard operating procedures,” he said. “Providing education on how to use these systems properly will be the most important selling piece because they only work as well as the people operating them.”
Looking ahead, Gabriel sees the Canadian market vastly changing to a banner model. “Being able to retain and expand with the market will allow us to provide the service we deeply pride ourselves in,” he said. And that is something Gabriel and the CHC team are more than ready to do.
