Mitchell & Kar Grabber Receive Awards for Contributions to Puerto Rico Vocational School System
25 December 2000
Companies Contribute to the Successful Implementation of the New Collision Repair Curriculum
Mitchell International and Kar Grabber were recently recognized for their contributions to the successful implementation of the new Collision Repair Curriculum in the Puerto Rico Vocational School System.Both organizations received plaques from the collision repair industry committee of the Advisory Council on Vocational and Industrial Education to the Puerto Rico Department of Education. The plaques were presented during the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE), Dec. 8-10 in Orlando, Fla.
The committee has been working to support the future of the automotive repair industry in Puerto Rico. Thanks to generous donations by Mitchell International, the source for business solutions to the insurance and automotive repair industries, several students and their teachers from five vocational high schools received state-of-the-art laptop computers equipped with Mitchell's UltraMate estimating software last year.
This year, Kar Grabber, a leading manufacturer of floor systems, drive-on rack systems and measuring devices for automotive and truck collision centers, invited a group of 10 collision repair teachers to travel to their training facilities in Brunswick, Ga., for a specially designed teacher's seminar on Measuring and Pulling Techniques. Kar Grabber has also donated five complete Grabber Pulling Systems to the Puerto Rico Education Department.
The committee has been working diligently for the last two years on a comprehensive revision of the school system's collision repair curriculum. Their recognition of the contributions by these industry-leading companies was approved with two goals in mind: to thank the industry for its commitment to the future of Puerto Rico's youth and to stimulate others to follow suit.
The committee's composition represents the most dynamic sector of the collision repair industry in Puerto Rico. Its members include, among others, The Association of Collision Shop Owners of Puerto Rico, The Puerto Rico Department of Education, ABC InfoTech -- Mitchell International's Country Managers for Puerto Rico, COMECO -- Kar Grabber's Puerto Rico distributors, Puerto Rico Automotive Technicians Guild, 3M of Puerto Rico, DuPont, and BASF.
The current committee president, Abraham Castro, also president of Tarac Auto Service Inc., a leading Collision Repair Shop in Puerto Rico, said "We decided to recognize these two companies because their example should be followed by others. Their contributions are a true investment in our future."
Mike Hallenberger, Mitchell International's senior vice president of insurance sales, who received the award for Mitchell, said, "I am proud to receive this honor on behalf of Mitchell. We are committed to contribute to the future of the industry by offering high quality products, award winning service, and education."
Kyle Hinson, president of Kar Grabber Manufacturing Company Inc., who received the award on behalf of his company said, "We are thankful for the recognition. Our collaboration with this educational initiative has been very gratifying. Hosting this dynamic group has deepened our ties to the Puerto Rico industry and forged lasting friendships."
About Grabber Manufacturing Company Inc.
Based in Brunswick, Grabber Manufacturing Co. was founded in 1972 by Virgil Hinson. The company is today one of the leaders in the collision repair industry. Grabber manufactures floor systems, drive-on rack systems, and measuring devices for automotive and truck collision centers. There are Grabber systems throughout the world, with installed systems in United States, Japan, Germany, Korea, U.K., Brazil, China, Canada, Mexico and Russia, as well as many other countries. For more information call 800/841-3220.
About Mitchell International
Mitchell International, founded in 1946 and with headquarters in San Diego, is the source for information software and e-business solutions for the insurance and automotive repair industries. Providing services that enhance productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction, Mitchell facilitates several million electronic transactions between more than 16,000 business partners each month.
