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The Collision Vision

The Collision Vision

Written by: Autobody News
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Are you a business owner, executive or manager in the collision repair industry? This podcast is for you! Welcome to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. Hosted by Cole Strandberg, each episode will feature an industry thought leader, business owner or collision pro diving deep into their knowledge of what it takes to be successful. We'll talk trends, culture, growth and scalability, to give actionable insights into how to elevate your business. This podcast will enlighten, engage and entertain while covering the full scope of the current state of the industry---and where it is headed. So come along for the ride, and level up with The Collision Vision.2022 Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Repair Quality: Why Systems Beat Talent

    Repair Quality: Why Systems Beat Talent
    Jul 7 2026

    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: Tony.Larimer@satausa.com

    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/
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    46 mins
  • Small Fixes, Big Gains: How One Shop Sharpened Its Paint Process

    Small Fixes, Big Gains: How One Shop Sharpened Its Paint Process
    Jun 23 2026
    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/
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    41 mins
  • Starting From the Shop Floor: What One Operator Learned Working Across Collision

    Starting From the Shop Floor: What One Operator Learned Working Across Collision
    Jun 9 2026
    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 — 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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    53 mins
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