Certified Collision Group

Retain Your Legacy Without Selling Out Owner Takes Care of Staff by Selling Shop to One of Them Have you ever heard of a big business deal turn into a “WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN?” Don Myers, former owner of CCG Affiliate Collision Works Of Glen Burnie, told CCG recently that is exactly what happened for him and wants to share his story with every independent operator he can. You see, he was ready to retire from the business and wanted to sell. The normal sharks started circling, but as he told CCG, “The people in this shop helped me and I just couldn’t SELL OUT.” If he could he wanted to sell to a current employee, and that is where Steve Zang comes into the story. “This career found me,” Zang shared with CCG, “I started by washing cars in high school and ended up at Collision Works in 1999.” Zang was a long-standing and respected painter, who truly enjoyed his gig, but COVID changed everything … and for the better. Zang said he is conservative by nature and was happy and comfortable, but when COVID hit he watched Myers make sure nobody was laid off; he watched the business survive and even said, “This can’t fail.” So, when Myers came to him not to long after with the offer to sell it knowing that a big reason was, “He wanted people taken care of,” said Zang, “I was ready." In 19 months Zang has increased revenue exponentially and his former boss isn’t surprised. “He’s got the energy and drive,” shared Myers, “and he got the team on board from day one. He was inexperienced, yes, but he gets it, he’s smart and best of all he asks the right questions.” Zang is proving Myers right. Zang told us it was the 2023 CCG Conference in Nashville that changed everything. “I was in Nashville,” said Zang, “and talking with all these other owners and managers. They were asking me questions that I didn’t have answers to, so I asked questions back. I learned so much and thought I need to look into all this.” He said that he “got educated” during those three days in Nashville. He attended the CCG Conference in Indy this year and learned even more, including talking with vendors, understanding the programs better and utilizing them more fully. He told us, “I feel like now I am ahead of the game.” Zang is now looking long-term and considering expanding but wants to make certain he has his current location running seamlessly. He has already increased revenue significantly and is doing $7M+ per year out of one modestly sized shop. This all makes Don Myers very pleased, “Steve has learned a ton and now sits in the BIG chair and he's doing great.” WIN #1. Myers sold how he wanted to and retired. WIN #2. The building owner and long-time friend of both Myers and Zang is profiting. WIN #3. And a former employee now owns it and is taking care of those who took care of Myers. WIN #4. WIN - WIN - WIN - WIN

Carmona's Collision, in Fullerton, CA, is a third-generation, family owned-and-operated shop proudly serving it's community for more than three decades. We are excited to announce they are now part of our family. Welcome aboard Rudy Carmona and Tina Carmona, and your entire team. We are excited to serve you and help you prosper and grow.

We are thrilled to share that Mudgett's Auto Body in Finksburg, MD has joined our family. Founded by Tom Mudgett, Sr. in 1980, they have been delivering on behalf of their customers in Carroll, Howard, Frederick, Baltimore and Montgomery counties. We look forward to helping you prosper and grow for another half century and beyond. #baltimore #maryland #autorepair #collisionrepair #autorepairshop

We are pleased to announce that Elizabeth Stein is joining the organization as Vice President, Strategic Initiatives for North America effective July 1. She brings more than 20 years of experience from Executive Management of collision repair networks, to most recently helping launch an electronic repair planning platform for the collision repair industry. Stein is currently serving as the President of the Women’s Industry Network whose goal is to elevate, attract, develop, and advance women in the collision repair industry. She is also the Co-Chair of the CIC OEM Industry Relations Committee. “I look forward to joining the team at Certified Collision Group,” said Stein. “I have long admired the CCG company and team and could not pass up on the opportunity to join the organization. My passion is serving the collision repair shops who every day are working in extenuating circumstances to deliver safe and properly repaired vehicles to consumers.  CCG shops are some of the most admired collision repairers in our industry. I look forward to being on the team and continuing to help build on CCG’s successful legacy of best-in-class performers.” “We are thrilled to welcome Liz to the CCG team. Her dedication and commitment to the industry is inspiring”, said Michelle Sullivan, CEO of CCG. “Her expertise, relationships and strong understanding of industry dynamics will bring valuable insight to CCG. We look forward to her leadership and innovative mindset as we deliver additional value and programs to our affiliates and partners."

We are thrilled to share that Auto360 Garage, serving the San Francisco Bay area out of Daly City, CA, has joined our family of the best independently owned-and-operated repairers in the business. Welcome aboard. #bayareabusiness #sanfrancisco #collisionrepair #autorepairshop #autorepair

Nine OE Certifications and counting, I-CAR Gold and a commitment to only the best in customer service are reasons why Woodcock Autobody has thrived while serving the community of Washingtonville and the greater Orange County area in New York. It is also a few of many reasons we are thrilled to share that Woodcock is now part of our family of independent repairers. Welcome aboard! #collisionrepair #autorepair #autorepairshop #newyork

Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there who have helped us all fall in love with our rides, and better yet taught us how to take care of them!!!

We are excited to welcome OKA’s Auto Body to our family of independent operators. Founded seven decades ago on the west side of Oahu by Eddie, Fred and Henry Okahara, this second-generation, family-run-business continues to thrive today. Brandon Okahara shared a simple yet important piece advice from his dad Eddie, “If you’re going to do something, you should always do it right.” We couldn’t agree more. Welcome aboard OKA’s Auto Body … we look forward to serving you. #autorepairshop #collisionrepair #hawaii #independentbusinss

On this day 80 years ago, tens-of-thousands of brave soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy in what is still today the largest military operation in history. The US intentionally took on the most fortified and dangerous Utah and Omaha Beaches losing more than 3,000 soldiers in just the first 24 hours. Today less than 200 American heroes from that day are still with us. They, along with every other soldier and civilian back home who stopped their lives to support the war, saved the world from tyranny. Take a moment today in their memory!

We are thrilled to announce that Casey Wallace is joining the organization as Business Development Director, effective June 1. He brings 26 years’ experience from both the distribution and manufacturing segments of the collision repair industry. Throughout his career Casey has consistently demonstrated the ability to execute sales and development strategies delivering strong results. Over the last five years he held the role as a Strategic Accounts Manager for AkzoNobel Vehicle Refinish where he excelled in driving significant sales growth and leading strategic sales initiatives. “I am looking forward to joining the team and utilizing my experience to foster new opportunities and contribute to Certified Collision Group’s growth”, says Wallace. “We’re very excited to add a talented industry veteran in Casey Wallace to the CCG family” says Steven Widen, MBA, Vice President of Sales and Business Development. “Casey’s extensive experience and relationships within the collision industry will bring continued value to our affiliate partners.” #collisionrepair #autorepair #autorepairshop #independentbusiness #welcome