TRAINING TEAM-UP: PETERBOROUGH BUSINESSES BACKING SCHOOL’S AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAMS
Peterborough’s automotive aftermarket businesses are joining forces to support new automotive programs at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School. Once known for producing skilled industry professionals, the school’s program is being revitalized to address a growing shortage of tradespeople due to retirements.
Led by Carlaw Collision, the group— including Pete’s Autobody, Sidey Auto/NAPA, Clements Body Shop, 3M, Caruk, Cooper Auto Glass and Peterborough Auto Recyclers—is helping modernize the curriculum with skills like plastic welding, dent repair, painting and glass replacement. They’re also advocating for similar programs in other area schools.
The initiative aligns with Ontario’s co-op education program, offering Grade 11 and 12 students real-world experience. Shop teacher Clinton Butts sees the collaboration as key to exposing students to bodyshop careers and boosting interest in the trade.
“It takes a village,” says Corey Carlaw of Carlaw Collision. “But without a committed teacher like Clinton, we’d go nowhere.” The group is providing tools, expertise and mentorship, with hopes of establishing a Specialist High Skills Major stream. Russelle Toyota has even donated a vehicle for training.
Carlaw encourages other industry professionals to support high school programs across Canada. “Even if I inspire just one student, it’s worth it—but I hope to inspire many more.”
CARING COMMUNITY: WATERDOWN COLLISION RAISES $32,470 TO FIGHT CYSTIC FIBROSIS
For more than 18 years, Waterdown Collision has proudly stood behind the banner of Dante’s Journey to the Cure, raising funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. This commitment is deeply personal—Dante, a cherished member of the Waterdown Collision family, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a young child. His diagnosis sparked a mission that has galvanized friends, family and the broader community to come together and fight for a cure.
Since 2007, with the steadfast support of loyal customers, volunteers, and local businesses, Waterdown Collision has raised more than $350,000 to fund life-changing research and care for those living with CF. Their efforts have included a wide range of events, from the Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History and charity car washes to more recently, the Seasonal Tire Swap Fundraiser— each driven by a determination to create a future where CF is a thing of the past.
This year’s Hamilton Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History 2025 was a shining example of this spirit. Held on Sunday May 25th, the event drew over 75 friends, family members and Waterdown Collision teammates, all uniting under a shared purpose. Thanks to the incredible generosity of participants and supporters, the team didn’t just meet their $25,000 fundraising goal—they exceeded it, raising an astounding $32,470.
Special thanks go to everyone who contributed to Waterdown Collision’s seasonal fundraiser, as well as to the many local business partners whose generous support helped make this year’s event a resounding success.
Significant donations were made by several businesses in the automotive aftermarket, including Consolidated Dealers, Burlington Toyota, Hickory Dickory Decks, Terrain Landscaping and the Leggat Group. Enterprise, Hertz and Torq Rentals also sponsored a post-event barbecue.
“It is truly heartwarming to see the immediate and positive engagement from friends and colleagues,” said Max Di Felice, the current president of Waterdown Collision. “They share our commitment to community support and to the various charities that our industry and partners champion.”
This isn’t just a story of one day’s fundraising—it’s a reflection of Waterdown Collision’s unwavering commitment to a cause that hits close to home. Through Dante’s Journey to the Cure, they have transformed a personal diagnosis into a powerful force for change, proving that when a community comes together, hope becomes action. Waterdown Collision extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has joined them on this journey. Together, they are driving change and bringing us all one step closer to a cure.
SIMPLICITY CAR CARE BRAMPTON ACHIEVES OEM CERTIFICATION
Simplicity Brampton has received OEM certifications from FCA-Mopar, Hyundai, Genesis and Kia.
The milestone marks a significant step forward in the facility’s commitment to manufacturer-approved services in the Brampton community.
“These certifications reflect our ongoing commitment to investing in the latest technology, continuous training and providing our customers with the best repair experience,” said Domenic Prochilo, chief operating officer at Simplicity Car Care. “It also further aligns with our national OEM certification initiative, which has seen rapid advancements and has been embraced by our network.”
Simplicity Car Care is focused on creating a positive and profound impact on its franchisees by:
• Increasing and diversifying top-line sales
• Delivering operational support and processes that allows the franchisee to focus on their business priorities.
• Leveraging our MSO experience to guide and support franchisees through any operational challenges. Simplicity Car Care is one of Canada’s fastest growing automotive franchises with over 100 locations throughout Canada.
RYDING AUTO BODY MARKS 60 YEARS OF SERVICE
Toronto’s Ryding Auto Body is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Founded in 1965 by Rocco “Rocky” DeLorenzo, the shop has grown from a small garage to a 20,000-squarefoot facility on Castlefield Avenue. Now run by Rocky’s son, Mark DeLorenzo, the business employs 20 staff and spans three generations of the DeLorenzo family.
Mark credits the company’s longevity to strong family ties and a loyal team. During the COVID-19 slowdown, he kept the core staff engaged by restoring a 1967 Chevy Camaro—a passion project that reflects his love of classic cars.
Despite tough times, Mark has focused on keeping Ryding competitive, securing 10 OEM certifications and implementing AI tools for customer service and estimating. Though change can be challenging, he says the team adapted quickly.
“At the end of the day, it’s about trust, quality, and honesty,” says Mark. “That’s what keeps customers coming back.”
GLOBAL INDUSTRY LEADERS UNITE TO DRIVE BEST PRACTICES IN PLASTIC REPAIR
Plasnomic has officially brought together some of the most respected and dynamic individuals from across the collision repair ecosystem to form the Plastic Repair Alliance Council—an initiative committed to advancing and supporting the implementation of the highest global standards for plastic repair practices, tools and processes.
This global Council comprises senior leaders and technical experts from some of the most influential organizations in the industry, including 3M, PPG, Polyvance, Mirka, ARA, AkzoNobel, Caliber Collision, Boyd Group, SEM and others. Representing a diverse, cross-regional coalition, the Council spans North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.
These carefully selected individuals bring a wealth of industry, specialty and regional expertise to support a multilayered approach to communication, education and curriculum development. Their collective insight will help shape the training programs offered to the broader industry and promote a deep understanding of plastic repair processes and best practices. Council members also maintain strong working relationships with all leading paint companies, MSOs, OEMs, and insurance providers, further enhancing their influence and impact.
“As plastic components such as bumpers, headlights and trims become the most frequently replaced parts in modern vehicles— and current repair volumes represent only a fraction of what can be repaired—the lack of consistent global standards presents both a safety and cost challenge,” said Kurt Lammon, President of Polyvance and founding Council member.
As part of its next phase, the Council will nominate a Council Leader to coordinate efforts and collaborate closely with members in their respective regions and areas of expertise. This leadership role will ensure steady progress and regional alignment toward Plasnomic’s overarching mission.
“This marks a significant milestone for the global collision repair industry and a proud moment for all involved,” said Brian Driehorst, CEO of Plasnomic. “It reflects a unified commitment across stakeholders to set aside differences and work collaboratively to elevate repair standards worldwide. The formation of the Council underscores our shared vision to drive innovation, define best practices, and establish transparent, consistent standards in plastic repair. We’re not just setting guidelines—we’re building an ecosystem of collaboration, transparency, and innovation that will uplift the entire industry and lay the foundation for a more connected, forward-thinking, and sustainable future.”
Under Brian Driehorst’s leadership, Plasnomic will also spearhead a broader collaborative initiative with key partners across the collision, materials, manufacturing, OEM, and insurance sectors.
These strategic partnerships will focus on research, innovation, and the rollout of best-practice methods for plastic repair, including certified tools, training, and advanced technologies—ensuring highquality, compliant, and sustainable repairs globally. The newly formed group is also in the process of recruiting a COO to support its global expansion and operations.
Council Members Include:
• Anso Jacob (Body Shop Guru), India
• Charles Canning (Halo Group), South Africa
• George Varagic (Industry Executive), Canada
• Graham Threlfall (AkzoNobel), UAE
• John Morrissey (Plastfix), Australia
• Kurt Lammon (Polyvance), USA
• Leonardo Gomez (Mirka), Germany
• Meghan Barrera (SEM/PPG), USA
• Mario Dimovski (Boyd Group )USA
• Peter McAninch (Plastrepair), UK
• Rebecca Miller (3M), USA
• Robert Snook (IBIS Worldwide), UK
• Ryan Gafford (Caliber Collision) USA
• Teruyuki Okuda (3Harmony), Japan
• Vince Edivan (Auto Recycling Association), USA
The council’s mission is bold and vital:
• Promote comprehensive best practices and standards for plastic repair
• Support globally unified training and certification program
• Identify specialized tools, materials, and repair methods
• Review testing and benchmarking OEM compatibility and repair safety
• Collaborate to reduce plastic waste and support sustainability solutions
Plasnomic invites the broader industry to follow its journey as it pioneers innovative solutions, raises global repair standards, and promotes sustainable practices across the collision repair sector.
For more information contact Brian Driehorst of Plasnomic at brian.driehorst@plasnomic.com
EDUCATIONAL EXCITEMENT
CARSTAR AND BETAG HOST CROSS-SECTOR TRAINING EVENT
BY GIDEON SCANLON
On May 27, 2025, CARSTAR Canada welcomed 50 collision repair professionals and 30 members of the auto insurance sector for a training event focused on cross-sector collaboration and advancing repair best practices.
Held at the franchise’s Hamilton headquarters and at a nearby hotel, the event featured classroom discussions, hands-on demonstrations and a guest presentation from BETAG, an equipment and training provider specializing in OEM-approved repair techniques.
During the keynote session, Bill Davidge, director of innovation and technology at CARSTAR Canada, focused on best practices for repair operations and strategies for improving shop-insurer communication.
“It’s all about image,” Davidge said. “When appraisers call and say ‘I can’t see the damage in the photo,’ what they mean is they have to see the damage, understand it and be able to communicate it to their teams.”
He went on to discuss the importance of adopting repair-first thinking—a philosophy that prioritizes high-quality, cost-effective repairs over replacement when possible. “ADAS components are driving [repair] costs up as they are driving the number of collisions down,” said Davidge. “Safety features [are also increasing repair costs], though we don’t know by how much.”
Attendees received practical, hands-on training on essential PDR and GDR tools and equipment from Kelly Roberts, technical director at BETAG North America.
According to franchise representatives, CARSTAR Canada’s team was thrilled with the response to the event and plans to continue offering opportunities for learning, collaboration and professional growth across the repair sector.
ESTIMATING EXTRAVAGANZA
STEFANO LIESSI HOSTS ESTIMATING COURSE WITH COLOR COMPASS AT SATA’S ONTARIO HQ
Color Compass Corp. hosted an estimating training session at SATA Canada’s headquarters, where Training and Curriculum Coordinator for Color Compass Stefano Liessi conducted a hands-on workshop on estimating expertise.
Th e day began with a hands-on audit of an estimate, where 15 attendees were told to seek potential line items.
“We use this exercise to address industryrelated key points,” said Tyson Anaka, key account sales representative for Color Compass. “From there, we addressed the points using the concept of repair planning to emphasize the importance of documenting line items and the correlation between them and time.”
Th e session continued with a discussion on estimating tools and how to apply them using real-world repair order data. In the second half, attendees re-audited an estimate using the knowledge gained earlier.
“Everyone, even seasoned pros, left with valuable takeaways—especially around profi tability,” said Tyson Anaka.
Participants praised the workshop’s ROI, calling it “an instant guarantee.” Stefano Liessi shared similar feedback, noting a sharp increase in ROI awareness among shop owners.
General Manager Darrin Heise emphasized the importance of expanding Color Compass University, particularly in Ontario, as the company grows. He and Anaka shared their commitment to industry training from the soon-to-open Color Compass training centre. More details on the facility’s launch are coming soon.
PORSCHE ON PARADE
CSN 427 AUTO COLLISION HOSTS SHIFT INTO SPRING OPEN HOUSE
BY GIDEON SCANLON
On April 27, 2025 the Porsche Club of America, Upper Canada Region hosted its annual Shift Into Spring Open House at CSN 427 Auto Collision.
“It was a great event for a great community! In the 10-or-so years we’ve been hosting Shift into Spring, we’ve never had so many people attend,” says Lorenzo D’Alessandro, general manager of CSN 427 Auto Collision.
This year, several hundred Porsche vehicles were parked at the auto repair facility and on several adjoining car parks. Inside the building, guests were invited to take a look around the facility and to attend several technical demonstrations delivered by its staff. “It’s important for us to open our doors to the public,” says D’Alessandro. “Representatives from Centenial College were also there to raise awareness about careers in the industry.” Vendors, including Color Compass and AkzoNobel, were invited to set up space to showcase products and materials, while PCA UCP club members were also on-site to answer any questions from prospective members and attendees.
Visitors were also invited to enjoy lunch from an on-site Mexican food truck sponsored by CSN 427 Auto Collision. The food truck raised about $3,000, which was donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
“We’re happy to partner up with AkzoNobel and 427 Collision for this great event supporting the Porsche Club,” said Darrin Heise, general manager of Color Compass. “And also, to raise money for a charity we all care very much about.”
