INDUSTRY NEWS

ACQUISITION COMPLETE:

JOE HUDSON’S JOINS BOYD GROUP

Boyd Group Services Inc. has completed its acquisition of Joe Hudson’s Collision Center after meeting all regulatory conditions. The transaction, first announced Oct. 29, 2025, adds 258 collision repair locations to Boyd’s network, primarily across the southeastern United States. Joe Hudson’s Collision Center is among the largest regional operators in the U.S. collision repair industry. Boyd previously valued the deal at about US$1.3 billion and expects the acquisition to generate annual run-rate synergies in the tens of millions of dollars as operations are integrated.

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ALBERTA AUTO INSURANCE:

PROVIDERS FACED LOSSES IN 2024

Auto insurers operating in Alberta lost about $1.2 billion in 2024 after paying out significantly more in claims and expenses than they collected in premiums, according to a government report released this month. The annual report from Alberta’s Superintendent of Insurance shows insurers paid roughly 18% more in claims and operating costs than they earned through premiums. Industry groups attribute the losses in part to Alberta’s auto insurance rate cap, which limits annual premium increases for “good drivers” to about 7.5%. The report notes insurer pullbacks are already underway, with Aviva Canada ceasing new auto insurance business in the province in 2024.

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ACCIDENT REPORT: QUEBEC CORONER

CALLS FOR MORE DRIVER EDUCATION

A Quebec coroner is urging the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec to expand winter driving education and strengthen how foreign driving experience is recognized following a fatal collision in Princeville. Coroner Nancy Bouchard investigated a Jan. 27, 2025 crash on Highway 116 that left a 29-year-old man dead months later. The driver held a valid Mexican licence and had passed Quebec’s written exam but not the required road test. Bouchard cited hazardous winter conditions and warned clearer processes and better preparation for new residents could help prevent similar deaths.

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MAJOR MERGER:

BENEVA ABSORBS GORE MUTUAL

Beneva and Gore Mutual have completed a merger first announced in early 2025, combining operations under Beneva’s Ontario-based subsidiary, Unica. Under the integration plan, Gore Mutual will ultimately operate as a standalone subsidiary under the Beneva brand, while Gore and Unica continue operating separately during the transition. The combined organization will continue offering personal and commercial insurance products through broker partners, including auto insurance. Andy Taylor assumed the role of executive vice-president, property and casualty Ontario and West at Beneva on Jan. 1, with responsibility for Gore and Unica. No changes to customer policies or broker relationships are expected during the transition.

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PPG ACQUISITION: AUTO COATINGS

COMPANY ABSORBS EMM

PPG Industries has completed the acquisition of EMM International, a Netherlandsbased provider of paint preparation, application and workshop systems used by automotive refinish and industrial customers. The transaction adds EMM’s Colad, Finixa and Hamach brands to PPG’s portfolio, expanding its offering beyond coatings into tools, consumables and equipment used throughout the refinishing process. EMM supplies products such as masking systems, refinishing consumables and spray booth equipment used in bodyshops worldwide. PPG described the acquisition as a strategic step in expanding its value offering to paint professionals. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

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WINTER WALLOP: MORE THAN 400

COLLISIONS REPORTED ACROSS GTHA

A winter snowfall dropped more than 20 centimetres of snow across the Greater Golden Horseshoe on Jan. 15, triggering more than 400 collisions, according to Ontario Provincial Police. Police reported about 200 crashes by midday, with 125 vehicles awaiting tows. By evening, as snowfall continued, collisions and service calls exceeded 400. Several major routes were closed, including the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 400, where a transport truck collision sent one person to hospital with serious injuries. Toronto recorded 22 centimetres of snow, making it the snowiest Jan. 15 on record, while collision repair shops across the region braced for increased demand.

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DEFINITY AND BEYOND: CANADIAN

INSURER COMPLETES ACQUISITION

Definity Financial Corporation has completed the purchase of the Canadian personal insurance business and most of the commercial insurance business of The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its surety operations. The transaction closed Jan. 2. The acquisition expands Definity’s scale and distribution across Canada, adding Travelers’ Canadian personal and commercial insurance operations to its portfolio. Auto insurance previously sold under Travelers Canada policies will now be underwritten within the Definity group, with no disruption to customer coverage. Definity sells auto, home and business insurance through brands including Economical, Sonnet, Family and Petline.

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CHARITY COLLECTION: ZENETEC

RAISES $12.5K FOR SIMCOE HOSPITAL

Auto glass and calibration provider Zenetec raised $12,456 for the RVH Foundation through its 2025 Stone Chip Campaign, with all proceeds supporting patient care at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. The fundraiser centred on stone chip windshield repairs, with Zenetec donating the full cost of each repair completed during the campaign. The RVH Foundation supports health care services across Central Ontario, including emergency, cancer, cardiac, mental health and trauma care. Zenetec operates collision repair, auto glass and ADAS calibration services in Central Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area and said the campaign offered customers a simple way to support local health care.

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MAJOR MILESTONE: COLONIAL GROUP CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY

The Colonial Group is celebrating its 100th anniversary, marking a century since founder Gordon Elton opened a small garage in St. John’s in 1926. The family-owned automotive aftermarket business expanded over the decades from vehicle sales and repairs into parts supply, a bodyshop, machine and radiator services, and now operates through Colonial Auto Parts and A.P.M. Ltd. with 20 locations serving repair shops, fleets and retailers across Atlantic Canada. Leadership has passed through successive generations of the Elton family, and the company’s head office remains at its original St. John’s site.

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COLLISION CLINIC: MSO COMPLETES 22ND ANNUAL CHARITY CAR DONATION

Newfoundland’s Collision Clinic has announced the recipient of its annual Enriching Lives Car Giveaway, naming Alana Walsh as this year’s recipient. The announcement was made in a public LinkedIn post by general manager Sharon Wells. The initiative provides a safe and reliable vehicle to a local individual or family and is supported by staff, suppliers and community partners. This year marked the 22nd edition of the program, run by the MSO’s two bodyshops in St. John’s. More than 100 people applied, with the recipient selected by an independent committee unaffiliated with the business.

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COMMUNITY GIVING: COLLISION CENTRE RAISES $25,000 FOR MUSKOKA HOSPITAL

Colorworks Express Autobody has donated $25,000 to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, joining its Business Cares Program, according to a statement from the foundation. The Huntsville-based bodyshop committed the funds to support medical equipment, technology and patient care at Huntsville Hospital. The foundation said the donation will help ensure access to advanced tools to support health-care services across Muskoka. Foundation CEO Katherine Craine welcomed Colorworks to the program, while owner Keith Oben said the contribution reflected the company’s commitment to social responsibility and the support it has received from the local community.

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QUEBEC EXPANSION: IAA OPENS NEW MONTREAL WEST BRANCH

IAA has opened a new Montreal West branch in St. Eustache, expanding capacity for vehicle buyers and sellers across Quebec. The facility is located on a 24-hectare property and includes three purpose-built buildings, expanded storage and additional service areas to support growing remarketing demand. The site offers a full range of IAA services, including vehicle drop zones, high-capacity loading areas and covered inspection and storage space. The branch is managed by Magdalena Demydczuk, who has held leadership roles within IAA’s Quebec operations. IAA operates a global digital marketplace for total-loss and damaged vehicles.

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SHOP CHEER: COLLISION CENTRES DECK THE HALLS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Collision repair shops across Canada celebrated the holiday season by decking their bays and offices with festive décor and hosting staff gatherings, Collision Repair reports. Shops submitted photos showing twinkling lights, themed displays and holiday parties that brought teams together for food, music and end-of-year celebrations. Among those taking part was CSN 427 Collision, which decorated its front office and shared seasonal cheer with its staff. Other featured shops included Chavez Auto Group and Gateway Autobody, each marking the season in their own way.

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SKILL FOCUS: CARSTAR LONDON HOSTS GLUE PULLING TRAINING

CARSTAR London Centre (Don-Mor) hosted a CAM Auto glue pulling training session at its London, Ont. facility on Dec. 16, bringing together technicians from CARSTAR London East and CARSTAR London West. The session focused on advanced glue pulling techniques used in modern collision repair and was led by CAM Auto CEO Charles Aoun. Training combined technical instruction with hands-on demonstrations using real-world repair examples, highlighting proper tool selection and disciplined repair processes. Jeff Brown, general manager of Don-Mor CARSTAR, and Collin Welsh, CARSTAR zone director, emphasized the value of collaboration and ongoing technician training to support consistent, high-quality repairs.

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CHARITY DRIVE: FIX AUTO CANADA RAISES $70,000 FOR RMHC CANADA

Fix Auto Canada supported the Matthew Salsa Foundation’s annual golf tournament, which raised $70,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada. The funds will support RMHC Canada programs that provide accommodations, meals and other services for families with children receiving medical treatment, helping them stay close to hospitals during extended stays. RMHC Canada operates programs nationwide aimed at reducing the financial and logistical strain on families during hospitalizations. The Matthew Salsa Foundation’s tournament serves as its primary fundraising initiative, with proceeds from the most recent event directed entirely to RMHC Canada’s national programming.

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