Article Summary
Kapi Komera transformed a temporary summer detailing job into a thriving collision repair career, rising from the shop floor to co-owner of MGM Group, which operates nine CARSTAR locations and four Uniglass Plus locations across the GTA. His leadership focuses on modernizing facilities through technology, building high-performing teams, and maintaining quality while navigating industry challenges like rising labor and material costs.
- Kapi Komera started as a detailer in 2013 and progressed through roles including parts manager, estimator, office manager, and production manager before becoming co-owner of MGM Group
- MGM Group operates nine CARSTAR locations and four Uniglass Plus locations across the Greater Toronto Area
- His leadership transformed MGM Group into one of the region's highest-performing multi-store operations with OEM certifications and new production targets
- Kapi prioritizes hiring based on attitude and work ethic rather than prior experience, providing training to meet modern collision repair standards
- His vision focuses on creating tech-forward service centers with paperless operations, smart systems, and sustainability practices while maintaining quality and customer experience
In 2013, Kapi Komera was teaching French and looking for a summer job. He landed one as a detailer—and never left.
What began as a temporary gig quickly evolved into a full-fledged career path. Kapi moved through the ranks: parts manager, estimator, office manager and production manager. He currently serves as co-owner of MGM Group, which, in partnership with Mike Cherneta, operates nine CARSTAR locations across the GTA. In addition, MGM Group owns four Uniglass Plus locations.
“From day one, I was motivated by the potential to grow through hard work,” said Kapi. “Over time, that motivation evolved into a drive to modernize our shops, build strong teams and lead a group that consistently raises the bar in our industry. My passion now lies in making our facilities the best in class–technically, culturally and operationally.”
His dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Kapi was nominated for Collision Repair magazine’s 30 Under 40 by Colin Welsh, zone director at CARSTAR, who praised his hands-on leadership style and his rise from the shop floor to the boardroom.
“Kapi’s strength lies in his hands-on approach and deep understanding of daily operations,” said Colin. “Starting in the detail bay and rising to co-owner, he’s built a future focused on quality and teamwork. His leadership drives consistent results and inspires those around him.”
That leadership has helped transform the MGM Group’s facilities into one of the highest-performing multi-store operations in the region, an achievement Kapi says is a career highlight.
“Seeing our shops certified by major OEMs, reaching new production targets and building a team that thrives in a culture of accountability and excellence is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
Kapi’s future-focused mindset extends beyond his team. He actively seeks out new tools, software and OEM repair procedures to keep operations modern and adaptable in an industry that never stops moving. But innovation brings challenges, too.
“The rising cost of labour and materials can make it difficult to stay competitive while maintaining quality,” said Kapi. “By building disciplined, performance-driven teams and focusing on long-term sustainability, we’re able to stay competitive without compromising on quality or customer experience.”
At MGM Group’s facilities, the future is clean, paperless and powered by smart systems. Waste management, recycling and eco-conscious materials aren’t afterthoughts, they’re pillars of the business.
“We’ve had tremendous success bringing in individuals with no prior experience and training them to meet today’s standards,” said Kapi. “We prefer to hire based on attitude and work ethic, then provide the tools and structure they need to succeed in this new generation of collision repair.”
As for the road ahead, Kapi has a clear destination in mind–and he’s determined to reach it.
“I want to lead the charge in turning body shops into tech-forward service centres–where quality, speed and customer experience are elevated by smart systems and strong leadership,” he said. “My role will be to keep pushing innovation and developing the next generation of industry leaders.”
“Kapi’s strength lies in his hands-on approach and deep understanding of daily operations. Starting in the detail bay and rising to co-owner, he’s built a future focused on quality and teamwork. His leadership drives consistent results and inspires those around him.” - NOMINATED BY COLLEAGUES / PART OF NETWORK
