SNAPSHOTS OF SUCCESS
CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, PARTNERSHIPS, AND MOMENTS DRIVING OUR INDUSTRY FORWARD
From parades and picnics to golf tournaments and community get-togethers, the collision repair sector knows how to come together. These snapshots highlight the moments of fun, connection, and celebration that bring the industry to life.
Scan the QR code to read the full story.
Have an event to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured in our industry news and events pages.
INDUSTRY IN ACTION
CELEBRATING THE COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION AND ACHIEVEMENTS THAT KEEP US MOVING FORWARD
From lively parades, anniversaries and sunny picnics to industry golf tournaments and community events, the collision repair sector knows how to come together—both in and out of the shop. These snapshots highlight the moments of fun, connection, and celebration that bring our industry to life. Scan the QR code to read the full story. Have an event to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured in our industry news and events pages.
MAJOR MILESTONE
STURGEON AUTO BODY SHOP TURNS 50
When owner Larry Ketsa (pictured) founded the business in 1975, it was the only collision repair facility in the Edmonton bedroom community. “I’d actually had a mechanical shop opened in 1973, but people kept asking me to help them with body work. I took the hint and opened one.”
According to Ketsa, the business had two things going for it during those early days. First, it could boast a distinctive logo and tagline. Throughout its history, the business’s sign has depicted a the face of a grizzled Shar Pei above the words: “Let us remove your wrinkles.” Second, the company provided interior and exterior detailing work free of charge. “We like to go that extra mile. When you do extra for clients, they’ll tell twenty people. When you do something wrong, they’ll tell 100,” Larry says.
As the city grew—from about 25,000 residents to 70,000 today— the shops customer friendly approach allowed its loyal clientele also expanded. In 1980, Larry moved into a larger facility on Raybould Crescent—where it remains today.
“We’re pretty well-known these days. Now we get clients from Calgary and Red Deer who have been told by family members to get their car fixed at Sturgeon. We’re now seeing third-generation customers.”
The shop, which now employs a team of about 15 people, is now the care of the second generation of Kestas. Both of Larry’s sons, Lore and Trevor, work in the business, with Lore serving as its general manager since 2019.
“I’m just there for a couple hours in the mornings, these days,” says Larry, “Enough time to check my computer and see everything is running well without me.”
collisionrepairmag.com/15753794
PPG INSTALLS 3,000 PPG MOONWALK GLOBALLY
PPG, a paint and coating manufacturing company, announced the global installation of 3,000 of its automated paint mixing system, PPG MoonWalk, on August 14. The 3000th application took place at a Wren’s Collision Group facility in Auburn, Alabama. PPG MoonWalk was launched in 2019 and is used by collision centres in more than 60 countries. According to PPG, PPG MoonWalk can mix 10 times more precisely than a human can.
Benefits of using PPG MoonWalk include its ability to eliminate waste and mess, generate profit, maximize accuracy and automate processes. These features result in consistent paint mixing, minimal over-pouring, automated mixing to streamline prep time and seamless connection with the PPG LINQ digital ecosystem.
“Wren’s Collision is embracing the future of collision repair with the installation of the PPG MoonWalk system at its newest location,” said Rodolfo Ramirez, PPG vice president, Automotive Refinish, Americas, in a press release. “They’re advancing efficiency, accuracy and consistent quality, and we’re honoured to support forward-thinking customers pushing performance to the next level.”
UNVEILING OF THE 3M PERFORMANCE SPRAY GUN 2
The latest advancement from 3M is the newly released 3M Performance Spray Gun 2. On August 5, Jason Garfoot, global portfolio manager of 3M, unboxed the next-gen painting solution during a live YouTube demonstration.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new 3M Performance Spray Gun 2 to the industry. This is more than just a spray gun—it’s an application tool with precision performance that shops can rely on,” said Garfoot. “With enhanced performance and versatility, the 3M Performance Spray Gun 2 is an essential addition to any collision repair technician’s or painter’s toolkit.”
The 3M Performance Spray Gun 2 was designed with painters in mind, implementing their feedback on the original Performance Spray Gun to improve productivity and efficiency. Its features include a carbon fibre spray gun frame, one-piece integrated hook design, laser marked control knobs, redesigned trigger, sleek spray gun-frame surface finish and compatibility with current 3M Performance Spray Gun replacement parts, nozzles and accessories. According to the company, carbon fibre makes the gun easier to clean, while the offset trigger can be pulled with only one finger. The integrated one-piece hook now matches the aesthetic of the gun and does not rattle as it had in the earlier model.
At the request of painters who wanted a higher quality gauge and on the Performance Spray Gun 2, the new model comes equipped with a multi-coloured face to indicate the range of air pressure to use for the different nozzles. 3M’s HVLP or Fine Finish Atomizing Heads are also compatible with the spray gun. The Fine Finish Nozzle range has now been expanded to 0.9 to 2.0, the same as the HVLP nozzle range. 3M’s launch of the Performance Spray Gun 2 completes its line of Fine Finish Nozzles.
EMBRACING AMBITION
On August 20, ApprenticeSearch.com and Skills Ontario hosted the Exploring the Skilled Trades open house in Burlington, Ontario. The free, hands-on event for job-seekers, career explorers and students features skilled trades workshops, employer panel discussions, trade virtual reality experiences and a free lunch.
ApprenticeSearch.com is a free online job search and matching platform exclusively for apprenticeship trade positions in Canada. The event was held at its headquarters.
During the event, several well-known industry figures participated in a panel discussion about careers in automotive aftermarket trades, including Daryll O’Keefe, vice-president of strategic business development in North America for Fix Network Canada.
Member of Provincial Parliament for Burlington Natalie Pierre attended the event and spoke on the importance of skilled trades in Ontario’s economy and the opportunities these careers provide for the future workforce.
Prior to her 2022 election, MPP Pierre led hiring and recruitment at Sheridan College to help secondary and post-secondary students transition into the workforce.
“I had the pleasure of joining Halton Industry Education Council at the ApprenticeSearch.com open house in Burlington,” stated MPP Pierre in a X post. “This event brings together youth and job seekers who are looking to explore exciting opportunities in the skilled trades.” collisionrepairmag.com/15753713
WELDED TOGETHER: CWB ENTERS COLLISION TRAINING PARTNERSHIP
The organization has joined I-CAR Canada’s Sustaining Partner Program, allowing technicians who attend the CWB’s recently updated courses to be eligible for the credits needed to receive and maintain I-CAR Canada Gold Class recognition.
By aligning welding certification, the two organizations say the partnership will help pave the way to a unified national welding standards.
“Ensuring access to consistent, high-quality training is a key part of our mission,” says Stuart Klein, executive director of I-CAR Canada. This continues their goal to uphold a market standard that evolves with vehicle technology while exceeding what’s required through Red Seal certification.
CWB Group vice-president of business development Bill Gwynne added, “This collaboration not only aligns with our goals of growing our presence in the automotive sector, but it also empowers the industry’s workers with greater opportunities for skills development and career advancement.”
Established in 1947, the CWB oversees national welding regulations and trains and certifies companies, inspectors, consumables and welders.
