Hoffman Estates, IL– June 20, 2012 – 3M has come to the aid of 676 secondary and post-secondary collision programs across the country by several product donations through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. This product donation, valued at $882,800, will ease collision department budgets by providing students with the opportunity to work with up-to-date supplies. 3M was able to supply 676 schools with Meguiar’s sanding/finishing discs, headlight & spot repair kit, pistol grip rotary polishers, and other items. In addition, 49 of those schools also received donated vinyl tape packages to aid their collision programs product needs.
3M Automotive Aftermarket Division Business Development Manager Mark Algie said, “3M continues to be committed to all segments of the collision repair industry and through the help of the Collision Repair Education Foundation we are able to help a lot of great schools, instructors and students. We value what these schools are all about and what they do to prepare the next generation of techs, estimators and I’m sure some owners for our industry. We will continue to provide resources that will give these schools the ability to enhance their individual programs and prepare their students for a career in our industry.”
Collision Repair Education Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Chris Northup said, “To put in perspective the level of which 3M has assisted secondary and post-secondary collision schools across the country, since 2009 3M has annually averaged roughly $900,000 in donations through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. Through the letters we receive back from collision instructors, it is apparent that they are extremely grateful and overwhelmed by 3M’s generosity and willingness to assist them in providing up-to-date materials for their school’s collision programs. This will only benefit the collision students’ technical education and collision repair businesses will be able to hire these well-trained students as productive, capable, and efficient employees from day one on the job. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the staff, and the collision school programs nationwide that have benefited from these product donations, thank you to 3M for continuing to support the organization at such a high level.”
Kishwaukee College Auto Body Instructor Greg Brink noted, “My students would like to thank 3M for their donation. We will be able to make good use of it. We have a lot of vehicles that come in and need head light restoration. We have also been using the 3M denibbing kit often. 3M can take pride in knowing that they are making a difference in the training of entry level technicians.”
Washburn Institute of Technology Collision Repair Instructor Curtis Hopson said, “This is truly wonderful to be able to receive such donations as it actually puts the latest tools and technology into our student’s hands where they can use them instead of just look at a picture or read about them. Again, thank you so much for everything.”
For additional information about 3M visit http://3mcollision.com/. Inter-industry organizations and individuals who are interested in supporting the Education Foundation and increasing the amount of assistance provided to collision schools and students should contact Education Foundation Associate Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed foundation.org.
