Thursday, 03 April 2008 16:02

Latest Collision Industry News:

Waterborne Regulations Expected to Extend, thats the word coming from Jim Quick (executive director of Canadian Paint & Coatings Association). Jim insists the regulations are still very much underway, however it just might take a bit longer then originally anticipated. The CPCA is anticipating a one-year extension of the revised date of January 1, 2010. The CPCA estimates the conversion will cost a total of $200 million across Canada. Shops will be spending $75 million on training, $25 million on movable equipment (guns,washers,dryers), $75 on stationary equipment (booths, mixing rooms) & $25 million on paint replacement.

PPG/Keystone partnership established, PPG Canada & Keystone have recently announced their decision to provide customers on the PPG certified first network with preferred access to all of Keystones products & services. Keystone whom was recently acquired by LKQ Corp (a major American automotive recycling company), says they believes that being able to provide customers with preferred access will be very beneficial to their business. Roughly translated - Certified first shops will be able to purchase Keystones parts easier with the possibility that PPG certified requirements will specify only the use of LKQ/Keystone parts, PPG gets a kickback, LKQ dominates a little bit more of the market, knocks out one more competitor & prices gradually climb... one bumper at a time.

RM Onyx HD Finally Arrives! with all the water in the air trying to beat the VOC mandate shop owners are trying to keep all of their options open. RM Onyx finally entered the Canadian market at Collision Plus in Surrey, BC. Collision Plus operates 13 locations across BC & is currently using Glasurit 90 line at one of them. The shop owner, Roger Roy mentions that the conversion process had little to no problems at all & seems very pleased with the system.