Episodes
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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 â they come from doing the fundamentals exceptionally well. Connect with Israel: https://www.instagram.com/mercedautobody/
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Welcome to another episode of The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News! I'm Cole Strandberg, and today I'm joined by David Black, chief operating officer of Body by Cochran and an industry veteran who has worked nearly every side of this business: independent owner, consolidator leadership, and now a dealer-owned MSO.
We trace Dave's road from a "grunt kid" in his dad's West Virginia shop to helping grow Body by Cochran from five separate dealer body shops into a 13-location, roughly $80-million MSO. We get into the operational rebuild behind that growth including a collision-only parts warehouse that cut parts cycle time from 11.5 days to 1.3 â why the business now runs like an independent while keeping its dealer backing, his approach to brand specialization and developing the next generation of technicians, and the legacy he hopes to leave the industry. Let's get into it. -
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Welcome back to The Collision Vision Roundtable. I'm Cole Strandberg.
Coming off my conversation with Dan Stander, we wanted to continue exploring a topic that's becoming increasingly critical in collision repair: alignment. Specifically, how alignment now touches everything from repair planning and suspension geometry to ADAS performance, liability, and customer safety.
Joining me today is regular panelist Erin Solis and guest panelist Justin Allen from Hunter Engineering. Together, we're going to unpack why alignment can no longer be viewed as just a final mechanical procedure and why the shops that integrate it deeply into their repair process are gaining a real operational advantage.
This conversation is ultimately about precision, discipline, and process â and why the details matter more than ever in modern collision repair.
Let's get into it.
Connect with Erin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-killcoyne-solis-534470105
Website: https://squareonesystems.comConnect with Justin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-allen-85209949
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jallen.hunter
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jallenhunter
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jallenhunter -
Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. Today we're diving into a topic that, in many ways, sits at the center of modern collision repair, but still doesn't always get the attention it deserves: alignment. As vehicles become more technologically advanced, proper alignment is no longer just a final step before delivery. It's tied directly to repair planning, suspension geometry, ADAS functionality, vehicle safety, and ultimately liability. Shops that still view alignment as a simple back-end procedure are increasingly finding themselves behind the curve. Joining me today is Dan Stander of Fix Auto Highlands Ranch, a longtime operator, industry leader, and someone deeply passionate about proper repair processes and developing the next generation of talent. Dan has spent decades evolving alongside the industry, and he brings a thoughtful perspective on how alignment, process discipline, training, and consistency all connect in today's repair environment. This is a conversation about doing repairs the right way...and why the details matter more than ever.
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Coming off my conversation with Mike Ambrosino of ADAS Diagnostic Solutions, we wanted to continue digging into one of the most important operational shifts happening in collision repair today: the move from ADAS as a sublet task to ADAS as a core repair capability. Joining me today is regular panelist Sheryl Driggers, and special guest Stewart Peregrine from Autel, one of the companies helping shape how shops think about diagnostics, calibration, workflow, and documentation in this rapidly evolving environment. Today's conversation is bigger than tools and equipment. This is about process, liability, repair planning, technician readiness, and ultimately how shops gain more control over the repair itself. Because at this point, ADAS isn't "coming." It's here. And the shops that build disciplined systems around it are going to separate themselves from the ones still treating it like an afterthought. Let's get into it.
Connect with Stew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewperegrine Connect with Sheryl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryldriggers/ -
Welcome back to The Collision Vision Roundtable. I'm Cole Strandberg. Coming off my conversation with Mike Schoonover, we wanted to go deeper on one of the biggest themes from that episode: partnerships. Not just vendors, not just suppliers, but the idea that the best operators are leveraging their partners as a real extension of their business. Joining me today are our regular panelist, Erin Solis, and for this conversation, Jim Lovejoy, who brings a great perspective on what strong operator-partner relationships actually look like in the field. We're going to break down what shops should expect from their partners, where value is being left on the table, and how partnerships can become a true driver of growth, not just a line item. Connect with Jim: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-lovejoy-1831071/ Connect with Erin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-killcoyne-solis-534470105/ Website: https://squareonesystems.com/
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Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg.
Today's episode is about something every operator wants but very few truly achieve â building a business that lasts, not just for a few years but across generations. I'm joined by Mike Schoonover of Schoonover Bodyworks, a third-generation business that's been serving its community for over 85 years. What's remarkable isn't just the longevity. It's how the business has continued to evolve. From integrating collision, mechanical, and glass into a true one-stop model, to staying on the leading edge of training and technology, to building deep, strategic partnerships that actually move the business forward. And that's really where we're going to spend time today: partnerships. Not just vendors, not just suppliers, but true partners like AkzoNobel who contribute to training, process improvement, and growth. What should you expect from your partners? And just as importantly, are you actually leveraging them the way top operators do? This is a conversation about legacy, evolution, and the idea that great businesses aren't built alone. Let's dive in. Connect with Mike: https://schoonoverbodyworks.com/ https://www.facebook.com/schoonoverbodyworks -
Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg.
Today we're diving into a topic that's moving quickly from "emerging" to mission-critical for collision repair operators: EV fire safety.
As electric vehicles continue to scale across the country, they're bringing with them a very different risk profile. Lithium-ion batteries, especially when damaged in a collision, can experience something called thermal runaway â a chain reaction that can lead to fires that burn hotter, last longer, and even reignite hours or days after the initial incident.
That changes everything from how we intake vehicles, to where we store them, to how we protect our teams, our facilities, and our customers.
Joining me today is Bruno Lucarelli of EV Safety, a company focused specifically on helping operators understand, prepare for, and mitigate these risks. We're going to talk about what's actually at stake, where shops are most exposed today, and how to think about building the right safety infrastructure as EV volume continues to grow.
This is one of those conversations where awareness alone isn't enough. Action is what truly matters. Let's get into it.
Connect with Bruno:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunolucarelli/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ev-safety-llc/posts/?feedView=all
https://evsafetyproducts.com/ -
Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. Today's episode is a case study, and one that hits right at the center of where collision repair is heading. We're talking ADAS⊠not as an add-on, not as a sublet, but as a core part of the repair process.
Joining me is Mike Ambrosino of ADAS Diagnostic Solutions, an organization closely tied to the Fuller Collision Group, friends of the show and some of the most forward-thinking operators in the industry. Mike's journey from shop operations into ADAS gives him a unique perspective on what's actually happening on the ground and what's required to do this work right.
In this conversation, we're breaking down the shift from ADAS bottlenecks to ADAS control â why the old "send it out and deal with it later" model no longer works; how to think about building the right equipment and workflow stack; and what it really takes, from process to people to documentation, to integrate ADAS into your repair plan with confidence. If you're trying to reduce cycle time, capture more of the repair, and most importantly, protect your business from liability, this is one you won't want to miss.
Connect with Mike: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-ambrosino-17469022b/ ADAS Diagnostic Solutions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adas-diagnostic-solutions/posts/?feedView=all www.adscalibrate.com -
Welcome to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. Today we're talking about a piece of the collision ecosystem that impacts safety, cycle time, customer experience, and revenue â glass repair and training â with a guest who's become one of the brightest leaders in that space. Joining us is Shauna Davis, President and Founder of Kaizen Glass Solutions. Shauna came into collision through tooling and training for glass work, recognized a critical gap in how technicians were being prepared for today's tech-intensive vehicles, and built a business on continuous improvement â that's what Kaizen means â to train collision centers and elevate glass repair as a strategic capability. We'll explore Shauna's story, why the industry has a training shortage around glass, how that intersects with ADAS and calibration, and how operators can think about glass work as a real part of their business moving forward. Let's dive in. Connect with Shauna: Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-davis-91808b24/ Email: [email protected] https://www.kaizenglasssolutions.com/
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Welcome back to The Collision Vision Roundtable. I'm Cole Strandberg, and as part of our new format, we're unpacking the key themes from my recent conversation with Sebastian Torres of CARSTAR Torcam Group.
Sebastian shared how rethinking intake, by leveraging mobile inspection and capture estimating, allowed his team to deliver estimates before customers leave, increase efficiency, and lay the foundation for smart, sustainable growth.
Today I'm joined by our permanent panelists, Erin Solis and Sheryl Driggers, along with returning guest Bill Brower of Solera. We're going deeper â not just on the technology itself, but on what it really takes to build the operational foundation for growth, scale it across locations, and make sure tech adoption actually translates into better performance and profitability.
Connect with Bill:
Email: [email protected]
Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-brower-mba-9426b51/Connect with our panelists:
Sheryl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryldriggers/
Erin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-solis-534470105/ -
Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg.
Today I'm joined by Sebastian Torres, a sharp family-business operator leading CARSTAR Torcam Group in Canada. When Sebastian took the reins, he challenged legacy habits and leaned into techâadding Solera's photo-capture estimating and mobile inspection so customers can leave with an estimate in hand. The result? Faster intake, cleaner repair plans, better documentation, and a noticeable lift in profitability.
We'll unpack the workflow changes at the front counter, the ROI math behind instant estimates, andâimportantlyâthe leadership side: how to build the foundation for growth and know when the timing is right to scale across locations. Let's get into it.
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-torres-4ba591211/
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Welcome to our new follow-up roundtable on The Collision Vision. I'm Cole Strandberg, joined by our permanent panelists, Erin Solis and Sheryl Driggers, and today, our recent guest John Melendez is back with us.
We're unpacking John's decision to add ASE mechanical inside a collision-first shop â what it did for sublet, cycle time, pricing power, and customer experience â and how independent operators can pilot the same playbook. Let's get into it.
Connect with John:
Email: [email protected]
Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-melendez-576b59294/
Connect with our panelists:Sheryl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryldriggers/
Erin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-solis-534470105/
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Happy New Year, and welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News!
We're kicking off 2026 with a new look and a slightly new formatâ and most importantly, the same great, actionable content you've come to expect from the best operators and minds in the industry⊠right here on the Collision VisionâŠ
To start the year strong, we're bringing back a friend of the show: John Melendez, owner of JDM Collision. Today we're unpacking a bold strategic move you don't see every day in collisionâJohn's decision to pursue ASE mechanical certifications inside a collision-first operation. We'll get into the trigger, the roadmap, the investment, and the results: keeping more of the repair in-house, speeding cycle time, and capturing more of the total repair bill without sacrificing quality. If you've ever wondered whether adding mechanical capability belongs in your growth plan, this is the blueprint. Let's dive in.
Connect with John:
Email: [email protected]
Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-melendez-576b59294/
Website: https://www.jdmcollision.com/ -
For the final episode of the year, we wanted to revisit one of our favorite conversations with Mike Anderson. During this discussion, we covered why shops should consider OEM certifications, how to choose the right ones, the steps to get certified, and how to maximize the value of those credentials. If you're looking to strengthen your shop's credibility, improve repair quality, and position yourself for long-term success in an evolving industry, this episode is for you. See you in 2026!
Connect with Mike:
Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-anderson-1124ba48/
Website: https://collisionadvice.com/
Contact: https://collisionadvice.com/contact/ -
Today Cole talks with a colleague at FOCUS Investment Banking, Rob Adams. Rob helps founders fund expansion so during today's conversion the guys address private debt and capital raising as a deliberate growth strategy.
Over the last few years we've watched more growth-oriented operators partner with private equityâthinking of it less as a sale and more as a strategic alliance. The question for 2026: will we see that thesis taken one step furtherâusing private debt (the same kind of debt PE uses) to scale while retaining maximum equity and control?
Today we'll break down what private debt is, when it beats bank debt or equity, what lenders actually look for, and how to structure capital so it accelerates growth without stressing the business. Let's get into it.
Connect with Robert:
Website: https://focusbankers.com/
Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-adams-34725725/
Email: [email protected] -
Today we're tackling one of the biggest moments in any owner's career: a liquidity event. Our guest is Brian Odelli, a private wealth advisor who specializes in helping entrepreneurs prepare forâand thrive afterâa sale.
We'll break down the emotional side of deciding when to sell, how to know if you're financially ready, and how to assemble the right deal team. Then we'll get tactical: pre-sale planning to optimize taxes and protect your family, and post-sale strategy to turn proceeds into a durable planâone that makes sure you're never poor, funds your lifestyle, and supports your legacy.
If you're considering an exit in the next 1â3 yearsâor you simply want to be preparedâthis episode is your playbook. Let's get into it. -
Today I'm joined by my FOCUS Investment Banking partner, Giorgio Andonian, Managing Director and a go-to advisor for owners navigating growth and liquidity. We're talking what's real in M&A right now, how private equity is showing up as a growth partner, a quick preview of private debt as a tool we'll cover in depth soon, and a few fresh takeaways from SEMAâplus the trends and questions we're hearing most from operators in the market today.If you're weighing scale, recapitalization, or a future exit, this one's for you. Let's dive in.
Connect with Giorgio:
Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giorgio-andonian/
Web: https://focusbankers.com/automotive/
Email: [email protected] -
Today, we've got a standout guest who brings a fresh lens to growth and strategy in the auto space: AaronâŻZucker, Founder and CEO of Zucker Investment Group (ZIG). ZIG operates at the intersection of real estate development and growth equityâhelping operators scale by leveraging strategic siteâselection, creative financing, and aligned capital.
In this conversation, we'll dig into how real estate can become a foundational growth lever for collision repair operators: saleâleasebacks, partnering with developers, and structuring deals for scale. We'll also explore why ZIG is now setting its sights on the collision industry and what qualities they look for in the operators they back. If you're a shop owner ready to grow, an MSO planning your next move, or an investor curious about the collision space, then this episode is for you.
Connect with Aaron:
Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-zucker-zig/
Limitless Podcast Ft. Cole Strandberg: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/limitless-with-cole-strandberg/id1513018036?i=1000734044255
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Today we're recording a special "postâSEMA" edition: two independent shop owners who attended the show, digested the trends, and are ready to act.
Joining us for this episode: JohnâŻMelendez, owner of JDMâŻCollision in Illinois, and AdanâŻIbarra, owner of LeadingâŻEdgeâŻCollision in Houston. They're going to give us their fresh take on what they saw at SEMA, how they're thinking about applying it, and what independent shop operators need to watch for as we move into the next chapter of the industry.
Connect with Adan:
Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adan-ibarra-801aa4270/
Website: https://www.leadingedgecollision.com/Connect with John:
Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-melendez-576b59294/
Website: https://www.jdmcollision.com/ - Show more
