The Collision Vision

Autobody News
  • 5.0 (25)
  • Automotive
  • Updated Weekly

Are you a business owner, executive or manager in the collision repair industry? This podcast is for you! Welcome to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. Hosted by Cole Strandberg, each episode will feature an industry thought leader, business owner or collision pro diving deep into their knowledge of what it takes to be successful. We'll talk trends, culture, growth and scalability, to give actionable insights into how to elevate your business. This podcast will enlighten, engage and entertain while covering the full scope of the current state of the industry---and where it is headed. So come along for the ride, and level up with The Collision Vision.

  1. 5d ago

    Getting ADAS Right From the Ground Up with ADAS Calibrations of Hawaii

    Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. Few areas of collision repair have evolved as quickly — or carry as much responsibility — as ADAS calibration. As vehicles become increasingly complex, calibration is no longer just another line item on the repair order. It's a critical part of returning a vehicle to the customer safely and correctly. Today's guests are Gerard and Fox of ADAS Calibrations of Hawaii, a business built from the ground up with one purpose: performing OEM-compliant ADAS calibrations the right way. While Gerrard brings decades of collision repair experience, Fox came into the industry from a completely different background, offering a unique perspective on process, precision, and continuous improvement. We'll talk about why they chose to build a dedicated calibration center, what it really takes to create an environment capable of accurate calibrations, and why they believe process, not equipment, is the true foundation of a successful ADAS business. We'll also explore how the technician's role is changing, what shop owners often misunderstand about calibrations, and how operators should think about building or partnering for this rapidly growing segment of the industry. Because as vehicles continue to evolve, the shops that succeed won't just be the ones with the latest tools. They'll be the ones with the right systems behind them. Let's get into it. Contact Gerard: gerard.ahquin@calibrationcentersofhawaii.com https://www.instagram.com/adas_coh/

  2. Jul 7

    Repair Quality: Why Systems Beat Talent

    Welcome back to The Collision Vision Roundtable. I'm Cole Strandberg. Coming off my conversation with Israel Garcia of Merced Auto Body, we wanted to continue exploring a topic that affects every collision repair business, regardless of size, location, or business model: quality and consistency in the refinish department. Joining me today are regular panelists Sheryl Driggers and Erin Solis, along with Tony Larimer from SATA. Israel shared how a relentless focus on continuous improvement — from process and training to air systems, filtration, and equipment — helped his team improve consistency and eliminate recurring challenges. Today, we're taking that conversation a step further. We'll discuss what actually drives quality, how operators can reduce variability, and why some shops consistently outperform others when it comes to refinish operations. Let's get into it. Connect with Tony: Email: Tony.Larimer@satausa.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SATAUSA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeemQbCv6Mtc7m5tacP-NPQ  Connect with Erin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-killcoyne-solis-534470105 Website: https://squareonesystems.com Connect with Sheryl: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryldriggers/

  3. Jun 23

    Small Fixes, Big Gains: How One Shop Sharpened Its Paint Process

    Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg.   In collision repair, we spend a lot of time talking about technology, ADAS, consolidation, and the future of the industry. But at the end of the day, success still comes down to something much more fundamental: doing great work consistently.   Today's guest is Israel Garcia of Merced Auto Body, a shop that has built a reputation around quality, craftsmanship, and a relentless commitment to continuous improvement. Whether it's refining paint processes, investing in better equipment, improving air quality and filtration, or simply eliminating the small frustrations that get in the way of great repairs, Israel and his team are constantly looking for ways to get better.   We'll talk about his journey in the industry, the culture they've built at Merced Auto Body, and some of the operational changes that have helped improve consistency, efficiency, and quality in the refinish department.   Because sometimes the biggest gains don't come from doing something completely different — they come from doing the fundamentals exceptionally well.   Connect with Israel: https://www.instagram.com/mercedautobody/

  4. Jun 9

    Starting From the Shop Floor: What One Operator Learned Working Across Collision

    Welcome to another episode of The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News!   I'm Cole Strandberg, and today I'm joined by David Black, chief operating officer of Body by Cochran and an industry veteran who has worked nearly every side of this business: independent owner, consolidator leadership, and now a dealer-owned MSO. We trace Dave's road from a "grunt kid" in his dad's West Virginia shop to helping grow Body by Cochran from five separate dealer body shops into a 13-location, roughly $80-million MSO. We get into the operational rebuild behind that growth including a collision-only parts warehouse that cut parts cycle time from 11.5 days to 1.3 — why the business now runs like an independent while keeping its dealer backing, his approach to brand specialization and developing the next generation of technicians, and the legacy he hopes to leave the industry.   Let's get into it.

  5. May 26

    More Than a Final Step: Rethinking Alignment in Collision Repair

    Welcome back to The Collision Vision Roundtable. I'm Cole Strandberg. Coming off my conversation with Dan Stander, we wanted to continue exploring a topic that's becoming increasingly critical in collision repair: alignment. Specifically, how alignment now touches everything from repair planning and suspension geometry to ADAS performance, liability, and customer safety. Joining me today is regular panelist Erin Solis and guest panelist Justin Allen from Hunter Engineering. Together, we're going to unpack why alignment can no longer be viewed as just a final mechanical procedure and why the shops that integrate it deeply into their repair process are gaining a real operational advantage. This conversation is ultimately about precision, discipline, and process — and why the details matter more than ever in modern collision repair. Let's get into it.  Connect with Erin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-killcoyne-solis-534470105 Website: https://squareonesystems.com Connect with Justin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-allen-85209949 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jallen.hunter YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jallenhunter TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jallenhunter

  6. May 19

    How One Shop Builds Alignment Into the Repair Process

    Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg.   Today we're diving into a topic that, in many ways, sits at the center of modern collision repair, but still doesn't always get the attention it deserves: alignment.   As vehicles become more technologically advanced, proper alignment is no longer just a final step before delivery. It's tied directly to repair planning, suspension geometry, ADAS functionality, vehicle safety, and ultimately liability. Shops that still view alignment as a simple back-end procedure are increasingly finding themselves behind the curve.   Joining me today is Dan Stander of Fix Auto Highlands Ranch, a longtime operator, industry leader, and someone deeply passionate about proper repair processes and developing the next generation of talent. Dan has spent decades evolving alongside the industry, and he brings a thoughtful perspective on how alignment, process discipline, training, and consistency all connect in today's repair environment.   This is a conversation about doing repairs the right way...and why the details matter more than ever.

  7. May 12

    ADAS In-House: What It Takes to Make It a Shop Capability

    Coming off my conversation with Mike Ambrosino of ADAS Diagnostic Solutions, we wanted to continue digging into one of the most important operational shifts happening in collision repair today: the move from ADAS as a sublet task to ADAS as a core repair capability.   Joining me today is regular panelist Sheryl Driggers, and special guest Stewart Peregrine from Autel, one of the companies helping shape how shops think about diagnostics, calibration, workflow, and documentation in this rapidly evolving environment.   Today's conversation is bigger than tools and equipment. This is about process, liability, repair planning, technician readiness, and ultimately how shops gain more control over the repair itself.   Because at this point, ADAS isn't "coming." It's here. And the shops that build disciplined systems around it are going to separate themselves from the ones still treating it like an afterthought.   Let's get into it. Connect with Stew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewperegrine   Connect with Sheryl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryldriggers/

  8. May 5

    Partnerships: Where Shops May Leave Value on the Table

    Welcome back to The Collision Vision Roundtable. I'm Cole Strandberg.   Coming off my conversation with Mike Schoonover, we wanted to go deeper on one of the biggest themes from that episode: partnerships. Not just vendors, not just suppliers, but the idea that the best operators are leveraging their partners as a real extension of their business.   Joining me today are our regular panelist, Erin Solis, and for this conversation, Jim Lovejoy, who brings a great perspective on what strong operator-partner relationships actually look like in the field.   We're going to break down what shops should expect from their partners, where value is being left on the table, and how partnerships can become a true driver of growth, not just a line item.   Connect with Jim: Email: jim.lovejoy@akzonobel.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-lovejoy-1831071/   Connect with Erin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-killcoyne-solis-534470105/ Website: https://squareonesystems.com/

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5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Are you a business owner, executive or manager in the collision repair industry? This podcast is for you! Welcome to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. Hosted by Cole Strandberg, each episode will feature an industry thought leader, business owner or collision pro diving deep into their knowledge of what it takes to be successful. We'll talk trends, culture, growth and scalability, to give actionable insights into how to elevate your business. This podcast will enlighten, engage and entertain while covering the full scope of the current state of the industry---and where it is headed. So come along for the ride, and level up with The Collision Vision.

Information

  • Creator
    Autobody News
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    163
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    The Collision Vision

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