The arrival of George Varagic as National Director of NAPA/CMAX marks a strategic turning point for one of the most influential networks in the Canadian collision repair market. With more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing, distribution, and automotive technologies, he brings a vision firmly focused on innovation and modernizing the industry. 

A Career Shaped by the Industry 

Appointed in January 2026, George Varagic has a multidisciplinary background that spans from tooling industries to IT infrastructure. This experience gives him a deep understanding of the operational realities faced by body shops. Recognized for his ability to optimize performance and transform organizations, he arrives at a time when the collision market is under increasing pressure: labour shortages, environmental requirements, increasingly complex vehicle technology, and the rise of automation. 

Multilingual and holding an MBA in Global Management completed with an executive program at McGill, he promotes a collaborative approach to support shops in their ecological and technological transition. He emphasizes “the need to adapt quickly to changes, whether global, North American, or specific to different regions of Canada.” 

A Rapidly Transforming Market 

 
For George Varagic, this appointment represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen the position of CMAX as a key division of NAPA. Facing a rapidly evolving market, he advocates “a cautious but also highly proactive and strategic approach, whether it involves meeting customer expectations, adapting distribution, or collaborating with manufacturers.” 

As head of the paint, body, and equipment division, he now oversees sales, operations, and growth strategies at the national level. His key priorities include the future integration of automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence. He believes NAPA is already working on deploying strategies to facilitate the integration of these technologies in body shops—an essential lever to improve operational profitability and reduce costs borne by insurers. 

With George Varagic at the helm, NAPA/CMAX is entering a phase of growth where modernization, sustainability, and operational performance stand as the pillars of a network ready to meet the challenges ahead in the collision repair industry.

Picture credit : George Varagic