The Collision Vision

Hosted by Autobody News

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Episodes

166

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

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.

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60 recent

September 1, 202645 min

Building Better Careers: Growing the Next Generation of Technicians

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. On a recent episode of the podcast, I sat down with Juan Carlos Gasga Perez, owner of Premier Auto Body and the technician and educator behind Auto Body Strong. We talked about his journey, the evolution of the modern collision technician, and the role that better training, better tools, and better processes play in performing increasingly complex repairs the right way. But there was another part of that conversation that really stood out: the way Juan is helping make the craft of collision repair visible. The response to our content with Juan was incredible, and it raises a bigger question for an industry that spends a lot of time talking about the technician shortage: Are we doing enough to make collision repair a career people actually aspire to? Joining me today to dig into that are Erin Solis and Sheryl Driggers. We'll talk about what stood out from the Juan conversation, how technicians are learning today, and what shops can do to create better pathways for their people to grow. We'll also get into recruiting, retention, mentorship, social media, and how we can do a better job celebrating the skill and craftsmanship that already exists throughout this industry. Because maybe solving the technician shortage isn't only about finding more people. Maybe it starts with building careers people don't want to leave — and showing the next generation why they should want to be here in the first place. Let's get into it. Connect with Erin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-killcoyne-solis-534470105 https://squareonesystems.com/ Connect with Sheryl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryldriggers/

August 18, 202656 min

Repair Quality: How Technicians Set the Standard with Juan Carlos Gasga Perez

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. Collision repair is becoming more technical every year. New materials, more sophisticated joining methods, advanced measuring systems, OEM procedures, and increasingly complex vehicles have raised the bar for what it means to perform a proper repair. But ultimately, all of that technology still comes down to the person holding the tools. Today's guest is Juan Carlos Gasga Perez, owner of Premier Auto Body and the technician and educator behind Auto Body Strong. Juan has built a massive following by doing something relatively simple: showing the industry what great collision repair looks like in the real world. We'll talk about his journey from technician to shop owner, how Auto Body Strong became an educational platform for technicians around the world, and what he's learned by putting his work in front of such a large audience. We'll also get into the technical side — from structural repair and measuring to welding, equipment, efficiency, and what it really takes to perform today's increasingly complex repairs the right way. And finally, we'll look ahead at the technician of the future, and how better training, better tools, and maybe even social media can help us build the next generation of collision repair professionals. Because as sophisticated as the vehicles and technology become, great repairs still depend on great technicians. Let's get into it. Follow Juan: Instagram Youtube

August 4, 202651 min

Right-Sized ADAS: A Realistic Path to Owning the Work

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. On a recent episode of the podcast, I sat down with Fox and Gerard of ADAS Calibrations of Hawaii to discuss how they built a dedicated ADAS calibration business from the ground up. We talked about everything from facility design and workflow to documentation, technician development, and why they believe successful calibrations are driven more by process than equipment. That conversation sparked a bigger question: What does "doing ADAS right" actually look like? So today, we're taking that discussion one step further. Joining me for a roundtable conversation are Sheryl Driggers, Erin Solis, and Dave Agnew — three industry experts who have spent years helping collision repair businesses navigate the growing complexity of ADAS. Together, we'll unpack some of the biggest themes from my conversation with Fox and Gerard, discuss where they agree, where they may see things differently, and explore what today's collision operators need to understand as ADAS becomes an increasingly critical part of every repair. Because as vehicles continue to evolve, success isn't just about having the right technology. It's about building the right processes, developing the right people, and creating a culture that prioritizes precision every step of the way. Let's get into it. Connect with David: dagnew@hunter.com https://www.hunter.com/ Connect with Erin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-killcoyne-solis-534470105 https://squareonesystems.com/ Connect with Sheryl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryldriggers/

July 28, 202643 min

Building Better Leaders in a Changing Industry with Dan Carranza

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. Collision repair has never lacked for technical expertise. But as our industry continues to evolve, success increasingly depends on something else: strong leadership, meaningful relationships, and a willingness to keep learning. Today's guest is Dan Carranza, a longtime industry leader whose career has spanned decades of helping collision businesses grow. After years in leadership at AkzoNobel, Dan recently launched Accelerate Growth Partners, where he's focused on helping operators build stronger organizations, develop better leaders, and prepare for what's next. We'll talk about his journey through the industry, what inspired him to make the leap into entrepreneurship, and the leadership principles he's seen separate great businesses from the rest. We'll also dive into Collision Next, the new industry conference Dan is launching to create more meaningful conversations and challenge the way we think about education, networking, and the future of collision repair. Because while our industry is changing rapidly, one thing hasn't changed: great businesses are still built by great leaders. Let's get into it. Connect with Dan: Website Collision Next LinkedIn

July 21, 202644 min

Getting ADAS Right From the Ground Up with ADAS Calibrations of Hawaii

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg. Few areas of collision repair have evolved as quickly — or carry as much responsibility — as ADAS calibration. As vehicles become increasingly complex, calibration is no longer just another line item on the repair order. It's a critical part of returning a vehicle to the customer safely and correctly. Today's guests are Gerard and Fox of ADAS Calibrations of Hawaii, a business built from the ground up with one purpose: performing OEM-compliant ADAS calibrations the right way. While Gerrard brings decades of collision repair experience, Fox came into the industry from a completely different background, offering a unique perspective on process, precision, and continuous improvement. We'll talk about why they chose to build a dedicated calibration center, what it really takes to create an environment capable of accurate calibrations, and why they believe process, not equipment, is the true foundation of a successful ADAS business. We'll also explore how the technician's role is changing, what shop owners often misunderstand about calibrations, and how operators should think about building or partnering for this rapidly growing segment of the industry. Because as vehicles continue to evolve, the shops that succeed won't just be the ones with the latest tools. They'll be the ones with the right systems behind them. Let's get into it. Contact Gerard: gerard.ahquin@calibrationcentersofhawaii.com https://www.instagram.com/adas_coh/

July 7, 202645 min

Repair Quality: Why Systems Beat Talent

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/

June 23, 202640 min

Small Fixes, Big Gains: How One Shop Sharpened Its Paint Process

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/

June 9, 202653 min

Starting From the Shop Floor: What One Operator Learned Working Across Collision

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.

May 26, 202643 min

More Than a Final Step: Rethinking Alignment in Collision Repair

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 — 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.com Connect 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

May 19, 202655 min

How One Shop Builds Alignment Into the Repair Process

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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