Networking Breakfast & Sponsor Fair

Sponsored by:

Registration & Check-in opens at 7:00 a.m.

Meet us on the second floor of the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee and join hundreds from the industry as they begin their day sharing breakfast, discussing business updates, and preparing for this year's two-day program.

Welcome & Overview

HD Repair Forum

Safety and Innovation – Volvo and Mack Trucks

The latest technology, safety features, and cab changes in heavy-duty trucks are having a significant impact on collision repairs. Amy Lytle’s role at Volvo Trucks focuses on the problems and challenges that the field is currently seeing on a daily basis. In this session, she will provide a behind the scenes perspective on one of the safest heavy-duty trucks on the market, sharing insight, and images about what went into the cab testing for the VN(4), which has been 90% redesigned. If you repair, insure, or write damage appraisals on vehicles like the VN(4), the new Mack Pioneer, or any of Volvo or Mack’s legacy models you won’t want to miss this insightful presentation.

Amy Lytle, Volvo Trucks

Unlocking Repairibility

Unlocking Repairability explores how modern Glue Pull Repair (GPR) techniques allow collision technicians to correct damage with greater control, reduced invasiveness, and improved panel integrity. The session walks through KECO’s methodology for assessing damage, applying lateral tension, and managing metal flow to restore repairable panels that might otherwise be replaced or stud-welded. Attendees gain practical insight into when and how to use GPR to increase repairability, improve outcomes, and streamline workflow in today’s collision shops.

Chris White, KECO Body Repair Products

Welcome from TMC

Radu Mihai, TMC Chairman

Welding/Rivet bonding

Ron Olsson, ProSpot

Networking Break

Sponsored by

Panel Discussion: Shop Operations & Best Practices to Greater Efficiency & Profitability

Top Compliance & Safety Violations for Collision and Truck

Join this session to hear the top OSHA, EPA, and regulatory compliance priorities for repair shops and collision centers. These industry experts will discuss compliance priorities, regulatory enforcement, emphasis programs, and Return on investment considerations for your business’ compliance and safety.  

Wayne Curtis, Zach Pucillo, KPA

Networking Luncheon

Federal Deficits, Tech Bubbles and the Outlook: A Focus on the Heavy-Duty Sector

Dr. Christopher Thornberg joins us again to deliver a sharp, data-driven analysis of how the rising federal deficit and shifting macroeconomic conditions are shaping the U.S. economy — with a targeted lens on collision repair and the heavy-duty sector. This timely presentation connects national fiscal policy and market volatility to freight demand, labor markets, and long-term industry stability, offering leaders practical insights to navigate uncertainty and plan for sustainable growth.

Dr. Christopher Thornberg, Beacon Economics

Updates on the Evolution of ADAS Repair

In this session, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems’ Technical Training & Service Manager, will discuss the latest advancements in ADAS and how repair and maintenance practices are changing alongside vehicle technologies getting more complex. These evolving diagnostics and repair requirements mean today’s systems demand more than a simple alignment.

Brian Screeton, Bendix

Track A: Mastering Modern Estimating: A Framework for Success

As commercial vehicles become increasingly complex with advanced electronics and integrated structural components, collision estimating is no longer just about identifying visible damage. It’s about understanding how impacts travel through systems and documenting repairs in a way that supports safety and efficiency. This session introduces a three-part framework designed to help you optimize appraisal processes for precision and speed.

Jerry Gastineau, Mitchell

Track B: Shop Acquisitions & Divestiture

John Walcher, Focus Advisors

Track C: Welding/Rivet bonding

Ron Olsson, Pro Spot

Networking Break

Sponsored by

Track A: Debt as a Value for Growth

Tipu Chaudhary, Byline Bank

Track B: Heavy-Duty Frame Repair

Chris Schutt, Beeline

Track C: Glue Pull Repair - Technical Execution

Building on the foundational principles of Glue Pull Repair, this technical breakout session focuses on the practical execution of Glue Pull Repair in real-world collision scenarios. This session is designed for technicians ready to move beyond theory and develop repeatable, high-control GPR processes in the shop.

Chris White, KECO Body Repair Products

Industry Networking Reception

*This is a working agenda for the 2026 HD Repair Forum, subject to change.
Sign up to receive up live updates and information

Networking Breakfast & Sponsor Fair

Welcome Back - Day 1 Recap & Announcements

HD Repair Forum

HD Training Program & Curriculum

Ryan Marrinan, 3M

Industry Data & Trends

This session will include an overview of trends and data in heavy-duty collision repair. Areas such as Severity, Sales Mix, Labor Mix, and Average Labor Cost/Estimate and more will be reviewed. This data derives from PPG’s AdjustRite® Commercial Estimating System. 

Doug Orr, PPG

AI is Here

Tom Zoebelein, Hero Group

From Inspection to Valuation: Data and AI are Redefining Repair Estimating

With more than 30 years of experience spanning body shops and leading insurance carriers, this session will offer a unique perspective from a widely recognized industry leader on the evolution of claims and repair processes. With a sharp focus on the power of data, the session will explore how vast global historical data and continuous-learning technologies are reshaping the end-to-end claims and repair journey across all vehicle types. From damage assessment to repair estimating, attendees will learn how AI-powered tools are reducing cycle times from days to minutes, driving stronger business performance and delivering measurable results for all stakeholders.

Bill Brower, Solera

Networking Break

Sponsored by

Advancing Heavy‑Duty Steering: Reliability, Serviceability & the Road Ahead

Jim Barber, R.H. Sheppard

Industry Update - Private Equity & Consolidation

In this session Focus Advisors’ EVP & Managing Director John Walcher will share how new private equity entrants are reshaping competition and deal dynamics, and why everyone in the HD industry should be paying attention. He’ll provide practical takeaways for pursuing growth capital, disciplined acquisitions, or an exit.  It will be an information-packed thirty minutes that you won’t want to miss.

John Walcher, Focus Advisors

Certified Parts

CAPA

Open Mic and Closing Comments

HD Repair Forum

Networking Luncheon

Track A: Lessons Learned: Insuring Heavy Duty Vehicle Repairers

This session will discuss more than insurance. Spark Underwriters Chief Underwriting Officer and Director of Customer Experience will dive into how risk management factors need to be considered when repairing HD, MD, and CV. Experience and insight into factors tied to welding, cyber security, starting new repair operations in your business, and more.

Spark Underwriters

Track B: Calibration & Maintenance Post-Collision

Denis White, TEXA

Track C: Paint Savings and Evaluation

3M

Track A: Beyond Guesswork: Harnessing Data and AI for Accurate Repair Estimating

Designed for repair professionals focused on profitability and performance, this deep dive shows how data-driven, AI-powered estimating is improving accuracy, reducing cycle time, and strengthening repair decisions from the very first touchpoint. Learn how to use innovative tools with a vast database of damage imagery to deliver faster, more consistent documented estimates while improving your repair planning, damage inspection, and customer communication. Presented by Phil Langley, a three-decade industry expert in claims workflow transformation, the session highlights how advanced damage detection and intelligent estimating drive smarter, data-backed decisions in an increasingly complex repair environment.

Phil Langley, Solera

Track B: To be announced

KPA

Track C: To be Announced

I-CAR

Track A: Innovative Repair Solutions for Heavy‑Truck Plastics

This session highlights practical methods, materials, and decision‑making strategies for repairing heavy‑truck plastic components. Because plastic parts are routinely damaged through wear, abuse, and collisions, effective repair strategies can significantly reduce fleet maintenance costs by avoiding unnecessary part replacement.  Attendees will learn the fundamentals of evaluating damage, choosing appropriate repair products, applying them effectively, and understanding expected repair outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on Metton™ and fiberglass hood repairs, but will also cover thermoplastic repair for bumpers, side skirts, fender liners, and interior parts.

Scott Bixler, Polyvance

Track B: To be announced

Carl Dumele, Aeromotive

Track C: To be announced

Jim Barber, R.H. Sheppard