Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

St. Cloud

Associate Editor at FenderBender

Associate Editor for Endeavor Business Media

Articles

WINning for Collision: The Story of the Women’s Industry Network

Mar 20, 2025 | fenderbender.com | Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

In an industry historically dominated by men, the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) has been a beacon of change, fostering an inclusive environment for women in the collision repair sector. Founded nearly two decades ago, WIN has remained steadfast in its mission to attract, develop, and promote women within this field, making significant strides in an industry where female representation remains low. "Our mission is very simple.
Quality Collision Group Shifts Branding Strategy in Minnesota

Feb 7, 2025 | fenderbender.com | Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

If you’ve been keeping up with FenderBender’s daily news stories, you know about Quality Collision Group (QCG)’s recent acquisitions of 14 locations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul (Twin Cities) metro area. What is unique about its recent growth in Minnesota is how it approaches the branding of the two regional MSO groups it has acquired in the Twin Cities metro area.
Snap Shop: Unique Collision Center

Dec 1, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

Owner: Elmer Pique Location: Gulfport, Mississippi Staff Size: 17 Shop Size: 21,000 sq feet Average Monthly Car Count:70 Average Repair Order: $6,000 Annual Revenue: $5 millionIn the coastal town of Gulfport, Mississippi, Unique Collision Center grew from a single shop into the first of a three-location Mississipi multi-shop operator (MSO) with a location in Biloxi and the other in Ocean Springs. The ceiling of the shop might make you think it’s a flipped sailboat.
I Tried I-CAR's VR, and This is What I Thought

Nov 21, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

I may write for a collision repair magazine, but I am no collision repairer. Close to my one-year anniversary, an opportunity arose. At the SEMA Show, I-CAR had a booth where you could have a virtual reality (VR) experience to do actual repair. The VR allows technicians to practice hands-on techniques in a risk-free environment.
Q&A: So, You Want to Be an Instructor?

Nov 12, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

We spoke with Brian Pierce, the head of the collision repair program at Rosedale Technical College in Pittsburgh. He shares his insight into being an instructor and his experience in becoming an instructor. Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into teaching? several body shops. “I had always been into cars. I was a little nontraditional,” he emphasized. “Then I went to school and got my teaching degree.
Maryland Collision Center Creates a ‘Pipeline of Talent’ for Growth

Oct 30, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

Over the past decade, Maryland Collision Center has experienced significant growth, expanding from a single shop to a network of nine locations, with plans to add even more in the near future. From 2024 to 2025, the number of shops under this MSO will go from six to nine. Jim Mudgett, along with his two sons, founded Maryland Collision Center after selling their shares in a family-owned shop. With a clear vision and a ten-year plan, they set out to establish a successful MSO.
‘Cut the Coffee and Doughnuts,’ Says CCC VP

Oct 14, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

On the last day of the Driven Brands "Limitless 2024" Conference in Dallas, after everyone had their coffee and eggs, Bart Mazurek, vice president of consulting for the Automotive Services Group at CCC Intelligent Solutions, presented the numbers to attendees as the keynote speaker. Mazurek had one big message: Make the keys handoff more seamless. This might seem odd considering customers are not walking into the shop during the happiest moment of their lives, but time is crucial.
Driven Brands Celebrates its Brands in Dallas

Oct 14, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

The 2024 Driven Brands Collision Group U.S. collision repair conference, themed “Limitless 2024,” brought together franchise partners from Abra, CARSTAR, and Fix Auto USA, along with vendors, industry leaders, and Driven Brands team members for three days of education, networking, and celebration at the Omni Dallas Hotel. The conference began with a Texas Two Step charity walk, raising over $6,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Hurricane Watch: Florida Auto Body Association Promotes CIF

Oct 6, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

As much of the U.S. deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Florida’s hurricane story is far from over as they now face a direct hit from Hurricane Milton this week. As of Monday, October 8, at 11 a.m. ET, Hurricane Milton was located about 720 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, according to a press release on the Florida government website.
A High Climb: President of Mountain States Collision Repair Association Discusses Future of the New Organization

Oct 6, 2024 | fenderbender.com | Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

The Oxford definition of an association is “an official group of people who have joined together for a particular purpose.” There are many reasons why collision repairers would want to join. The industry is constantly evolving through technology, often lacking the training or educational tools to maintain success through these changes, and facing a shortage of young professionals entering the field. Collision repair associations across the country help meet these needs.