Istanbul, Turkey -- Collision repair industry leaders gathered in Istanbul for the 2025 IBIS Global Summit where they discussed the challenges it is facing around the world.
Held June 24–26 at the Swissôtel The Bosphorus, the summit brought together more than 350 industry leaders from over 30 countries. With the theme “Shaping the Future: Leadership Through Collaboration,” the agenda reflected a sector on the edge of transformation — caught between rising expectations, volatile markets, and revolutionary technologies.
Economics professor Michael Cox warned of “mutually assured economic destruction” in a prolonged U.S.-China tariff standoff, while Turkish strategist Erda Gercek cautioned that redirected exports could harm emerging markets. The collision industry, they argued, is no longer insulated from global trade shocks — it’s embedded in them.
That complexity echoed throughout the leadership panels. Canadian executive Ryan Bruno of CSN Collision joined peers from South Africa, Germany, and the EMEA region to examine how modern leadership must evolve. The tone was candid, the stakes clear.
“Ultimately it’s about helping people adapt to change,” Bruno noted.
“Perfection is often the enemy of progress,” added BASF’s Roar Solberg, while Charles Canning emphasized preserving culture during disruption.
Among the most pressing conversations was the question of repairability and the OEM’s evolving role. Bayram Sucuoglu of Ford kicked off day two by urging collaboration between manufacturers, repairers and retailers. “Customer care must come first,” he said. A follow-up panel with Toyota’s Stefan Van Beneden, Betag Innovation’s Dave Flockhart and others praised the industry’s pace of innovation. “We should be proud of our contribution to sustainability,” Van Beneden said.
Sustainability itself was redefined in an ESG-focused group session.
Raya Makawi called it “a growth opportunity,” not a cost.
Fabien Boschetti of Axalta warned that “waiting for regulation will be too late,” while Chris Daglis urged attendees to “create your own future.”
Where ESG was once a box to check, it’s now a competitive differentiator — and that shift was palpable.
Technology, meanwhile, dominated the middle of the conference. In back-to-back sessions, Sharad Bapat of Dscvry AI and Maher El Ghailani of Solera mapped out what a meaningful AI integration looks like.
“Start slow,” said Bapat. “It’s already around you — use it to improve process.” El Ghailani’s advice was strategic: build a clear business case, audit your data, pilot modestly, and measure relentlessly. “If we don’t use AI, we will disappear.”
The summit’s final session zeroed in on insurability in a world of EVs and automation. Eman Mojali of Bahrain National Insurance called AI “a universal opportunity,” while Sinem Gurun of HDI Sigorta emphasized customer transparency and traceability.
Michael Lastuka of State Farm added: “We’re willing to go the extra mile to understand these vehicles and support our customers.”
Throughout the week, IBIS provided moments of cultural reflection and informal exchange — whether over traditional Turkish coffee, courtesy of RS Automotive Group, or during the gala Sundowner Reception with Axalta.
These touchpoints underscored the human side of the business—reminding attendees that collaboration happens best not just in boardrooms, but between people, cultures, and perspectives.
