Hovis Technical Training Center with an open house last month at its Mercer, Pa., facility.

The open house featured a business management course conducted by Mike Allen, vice president, Federated Auto Parts. Manufacturer representatives and training partners from suppliers were in attendance to speak with Hovis customers about new products and upcoming training. The event brought in more than 200 customers to tour the 10,000-square-foot, hands-on training facility which featured a BBQ lunch, door prizes, giveaways and an appearance by "The Chief," Hovis Auto Wrecking's 80-ton rotator wrecker.

Since opening in November 2011, the Hovis Technical Training Center has trained more than 550 customers.

"We are excited to see our training center grow so quickly and to be a part of bringing the newest technology and techniques in the automotive repair, coatings and heavy duty industries to our customers and employees," says Curt Hovis, vice president of Hovis Auto & Truck Supply.

The Hovis Technical Training Center has developed an educational curriculum to bring together leaders in the automotive, heavy-duty, and paint and body industry to train on the latest technology, techniques, and applications in their specific fields. It boasts a fully-equipped body shop with mixing rooms, prep deck, oversized paint booth and a 14-foot overhead door for heavy duty truck access, as well as four-post and two-post lifts, wireless alignment machine, tire changer, balancer and diagnostic labs.

In addition to technical training, the facility offers technicians, managers and owners the opportunity to participate in best business practice education to maximize traffic to their shops, improve return visit rates and increase their bottom lines. For more information, visit www.hovistrainingcenter.com.