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.