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VOL. 3 ISSUE 3 DECEMBER 2013

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Collision Repair Classes, Meetings and Exhibitors Attract Shops to Largest SEMA Ever by John Yoswick

The 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show attracted more than 126,000 people—attendees and exhibitor representatives—to Las Vegas in November, filling the massive Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding spaces with all things automotive. Show organizers say that count was up 7 percent over the previous year and was the highest ever. The collision repair and refinish section of the show boasted just over 200 exhibitors, a small but rapidly growing percentage of the more than 2,300 companies and organizations

exhibiting at SEMA this year. Although attendees could easily

spend several days on the show floor to see it all, there were a number of

pecial SSEMA

coverage Coverage Pages: 1, 8, 12, 18, 19, 24, 25, 27, 29, and 31

(L-R) Barbara Davies, GM at Autobody News, Kenny Youngblood, Fine Art Automotive & Race Car Portrait Artist, Paul Stoll, PPG Technical Sales Instruction Supervisor, and Cristina Fronzaglia, PPG Communications Manager

See Biggest SEMA Ever, Page 10

Ohio Supreme Court Ends Class Action Status on State Farm Windshield Installation Case

PartsTrader, Insurer Mandates Draw Industry Ire at Collision Industry Conference Held with SEMA

The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that a class-action lawsuit alleging that an insurance company did not disclose the option to replace damaged windshields to its policyholders does not meet the legal requirements for a class action. The high court issued its 26-page ruling in Cullen v. State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Co. on Nov. 5. In 2003, plaintiff Michael Cullen contacted State Farm to report damage to the windshield of his car. After speaking with his agent, Cullen spoke to a representative from Lynx

Following a panel discussion on parts procurement at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Las Vegas in early November, attendees spent nearly an hour voicing criticism of mandated use of any particular system. Tom McGarry of Axalta Coatings ProfitNet Management System noted that unlike several other systems, PartsTrader interfaces with estimating systems but not management systems. He also said a shop ordering parts might need to use one Tom McGarry electronic system in order to receive an automaker rebate, but the shop’s preferred vendor might use a different system, with State Farm requiring yet another. “It’s not a procurement decision anymore; it’s a marketing decision,” McGarry said. “How do you handle that?” Nebraska shop owner Andy Dingman, who participated on the

Services LLC, a company that began handling windshield claims for State Farm in 1996. Twinsburg Glass & Mirror then repaired his windshield. Two years later, Cullen sued State Farm, requesting class certification and a declaratory judgment that the insurer’s practices were illegal and violated obligations owed by fiduciaries pursuant to Ohio law. In addition, Cullen asserted claims for breach of contract, bad faith and breach of fiduciary duty, and sought compensatory and punitive damages. The complaint defined the class See Windshield Case Ends, Page 11

Change Service Requested

P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018

by Jessica M. Karmasek

by John Yoswick

CIC panel, agreed that shops could be faced with using multiple systems. “And that’s going to be very efficient,” he added sarcastically. California shop owner Randy Stabler, also on the panel, agreed. “The challenge here is the insurance community doesn’t understand by and large that when they increase the body shop’s costs, they have to pay for it somewhere,” Stabler said. “Lowering the payout isn’t increasing efficiency. If the insurers could take that Randy Stabler back to their corporations and figure out ways to reduce the body shop’s operating costs, then they can share in it, but reducing the payout doesn’t increase efficiency.” Stabler also said, however, that he’s “kind of perplexed” why the PartsTrader mandate has become “such a lightening rod” for an industry that has been accepting insurer mandates since the early days of computerized estimating. See Industry Ire, Page 14

Presorted Standard US Postage PAID San Bernardino, CA Permit #2244

2 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

REGIONAL

Ann Arbor Aims for Shared Driverless

Car Fleet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Auto Club Insurer Wants to Dismiss Denied

Claim Suit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

CARSTAR and Make-A-Wish Team Up

in IL and IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

CARSTAR Expands with New Shop in

Chevy Gets Silverado Endorsed as the Official Truck of University of Texas Football. . . 23

Chief Automotive Technologies Introduces LaserLock™ at SEMA, “A Product

Category of its Own” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Collision Repair Classes, Meetings and Exhibitors Attract Shops to Largest

SEMA Ever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

FIX Auto Holds Conference Featuring

and Fined for Tax Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Friedlinghaus Unveils Son’s 2013

May 20-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Gene Simmons Brings his ‘Snakebit’ to

Chicagoland Gas Station Owner Jailed

GAAS 2014 to be Held in Rosemont, IL,

IL Supreme Court Hears Red Light Case

in Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

“Marketing that Matters” . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Scion FR-S Dream Car. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SEMA, Vehicle is to Benefit a

Children’s Hospital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Illinois AG Files Suit Against Bloomington

GM Customer Care Adds New

Illinois Auto Parts Maker to Add 300 Jobs

Joe Gibbs Racing, Motocross Won with their

Auto Parts Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

By Summer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

McHenry, IL, Shop Gets New Chief Mechanic. 7

OH Attorney General Sues Car Dealer

for Non-Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

OH Dealer Holds Longevity Record for

Loyalty Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Let’s Go Moto Tundra in the Toyota Dream

Build Challenge Cup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Kelley Blue Book Names 2014 Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Challenger

Best Resale Value Winners. . . . . . . . . . 26

Harley Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

MAACO Acquires California 1-Day Paint

Status on State Farm Windshield

Mackin’s Auto Body is 2013 IMPACT I-CAR

Installation Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

and Body Shops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Elite Member of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Pull-A-Part Awarded Clean Yard-Gold Level

NABC Gifts Four Vehicles to Nevada

Rhinelander, WI, Gets New Shop at

NACE Organizers Promise Big Changes

Subaru Will Stop Building Camrys at

OSHA Proposes Major Changes in Injury

Suspect Arrested in Cash Grab from

PartsTrader, Insurer Mandates Draw

Award in Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

41 E. Pearl St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Indiana Plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Racine Auto Parts Store. . . . . . . . . . . . 22

COLUMNISTS

Sisk - Indiana Auto Body Association

Spearheads Petition to Stop Insurer

Tortious Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Yoswick - December Retrospective:

Families at SEMA Luncheon. . . . . . . . . 20

for 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

and Illness Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Industry Ire at Collision Industry

Conference Held with SEMA . . . . . . . . . 1

SEMA 2013 Entertains, Informs and

Wows the Crowd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

SEMA Supporter Neil Young Talks about his LincVolt Project: Repowering the

American Dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

NACE Town Hall, CIC, SCRS, FTC . . . . 28

Toyota and Mitchell Collaborate on All-New

‘Glitz And Glamour’ With Renewed

Transtar’s Custom Coffin Grabs Attention

Yoswick - Scaled-down NACE to Replace

Industry Focus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Yoswick - Use of E-Signatures is Customer Convenience, Faster Authorization

Reduces Cycle Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 NATIONAL

3M Wins Top Spot at 2013 SEMA New

Products Showcase Awards . . . . . . . . 31

CARSTAR Makes Top 200 on Franchise

Ranking List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Mobile/Online Estimating System . . . . . 12

at SEMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

VeriFacts Automotive Institutes ‘Dale Delmege Award’ at CIC, Winner is Paul Krauss . 29

WD-40 and Chip Foose Keep Truckin’

at 2013 SEMA Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Winner of Chrysler Custom Challenge

at SEMA Show is Oriana Schooley . . . . 29

WSJ Report: Caliber Collision to be

Sold to Private Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

to fetch more than $500 million in a sale, one of the sources said. At a Sherwin-Williams A-Plus Vison Group event last December, Rex Green who oversees the automotive aftermarket for BB&T Capital characterized the collision industry as a “star perfomer” in the investment world over the last few years, opening the eyes of Wall Street and large equity groups. A couple reasons for that, he said, was an increase in miles driven and new cars sold. He also called the broader automotive aftermarket an “absolute winner” from an investor standpoint over the last 10 years. The sales process was nearing completion and Caliber could announce its new owners soon, they said. It remained unclear who might emerge victorious in the auction—or whether a deal will ultimately materialize—but one of the sources said Blackstone isn’t likely to end up buying the company. There has been a flurry of auto-repair shop deal activity lately, including Advance Auto Parts Inc.’s October agreement to buy General Parts International Inc. for just over $2 billion. The takeover would create one of North America’s largest aftermarket auto-parts providers. Sears Holding Corp. recently said it’s considering selling its Sears Auto Center business.

Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Contributing Writers: Tom Franklin, John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, David Brown, Rich Evans, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Sean Hartman, Bill Doyle (800) 699-8251 Sales Assistant: Louise Tedesco Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia

Indexof Advertisers

Ohio Supreme Court Ends Class Action

The owners of Caliber Bodyworks Inc., DBA Caliber Collision Centers, have put the chain of 157 US body shops up for sale, said sources to the Wall St. Journal. Interested buyers include private-equity firms such as Berkshire Partners LLC and Blackstone Group LP. The WSJ story said the sales process was almost over and new owners would be announced soon. Caliber, which is owned by a unit of Canadian buyout firm Onex Corp. and others, has attracted interest from other private-equity firms, including Blackstone Group LP and Berkshire Partners LLC in the past. Its most recent shop acquisition was nine Global Collision locations in Denver, CO. Caliber Collision Centers owns its 150+ body shops in California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma. An active consolidator, Caliber routinely solicits collision repair shop owners in news releases announcing its acquisitions. Caliber recently acquired four Houston-area body shops. In late September, it added 12 locations in the Sacramento, CA market. In June, the company bought three shops around Denver. Onex acquired Caliber in 2008, buying the Lewisville, Texas-based chain from another group of investors for about $170 million. Caliber is likely

Great Lakes

Contents

WSJ Report: Caliber Collision to be Sold to Private Equity

Serving Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and adjacent metro areas, Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry. Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher. ©2013 Adamantine Media LLC.

Autobody News

Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018; (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com Email: news@autobodynews.com

Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 29

I-CAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 18

Jake Sweeney Chevrolet . . . . . . . . 15

BASF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Certified Automotive Parts

Association (CAPA). . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Jake Sweeney BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

KBS Coatings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Laurel Auto Group of Westmont . . . 13

Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Lexus Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 28

Erhard BMW of Bloomfield Hills . . . . 7

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 21

Equalizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 26

Erhard BMW of Farmington Hills . . . 7

PPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Ganley Auto Group, Inc . . . . . . . . . 14

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 27

Forklift Wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . 22 Graham Auto Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts

Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers . 25

Preval Spray Gun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Toyota of Grand Rapids . . . . . . . . . 23

Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 24 U.S. Body Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Volkswagen Wholesale Parts

Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

www.autobodynews.com | DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS 3

Auto Club Insurer Wants to Dismiss Denied Claim Suit

An insurance company accused of refusing to cover a customer’s collision claim is seeking to dismiss a St. Clair County, IL, lawsuit. According to the complaint filed Sept. 17, plaintiff Paula J. Beland claims she was involved in a chain traffic collision on Sept. 17, 2011. A driver hit the car behind Beland, which then allegedly hit her car. Beland had insurance through defendant Automobile Club Inter-Insurance Exchange at the time of the collision, the suit states. She filed a claim with the insurance company, seeking money for her damages as a result of the collision. However, the insurance company refused to settle Beland’s underinsured motorist claim, the complaint alleges. The defendant filed its motion to dismiss on Oct. 18 through attorneys Michael Reda and Daniel C. Lytle of Hepler Broom in Edwardsville claiming the plaintiff failed to state a cause of action. “In this case, plaintiff’s complaint fails to separate causes of action for breach of contract and recovery pursuant to the Illinois Insurance Code,” the motion states. The plaintiff seeks a judgment of more than $35,000, costs, fees and an additional $25,000.

Ann Arbor Aims for Shared Driverless Car Fleet

By 2021, Ann Arbor could become the first American city with a shared fleet of networked, driverless vehicles. That's the goal of the Mobility Transformation Center, a cross-campus University of Michigan initiative that also involves government and industry representatives. “Ann Arbor will be seen as the leader in 21st century mobility,” said Peter Sweatman, director of the U-M Transportation Research Institute. “We want to demonstrate fully driverless vehicles operating within the whole infrastructure of the city within an eight-year timeline and to show that these can be safe, effective and commercially successful.” Autonomous vehicles could change how people and goods move around in a way that the auto industry hasn't seen since its inception, researchers say. “We've now entered into a period where the technology and the business models are coming together to allow us to break out of this 100-year dependence on what we've always known,” said Larry Burns, a professor of practice at Michigan Engineering and former head of research and development for General Motors.

GAAS 2014 to be Held in Rosemont, IL, May 20-21, Theme will Be “Connected” to Represent the United Aftermarket

Denny Welvaert, chairman of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), announced at AAPEX 2013 that “Connected” is the theme for GAAS 2014 to be held May 20-21 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, IL. “The word ‘connected’ speaks to our common bond as an industry and the opportunity that GAAS provides each year to bring the aftermarket together for networking and education,” said Welvaert. “Our 2014 theme also looks at how automotive electronics, specifically telematics, are bringing the connected car to reality and how it will impact the aftermarket.” Welvaert points out that popular breakout sessions, which were introduced at GAAS 2013, will return again for the 2014 event. Preliminary topics include: training that impacts a new generation, trends in the heavy duty aftermarket, and how to translate a strategic plan into action. General session topics will look at telematics,

a global view of the Chinese aftermarket and much more. A complete agenda will be available soon. The annual two-day Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, now in its 19th year, brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the worldwide automotive aftermarket and influencing its future. Each year the net proceeds of GAAS are invested in the organization’s scholarship fund to help students get their automotive aftermarket career started. Additional scholarship funding comes from industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. To date GAAS, has awarded scholarships to more than 1,700 students representing $1.7 million in aid. For more information on GAAS 2014, visit www.globalsymposium. org or phone 301-654-6664. You can also connect with GAAS through Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

CARSTAR and Make-A-Wish Team Up in IL and IN

CARSTAR has been a partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America since 2007, raising more than $430,000 for the organization and granting wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. In 2013, CARSTAR’s corporate team and store owners around the country banded together to hold fundraising events for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America that generated nearly $85,000 for the national and local chapters of the charity. Several high-profile events included: CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts of Northwest Indiana held its eighth annual charity golf outing benefiting “Make-A-Wish Foundation® Indiana Region.” The event, hosted at Youche Country Club, had more than 60 hole sponsors and 148 golf participants! CARSTAR generated nearly $22,000, enough funds for Make-A-Wish to provide well over three wishes. Kurt’s CARSTAR in Maryville, IL, which hosted an after-hours event that raised nearly $18,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.

OH Dealer Holds Longevity Record for Harley Sales

Columbus is home to the oldest continually operated Harley-Davidson dealership in the United States. For more than 100 years, A.D. Farrow has been selling the popular motorcycles. In 1912, Alfred D. Farrow and his wife, Lillian, opened a Harley-Davidson dealership in Nelsonville. By 1924, they had moved their operation to Columbus and taken over a dealership on N. 4th Street. A year later, it moved to 844 E. Main St. Mr. Farrow died in 1927, and his wife carried on the business, moving it to its current location at 491 W. Broad St. in Franklinton in 1941. The dealership survived the Great Depression, World War II and business uncertainty at Harley-Davidson during the late 1960s and the 1970s, including an increase in foreign competition and a disastrous merger with AMF. The Farrow family sold the dealership to Al and Pat Doerman in 1983. They expanded it during their tenure, opening another location in Pataskala. In 2002, Bob Althoff bought the A.D. Farrow dealership. He opened a third location in 2007 at the Sunbury exit off I-71.

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Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, Great Lakes Associations who writes on a variety of fields and subjects, and grew up in a family of NASCAR fans. She can be contacted at crsisk@chasidyraesisk.com.

Indiana Auto Body Association Spearheads Petition to Stop Insurer Tortious Interference with Chasidy Rae Sisk

The Indiana Auto Body Association (IABA) was founded at the beginning of 2004 by a group of forward-thinking shop owners and vendors with the mission of promoting “professionalism and consumer awareness of the automotive collision repair industry in the state of Indiana.” Near the end of 2004, IABA’s Board of Directors asked Tony Passwater to fill the role of Director for the association because they felt it would be best to engage someone who was not a shop owner or vendor to grow the organization for the future. Passwater notes that, at the asTony Passwater sociation’s conception, “it had been almost eight to ten years since the last association had folded, and the timing was right.” IABA was founded on a multifaceted Code of Ethics. This code dictates that their members conduct all business practices in a lawful and professional manner. They must also recommend only proper collision repair procedures and explain to the customer why these repairs are required to correct the collision damage the vehicle suffered. Other items contained within the code of ethics include: offer the customer a price estimate for the work to be performed, obtain prior authorization for all work, notify the customer when promises cannot be kept, furnish an itemized list for all parts and services, exercise reasonable care of the consumer’s property during the repair, maintain a system to settle customers’ complaints, cooperate with all established consumer complaint mediation activities, maintain a high quality level of repairs, and cooperate in a good business manner with insurer representatives and make a sincere effort to provide affordable service to the motoring public. According to Passwater, IABA’s short-term goals include growing IABA to the largest state association in the midwest and providing tangible benefits to members, as well as informing consumers that they have the right to choose the collision repair facility that works on their vehicle and

educating them on how to choose wisely. These goals contribute to the association’s long-term objectives of protecting consumers from steering and improper repairs and of providing a resource that improves the professionalism and unity of the collision repair industry as a whole. Some of IABA’s current projects focus on attaining these goals. In addition to trying to maintain and improve data privacy, they are also struggling to eliminate double taxation on some paints and materials. Additionally, IABA supports members pursuing short-pay lawsuits as they try to establish standards for collecting funds on operations performed that insurers refuse to compensate shops for completing. Passwater notes that IABA is also involved in “stopping insurer-mandated programs that interfere in the industry’s business,” such as PartsTrader which he sees as “tortious interference that only benefits the insurers to fuel their greed... it is extortion and tactics used by the Mafia.” In mid-September, IABA hosted six meetings across the state, which were attended by over 325 shop owners, managers and industry vendors, to discuss issues related to insurer-mandated programs, such as PartsTrader and American Family’s APU Solutions. Attendees were fearful of what insurers are doing to the industry, and many felt hopeless about doing anything to circumvent these programs. Panel discussions served to inform participants of the options available for stopping these programs as well as to educated them on the actions being taken on local, state and federal levels to eliminate insurer interference in the collision repair industry. The panel consisted of Lloyd Bush of Bush Collision in AL, Marvin Windham of Benchmark Chrysler in Birmingham AL, Steve Plier of C.A.R.E. in Hoover AL, and John Mosley of Clinton Body Shop in Clinton MS. A webcast of the panel discussion can be viewed at www.IABAlive.com. IABA has committed itself to using whatever actions are necessary to prevent this form of extortion, whether the means are legal, legisla-

6 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

tive and/or related to public awareness. The association has come out in support of SCRS’s position on PartsTrader and similar programs because “the IABA believes, as other associations and leaders have recently stated, that all repair decisions, vendor selections, and business processes should be left to the collision repair professionals who work on these vehicles, and have been entrusted by the vehicle owners to make correct repair decisions regarding their vehicles.” IABA recognizes that such programs are not designed to improve efficiency or to benefit the consumer; these efforts seek only to increase insurers’ profits and to allow insurers to establish more control over the collision repair industry. In late October, IABA organized a nationwide petition to stop insurermandated parts procurement programs, and they are encouraging their members and other collision repairers

across the country to sign it by visiting www.1963ConsentDecree.com. Their email blast, sent on October 24, explained, “To make change happen requires action, but it often begins by the smallest of actions. History has shown that changes begin not by the war to end all wars but by the individual battles that define the injustice and dedication to the need for that change by those willing to accept the challenge.” They plan to use this show of support to regain control of the industry. In addition to the challenges imposed by these type of programs, Passwater lists several other challenges facing the industry which need to be addressed for the benefit of the collision repair industry as a whole: labor rate suppression, the manipulation of estimating systems and databases, the unequal enforcement of current EPA and OSHA laws, and “improper repairs due to new technology and the inability to purchase the training and

equipment needed to repair the vehicle properly.” Though IABA has not taken an official stance on the PARTS Act, Passwater believes “OEMs should be afforded the same protection as any industry for their investment in technology and innovation.” Regarding the Right to Repair, Passwater’s opinion is that “everyone needs the information equally to repair the vehicles today.” In the beginning of 2013, IABA also implemented a comprehensive consumer-focused member benefit entitled “A Shop You Can Trust.” According to Passwater, “this program is available to IABA members that meet the qualification process. It includes a consumer focused website listing (www.aShopYouCanTrust.com), and three additional optional programs that are designed to eliminate steering and create customer loyalty. It has cobranded materials with the Better Business Bureau available. A webcast about the program is available at www.IABAlive.com.” Covering the entire state of IN, IABA currently consists of 105 member shops, plus 15 supplier sponsors. IABA has designed numerous benefits to attract members, and according to

Passwater, “with our affiliation with SCRS and ASA, they are even greater. Our greatest benefit is our partnership with Associated Insurance Agencies. They have saved our members thousands of dollars yearly.” Still, there are always challenges inherent for any industry association to maintain operations, Passwater admits. “As with any state association, we constantly struggle to match time focus on dollars available. Even though we have tangible benefits that outweigh our members’ yearly dues, we still have only 10% to 12% of the shops members and much less for industry-related vendors and suppliers.”

IABA PO Box 532364 Indianapolis, IN 46253 (317)290-0611 x201 www.iaba.info

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Chicagoland Gas Station Owner Jailed and Fined for Tax Fraud

CARSTAR Expands with New Shop in Milwaukee

Subaru Will Stop Building Camrys at Indiana Plant

McHenry, IL, Shop Gets New Chief Mechanic

A Chicago area gas station owner pled guilty and was jailed for defrauding the state of gasoline sales taxes. The case is one of dozens in an ongoing criminal enforcement operation that to date has recovered $82 million owed to the state from gas station operators who evade sales tax payments. Simon J. Abraham, 50, of Bloomingdale, pled guilty to filing a fraudulent sales and use tax return, a Class 3 felony. Abraham was sentenced to 105 days of jail time with work release and a $50,000 fine.

Subaru, about to achieve five straight years of annual U.S. sales records, will stop building Toyota Camry sedans at its Indiana assembly plant by 2017, according to U.S. media reports. Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc., which makes Subaru vehicles alongside the Camry, will not renew a five-year contract to build the cars for Toyota Motor Corp., media sources cited Tom Easterday, SIA's executive vice president. “Toyota has decided that the awardwinning Camry production contract will not be renewed,” said the source.

Forest Home CARSTAR Auto Body has joined the CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts family in Milwaukee. “It is too easy to get caught up in repairing vehicles and lose sight of running the business,” said Debra Zabel, co-owner. “CARSTAR has the tools to help us recapture our vision and help move us to a more secure future.” Added David Byers, CEO of CARSTAR, “We congratulate Martin and Debra Zabel... We are thrilled to expand our collision repair family’s presence in Milwaukee.”

A new chief mechanic has joined the team at Adams Auto Body and Service Center in McHenry, IL. Bob Miller is a 37-year veteran ASE-certified mechanic and former manager-partner of the Shawnee Service Center in Wilmette. In October, he joined the staff at Adams, 1811 W. Route 120. A collision repair business since 1958, Adams added a full mechanical repair and maintenance division in late 2012. “We are thrilled to have Bob join us,” said Jay Adams, president of Adams Auto Body and Service Center.

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FIX Auto Holds Conference Featuring “Marketing that Matters” The 11th Annual Fix Auto USA National Conference hosted nearly 200 collision industry members at the Boulders Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. The event took place Sept. 15–18, 2013, and featured the theme “Marketing that Matters.”

Fix Auto said the main purpose of the conference was to foster professional growth in its attendees, a community that included not only Fix Auto collision repair members, but the insurance representatives and vendors with which they partner during the course of daily business. The keynote speaker, former major league pitching standout Jim Abbott, discussed his ADAPT concept, which illustrated how repairers can change and mold themselves to

meet and overcome any obstacle. In addition, author and consultant Scott Deming illustrated how attendees can capitalize on brand loyalty to drive business to their doors. Other speakers included Michael Bennett, North America marketing director for Axalta Coating Systems; Susanna Gotsch of CCC Information Services Inc.; Fix Auto member Richard Fish; and a panel of industry veterans who discussed the role parts play in collision repair today and in the future. The conference also granted professionals in attendance to display their giving side through the Bike

Build for Charity program. Sponsored by Mitchell International and facili-

Mackin’s Auto Body is 2013 IMPACT I-CAR Elite Member of the Year, Award Given at CIC Meeting in Las Vegas

Mackin’s Auto Body in Vancouver, WA, was chosen as the 2013 IMPACT I-CAR Elite Member of the year, exemplifying excellence in the collision industry. IMPACT is the marketing arm of RDA. IMPACT provides programs to keep the collision shops competitive and I-CAR provides the education to repair the vehicles properly. Mackin’s Auto Body is third generation family owned and operated business. Makin’s has been in business for 86 years with 8 locations in Oregon and Washington. They employ 100 people. Owners Suzanne and Larry Mackin know how to give their customers professional and reliable auto body service. They joined as an IMPACT Elite member because they see value in the many benefits the program offers. Makin’s “Does it right” every time and we are proud to call them the 2013 IMPACT I-CAR member of the year. RDA/IMPACT is the largest national group of refinish jobbers

tated by Impact 4 Good, a company that specializes in leadership development applied to philanthropic causes,

Fix Auto participants worked in teams to build the bikes by competing in bike-related team activities that were both physically and mentally challenging. A group of children associated with the StarShine Academy in Phoenix, a school specializing in the education of students from at-risk communities, were the designated recipients of the assembled bicycles, which they received in person. Safety helmets were part of the donation as well. “One of Fix Auto’s underlying principles is giving back to the com-

munities we serve,” said Fix Auto President and COO Paul Gange. “The Build a Bike Charity was a nice variation on this philosophy and was a great way to wrap our general sessions. “Throughout the year we focus on our mission of enhancing the opportunities for independent repairers through collective marketing, robust resources and the benefit of shared knowledge and connectedness that is uniquely available through the Fix Auto network. We challenge our team

to raise the bar at our annual conference, and this year’s conference set a new standard. We thank everyone who participated and look forward to the opportunity to enhance our program even further next year.”

Friedlinghaus Unveils Son’s 2013 Scion FR-S Dream Car

dedicated to providing quality services and products to their collision shops. RDA has 19 members, representing 185 locations. Members

service over 3,600 collision centers throughout the US and do over $400 million in sales as a group, comprising around 15% of the refinish business nationwide. Those interested in RDA/IMPACT should contact Robert McKenzie, Jr. directly at 731-217-9081 or via email at robertemckenzie@me.com. Visit their web site at www.impactcollisionsolutions.com or contact Melisa Jolls at 908-251-5713.

8 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Ryan Friedlinghaus and the team at West Coast Customs unveiled the sweet 16 dream car for Friedlinghaus’ son ‘Lil Ryan’ at the BASF booth during the 2013 SEMA Show. Lil Ryan has grown up in the West Coast Customs shop and has seen his father transform ordinary vehicles into extraordinary works of art. The Scion FR-S features a custom paint blend of BASF R-M Onyx HD Low VOC Productive Systems paint called “WCC Whitegold”; a 2.0 4-Cyl Boxer DOHC 16V 200Hp;

a 6-speed sequential automatic transmission with paddle shifters; TEIN suspension; 5 piece Five-AD Aero Lip Kit; custom Roadwire and Ultrasuede interior; and Giovanna wheels wrapped in Continental tires. This Scion will send Lil Ryan onto the LA streets in West Coast Customs style. BASF hosted various celebrity autograph sessions and presented the latest in car color technology from its Glasurit, R-M and Carizzma Colors paint lines at its SEMA booth.

www.autobodynews.com | DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS 9

Continued from Cover

Biggest SEMA Ever

meetings, events and classes specific to those in the collision repair industry. Here are some of the highlights.

SCRS Holds Open Meeting The Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS’) partnership with SEMA, which began in 2010, has proven beneficial for the show as well as the association. As it has in the past, SCRS held an open meeting on the show floor one evening to highlight both some industry news and some of the association’s recent activities. A year after Toyota used the meeting to introduce its concept of “predictive estimating,” the automaker announced at this year’s SCRS meeting a partnership with Mitchell International to deliver Toyota recommended procedures and bulletins within Mitchell’s new mobile/online estimating system in early 2014. Toyota’s Rick Leos explained that when a user adds a part to an estimate, all of the appropriate Toyota vehicle information will automatically appear, including related Toyota bulletins or Rick Leos procedures, and information on such things as one-time use fasteners. Leos said that by the end of 2014, the information will be available for all 2012 and newer Toyotas. He said he expects other automakers to make similar announcements early next year. “Will we be with other information providers? I have every intention of sharing all the same data with every one of them,” Leos said. “I’m not trying to hold it from anybody, and nobody has exclusive rights to it.” Also during the meeting, Tony Passwater, executive director of the Indiana Auto Body Association, urged shops to sign its online petition (http://tinyurl.com/lk8cuds) calling for an end to insurer mandates “that change our well-established business relationships, place vehicle owners in jeopardy and interfere with the free market system.” More than 460 people have signed the petition, which calls for state and federal authorities to investigate and prosecute “the tortious interference actions of property and casualty insurance

companies that have been repeatedly performed over the last 70 years,” calling insurer actions “as aggressive as a modern day mafia.” Passwater said he’d like to see the signature count hit 10,000, and suggested that shop owners also encourage their employees to sign. Also during the meeting, industry trainer Toby Chess used photos and actual parts removed from “repaired vehicles” to highlight the more than 20 Toby Chess cars he inspected over the previous two months that had improper or incomplete repair work. “The reality is this is going on a lot out there,” Aaron Schulenburg, SCRS executive director, said following Chess’ presentation. “Sometimes it may be being improperly equipped or trained shops, but often times it’s a matter of dollars and sense on the repairs, and the pressures that are put on, and how people are being asked to do repairs. That’s not an excuse, but it’s the reality of one of the causes of these types of repairs.”

Attorney outlines lawsuits John Eaves Jr., the personal injury attorney representing Mississippi shops and parts vendors suing State Farm over its mandated use of PartsTrader, held several meeting in Las Vegas during SEMA to explain the suit. He was also signing up individual shop clients looking to sue insurers for “unjust enrichment” based on procedures performed as part of John Eaves Jr. vehicle repairs for which the shop was not paid. Eaves said he is working with an economist to determine the likely damages in such cases, but he said an initial list of 62 such procedures has been developed, and preliminary analysis indicates a minimum loss of $675 per $3,500 repair. He said the suits could cover claims against an insurer over however long the statute of limitations allows (six years, in some states). Eaves said that while he is not being paid for the PartsTrader case— which he said will likely soon be replicated in other states—the unjust enrichment suits are being done on a contingency basis with a 40 percent

10 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

fee of any collected funds. The PartsTrader suit, filed in Hinds County Chancery Court, alleges that State Farm’s implementation of PartsTrader tortiously interferes with existing business relationships shops have with their parts vendors. In addition to an injunction halting State Farm’s implementation of PartsTrader, the suit seeks a ruling that State Farm is violating the terms of the 1963 Consent Decree, which placed limits on more than 260 insurer’s activities related to auto insurance and claims. See the October issue of Autobody News for more on the Consent Decree.

Advice On Selling Your Shop SCRS offered about 20 training classes during SEMA, focusing on subjects from marketing and using social media, to cycle time reduction and new bonding and riveting techniques for vehicle repair. Among the classes attracting the most attendees was a panel discussion featuring four former shop multi-shop owners offering insights into the lessons they learned selling their businesses. Industry consultant and trainer Mike Anderson, who sold his two Virginia shops in 2010, cautioned

against revealing too much information about your business—sources of work, for example—to a potential buyer too early in the process. “I’ve seen MSOs come in to buy a shop from certain individuals who are too free with their information,” Anderson said. “The deal falls through and then those other people open a shop right next door. It’s not a done deal until the money in the bank.” Pat O’Neill, a former owner of seven 9-1-1 Collision Centers who sold to Caliber Collision Centers in 2011, recommends talking to a consultant or others who can help you know Aaron Clark what you can do to increase the value of your business. “And remember that it’s a negotiation until the very last day,” O’Neill said. “Stuff will come up on their side and stuff will come up on your side.” “It redefined ‘coming down to the wire,’ that’s for sure,” agreed Aaron Clark, who sold his five Collision Solutions shops in Indiana to ABRA Auto Body & Glass in 2012. See Biggest SEMA Ever, Page 13

to include all State Farm policyholders on or after Feb. 18, 1990, and alleged State Farm had denied them full payment on windshield claims because, instead of replacing windshields, it repaired some windshields with a chemical compound that it knew or should have known was “only temporary, not entirely translucent and incapable of restoring the windshield to its pre-accident condition” and that State Farm was not “paying the insured to replace the glass,” less any deductible. Cullen and the class demanded “damages in an amount to be determined at trial under principles of Ohio common law” or that State Farm be ordered to “tender benefits sufficient to replace the windshields in accordance with policy requirements.” A trial court concluded Cullen and the class satisfied the requirements for certification. State Farm appealed, and the state’s Eighth District Court of Appeals affirmed. State Farm then appealed to the state Supreme Court.

“Cullen’s action seeking a declaration that State Farm’s practices are illegal and violated fiduciary obligations merely lays a foundation for a subsequent individual determination of liability and does not satisfy the requirements for class certification pursuant to Civ.R. 23(B)(2),” Justice Terrence O’Donnell wrote for the court. The Washington Legal Foundation called the court’s decision a victory. WLF had called on the court to decertify the class. In its brief, filed last August, WLF argued that whether each policyholder was misled by the company into agreeing to windshield repair—as opposed to complete replacement—would have to be litigated on a policyholder-by-policyholder basis. The court agreed with WLF that such a trial would be unmanageable if each of the 100,000 policyholders were called to testify regarding his unique set of reasons for agreeing to have his windshield repaired. “There is little doubt that the only reason the plaintiffs’ lawyers sought class certification was to coerce the defendant into settling the case without regard to the merits of the plaintiffs’ claims,” WLF Chief Litigation Coun-

sel Richard Samp said in a statement. “Class actions of this sort—in which the claims of each policyholder turn on facts specific to him—are virtually never appropriate because they could never be brought to trial; yet they serve the purposes of the plaintiffs’ bar by imposing tremendous settlement pressure on defendants.”

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Former CARSTAR executive Dan Bailey, who has been involved both as a buyer and seller of shops over his career, said it’s never too early to start preparing for the sale of your shop. “It’s very emotional,” he said. “When you grow up in this business, there’s something that makes it feel almost shameful to sell your business. ‘What am I going to tell my friends? What am I going to tell my relatives?’ But the reason you’re building a business is to sell it. It’s very emotional so you need to talk it over with whoever is involved in the business with you, whether a spouse or sibling, and make sure you’re prepared to sell the business before you spend a lot of money working on a sale.”

John Yoswick, a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, who has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988, is also the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com). He can be contacted by email at: jyoswick@SpiritOne.com.

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Toyota and Mitchell Collaborate on All-New Mobile/Online Estimating System necessary parts, CRIB notes, and TIS manual pages (describing, for example, non-reusable parts) are featured in the system. Mitchell’s new mobile/online estimating system is being developed to promote Toyota recommended repair procedures during the Toyota Wholesale Parts set up their own booth at SEMA where they announced the new mobile/online estimating system in collaboration estimating process. The with Mitchell Inc. new solution should reAt SEMA, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., duce the time required to write a collision Inc., exhibited at their own wholesale estimate by eliminating the need to referparts booth. The company announced an ence multiple sources when repairing a all-new way of delivering recommended Toyota vehicle to its pre-accident condirepair procedures through a partnership tion. It will also provide standardized inwith Mitchell, a leader in providing techformation needed throughout the entire nology, connectivity, and information sorepair process. lutions to the collision repair and “Our goal is simple, to ensure cusinsurance industries. The system protomer safety and confidence,” said vides all the information needed for the Rick Leos, Collision Program Develrepair upfront providing the shops the oper, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. choice of referencing what they want, “By combining Mitchell’s expertise in while safely ignoring what’s not necesestimating and Toyota’s quality repair sary. The idea is to eliminate the back procedures, we have found a way to and forth between different sources, help repair shops save time and money, products and multiple subscriptions. All while decreasing cycle time and reduc-

ing supplements. It’s a win for our customers, repair experts, and insurance companies alike.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed a major change to its rules regarding the way that employers report injury and illness data to the agency. On November 7, 2013, the OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels announced a new proposed rule that would require establishments with more than 250 employees, which are already required to keep injury records, to electronically submit them to OSHA on a quarterly basis, and establishments with 20 or more employees in industries with high injury and illness rates to electronically submit their injury and illness logs each year. Michaels said OSHA will post the data on its website, once personally identifying information is removed. Michaels said the newly proposed submission requirements will enable employers to compare their safety records against peers and will allow workers to know the safety records of potential employers. Aggregating data across industries also will help researchers identify emerging hazards and patterns, Michaels

geted by outside groups who want to characterize these employers as having bad safety records,” Freedman said. Michaels announced the rule on the same day the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its estimate that there were almost 3 million nonfatal U.S. recordable workplace injuries and illnesses by private-industry employers in 2012. The incidence rate of injuries only in the private sector declined to 3.2 cases per 100 full-time workers in 2012, a decrease from 3.3 per 100 in 2011. The incidences of serious injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work, job transfer, or job restriction—called the DART rate— remained steady in 2012. The BLS data indicated also that no one particular industry experienced an increase in injury or illness rates for 2012. Other key findings include the following: ● Manufacturing was the only private industry sector in 2012 in which the rate of job transfer or restriction only cases stemming from injuries/illnesses exceeded the rate of cases re-

Rick Leos, Collision Program Developer, and Jason Wright (r), with Toyota Wholesale Parts in Torrance, CA

“Mitchell is excited to offer direct access to repair procedures from Toyota within a collision repair estimate,” said Jim Brady, Vice President, Product Management, at Mitchell. “By capitalizing on Mitchell and Toyota’s core

competencies and strengths, together we will create a dynamic solution in which Toyota vehicle information automatically appears when parts are added to an estimate.” Toyota’s integrated repair procedures include recommendations on parts that should be replaced rather than re-used along with supporting information detailing the non-reusable parts. Toyota repair procedures will be available with the release of Mitchell mobile estimating in 2014. To learn more about Toyota’s partnership with Mitchell or see a prototype of Mitchell’s mobile estimating solution with integrated recommended repair procedures, see: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=GBvDz0iIzOY.

OSHA Proposes Major Changes in Injury and Illness Reporting said. On January 9, 2014, OSHA will hold a public meeting on the proposed rule in Washington, D.C. In addition, OSHA is accepting public comments for 90 days, until February 6, 2014. Under current rules, employers are required to post annual summaries of injury and illness reports in a common area where employees can see them. While the OSHA website contains raw numbers about incidents at certain workplaces, it doesn’t describe what the injury was or how it occurred. Business groups say they are likely to oppose the plan, claiming that raw injury data can be misconstrued or may disclose sensitive information that may be misused. Marc Freedman, executive director for labor policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the mere recording of an injury does not tell the full story about the circumstances surrounding it or whether the company has a good safety program. “Making company-specific data on injuries available for all to see would be a major problem and would likely lead to companies being tar-

12 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

sulting in days away from work, continuing a 15-year trend. ● Of the 3 million reported cases, the vast majority (more than 2.8 million) involved nonfatal occupational injuries. More than 75% of such injuries occurred in service-providing industries. ● Industries with the most frequent reports of workplace illnesses were goods-producing industries (34.3%) and manufacturing (29.5%). ● Injury and illness rates, although relatively unchanged from 2011, were significantly higher for public sector workers, with 5.6 cases per 100 fulltime workers. “Three million injuries are three million too many. We can and we must do better,” Michaels said. He called the proposed submission requirements “an effective, inexpensive, and non-prescriptive way” to encourage employers to do this. With the likelihood that OSHA reporting requirements could change soon, it’s important for businesses to make sure they understand and remain in compliance with OSHA’s recordkeeping rules.

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Industry Ire

“That was then. Today it’s parts. Tomorrow it’s paint materials. What happens the day after?” Oklahoma shop owner Gary Wano responded. “If we don’t stop the mandates at some point in time, what are we doing?” Janet Chaney, who serves as the executive director of several state body shop associations, said it clearly comes down to the role parts play in a shop’s profit. “How many times have we been told what to do and we’ve agreed to it and it’s turned on us,” she said, drawing applause. Tony Passwater, executive director of the Indiana Auto Body Association, said he was struck by how often insurer specific mandates are about business processes, like parts ordering, that really have no benefit for customers, rather than on things like equipment, training and certifications that affect the repair quality a customer receives. Scott Biggs of Assured Performance Network said that when the federal government sets fuel-economy standards for new vehicles, it doesn’t tell the automakers how they have to go about meeting those goals. “If an insurer said we can’t sit idly by and let you continue to order parts via phone and fax when that’s such an incredibly inefficient process, they could say instead, ‘You have to use electronic parts order and procurement,” Biggs said. “But they don’t have to name the exact brand because it kills competition.” Similarly, Nick Bossinakis of Overall Parts Solutions, which offers a electronic parts ordering system, said one of the reasons this mandate is frustrating shops is that they may alNick Bossinakis ready be using an electronic parts procurement system that for them works better than PartsTrader. “You have (shops or parts vendors) that are out there listening to digital music on their iPod, and instead are now bringing them an 8track tape,” Bossinakis offered as an analogy. Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the Society of Collision

Repair Specialists (SCRS), also noted that a mandate to use a particular system can elevate that system above other systems that shops find more efficient to use. “And why is the expectation that we as (shops) are forced to embrace things whether or not we believe they are good for us,” Schulenburg asked. “What I think is a more appropriate expectation is that the insurance industry embrace open platforms and choice. In instances where they’ve done that, it’s been more successful.” John Mosely, owner of one of the Mississippi shops suing State Farm over its PartsTrader mandate, said he has yet to find a single shop owner anywhere in the country who says he or she likes PartsTrader. He said the industry “knows how to adapt and we’re not against parts John Mosley procurement,” but opposes being required to use a particular system. He addressed his comments directly to George Avery of State Farm (also the chairman of CIC), who was sitting in the audience during the panel discussion. “George, I’ve had two conversations with you on the phone, and I appreciate your sincerity,” Mosely said. “You’ve always been, I feel, very honest. But this isn’t working. Is there anything you can do to please take this back to your company and tell them this is just another bad idea out of Illinois, kind of like ObamaCare.” Virginia shop owner Barry Dorn also addressed some of his comments directly to Avery. “George, your folks need to talk to your partners. I’m one of them,” Dorn said. “You need to explain to them why, at the end of the day, one stakeholder is taking away from the other two – how that’s fair, how that’s efficient, how that’s right and frankly, George, how that’s not corporate greed. I don’t blame your company or any insurer from wanting to make more profits. That’s why every one of us came in this room, for more profit. I get that. But if we are partners, we need to sit down and talk, and not just mandate to me how it’s going to be.” Dan Risley, executive director of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), said State Farm has not closed the door to discussions about PartsTrader, and that he feels they have

14 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

“gotten the message.” But, he said, the association is also pursuing other avenues, including asking states if State Farm’s PartsTrader mandate is legal, and if so, considering legislation to make it illegal. Risley said, in his opinion, litigation should be only the last option because it shuts down communication. “You don’t see PartsTrader up there,” Risley said, pointing to the panel at CIC. “You don’t see State Farm up there. It’s for that reason: litigation.” Indeed, panel moderator Rick Tuuri said every effort was made to get State Farm and PartsTrader to participate on the panel. “The reality is once there’s litigation, everyone that’s involved has a tendency to move away from public discussion,” Tuuri said. “People stand down and cannot speak without their attorney present.” Consultant and former CIC Chairman Lou DiLisio was among the last to speak during the discussion. He circled back to an earlier comment Tuuri had made about how employees can inadvertently end up wasting company time working on something when the actual goal of the assign-

ment they were given isn’t clear. DiLisio reiterated that a mandate to use a particular system may be less effective than conveying the big picture and working together to find the best way to get there. “Maybe if these companies that have a desire to achieve a goal shared what that goal is, collectively we could come up with a better solution,” DiLisio said, drawing applause at CIC.

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Illinois AG Files Suit Against Bloomington Auto Parts Company

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced a lawsuit on Nov. 14 against a Bloomington-based online used auto parts company for allegedly defrauding consumers out of thousands of dollars. Madigan filed the lawsuit against Partz Now Inc. and Alan Carter, the company’s owner, in McLean County Circuit Court. Since 2009, Carter and Partz Now have sold used auto parts to consumers throughout the US. Madigan’s suit alleges consumers either never received their orders from www.PartzNow.com or received the wrong part. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges consumers were not given refunds. “Anyone can set up shop on the Internet,” Madigan said. “That’s why

it’s important to ensure you’re working with a reputable company. Check to see if any complaints have been filed against the company with my office’s Consumer Fraud Bureau or the Better Business Bureau before making any significant purchases.” According to complaints filed with Madigan’s office, consumers around the nation allegedly lost at least $13,000 to Carter and Partz Now. Madigan is requesting the court shut down Partz Now and prohibit Carter from selling auto parts. The lawsuit also seeks to cancel pending contracts with consumers, impose civil penalties on Carter and Partz Now and obtain restitution for affected consumers.

Illinois Auto Parts Maker to Add 300 Jobs By Summer An eastern Illinois auto parts maker now says it should add 300 previously announced new jobs at its plant by next summer. Steven Duval is the head of human resources for Parisbased North American Lighting Inc. He said the company plans to add about 160 people at its plant in Paris by next spring and 300 by summer of 2014. Paris is about 60 miles south-

east of Champaign near the Indiana state line. The company makes automobile lights. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced earlier this year it is giving the company $4.4 million in tax breaks and other incentives for adding the jobs. North American Lighting employs more than 870 people in Paris and Salem and Flora, IL.

IL Supreme Court Hears Red Light Case in Chicago

Chicago’s red light program, a municipal ordinance enacted a decade ago that penalizes owners of vehicles caught violating red traffic light signals will be heard by the state Supreme Court. This case: Elizabeth Keating et al. v. City of Chicago, will decide whether the lower court erred in dismissing a suit that seven motorists brought over the city’s red light camera ordinance. Among other allegations, the plaintiffs argued that the city lacked home rule authority to enact the 2003 ordinance and that a 2006 state law authorizing the red light camera programs in eight counties is unconstitutional. Determining that the ordinance was valid and the enabling statute was constitutional, the Cook County Circuit Court dismissed the plaintiffs’ suit for failure to state a claim. It also dismissed the claims of two of the plaintiffs for lack of standing because they were not issued red light camera citations from the city and held that the remaining plaintiffs’ claims were barred because they voluntarily paid the fines for the citations. The First District Appellate Court found that the lower court erred in dismissing the suit on the basis of the voluntary payment doctrine, determining that dismissal was appropriate.

OH Attorney General Sues Car Dealer for Non-Delivery

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit Nov. 5 against a used car dealership and its owner for allegedly failing to deliver motor vehicle titles to buyers as required by law. M&E Partners LLC, dba Second Chance Auto, and David Ellis Jr., the company’s manager, allegedly failed to give titles to consumers for vehicles they bought. “Consumers who have problems receiving titles from dealerships can contact the AG’s office for help,” DeWine said. “In this case, we made payments to help consumers who failed to receive titles, and now we are seeking reimbursement from the business.” Ellis took over the Bridgeport-based Second Chance Auto in October after the death of the dealership’s owner. The lawsuit alleges the violations of state law took place under Ellis’ watch. DeWine’s office issued $11,803.50 from the Title Defect Recision Fund to resolve complaints from consumers who allegedly failed to receive titles from Second Chance Auto. The lawsuit seeks full reimbursement to the fund and alleges the dealership and Ellis engaged in violations of Ohio’s Consumers Sales Practices Act and the Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title Act.

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www.autobodynews.com | DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS 17

SEMA 2013 Entertains, Informs and Wows the Crowd

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SEMA Supporter Neil Young Talks about his LincVolt Project: Repowering the American Dream

Neil Young has launched a second career as an alternative fuel activist. Now he’s put his fame to work addressing media with a Green Performance Keynote at SEMA which featured his unique and still evolving LincVolt, a 1959 Lincoln Continental convertible powered by the UQM PowerPhase motor and controller system. The 59 Mark IV is an E85-burning plug-in hybrid. The technology under the giant hood is similar in concept to that in the Chevrolet Volt, an extended-range electric vehicle, but with a few significant differences. A self-confessed lover of big cars, Young explained that his proto-

type was designed to show that you can still be enviromentally conscious and reduce CO2 emissions while you enjoy classic car comforts. Speaking without notes, which he disdains, Young described his LincVolt as the fastest comparable car in its weight class, although he declined to say how fast or how much it cost. The LincVolt made its debut at SEMA in 2010 and, as Young has said since, it’s designed “to inspire a generation by creating a clean automobile propulsion technology that serves the needs of the 21st century and delivers performance that is a reflec-

tion of the driver’s spirit.” The Lincvolt has an E85-capable Ford Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine that works with an onboard UQM 145-KW generator to charge the 21.4-kWh battery pack. From a Level 2 wall socket, the pack charges in about six hours, but the cellulosic ethanol in the tank can apparently charge the battery in approximately 60 minutes when the Lincvolt is idling. With a full battery, the car has a range of 50 miles and, thanks to a fuel economy rating of around 23.5 miles per gallon, the Lincvolt can go the distance: 400 miles without stopping. “LincVolt focuses on ultra-low carbon emissions as value, not mpg,”

says Young. Young took the car on a crosscountry trip in August, traveling

from San Francisco to Washington, DC, with a stop at the tar sands in Ft. McMurray, Alberta, to raise awareness about the car, the technology and the dangers faced if alternative fuels aren’t adopted more widely. Although he’s proud of his Canadian heritage, Young ignited a firestorm of controversy after his trip to the tar sands. It was perhaps to be expected when he was quoted as having said, “Fort McMurray looks like Hiroshima. Fort McMurray is a wasteland.” He talks about his work on the project in last year’s New York Times’ best-selling book, Waging Heavy Peace.

Gene Simmons Brings his ‘Snakebit’ to SEMA, Vehicle is to be Auctioned in 2014 to Benefit a Children’s Hospital

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You may not recognize Gene Simmons without his KISS make-up but his truck was a star of the Ford Blue Oval’s SEMA stand. Somehow he and his team managed to combine a 1956 F-100 with styling cues and the heart of a Shelby Mustang with a silver-onsilver custom paint job. The Snakebit uses the same grille as the Shelby ‘Stang at the front but has the tray of the F-100 at the back. The Snakebit 1956 Ford F-100 is a massive 5.4-liter V8 that pumps out an immense 550 horsepower. The supercharged V8 is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The wheelbase has been stretched 12.7 centimetres, while the box has been widened and dressed with a billet

machined floor to mimic wood. It is topped with a custom tonneau cover. The headlights and sequential taillights are custom-built, while 18-inch front and the 20-inch rear wheels are also inspired by Shelby Mustangs. It rides on Shelby-inspired 18-inch front alloys and 20-inch rear rims. The project truck is called Snakebit and it is the brainchild of Tom Foster of Industrial Machine & Manufacturing, a car builder based in Saskatchewan. The truck will be auctioned by Barrett-Jackson, and the proceeds will go to fund a children’s hospital in Saskatoon, Canada, the hometown of Simmons’ wife Shannon Tweed. That’s her on the left.

www.autobodynews.com | DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS 19

NABC Gifts Four Vehicles to Nevada Families at SEMA Luncheon nated vehicles refurbished by Gerber Collision, Caliber Collision, Sterling The National Auto Body Council Auto Body Centers and Collision Au(NABC) presented four vehicles to thority. Las Vegas area families through its NABC Vice-President Liz Stein Recycled Rides program on Nov. 7 at knows that without the support of the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino during body shops, insurance companies and the 2013 SEMA Show. At a luncheon other sponsors, the NABC Recycled attended by 200 collision professionRides would never happen. “This proals, including insurance companies, gram offers a lot of people in this inmanufacturers, vendors, body shops, dustry an opportunity to really impact parts manufacturers, recyclers and disthe community and change peoples’ tributors, NABC celebrated its Recylives. How many times does that hapcled Rides giveaway for yet another pen, where we can really improve the daily lives of families that really need it and deserve it?” In addition, Family Promise received a 15passenger van donated by Enterprise Rent-a-Car and repaired by Gerber Collision in a surprise presentation. “We were so happy to find this van for Family Promise of Las Vegas, because these larger vans are always in demand and From left, NABC President Nick Notte, Stacy Spear, former recipient of a Recycled Rides vehicle and NABC Executive very hard to find,” Chuck Director Chuck Sulkala at the annual NABC Recycled Rides Sulkala, Executive Direcluncheon during the 2013 SEMA Show tor of the National Auto year during SEMA. By refurbishing Body Council said. “Family Promise and recycling cars donated by insurdoes a tremendous job by enabling so ance companies, Recycled Rides has many families to regain their stability been praised for its green approach and independence. We recognize that and for gifting a total of 48 vehicles owning a car they can count on could to-date. be the key to regaining both their finanThe recipient families this year cial well-being and their self-respect. were chosen by Family Promise of Las Vegas, an organization that helps homeless and low-income families to transition from homelessness to stability and independence. “Without a car, life can be very difficult and tiring,” said Terry Lindemann, executive director of Family Promise of Las Vegas. “Daily tasks like going to the grocery store or the doctor’s office are not easy for people without reliable, safe transportation. Recycled Rides is a wonDevlin, the son of recipient Michael Antongnazzi derful program and the people at seemed to enjoy his new, recycled ride NABC are incredible. We’re so thankful to the NABC and all of the local Recycled Rides is a wonderful program body shops and insurance companies that enables so many of us in the collithat helped. Every year NABC reaches sion repair industry to partner with our out to us and helps our member famicolleagues and make a positive impact lies by providing these vehicles and in peoples’ lives.” every year it’s very emotional.” Diamond Clark, a single mother Participants in this year’s multi- of six children, received a van from the car gifting at SEMA included EnterNABC Recycled Rides program this prise Rent-A-Car, State Farm year. She looked both relieved and exInsurance, Allstate Insurance Com- cited, but most of all-very grateful. pany, Esurance and Hertz, which do“Last summer, my vehicle died by Ed Attanasio

20 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

and I could not get to work, so I lost my with sustaining an independent future. job,” Clark said. “As a result, we got Family Promise of Las Vegas serves evicted from our house because I couldup to 25 families daily in one of three n’t afford the rent. We've been riding the housing programs designed to assist bus this entire time, having to leave at families achieve sustainable futures four in the morning to deliver the kids and lasting independence. to school and getting home really late every evening. Now I have a job and a car, so things are turning around for me.” Family Promise is a non-profit organization with 177 networks nationwide that organizes houses of worship, community agencies, and social service agencies into a community-based inter- From left, Howard Putterman of Enterprise Rent-a-Car; Terry faith hospitality network. Lindemann, the Executive Director of Family Promise and Tom Family Promise’s Family Csekme with Gerber Collision celebrated another successful Mentoring Program is a year of the NABC Recycled Rides program homelessness prevention initiative The National Auto Body Council that trains volunteers to act as advisors is a non-profit organization dedicated and advocates for at-risk families, to enhancing the image of the collision helping them achieve goals and main- industry and for more information visit tain self-sufficiency. Families that www.NationalAutoBodyCouncil.org; graduate from the program’s transi- Facebook at facebook.com/Nationtional sheltering program are enrolled alAutoBodyCouncil or its Twitter feed in a mentoring program to assist them @AutoBodyCouncil.

Chief Automotive Technologies Introduces LaserLock™ at SEMA, “A Product Category of its Own” Chief Automotive Technologies introduced its LaserLock™ live mapping™ system at SEMA. Chief’s LaserLock system includes a new laser scanner with out-of-level measuring capabilities; 45 targets and a wide range of attachments; a lockable, portable workstation equipped with dual flat screen monitors, computer and color printer; and exclusive Chief software. “The LaserLock measuring system is so advanced, it is in a product category of its own,” explains Lee Daugherty, Chief global data product manager. “LaserLock precisely measures up to 45 individual points on a vehicle simultaneously in real time. This live, multipoint mapping enables technicians to measure and monitor dimensional changes as they occur during pulling, so there’s no need to recalibrate after every pull, and there is less risk of accidentally putting more damage into a vehicle. LaserLock live mapping is computerized measuring for the next generation.” The lightweight, durable new LaserLock scanner features an ergonomic design with easy-to-reach handles and a compact profile that maximizes the laser’s line of sight. As a result, LaserLock can simultaneously measure more reference points than any

other system on both full-frame and uni-body vehicles. In fact, LaserLock can map an entire vehicle at once, making it possible to repair vehicles with diamond or twist damage, as well as frames that have both front and rear damage. LaserLock’s stateof-the-art design allows for vehicles to be measured even when they’re not level, so set-up time is reduced. This also makes LaserLock a natural choice for the estimating bay, where it can be used with a simple twopost lift to measure every vehicle, resulting in better scheduling, more efficient repair plans, improved cycle times and happier customers. Recognizing that modern vehicles are increasingly complex to repair, LaserLock includes a step-by-step tutorial program to help technicians make higher quality repairs quickly, accurately and profitably. The system includes on-screen photos of recommended targets and attachments, as well as where they should be placed. Chief also includes free interactive live support.

www.autobodynews.com | DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS 21

Industry Insight

—John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, who has a body shop in the family and has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988. He is the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com). Contact him by email at jyoswick@SpiritOne.com.

Scaled-down NACE to Replace ‘Glitz And Glamour’ With Renewed Industry Focus with John Yoswick

Perhaps one of the most symbolic indications of the many transitions the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) continues to go though was the event’s 2013 keynote address speaker, Mike Anderson. Without the 30,000 attendees the show enjoyed throughout the 1990s, organizers couldn’t bring in the big-name political and celebrity speakers of the past, which have included George H.

W. Bush, Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell. But Anderson, a former shop owner and now one of the most popular industry trainers, speakers and consultants in the country, instead offered the more than 500 attendees at the NACE opening session in Las Vegas a more personal, industry-focused message that received a standing ovation. “We had the celebrities who repre-

sent our industry,” Dan Risley, executive director of the Automotive Service Association (which sponsors NACE) earlier this year, said of Anderson and the speaker at the show’s siDan Risley multaneous opening session for the mechanical industry.

NACE Organizers Promise Big Changes for 2014

From the opening session of NACE 2013 through the closing press conference, speakers and organizers voiced a “Wait ’til next year” message. Indeed, the show will undergo some dramatic changes next year, as the Automotive Service Association (ASA) works to regain some of the lus-

ter NACE has lost over the past decade. NACE next year will shift to summer in Detroit, Michigan, home (at least symbolically) to the United States’ Big Three automakers. The OEMs will play a pivotal part in the “rebirth of NACE,” ASA’s Dan Risley promised at NACE this year, with

more of the car companies exhibiting at the event and hosting factory tours. Also helping draw attendees, Risley said, will be the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and I-CAR annual conference, being held the two days prior to NACE in the same location.

Pull-A-Part Awarded Clean Yard-Gold Level Award in Indiana

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has awarded the Pull-A-Part Indianapolis location the Indiana Clean Yard-Gold Level award for auto salvage businesses. Pull-A-Part is an award-winning family business serving the do-it-yourself, used auto parts market. The Gold Level IDEM award is the highest certification level offered by IDEM, and achieving the Gold Level signifies that the recipient has gone beyond environmental regulations. Of 650 auto recycling operations in Indiana, only three achieved Gold status. Pull-A-Part earned the first-ever Indiana Clean Yard-Gold Level award from IDEM in 2009. The 2013 award is the third consecutive Gold Level

award earned by the Pull-A-Part Indianapolis location. Each award covers two years. Atlanta-based Pull-A-Part, LLC operates a network of 27 used auto parts superstores in 12 states. Pull-APart has made a concerted effort to set a high standard of excellence in handling and recycling end-of-life vehicles; its vehicles produce 21 percent less automobile shredder residue sent to a landfill as compared to typical vehicles delivered to a shredder, according to the company. In addition to the Indiana award, Pull-A-Part has been recognized for outstanding environmental responsibility and corporate citizenship by a number of federal, state and local organizations.

Suspect Arrested in Cash Grab from Racine Auto Parts Store

A 25-year-old Racine, WI, man was arrested minutes after grabbing two bank bags full of cash from a nearby auto parts store, police said. The man walked into Gordon Auto Parts, 1401 King Drive, shortly after 8 a.m. and inquired about some merchandise, according to the Racine Police Department. As the store owner gathered the merchandise, the man shoved him to the floor, grabbed the bags and

fled. Minutes later a man matching the robber's description was seen entering a residence in the 1400 block of West St. Police surrounded the home and took the man into custody. The store owner suffered minor injuries, and police recovered the bank bags and cash. Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Racine Police (262) 635-7756, or Racine Crimestoppers, (262) 636-9330.

22 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

“That’s what this show is supposed to be about. It’s a show for the industry, about the industry. Mike is among the ‘rockstars’ of our industry. That’s who attendees want to hear from. That was well-received.” The more casual, less glitzy opening session was emblematic of a show that attracted fewer than the 2012 announced attendance of 16,000. Risley and event organizers refreshingly

“We think that’s a win for the industry,” Risley said. “One of the things ASA did a couple years ago was a split from some things. It caused a divide in the industry. It hurt us. It hurt the show. We recognize that. So we’re going in the opposite direction and doing everything we can to promote industry unity.

We think it’s best for the industry and for the show as well.” Though Detroit’s population and financial stability have suffered over the past several decades—the city filed bankruptcy earlier this year—NACE organizers said the downtown convention center has been refurbished and a headquarters

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made no effort to try portray NACE as something it wasn’t, saying it met their modest expectations given it was being held just three weeks before SEMA, also in Las Vegas. With 170 exhibiting companies, the trade show was down more than 25 percent from the previous year, and was the smallest since 1985. Rather, organizers sought to take advantage of some of the opportunities the smaller scale of the event allowed. The annual ‘welcome party,’ for example, took place on the tradeshow floor as the first day concluded, and a “mainstage” in the exhibition hall offered a dozen free seminars over the two days, also helping to keep attenhotel with attractive room rates is just a block away. More so than in Las Vegas and New Orleans (the site of NACE in 2012), there is a large population of shops within an easy drive of Detroit, show organizers pointed out, and the event has never been held in that part of the country.

dees in the tradeshow itself. And perhaps more than any other year, NACE speakers and organizers placed a lot of emphasis on setting the stage for the even more significant overhauling of the event next year (see sidebar). Anderson’s kick-off speech included many anecdotes and lessons from his travels around the industry since he sold his two shops in 2010; this year he will spend more Mike Anderson than 340 days on the road, offering training sessions or

ASA has hired a new company to manage the show, replacing Hanley Wood after nearly two decades. It is also abandoning the ASRW “Automotive Service and Repair Week” moniker that never truly caught on. “It needed to go,” Risley said. “Stated differently, NACE and CARS (the mechanical in-

consulting in 48 of the 50 U.S. states. He said that’s helped him realize he was wrong in the past to judge shops largely on whether they participate in insurer direct repair programs (DRPs). “I’ve learned instead to judge people by the quality of the work they do,” Anderson said. “If you’re a DRP and you do quality work, I say God bless you. If you’re a non-DRP and do quality work, I say God bless you. I realized I was too judgmental. I realized at the end of the day we all have a vested interest in judging people based only on whether they do a proper repair.” He said too often issues other than quality repairs get too much focus in

dustry show held with NACE) have brand equity. We want to utilize that. NACE and CARS mean something to people.” Risley hinted at ancillary events, like the automaker factory tours, that might be open to attendees during NACE 2014, potentially including Yankees vs. Tigers baseball games, the

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the industry. He asked how many shop in the room had repaired a late-model Toyota, Honda or Hyundai recently, and hundreds of hands went up. But when he asked how many had performed a zero-point calibration on those vehicles – as the automaker repair procedures call for – only a few hands went up. “If we don’t do this, I don’t care if you’re a DRP or non-DRP, we failed the consumer who trusted us,” Anderson said. He said a study following the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster found that a culture at NASA of “relaxing safety standards to meet fiSee Scale-down NACE, Page 25

Henry Ford museum, the General Motors Heritage Center, BASF’s headquarters, and tunnel access to the casinos and other attractions of Windsor, Ontario. “We want to make the show a different experience,” Risley said. “When you go to SEMA, that’s a different experience. There’s lots of glitz and

Chevy Gets Silverado Endorsed as the Official Truck of University of Texas Football

glamour. It’s fun. It’s a great show. I like to go to it personally. But I want our show to be different from an attendee perspective. When we go to Detroit, we’re going to give you that. We’re going to give you something in Detroit that you will not be able to get anywhere else in this country.”

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Chevy has managed to get the Silverado named the official truck of University of Texas football. It will also be the official ride of Bevo, the Longhorns’ longhorn mascot. A Silverado will pull Bevo’s trailer to and from events. That smells like a coup in the turf war over Texas being fought by pickup makers. Texas accounts for one in six full-sized pickups sold nationally. More are sold in just the Dallas and Houston areas combined than in any other U.S. state. The multiyear sponsorship deal between Chevy, the University of Texas athletics program and the school’s alumni group, the Texas Exes, is meant to connect the truck with the university’s famously rabid fans. The truck’s logo will appear on the backdrop for all Texas athletics official media conferences and interviews.

The Rhinelander Ambassadors welcomed Rhinelander Collision Center located at 41 E. Pearl St. The business is owned by Debbie and Keith Van Doren and their son Matt. They opened Aug. 5 and are a full service body shop and auto detailer. Pictured are, back row from left, Maggie Steffen, Jan Juedes, Karen Eckert, Tom Peterson, Lara Reed, Judy Lundin, Judy Broman, Christi Foster; front row is Linda Krebsbach, Bobbie Keso-Mode, Debbi Van Doren owner, Keith Van Doren owner, Marr Van Doren owner, Linda Davidson, Diane Sowinski, Jan Leschke and Le Roy Eades.

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www.autobodynews.com | DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS 23

WD-40 and Chip Foose Keep Truckin’ at 2013 SEMA Show by Ed Attanasio

It was déjà vu all over again when Chip Foose and WD-40® partnered at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas one more time to raise money for charity while creating an incredible one-ofa-kind custom built vehicle. This year, the WD-40/Foose collaboration created an astonishing off-road truck that will eventually be raffled off to one lucky winner, with proceeds benefitting three SEMA Cares charities. Named the WD-40®/SEMA Cares Foose Ford F-150, this truck was the very first vehicle to be built inside the new state-of-the-art SEMA Garage— a facility that allows SEMA member companies to test and prototype parts, try its 3D modeling and printing, and use its full-scale photo studio, among other things. “The SEMA Garage is considered to be the most advanced shop of its type in the world,” WD-40® spokesperson Greg Kershaw explained. “Through a

Chip Foose once again partnered with WD-40® to build this breathtaking one-of-a-kind truck

partnership with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts (AXC), underprivileged teens and young adults were able to work alongside leading SEMA manufacturers to install parts and equipment on this special project vehicle. This was an amazing unique learning experience for these young people and surely something they will never forget.” This is the sixth vehicle WD-40® Company and SEMA Cares have teamed up to build and the fourth vehicle Chip Foose has designed with them. To date, WD-40®/SEMA Cares vehicles have raised almost $600,000 for SEMA Cares charities. Equipped with high performance aftermarket parts, the WD-40®/Foose truck is a tribute to off-roaders all over the world; passionate truck enthusiasts and aftermarket companies who have called upon WD-40® Company products for six decades. Kershaw said the truck must have involved over 200 people and close to 50 different companies to create the WD-40®/SEMA

Cares Foose Ford F-150 truck. “So many companies and individuals stepped up to make this truck happen,” Kershaw said. “To see all of these elite companies coming together for a really worthy cause is pretty amazing. Everyone added their touch and their flavor to the finished product and what we have now is unlike anything else. It truly is one-of-a-kind and the person who wins it will have a piece of art on four wheels.” Instead of being auctioned like previous WD-40®/SEMA Cares vehicles, the enhanced 2013 Ford F-150 Lariat will be raffled off to one lucky winner in early May 2014. With raffle tickets only costing $50 starting on Nov. 1, owning a Foose-inspired truck is now more accessible than ever to all automotive enthusiasts. “Can you imagine winning a oneoff vehicle like this—worth more than $80,000 with all parts and labor—for only $50?” said Chip Foose, president and CEO of Foose Design. “By purchasing raffle tickets, you’re also supporting a great cause.” Proceeds from the raffled vehicle will benefit three SEMA Cares charities—the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive leaders and innovators; Childhelp®, an organization that provides services to abused and neglected children; and Victory Junction, an organization that provides life-changing camping experiences to special needs and chronically ill children. Theresa Contreras is a painter/rebuilder for L&G Enterprises in San Dimas, CA and once again she played an integral role in the build. She has been building vehicles for SEMA for more than a decade and was pleased to be a part of this build. “When it all comes together like this, it’s a win-win for the sponsor, the charities and all of the companies that contribute,” Contreras said. “It’s more than just the truck—it’s about people helping each other and working together to make this a better world and a better industry.” The custom vehicle was painted with BASF Onyx HD paint by LGECTS Motorsports and features a Whipple supercharger, Gale Banks Straight-Shot performance system and Magnaflow cat-back exhaust system that give its 6.2L V8 more than 600 horsepower. To make it off-road

24 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

ready, the truck also features a converted front Raptor suspension with ICON Vehicle Dynamics 3.0 coilovers and upper uniball billet arms, as well as ICON rear triple bypass shocks with Atlas 3.0+ leaf springs. Outfit-

power running boards, bedsteps and a tailgate extender to make it easy to get in and enjoy the plush Katzkin leather interior and top-of-the-line Clarion sound system installed by Audio Innovations.To top it off, the custom

The WD-40®/SEMA Cares Foose Ford F-150 was built by 200 people and more than 50 companies donated products and time

ted with Baja Forged front and rear bumpers by LGE-CTS Motorsports, a custom bed cage, Bulldog LED lighting and a WARN winch, the custom Ford F-150 also has a Boatec Raptor fiberglass hood, fenders and bedsides. AMP Research supplied and installed

truck is riding on Falken Wild Peak A/T 37x12.5R17 tires wrapped around 17” x 9” MHT Fuel Maverick wheels in a matte Graphite finish. “We’re celebrating WD-40® Company’s 60th anniversary, and it’s great to see the next generation of automotive

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professionals and enthusiasts getting excited about working on a vehicle that’ll bothturn heads and help support a wonderful cause,” said Tim Lesmeister, vice president of marketing for WD-40® Company. “This vehicle— any off-roader’s dream— would not have been possible without the vision of Chip Foose and his team, the hard work of the Alex Xydias Center students, and the time and resources of our generous build partners.” Partners on the WD-40®/SEMA Cares Foose Ford F-150 include: Foose Design, Source Interlink Media, LGE*CTS Motorsports, Whipple Superchargers, Icon Vehicle Dynamics, MHT Wheels, Boatec, Magnaflow, BASF, Katzkin, Audio Innovations, Amp Research, FuelTool, Bulldog LED Lighting, Banks Power, HushMat, Mag-Hytec, Warn Industries, Optima Batteries, Falken Tire, PowerBass, Atlas Spring, Clarion and Metra Electronics. To learn more about the build and how Chip Foose uses WD-40 Multi-Use Product and the new WD40 Specialist® line of products, visit WD40.com/Foose. To learn more about the raffle, visit WD40.com/TruckRaffle.

Continued from Page 23

Scaled-down NACE

nancial and time constraints” set the stage for that failure. “If we continue to let certain things dictate our industry, we’re going to have a catastrophe like the Space Shuttle Challenger,” Anderson said. In some ways, he said, insurer pressures to improve cycle time have forced the industry to be better business people, whether or not that was the intention. “But if we keep focusing on cycle time and…severity because we’re afraid about the costs being too high, if we start focusing on the wrong things, we’re going to have a catastrophic event just like NASA did,” Anderson said.

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Transtar’s Custom Coffin Grabs Attention at SEMA by Ed Attanasio

At the largest and busiest SEMA show ever many companies were undoubtedly asking themselves— how can we stand out among all of the booths, cars and products at this enormous show? While many companies chose to display cars and motorcycles in their booths to highlight their products, Transtar Autobody Technologies of Brighton, MI, went in a completely different direction this year by thinking outside of the box (or in it) depending on your perspective. This leading manufacturer of automotive refinish and specialty coatings partnered with well- known motorcycle painter Seth Boldman of Aggressive Designs and the finished product was an intricately painted casket with a very beautiful female/angel on the lid that used Transtar’s No Mix® Basecoat and Clearcoat and was proudly displayed in the Transtar booth. Known for routinely doing custom work for celebrities such as Criss Angel, Rhianna, Tom Cruise, Pink and Christina Aguilera, Bolden’s casket attracted a crowd throughout the entire SEMA show. With that “wow” factor that no one could resist, hundreds of pictures of this art piece were taken each day and the comments ranged from “That’s how I want to go!” to “I see the light!” according to Stacey Wilcox, the marketing manager at Transtar Autobody Technologies. “The quality of both the artistry, as well as the products used to create it was evident and we were happy to introduce our line of products to so many new faces. Seth is highly creative and his work is amazing. This casket set us apart during SEMA and that’s exactly what we were shooting for.” Bolden was proud of his coffin creation and designed it with his client and friend magician Criss Angel in mind, he explained. “We wanted to do something completely different and really blow their minds. I’ve done 10 motorcycles for Criss and when he sees this coffin, I have a feeling he’s going to want it. The theme in Heaven and Hell and it shows an angel emerging as demons grasp at her feet. We put at least 100 hours into it and it’s been a real attention getter during this entire show.” (The suggested price for Angel: $25,000) Bolden was happy to attract attention to his sponsor’s booth with his coffin, he said. “I’ve been working with Transtar now for almost ten years and they became our full-time sponsor four

Celebrity Painter Seth Bolden, owner of Aggressive Designs, created this amazing airbrushed coffin for Transtar Autobody Technologies’ SEMA booth this year

years ago.” Bolden said. “Transtar is a great company and we love all of their products, including their basecoats, primers, clears—even their tape. They ask me to test their products through their research and development efforts all the time and we like trying them out. I use Transtar exclusively and it’s been a wonderful relationship.” Aggressive Designs in the City of Industry, CA, employs a staff of five and works out of a 5,000 square foot shop. Known as a leader in the motorcycle custom paint industry, Bolden receives rave reviews for pretty much whatever he paints. Boldman is renowned for doing custom paint jobs on bikes of all types for companies such as Big Bear Choppers and leading Harley Davidson dealers, as well as for television shows and movies. “We’ve been recognized in top motorcycle and car magazines for many of the custom projects we have rolled out of our shop. We’ve built a reputation for providing over the top custom painting and airbrushing work by using the latest techniques and high quality paint products, like Transtar.” Transtar is a leading manufacturer of automotive refinish and specialty coatings. The company has broad distribution across North America, with a significant presence in Latin America and other key markets. For more information about Transtar’s products and services, please visit www.tat-co.com .

www.autobodynews.com | DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS 25

Industry Insight with John Yoswick

Use of E-Signatures is Customer Convenience, Faster Authorization Reduces Cycle Time After a non-drivable car gets towed into your shop, how long do you generally have to wait to get a signed authorization from the customer to tear-down or begin work on their vehicle? Would that customer be more apt to sign the form more quickly if they didn’t have to come to your shop in order to do so? And could getting customer signatures more quickly in some cases allow you to start and finish work more on their vehicle more quickly, potentially improving your cycle time and cash flow while reducing rental car costs? Those are the kind of questions Pat Beavers, chief operations officer of the 11-shop CollisionMax chain in the Philadelphia area, hoped to address through the use of e-signatures. Pat Beavers Anyone who has

bought a piece of real estate or paid taxes electronically knows that putting ink to paper is no longer always necessary for a signature to be considered valid and legal. “We’ve used it successfully over 600,000 times over the last six years in 48 states and two Canadian provinces,” Vince Brigidi, president of the CEI Group, a fleet accident management company, told attendees at the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) Implementation Conference in San Diego this fall. “The process of obtaining customer’s authorizations is antiquated. The electronic signature is legal and effective. And there are significant efficiencies to be gained and rental days to be saved by doing this.”

Testing with a repairer CEI manages claims for fleet, government and insurer accounts, using a network of more than 3,600 collision

Kelley Blue Book Names 2014 Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Challenger Best Resale Value Winners

Kelley Blue Book has named the 2014 Jeep® Wrangler and 2014 Dodge Challenger winners of its 2014 Best Resale Value Awards. For the fourth consecutive year, Jeep Wrangler has been named Best Resale Value in its class and ranked on the Top 10 list for the third year in a row. With record setting sales numbers month-over-month this year, Dodge Challenger also earned a spot on this year’s Top 10 list of vehicles with the best resale value. “Jeep continues to dominate in its segment and among the top 10 list, increasing its residual value 3.9 percentage points from just last year,” said Eric Ibara, director of residual consulting for Kelley Blue Book. “New to this year’s list is the Dodge Challenger, which heavily contributes to Dodge’s success for the 2014 model year, along with other strong

vehicles from the brand.” Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com Best Resale Value Awards are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book® Official Residual Value Guide and determined by a skilled staff of automotive analysts. These prestigious awards honor vehicles expected to maintain the greatest proportion of their original list price after five years of ownership. “Chrysler Group is honored that Kelley Blue Book has named the 2014 Jeep Wrangler and 2014 Dodge Challenger winners of its Best Resale Value Awards,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales, Chrysler Group LLC. “These prestigious awards serve as great recognition of our commitment to producing quality, reliable, and desirable products, all while maintaining great resale value.”

26 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

repair shops. Brigidi said CollisionMax is part of that network, and CEI worked with Beavers to set up a system to enable CollisionMax to obtain authorizations and other required customer signatures electronically. “Sometimes in the past we’ve sent someone to a customer’s house to Vincent Brigidi get a paper documents signed, or used FedEx,” Beavers said. “We have a shop full of technology for everything else we do to repair the car and speed the process, but when it comes to having a piece of paper signed, the best we can do is FedEx or fax it?” Here’s how the system CollisionMax created with CEI’s assistance works. Say a vehicle is towed into a CollisionMax shop. The shop can email the customer a link to the electronic authorization form it needs the

customer to sign. It could be CollisionMax’s own form, or the custom one the insurer involved needs to have signed. The customer can read or even print the form from their computer, phone or tablet, then “sign” their name simply by typing it into the space provided. The signed form then is electronically returned to CollisionMax. Over a 3-month period and more than 300 non-drivable claims, CollisionMax compared the traditional method of obtaining customer signatures to the e-signature method. The results convinced Beavers that e-signatures are the way to go. Using the traditional method, 62 percent of the needed signature were obtained the same day, and 18 percent were obtained the next day. The balance took 3 days or more (in the longest case, 9 days) and the overall average was 1.94 days. By using e-signatures, however, CollisionMax obtained 97 percent of

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the signatures the same day and the other 3 percent the next day. “Pat and I feel even that 3 percent is going to come down,” Brigidi said. “Some of it may have been user-error on our side.” The longest amount of time it took to obtain the authorization was just 26 hours, and the overall average length of time: Just over one hour. “From the insurance company perspective or whoever is on the hook for paying that bill, that means dollars,” Brigidi said. “These are all nondrivable claims, all claims in which the vehicle is sitting there, the insurance company is paying for a rental, and the driver is without their vehicle, In the CollisionMax world alone, there’s probably $200,000 or more in rental savings for non-drivable vehicles.”

Customers very accepting While customer surely found the process more convenient than making a trip to the shop, Beavers said, his company received little in the way of comments from customers. Brigidi said that tells him the process is accepted if not an expected way of doing business for customers today. In order for e-signatures to be enforce-

able, customers must be given a choice whether to use it, but Beavers said during the study not one customer declined to sign electronically. Brigidi said 47 states have signed onto the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, which makes electronic signatures legally valid. (The three other states—Washington, Illinois and New York—have their own state laws governing the use of e-signatures.) CollisionMax has shops in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, states that have different requirements for shop in terms of authorizations to be obtained, but the system worked well in both states. Brigidi said that of the 600,000 esignatures his company has obtained over six years, not one has been challenged as invalid. But, he said, in addition to tracking the day and time of the authorization, the system tracks the IP address of the device on which the customer signed the authorization, allowing it to be tracked back, if necessary, to the location or device from which it was provided. Beavers said he wants to use e-signatures for all the customer authorizations the shop must obtain, even for drivable vehicles. It reduces paper use, is convenient for the customer, and

would allowthe shop to use the same process for all claims. Customers dropping vehicles off could use a kiosk at the shop to sign electronically, or could be sent a link to the document via the phone they are carrying. “When you think about some of the delays and how long some of those cars sit while we’re waiting to be authorized, to me they are all like checks waiting to be processed,” Beavers said. “The new standard is minutes, not hours or days.” Beavers also said the potential savings and additional audit trail for insurers are obvious. “I have some speculation that some shops are using that authorization part of the process to benefit themselves,” Beavers said. “Maybe they don’t expedite the authorization at times because they have plenty of work. Typically for the insurers, the proverbial clock starts to tick only when we have a signed authorization. So if a shop has delayed that for whatever reasons, the pressures aren’t on so much.” Brigidi said he was surprised to learn an e-signature system hadn’t been integrated into the estimating or shop management systems, but believes that will eventually happen.

GM Customer Care Adds New Loyalty Program

GM Customer Care & Aftersales, the service and parts division of General Motors, announced Oct. 29 that it has added a new loyalty rewards program for independent body shops purchasing select GM collision parts. Shops enrolled in the program earn points when purchasing GM OE doors, wheels, mirrors and lighting assemblies from GM dealers through the OEConnection CollisionLink online parts-purchasing network. Points are awarded for parts purchased on insurance estimates only for GM vehicles two model years and older. Points are awarded at the rate of one point for each dollar spent. Accumulated points can be used to purchase a wide selection of merchandise, travel, entertainment and new GM vehicles. All CollisionLink users will receive an email request to sign up. To sign up for CollisionLink, visit the OEConnection website.

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Joe Gibbs Racing, Motocross Won with their Let’s Go Moto Tundra in the Toyota Dream Build Challenge Cup

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Joe Gibbs Racing, Motocross took hold of a Toyota Tundra pickup to make into the Let’s Go Moto Tundra. The Let’s Go Moto is barely recognizable as a Tundra thanks to the NASCAR-inspired 8-foot pit box on the bed. The overhauled truck back combines racing functionality with after-racing recreation and relaxation. Before, during and after the race or session, the Let’s Go Moto keeps bikes and riders at their best with integrated tool storage, spare parts, a power washer and a helmet dryer. After the race is over and bikes put away, the truck doubles as a rolling outdoor entertainment center complete with retractable shades, TV and refrigerator. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a long race—or relax in the sun without ever throwing your leg over the bike at all. Founded in 2006 by Coy Gibbs,

son of NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach and three-time Sprint Cup Champion team owner Joe Gibbs, the team is sponsored by Toyota and Yamaha—with Justin Brayton and Josh Grant riding for the team. Both riders were involved in the design and building of the Tundra (above and right) that would serve as an all-purpose transport for the bikes and the entire racing team.

This year’s Toyota Dream Build Challenge invited a diverse group of Team Toyota athletes along with their big-time partners to modify vehicles, letting fans participate in the process and vote for their favorites at www.toyotadreambuild.com.

www.autobodynews.com | DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS 27

Historical Snapshot

December Retrospective: NACE Town Hall, CIC, SCRS, FTC with John Yoswick

20 years ago in the collision repair industry (December 1993) A NACE “Town Hall” meeting on December 4 brought together a panel of 14 industry experts. They each offered their own views on how the re-engineering of the industry will or should take place. The forces behind the drive for change, they agreed, are consumers, information technology, legislation and perhaps most importantly, the inefficiencies of the current system. “If we can eliminate all the delays in the repair process based on insurance approval, that would streamline the process tremendously,” Dennis Kiyohara of AutocheX said. “You don’t need DRPs to streamline the process. You can get all those things you want – hassle-free service, faster repairs – without doing direct repair. The technology is the driving force. I think we have to get (insurers) to say, ‘Here’s what we want and here’s how we measure.’ Mutually create the performance standards and trust will follow performance.” —From coverage of the 1993 International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE).

15 years ago in the collision repair industry (December 1998) The effort to develop a new method to calculate refinish materials appears to be losing steam. The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) task force that began to look into the issue about a year ago reported in December that it has done as much as it can do. Charlie Baker, chairman of the task force, said the group has essentially agreed that a system based on the square footage of the area to be refinished looks promising, but that it is now up to others to determine if a square-footage system is workable. “The problem is that moving from this point forward is a very expensive proposition,” Baker said at the CIC meeting in Dallas, Texas. “The task force is not going to spend thousands of dollars to generate the computer model that might be necessary. As a task force we’ve come about as far as we can go. Now somebody has to say, ‘Okay, the industry really wants this.’” Baker also said he has found in-

creased resistance to a change among shop owners. “Many shops today feel the existing system is flawed, but it is workable,” he said. “So there’s a pretty good hesitancy within the industry to change from a proven system. Those who have worked with today’s system have figured out how they can be accurately reimbursed, and they tend not to be looking too hard for an alternative method.” At least one shop owner on the task force agreed with Baker’s assessment. “I was one of the proponents of finding a better way to calculate paint materials,” Kansas City shop owner Bill Eveland said. “A year later, I’m not sure that the old system is completely broken. If you put the right number to it, the right rate per refinBill Eveland ish hour, it works.” Eveland said the estimating system providers say their refinish current times are based in part on part size, so the system, though not perfect, is already somewhat based on square footage. —Paint and materials calculation methodology has remained an industry issue, being discussed most recently at a CIC meeting earlier this year.

10 years ago in the collision repair industry (December 2003) Dan Risley, executive director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), said the association opposes efforts by insurers to require direct repair shops to use a particular estimating or imaging system. He said SCRS surveyed 15 larger insurance companies and found that 46 percent had such a requirement. “SCRS is extremely disappointed in these results, and we’d like to see some significant change in that percentage over the next year,” Risley said, saying the association will be contacting insurers about this issue. “SCRS believes that requiring a repair facility to have a specific estimating system is no longer a technology chal-

28 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

lenge; it is more of a mind-set change.” —As reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), December 7, 2003. SCRS this past September, as part of its effort to oppose State Farm’s mandated use of PartsTrader, issued a new position statement, condemning insurer mandates, “particularly those that specify required vendors, business platforms or internal processes that must be followed.”

5 years ago in the collision repair industry (December 2008) As of press time, one of the bigger news stories of 2008, a proposed merger (announced last April) between Mitchell International and CCC Information Services, had yet to be finalized. The primary hold-up has been approval of the deal by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which last summer issued a second request for information from the parties involved.

Art Amolsch, senior editor of the independent FTC: Watch newsletter, said such second requests are fairly infrequent and likely an indication that the agency has some concerns about the merger. A number of shop owners and others in the industry have said off-therecord that they’ve been interviewed or have submitted written comment to the FTC. Some expressed concern, for example, about possible declines in the responsiveness to industry requests— such as those through the Database Enhancement Gateway—that could result if the industry has just two major estimating systems (the other being Audatex). As of this point, it appears the next headline about the merger— whatever it may be—is likely to be in 2009. —As reported in Autobody News. In March of 2009, CCC and Mitchell mutually called off the merger plan after the FTC won a preliminary in-

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junction to halt it. “We brought this case because of the impressive body of evidence developed by staff demonstrating that the combination of these two competitors would substantially lessen competition, ultimately leading to higher prices and less innovation for consumers,” David Wales of the FTC said. CCC and Mitchell opted not to commit resources to a protracted FTC fight. “We have reached the point in the regulatory process in which our customers, employees and shareholders are best served by continuing as independent companies,” Alex Sun, president and CEO of Mitchell, said.

China’s 31st Collision Industry Show to be Held in February ‘14

The China Automotive Maintenance and Repair Trade Association (CAMRA) will be holding its 31st annual collision industry trade show in Feb. 2014 and is inviting international collision professionals to attend. Running from Feb. 26 to Mar. 1, 2014, the Auto Maintenance and Repair (AMR) trade show consists of nearly 1,200 exhibitors and 58,000 visitors annually, with vendors and consumers having the opportunity to interact with national product manufacturers, car dealers, repair shops and repairers.

Winner of Chrysler Custom Challenge at SEMA Show is Oriana Schooley The Chrysler brand awarded the winner of its Chrysler Custom Challenge at the SEMA Show yesterday, Nov. 6. During a live streaming of the event on the auto show floor, three judges, Chrysler Brand President and CEO

Chrysler Custom Challenge Winner

Saad Chehab, Chrysler Brand Service, Parts and Customer Care President and CEO Pietro Gorlier and West Coast Customs Owner and CEO Ryan Friedlinghaus, named Oriana Schooley as the winner. The Chrysler Custom Challenge charged fans to submit an image of their customized Chrysler brand vehicle along with a brief description of what customizations they have given to their vehicle to make it unique. Their vehicles are also being featured on the SEMA showroom floor within

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the West Coast Customs display. Video can be viewed at: youtu.be/V_9LUM87iXM. “The Chrysler Custom Challenge provided Chrysler car enthusiasts a chance to creatively express their skills and passion for customization,” said Chehab. “And SEMA’s show floor provided us with the perfect stage to announce the winners and have their vehicles recognized and displayed at the show and online.” The three finalists and their vehicles were invited to Las Vegas for a paid-trip of seven days, six nights, where they will be given full access to the show, work alongside the West Coast Customs team and enjoy an intimate dinner with Chrysler executives and West Coast Customs. As part of the grand prize, Oriana Schooley will receive a trip to the North American International Auto Show, a luxury travel package for herself and a guest and more than $15,000 in other cash/prizes. Ryan Friedlinghaus is also set to feature the winner and finalists in an upcoming episode of the “West Coast Customs” television series (FOX) that

will be filmed on-site at SEMA. More information about the finalists and photos of their cars can be found by looking up Chrysler Custom Challenge in Facebook. The Chrysler brand’s activation site at SEMA included a special partnership with West Coast Customs, which spotlights both as ambassadors of customization. Being provided to attendees as part of this unique partnership are on-site customization

classes at the SEMA show, such as exterior paint and vinyl wrapping, interiors, sound, technology and lighting classes—just one more way of helping enthusiasts sharpen their skills about the latest methods and accessories available.

VeriFacts Automotive Institutes ‘Dale Delmege Award’ at CIC, Winner is Paul Krauss of Craftsman Auto Body in VA VeriFacts Automotive announced the winner of its inaugural Dale Delmege Award, a segment of its Achievement in Collision Repair Excellence (ACE) Awards, on Nov. 6 at CIC in Las Vegas. Dale Delmege spoke briefly and pre-

continues to grow and maintains their level of performance speaks directly to the leadership shown by the entire operation.” The Dale Delmege Award recognizes the significant and lasting contributions of Dale Delmege throughout each segment of the collision repair industry, and will recognize a collision repair center consistently producing and delivering verified repair quality. “I know of few people as committed to, and influential in, their pursuit of the long term betterment of our industry than Dale Delmege,” said Farzam Afshar, CEO of VeriFacts. Dale Delmege presents his eponymous award to “I am pleased to be able to Paul Krauss (r) CEO/President of Craftsman Auto recognize the scale of Dale’s conBody of Chantilly, based in Sterling, VA tributions over the years by namsented the award to Paul Krauss, ing our ACE Award for the exceptional owner of Craftsman Auto Body of collision repair center the Dale Delmege Chantilly, based in Sterling, VA. Crafts- Award.” Dale Delmege has been Collision man is a a third generation, familyowned collision repairer with multiple Industry Conference Chairman 1999– 2000, and a Lifetime Member (since locations across Virginia. In presenting the award, Delmege 2001) of the Society of Collision Repair said, “I have known Paul Krauss for Specialists (SCRS). He is a Hall of Eamany years and have always known the gles member and a National Auto Body commitment to excellence he has in- Council Founding Member and Direcstilled in his people,” said Delmege. tor, as well as a CIECA Founding Mem“The fact that Craftsman Auto Body ber, Director, and Chairman. www.autobodynews.com | DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS 29

AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE

CARSTAR Makes Top 200 on Franchise Ranking List

For the seventh year in a row, CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts has made the list of the Top 200 Franchise Networks by Franchise Times Magazine. Ranked at 117, CARSTAR is the highest ranking collision repair company. Franchise Times magazine specifically targets franchisors and franchisees with more than 400,000 units worldwide. Franchise Times researches companies’ annual reports and publicly available data on the nation’s 200 largest franchise systems and ranks them based on last year’s global system wide sales. Eligibility to be included in this ranking requires a company to be a legal U.S franchise, where franchisees must own at least 15 percent of the company’s total units. “We are honored to be ranked among the top 200 franchises and lead the automotive and collision repair industry in the ranking,” said David Byers, CEO of CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts.

MAACO Acquires California 1-Day Paint and Body Shops

Charlotte-based Maaco has acquired 1-Day Paint & Body Centers of Torrance, CA, for an undisclosed sum. 1Day Paint & Body Centers is a 47-year-old company that operates 24 stores in California, Nevada and New Mexico. Most will be converted to Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting Centers during the next three to six months. Maaco says the acquisition will triple its presence in Southern California, a top growth market for the company. Sixteen 1Day stores in Southern California are being franchised to existing Maaco owners Matt and Caroline Peach, making them the largest franchisee in the Maaco system. The remaining locations will be franchised to other owners. Sherwin-Williams will be the supplier of choice for the 1-Day locations. “We couldn’t be more excited about our new centers and the opportunity for growth in the region,” says Jose Costa, Maaco president. Maaco serves roughly 500,000 drivers annually. It has 450 franchises and is part of Driven Brands.

30 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

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3M Wins Top Spot at 2013 SEMA New Products Showcase Awards by Ed Attanasio

People come to SEMA to see the cars, the girls and the celebrities and to network with their vendors and colleagues, but among the most popular exhibits and presentations include cutting-edge automotive products. An award from SEMA can be a game changer and help to fast track a product’s path to success. It’s the equivalent of the Academy Awards for the

SEMA Chairman of the Board Nate Shelton and SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting present 3M’s Steven Widen with the award for Best New Collision Repair & Refinish Product

movie industry, but only without the red carpet, fancy gowns and paparazzi. During a breakfast on Nov. 4, the winners of the 2013 SEMA New Products Showcase Awards were an-

nounced. This year, more than 2,000 new products were submitted for consideration by SEMA, but only a handful were nominated. 3M™ took home the top honors in SEMA’s Collision Repair and Refinish Product category for their innovative new 3M™ Body Protection System, making it the biggest winner of the show within the collision segment. The night before, Steve Widen, U.S Marketing Supervisor, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, received a phone call from SEMA, that was both surprising and exhilarating, he said. “They called to tell us we were a finalist and invited us to the breakfast. It was definitely a very pleasant surprise and a great start to our show. We got off on the right foot and then when we won, it just got better! Tons of work went into the new 3M Body Protection System, so it’s very satisfying for sure.” According to 3M, its newest Body Protection System is reinventing the way repair technicians can match textured finishes found on today’s vehicles for rock protection and sound deadening. The innovative 3M Body Protec-

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tion System helps painters spray low viscosity textured finishes with fine, medium, coarse and splattered patterns. The technology behind the 3M Body Protection System includes the 3M™ Accuspray™ HGP Spray Gun with a pressurized inlet and 3M™ PPS™ Type H/O Mini Pressure 3M won first place in SEMA’s Collision Repair and Refinish Product Cup, the 3M™ category for its innovative new Body Protection System Rocker Protector able to easily replicate textures, but Pouch, and 3M™ Paintable Undercoating Pouch. The 3M Rocker Pro- now they can by leveraging our protector Pouch is available in 3-ounce prietary 3M Accuspray technology and 5.5-ounce sizes, and the 3M with unique product delivery platPaintable Undercoating Pouch is forms. It will revolutionize how textured finishes are applied in the available in 5.5-ounce size. The 3M Body Protection System future. And, as the use of these textured finishes continues to expand solves a major pain point for automotive professionals, and gives them a for sound deadening on thinner subtool for greater productivity, including; strates, the need for the 3M Body • Ability to adjust pressures and spray Protection System will increase expattern, allowing for better match to ponentially.” Criteria that ranked high on the OEM textures. • Ability to cut in half application time judges’ selection for the New Product of textured finishes to rocker panels, Showcase Awards included superiority wheel wells and undercarriages in of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer many cases. • The pressurized 3M Accuspray spray appeal and marketability. Widen noted gun allows the product to be sprayed that 3M’s Body Protection System has at any angle making it easier to reach excelled in every one of these areas, he lower rocker sections and inside explained. “It’s going to help body shops in wheel wheels. • The painter can easily adjust the a big way, because now we’ve put a spray pattern to reduce overspray and tool in the hands of painters and preppers that will save them time and of masking. • Painters can easily achieve a perfect course, money,” Widen said. “There texture match, which contributes to isn’t an OE texture out there that we improved repair quality and higher can’t replicate with this system. Work that used to take three hours can now CSI scores. • The pouch sizes allow estimators be performed in 10-15 minutes, with and repair technicians to attribute more accuracy and zero guesswork. exact product usage to each job, im- It’s going to increase productivity considerably; the cleanup is very simple proving the job costing on estimates. • The 3M Accuspray system reduces and there’s a minimal learning curve. cleanup time and virtually eliminates We released the Body Protection System on August 1, and we’ve already the need for solvents. Widen believes this product is reached our sales goals for the rest of much-needed and was designed to the year.” Creative Autobody Solutions of fulfill a need that has existed for many years. “There hasn’t been any- Tempe, AZ captured the second p l ace thing new out there in delivery award with its spray - out cards conprocesses for the past two decades, structed of ABS and the third place so the 3M Body Protection System runner up award went to Shelwes Tools is pretty significant,” Widen said. & Body of West Helena, AR , for its “Painters and preppers haven’t been Shelwes Automatic Contour Sander.

www.autobodynews.com | DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS 31

32 DECEMBER 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com