Panelist include Erick Bickett, CEO of Fix Auto; Kevin Gardiner, Regional Manager of AAA Southern California and Dr. John Southerland, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. The panelists – expert in their fields – each represent one of the major stakeholders in the collision repair industry: Bickett represents repairers, Gardiner represents insurance providers, and Sutherland, with his extensive knowledge of automobile manufacturing, represents the OEM. The discussion will be moderated by Mike Shesterkin, of the Coalition for a Triple Bottom Line in Collision Repair.

The panelists will discuss the realities faced by the collision repair industry in the 21st century. The industry is complex, evolving, and challenging, with diverse stakeholders who quite often have competing objectives. The discussion will include a focus on a new and emergent model, the triple bottom line (TBL) of profitability, people and planet, through which the industry may better understand these complex issues.

By its nature, the collision repair industry is well suited to the TBL. Safely repairing vehicles extends their life, saves money, creates jobs, conserves resources and reduces environmental damage. In many ways, the industry is already going down this path.

According to Joe Hayes, CEO of GMGEnviroSafe, “Although the vocabulary may be different, much of the collision repair industry can be described as triple bottom-line. Implementing lean processes, actively participating in 20 groups, and managing KPI's strengthen shop profitability. Ongoing training, organizational development, and a focus on retention and recruiting exemplifies the value placed on people; it’s also integral to successful collision businesses. Lower VOC products, more efficient equipment, and compliant work practices help protect the environment. Reducing, reusing, and recycling in the industry all focus on the triple bottom-line.”

The panel is being sponsored by AkzoNobel, Verifacts Automotive, GMGEnviroSafe and others.