People, Process and Passion: Collision Restoration Joins VIVE Collision Family

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

Nearly four decades after its doors first opened in 1986, Collision Restoration (Fairfield) has begun a brand-new journey as a member of the VIVE Collision family of auto body repair facilities!

Garden State collision repairers were stunned last year when Eddie Day, a prominent and respected figure in the industry, decided to retire and sold the shop he founded so many years ago (read Day’s interview at grecopublishing.com/nja0924coverstory). But the legacy he created made the facility an ideal addition for VIVE Collision’s growing organization, which is dedicated to “redefin[ing] the collision repair industry by focusing on three core principles: People, Process and Passion,” according to VIVE CEO Vartan Jerian.

VIVE Collision was founded in 2021 by a group of collision industry professionals who were passionate about fixing what they saw as broken. “We saw an industry often burdened with outdated processes, high turnover and inconsistent service quality,” Jerian explains. “Rather than accept that as the norm, we set out to challenge the status quo with the goal of creating a world-class collision repair experience for our customers, teammates and stakeholders. We believe that by prioritizing our people, streamlining our processes and fostering a culture fueled by passion, we can deliver better outcomes for everyone involved.”

The MSO now consists of 52 collision repair shops in nine states within the Northeast region, located as far south as New Jersey and Pennsylvania and running up through New England to Maine. Collision Restoration is the ninth New Jersey shop to join the VIVE Collision family – but VIVE isn’t willing to invest in just any shop; it seeks out facilities that are already dedicated to performing high-quality repairs per OEM requirements.

“Collision Restoration stands out from other shops in the area due to its extensive OEM certifications and commitment to manufacturer-approved repair standards,” Jerian notes, pointing out that the shop has certifications from JLR, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Tesla and Maserati. “These certifications ensure our technicians are trained, equipped and qualified to repair vehicles to factory specifications, using the right tools, parts and procedures. This gives customers the confidence that their cars are being restored with precision, safety and long-term performance in mind. Our focus on OEM-certified repairs and cutting-edge technology positions us as a leader in the market, delivering the highest standards of service to every customer.

“Backed by Eddie Day’s strong foundation, Collision Restoration has established a reputation for quality, trust and excellence,” Jerian continues. “Adding a shop with a strong reputation like Collision Restoration to the VIVE family brings immediate credibility, trusted customer relationships and a solid foundation of operational excellence. It allows us to build on their strengths while enhancing performance with VIVE’s systems, tools and leadership development.”

Of course, adding a new shop to a large organization such as VIVE’s will always include some growing pains. “The biggest challenge [when we acquire a new facility] is cultural alignment and change management,” Jerian acknowledges. “Anytime you integrate two teams, there’s an adjustment period, but we focus on clear communication, leadership development and ensuring everyone understands how VIVE’s ‘People, Process and Passion’ approach creates new growth opportunities.”

Embracing that approach while integrating Collision Restoration’s 28 employees into the VIVE family required a proven approach. “The journey of Collision Restoration becoming a VIVE shop was all about alignment, integration and growth. Our goal was to maintain what made Collision Restoration successful while enhancing it with VIVE’s approach to ‘People, Process and Passion,’” Jerian stresses. “The process started with thoroughly evaluating their people, processes and performance metrics to ensure alignment with VIVE’s vision. We wanted to understand their strengths, spot gaps and ensure our cultures aligned.”

After finalizing the acquisition, VIVE “implemented a 90-day plan to maintain continuity while driving improvement. This involved open teammate communication, leadership assessments and operational support. It’s all about clarity and communication. People need to know the ‘why’ behind the change and how it benefits them,” Jerian insists, clarifying, “For me, the ‘why’ behind VIVE Collision has always been simple – investing in people leads to better results. We know that developing our teammates, empowering them with clear processes and inspiring them with a shared purpose drives success across the board.”

Collision Restoration’s journey to becoming a VIVE facility continued with operational integration – focusing on optimizing throughput, quality of estimate and overall efficiency while maintaining OEM procedures and continuity. VIVE introduced tools, technology and new processes to ensure consistency and performance. “Our goal is simple: make a great shop even better than before with simple changes to a great business,” Jerian says. 

“VIVE continues to invest in the already robust training and equipment necessary to continue with the many OEM programs, and the process doesn’t end at 90 days; we follow up post-close with senior leaders and the team to review what’s working and what needs to change. These calls focus on ‘People, Process and Passion’ to ensure lasting success. Collision Restoration was already a great shop, but with VIVE’s playbook, we’ve set it up to be even better.”

VIVE’s efforts focus on “disrupting the collision repair industry” to overcome its challenges, but what are those challenges? “The biggest challenges facing New Jersey repairers are the technician shortage and the rapid evolution of vehicle technology,” Jerian believes. “The shortage of skilled technicians is a nationwide issue, but it’s even more difficult in a competitive market like New Jersey. Shops must prioritize attracting, developing and retaining talent to stay ahead.

“Another major challenge is keeping up with advancements in ADAS and EV technology. As vehicles become more complex, repairers must invest in continuous training, updated equipment and new processes. These investments are necessary for shops to stay caught up in their ability to service modern vehicles effectively,” he continues, adding, “Addressing these challenges requires focusing on workforce development, technology investment and ongoing training to ensure repair teams are equipped for the industry’s future.”

VIVE’s devotion to improving the industry starts at home with an emphasis on the first “P” of their principled approach: “We are here to support and work for our teammates because the real key is people. If you get the people part right, everything else works.” 

Implementing the right processes is a vital step for any successful collision repair establishment, but none of it matters unless one possesses an enthusiasm and love for the industry that keeps them going when things get tough. “Passion fuels everything we do, from approaching customer service to handling growth and expansion,” Jerian professes. “Our combination of ‘People, Process and Passion’ has become the DNA of VIVE Collision and the foundation for everything we strive to achieve.”

Want more? Check out the January 2025 issue of New Jersey Automotive!