In this episode of Curbside Chat, host Lorraine Sommerfeld sits down with Chris Kinghorn, vice president of digital and sales enablement at UAP Inc., and Paul Prochilo, CEO of Simplicity Car Care. Together, they explore strategies for improving retention in Canada’s auto care sector, from empowering employees through digital transformation to fostering strong workplace cultures. Listeners will gain practical insights on reducing turnover, strengthening engagement, and building long-term career pathways that support both business growth and industry sustainability.

Thank you to our sponsors for their continuous support:

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Join Lorraine Sommerfeld, host of the Curbside Chat vodcast series, giving sector professionals a forum to talk about the issues important to the Canadian auto care industry with the people who make things happen!

In this episode of Curbside Chat, we explore the power of mentorship and its role in driving professional growth within the auto care sector.

Host Lorraine Sommerfeld sits down with Stephanie Cooney-Mann, general manager at UAP Inc., and Trevor Jones, vice president of sales at Mevotech. Together, they discuss how mentorship helps cultivate future leaders, strengthen career paths, and support long-term success across the industry. Listeners will gain practical insights into building meaningful mentor-mentee relationships, fostering talent, and creating a culture of continuous growth in auto care.

Thank you to our sponsors for their continuous support:

Agility Auto Parts

Auto Value Parts Stores

BASF

Bumper to Bumper

Castrol Wakefield Canada Inc.

Delphi

DRiV

First Brands Group

Lordco Auto Parts

MANN+HUMMEL

Mevotech

WORLDPAC

Join Lorraine Sommerfeld, host of the Curbside Chat vodcast series, giving sector professionals a forum to talk about the issues important to the Canadian auto care industry with the people who make things happen!

In this episode of Curbside Chat, we explore the challenges and best practices around attracting, recruiting, and retaining talent in Canada’s auto care sector. From navigating generational differences to building successful workplace cultures, we discuss how businesses can position themselves to attract top talent.

Join our host, Lorraine Sommerfeld, as she sits down with industry experts Karim Mouldi, immigration specialist at Canari Recruitment International, Tony Kuczynski, president and CEO of Mister Transmission, and Sophie Corriveau, automotive recruitment consultant at Auto-Jobs. Together, they share practical insights into workforce development and the importance of recruitment in the auto care sector.

AIA Canada is proud to be exclusive partners with Auto-jobs.ca, your one-stop shop for recruitment and human resources services across Canada. AIA Canada members can enjoy benefits and preferential rates on a variety services. Learn more by logging into your AIA Canada account.

Thank you to our sponsors for their continuous support:

Agility Auto Parts

Auto Value Parts Stores

BASF

Bumper to Bumper

Castrol Wakefield Canada Inc.

Delphi

DRiV

First Brands Group

Lordco Auto Parts

MANN+HUMMEL

Mevotech

WORLDPAC

Join Lorraine Sommerfeld, host of the Curbside Chat vodcast series, giving sector professionals a forum to talk about the issues important to the Canadian auto care industry with the people who make things happen!

In this episode of Curbside Chat, we dive into the biggest challenges facing collision repair shops today, such as workforce shortages, the rising complexity of modern vehicles, and ensuring profitability.

Join our host, Lorraine Sommerfeld, as she sits down with industry experts Greg Wing, director of strategic partnerships at Simplicity Car Care, and Jim Bethune, CFO, CARSTAR Manitoba, and president of Bethune Consulting Services. Together, they share real-world insights about consolidation, boosting profitability, and practical advice for shop owners looking to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving industry.

Thank you to our sponsors for their continuous support:
Agility Auto Parts

Auto Value Parts Stores

BASF

Bumper to Bumper

Castrol Wakefield Canada Inc.

Delphi

DRiV

First Brands Group

Lordco Auto Parts

MANN+HUMMEL

Mevotech

WORLDPAC

Join Lorraine Sommerfeld, host of the Curbside Chat vodcast series, giving sector professionals a forum to talk about the issues important to the Canadian auto care industry with the people who make things happen!

Gain valuable insights into the latest auto care industry trends and their impact on businesses in this episode of Curbside Chat. Hosted by Lorraine Sommerfeld, the discussion features industry leaders Bill Hanvey, CEO of Auto Care Association; Trevor Tennant, President of Piston Ring Service; and independent consultant Mathew Growden.

Explore key topics such as artificial intelligence, global affairs, and consumer protection, and discover strategies for long-term success in an evolving industry.

Originally presented in person at the 2025 AIA Canada National Conference at the Canadian Auto Care Industry Conference, this episode captures the spirit of innovation and adaptation shaping the future of auto care.

Thank you to our sponsors for their continuous support:

Agility Auto Parts

Auto Value Parts Stores

BASF

Bumper to Bumper

Castrol Wakefield Canada Inc.

Delphi

DRiV

First Brands Group

Lordco Auto Parts

MANN+HUMMEL

Mevotech

WORLDPAC

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Obtenez des perspectives précieuses sur les tendances actuelles de l’industrie de l’entretien et de la réparation automobile et leur impact sur les entreprises dans cet épisode de Curbside Chat. Animée par Lorraine Sommerfeld, cette discussion réunit des leaders de l’industrie : Bill Hanvey, président-directeur général de l’Auto Care Association; Trevor Tennant, président de Piston Ring Service; et Mathew Growden, consultant indépendant.

Explorez des sujets clés tels que l’intelligence artificielle, les enjeux mondiaux et la protection des consommateurs, et découvrez des stratégies pour assurer le succès à long terme dans une industrie en constante évolution.

Présentée initialement en personne lors de la Conférence nationale 2025 de l’AIA Canada dans le cadre de la Conférence de l’industrie canadienne de l’entretien et de la réparation automobile, cet épisode reflète l’esprit d’innovation et d’adaptation qui façonne l’avenir du secteur.

Merci à nos commanditaires pour leur soutien indéfectible:

Agility Auto Parts

Auto Value Parts Stores

BASF

Bumper to Bumper

Castrol Wakefield Canada Inc.

Delphi

DRiV

First Brands Group

Lordco Auto Parts

MANN+HUMMEL

Mevotech

WORLDPAC

Join Lorraine Sommerfeld, host of the Curbside Chat vodcast series, giving sector professionals a forum to talk about the issues important to the Canadian auto care industry with the people who make things happen!

In this Curbside Chat episode, we dive into the impact of Trump-era policies on the Canadian auto care sector, such as tariffs and their potential effects on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). We examine how these changes could reshape trade dynamics and impact the industry.

Joining the conversation are Kate Harrison, vice chair at Summa Strategies, and Jean-François Champagne, CAE, president and CEO of AIA Canada. Hosted by Emily Holtby, vice president of government relations at AIA Canada, this episode provides expert perspectives on the challenges and opportunities the industry may face during the Trump administration.

Join Lorraine Sommerfeld, host of the Curbside Chat vodcast series, giving sector professionals a forum to talk about the issues important to the Canadian auto care industry with the people who make things happen!

Join our host, Lorraine Sommerfeld, who discusses top auto care sector trends and what it means for the sectors' future with President and CEO of MEMA, Paul McCarthy, Brand President, Collision Group, of Driven Brands, Sabrina Thring, and Vice President of Strategy and Growth at UAP Inc., Chris Kinghorn. Watch the episode to gain new perspectives and insight on trends and challenges and how to ensure long-term business success in the industry.

This episode was originally presented in-person at the 2024 edition of the AIA Canada National Conference where we dived into top trends of the auto care sector and what it means for the future.

Join Lorraine Sommerfeld, host of the Curbside Chat vodcast series, giving sector professionals a forum to talk about the issues important to the Canadian auto care industry with the people who make things happen!

Join Lorraine Sommerfeld for an engaging conversation that dives into the critical role of continuous collision training and the importance of standardized training in Canada’s collision sector, especially with the emergence of new, complex vehicle technologies. Gain valuable insights how—and why—collision shops can stay up to date with the latest advancements to deliver consistent, safe, and quality repairs.

On this episode of Curbside Chat, AIA Canada’s Vice President of Collision Programs, Stuart Klein, and Director of Product Management at I-CAR, Nick Dominato, emphasize what is needed to navigate the intricacies of modern vehicle repair, and the pivotal role that continuous collision training plays.

Join Lorraine Sommerfeld, host of the Curbside Chat vodcast series, giving sector professionals a forum to talk about the issues important to the Canadian auto care industry with the people who make things happen!