LEWISTON — Moody’s Collision Centers, which this month opened a branch in Lewiston, has been awarded the North American collision repair industry’s prestigious FIT Sustainability Award.

The acronym represents the three key measurement criteria of the award: Focus, Innovation and Talent.

This award sponsored by AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings, was created in 2010 to promote the leadership role and unique contributions that the collision repair industry is making to generate a more sustainable future. It is awarded to collision shops whose business model centers on eco-friendly practices.

Only three businesses were presented a FIT Sustainability Award, with all collision repair shops in the USA and Canada eligible for nomination.

Moody’s Collision Centers have worked very closely with Efficiency Maine to identify and implement measures that reduce electricity usage and costs. They have identified lighting and variable frequency drive motors as two key ways to save — managing to slash electric bills by 35 percent — proof that going green can help save money.

Moody’s Collision Centers are located in Gorham, Scarborough, Biddeford, Portland and Sanford. The new 17,500 square foot shop in Lewiston opened Nov. 1. The shops are all I-CAR Gold certified and have been recognized by the Department of Environmental Protection as environmental leaders.