COLORADO
Import Parts Warehouse (IPW), an aftermarket parts distributor in Denver, recently hired Dave Sanders to serve as an outside sales representative. Sanders’ main responsibility is to call on jobbers and repair shops throughout the Denver area. A line that Sanders said he’s promoting is Dayco, which makes belts, hoses, tensioners, and pulleys, a brand the warehouse took on in the fall of 2008.
Mike Mulkins, parts manager for Go Chrysler Jeep West, an AutoNation dealership in Golden, reported that they are now carrying Crown aftermarket Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge replacement mechanical parts. “It’s an opportunity for us to give our customers options,” Mulkins said.
AutoNation held its first annual Skills Competition for Denver-area parts consultants, service consultants, and service technicians, which culminated with hands-on competition Feb. 28 at Go Collision Center in Denver. Twelve finalists made it to the final competition by receiving high marks on a series of written tests and video role playing. The top finalist for each category, dubbed Top Gun Performers, are: Claire Cummings, parts, Go Chrysler Jeep West, coached by Parts Manager Mike Mulkins; Bill McClurg, service technician, Go GMC West, coached by Service Manager Wes Studer; and Dave Phillips, service consultant, Go Chevrolet, coached by Service Manager Rick Atkinson.
The Automotive Service Association of Colorado (ASA-CO) held a collision meeting March 5 at Prestige Imports Collision Center in Lakewood. It was attended by 45 people representing 14 shops in the Denver and Colorado Springs areas. Christine Hoefler of the Colorado Small Business Assistance program discussed the new EPA federal law that affects collision repair shops. Shop personnel also had an opportunity to interact on a panel discussion with three collision repair consumers.
I-CAR held its new Waterborne Products, Systems, and Applications (REF07) class in two locations on March 24 at Warren Tech in Lakewood and Phil Long Collision Repair Center in Colorado Springs. The course helps painters and owners understand the difference between waterborne and solvent-borne refinishing materials, including waterborne characteristics and benefits; identify the environmental impact and reasons for converting to waterborne refinishing materials; understand preparation, mixing, and application considerations; understand the facility requirements for making the conversion to waterborne refinishing materials; and recognize proper storage and disposal procedures of waterborne materials. For future courses, visit www.i-car.com.
Colorado Automotive Teachers Society (CATS) held its conference at Community College of Aurora Lowry Campus on March 6. The event featured several technical seminars and a vendor exhibit. For more information on how to get involved with CATS, contact Kelly Hebert at khebert@jeffco.k12.co.us or 303-982-8572, or visit www.coloats.com.
The Northern Colorado Business Report announced that Minneapolis-based ABRA Auto Body and Glass recently acquired Loveland Auto Body. That brings the number of ABRA repair centers to 96 in 11 states. ABRA purchased the facility from founder Bob Bowman, who remains an employee of the shop.
John Rush and Donny Seyfer, co-hosts of the “GearHeads” radio show, now broadcast on AM560 KLZ. To hear the Saturday streaming online, visit www.560thelight.com/pages/3509276.php.
NEW MEXICO
Dallas Cowboys football legend Bob Lilly will appear for an autograph session during the New Mexico International Auto Show on April 17 and 18 the Albuquerque Convention Center. For more information, visit www.newmexicoautoshow.com. The event is sponsored by the New Mexico Automotive Dealers Association and produced by Motor Trend Auto Shows LLC.
