Timothy O’Day, CEO of Boyd Group Services, identifies the collision repair industry’s biggest challenge as its greatest opportunity: people. “We are in a service business that is fully dependent on our people, so to excel we need to continue to invest in our people as well as our business processes,” O’Day said in a recent interview with Repairer Driven News, following his announcement of stepping down on May 14 after 27 years.
O’Day emphasized the need to build a skilled workforce to keep pace with increasingly complex vehicles. “One of the most significant challenges is to continue to build the talent needed to run a great business and ensure that our technicians have the right training and experience to repair increasingly complex vehicles,” he noted. “Our greatest opportunity is to continue to invest in our people so that we continue to be well-positioned to deliver great results as the market continues to evolve.”
Under O’Day’s leadership, Boyd Group has experienced significant growth. Starting at Gerber Collision & Glass in 1998, O’Day was integral to Boyd’s acquisition of Gerber in 2004, eventually rising to CEO in 2020. O’Day’s leadership and commitment to training and development have been key to Boyd’s success. The company’s Technician Development Program has grown significantly, with over 500 new trainees between 2021 and 2023.
Boyd’s collaboration with I-CAR and other industry partners in training, including their plastic repair program, reflects O’Day’s belief in ongoing innovation and process improvement. “This not only helped address our growing need for highly trained technicians, it also expanded our capacity during a period of robust demand,” he said. “Boyd and the entire industry need to be committed to training and to process improvement.”
While external factors, such as rising costs, remain a challenge, O’Day suggested that focusing on repair rather than replacement could help mitigate some of these issues. He also expressed concerns about mandated technology platforms that increase complexity and cost, calling for more open systems that foster innovation and reduce operational hurdles. “For example, it is generally difficult for us to move data between systems,” O’Day said. “A change that would benefit everyone would be to move to more open platforms that reduce cost, drive data exchange, and foster innovation.”
Looking ahead, O’Day believes Boyd’s strategic investments in specialized equipment and training, such as for structural aluminum repairs, will ensure the company stays at the forefront of emerging repair needs. “An older example relates to structural aluminum repairs, which require specialized equipment, training, and dedicated repair space,” he said. “Rather than have this everywhere, we work with our customers to move vehicles with aluminum structural damage to a properly equipped location. We take a similar approach with other specialized needs, including OE certifications.”
O’Day also anticipates more customer pay work, driven by higher deductibles, and an increase in direct repair program (DRP) throughput as customer satisfaction and repair time improve. “Looking forward, based on ‘high levels of customer satisfaction and shorter repair time’ through direct repair programs, I expect increased DRP throughput and for OE certification programs to be a part of the decision-making process for referrals,” he said.
As for the transition of leadership, O’Day is confident in Brian Kaner, Boyd’s president and COO, who will take over as CEO. Kaner, who joined Boyd in 2022, brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at Pep Boys and Icahn Automotive Services. O’Day will remain involved as an advisor through the end of 2025 to ensure a smooth transition. “This leadership transition provides a logical opportunity for Boyd to announce the company’s next long-term growth goal in early 2025 as Brian prepares to lead the company through its next phase of growth and development,” O’Day said. “I will continue to be available to support Brian in his transition to CEO in an advisory capacity through to the end of 2025.”
Kaner expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, “I am honored that the board has selected me as Boyd’s next CEO and I am extremely excited for our future. We continue to execute against a solid business strategy supported by a strong leadership team. Tim’s continued support, along with the support of the Board and the Boyd leadership team will provide for a smooth transition and will continue to position Boyd well for the future.”
Brown, independent chair of the Boyd Board of Directors, said he and the board believe Kaner is well positioned to take the helm and thanked O’Day for his “excellent and unwavering leadership” of Boyd, according to the release.
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