FAMILY BUSINESS: Owner of Liberty CARSTAR Collision Center receives national ... - Kansas City Star
Occasionally a customer comes to Wicklund’s CARSTAR Collision Center in Liberty completely distraught. “There is a lot of stress, going through an accident,” said Gerald Wicklund, owner of the center at 941 Sutton Place. While the customer pushes several buttons on the chair to help relax, Wicklund begins to explain everything involved with getting the car repaired. “We take care of the paperwork and negotiating with the insurance company,” Wicklund said. It is that kind of innovative thinking that has made Wicklund’s CARSTAR Collision Center a thriving business since it was started in 1970 by Wicklund’s father, Bill, and was simply called The Body Shop. Forward thinking by Wicklund helped him earn national recognition in July. When the Ford F-150 came out earlier this year with an all-aluminum body, Wicklund knew it was important for his shop to know how to repair it in case of accident. Wicklund’s CARSTAR gained aluminum certification in March. This was one of the reasons why BodyShop Business magazine selected Wicklund the 2015 single shop executive of the year on July 21. Wicklund was humbled by the honor. “Of course, when I think of awards like that, I think of my dad and parents receiving the award,” Wicklund said. Source: www.kansascity.com
