From ADAS recalibration and EV readiness to a beloved shop dog, this issue explores the people, discipline and adaptability shaping collision repair’s future
This issue really drove home something I’ve been thinking about lately: the collision repair industry has officially entered its “you can’t fake it anymore” era.
For years, this business rewarded hustle, instinct and the ability to solve problems on the fly. It still does. But as you’ll read throughout these pages, the stakes — and the complexity — have changed dramatically. Modern vehicles are packed with sensors, cameras, software and systems that demand an entirely different level of discipline and understanding.
But amid all the conversations about AI, EVs and calibration procedures, this issue also contains a quieter reminder about what has always made this industry special: the people — and the mindset.
Our columnists tackle many of the toughest issues facing collision repair today, bringing perspectives shaped by years of experience on the shop floor, in the front office and throughout the broader industry. While their topics vary, a common thread runs through nearly every column in this issue: the belief that growth comes from staying curious, challenging assumptions and remaining committed to learning. The mindset that collision repair is a career for people who don’t want to read and study has got to go. In an industry evolving as quickly as ours, continuous education is no longer a competitive advantage — it’s a requirement.
At the same time, our cover story on MGM Auto Group reminds us that adaptability isn’t only about technology — it’s about culture. Mike Cherneta and Kapi Komera have grown MGM to nine Ontario locations and more than 180 employees by focusing obsessively on workflow, layout and consistency rather than growth for growth’s sake. Some of the details in that story stayed with me. Mike checking Google reviews before sunrise every morning. The company standardizing equipment across locations. Every facility equipped with EV chargers. It’s disciplined, process-driven thinking — the kind modern repair increasingly demands.
But amid all the conversations about AI, EVs and calibration procedures, this issue also contains a quieter reminder about what has always made this industry special: the people — and sometimes the animals — who hold communities together. Our farewell to Remley, the beloved Burnaby Auto Body shop dog, is one of those stories that lingers after you finish reading it. Over nearly 19 years, Remley comforted customers after accidents, volunteered at a Port Moody hospice and helped raise more than $6,000 for pet oxygen masks for local firefighters.
In an industry built around repairing damaged vehicles, it’s easy to forget how often collision centres also help repair people after difficult days. That’s probably the biggest takeaway from this issue. The future doesn’t belong to the biggest shops or even necessarily the busiest ones. It belongs to the people willing to keep learning after the rest of the industry decides it already knows enough. Thankfully, collision repair has never lacked for stubborn people willing to figure things out.
