What’s New: In Brief (April 30, 2009)

More than 600 collision centre owners, managers and technicians have graduated from PPG’s Green Belt Training program. The training is a four-day comprehensive program blending Lean Six Sigma fundamentals and practical application implementation detail. Key program elements include: • success factors that allow some organizations to thrive in rapidly changing environments;• use of simulation games to learn Lean Six Sigma fundamentals and what cycle time reduction means to the collision repair processes; • practical application of Lean Six Sigma principles through X-Ray Repair Planning and fundamentals such as 5S and Workplace Organization; • leadership and implementation modules that address the need for everyone in an organization to participate in building stronger processes and a process improvement culture; and • integration of shop tours and assignments into the training to reinforce the understanding and confidence critical to successful implementation.

The Loyalist Insurance Group Limited has reported an income of Cdn$2.3 million for 2008. This is compared to a loss of Cdn$249,241 in 2007. The company’s net income was affected by a negative income tax recovery of Cdn$421,750, according to a company release. Payment for the sale of Loyalist Insurance Brokers Limited assets was received in February 2008 and totaled Cdn$4.7 million.