Recent news items
As SEMA enters its third day, the 2025 Battle of the Builders Top 4 will be announced at the Battle of the Builders Stage in the North Hall Booth #10168 today, at 3:30 p.m. PST. Presented by Mothers Polish competition, these builders represent an elite group of individuals who have demonstrated “extreme talent, creativity, and craftsmanship […]
Battle of the Builders Highlights Day 3 at SEMA Show Read More »
PPG set a Guinness World Record title for the largest simultaneous paint stirring challenge during a customer event at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev. More than 275 participants stirred paint together – underlining the manual effort still common in collision repair – before PPG unveiled its new SEM Mix’n’Shake automated stirring solution.
PPG Sets Paint Stirring Guinness World Record at SEMA Read More »
Ontario has opened the latest round for applications to the EV ChargeON program, which supports the installation of electric vehicle charges across that province for the public. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has made available $66 million to expand the network, designed to encourage the switch to electric vehicles. The program accepts applications from businesses,
Ontario Reopens EV ChargeON Program Read More »
Boyd Group Services (BGSI) has announced the closing of a US$897 million bought deal public offering of common shares in Canada and the United States, representing the initial public offering in the United States, as part of its acquisition of Joe Hudson’s Collision Center. BGSI intends to use the net proceeds to partially fund the
Boyd Group Services Closes US$897 Million Bought Deal Read More »
Larry Jefferies, the co-founder of CARSTAR Canada, has died at the age of 80. As co-founder of CARSTAR Canada, he played a pioneering role in transforming the Canadian collision repair industry. With a deep understanding of the business and a vision for collaboration, he helped build a national network that fostered cooperation, innovation, and shared
Remembering the Co-Founder of CARSTAR Read More »
UAP Inc. has announced that it has acquired The Benson Group and its 85 locations in Ontario and Quebec. “We are delighted to officially welcome The Benson Group, one of Ontario and Quebec’s most respected distributors, into the UAP family,” said Alain Masse, President, North America Automotive of Genuine Parts Company, the parent company of
UAP Completes Acquisition of Benson Group Read More »
The 2025 SEMA Show begins with two heavyweights hosting a Q&A, as the presidents of SEMA and the FIA discuss their new partnership and how it will shape mobility and safety policy. SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola and Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) President Mohammed Ben Sulayem will discuss a range of topics, including the new
SEMA CEO, FIA President Discuss Mobility and Safety Read More »
The 2025 SEMA Show kicks off today in Las Vegas, Nev., bringing together thousands of automotive innovators from around the world. Day 1 kicks off with ribbon cutting Leading the first day of the Show is an official ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by key leaders, including SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) President Glen Cromwell, Las Vegas
SEMA Show Kicks Off With a Full Schedule of Events Read More »
Adrian Scovell, President and CEO of the Automotive Retailers Association (ARA), remembers Bill Hatswell as more than just the driving force behind the largest privately owned collision repair company in British Columbia. “Bill saw a responsibility to his employees and led the way in offering full medical and dental benefits,” said Scovell. “He encouraged people
ARA Remembers Bill Hatswell Read More »
Bill Hatswell, the founder of Craftsman Collision — one of the largest family-owned repair businesses in Canada — has died. According to the a family statement, he passed away peacefully on November 1 at home in Palm Desert, Calif. with his wife Thanida, stepchildren Jessica and Patrick, and his children Melanie, Rick, and Greg by
Craftsman Collision Founder Bill Hatswell Passes Away Read More »