VeriFacts Automotive hosts 11th symposium, charts course for navigating the future of collision repair
March 9, 2020
4 min read
Charting the course for the future of the collision repair industry was the theme for the 2020 VeriFacts Symposium, and the speakers and panelists all focused on how to address and embrace the coming impact of advanced repair requirements, converging technology and commitment to providing the safest, most cost-effective collision repair for consumers.
Held February 20 to 21, 2020 in Newport Beach, CA, at the fabulous Fashion Island Hotel, the invitation-only VeriFacts Symposium featured two days of discussion of the changes ahead for the collision repair industry, collaborative solution development, exhibitor clinics and keynote speakers.
“We are sailing in changing seas,” said Farzam Afshar, CEO of VeriFacts Automotive. “The OEMs and insurers are partnering on insurance policies embedded in the car purchase/lease, consolidation is continuing, OEM certification is starting to replace DRPs, and we are shifting from the first notice of loss to the first notice of need – thanks to advanced technology.”
The presentations and panelists focused on three key topics:
-Repair Process and Standards – how the collision repair industry addresses them today and prepares for changing repair processes tomorrow
-Converging Technology – how all of the advanced technology from AI, to AR, robotics, blockchain, quantum computing and more will converge, impacting all areas of the industry
-Industry Consolidation and Collaboration – how consolidation of insurers, OEMs and collision repair shops will continue to drive change, and how new collaborations, like joint insurance/OEM offering, will create new opportunities
“The 2020 VeriFacts Symposium was an exclusive gathering of the premier collision repair industry leaders for two days to gain clarity on how we can collectively deliver the highest quality, safest, cost-effective collision repair for consumers throughout the country,” said Farzam Afshar, CEO of VeriFacts Automotive. “The VeriFacts Symposium is a safe place for like-minded colleagues to discuss the changes ahead for the collision repair industry. Looking ahead, we are collectively working to chart the course for success and navigate the future of collision repair together.”
At the Symposium, VeriFacts Automotive also recognized the VeriFacts March Taylor and Ace award winners.
The ACE Award honors an exceptional collision repair center that has displayed an industry leading commitment to safe, correct and smart repairs. The award honors a collision repair center that has participated in the VeriFacts Verified Quality (VQ) Program for a minimum of six months, and has consistently delivered superior output repair quality. VeriFacts VQ facilities have opened their shops to independent verification experts so that the collision repair industry and consumers can know that these facilities produce high-quality collision repairs and superior KPI performance. The recipient of the 2019 ACE Award for Outstanding Shop of the Year is Eurotech Refinishing and Collision in Bellflower, CA, owned by Keith Myers.
The individual awards, named the March Taylor Award in honor of the industry leader March Taylor, is earned by individuals who contribute to the success of VeriFacts VQ facilities by excelling in their role. The five roles awarded this year are: Aluminum and Advanced Materials Technician, Traditional Materials Technician, Refinish Technician, Vehicle Damage Assessor and Collision Repair Manager.
Outstanding Craftsmanship as a Paint & Refinish Technician -- Dave Hoehler – Mahnke Auto Body, Golden, CO
Outstanding Craftsmanship as a Vehicle Damage Assessor -- Jeff Hurst – Factory Collision and Restoration, Weymouth, MA
Outstanding Craftsmanship as a Traditional Materials Technician -- Rafael Lopez – Caliber Collision Center, Covina, CA
Outstanding Leadership as a Shop Manager -- Peter Reszczynski – Fix Auto Chicago, Chicago, IL
Outstanding Craftsmanship as an Advanced Materials Technician -- Chris Sandoval – Car Crafters Auto Body Shop – Holly, Albuquerque, NM
VeriFacts Automotive, headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, leads the collision repair industry in providing the highest level of collision repair business coaching, evaluation and verification services, delivering OEM certifications to ensure collision repair facilities are prepared to deliver safe, reliable and cost-effective repairs.
VeriFacts Automotive was founded nearly 20 years ago on the premise that insurers, vehicle manufacturers and collision repair professionals all needed to work collaboratively to deliver common repair processes to ensure consumer safety. It continually works toward that goal, and the VeriFacts Symposium is a unique forum where these industry leaders gather.
About VeriFacts Automotive
VeriFacts Automotive, headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, provides the highest level of collision repair business coaching, evaluation and verification services, delivering OEM certifications to ensure collision repair facilities are prepared to deliver safe and reliable repairs. Today, VeriFacts has partnerships with the majority of leading multi-shop collision repair organizations, independent repair facilities and top vehicle manufacturers and is recognized by top insurance carriers, among others. VeriFacts employs more than 75 team members across North America. For more information, visit www.VeriFactsAuto.com.
“We are sailing in changing seas,” said Farzam Afshar, CEO of VeriFacts Automotive. “The OEMs and insurers are partnering on insurance policies embedded in the car purchase/lease, consolidation is continuing, OEM certification is starting to replace DRPs, and we are shifting from the first notice of loss to the first notice of need – thanks to advanced technology.”
The presentations and panelists focused on three key topics:
-Repair Process and Standards – how the collision repair industry addresses them today and prepares for changing repair processes tomorrow
-Converging Technology – how all of the advanced technology from AI, to AR, robotics, blockchain, quantum computing and more will converge, impacting all areas of the industry
-Industry Consolidation and Collaboration – how consolidation of insurers, OEMs and collision repair shops will continue to drive change, and how new collaborations, like joint insurance/OEM offering, will create new opportunities
“The 2020 VeriFacts Symposium was an exclusive gathering of the premier collision repair industry leaders for two days to gain clarity on how we can collectively deliver the highest quality, safest, cost-effective collision repair for consumers throughout the country,” said Farzam Afshar, CEO of VeriFacts Automotive. “The VeriFacts Symposium is a safe place for like-minded colleagues to discuss the changes ahead for the collision repair industry. Looking ahead, we are collectively working to chart the course for success and navigate the future of collision repair together.”
At the Symposium, VeriFacts Automotive also recognized the VeriFacts March Taylor and Ace award winners.
The ACE Award honors an exceptional collision repair center that has displayed an industry leading commitment to safe, correct and smart repairs. The award honors a collision repair center that has participated in the VeriFacts Verified Quality (VQ) Program for a minimum of six months, and has consistently delivered superior output repair quality. VeriFacts VQ facilities have opened their shops to independent verification experts so that the collision repair industry and consumers can know that these facilities produce high-quality collision repairs and superior KPI performance. The recipient of the 2019 ACE Award for Outstanding Shop of the Year is Eurotech Refinishing and Collision in Bellflower, CA, owned by Keith Myers.
The individual awards, named the March Taylor Award in honor of the industry leader March Taylor, is earned by individuals who contribute to the success of VeriFacts VQ facilities by excelling in their role. The five roles awarded this year are: Aluminum and Advanced Materials Technician, Traditional Materials Technician, Refinish Technician, Vehicle Damage Assessor and Collision Repair Manager.
Outstanding Craftsmanship as a Paint & Refinish Technician -- Dave Hoehler – Mahnke Auto Body, Golden, CO
Outstanding Craftsmanship as a Vehicle Damage Assessor -- Jeff Hurst – Factory Collision and Restoration, Weymouth, MA
Outstanding Craftsmanship as a Traditional Materials Technician -- Rafael Lopez – Caliber Collision Center, Covina, CA
Outstanding Leadership as a Shop Manager -- Peter Reszczynski – Fix Auto Chicago, Chicago, IL
Outstanding Craftsmanship as an Advanced Materials Technician -- Chris Sandoval – Car Crafters Auto Body Shop – Holly, Albuquerque, NM
VeriFacts Automotive, headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, leads the collision repair industry in providing the highest level of collision repair business coaching, evaluation and verification services, delivering OEM certifications to ensure collision repair facilities are prepared to deliver safe, reliable and cost-effective repairs.
VeriFacts Automotive was founded nearly 20 years ago on the premise that insurers, vehicle manufacturers and collision repair professionals all needed to work collaboratively to deliver common repair processes to ensure consumer safety. It continually works toward that goal, and the VeriFacts Symposium is a unique forum where these industry leaders gather.
About VeriFacts Automotive
VeriFacts Automotive, headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, provides the highest level of collision repair business coaching, evaluation and verification services, delivering OEM certifications to ensure collision repair facilities are prepared to deliver safe and reliable repairs. Today, VeriFacts has partnerships with the majority of leading multi-shop collision repair organizations, independent repair facilities and top vehicle manufacturers and is recognized by top insurance carriers, among others. VeriFacts employs more than 75 team members across North America. For more information, visit www.VeriFactsAuto.com.
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