CollisionCast

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CollisionCast is the premier collision repair industry podcast, helping shop owners and operators improve their businesses with real-world solutions to common problems, delivered by leading industry experts and elite shop leaders.

FenderBender


    • May 13, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 17m AVG DURATION
    • 357 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from CollisionCast

    'Braking' the Stigma of Mental Health Care in Collision Repair

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 22:55


    May is Mental Health Awareness Month, formed in 1949 by what is now known as Mental Health America. This year, its campaign theme is "Turn Awareness into Action," which celebrates "the progress we've made in recognizing the importance of mental health — and challenging us to turn understanding into meaningful steps toward change." In this month's FenderBender magazine feature, Andy Tylka, owner of TAG Auto Group in Indiana, understands these challenges firsthand. And he's working hard to ensure that his employees have the mental health resources they need, with no shame attached. We followed up with him for this CollisionCast to learn more about how he's helping not only his employees but their children, and the automotive industry at large, see how there should not be a stigma around mental healthcare.

    Meeting Challenges in the Collision Repair Industry Today and in the Coming Months

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 50:24


    Join this episode of the CollisionCast, in which Mike Brockway, owner of Dabler Auto Body & Collision Repair in Salem, Oregon, talks with Editor-in-Chief Jay Sicht about some of the challenges facing the collision repair industry today, including pushback from insurers on certain line items, and how he plans to meet the challenges in the coming months.

    Hands-On Collision Repair Training for the Front Office

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 39:18


    Beginning in May, 3M is rolling out its new Front Office Collision Repair Training course. Intended for repair planners/estimators, adjusters, collision repair shop managers and owners, the focus of the three-day course is on foundational processes in the body repair and paint shop areas. FenderBender Editor-in-Chief Jay Sicht talks with the two who developed the course, 3M Digital Performance Manager John Ascheman and Application Engineer Specialist Ryan Marrinan. The course is aimed at helping these front office professionals better understand the repair process and promote accurate repair plan/estimate writing and communication to insurance claims for higher quality repairs. Listen now to see what your personnel can learn in the new course! For more information, go to www.3MCollision.com/Learn.  

    Peace of Mind or Damage Control? The Case for Proactive Security in Auto Repair

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 16:52


    In this CollisionCast episode, sponsored by AMAROK, Editor-in-Chief Jay Sicht sits down with AMAROK Enterprise Development Manager Jackson Skey to talk about how improving your collision repair shop's security can be a turnkey solution that can give your customers peace of mind their vehicle is being cared for. It can even save time and reduce vehicle damage because vehicles may not need to be jockeyed around just so they can be stored inside each night.  Join us as we uncover how easily a system can be installed to get your shop on the road to higher security and productivity. To learn more about AMAROK, click here!

    WIN for Women in Collision Repair

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 21:41


    Women are not well represented in collision repair, and there's one organization that aims to support women in this male-dominated field. Liz Stein, vice president of strategic initiatives at Certified Collision Group and current WIN chair, and Cheryl Boswell, CFO and partner for DCR Systems and a past WIN chair, discuss the importance of WIN and its impact.

    The Importance of OEM Procedures in ADAS Calibrations

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 22:46


    Following OEM procedures closely is needed not only to ensure proper calibrations of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS,) but can also help seed up works in process (WIP.) Hear how the co-founders of Lightning Auto Service advocate for proper procedures and some steps they've taken to reduce friction with insurers. Check out some of the resources they've made available here. 

    Changing Lanes Training: From the Military Life to the Auto Body Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 16:05


    Caliber Collision doesn't just combat the tech shortage with their Technician Apprenticeship Program (TAP); they're also changing the lives of active-duty service members by giving them a smooth transition not only to the collision repair industry but also to civilian life. Andrew Vaccaro, director of apprenticeships at Caliber Collision, discusses Caliber's work in their Changing Lanes initiative.

    What to Expect When Preparing to Sell Your Business

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 26:28


    Focus Advisors is a mergers and acquisitions firm specializing in the collision repair market and helping MSO owners achieve maximum value through a strategic exit. President Chris Lane and Senior Associate Madeleine Roberts Rich join the CollisionCast to discuss how collision repair business owners can help prepare for a sale.

    Teaching Teachers Collision Repair

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 14:15


    An Abra location in Minnesota participated in a program that gives hands-on collision repair experience to public school teachers so they can apply what they learn to their own teaching. Danyell Wendland, an Abra operations manager, discusses how the program went and what the goal was.

    How 'Trump 2.0' Might Affect EV Sales and the Auto Parts Supply Chain

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 26:54


    Donald Trump has long been an EV critic. How might his newly close ties to Elon Musk influence his position on EV policies and regulation? And how might proposed tariffs affect the auto parts supply chain? For insight, we talk with Abey Abraham, managing principal at consulting firm Ducker Carlisle, where he leads the company's automotive and materials practice.

    Why should you finance your next equipment order?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 18:59


    There are many ways to pay for the things you need in your shop, including financing. Paul Knowlton, an automotive service and collision repair equipment sales executive from Huntington National Bank, sat down with FenderBender to discuss why someone should consider financing, even if they have the cash on hand.

    How to Handle Insurer Pushback

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 29:01


    As insurers tighten their purse strings and adopt more stringent policies, shop owners must navigate this evolving landscape with adaptability and resilience. As Tiffany Menefee, president of Pronto Body Shop in El Paso, Texas, notes in her December column, by focusing on strong customer relationships, meticulous documentation, and strategic business practices, repair shops can weather the storm and continue to thrive. She joins the CollisionCast to talk more about this and how shops can partner with what some may see as an unlikely ally, the personal injury industry, who also face some of the same challenges but have more influence to help change the industry.

    Preparing for Logistical Changes

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 20:47


    Weeks after the recent Longshoreman strikes, we had a conversation with Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance for Mitchell International, Inc. He discusses how these events are impacting the collision repair industry and how to prepare for more logistical complications that may arise.

    preparing logistical longshoreman mitchell international
    Unmasking the Realities of Insurance Claims

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 16:22


    According to Drew Bryant, owner of DB Orlando Collision and monthly FenderBender columnist, one of the most persistent and damaging myths in the world of auto repairs is that insurance companies are on the consumer's side. In his October column, he talks about the illusion of trust and how collision shop owners and consumers must work together to demand fair treatment and high-quality repairs. In today's episode, Drew talks about empowering our customers and enhancing the quality of our industry.  Check out Drew's column here and Check out MORE CollisionCast episodes online here!

    Becoming a Collision Repair Instructor

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 21:05


    Like many professionals, you probably thought about gathering the knowledge you gained during your time in the collision industry and passing it on to the next generation. If you want to know more about that transition, listen to Brian Pierce, the head of the collision repair program at Rosedale Technical College in Pittsburgh. He has valuable insights into being and becoming an instructor.

    Repair Planning for Refinishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 25:58


    Tom Wolf, director of strategic accounts and OEM aftersales at PPG Automotive Refinish, joins the CollisionCast to discuss why it's important to research refinishing considerations that may affect ADAS. It's a step that should be undertaken during repair planning, and PPG is one of the sponsors of the inaugural FenderBender and ABRN Best Repair Planner/Estimator Award. Check out MORE CollisionCast episodes online here!  

    A High Climb: The Mountain States Collision Repair Association Takes Hold

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 28:25


    The industry is constantly evolving through technology, often lacking the training or educational tools to maintain success, along with facing a shortage of young professionals entering the field.    Collision repair associations across the country help meet those needs.    For this CollisionCast, we speak with Megan Mueller, the founder and president of the Mountain States Collision Repair Association (MSCRA). She is also the co-owner of Ozzie's Body Shop in Loveland, Colorado. She shared insights into the formation and vision of the association.  

    CollisionCast: Recruiting for the Collision Repair Industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 23:00


    Mary Mahoney, vice president of the Replacement & Leisure Division at Enterprise Mobility, and Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions, join the CollisionCast to talk about recruiting for the collision repair industry and the Collision Engineering program. The Collision Engineering program will be the primary beneficiary of the upcoming Crash Champions Golf Outing, Dec. 5 at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, California.  In the past year, Crash Champions has hosted more than 25 Collision Engineering students as apprentices in its Skills Training Education Program (STEP) at its repair centers throughout the U.S. For more information on the Collision Engineering program, go to https://www.beacollisionengineer.com. For more information on Crash Champions' STEP, go to https://step.crashchampions.com And for information on how you can join in the golf tournament or be a sponsor, go to https://crashchampions.com/2024-Golf-Outing. Check out more episodes here!  

    CollisionCast: School Counselors Guided on Collision

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 29:05


    The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) made an impact at the recent American School Counselor Association (ASCA) conference, where school counselors considered alternative career options for the students they guide.

    CollisionCast: Entry-level to Productivity with the I-CAR Academy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 41:06


    The I-CAR Academy curriculum is designed to prepare entry-level technicians for a collision repair career. I-CAR Director of Product Management Jesus Guerrero talks about how the Academy, with guided hands-on learning and gamification in five foundational learning areas, helps new hires become productive technicians.

    CollisionCast: AI as Collision Repairer's Co-Pilot

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 23:25


    AI is making an impact across all sectors of business, including Collision Repair. FenderBender speaks with Ryan Taylor, the founder and CEO of Body Shop Booster, to learn more about what he is doing to develop AI for collision repairers and how AI can impact the industry.

    CollisionCast: The Future of Hail and Hail Repair

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 27:56


    As the world is forced to adapt to climate change, it should spark interest among collision repairers on the matter of hail repair. FenderBender speaks to Dr. Stefan Liess, a climate researcher from the University of Minnesota, and Mo Kayeni of Elevated Hail Repair to learn more about the future of hail and whether collision repairers are up to the task.

    CollisionCast: 5 Exceptional Traits of Gen Z Employees

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 24:49


    In this episode, the team at Ratchet+Wrench, a sibling publication to FenderBender, interviews Sara Fraser of Haas Performance Consulting to dispel the myths about Gen Z workers and discuss five traits that make them among the best workers in the workforce.

    CollisionCast: How NACAT Serves Automotive Educators

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 29:58


    Drew Barnes and Heather Sebben of the North American Council of Automotive Teachers discuss what NACAT is and how it serves the automotive industry. They are approaching their 50th anniversary of operation and plan to celebrate it at their annual conference this summer.

    CollisionCast: Stopping Data Pumps at Your Shop

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 26:38


    Data security and privacy may seem hard to achieve, but there are solutions to those issues in collision repair. Pete Tagliapietra, the managing director and founder of DataTouch, explains what data pumps are, how they operate, and what DataTouch is doing about it.

    Repair-planning with Data-Driven Repair Recommendations

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 17:47


    How shops approach repair planning is often not optimal for where collision repair is headed, with added repair cost and complexity. Although much of repair planning is currently focused on identification through the pre-scan, it needs to move to data-driven repair recommendations, says Sam Poradish, director of automotive intelligence at asTech, one of the sponsors of our inaugural Best Repair Planner/Estimator of the Year Award.

    TAP: Solving the Tech Shortage via Apprenticeship

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 20:50


    The tech shortage is impacting many trade industries, including the collision repair industry. Eddie Hightower, the senior vice president of sustainability and social responsibility at Caliber Collision, shares how their Technician Apprentice Program (TAP) is making a difference in addressing the issue not only for their repair centers but also across the industry in the U.S.

    Behind the Cost of Repairing EVs

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 13:58


    If something is expensive to buy, it's likely even more expensive to repair. This certainly applies to EVs. Kevin FitzPatrick, the senior vice president of North America operations at Opus IVS, explains why this is the case and how quickly one should get certified to repair them.

    A Preview of the WIN 2024 Conference

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 27:00


    The Women's Industry Network provides great networking and connection opportunities for women in the mail-dominated collision repair industry. WIN 2024 Conference Chair Blair Womble and member Kim Frasher talk about what attendees can expect at the conference, May 6-8 in Newport Beach, California. For more information, check out the website at thewomensindustrynetwork.site-ym.com. Check out more CollisionCast episodes here!  

    Maintain Standards with Phone Call Audits: A Deeper Dive with Drew Bryant

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 20:56


    The first impression of your business often starts with your phone call-handling process. In this episode, FenderBender Columnist Drew Bryant, owner of DB Orlando Collision Center, expands on his February column and talks about why it's essential to implement a call auditing process that is regularly reviewed by the administration against defined standards. Check out MORE CollisionCast episodes online here!  

    CollisionCast: Are You Covered by Business Interruption Insurance?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 23:42


    Events out of your control can happen that will keep your shop closed, such as storms, fires, and more. You may be covered to repair your building and replace its contents, but how will you keep the business afloat if you are unable to operate? David Willett, the chief underwriting officer at Spark Underwriters, shares how shop owners and operators leave themselves exposed to loss without this coverage.

    Developing Dealership Relationships: A Deeper Dive with Drew Bryant

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 21:23


    As new-car dealerships pull back from collision repair, are you developing relationships with local car dealers to ensure their customers come to you when they need your services? FenderBender Columnist Drew Bryant, owner of DB Orlando Collision Center, expands on his January column and talks about what makes for a relationship that's beneficial to both the dealer and independent collision repair shop. Check out MORE CollisionCast episodes online here!

    CollisionCast: Bringing ADAS Calibrations In-House

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 21:05


    Check out MORE CollisionCast episodes online here!

    Using AI to build better repair plans: Sponsored

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 11:37


     In this CollisionCast episode, Sam Poradish, director of automotive intelligence at asTech, talks about how AI can be used to increase quality and efficiency of collision repairs. With machine learning, the data gathered from millions of scans and hundreds of technicians can now be used to guide a technician down the appropriate repair path in mere seconds.  

    Light Bulb Moments in Paint Booths

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2023 15:07


    Accudraft's Jeremy Winters rejoins CollisionCast to give some education on a topic of vital importance to any shop that paints cars: lighting.

    Change Your Language, Change Your Thinking

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2023 12:55


    FenderBender columnist Drew Bryant joins the show to expand on his May column about how referring to your employees as "team members" helps engender a culture of respect and accountability.

    The Direct and Indirect Approach to Heating Paint Booths

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2023 14:30


    Accudraft Content Creator Jeremy Winters joins CollisionCast to discuss the differences in direct vs. indirect heating of paint booths and what shop owners need to know.

    Checking for Quality in Repairs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2023 17:07


    Industry expert Chris Maimone rejoins CollisionCast to discuss when to perform quality control checks during a repair and what to look for in each one to ensure safe, quality repairs are being performed every single time.

    Generating Honest Feedback from Team Members

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 18:53


    In this crossover episode with FenderBender's sister publication Ratchet + Wrench, Ratchet + Wrench editor Chris Jones talks with HR professional Deanna Baumgardner of Employers Advantage LLC about how beneficial it can be to get feedback from employees and how to encourage that feedback.

    Establishing Accountability in Process Implementation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 12:29


    FenderBender columnist Drew Bryant joins the show to take a closer look at his April column and explain how to overcome resistance and build in accountability when trying to implement new processes in your business.

    Keeping Your Conveyer Belt of Cash Moving

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2023 15:56


    FenderBender columnist Greg Lobsiger joins CollisionCast to discuss his May edition of "Shop Profits" on the importance of knowing your shop's cost per hour. Greg explains how costly it is to have processes interrupted and how to keep your shop's "conveyer belt of cash" moving right along.

    Overcoming Impediments to Quality Repairs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2023 13:39


    Shop owners face a myriad of external challenges today that can have a downstream impact on quality. Chris Maimone rejoins CollisionCast with a few reminders: Control what you can control, and fall back on your standards to weather any storm.

    A Deeper Dive on Cashflow, with Greg Lobsiger

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 21:08


    FenderBender columnist Greg Lobsiger breaks down his April column "The Cashflow Fix" in greater detail, helping shop owners understand in greater detail where their profit is coming from.

    Marketing Through Community Involvement

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 14:06


    NABC Executive Director and collision repair marketing whiz Debby Robinson joins the show to discuss how community relations can help get your shop become top of mind to potential customers and also do some tangible good to your shop's hometown.

    A Deeper Dive on Breaking Even, with Greg Lobsiger

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 13:33


    Columnist Greg Lobsiger joins CollisionCast to break down his March column, asking if owners really know what their break even point is and how to increase their profits.

    A Deeper Dive on Brain Chemistry and Processes with Drew Bryant

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 14:19


    FenderBender columnist joins CollisionCast again to discuss his March column in greater detail and breakdown how brain chemistry might play a role in how you implement processes at your shop.  Check out the March edition of "Due Process" here.

    Best Workplaces 2023 – Dave's Auto Body

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 19:46


    Dave Dunn of Dave's Auto Body, the 2023 Best Workplaces winner in the large shop category, joins CollisionCast to share a bit more about why his shop was chosen for the award and how he's managed to build a successful business overall. For more, check out the feature story on Dave's Auto Body from FenderBender's Best Workplaces issue.

    A Deeper Dive on Gross Profits with Greg Lobsiger

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 19:22


    FenderBender's own Greg Lobsiger joins the show to go more in depth on his February column, "Estimating for Higher Gross Profits." Check that out here before diving into our conversation.

    Introducing FenderBender Columnist Drew Bryant

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 15:14


    In this episode new FenderBender columnist Drew Bryant introduces the topics he'll be writing about each month as well as giving some background on his career and what he's learned in more than a decade of running a successful shop.

    Researching Repair Procedures w/Chris Maimone

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 20:48


    In this episode Chris Maimone rejoins CollisionCast to talk through researching repair procedures and give some examples of why being thorough is so important. 

    Introducing FenderBender Columnist Greg Lobsiger

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2023 10:52


    There's a new face in the column pages of FenderBender and his name is Greg Lobsiger. In this episode we'll learn a little more about Greg and what he's going to be covering in his monthly columns.

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