10-19-07 CHANDLER,AZ
Leading Edge is excited to announce AutoPro Collision Center to the family of Leading Edge collision shops of Arizona. AutoPro Collision Center is owned and operated by Chris Olexiewicz, Chris has recently moved into his new facility which he designed and built.  Chris is looking forward to the support that Leading Edge will bring as well as the marketing help that Leading Edge can bring to the table. “Leading Edge is interested in the collision industry and putting shop owners like myself in the best position they can,” says Chris. “Working with AutoPro Collision Center will be great, as we work hard towards continued growth in the future,” states Matt Johnson.


3-27-07 TUCSON,AZ
Leading Edge and A-1 Automotive Refinish Supply, Inc. are pleased to announce their partnership with Big Sky Autobody and Big Sky Autobody East.  Originally started in 1995 by Bill and Debbie Park, Big Sky has grown to two locations:  a 27,000 sq/ft facility on Tucson’s South side and a 10,000 sq/ft facility in Southeast Tucson. The newly built larger building was finished in 2005 and instantly became one of Tucson’s most state of the art collision centers.
  
Even though Big Sky has a reputation for some of the nicest facilities in town, their true strengths lie in the staff’s desire to provide a worry free and memorable experience for their customers. That is truly where they shine.

According to owner Bill Park, “I am very excited to partner with a company like A-1 because they are so much more than just a paint vendor.  They pride themselves on the pursuit of the customer experience as we do.  They truly understand my needs and the changes required for my business to continue to succeed. It is very comforting to know you have a partner that is active in the same pursuits you are.  It is about so much more than paint.”

9-26-06 MESA,AZ
Leading Edge welcomes 3 At A Time Auto Center to our family of shops. "We are always open to business relationships with people who are willing to embrace change," said Steve Balsley. Joe Papineau, co-owner of 3 At A Time Auto Center said, "We are looking forward to beginning a lasting relationship that satisfies the needs of supplier, body shop, and the shops customers alike."

7-24-06 SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Leading Edge is pleased to announce United Auto Group’s Scottsdale Paint & Body as a new addition to our family of collision repair centers. Adding Scottsdale Paint & Body validates the Leading Edge’s philosophy of developing relationships with quality collision centers. According to General Manager Colin Johnston, “I did my homework and decided that Leading Edge and BASF were best suited to meet my needs.  Leading Edge is much more than a paint vendor.”

5-26-06 PHOENIX, AZ - Welcome Arizona Auto Collision to the Leading Edge family of collision shops. Jim Hanson, body shop manager says "When it comes to support, Leading Edge sees themselves as our problem solver. Their technical support and training in the paint department helps us resolve any issues quickly before they become problems. They provide us monthly "sprayable cost analysis" showing us how we compare with other shops' performance, coaching us to focus on efficiencies and making wise business decisions.  Believe it or not, Leading Edge works hard to lower our paint and material costs. Other companies talk about "value added services" but the depth of Leading Edge's industry knowledge and influence is amazing.  After meeting all the staff and resources available at Leading Edge, I realized they are more like a business partner than a vendor."  According to John Rang, "Leading Edge is excited to add Arizona Auto Collision as our newest Leading Edge customer. Leading Edge prides itself on developing strategic and significant relationships as the collision industry evolves. Our success depends on the success of our customers which means our existing or potential Leading Edge customers must be willing to embrace change and look for opportunities where others see brick walls."

5-20-06 PHOENIX, AZ - Leading Edge is pleased to welcome Capitol Collision to our family of collision repair shops. Dan Deary, owner and Eric Boyer, manager, are two talented additions to a powerful, influencial and growing group of industry relationships. "Capitol Collision fits nicely into our family of shops. In addition to becoming a new Leading Edge customer, Dan has become a valubale partner in assisting Leading Edge as we expand our BASF Certified training center into other areas, including I-CAR," said Matt Johnson of Leading Edge. According to Dan, "I'm looking forward to working with the Leading Edge team to expand my business. They understand the collision industry and what's going on in Arizona. When they talk about "value added services" it's not just talk and when they say we will bcome your "partner" they deliver. They understand that Leading Edge won't grow if their customers don't grow and they invest their resources on our behalf. I've never experienced this kind of relationship with a vendor before."

3-24-06 PHOENIX, AZ - Leading Edge is excited to announce Dale’s Bodyworks to the family of Leading Edge collision shops of Arizona. Dale’s Bodyworks is owned and operated by Dale Gottsacker, who has extensive experience repairing high end vehicles in the North Phoenix area. Dale has worked with the Leading Edge team for years in the past, and is looking forward to the support that they bring along with the marketing help that Leading Edge can bring to the table. “Leading Edge definitely has a talented group of people working for the company that are interested in the collision industry and putting shop owners like myself in the best position they can” says Dale. “Working with Dales shop will be great, as we work hard towards continued growth in the future” states Courtney Gehl. “We look forward to the future, as both of our companies grow.”

3-10-06 PHOENIX, AZ - The Ladies at Lovett's, Ruth Young and Denise Ellert, are happy to announce their partnership with the Leading Edge family of collision repair facilities. "We are very happy with the transition to BASF. The transition was seamless and we have noted time and cost savings in the first week of use. Changing paint suppliers was not our only goal when we joined Leading Edge. We are very impressed with the caliber, knowledge and professionalism of the entire Leading Edge team. John knows the challenges we face in the collision repair industry and he has a vision to help us meet these challenges. Matt and his staff have the ability and resources to help us implement this vision. We look forward to utilizing all the Leading Edge resources to grow our business and assist Leading Edge in growing their business."

1-23-06 GILBERT, AZ - Leading Edge would like to welcome Gateway Autobody & Paint, Inc. into the Leading Edge Family. Cory & Shanna Weissman, owners of Gateway Autobody & Paint, enjoy the rural feel of Gilbert and they are committed to serving their customers in that area. Plans are in place to update and modernize the Repair Facility and offer their customers the latest in equipment and customer service. “I was impressed by the professionalism of Leading Edge and the Value Added Services they offer me. They really are committed to my business and my success; my painters are looking forward to being certified as Diamont Refinish Technicians. This will allow me to offer my Customers a Lifetime Warrantee on all our refinish work.” Leading Edge is pleased to assist in making Gateway Autobody & Paint successful and to assist Cory and Shanna in making Gateway Autobody a long term success.

1-20-06 QUEEN CREEK, AZ - Leading Edge is pleased to welcome Painter’s Auto Body as the newest member of the Leading Edge family of collision centers.  Painter’s Auto Body has been a family owned and operated business since 1985.  Owner Bruce Painter said:  “I want my facility to reach its full potential.  That’s why I went with Leading Edge; they offer more than just paint.  They are willing to put their entire team behind me to assist with training, marketing and industry relations. Leading Edge wants to help me grow my business and help me be successful.” Bruce opened his new shop just 10 months ago in Queen Creek. This is a growing area and Bruce wanted to be the first modern collision shop in the area.  Leading Edge is excited about the addition of Painter’s Auto Body and is looking forward to working with Bruce and his family.

9-7-05 PHOENIX, AZ - Leading Edge would like to welcome Bell Ford Collision Center as the most recent member of the Leading Edge family of collision centers in the Valley. “According to John Rang, “Establishing long-term relationships with a car dealership collision shop is difficult because of the layers of corporate personnel. At Bell Ford we were presented with a unique opportunity because we were able to establish relationships at the General Manager, Fixed Operations and Collision Shop Managers level. All three wanted a vendor relationship that went beyond buying paint and associated products.”  According to David Dellinger, collision shop manager, Leading Edge offers so much more than paint. We are going to save money on products because they focus on keeping products costs down but the real benefit is their marketing and technical support in operations, work flow and industry relationships. They are more like a partner than a vendor.”

3-10-05 PEORIA, AZ - Leading Edge is pleased to announce Peoria Pontiac/GMC Goodwrench CARSTAR as a member of the Leading Edge family of collision centers. Located at the 101 Freeway and Bell Road in Peoria, Goodwrench CARSTAR is another example of west side collision shops associating with Leading Edge. “Leading Edge is a very strategic and disciplined company with a well defined business plan. We don’t have outside sales personnel so our approach is one-on-one, owner-to-owner, or in this case owner-to-manager. We choose our customers strategically. Goodwrench CARSTAR had been on our target list of Westside shops and we patiently waited for an appropriate opportunity to develop a mutually beneficial business relationship. This shop is a great fit and a strategic addition to our growing partnerships with collision shops throughout the Valley.  In dealerships, it’s about management, their vision and their understanding of the industry,” said Matt Johnson, co-owner of Leading Edge.  According to Keith Brening, collision shop manager at Goodwrench CARSTAR, “I wasn’t unhappy with my old supplier or product but we looked at the unique business opportunities by associating with Leading Edge and we felt it was best for the dealership. With Leading Edge, it isn’t all about the paint.”

3-1-05 TUCSON - A-1 Automotive and Leading Edge are pleased to welcome First Choice Cosmetic Auto Body (Tucson) to our family of collision shops in Pima and Maricopa counties. “I’ve done business with A-1 and BASF for years but today, it’s about vision for the industry. When A-1 became affiliated with Leading Edge in 1996 I knew things would change. Anyone who believes these people think like a paint jobber are in for a big surprise. I love BASF paint because I know my sprayable cost numbers but I like associating with people who think 'out of the box.' The shops that survive aren’t going to do it alone and I see my relationships at A-1 and Leading Edge a huge advantage for me,” said Dan Hunsaker. According to John Rang, co-owner of Leading Edge, “We’re not about paint; we’re about embracing change and setting higher standards which set our companies and our partner shops apart from the rest of the industry. To do that, you need business relationships with people who are committed to and engaged in the collision industry. Anyone who has a business relationship with Dan has experienced his direct approach to business relationships. It’s what makes Dan such a great partner.  Dan loves the collision industry. Conversing with Dan is not only interesting but it keeps your mind sharp. We are thrilled to have Dan on our team.”

3-1-05 MESA, AZ - Leading Edge is pleased to welcome Superstition Body & Paint to our family of collision repair centers. Superstition Body & Paint is owned by Tim Craig who has been involved in Arizona’s collision industry for many years. Keith Boeldt, shop manager, said, “People who think Leading Edge only sells BASF paint haven’t done their homework. Besides having the best paint program anywhere, what makes Leading Edge a great partner is their understanding and their relationships in the industry. Once you start doing business with Leading Edge you recognize the depth of talented people who are in their organization.”

1-24-05 CHANDLER, AZ— Leading Edge is excited to announce the opening of Brighton Collision Center, located on Chandler Blvd in Chandler, Arizona. Owner David Baum has been an owner in the collision industry for many years and is very excited about the growing market in Chandler. "I am thrilled to be able to take advantage of such a growth-oriented market in the Chandler area. I have a great partner in Leading Edge. I have done business with them for many years, and I look forward to working with them for many years in the future."

12-17-04 PHOENIX, AZ—Leading Edge would like to welcome Premier Body Works to the growing number of shops to the Leading Edge family.  The owner, Karl Copenhaver is very excited about starting a new collision business in Arizona after owning a collision center in Calif.  Premier Body Works has all the state of the art equipment that puts them in position to offer a quality repair to the customer.  “I see the tremendous opportunity for a successful collision business with the rapid growth on the West side of Phoenix.  I have been around the collision industry for many years and the capabilities of Leading Edge goes much further then supplying paint.  They are going to assist me in growing my business and positioning it for the future.”  According to Matt Johnson of Leading Edge, “Karl is the kind of guy that will be a success.  His business approach is first class, and I am excited about the opportunities for both our businesses in the future.”

11-1-04 MESA, AZ—Leading Edge is excited to announce the opening of OE Paint Pro’s in Mesa.  OE Paint Pros specializes in the highest quality complete paint jobs and custom color changes. That is what they do best.  According to Bob Kennedy, training specialist for Leading Edge, “OE Paint Pros wants to offer the customer a quality overall paint job.  Something that is unique to the market and not currently offered in the valley.  I believe they will find an invaluable niche in the market, and we are happy to assist them.”

11-1-04 PHOENIX. AZ—Leading Edge and A-1 Automotive Refinishes are pleased to welcome Don Mackey Cadillac/BMW Collision Center to our family of collision repair facilities. According to Matt Johnson, "Don Mackey Cadillac/BMW Collision Center is a welcome addition to our growing list of collision repair shops whose owners and managers are quality minded. We have been working with Gerry Eazer, the collision shop manager, for several months and have found another great partner as we move forward in strengthening our customer base in Tucson."

7-21-04 PHOENIX. AZ—Leading Edge welcomes TNT Collision Centers to their family of shops.  With his third location opening on Chandler Blvd in Chandler, owner Tim Craig is anxious to begin his partnership with Leading Edge.  "Our new shop brings many new opportunities for us.  I am excited about my relationship with Leading Edge.  They bring so much to the table for the growth of our business.  This is a win-win deal for everyone."

7-19-04 PHOENIX. AZ—Leading Edge is excited to welcome Accurate Auto Body CARSTAR to our BASF family of repair facilities. The CARSTAR franchise is a rapidly growing network of collision shops which expanded into Arizona in 2003.  In the Bell Road Automall off I-17 and Bell Road, Accurate Auto Body is perfectly located to serve the needs of the growing Phoenix area.  Matt Johnson, operations manager for Leading Edge, is excited about the new partnership.  "We have been working with management and ownership of Accurate for months now.  We are working together on many different projects as well.  I look forward to growing our already-strong strategic partnership."

7-19-04 PHOENIX. AZ—The Painter's Edge, in conjunction with Leading Edge, is pleased to announce their new partnership with Complete Paint & Body Center. Located on Van Buren in Phoenix, Complete Paint & Body is equipped with everything they need to repair cars to pre-accident conditions. Owner Mario Jimenez is pleased with his decision to partner with The Painter's Edge. "I decided to partner with The Painter's Edge and Leading Edge because of their marketing capabilities.  I know how important marketing is to my business, and I am excited to work with a partner who has the same goals I do."

5/17/04 GLENDALE. AZ—Leading Edge, in conjunction with Ralph Wills, owner of Andy's Body Shops (Phoenix), is excited to announce the addition of a third location in Glendale.  After more than 28 years experience owning independent collision facilities in Arizona, Andy's has established a reputation for excellent repair quality and value to the customer.  With shops fully equipped with a Celette dedicated fixture bench, an AutoRobot bench, Pro Spot welders, heated down-draft paint booths, electronic measuring systems and BASF paint featured in the paint department, the highly skilled technicians at Andy's Collision Centers have everything they need to restore vehicles back to manufactures' standards. Ralph is excited about this third opportunity to partner with Leading Edge. "I have worked with Leading Edge for a long time. The marketing capabilities of the company is unbelievable. I know they will play a critical role in the future success of my collision shops."

4/30/04 CHANDLER. AZ—Leading Edge is pleased to announce the addition of Chandler Auto Body to the Leading Edge family of collision shops.  Located at 1505 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler Auto Body prides itself on quality collision repairs and experienced technicians.   Doug Hines, body shop manager, understands how important strategic partnerships are.  "I have done business with Leading Edge in the past and look forward to renewing our partnership with them.  The organization and marketing capabilities that Leading Edge brings to the table really show me they have our best interests at heart.  Chandler Auto Body and Leading Edge is a great strategic business partnership.  I believe they will assist me in growing our business in ways that nobody else can."

4/28/04 SUPRISE. AZ—The Painter’s Edge in Phoenix, along with Leading Edge would like to welcome Blue Collision in Surprise, Arizona to the Leading Edge family of shops. According to shop owner Randy Clyde, "Choosing a paint vendor is an important decision, and I took my time and did my homework. I have many friends in this industry, and I took the time to contact several current customers of Leading Edge and found out their customers are satisfied. That tells the real story for me. In the end the choice to go with The Painter’s Edge and BASF seemed like the best fit for me. I believe they will be able to assist me in growing my business better than anyone else in Phoenix."

According to Tim Walsh of The Painter’s Edge, "We are thrilled to have Blue Collision on board. We feel the shop is located in a key strategic location, and we have no doubt that Randy and his staff will serve the clients of the far Northwest Valley very well for many years to come. For Randy, it is a great opportunity to run a new business and we are eager to help him in every manner we can."

4/20/04 PHOENIX. AZ—Leading Edge is excited to announce their new partnership with Select Auto Body. Located on 7th Avenue in Phoenix, Select Auto Body is equipped with a down-draft heated paint booth, cut-in booth and frame equipment. Specializing in high end collision repair, owners Bud & Irene Stock are pleased with their decision to partner with Leading Edge. "Leading Edge under-promised and over-delivered. They have a wealth of talented people who are committed to complete customer satisfaction."

3/9/04 MESA. AZ—Leading Edge is pleased to welcome Arizona Image Paint & Body CARSTAR to our family of repair facilities. The CARSTAR franchise is a rapidly growing network of collision shops which expanded into Arizona in 2003.

5/04 PHOENIX. AZ—Leading Edge in conjunction with The Painter's Edge of Phoenix Welcomes Grand Prix Body and Paint to the BASF family. The phrase "timing is everything" is appropriate when it comes to the recent conversion of Grand Prix Body & Paint to the Diamont paint system.

According to owner Steve McDonnel, "I have known Tim Walsh for many years, going back to my days as an I-CAR instructor and state chairman. Oddly enough, we had never really done business together. I had known John Rang even longer. After Tim told me of some of the unique things that his company was doing to assist their customers, I was impressed. They know what is happening in our local market and the dynamics that affect us everyday. What they are doing goes so far beyond paint". He then added, "Sometimes it seems like the vendors always focus on these 'mega shops' and tend to forget about smaller volume shops like mine. I will put our quality of repair up against anyone in the area. We don't fix hundreds of cars every month, but we do fix every vehicle the right way."

According to Tim Walsh, "Grand Prix is exactly what we are looking for in a customer. A nice shop, focused on quality with a good reputation. With the experience that Steve and his staff bring to the table, it is no wonder they have been named by Mark Salem as one of the top shops in the Phoenix area for the past several years"

2/3/04 ANTHEM. AZ—Leading Edge is pleased to announce the addition of Advanced Auto Body, the third location for Shawn Young, owner. The new 30,000 sq. ft. location is located on the I-17 freeway and Anthem Way. The new facility is state-of-the art with new Brewco Legend and Executive frame racks, two GenIV Spraybake down-draft spray booths, dual prep stations, Pro Spot welders and a Celette dedicated fixture bench."

2/02/04 MESA. AZ—Leading Edge is pleased to welcome Hunter's Paint and Auto Body, L.L.C. to the Leading Edge family of collision repair centers. Located in the East Valley at McDowell Road and Greenfield, the 22,000 sq ft. collision center, which opened in January of 2003, is a state-of-the-art collision center utilizing two heated down draft paint booths, two prep stations, a frame rack and a Celette dedicated fixture bench. Available shop parking exceeds one acre. According the Hunter, "I've been a painter all my life and we were wasting too much time color matching. The BASF ColorMax system has over 8,000 spray-gun painted chips in two cabinets and I can match colors in less than 10 minutes. The ColorMax system saves 15 to 30 minutes on most color matches."The industry is changing. It's about networking. I've found Leading Edge's involvement with their customers involves much more than paint. They provide training seminars, have industry relationships and they understand what's going in Arizona. Changing to Leading Edge was the best decision for my business. I am looking forward to a long relationship with Leading Edge and BASF."

1/18/04 SCOTTSDALE. AZ—Leading Edge is pleased to announce the addition of Ultimate Auto Body, under new ownership, to the growing family of BASF customers in Arizona. Ultimate features a new Spraybake down-draft booth, prep stations and a Celette fixture bench."