Press Release: Mitchell Holds First Annual Drive2Performance Collision Repair Conference

Dear Editor,

 

Here is the latest announcement from Mitchell International for your
reference and consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any
questions. Thank you. -kam

--------------------------

 

 

Press Release: 

 

Mitchell Holds First Annual Drive2Performance Collision Repair Conference

 

Industry leaders gather in San Diego to address pressing business concerns
of collision repair shops

 

San Diego, Calif.-- October 5, 2006 -- Mitchell International, a leading
provider of information, workflow, and performance management solutions to
the automotive insurance claims and collision repair industries, today
announced that it held its first annual Drive2Performance collision repair
conference on September 13-15 in San Diego, California. The two-day
conference brought together leading industry professionals to explore
current and emerging trends impacting collision repairers, and to discuss
new strategies, practices, and tools by which shops can remain successful in
an increasingly competitive market. 

 

Performance-driven collision repair shops have a distinct advantage over
shops operating under a "Business as usual" paradigm-an advantage that
becomes even greater when they take advantage of opportunities to learn from
industry leaders and experts. Mitchell's Drive2Performance seminar provided
attendees with an opportunity to hear from numerous experts in a variety of
relevant fields, network with their peers and exchange insights in a
stimulating environment.  Speakers and topics at the conference included:

 

DRP 2006 & Beyond-An Insurer Perspective  

By Terry Fortner, Assoc. VP Material Damage Technical Claims - Nationwide

 

Industry Trends: current factors impacting collision insurance and repair


By Eric Burr, VP Business Development - Manheim

 

Managing Your Business By the Numbers     

By Jim Guthrie, Owner - Car Crafter's Collision

 

Insurance Relationships 

By George Avery, P&C Claims Estimatics - State Farm

 

Technology Trends & The Business Owner of the Future  

By Steve Gardner, Territory Manager - Microsoft

 

Lifetime Leadership: Making Your Collision Repair Business an Extraordinary
Place to Work 

By Peter Stark, President - Peter Barron Stark & Assoc.

 

 

A highlight of the event was Mitchell's Vice President of Database
Development, Tom Fleming, discussing the impact of new automotive
manufacturing technologies and techniques on collision repair facilities.
He was joined by a host of other Mitchell speakers covering the application
of advanced business analytics as a critical driver of performance
improvements. 

 

"The collision repair industry is undergoing a fairly major transformation
from the Way-Things-Were to the Way-Things-Will-Be. To continue to thrive
today and into the future, collision repair shops need to harness the power
of data analysis to better understand how well or poorly their business is
performing and to reveal new opportunities," says Marc Brungger, Senior Vice
President of Client Services at Mitchell. "By taking advantage of new
information technologies and sophisticated performance management systems
shops can avoid driving blindly into the future." 

 

Commenting on the conference, Bruce Cooley of Sherwin Williams Automotive
Finishes, Inc., said, "I found the Mitchell Drive2Performance Conference a
very valuable and rewarding experience.  The Conference provided key
insights into industry trends, market pressures, OEM technology, and
optimizing shop management and insurance relationships. The meeting
confirmed Mitchell's long-term commitment to the industry and provided great
networking opportunities."

 

Barry Dorn, Dorn's Body and Paint, Inc. and SCRS Board Director, added,
"Mitchell's Drive2Performance conference was a highly valuable and
collaborative event. The dynamic exchange of ideas between all attendees was
invigorating and tackled the important strategic issues impacting collision
repairers. The range of speakers- from industry leaders like Mitchell's CEO,
Jim Lindner, and Peter Stark- offered great insights and provided solutions
to the problems that are top of mind for shops.  As business owners we need
real and practical solutions. Mitchell's Drive2Performance successfully
provided ideas and solutions that we can put to use immediately. This
promises to be the can't miss event for any collision repair shop interested
in improving their business."

 

 

About Mitchell International

 

Mitchell International is a leading provider of information and workflow
solutions to the automotive insurance claims industry, serving carriers,
collision repair facilities, and other commercial participants in the
physical damage and auto-related medical claims processes. Mitchell
facilitates millions of electronic transactions between more than 16,000
business partners each month to enhance their productivity, profitability,
and customer satisfaction levels. For more information on Mitchell
International, visit our website at www.mitchell.com.

 

###

 

 

PR Contact:

 

Kam Hashim

Boston Communications

617-619-9803

www.prboston.com