Mobile Toggle

Archive for the ‘News’ Category

HD Repair Forum Fall Conference to Tackle Industry’s Biggest Challenges

Posted by Jennie Lepore

The Fall HD Repair Forum will take place September 26th and 27th and it will address the industry’s biggest challenges including staffing issues, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), electric vehicle repair information, new model vehicle technology advancements, and more. The complete agenda can be found here.

The advancement and adoption of electric vehicles and ADAS continues to evolve. As their presence and complexity in the industry grows, it is the HD Repair Forum’s mission to make sure the heavy-duty and medium-duty collision repair industry is prepared to handle and repair these vehicles for safe and proper repair.

Taking the stage in September is a well-known list of companies, organizations, and industry experts who will provide education, training, and insight on these key topics. Organizations represented include: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Big Rig Alignment, Ford, Great Dane, I-CAR, the RV Dealers Association, Penske, Progressive and many others.

The HD Repair Forum will take place alongsideTMC’s 2022 Fall Meeting and National Technician Skills Competitions, which offers attendees a chance to participate in both events. Those involved in heavy-duty & medium-duty collision repair looking to prepare yourself, your team, and your business for growth and success should make plans and head to Cleveland.

For more information on the organization, event educational sessions, and industry resources sign-up for our e-communications
To register for the event, visit the HD Repair Forum website or go here

HD Repair Forum Advisory Board Welcomes New Members in 2022

Posted by Jennie Lepore

For the past five years, stakeholders in the heavy-duty and medium-duty collision repair industry have met annually at the HD Repair Forum to discuss the greatest challenges impacting this market. Leading the conference’s focus and direction and the industry’s requests for progress is the HD Repair Forum’s advisory board; a diverse group of collision repair facility owners, managers, and executives from across North America.

This year the advisory board welcomed four new board members; Jamie Cole, President and Owner of Ace Truck Repair, Randy Johansson, Body Shop Manager at Rihm Kenworth, Bernie Obry, General Manager of Coach USA- Perfect Body, and John Spoto, Director of Collision, Premier Truck Group.

“We are very fortunate to add four dedicated individuals to our strong group of board members. Their experience and perspective sheds additional light on the industry’s challenges and drives the industry toward solutions and best practices,” explained Brian Nessen, HD Repair Forum President and Co-founder. “We are grateful to these forward-thinking and passionate individuals. It is their leadership alongside industry peers and supporting partners that is driving the industry’s progress.” 

The upcoming Fall HD Repair Forum will take place alongside the American Trucking Associations© (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) 2022 Fall Meetings in Cleveland, Ohio. The two-day conference, taking place on Monday and Tuesday, September 26 & 27th, will address the industry’s call for staffing solutions; updates on repair demands from vehicle technology developments; repair information on substrate and material advancements; the need for industry connection, and much more. 

Collision repairers and industry stakeholders serving the heavy-duty and medium-duty repair markets, including tractors, trailers, RVs, buses, and delivery & emergency vehicles, are invited to join in on the educational sessions, conversations, and opportunities presented at the Fall HD Repair Forum. This includes shop owners, shop managers, estimators, fleet managers, dealer repair shops, commercial vehicle manufacturers, insurance providers, and service, equipment, and technology companies.

Early bird registration is available for a limited time. Discounted hotel rates are available to HD Repair Forum attendees at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade, recently ranked “One of the Best Hotel Lobbies in the World.”

Save money and plan ahead! Register at www.hdrepairforum.com/register 

If you would like to receive industry news and event updates for the heavy- & medium-duty collision repair industry, sign up for e-communication here. 

HD Repair Forum Advisory Board Plans Fall Conference

Posted by Jennie Lepore

July 11, 2022, Katy, Texas – Advisory board members representing heavy- and medium-duty collision repair shops from across North America met with HD Repair Forum’s event organizers. They discussed the current state of the industry and identified topics and speakers for a Fall conference. Topics such as repairing electric vehicles, technicians and staffing shortages, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) will be some of the many highlights of the only event solely dedicated to the collision repair industry.

The event will take place on Monday, September 26th and Tuesday, September 27th and co-located with the American Trucking Associations© (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) 2022 Fall Meeting. HD Repair Forum attendees will be able to take full advantage of this unique opportunity and attend the council meetings focused on collision repair.

This is the second time the HD Repair Forum will hold their conference in conjunction with TMC. The first time was in the fall of 2021, and the results and feedback from industry stakeholders was overwhelmingly positive. Ray Chatfield, owner of Truck Collision Services in Michigan stated, “It gave supporters of both events an opportunity to network with other industry leaders and learn more about the challenges and opportunities to drive positive change.”

Registration to the HD Repair Forum is separate from TMC’s 2022 Fall Meeting and will open later this month. To receive event information and industry news, sign up for the HD Repair Forum’s e-communication here.

 

About HD Repair Group
HD Repair Group offers a dedicated source of focused-information for those involved in collision repair work of heavy-duty, medium-duty, commercial, and non-commercial vehicles in classes 4 – 8. This community is where industry stakeholders, such as shop owners, company executives, managers, technicians, estimators, and others can network with industry peers and find the latest news, tips, trends, and best practices in the heavy- and medium-duty collision repair marketplace. The HD Repair Group serves this industry in numerous ways including hosting conferences, distributing a monthly e-newsletter, hosting webinars, videos, social channels, and more.

About Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC)
By providing leadership support and opportunities to collaborate, TMC helps members develop the industry’s best practices that address the critical truck technology and maintenance issues that have the greatest impact on truck fleets. For more than 60 years, TMC’s member-driven Recommended Maintenance and Engineering Practices have been setting the standards that help trucking companies specify and maintain their fleets more effectively. Follow TMC on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. TMC on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward

Volvo Trucks Academy Opens New Illinois Facility to Better Serve Electric Truck Training

Posted by Jennie Lepore

This article was originally published in CollisionWeek on May 25, 2022 and has given the HD Repair Forum permission to repost. 

June 28, 2022 – Volvo Trucks North America announced today that the Volvo Trucks Academy opened a new facility in Tinley Park, Illinois, to expand access to battery-electric truck training in the central U.S. The new 14,865-square-foot facility is larger and more modern than the previous Illinois training facility, enabling Volvo Trucks to provide more robust, hands-on learning opportunities for customers and dealers interested in electromobility solutions, including the Volvo VNR Electric model.

Volvo Trucks North America’s new training facility in Tinley Park, Illinois was opened to better support battery-electric vehicle training and provides both classroom and hands-on learning space for technicians.

“The programs at Tinley Park will help provide our dealership partners with the robust sales and service training required to become Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealers and to support customers with their zero-emission transportation goals,” said Leanne Fitzpatrick, strategic programs manager, Volvo Trucks Academy. “As interest in the Volvo VNR Electric model continues to build across North America, the Tinley Park facility will serve an important role servicing dealers and customers in the Central U.S., as it is easily accessible from both O’Hare and Midway airports.”

Course work at Tinley Park will provide technicians with the proper training and understanding of all safety procedures when servicing high-voltage electric drivetrains and components. Other courses will focus on Volvo VNR Electric sales and operations support, in addition to offering continued guidance for diesel trucks, such as engine overhaul, transmission design and function, and parts sales and warranty fundamentals. The Tinley Park facility has two full-time instructors who provide two technical courses per day, plus a third course (sales, parts, warranty, or leadership). Most courses are a full day, and instructors teach up to five days a week depending on the schedule. The site also features meeting spaces, so those classes are not disrupted by technician training.

These courses are available in one of eight Volvo Trucks Academy Learning Centers across North America. In addition to the new Tinley Park facility, Volvo Trucks’ other U.S. locations include Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; Greensboro, North Carolina; Hagerstown, Maryland; and Hayward, California, as well as two in Canada in Woodbridge, Ontario, and Quebec City, Quebec.

The Volvo VNR Electric is designed for local and regional distribution ranges, including food and beverage, drayage, and pick-up and delivery routes. In January 2022, Volvo Trucks announced enhancements to its Volvo VNR Electric model, including an optional six-battery package option with an increased energy storage of up to 565 kWh and an operational range of up to 275 miles. The next-
generation Volvo VNR Electric, which entered production in Q2 2022, is available in multiple configurations, including a 6×4 straight truck, 6×4 tractor, 6×2 tractor, 4×2 tractor, and single-axle straight truck.

The rigorous Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealer program was designed to ensure that sales representatives are fully trained to consult with customers that are considering deploying Volvo VNR Electric to ensure they are selecting a model configuration that is technically viable based on their operating requirements. On the aftermarket side, the dealership certification ensures technicians have
the necessary vehicle diagnostics tools and technical training required to maintain electric drivetrains and components. Volvo Trucks currently has certified dealers in the U.S. in California, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia, as well as in Quebec, Canada, with dealerships in several additional states finalizing their certifications throughout 2022.

To learn more about the Volvo Trucks Academy, visit the company website.

HD Repair Forum Recognizes Mark Polzin as “Collision Repairer of the Year”

Posted by Jennie Lepore

The Spring HD Repair Forum (HDRF) took place in Fort Worth, Texas on April 5th & 6th at the Historic Fort Worth Hilton. Industry leaders and executives from the United States and Canada gathered to network and participate in the only conference solely dedicated to the heavy-duty collision repair industry. 

On Tuesday, HDRF leadership recognized Mark Polzin as the Collision Repairer of the Year. This award is presented to an individual for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to advancing the heavy-duty collision repair industry. Mark joins a select group of industry leaders that have been presented with this distinguished award. 

Mark is the current owner and CEO of Budget Truck and Auto in Janesville, WI. He is one of the inaugural HDRF advisory board members and continues to selflessly give his time and knowledge to the benefit of the entire industry. His contributions to the advisory board have led to greater participation and support from collision repairers, insurers, and manufacturers. Mark’s passion and desire to improve the industry is evidenced by a growing list of participation and support of various industry groups and associations. 

The award presentation was extra special as Mark’s son, Aaron, was in attendance. Aaron is also active with Budget Truck and Auto. Mark’s passion for the industry can only be rivaled by his love and commitment to his family. We are thankful for people like Mark, because they give without expecting anything in return.

About HD Repair Group
HD Repair Group offers a dedicated source of focused-information for those involved in collision repair work of heavy-duty, medium-duty, commercial, and non-commercial vehicles primarily in classes 4 – 8. This community is where industry stakeholders, such as shop owners, company executives, managers, technicians, estimators, and others can network with industry peers and find the latest news, tips, trends, and best practices in the heavy- and medium-duty collision repair marketplace. The HD Repair Group serves this industry in numerous ways including hosting conferences, distributing a monthly e-newsletter, hosting webinars, videos, social channels, and more. Dates for the Fall HD Repair Forum later this year will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay connected with the heavy-duty collision repair industry by signing up for our e-newsletter and visiting https://hdrepairforum.com/

About Budget Truck and Auto
Budget Truck and Auto has been a family owned and operated business since 1973. Starting with only one building and growing to a 40,000 sq ft repair facility. The current operation includes four paint booths with three that measure over 65 feet long, and one of the largest frame machines in the country. The company is committed to producing the highest quality repairs along with impeccable customer service. 

Latest 2021 Trends for Commercial Collision Claims

Posted by Jennie Lepore

February 7, 2022 – The following data provides benchmarking insights and trends compiled from our PPG ADJUSTRITE® Commercial Estimating system for the 3rd quarter, 2021.  This data reflects information compiled from both insurance and shop estimates from the United States and Canada. For all metrics, the information excludes known total losses, estimates with only one line item and estimates <$100. 

Severity for the 3rd Quarter averaged $10,172—a 13.5% increase over the previous quarter.  

This average is 16.4% higher than Q3, 2020 and 22.2% higher than Q3, 2019. Severity data for October and November 2021 indicates that Q4 severity average dollars should climb even higher.

All Sales Mix dollars for Q3 saw double digit increases over Q3 2020.  Parts dollars saw the highest increase of 20%.

Table 1: Sales Mix Percent for Quarter 3 of 2019, 2020, & 2021

The Mechanical and Frame Q3 Labor Mix Percent increased compared to the same quarter in 2020. Mechanical Q3 Labor Mix Percent trended up, while Body and Paint Q3 Labor Mix Percent continued its downward trend over the last 3 years.

Table 2:  Labor Mix Percent for Quarter 3 of 2019, 2020, & 2021

Table 3:  Average Labor Dollars for Quarter 3 of 2019, 2020, & 2021

All average dollar categories in Q3’s Labor Mix showed increases compared to same quarter last year. Body and Miscellaneous had the largest increases of 11.4% and 16.4% respectively.

We revisited our previously reported value of approximately $700 for Average Sublet Dollars and discovered a calculation error within the aggregated data set.

Our updated table now reflects year over year increases for Sublet, Paint Materials and Shop Supplies and  double digit growth compared to 2019.

Thank you for your continued interest in the industry metrics provided.  

About PPG AdjustRite:
The PPG AdjustRite Commercial Estimating system is an industry-leading platform in the medium-to-heavy-duty equipment repair and claims industry. This system is a web-based, fully mobile application, driven by a comprehensive database of commercial vehicles and equipment including: tractors, trailers, trucks, boxes, motor coaches, RVs, and buses. To learn more about the PPG AdjustRite Commercial Estimating System, visit www.adjustrite.com .

2022 HD Repair Forum Moving Ahead with Spring Conference

Posted by Jennie Lepore

Katy, Texas, January 26, 2022 – Plans for the 2022 HD Repair Forum’s spring conference have been confirmed. The 2022 event is scheduled for April 5th-6th at the historic Hilton in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.  Registration is now open and sponsorship opportunities are already being booked. 

“The HD Repair Forum brings together the stakeholders of the heavy- & medium-duty collision repair industry to provide attendees the opportunity to discuss trends, address industry challenges, and evaluate key business strategies.” explains Brian Nessen, President of the HD Repair Forum. 

The 2021 annual event was co-located with the ATA’s Technology Maintenance Council’s fall event and helped reach an even larger group of industry influencers. With the guidance of its advisory board members and constituents, the HD Repair Forum continues to address the needs of the industry. A few highlights from the 2021 event included presentations from Daimler, Bendix, RVTI, IMMI, 3M and several others. 

Session topics for the upcoming spring event will address a myriad of industry issues such as expanding needs to repair advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including scanning and calibration, the infrastructure needs of repair facilities for repairs to electric and alternatively-fueled vehicles, insurance relations, ongoing parts challenges, staffing issues, and solutions for improvement in industry collaboration. 

Extensive networking opportunities allowing shop owners, insurers, appraisers, OEMs, paint manufacturers, information providers, and equipment and service companies to build relationships, conduct business, and solve problems are a key focus for this two-day event. 

Companies interested in having a presence at the HD Repair Forum are encouraged to book now as sponsorships are limited. More information can be found on the sponsorship page of the website. Companies interested in sponsoring, getting more involved with this industry, or even hosting a co-located event can send inquiries to Brian Nessen BrianN@hdrepalrforum.com or Jennie Lenk JennieL@hdrepairforum.com 

Visit the website for more information or contact us at 281-819-2332. 

Registration Opens for 2022 HD Repair Forum

Posted by Jennie Lepore

December 21, 2021, Katy, Texas – The 2022 HD Repair Forum is set to return to the historic Hilton Fort Worth this spring, on April 5th & 6th, 2022. Last month, advisory board members met to discuss the state of the industry and made plans for the upcoming event.

The HD Repair Forum’s program will follow a similar format as in year’s past, spanning two days with presentations and panel discussions involving OEMs, insurers, and other collision industry leaders. Early bird registration to the HD Repair Forum is now open. To access registration, go to www.hdrepairfoum.com/register

Attendees will gain valuable information on collision industry trends and insight as to how technology is redefining the industry and repairs in the future. Focused learning tracks are available both afternoons, providing attendees more in-depth information on topics that best address their individual or business needs. 

In addition to education, another focus of the event is to provide extensive networking opportunities. Collaboration amongst all industry stakeholders will advance the industry at a quicker pace and help identify solutions to challenges experienced by everyone in the market. All key reasons behind the event’s development and rapid success. 

To register for the 2022 HD Repair Forum and gain access to medium and heavy-duty collision repair information and education, equipment suppliers, and networking opportunities,  follow this link: https://na.eventscloud.com/hdrf2022

For additional information on the HD Repair Forum and its events please visit, www.hdrepairforum.com.

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available. For inquiries, you may reach out to Brian Nessen BrianN@hdrepairforum.com or Jennie Lenk JennieL@hdrepairforum.com.

About HD Repair Group
The HD Repair Group offers the industry a dedicated source of focused information for those involved in collision repair work of heavy- & medium-duty vehicles, found primarily in classes 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. This community is where shop owners, executives, managers, technicians, estimators, and other industry stakeholders will find the latest news, best practices for heavy- and medium-duty collision repair. The HD Repair Group offers numerous ways of delivering this information including two annual conferences, a monthly e-newsletter, webinars, videos, and social channels for networking. Learn more or sign up here to get connected today.

Latest Quarterly Trends for Commercial Collision Claims

Posted by Jennie Lepore

The following provides benchmarking insights and trends compiled from our PPG ADJUSTRITE® Commercial Estimating system. This data reflects information compiled from both insurance and shop estimates from the United States and Canada. For all metrics, the information excludes known total losses.

Severity for the 2nd Quarter averaged $8,644— a 7% decline over the previous quarter. However, this number is 1.8% higher than Q2, 2020 and 6.2% higher than Q2, 2019.
July 2021’s severity data indicates that Q3’s severity average dollars will climb back closer to Q4 2020 numbers.
The Sales Mix for Q2 saw a slight percentage increase in labor dollars over 2020, primarily due to a decrease in parts dollars. Sublet dollars also increased slightly.

Table 1. Sales Mix Percent for Quarter 2 of 2019, 2020, & 2021
Body and Paint categories in Q2’s Labor Mix showed slight increases compared to same quarter last year. Mechanical labor percentage experienced its first decline in a year, but still remained higher than Q2 2019.
Table 2. Labor Mix Percent for Quarter 2 of 2019, 2020, & 2021
Over the past four quarters, none of the average labor costs indicate clear trends, up or down. Given the decline in Q2’s average severity dollars, all average labor costs, with the exception of Mechanical Labor, declined from Q1. The average Miscellaneous Labor cost experienced the largest dollar decline. Compared to same quarter last year, Miscellaneous, Paint, and Body Labor costs increased, while Frame and Mechanical Labor costs showed a decrease.

Table 3. Average Labor Dollars for Quarter 2 of 2019, 2020, & 2021

 

 

 

Compared to last quarter, decreased severity in Q2 unavoidably led to average dollar decreases in Sublet, Paint Materials, and Shop Supplies.

Both Sublet and Paint Materials were down 5%, with Shop Supplies down 3%. Yet, Q2 2021’s average dollars for Sublet, Paint Materials, and Shop Supplies remained higher compared to Q2 2019 and 2020, with the latter showing the highest % increase of 9.0%.

Compared to Q2 2020, average Total Supplement Dollars were down 12.3%.

 

 

 

Thank you for your continued interest in the industry metrics provided.

About PPG AdjustRite:
The PPG AdjustRite Commercial Estimating system is an industry-leading platform in the medium-to-heavy-duty equipment repair and claims industry. The system is a web-based, fully mobile application, driven by a comprehensive database of commercial vehicles and equipment including: tractors, trailers, trucks, boxes, motor coaches, RVs, and buses. To learn more about the PPG AdjustRite Commercial Estimating System, visit www.adjustrite.com .

Agenda Details for 2021 Medium & Heavy-Duty Collision Industry Conference Released

Posted by Jennie Lepore

Details for the medium and heavy-duty collision repair industry’s 2021 conference and networking event taking place next month in Cleveland were released this week. Highlights of the two-day program include presentations from Daimler, Bendix, IMMI, 3M, and several other collision industry leaders. 

HD Repair Forum’s event coordinators announced last month that the fall event would co-locate with the American Trucking Association’s, Technology & Maintenance Council’s fall meetings, and take place on Wednesday and Thursday, September 15th and 16th.

Similar to year’s past, the event includes presentations, panel discussions, and break out sessions focused on industry challenges, opportunities, and current technical updates and business demands. Topics of interest include, frame and cab repair, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), scanning and diagnostics and business strategies to drive efficiency and profitability.

Members of the medium and heavy-duty collision repair industry interested in making connections with important business partners and staying up-to-date on the latest trends and challenges facing this industry should make plans to attend. This includes repairers, insurers, equipment manufacturers, service providers, and educators.

Information on equipment offerings and services available to this industry are also a key feature of this event. Representatives from industry partners including Navistar, AkzoNobel, Daimler, Axalta, Evercoat, and Enterprise will be in attendance along with other important event sponsors. 

Speakers and content for the program are a derivative of the work, input, and direction of the HD Repair Forum Advisory Board, a group of hard-working, forward-thinking, and collaborative-seeking repair facility owners and managers from across all corners of the country.  

For more information on this year’s fall program, go to www.hdrepairforum.com/agenda
For registration access go to www.hdrepairfoum.com/register

Educating the industry as a whole and providing extensive networking opportunities helps facilitate collaboration amongst all of the industry stakeholders. The HD Repair Forum was established to help speed up the advancement of the industry and develop solutions to the challenges experienced by everyone across all sectors of the medium and heavy-duty collision industry. 

Additional information on the HD Repair Forum and its events can be found at www.hdrepairforum.com.