Plastic repair company Plastfix Industries has declared that it has entered the USA market with the appointment of Michael LoPrete as its Vice President of Operations North America. LoPrete will work from his US base to set up the unit and engage with the collision repair industry to promote the company’s unique specialty tools, materials and certified training programmes.
Plastfix says LoPrete brings 20 years of collision repair industry experience to the company, working with repairers, distributors and OEMs at sister company Tradiebot as well as the Ford Motor Company, AkzoNobel, Transtar Autobody Technologies, BASF and Hedson Technologies. To support the industry, LoPrete is an active participant in the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and a member of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) as well as the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA). He earned a BA from Albion College and an MBA and MS from Indiana University.
According to Plastfix founder Mario Dimovski, LoPrete’s appointment comes at an exciting time for the company as it pushes its specialty intellectual property into the North American collision repair market.
“Michael will lead our efforts to provide outstanding solutions in cycle time, quality of repair and waste reduction to our network,” said Dimovski.
“The timing for Plastfix expansion is right. The industry is showing an increasing interest in the Plastfix offerings. As pressure rises to provide more environmentally friendly options, especially around plastic parts, our solution will add even more value to the shop owner, consumer and environment.”
LoPrete said he is excited to join the team at Plastfix Industries.
“Mario Dimovski is a true innovator in the collision repair space. He is driven to build something special that provides great value to our customers while making an earnest effort to address the growing problem of plastics pollution and waste management. It is my pleasure to join the battle,” LoPrete said.
“Something as simple as repairing a damaged plastic bumper is often skipped in the interest of perceived expediency and quality. Yet a properly repaired bumper is significantly more likely to be the right fit in re‐assembly, costs measurably less than purchasing a replacement part, and reduces cycle time. All that is needed is the right combination of process, training, equipment and supplies.
“Parts that have been routinely scrapped and replaced can now be repaired and re‐used. Those savings can be captured and carbon credits can be managed. When a plastic part must be scrapped, Plastfix is committed to finding ways to convert it to a raw material that can be turned into another useful product,” added LoPrete.
According to Plastfix, the company has several North America developments underway and is securing key partnerships with a leading industry training provider and multi-shop operators (MSOs).