The Collision Vision

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg.

Today's guest is Logan Martin of Mr. Dent Collision Repair, a family business whose evolution mirrors a lot of what's happening across collision repair today.

Mr. Dent has grown from PDR into full collision repair and multiple locations, while adding capabilities like calibration and mechanical work along the way.

So today, we're going to use Logan's story to look forward. We'll talk about increasingly complex vehicles, OEM influence, certifications, the changing workforce, consolidation, and what all of it means for independent collision operators.

Because this industry is changing quickly — and the businesses that thrive over the next decade probably won't look exactly like the ones that thrived over the last.

Let's get into it.

Connect with Logan: Website LinkedIn

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg.

Today's episode is a bit of a reality check in the best way possible. We're talking about what it really means to run a disciplined, high-performing collision business.

My guest is Doug Higgins, founder of Collision Advisory and former CEO of TAG Auto Group. Doug brings a rare combination to this industry — he spent over a decade at Kroger as a divisional CFO overseeing a $2 billion business, then transitioned into collision repair where he served as both CFO and CEO of a multi-location group. In other words, he's seen how great businesses are run at scale, and he's also sat in the exact seat many of you are in today.

In this conversation, we're breaking down financial discipline in collision repair: what most shops think they know versus what the numbers actually say, where profitability is quietly leaking, how to think about capital allocation, and what it really takes to scale the right way.

If you're serious about building a better business, not just a busier one, this episode is for you.

Let's get into it.

Connect with Doug: LinkedIn https://collisionadvisory.com/

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. There are people in this industry who build great businesses. There are others who have an incredible ability to identify opportunities, attract great people, and build organizations around them. Today's guest has spent his career doing both. Jacob Tilzer is the Founder and Managing Partner of Accrual Equity Partners, but many in the collision industry know him best as the founder of Kaizen Collision, which he built from a single location into one of the industry's fastest-growing multi-shop operators. But the Kaizen story is really only part of this conversation. Today, Jacob is building again — investing in and growing businesses across automotive, assembling an incredible team at Accrual Equity Partners, and partnering with entrepreneurs and operators to build the next generation of automotive companies. And this one is a little personal for me. Jacob is one of the guys responsible for bringing me into the organization I'm part of today, NBB, and I've had a front-row seat to one of the things I find most interesting about him: his ability to convince incredibly talented people to come build alongside him. His ability to create, and share, a vision. We'll talk about his journey, the rise of Kaizen, what he learned scaling and ultimately exiting the business, and how those lessons influence the way he invests and builds today. We'll also get into the opportunity he sees across automotive, what he looks for in businesses and founders, how he thinks about talent, and what he believes the next generation of great automotive platforms will look like. Because ultimately, building something great isn't just about finding the right opportunity. It's about finding the right people to build it with. Let's get into it.

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg.

On a recent episode of the podcast, I sat down with Juan Carlos Gasga Perez, owner of Premier Auto Body and the technician and educator behind Auto Body Strong. We talked about his journey, the evolution of the modern collision technician, and the role that better training, better tools, and better processes play in performing increasingly complex repairs the right way.

But there was another part of that conversation that really stood out: the way Juan is helping make the craft of collision repair visible.

The response to our content with Juan was incredible, and it raises a bigger question for an industry that spends a lot of time talking about the technician shortage: Are we doing enough to make collision repair a career people actually aspire to? Joining me today to dig into that are Erin Solis and Sheryl Driggers. We'll talk about what stood out from the Juan conversation, how technicians are learning today, and what shops can do to create better pathways for their people to grow.

We'll also get into recruiting, retention, mentorship, social media, and how we can do a better job celebrating the skill and craftsmanship that already exists throughout this industry.

Because maybe solving the technician shortage isn't only about finding more people. Maybe it starts with building careers people don't want to leave — and showing the next generation why they should want to be here in the first place.

Let's get into it.

Connect with Erin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-killcoyne-solis-534470105 https://squareonesystems.com/

Connect with Sheryl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryldriggers/

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. Collision repair is becoming more technical every year. New materials, more sophisticated joining methods, advanced measuring systems, OEM procedures, and increasingly complex vehicles have raised the bar for what it means to perform a proper repair. But ultimately, all of that technology still comes down to the person holding the tools. Today's guest is Juan Carlos Gasga Perez, owner of Premier Auto Body and the technician and educator behind Auto Body Strong. Juan has built a massive following by doing something relatively simple: showing the industry what great collision repair looks like in the real world. We'll talk about his journey from technician to shop owner, how Auto Body Strong became an educational platform for technicians around the world, and what he's learned by putting his work in front of such a large audience. We'll also get into the technical side — from structural repair and measuring to welding, equipment, efficiency, and what it really takes to perform today's increasingly complex repairs the right way. And finally, we'll look ahead at the technician of the future, and how better training, better tools, and maybe even social media can help us build the next generation of collision repair professionals. Because as sophisticated as the vehicles and technology become, great repairs still depend on great technicians. Let's get into it. Follow Juan: Instagram Youtube

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. On a recent episode of the podcast, I sat down with Fox and Gerard of ADAS Calibrations of Hawaii to discuss how they built a dedicated ADAS calibration business from the ground up. We talked about everything from facility design and workflow to documentation, technician development, and why they believe successful calibrations are driven more by process than equipment. That conversation sparked a bigger question: What does "doing ADAS right" actually look like? So today, we're taking that discussion one step further. Joining me for a roundtable conversation are Sheryl Driggers, Erin Solis, and Dave Agnew — three industry experts who have spent years helping collision repair businesses navigate the growing complexity of ADAS. Together, we'll unpack some of the biggest themes from my conversation with Fox and Gerard, discuss where they agree, where they may see things differently, and explore what today's collision operators need to understand as ADAS becomes an increasingly critical part of every repair. Because as vehicles continue to evolve, success isn't just about having the right technology. It's about building the right processes, developing the right people, and creating a culture that prioritizes precision every step of the way. Let's get into it. Connect with David: [email protected] https://www.hunter.com/ Connect with Erin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-killcoyne-solis-534470105 https://squareonesystems.com/

Connect with Sheryl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryldriggers/

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg.

Collision repair has never lacked for technical expertise. But as our industry continues to evolve, success increasingly depends on something else: strong leadership, meaningful relationships, and a willingness to keep learning.

Today's guest is Dan Carranza, a longtime industry leader whose career has spanned decades of helping collision businesses grow. After years in leadership at AkzoNobel, Dan recently launched Accelerate Growth Partners, where he's focused on helping operators build stronger organizations, develop better leaders, and prepare for what's next.

We'll talk about his journey through the industry, what inspired him to make the leap into entrepreneurship, and the leadership principles he's seen separate great businesses from the rest. We'll also dive into Collision Next, the new industry conference Dan is launching to create more meaningful conversations and challenge the way we think about education, networking, and the future of collision repair.

Because while our industry is changing rapidly, one thing hasn't changed: great businesses are still built by great leaders. Let's get into it.

Connect with Dan:

Website Collision Next LinkedIn

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: [email protected] https://www.instagram.com/adas_coh/

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: [email protected]

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/

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/