Most independent shop owners didn’t open their business because they loved financial statements. They opened it because they loved problem-solving, fixing vehicles, and helping people. Yet sooner or later, every owner faces a hard truth: Your financials aren’t a side…
Paul Barry, Executive director, (left) of CIECA and Roy Schnepper, AMAM, Butler’s Collision, Roseville, MI, (right) and recent past chairman of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) received the lifetime achievement award from CIECA on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at the…
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 4, 2025) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) revealed its New Products Award winners during the 2025 SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast, recognizing the most innovative and cutting-edge advancements shaping the automotive aftermarket. More than 1,300 products…
Many auto shop owners I met started their journey the same way; as technicians who loved solving problems, cared deeply about customers, and wanted more control over their future. That same technician identity is what got them here. But it’s…
The United States House Appropriations Committee voted 35-28 last month to advance House Republican’s Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, (LHHSE) and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026. This bill largely aligns with the strategic workforce development plan…
For many shop owners, the idea of opening a second location is exciting. You picture more bays, more revenue, and maybe even more freedom. But the truth? Two shops might be the most dangerous number in business. You’re not small…
President and CEO of Boyd Group Services Inc., Brian Kaner, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies at the 2025 MSO Symposium, taking place Monday, November 3rd, in Las Vegas at Rio Hotel & Casino, a Destination by Hyatt. [caption…
Walk into most auto industry shops or scan the headlines, and you’ll hear the same three challenges on repeat: “We can’t find techs.” “Parts are killing our margins.” “We can’t keep up with technology.” But here's the truth: These aren’t…
Registration for the 14th annual MSO Symposium is now open. Advisory board members strongly recommend collision industry leadership and management take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to gather with peers and obtain updates on the status and direction of the…
The 2025 MSO Symposium returns to Las Vegas on Monday, November 3rd for its 14th annual conference. The Automotive Service Association looks forward to hosting the collision repair industry and kicking off the week of the SEMA/AAPEX show, the automotive…
Innovations in automotive technology often result in new costly expenses for automotive repairers. A recent study conducted by the University of North Florida found that acquiring the equipment needed to conduct advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) calibrations could set a…
If you own a single-location auto shop and want more time back in your day, there’s one hurdle you’re almost guaranteed to hit: delegation. It’s not that you don’t have a team. It’s that handing off responsibility feels risky. This…
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) installed its new 2025-26 Board of Directors during its annual meeting held July 29-30. New Officers and Directors The newly installed ASA board features a blend of experienced leaders representing both the collision and mechanical…
On July 3, 2025, the United States House of Representatives passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) on a 218-214 vote after the U.S. Senate passed it a few days prior on a 51-50 vote. Vice President J.D. Vance provided…
I often hear people say, “I’m retired” or “I’m on a fixed income”, usually when they’re trying to justify a lower price or asking for a discount. And while I understand where they’re coming from, it often strikes a deeper…
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 2025 – The United States House of Representatives’ Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held a hearing on June 26, 2025 titled, “Looking Under the Hood: The State of NHTSA and Motor Vehicle…
On July 1, 2025, the United States Senate passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) on a 51-50 vote. Vice President J.D. Vance provided the tiebreaking vote. The U.S. House must approve the Senate’s version before the bill can be…
Most shop owners pride themselves on being great problem-solvers. And in many ways, they are. When things go sideways, they step in, adapt, and get it handled. But there’s a blind spot that often gets overlooked: we’re solving symptoms instead…
With more than four decades in the collision repair industry, Dan Stander has built a reputation as a business owner and an innovator who connects diverse industry stakeholders. This July, Stander will step into the role of chairman of the…
The Automotive Management Institute (AMi) is thrilled to announce the extension of its limited-time offer to help automotive professionals jumpstart their path to success. Through June 2025, individuals pursuing the prestigious Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation can now claim a…
North Dakota has decided to buck a trend in the way states approach automotive insurance issues. Most states discourage auto insurance companies from directing their policyholders to certain auto body shops. In other words, they cannot prevent their policyholders from…
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has designated June 2025 as Automotive Service Professionals Month (ASPM). ASE encourages industry members to use Automotive Service Professionals Month as an opportunity to show appreciation for service professionals and host recognition…
As Scott Benavidez, AMAM, prepares to wrap up his two-year term as chairman of the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Board of Directors this July, ASA recognizes and celebrates his unwavering dedication to advancing automotive service and collision repair professionals nationwide.…
I often take a walk, in a nearby park. It’s quiet, simple, and ironically one of the most productive parts of my day. The trees have changed. The paths have shifted. And every time I walk it, I realize how…
For 15 years, Roy Schnepper, AMAM, has been a steadfast leader on the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Board, making him the longest-serving board member in the organization’s history. Throughout his tenure, Schnepper has guided…
On the same day he took the oath of office, President Trump signed a package of Executive Orders, which he collectively named “America First Trade Policy,” These orders instructed federal agencies to examine the causes for the United States’ trade…
If you've ever had one family member at Thanksgiving who says something wildly inappropriate or still treats you like you're twelve, you already know: family dynamics are tricky. Now imagine inviting that same person into your business. In the automotive…
Some in Congress like to invoke independent auto repair shops to appear on the side of the little guy. They now have an opportunity to support legislation that addresses their data concerns as well as important safety issues for independent…
After many years of dedicated service, ASA Secretary/Treasurer Tom Piippo is stepping down as he finishes out his final term on the ASA Board of Directors following the sale of his shop, Tri-County Motors, last fall. His leadership, advocacy and commitment have…
In Part 1, I shared performance levels and how an owner’s leadership sets the standard. Now, discover how to build a shop where team members take full ownership of their growth and careers. Where you support them, but don’t have…
Automotive Service Association, Society of Collision Repair Specialists and Alliance for Automotive Innovation come together on SAFE Repair Act National plan includes additional protections for consumers; preserves vehicle safety, fair competition Automotive right-to-repair already exists in U.S.; owners can have…
Car ADAS Solutions is excited to announce that TAG Calibrations, a licensee with multiple calibration centers, opened a new facility that serves the Blue Ash, Ohio, community. The 9,000-square-foot facility, staffed by four full-time technicians, represents the company’s continued commitment…
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is pleased to report that President Trump’s nominee to lead the Small Business Administration (SBA), former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), received a vote in support from the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee. SBA loans play an…
Your auto shop’s performance starts with you. The culture, expectations, and accountability you set shapes how your team shows up every day. Frustrated by underperforming team members? Here’s the hard truth: their performance reflects what you allow or enforce. If…
President Trump took the oath of office on Monday, January 20, 2025, and he quickly got to work signing a whole host of executive orders (EOs) that same day. A package of these orders, which he collectively named “America First…
Understanding and managing the high expenses associated with the auto service and repair industry is complex. However, by using a careful approach, Auto service business owners can substantially increase their profitability. Optimizing Credit and Debit Card Processing Fees Credit and…
President Trump took the oath of office on Monday, January 20, 2025, and he quickly got to work signing a whole host of executive orders (EOs) that same day. Not included among those EOs was an enactment of new tariffs…
More than 3 out of 5 shops continued to say they have never billed for the labor to perform a radar power test, according to the quarterly “Who Pays for What?” survey this past October, a statistic unchanged from the…
Mark Claypool, AMAM, has been named the new Executive Director of the Automotive Management Institute (AMi). Claypool, recently retired as the President of web marketing agency Optima Automotive and was also formerly the VP…
In today’s competitive automotive repair industry, being a successful shop owner is about much more than fixing cars. It’s about leading a team, running efficient operations, and staying profitable, all while delivering excellent customer service. The major hurdles that auto…
In today’s competitive automotive repair industry, being a successful shop owner is about much more than fixing cars. It’s about leading a team, running efficient operations, and staying profitable, all while delivering excellent customer service. The major hurdles that auto…
After months of waiting and making predictions, the automotive repair community and the rest of the world finally knows what the federal government will look like. Republicans have secured a trifecta. Former President Donald Trump will once again assume residency…
In today’s competitive automotive repair industry, being a successful shop owner is about much more than fixing cars. It’s about leading a team, running efficient operations, and staying profitable, all while delivering excellent customer service. The major hurdles that auto…
Unless you live under a rock, you know there’s a major presidential election on November 5. If you live in a swing state, you’re probably reminded about it every time you blink. It can be hard to sift through all…
When it comes to profit, many auto shop owners hit a mental roadblock. They often see profit as something greedy or a “nice-to-have” if there’s anything left over. But just like a car needs fuel to run smoothly, profit is…
When it comes to performing post-collision safety inspections, the majority of repairers see the need to do them, according to the findings of the most-recent “Who Pays for What?” survey this summer. But there is some uncertainty among shops about…
North Richland Hills, Texas, Oct. 1, 2024 - The MSO Symposium advisory board and administration has confirmed this year’s exclusive one-day conference agenda. The collision industry event created by and for multi-shop owners and operators, will be held in Las…
Most of us love a good fixer-upper. While most are residential, this one was located in a local high school. An old mechanical shop, long abandoned and repurposed for storage, was restored to its former glory last year in Albuquerque,…
I speak with auto shop owners from across the country and most are facing similar challenges. Feeling overworked by being the go-to person Stuck in the day to day Constantly managing crises and emergencies And if that isn’t enough, most…
WASHINGTON — With the peak of hurricane season arriving and an elevated wildfire risk across much of the West, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to develop an emergency preparedness plan or, if they already have one, to update it…
