Battle-Tested Resources Coming Your Way!

by Burl Richards, ABAT President

There’s no denying that our industry is experiencing a downturn. Claims are down, shop sales are down, and it’s been tough.

If you talk to other shop owners or listen to industry leaders like Mike Anderson (Collision Advice), everyone acknowledges that we’re dealing with a tacky situation right now. Shops are even losing technicians to different industries because the compensation just can’t compete when we aren’t turning a profit…and we all know we can’t afford to lose qualified help since there was already a technician shortage before finances chased more techs out the shop door. 

Fortunately, collision repairers are resilient; each time we face a challenge, we emerge stronger – we just need to arm ourselves with the right weapons to overcome this hardship and weather the storm like we’ve always done in the past. And that starts with coming together. The 2025 Texas Auto Body Trade Show is just a few days away, and this is the perfect opportunity for collision repairers (shop owners, managers, technicians, painters, estimators and everyone else) to come together to evaluate the best way to move forward, to learn from peers and figure out how to change their business models to thrive in this current market. 

ABAT is here for Texas shops, but shops have to be involved with the association for us to meet your needs! It’s like a government subsidy; no one knows you need help unless you reach out and ask for it. So, reach out by coming to the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel and Convention Center in Allen on September 12-13 to learn, check out the exhibitors’ offerings and – most importantly – network with likeminded industry professionals. 

With educational seminars taught by collision’s very best trainers (see page 18), you’re sure to learn something that will improve your skill set or your business, but those sessions aren’t the only way to gain knowledge. Others have probably contended with the same things you’re dealing with now. That’s why ABAT makes sure to provide plenty of chances for repairers to talk to one another and gain insights from those who are doing the same thing. 

That’s the missing piece that a lot of folks fail to understand. We often see other professionals in our role as our competitors, but many of us are in completely different markets or specialize in various vehicles; we are positioned to help each other in ways that no one else can! Maybe you’ll meet someone who recently faced the same problems you’re encountering now, but they’ve figured out a way to jump that hurdle and can offer advice that will make a huge impact in your future. Capitalizing on their experience could mean the difference between failure and success. 

Maybe you feel like your shop is too slow to afford the time away, but there’s no better time! If you haven’t already registered, head over to abat.us/trade-show to sign up and take advantage of the battle-tested resources that will be at your fingertips. We’ve got something for everyone in every role, so why wouldn’t you take the time to come to the Texas Auto Body Trade Show? Why wouldn’t you want to learn from the industry’s best trainers, check out the newest products and equipment and engage in meaningful conversations with other repairers about growing your business, developing your skills and positioning yourself to become more successful?! 

Look, I get it. Some days, it feels like a battlefield out there, but you don’t need to go it alone. There’s a whole army of collision repair professionals facing the same enemies, and it’s time to rally the troops to ensure we all emerge victorious. I can’t wait to see you there!

Want more? Check out the September 2025 issue of Texas Automotive!

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