HD Repair Forum gears up for 2019 event

The second annual Heavy Duty Repair Forum will be held April 2-3. The two-day event takes place in Fort Worth, Texas, at the Hilton Fort Worth. 

Topics up for discussion will include: continued increase of OEM repair support; industry economics and trends; commercial vehicle technology advancements and repair impacts, standard operating procedures, operational best practices, and more. 

The event will bring together all segments of the heavy-duty commercial vehicle repair industry in one place for collaborative discussions, education, future preparation, and high-level networking opportunities.  

“The inaugural HD Repair Forum of 2018 was an inspiration,” said Jennie Lenk, communications manager for the HD Repair Forum. “Attendees, speakers, industry influencers, and sponsors alike were relieved to see the heavy-duty collision repair industry come together and begin to create a mold for higher standards in safe and efficient heavy-duty repairs.” 

The forum recently announced its 2018-2019 Advisory Board. 

This year’s members include: 

Ray Chatfield, Truck Collision Services; 

Howard Elsenpeter, Hoglund Body & Equipment; 

Dean Hancock, Bob Johnson’s Truck & Body; 

Fred Honore, Gerber Collision Services; 

Monte Lewis, Monte’s Repair Shop, Inc.; 

Wally Melia, SelecTransportation Resources; 

Mark Polzin, Budget Truck & Auto; 

Ed Rietman, K&R Truck Sales, Inc.; 

Rodney Rowland, Lakeside International Trucks; 

Chris Sterwerf, Fairfield Auto & Truck Service; 

James Svaasand, Penske; 

Brian Vesley, Valtek Inc.; 

Gigi Walker, Walker’s Auto Body; and 

Steve Wolfe, Diversified Body & Paint. 

The HD Repair Forum is the only program dedicated exclusively to the heavy-duty collision repair industry and is open to everyone involved in the repair of heavy-duty/commercial vehicles in class 5-8. This includes shop owners, shop managers, fleet managers, dealer repair shops, commercial vehicle manufacturers, insurance providers, and service, equipment, and technology companies servicing this industry.  

www.hdrepairforum.com