Since the beginning of the year, I have had the honour of serving as the Chair of the CCIF, the Canadian Collision Industry Forum—a responsibility that I take very seriously and to which I attach the greatest importance.

For me, accepting this role is a commitment to collaboration and progress within the collision repair industry. This opportunity is not just a position for me; it occurs at a critical moment for the Canadian auto body repair sector.

Over the years, I have gained valuable knowledge and accumulated invaluable experiences that have deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities we face. This role provides me with a unique opportunity to bring diverse voices together around a common goal while advocating for the interests of our stakeholders, including shop owners, suppliers, and insurers.

This great forum is, in my eyes, an invaluable platform, as it allows us to come together regardless of our affiliations or roles within the collision repair ecosystem and to collectively discuss the real issues we face.

As Chair, my priority will be to form a steering committee composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise to ensure meaningful contributions to our shared objectives. I am committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our industry, where each member can bring a unique perspective to the discussions.

A place for everyone

As you can see, I advocate for an open approach. The role of the CCIF is to break down barriers, allowing insurers and manufacturers to engage in dialogue with our repairers, without constraints. How can we move the industry forward if everyone remains entrenched in their positions, ignoring each other’s viewpoints ? Let’s be serious, constructive, and talk to each other !

The steering committee will be essential in preparing the strategic agenda, identifying key issues impacting our industry. This will include working with industry experts to identify emerging trends while remaining aligned with our three pillars: people, profit, education, and technology. It’s a great opportunity to broaden our horizons.

We often talk about tangible achievements resulting from industry associations. In my opinion, the true success of the CCIF lies in our ability to bring industry players together, address real issues, and foster discussions. My ambition is to achieve this goal while remaining neutral and deeply committed to our sector and all those who contribute to it.

In conclusion, I invite all industry players to join forces with us. Together, we can build an agenda that not only addresses our current challenges but also positions us for future opportunities.