Midwestern Edition Illinois Indiana Iowa Kentucky Michigan
Minnesota Missouri Ohio Wisconsin
32
YEARS
www.autobodynews.com ww ww.autobodynews.com
Ohio Senate Bill Extends Registration Requirement to Mechanical Repair Shops, Also Anti-Steering Bill In November 2013, state Sen. Joe Uecker (R-14) introduced Ohio Senate Bill 232, a bill to level the playing field for mechanical automotive repair shops. S.B. 232 extends the jurisdiction of the Motor Vehicle Repair Board (MVRB) to anyone who performs mechanical repairs on motor vehicles, requires motor vehicle repair facilities to register with the board, creates the Motor Vehicle Repair Operator Vendor’s License Suspension Fund and makes changes to the Motor Vehicle Repair and Window Tint Operator Law. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) supports S.B. 232.
Under current law, only collision repair facilities are required to register with the MVRB. This loophole for mechanical repairs has allowed “backyard” operators to undercut legitimate businesses by avoiding compliance with OSHA laws and Ohio’s environmental standards. Because many of these “backyard” shops do not pay taxes or workers’ benefits, there is a considerable price difference between these operators and law-abiding shop owners. S.B. 232 would ensure that all automotive repair professionals are adhering to a uniform set of service and safety standards.
Collision repairers from six states are pursuing legal action against insurers for alleged antitrust violations, collusion by making deals with preferred body shops to reduce labor costs, and interfering with body shops’ business by dictating how they do repairs. There are also allegations that shops are being forced to use substandard repair parts. The body shops are seeking damages from the suits that could amount to damages in the billions. See Autobody News May edition for more details. In the federal lawsuit, 14 Indiana shops and others have accused State Farm Insurance and competitors of extracting “unreasonable and oner-
ous” concessions on vehicle repair costs. When a shop doesn’t comply with price ceilings, the insurers dissuade policyholders from choosing that shop for repairs by telling them it has quality issues or gets lots of complaints, the shops allege in the suit filed April 2. The 34-page suit alleges insurers have violated the federal Sherman Act, both in price-fixing and through boycotting tactics. Insurance company dictates are “placing the driving public at harm,” says the lawsuit. (Other defendants include Allstate, American Family, Auto-Owners, Erie Insurance, Indiana Farmers Mutual, Liberty Mutual, Na-
See Ohio Senate Bill, Page 4
Update on Shops’ Accusations of Insurers’ Collusion
See Shops’ Accusations, Page 13
VOL. 3 ISSUE 9 JUNE 2014
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, Visits Body Shop, Talks Minimum Wage U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, clocked in for her shift at Dave’s Autobody in at 2:59 p.m., one minute early, according to reporter Dani Kinnison, writing for the Galesburg Register-Mail As part of her “Cheri on Shift” outreach, Bustos made a stop in Galesburg on April 23 to shadow the shop’s auto workers and do some welding and discuss the issue of livable wages, an issue that’s been a source of discussion locally and nationally. With Illinois’ minimum wage of $8.25 an hour, a full-time worker would earn a yearly salary of $16,500. For a family of three, the wage lies below the federal benchmark for poverty. That, Bustos said during her visit, is something that needs to change.
Auto body production manager Robby Dunn, center, looks on as U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, talks with Dave’s employee Chip Brandenburg in the back of a pickup truck at the auto body shop. Bustos took a hands-on tour of Dave’s as part of her “Cheri on Shift” outreach in the 17th Congressional District. Photo: Steve Davis/The Register-Mail
The 17th Congressional District representative said she would be in favor of increasing the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, an inSee Minimum Wage, Page 15
Michigan Lawmaker Proposes Crackdown on Unlicensed Auto Repair Shops A senior citizen living in State Representative Harvey Santana’s district contacted a local media Consumer Investigator Unit called “Ruth to the rescue” to complain that he had taken his car to a West Detroit shop and has since “been stranded for 5 months.” 82-year-old James Fails said he used the repair shop known as Domestic And Import Auto at 9900 Greenfield in Detroit. Fails said his car was never the same afterward, and he’s suing the facility to get his engine replaced. The Detroit grandfather’s family was shocked to learn the shop’s license had expired. “I just shake my head to still see them open,” Fails granddaughter told Ruth to the Rescue. “We have a responsibility to make sure that this senior citizen, who is a grandfather and lives on a fixed income, doesn’t have to go through the experience he just went through,” Santana told Ruth to the Rescue.
Ruth Spencer visited the garage and the owner admitted in March that he didn’t have a valid license. Back then, owner Ali Beydoun told Spencer, he would be getting his license renewed very soon. The Democrat decided something must be done. He’s now working with several interested parties to create legislation that would fine repairs shops that do not have a license. The proposal would call for a $5,000 fine for the first offense and $7,500 for every offense that follows. “What bothered me is the license ranges from $50 to $500 a year on a sliding scale, so why not just play by the rules and get it?” said State Representative Harvey Santana. What about the shop on Greenfield road? As Ruth to the Rescue started working on the story of this legislative proposal, we wondered if Mr. BeySee Crackdown, Page 19
Change Service Requested
P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018
Presorted Standard US Postage PAID San Bernardino, CA Permit #2244
2 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
COLUMNISTS Attanasio - Five Common Marketing Mistakes Body Shops Make . . . . . . . . . 32 Basteri - Getting Powered Up at the 2014 WIN Annual Educational Conference. . . 30 Franklin - What’s In A Name? Possibly The Success Of Your Shop! . . . . . . . . . 24 Luehr - The Process of Winning . . . . . . . . 22 Sisk - ABAC Legal Counselor Objects to Use
of Camera Phone Photos for Estimates . 25 Sisk - Mike Anderson Visits WMABA to Discuss Estimating Practices, Parts Procurement and More!. . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Sisk - NABC’s Recent Meetings Focus on Building Positive Image for Collision Industry. 37 Sisk - Southern Automotive Repair Conference Held by Six State Associations . . . . . . . . 28 Yoswick - June Retrospective: ASA Position, CAPA, CIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
NATIONAL ABRA Acquires 24 Collision Centers of America Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Advance Auto Profit Up 21%, Acquisition Boosts Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 AMI Taking Applications for $1,000 High-Octane Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 AudaExplore Launches Cloud-Based Fully Scalable Enterprise Body Shop Management Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Auto Body Parts Receive Consumer Discount at Auto Pros USA Parts Retail Website. . 40 Auto Damage Experts Will Perform Inspection and Verification for Assured Performance Network’s Certified Repair Shops. . . . . 39 Automotive Aftermarket is Expected to Grow 3.4% PY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 BASF Recognizes 5 Shops as Shops of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Bloomberg reports Esurance to Take on Advertising Giants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 BMW Joint Venture to Triple Carbon Fiber Plant Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 CAPA Reaches 15 Year Milestone for Vehicle Test Fits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Car-O-Liner Offers Free Value-Added Design Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 ETI to Hold Meeting with NACE CARS in Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Ford Dealerships Exceed Enrollment Goals for Collision Repair Training on F-150. . 44 Four CARSTAR Shops Were Recognized by Mitchell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 I-CAR Enhances Website, Other Improvements Coming. . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 MCR Safety Donates 26,000+ Pairs of Safety Eyeware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 NABC Appoints Dan Young to Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 NACE | CARS 2014 Agenda Announced and Online Attendee Registration Opens . 46 NACE Announces CRES/MSO Symposium Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 NSF Certifies 500 Sheet Metal Parts Made by Gordon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 OSHA Cracking Down on Isocyanate Exposure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 SCRS Examines Repairer Ability to Control Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SCRS Member’s E-Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SEMA Show Registration Now Open . . . . 42 Sisk - Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast Finalizes Conference Plans for ‘14 . 34 Solera Buys Pittsburgh Glass Works’ Insurance Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 South Carolina Shop Files Suit Against State Farm Citing Breaches of Contract and Defamation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 US Government Says It Lost $11.2 billion on GM bailout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Valspar Joins National Auto Body Council. . 46 Winners of Society of Collision Repair Specialists Industry Achievement Awards . 36 LKQ’s 2014 GetGreen Promotion Winners Announced. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
A ride so smooth it feels like you’re not even touching the ground
Perfect for a Memorial Day roadtrip with your large family
www.facebook.com/autobodynews Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Online Editor: Alicia Basteri 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, David Petro (800) 699-8251 Sales Assistant: Louise Tedesco Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia
Midwest
REGIONAL ‘Thriving in a Consolidating Marketplace’ Events: IN & IL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ‘Top Secret’ Maaco Sign Creates Buzz Prior to Reopening at New Location on Applegrove in North Canton, OH . . . . . 10 AASP-MN Awards $15,000 in Scholarships for Minnesota-based Programs . . . . . . 12 AASP–MN Prepares for 20th Annual Golf Outing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 AASP-MO Hosts March and April Collision Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 ASA-Michigan May Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Automechanika Chicago Coming in April ‘15 . 6 Cable-Dahmer Investments Pay Off with GM Customer Service Award Helped by 18,000 sq ft Collision Center. . . . . . . 6 Des Moines, IL, Body Shop is Restoring Major Sculpture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Effingham, IL, OKs Plans for New Body Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Embezzlement at Body Shop Trial in Baraga County, Michigan, is Extended . . . . . . . 16 Gerber Collision & Glass Opens New Shop in Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Grassy Auto Parts Joins Up with Team PRP . 8 Indiana Autobody Association Calls Vendors to Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Jordan, MN, Shop Owner Arrested on Meth Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Madisonville, KY, Shop is Rebuilding After Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Max E. Casad, 60, of DeWitt Passes Away Unexpectedly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Michigan Lawmaker Proposes Crackdown on Unlicensed Auto Repair Shops . . . . . 1 Minnesota Women’s Economic Security Act Signed Into Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 MO’s Show Me Auto Body is Local Business of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 New DARE Car Unveiled in Rothschild, WI . . 9 Ohio Anti-Steering Legislation Scheduled for First Hearing Before Committee. . . . . 4 Ohio Leads the Nation in Metal Thefts . . . 14 Ohio Senate Bill Extends Registration Requirement to Mechanical Repair Shops, Also Anti-Steering Bill. . . . . . . . . 1 Ohio’s Buckeye Career Center Students Already Appreciate Waterborne . . . . . . 14 Richland CC to Offer Collision Repair Tech Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SAFECars Educational Symposium is May 30–31 in Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sisk - A Big Month for ASA-Midwest . . . . 10 ‘Sound cannons’ May Eventually Blast Missouri Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 State Farm to Raise Rates in IL. . . . . . . . . 12 U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, Visits Body Shop, Talks Minimum Wage . . 1 Update on Shops’ Accusations of Insurers’ Collusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What Do You Do When You’re Put Between an Underground Fire and a Radioactive Superfund Site?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 WI Social Media Protection Act Signed By Governor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Check Us Out on
Indexof Advertisers
Contents
Serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 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. ©2014 Adamantine Media LLC.
Autobody News
Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018; (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com Email: news@autobodynews.com
Adhesive Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 45 BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 28 Bolt Buster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Buske L.L.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 CCC Information Services . . . . . . . . 2 Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA). . . . . . . . . . . 11 Charles Gabus Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Chief Automotive. . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 19 Chrysler on Nicholasville . . . . . . . . . 9 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Dent Tools Direct USA . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Equalizer Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . . 14 Erhard BMW of Bloomfield Hills . . . 39 Erhard BMW of Farmington Hills . . 39 Ganley Auto Group, Inc . . . . . . . . . 24 GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . 35 Graham Auto Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Griffin Automotive Group . . . . . . . . 29 Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21 Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers . 41 Jake Sweeney BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Jake Sweeney Chevrolet . . . . . . . . 33 Kia of Des Moines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Kia Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . 47 Laurel Auto Group of Westmont . . . 31 Lexus Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 43 Loaner & Rental Insurance by Northland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Malco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 43 Mercedes-Benz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Mitsubishi Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 23 Morrison’s Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . 10 NACE/CARS Expo & Conference . . 27 Rare Parts, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Reliable Automotive Equipment, Inc . 12 SATA Spray Equipment . . . . . . . . . 25 Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15 Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 34 Toyota of Des Moines . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Toyota of Grand Rapids . . . . . . . . . 32 Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 41 Valspar Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 West Bend Mutual Insurance . . . . . 16
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 3
Ohio Anti-Steering Legislation Scheduled for First Hearing Before Committee
The Ohio House of Representatives Insurance Committee held its first hearing April 28 on House Bill 526 (HB 526) that seeks to prohibit insurers from requiring a vehicle be repaired by a specific repair facility, or make a recommendation without first being asked for one by the consumer. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Matt Lynch (primary) and Robert Hagan (cosponsor) has been placed on the agenda of the Insurance Committee for its first hearing before the committee. House Rules require the sponsor of a bill or resolution to appear at least once before the committee considering the bill or resolution unless he or she has been excused from appearing by the committee chairperson or the Speaker of the House. Lynch reportedly was inspired to introduce the legislation after hearing from an auto body repair shop owner in his district. The repair shop was dropped from an insurer’s list of “preferred providers” after telling his customers that they have “the right to request the companies pay for factory parts,” according to a local report. “He got kicked off the [DRP] list because he’s being honest to his customers,” Lynch said, according to the report. “With this bill, there won’t be
‘Thriving in a Consolidating Marketplace’ Events: IN & IL
Collision Systems and 1Collision Network announced two “Thriving in a Consolidating Marketplace” workshops, will take place at the Wingate by Wyndham in Indianapolis, IN, on June 10th, 2014 and Chicago, IL, on June 12th, 2014 at the Holiday InnRolling Meadows. The program is designed for dealer, single and multiple location collision shop owners, managers, and marketing staff who are interested in discovering new ways to thrive in a consolidated, DRP, web, social, and mobile world. Attendees will be introduced to strategies, tactics, and technology that will help them be more successful in gaining market share, and competing with the regional and national chains. Attendees will also learn how they can use the latest sales, marketing, customer retention and referral technologies and techniques to capture, service and retain more customers, revenue and profit in a consolidating marketplace. Attendees will receive 14 credits from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) toward their Accredited Automotive Manger Designation (AAM). Registration is $179.00 until registration closes June 5th.
any preferred lists and the policy has to clearly state one way or another whether you get these aftermarket parts of factory-approved parts.” HB 526 would enact Section 3937.381 of the Ohio Revised Code as follows: ● No insurer shall require a claimant on an automobile insurance policy to have the claimant’s vehicle repaired at a particular repair shop or by a particular person. ● No insurer shall recommend or suggest that repairs of the claimant’s vehicle be completed at a particular repair shop or by a particular person unless the claimant requests such a recommendation or suggestion. ● A violation of this section is an unfair and deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance under sections 3901.19 to 3901.26 of the Revised Code. The legislation is similar to measures enacted in a few other states that prohibit insurance companies from requiring repairs be made a specific collision repair shop, while providing them with the ability to make a recommendation to a customer that would like one from the insurer. Missing, however, is a common requirement for customer disclosure that they have a right to choose a repair facility. Continued from Cover
Ohio Senate Bill
ASA has been supportive of this bill since its inception. ASA-Ohio worked with Uecker and the mechanical repair industry in Ohio to create the legislation that is currently before the Ohio Senate chamber. It is important to note that S.B. 232 does not require additional licensure, it simply ensures that legitimate businesses face fair competition. It also provides more information to the consumer, protecting them from unfair business practices. ASA encourages Ohio’s mechanical repairers to go to the ASA legislative website, www.TakingTheHill .com, to send a letter to the Ohio legislature in support of S.B. 232.
Promote your business with an exclusive article featuring your products or services.
Call for details!
800-699-8251
4 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
SAFECars Educational Symposium is May 30–31 in Illinois The SAFECars Educational Symposium will be held at the Schaumberg Convention Center in Schaumberg, Illinois. The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Illinois (AASPI) is hosting this two day event. SAFECars: One Voice—Collision Repairers for Consumer Choice, is a network of collision industry and legal professionals who abide by this mission: “To provide a resource for collision training and business skills so every consumer can receive a proper repair by a shop with the knowledge necessary to be paid for all the parts and procedures required for the repair.” The line up of speakers highlighting the two day event include: ● Jim Hood- Mississippi Attorney General and President Elect of the National Association of Attorneys General ● John Eaves Jr, Attorney at Law, Jackson, Mississippi, John Moseley, Clinton Body Shop, Clinton, Mississippi , Ray Gunder, Gunder’s Auto Center, Lakeland, Florida and Brent Geoghan, Attorney at Law, Lakeland, Florida will give details regarding lawsuits that have been filed throughout the country, starting in Missis-
sippi. Eaves Jr’s message is clear, “in today’s world, the collision repairer’s ability to complete a proper repair, in spite of insurer intrusiveness to control costs, is at startling proportions.” ● Patrick McGuire, Attorney at Law, Chicago, Illinois, a respected advocate of collision repairers ● Gary Wano Jr, G.W. Wano and Sons Collision Repair, Oklahoma City, will introduce ‘Manufacturer’s Certification Expense’ ● Ford Motor Company introduces the new aluminum 2015 F-150 ● Desmond Clark, former tight-end for the Chicago Bears ‘What it means to have a great coach and mentor.’ ● Michael E. Thornton, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient – Navy Seal Team One “The team is above self—always” The complete agenda and registration is available online. AASP Illinois President Jeff Kallemeyn, 4th generation owner of Kallemeyn Collision in Lemon, IL, and Association Board Member Bill Byrne, America’s Auto Body are organizing this event along with John Mosely and the Mississippi Collision Repair Association.
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 5
Automechanika Chicago Coming in April 2015
The North American automotive aftermarket is getting another dedicated trade show. Messe Frankfurt G.m.b.H. is planning the inaugural Automechanika Chicago for April 24-26, 2015, at Chicago’s McCormick Place, and then hold the show biennially thereafter. Frankfurt, Germany-based Messe Frankfurt is partnering with Advanstar Communications Inc., the Santa Monica, CA-based trade show organizer and trade magazine publisher. The organizers are claiming Automechanika Chicago will be the largest U.S. trade show dedicated to high-end technical training and management classes for automotive technicians and shop owners. The organizers are hoping to leverage the Automechanika brand with Advanstar’s Motor Age and Auto Body Repair Network automotive publications for the service repair and collision repair segments. “Our combined experience in launching successful events only strengthens our ability to service this untapped niche within the automotive aftermarket industry,” said Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt, at a press conference in Chicago May 1 to announce the event. Michael Johannes, brand man-
ager of Automechanika, said the show’s shop-friendly environment “will allow visitors, from technicians to shop owners, to really get a feel for the new product offerings through the various demonstrations, management seminars and technical training sessions.” The organizers and the city of Chicago are hoping to attract 20,000 attendees, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said at the press conference. The organizers said they selected Chicago for its central location good access to road and air transport network. In announcing the show, the organizing partners noted the U.S. automotive aftermarket has grown on average more than 3.4 percent annually of late, fueled by an aging vehicle population where the average vehicle age is 11.4 years. “Automechanika Chicago will be designed specifically for shop owners and technicians as we seek to make it the largest training event ever produced in the U.S. marketplace,” said Chris DeMoulin, Advanstar Auto Group’s executive vice president. Advanstar Communications has a portfolio of more than 50 trade shows, 100 conferences, 30 publications and 200 electronic products and websites.
Richland CC to Offer Collision Repair Tech Program
Starting this fall, Richland Community College in Decatur, IL, will be offering degree programs in two growing industry fields, namely Collision Repair Technology and Diesel Medium/ Heavy Truck Technology. “Technology is changing, jobs are changing, and there is a huge, huge need for workers with advanced skills and certifications in these areas,” said Jack Adwell, dean of business and technology at Richland. “People going into these industries can be pretty assured that it is not going to be that hard to find a job.” For the local area, the projected employment growth for automotive body repairers from 2012 to 2022 is 13.27 percent, just above the national projection of 13 percent, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment growth for diesel technicians and mechanics is projected to be 8.7 percent for the area and 9 percent nationally. Adwell said average industry growth is about 6 percent. The growing demand comes, in part, from the aging work force in both fields as the majority of laborers are in their low-to-mid 50s, he added. “In five to 10 years, they are looking to lose a massive part of the work force because of retirement, and that could leave a huge gap in our em-
ployment,” he said. The courses in both programs are designed to follow the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation standards, and Adwell expects both programs to receive NATEF accreditation by next spring. Both will be located in the Workforce Development Institute, a 45,000 square-foot building that will house the college’s auto body, auto technology, diesel technology and building trades programs along with a fitness and wellness center. The institute is a part of a $16million project that includes building additions and renovations. Construction began in April 2013, and Adwell said they hope to start moving program equipment into the building in early June. Robyn McCoy, executive director of Workforce Investment Solutions, expects the area to see job growth in the warehousing industry and transportation industry logistics sector. The center served about 30,000 job seekers last year and spent more than $600,000 in wage reimbursements during the last two years. As an incentive for employers, the center can reimburse up to 50 percent of an employee’s wage for up to 13 weeks.
6 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Cable-Dahmer Investments Pay Off with GM Customer Service Award Helped by 18,000 sq ft Collision Center
General Motors Co. awarded CableDahmer Buick GMC Cadillac in Independence the Cadillac Master Dealer award.
the former Broome Cadillac building into a 18,000-square-foot collision repair center, freeing up space for additional repair bays at its dealership operations in Independence. It enabled the company to expand its maintenance and repair capabilities, leading to better customer service. “The Cable-Dahmer group has owned this franchise for less than two years, and it has been one of our goals to go above and beyond customers’ expectations,” General Manager Dan Boyer said in a release. “I think this award beCable-Dahmer Auto Group Inc.’s renovations to longs to the entire staff that dedicreate anp18,000-square-foot collision repair cated themselves to making this center help it garner a big national award from happen.” General Motors Co.
The award recognizes dealerships that consistently demonstrate the highest level of customer service. Less than 7 percent of dealerships nationwide win the award, according to James Dornbrook, reporting for the Kansas City Business Journal. Cable-Dahmer acquired Broome Cadillac in August 2012, then merged it into Galen Boyer Buick/GMC, which it bought about the same time. It then invested $2.2 million to convert
Promote your business with an exclusive article featuring your products or services.
Call for details!
800-699-8251
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 7
Gerber Collision & Glass Opens New Shop in Illinois
The Boyd Group Inc. has announced the opening of a new location in Mundelein, Illinois. The repair center is approximately 15,700 square feet, it was previously operated under the name of Performance Restoration and Collision Center and now operates under the Gerber Collision & Glass trade name. “We are pleased to have established this additional location as it will help us better serve customers in the northern Chicago suburban market,” said Tim O’Day, President and COO of the Boyd Group’s U.S. operations. “This regional concentration strengthens brand recognition and grows our market share by increasing repeat traffic and referrals. We anticipate several further additions to our portfolio and are on track to meet our targeted growth rate of 6 to 10% through single store-additions.” Boyd Group Operates in 15 U.S. states under the trade names Gerber Collision & Glass (http://www.gerbercollision.com), Hansen Collision and Collision Revision.
Grassy Auto Parts Joins Up with Team PRP
Grassy Auto Parts, located in West Liberty, Kentucky, is the newest automotive recycler to join with the Team PRP nationwide network of recyclers. This current addition increases the Team PRP membership to an 139 locations across the country. In addition to their primary location in West Liberty, Grassy owns two additional locations: Bluegrass Auto Parts is located in Lexington, Kentucky and Auto Parts Outlet is found in South Charleston, West Virginia. Between 3,000 and 5,000 vehicles are kept at these locations, and close to 50 employees work with the company. “Grassy Auto Parts has an excellent reputation in the Kentucky and West Virginia area as a highquality, customer service oriented auto parts recycler,” commented Charlie Martin, Team PRP’s North American Regional Director. “Their business model aligns well with the vision and high standards of the Team PRP organization. The addition of their three stores extends coverage for the Kentucky and West Virginia repair community.” First opened in 1959 the company is now run by Tim Keller and his daughter, Kristin Allen.
8 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Indiana Autobody Association Calls Vendors to Action
IABA has released the following statement: Parts Vendors are aware of the litigation shops are getting involved with across the Nation, but you may not be aware of another litigation that is a National Class Action against the damages Parts Trader, APU Solutions, any other mandated parts procurement program, and State Farm and others requiring their usage has caused vendors on and off the program ? Last year when mandated parts procurement programs came into the industry, we knew there would be those damaged in many ways, but since it had not happened yet, there were only anticipated damages. That is now changed, and many have been damaged. A National Class Action litigation is in process, and any vendor regardless if they are currently on one of the mandated parts procurement programs or not, may be part of it. Even suppliers that the intentions of State farm has not reached you, Glass, Paint & Materials, Towing, PDR, etc. should look at this litigation as a prevention tool as well. Contact Marvin Windham, Benchmark Chrysler, at: (205) 3685206 to learn more. See cover story.
Madisonville, KY, Shop is Rebuilding After Fire
Employees at Hawkins Auto Body at 77 Bassett Avenue in Madisonville, KY, said they’ve made major repairs from the fire that ripped through their office space and parts building March 25. Employees say most of the business wasn’t impacted by the fire, but crucial computer systems and car parts did have to be replaced. Roofing crews replaced sheeting and employees say they’re surprised day-to-day operations were not affected. They should be moved back into the renovated office space in about two weeks.
Max E. Casad, 60, of DeWitt Passes Away Unexpectedly
Max Edward Casad was born July 12, 1953, in DeWitt, IA, to Glen and Delora (Wilms) Casad of Wheatland, Iowa. At an early age, Max learned the auto body trade from his father, who owned and operated Wheatland Auto Body. Max went on to become the owner and operator of DeWitt Auto Body and Casad Towing. Max believed in giving back to the community and supporting local business and gave selflessly, including being an organ donor.
New DARE Car’s Paintjob Unveiled in Rothschild, WI
BRB Auto Body owners Bill Yach, front from left, his brother Randy, and nephew Taylor; Rothschild police officer Jeff Zwicky, back left, and Rothschild Police Chief Jeremy Hunt pose with the new DARE car at BRB Auto Body in Rothschild. Perfect Upholstery, Loren’s Auto Body, Carquest, Pomp’s Tire, Broadway Ford and Andy’s Towing contributed to the effort.
A new tool added to the arsenal in the fight against drug abuse is attracting plenty of attention as it travels down the streets of Rothschild, WI, according to the Wausau Daily Herald’s Shereen Siewert. The 1996 Ford Crown Victoria has been transformed from a black and white squad car to a brightly painted, rolling advertisement for the community’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or DARE, program. The new DARE car replaces a 1992 Isuzu Rodeo used by DARE officers during the past several years.
ON Nicholasville
“The kids are really paying attention to it,” said Rothschild Police Officer Jeff Zwicky, who teaches the DARE curriculum to about 200 students each year. “It’s great to see the kids get so excited about the DARE program. By drawing attention to the program, kids are more likely to want to get involved.” Rothschild Police Chief Jeremy Hunt said the makeover on the squad car was a two-year project made possible through the generosity of several Rothschild businesses that donated supplies and manpower. BRB Auto Body technicians designed and completed the exterior repair, while the interior was transformed at Perfect Upholstery. “Anybody that knows anything about vehicles can just imagine how much time and materials it takes to have an award-winning paint job as the one we have on this vehicle,” Hunt said. The DARE program, offered to fifth-grade students at three Rothschild schools, aims to prevent drug abuse by teaching students how to resist peer pressure and learn to say “no” to drugs. The program, which is offered at select schools nationwide, focuses on building self esteem and healthy social skills, Zwicky said.
‘Sound cannons’ May Eventually Blast Missouri Drivers
Missouri lawmakers were somewhat surprised when a strange concept arose at a joint House-Senate conference committee on the fiscal year 2015 budget. They were even more surprised by the evasive answer the Missouri Department of Transportation provided. Senate Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, said constituents called him about these “Long Range Acoustic Devices,” or LRADs, and he read an article about them. In essence, they blast loud warnings at oncoming traffic, ordering drivers to slow down. Schaefer and other lawmakers on the committee had never heard of these devices, which are also used by police and military personnel to disperse protests and deter pirates. When department officials were called up for questioning, they danced around the topic. First, they had never heard of “sound cannons.” Then, they didn’t know how many they had. Then, they weren’t sure how much they cost. “The evasive answer was troubling,” Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, said. “We are elected to hold them accountable ... If they screw up, we have to answer for them at the ballot box.”
Even after some poking and prodding, the answers were unclear. Department officials said they have one, maybe two, LRADs and that they cost about $25,000 a piece.
LRAD in use by the Navy
Department officials said they sidelined the pilot project, for now, because public perception “got out of hand.” Turns out the department officials present at the hearing were incorrect. Although MoDOT had plans of leasing a couple LRADs as part of a pilot project this summer, the equipment was unavailable, spokeswoman Holly Dentner said. Dentner said the department didn’t intend to frighten anyone and wasn’t sure if the LRADs would be used in the future. Schaefer thinks the project should remain on the sidelines for good. A driver lacking confidence might get blasted by the sound and drive into the median or another car, he said. “This seems to be a horrible idea,” Schaefer said.
KENTUCKY’S #1
CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM DEALERSHIP
NEED GENUINE PARTS? Visit Us At
ordermopar.com
We h W have them! h ! üFastest Online Parts Quote üQuickest Delivery in the Area üLarge Inventory, Lowest Prices RAM
1010 Elizabeth Street Nicholasville, KY 40356
PH 859.488.2963 FX 859.402.1094 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 9
Midwest Associations
A Big Month for ASA-Midwest with Chasidy Rae Sisk
April was quite a busy month for ASAMidwest. In addition to holding six chapter meetings, the association also celebrated two chapter kickoffs in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, following on the heels of their recent expansions into Little Rock, AR and Lincoln, NE. Executive Director Sheri Hamilton says, “ASA-Midwest is excited about the new chapters being formed… These new chapters demonstrate our expansion into four new states as we bring training, networking and mentoring programs into the reach of our members.” Both chapter kickoffs were held in conjunction with Automotive Service Industry Roundtable Events which gave ASA-Midwest leaders a chance to provide industry-related information and to discuss how the association can best serve their current and future members. The Tulsa Chapter Kickoff was held on Monday, April 28 at 78:30PM at the Tulsa Technology Cen-
ter in Broken Arrow, OK, while the Oklahoma City Chapter Kickoff was held on Tuesday, April 29 at O’Reilly Auto Parts in Oklahoma City, OK. On Tuesday, April 15, three chapters held their monthly meetings. The Springfield Chapter sponsored “Supporting the Future of the Industry” at Ozark Technical College in Springfield, MO. The goal of the networking event was to introduce students seeking an automotive service career to local independent shop owners and managers. Meanwhile, the Central MO chapter met at Bandana’s BBQ in Columbia, MO for “Interior Comfort Controls Training,” presented by ACDelco. The Kansas City Chapter met at CARQUEST DC in Shawnee, KS for “Living Up to the Promise of Your Marketing: 10 tips for narrowing the gap between the experience you promise vs. the one you deliver” which was presented by Jonnie Wright, CEO of Buyosphere.
‘Top Secret’ Maaco Sign Creates Buzz Prior to Reopening at New Location on Applegrove in North Canton, OH
Craig Mullett has moved his Maaco collision repair and auto painting franchise from Jackson Township to 409 Applegrove St. NW, North Canton, OH. The news reveals what was advertised by a Top Secret sign tantalizingly placed outside the North Canton location. “We had a ‘Top Secret’ sign here in the building when we got it, and tried to do something with it. It might not be the prettiest answer, but that’s all it was ... just trying to create a buzz,” said Jared Mullett, Craig’s son and sales manager. The plan worked. The Mulletts said about 10 people a day during the week have stopped to ask what was going in the building. Craig Mullett bought the Maaco franchise after it was dormant for a year, and kept it in the Jackson Township building it had been located. “The guy who had it, had it for 30 years and it was shut down because he retired,” Craig Mullett said. “We did a reopen and kept it in the building he had because he owned it and the equipment. This was maybe the smartest thing we did. We spent the last four to five years running it, and building up capital to buy a new
building and move it here.” Mullett bought the building on Applegrove for $730,000, according to auditor records. Starting a Maaco franchise from scratch would have been much more costly than reopening one. Moving to North Canton on Applegrove, the Mulletts believe, will increase visibility and traffic. “We wanted to be in North Canton,” Craig said. “We’ve been looking to get into more of a retail space. Half of our business comes from retail. It’s great because we wanted to be a part of the North Canton community.” Craig Mullett worked in automotive software development before he got the bug to become his own boss. “I’ve always said, the rat race will survive without another rat,” Craig said.
Follow us on Twitter:
@autobodynews Accept no Substitutes!
10 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, 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.
On Tuesday, April 22, the Des Moines Chapter met at Mama Lacona’s in Urbandale, IA for “Selling the Big Ticket Training,” presented by Ken Williamson of Jasper Engines and Transmissions, and on the same night, the Lincoln Chapter of ASA-Midwest gathered at Midtown Hy-Vee in Lincoln, NE for an important update on “New OSHA Changes Impact Repair Shops Beginning December 2013.” The Little Rock Chapter discussed “The 11 Biggest Mistakes Shop Owners Make” via video training by Cecil Bullard when they met on Thursday, April 24 at Whole Hog Café in Little Rock, AR. Though having so many chapters keeps ASA-Midwest constantly moving, Hamilton knows that the association’s value is in aiding members to improve their businesses by providing the necessary knowledge to do so. “Our training events support the independent service industry for both the mechanical and collision providers.
We look forward to growing our collision membership so that we can bring additional programs into areas that will meet their specific needs. All of our ASA-Midwest chapters meet monthly, with some taking the summer months off. ASA-Midwest will bring management and technical training programs into these areas to help provide support and training to our members.” As part of their continued efforts, ASA-Midwest will be kicking off their Shop Owner Support (SOS) Groups this fall to bring small groups of shop owners together on a monthly basis. “These SOS groups are a benefit available to ASA-Midwest members and provide the mentoring, networking and accountability that many independent service providers need,” Hamilton explains. ASA-Midwest www.asa-midwest.org 816-781-5801
Huge Savings with our Lightly Used Recycled Parts! Most Makes and Models Available. • 8 Parts Specialists Standing By for Your Call • Daily Delivery to Chicago, Milwaukee & Green Bay • Specialized in GM Surplus Parts - Bumper Covers, Fenders, Hoods, Lights and Mirrors Parts Department
Call: 800.866.2277
608.884.8215 Fax Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm 6307 W. State Rd. • Edgeton, WI 53532
www.morrisonsauto.com
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 11
ASA-Michigan May Meeting
Date: Wednesday, May 20 Agenda; A business cost that occurred that potentially will decrease your net profit by over $5K for every $1M in business you do in 2014 ● Are your final invoices “State Compliant?” ● Aluminum Repair and its affect on paint materials ● ASA Michigan Website and Tools for the industry ● “How to prevent yourself from losing $5,000+(Net Profit) in 2014 versus 2013 for every $1M in Business”
State Farm to Raise Rates
State Farm, Illinois’ biggest car insurer, plans to raise its auto rates in the state by an average of 2.3 percent starting May 26, according to a filing. “Auto insurance rates in Illinois were adjusted to better reflect changing claims costs,” namely a rise in car repair costs, said Missy Dundov, spokeswoman for the Bloomingtonbased home and auto insurer. The exact price change will depend on the coverages that policyholders have, where they live, what kind of car they drive, how the car is used, and who drives it, she said.
AASP-MN Awards $15,000 in Scholarships for Minnesota-based Programs The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) awarded $15,000 in scholarships to help post-secondary automotive students pay for tuition during the 201415 school year. The scholarships are in the amount of $1,000 per student and were made possible by a successful fundraising drive within the AASPMN membership, as well as a generous donation from the Minnesota State ICAR Committee. All recipients will be entering the second year of a NATEFcertified automotive program based in Minnesota. ● Anthony Ammann, Century College, White Bear Lake Automotive Service Technology program ● Tyler Anderson, Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park – Auto Body Collision Repair program ● Courtney Bisbee, Lake Superior College, Duluth Automotive Service Technology program ● Matthew Bisbee, Lake Superior College, Duluth Auto Body Collision Repair program ● Tyler Bode, South Central Technical College, No. Mankato – Automotive Service Technology program ● Luis Garcia, Ridgewater College, Willmar Automotive Service Technology program
● Levi Gustafson, Riverland Community College, Austin Automotive Service Technology program ● Tyler Hoyles, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount Automotive Service Technology program ● Austin Rikhus, MN State Community & Technical College, Moorhead Automotive Service Technology program ● Michael Torgerson, Pine Technical College, Pine City Automotive Service Technology program ● Seth Schure, MN State College Southeast Technical, Winona Auto Body Collision Repair program ● Alex Winder, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount Auto Body Collision Repair program ● Joseph Wright, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount Auto Body Collision Repair program ● Peter Yang, Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park Auto Body Collision Repair program ● Christopher Yanish, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie Auto Body Collision Repair program Twenty-seven students from 12 schools applied for the scholarships. Applications were reviewed by a committee of industry representatives, with consideration given to scholastic
Call Now!
achievement, education and career goals, financial need and written recommendations. The scholarship awards are the centerpiece of AASP-MN’s Automotive Education Fund, which was established to provide financial resources to support automotive students, enhance automotive programs and raise awareness of career opportunities in the independent automotive service industry. The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASPMN) is an association of independentlyowned automotive service businesses and industry suppliers dedicated to improving the state’s automotive service industry and the success of its members.
The source for timely information that every body shop needs!
CALL 800-699-8251 Start Your FREE Mail Subscription.
732.495.7900
PH 58 Leonardville Road • Belford NJ 07718
Start Fixing “The Right Way” RAE is North America's premier supplier of Wielander+Schill equipment, the most globally recognized name in collision repair with the most OEM approvals. R OEM approved systems and products are the "preferred choice" for use in collision repair because the system or products have already been pre-screened by the car manufacturer.
www.raeservice.com 12 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
RAE is y o rivet g ur un source !
Continued from Cover
Shops’ Accusations
tionwide, Shelter General and Zurich American.) Pat Johnson, a Martinsville, IN, shop owner of Brothers Body & Paint next to IN 39, was cut from State Farm’s Select Service Program last November, unable to live with the its requirement that he buy vehicle parts through the online PartsTrader site instead of using his own longtime suppliers. Now Johnson says he is feeling the pain of losing business from State Farm. Revenue at Brothers Body & Paint has fallen by $100,000 so far this year from his former $2 million annual gross on repairing about 60 vehicles a month. Johnson has said he may need to cut his 12-person staff, but he’s adamant about not letting State Farm dictate his parts-buying. “They’re a force to be reckoned with. You don’t want to argue with them. But sometimes you have to stand your ground,” he said. “They trusted me for 20 years, and now I’m nothing,” Johnson said of State Farm. Johnson has repaired cars in Martinsville since 1982, said
insurers are continually expanding their lists of work they won’t fully pay for. That included no longer paying full cost for installing corrosion protection inside a bumper and doing fine sanding on body panel paint jobs, he said. “They don’t tell you not to (perform certain routine repair tasks),” Johnson said. “They just don’t pay for it. If they went to Wal-Mart, they’d pick up 10 things and they’d pay for six. That’s the way they operate,” said Johnson, who has joined the Indiana lawsuit against the insurance companies. When insurers don’t cover the full cost of repairs, “it’s such a difficult thing to pass on to a customer,” said Kevin Wells, who operates Quality Collision Inc. in Bloomington and is a plaintiff in the suit. Wells said he often just eats the cost the insurance company won’t pay. “I’m taking it in the shorts by about $6 an hour for every job I do,” Wells said. Johnson said he’d be happy if insurance companies dropped their approved-shop lists and repair mandates and paid for claims without dictating through reimbursements how body shops like his should do their job.
“I don’t tell them how to sell insurance,” he said. “All I want to do is fix cars.”
Surveys Also Point of Contention Body shops say State Farm conducts surveys of the going labor rate shops charge in a given area. The data and methodology are not disclosed, shops complain. “Shops are simply required to blindly accept State Farm’s pronouncements regarding these matters.” The insurer attempts to prohibit shops from discussing the labor rates they provide as part of the surveys, “asserting any discussion may constitute illegal price fixing.” Shops that complain the labor rate is inadequate are often told they are the only body shop in the area to say so and that they don’t conform to the “market rate.” In fact, “State Farm knew multiple shops had attempted to raise their labor rates and advised State Farm of such,” the suit alleges. The shops allege insurers have failed to abide by industry standards for auto repairs and repair-estimating databases. At the same time, many insurers pressure shops to reduce costs
by using recycled parts. But used parts like doors can require hours of additional labor to be made to fit properly and to be reconditioned. Ultimately, shops are required to either make “less than quality” repairs or suffer a financial loss. Taking shortcuts raises the specter of safety issues, but once a vehicle is repaired, it’s not easy to spot problems such as improper welds that might be hidden by seam sealer. “The guys can’t make it. It’s not that they are bad businesspeople,” said Scott Blake, of Blake’s Carstar Collision Center in LaPorte and president of the IABA. Insurers Respond The insurance companies have responded in kind in the media, defending their DRP programs as a key way to keep premiums on auto policies under control. “These lawsuits are another attempt to undermine programs insurers have put together” to hold down vehicle repair costs, said Bob Passmore, a spokesman for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, which represents insurance companies. See Shops’ Accusations, Page 17
BOLT BUSTER NO FLAME › LIGHT WEIGHT & COMPACT › SAVE TIME & MONEY
Watch the Bolt Buster in Action at:
www.boltbusterinc.com #myboltbuster
» The World’s #1 Heat Induction Tool » Bolt Buster Works In Seconds » Save Time & Money
Only
$
36999
Call Us Today: 630-762-3865
Co Kit Coil Inc Included
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 13
Ohio Leads the Nation in Metal Thefts
Ohio continues to lead the nation in metal thefts, with 1,446 insurance claims made last year, according to a new report. A National Insurance Crime Bureau report released Wednesday said the state reported more than 4,000 claims from 2011 through 2013 from homes and businesses, nearly all copper thefts. That’s about a third more claims than second-place Texas and about 40 percent more than third-place California, according to The Columbus Dispatch. The 1,446 claims last year in Ohio is about flat with the number in 2012 and up from 1,232 in 2011. Thieves have stripped sheets of metal from rooftops, stolen decorations from cemeteries, ripped apart air conditioners for the copper coils and stripped homes of wiring and piping, then sold the pieces for scrap. Mary Bonelli, spokeswoman for the Ohio Insurance Institute, says it’s hard to say why the state leads in this category, but she speculates that law enforcement agencies here may do a better job of tracking such thefts. “I don’t think there is a oneor two-sentence answer,” said Frank Scafidi, a crime bureau spokesman.
Ohio’s Buckeye Career Center Students Already Appreciate Waterborne The Buckeye Career Center vocational school in New Philadelphia was one of the first schools in Ohio to introduce the PPG Envirobase Waterborne Paint System when the program implemented it in 2012, said auto collision repair instructor Jeff Newsome. The school has already been teaching and using solvent-borne refinishing, and with the addition of a water-base
Auto collision repair program senior Zack Burley demonstrates a spraying technique on a car using the PPG Envirobase Waterborne Paint System during class. Photo: Jim Cummings
paint system, Newsome explained, it allows the students to keep up with the growing popularity of the product. “The reason we have both systems is because some shops still use the solventborne and other shops went green and went with the waterborne,” said Newsome. “Waterborne is starting
to become popular because it’s good for the environment.” The new system provides a safer learning environment for the students because the water-base paint produces fewer pollutants that can enter the air or be inhaled. But that’s not the only reason the water-base paint is being utilized. “When we clean out our paint guns, we are reusing the water to clean out the gun, so that’s cutting down on the hazardous chemicals that are being taken out,” said Newsome. “What it costs us to remove a 55 gallon drum of lacquer thinner, we’re reusing five gallons of water to clean a paint gun. It’s not costing us anything to clean it.” Newsome said that most vehicle manufacturing factories and area repair shops are already using water-based paint. “We want to stay ahead of the technology curve,” said Newsome. “We want the kids to be versatile. Whatever shop they go in, they can work with waterborne or solventborne.” Students in the program receive training with the solvent-borne system as juniors and work hands-on with the waterborne paint their senior year. Dover’s Cody Troyer, a senior at Buckeye Career Center, said he prefers working with the waterborne system. “I find that when I use (the waterborne paint), it sprays on the car a lot
easier than the solvent does,” he said. “I can spray more coats at a faster pace than solvent because it doesn’t take as long for the water base to dry.” Newsome said when comparing solventborne and waterborne, air flow is key to drying the paint. “How much air flow you have depends on how quick it dries,” he said. Troyer explained that when using solvent, a single coat will be applied, and then that layer has to dry before another coat can be added. With the waterborne, once a coat is on the vehicle, the paint gun can be used to spray air over the material to speed up the drying process. Additionally, the preparation work and technique for the waterborne system are unlike the solvent system. “For the panel prep, finer sandpaper is needed,” said Newsome. “And we’ve found that it’s better for color matching, so there’s less paint that has to be used.” Troyer said having the opportunity to learn both the waterborne and solventborne systems is advantageous to his career. “I feel it gives me a better experience,” he said. “I can go into shops and tell them I can use both types of paint.” Newsome said, “This is what keeps our students relevant and employable in an ever-changing field.”
Announces: A
2014 Third Quarter 2 Training Schedule T All Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Training Centers feature state-of-the-art teaching tools, such as iPads, to enhance the learning experience for today’s collision repair professions. Explore our robust training programs in a variety of areas designed to improve productivity and profitability. Training Center
Date
Chicago Chicago Chicago Chicago Chicago
7/15/14 7/16/14 7/17/14 7/21/14 7/21/14
Chicago Chicago Chicago Chicago
9/15/14 9/15/14 9/24/14 9/25/14
Training Course Description
Estimating Solutions for Profit Achieving Service Excellence Improving Peformance with KPI’s Color Adjustment and Blending AWX Performance Plus™ Waterborne Painter Certification Painter Certification Fleet CFR Estimating Solutions for Profit Improving Peformance with KPI’s
Number of Days
1 1 1/2 3 3 3 3 1 1/2
For more information about Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes training or other products, visit the training section at: http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/Training/TrainingCourseSchedule.aspx or call 1-800-SWULTRA (1-800-798-5872). 14 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
AASP–MN Prepares for 20th Annual Golf Outing by Chasidy Rae Sisk
On Tuesday, June 17, AASP-MN will host their 20th Annual Golf Outing at 3M’s Tartan Park, located in Lake Elmo, MN. Judell Anderson, Executive Director of AASP-MN, is “looking forward to a good event. People always enjoy it and come out to show their support.” Check-in for the four-person scramble begins at 11:30AM, and the tournament will commence at noon with a shotgun start. The cost of participation is $100 per golfer which includes greens fees for 18 holes, use of golf carts, the social hour following the tournament and eligibility to win
prizes and contests. Contests will be held for closest to the pin, longest putt, longest drive, hole-in-one and more. After golfing, attendees can enjoy a light dinner which provides networking opportunities and general fun for all, followed by an awards banquet. Anderson notes that “though attendance dropped during the recession, it has increased over the past few years, and we expect it to continue increasing this year.” In fact, AASP-MN expects over 150 shop owners, employees, vendors and insurance representatives to join them for an exciting day of golfing and socializing.
Vendors have the opportunity to sponsor a hole for $300, and AASP-MN encourages sponsors to offer contests and provisions for golfers. Although the funds raised from the golf tournament haven’t been specifically designated, AASP-MN also conducts a voluntary raffle during the event, and the proceeds from the raffle benefit the association’s scholarship fund. To register for the event, complete the registration form found on AASPMN’s website (www.aaspmn.org), and submit it to AASP of MN, 1970 Oakcrest Ave, Suite 102, Roseville, MN 55113. For questions or additional information, contact AASP-MN at 612623-1110 or aasp@aaspmn.org.
Continued from Cover
Minimum Wage
crease of $2.85. According to the proposal, upon passage the minimum wage would increase over 95 cents annually over the course of three years. “In the district I represent, we border two other states — the western part of the district borders Iowa, where the minimum wage is less and the northern part borders Wisonsin where the minimum wage is less,” she said. “So we actually think this helps level the playing field to raise it to $10.10, and we think it’s better for businesses.” Shop owner Dave Dunn, who serves on Bustos’ small business advisory council, said paying livable wages creates a better workplace culture. “It’s just a matter of dignity, people deserve a living wage,” Dunn said. “Not only do we pay above minimum wage, the least anybody would make here is $10 an hour, and then we pay time-and-a-half for overtime and have terrific benefits.” Bustos said by increasing the federal minimum wage, nearly 4.5 million Americans would move out of poverty. “If you’re working full-time you shouldn’t be living in poverty, and the reality of it right now is if you’re being paid minimum wage and working 40 hours a week, you are living in poverty,” she said. “We just think it should be better than that.”
Effingham, IL, OKs Plans for New Body Shop
The Effingham, IL, City Plan Commission okayed site plans for a new auto body repair shop May 13. The auto body repair shop, to be known as J and R Collision Centers, will be located along the west side of US Route 45, across from the Airport Road. The 11,200 square foot facility will be housed on a three-acre tract now owned by Ryan and Janet Jones. The son and father team of Jake and Roger Buhnerkempe will own and operate the business. Commission members also approved a subdivision plat of the property and recommended rezoning the parcel from non urban to light industrial, which City Building Official Bruce Devall said conforms with the zoning trend in the area. The City Council has the final say on the rezoning of the property.
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 15
Embezzlement at Body Shop Trial in Baraga County, Michigan, is Extended
Cynthia Wadaga is on trial accused of embezzling more than $20,000 from the L’Anse body shop where she worked over a two year period. Wadaga worked at First Choice Auto Body in L’Anse from June 2009 until June 2011, when owner William Ross fired her and accused her of having stolen from the business. An estimated $24,000 was taken during that time, according to reports in the Daily Mining Gazette. Testifying for the prosecution was Andrew Wallner, a certified public accountant Ross brought in to look at the company’s financial reports after he fired Wadaga. While the bottom line was the same on both the company’s Quickbooks records and the bank deposit slips, they got to the total by different ways. Less cash went to the bank, but the difference was made up by checks not reflected in the Quickbooks account. He showed examples of accounts where the cash total had been adjusted downward. “We determined that there was an issue, and Willie’s accusation that there was an issue on his books was justified, and we needed to turn it over to the officers and let them pursue it,” he said. During cross-examination, he al-
lowed for the possibility that the revisions could have come from changes in estimates for the work, records for which had not been provided to him. Wadaga’s attorney, George Hyde, also questioned Wallner about omissions and inconsistencies with the audit report from First Choice’s software. The audit report for July 2011 came in at 729 pages; the combined report for July through December was 727. Wallner said there could potentially be a difference in the printing settings, but he couldn’t say for certain without more information. Dan Larson, an employee at First Choice Auto Body since 2010, said owner William Ross had come to him with concerns Wadaga was stealing from the company. “I said, ‘Well, let’s start counting,’” he said. They tabulated the amount of petty cash in the cash box at $103. Two days later, it was at $3. Under cross-examination, Larson said the cashbox was kept in the same cabinet; both cabinet and box were locked at night. However, he did recall some instances where he was able to see the open box unsecured during the work day. Hyde asked Larson about alleged conversations with Wadaga in which
16 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
he expressed concerns that Ross was taking too much money from his business. Larson said he could not recall having such a talk, and had never had thoughts along those lines. Fraud examiner John Bengel, discussed financial inconsistencies in the First Choice records. Bengel presented transactions from towing and repair records that had been zeroed out on Quickbooks from Wadaga’s login. A June 9, 2011 repair was entered as $250.00 and voided out shortly after that. Bengel said staff had confirmed the repair work had been done. “There would be no reason to have this transaction voided from Quickbooks,” Bengel said. On numerous occasions, $100 cash deductibles were marked as paid on invoices, but no record could be found in the Quickbooks audit report. After the last of the 89 exhibits was introduced, Bengel then moved to deposits made to Wadaga’s checking account between June 2009 and June 2011. He read off the total cash and check deposits for each day, then the combined totals for each week. Wadaga is charged with embezzling less than $50,000, a 10-year felony. The trial is expected to conclude May 21, after this issue has gone to press.
Jordan, MN, Shop Owner Arrested on Meth Charges
David Michael Kepner, owner of Smash Auto Body in Jordan, MN, has been charged in Scott County District Court with first-degree drug possession and sales, a felony. According to court documents: Southwest Metro Drug Task Force commander Phil Nawrocki executed a search warrant at the business, which also includes Absolute Towing, on May 13. A pipe, loaded syringe and large wad of money was found and the pipe fieldtested positive for methamphetamine. Kepner, 48, was arrested, waived his Miranda rights, and agreed to give a statement to law enforcement. He stated that he had relapsed and started using meth again, about every five hours. He both smokes and injects the drug, he told police. He admitted he had a meth pipe, the syringe—which contained a quarter-gram of meth—and $5,140 in cash on his person when he was detained. Kepner stated that law enforcement officers could find less than 2 ounces of meth in a paint can located next to a scale. He admitted that he sells a little meth but then added that he doesn't make much money off of his sales.
Continued from Page 13
Shops’ Accusations
“The programs have been around 20-plus years, and they are timetested. People like them. They achieve desired results” to get vehicles repaired quickly by repair shops vetted by the insurer and at reasonable cost, he said. “This suit has no merit and in no way accurately describes the business relationship State Farm has with thousands of body shops across the country,” said Missy Dundov, a spokeswoman for State Farm. Dundov said State Farm built its Select Service network by listing body shops that provide warranties on their work and meet performance standards set by State Farm. But a State Farm customer is “free to choose the repair shop of his or her choice,” even if it’s not on the Select Service list, she said. When it comes to parts, Dundov said, State Farm’s “current business practice” is to pay for non-factory-made parts only in uses that don’t play a role in crash protection—unless a customer requests otherwise. If a body shop is told to install a used part, “we
rely on the repairer to inspect the part and ensure that it is of sufficient quality to repair the vehicle properly,” she said. Dundov said PartsTrader “creates a consistent approach to parts ordering,” she said, and does so “at a competitive price, as quickly as possible.” Body shops overall have had a “quite positive” reaction to the online ordering system, Dundov said. As for allegations in the lawsuit that State Farm steers customers to body shops in its Select Service network, Dundov said it’s up to customers to decide what body shop to use. A spokesman for Progressive, Jeff Sibel, said, “We are aware of the new litigation against us and believe that we can demonstrate the fairness in our claims practices at the appropriate time.” A GEICO spokeswoman, Christine Tasher, said the company won’t comment on pending litigation.
IABA Comments “There’s going to be a battle,” says Tony Passwater, executive director of the Indiana Auto Body Association, the lead plaintiff. Passwater says that
on average, insurers won’t reimburse for $550 to $750 worth of work on a typical repair job of $3,500, leaving it up to the body shop to pick up the unpaid costs. That $550 to $750 estimate of unreimbursed costs will likely be used by the body shops’ attorneys in figuring their damage claims against the insurers. Passwater said the state once had about 2,000 shops; there are now 800 to 1,000. Passwater has been promoting the lawsuit among auto body shops around the state and expects that the 24 current plaintiffs will swell by 15 to 20 in the next several months. But some shop owners, he said, are reluctant to join because “they’re concerned about any retribution the insurance companies might do.”
Plaintiff’s Attorney Eaves said he thinks the numerous lawsuits he and co-counsel are filing could eventually be consolidated in one court. He said he expects to present testimony from “whistle-blowers” who worked for insurance companies and will give evidence of collusion among companies in their business tactics.
But the litigation could be fierce, Eaves said.”We’re anticipating extensive pushback. They’re making billions of dollars by these practices and they’re not willing to give it up easily.” Even so, Eaves said, several insurance companies have approached him to ask about settling the claims to avoid lengthy litigation and a possible highstakes jury trial. “We are already in discussion with three insurance companies that are willing to discuss resolving it. I was kind of shocked. I never had a case where somebody came so quickly and wanted out.”
Des Moines, IL, Body Shop is Restoring Major Sculpture
The rainbow-painted steel rings that welcomed visitors to the former Des Moines Botanical Center have been moved to an undisclosed location until the team at Scotty's Auto Body can fix them up. The sculpture, called "Spectral Liberation," was designed by the German artist Christiane Martens and installed in 1984. The whale-ribcage-y sculpture will be reinstalled, with a fresh paint job, when the weather warms up at the newly expanded Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
L.L. L.L.C.
Buske is wholly committed to supplying products with value; consistently superior to that of our competition. We believe this commitment will allow us to maintain our position as a quality leader in our industry, thereby enabling us to be recognized as the preferred supplier by those we serve. This leadership position is maintained by making quality and versatility the key elements. Frame & Unibody Systems · Clamps · Plate Pullers · Chains, Hooks, Etc. Slings · Measuring Systems · Body & Body Work · Hydraulic Equipment
BEST SELLERS
Clamps Slings and Hooks
Hydraulics
Contact us today! www.buskellc.com
Measuring Systems
Pulling Systems
ph
EZ Floor Anchor
800.362.8753 fx 515.544.3713
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 17
Midwest Associations
Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, 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.
AASP-MO Hosts March and April Collision Meetings with Chasidy Rae Sisk
As usual, AASP-MO has been busy hosting meetings for their various chapters in recent months. They held four meetings in March, plus another meeting occurred in April. Executive Director Ron Reiling believes the meetings went well. “We had a nice turnout, and everyone left the meetings with great information to help them make sound business decisions... Both Enterprise and PMC Logic brought great information to our members. They provided them with the information and tools to help them improve their businesses and to aid them in becoming more efficient.” On March 12, Gateway Collision hosted a meeting at Syberg’s, located at 270 and Dorset. This chapter usually meets bi-monthly on the second Wednesday of the month. Their meeting was sponsored by Enterprise RentA-Car who also presented, and it included a roundtable discussion on various industry-related issues. They
followed this up with an additional meeting on Thursday, March 13 at 6:30PM where PMC Logic presented on their Paint and Materials Calculator. Hosted by Dave and Adam Tritz, this meeting was held at Don’s Auto Body, located at 1420 North Second Street, St. Charles MO 63301. Also on March 12, the Illinois Metro Chapter held a meeting at 6:30PM where PMC Logic presented. The meeting was hosted by Russ Hoernis and held at Hoernis Auto Body at 207 S. 20th Street, Bellville IL 62226. This group meets on the second Tuesday of every other month. The Southeast Missouri Mechanical Chapter meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, and their most recent meeting was held on March 27. On April 16, the St. Louis and St. Charles Mechanical Chapters met at Syberg’s at 6:30PM to present “What Do You Do For...”, a discussion to share
www.LoanerCarsforShops.com www.LoanerCarsforShops.co w.
Loaners or Rentals More Business
More Revenue
Don’t Send your Customers Away!
Body Shop Discount! Want to know how to start up a car rental service from om your shop? Become operational erational rational in less than a week k and an nd you only need 1 car to o start. Software and Training included. Counter Procedure Training included!
Valid through 7/31/2014
$779.00 Enrollment Fee
-$500.00 Discount Only...
$279 ENROLLMENT
Call today to request a no-obligation quote:
800-879-3433 18 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
information on how members deal with various employee-related questions, such as healthcare and uniforms. These chapters are planning a visit to Hunter Engineering on July 16 to obtain an update on the latest advancements in alignment and to tour the antique car museum. This group meets quarterly, on the third Wednesday of the month. Reiling explains the benefits of holding meetings for AASP-MO members: “our meetings provide our members with the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and provide them information they need and use in their businesses. The networking opportunities are great. The ability to know that you are not out there all alone, that you have peers who face the same problems as you do on a daily basis. It is important to provide our members with as much information as possible pertaining to the collision industry and small businesses. Better informed shops make
better business decisions that make our industry better, stronger and more unified. No one shop knows as much as all of them working together!” AASP-Missouri www.aasp-mo.org PO Bx 609 St. Charles, MO 63302
Advertise in our CLASSIFIED SECTION for $50 per column inch! Place an ad in our AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE section of Autobody News.
800-699-8251 ltedesco@autobodynews.com
Continued from Cover
Crackdown
doun had followed through on his promise to get his licensed renewed. The consumer unit checked with the Secretary of State and found the garage at 9900 Greenfield was still not licensed. Local 4’s Consumer Expert Ruth Spencer went back to the garage. The owner, once again, admitted his garage isn’t licensed, “That is true. And, I haven’t had it cause I’m selling the place,” said owner Ali Beydoun. While he told Spencer he was selling his garage, he admitted that process could take months and there is another reason he doesn’t have a license. “The reason I’m not renewing them is cause I don’t have the money to renew anything right now.” License equals consumer protection The Automatic Service Association says its important for auto repair shops to be licensed. Among other things, licensed facilities are required to have certified mechanics, trained for specific types of repairs. With unlicensed facilities, you don’t know what level of expertise you’ll receive. “People who are doing work un-
licensed are doing the consumers an injustice,” said local garage owner Larry Dragan. He proudly displays his facility’s license and the certificates of the mechanics he employs. Santana’s proposed bill has Dragan’s support, and the support of the Automotive Service Association. “We need to do this for consumers. It’s the right thing to do and it’s the time to do it,” said Ray Fisher, president of the Automotive Service Association of Michigan. “I’m just glad that Ruth to the Rescue came out and investigated this. Now we know we have an obligation to do better, now that we know more,” said State Representative Harvey Santana. How To Know If Your Garage Is Licensed Going to an unlicensed mechanic is something that could happen to anyone. Melanie Duquesnel, the CEO of the Better Business Bureau, said it’s easy to spot an unlicensed mechanic, if you know where to look. “Should be licenses on the wall with the names of the people that are going to be touching your car,” she said. If this story makes you nervous about your next trip to an auto repair shop, keep these guidelines in mind. 1) A licensed shops should have that
certification on displace, as well as licenses for the mechanics working at that garage. You should be able to see the paperwork posted in the shop. 2) You can go to the website of the Secretary of State’s office to make sure a business is licensed. 3) You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the facility has had previous complaints, and how they were handled. 4) You are always entitled to a written estimate (for repairs that cost more than $20) that will spell out the cost of parts, estimate time of repair, and cost of labor. 5) Once given a target time for completion, you should check on the status of your car before that time arrives. Most reputable garages will call you, but you should check the progress, and the repairs can take unexpected turns and you may need to authorize further expenses. 6) When in doubt, ask around and visit a garage that has glowing references from more than one person. 7) You are entitled to see parts that are removed and replaced on your car. If you’d like to do more research on car repair facilities, you can also go to the consumer website affiliated with the Automotive Service Association of Michigan.
MO’s Show Me Auto Body is Local Business of the Month
Show Me Auto Body & Restoration, 118 E. Union St., in Pacific, MO, was named the Pacific Area Chamber of Commerce April 2014 business of the month. The firm has been in business in Pacific since 1986 and considers the local community its valued customer base. However, due to its growing reputation in the field of restoration, Show Me now has customers from across the region and the United States. Owner Dave Clapper joined the firm in 1988 when it was a two-man shop with Dave Cassidy, founder, and Clapper making up the entire staff. Clapper and his wife Nancy bought the company in 2004 and immediately increased the number of direct repair insurance companies it served from two to nine and grew the shop to the current 11 employees. In addition to the usual repair bodywork that follows fender benders and hail damage, Clapper zeroed in on the quality restoration work that brought a steady stream of antique vehicle collectors to his shop. Clapper and his crew never forget that it is the customer’s vehicle and the customer’s dream they are creating.
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 19
20 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Subscribers:
The Honda and Acura Dealers Listed Here are H O NDA IL L I NOI S
K ENT UCK Y
MIS SOU RI
M IS SO UR I
Honda Superstore of Lisle
Gary Force Honda
Bommarito Honda
Ch ica go/ Sub u rbs
B ow li ng G re en
H a z e lwoo d
Jo p l in
866-874-6632
800-533-6723 270-781-8230
800-731-8270 314-731-8270
877-244-6632 417-625-0846
M-F 7-5; Sat 8-2 parts@garyforcehonda.com
M-Sat 7-6 Lrowe@bommarito.net
M, W, Thu, F 7:30-6; Tu 7:30-7; Sat 9-1 dvice@roperauto.com
M-F 7-5 hondaparts@auto-plaza.com
Schaumburg Honda Automobiles S chau mb urg
847-884-8898 847-884-6632 M-F 6:30am-Midnight; Sat 8am-5pm k.kelley@rohrman.com
M ICHI G AN
Victory Honda P ly m out h
800-824-4646 734-453-3600 M 7:30-8; Tue-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4 Karl_messer@victoryplymouth.com
IND I ANA
Ed Napleton Honda S t . P e t er s
Honda Marysville
M-Sat 7-6 gethondaparts@napleton.com
866-645-4080 937-645-4095
Frank Fletcher Honda
M-F 7:30-9; Sat 7:30-6; Sun 10-5 jrowe@hondamarysville.com
Zeigler Honda
Mi sh awak a
K al am az oo
573-818-3650
800-877-7477 574-255-2179
888-342-1678 269-585-5812
M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 gropp@fletcherauto.com
M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-2
M-Thu 7-8; F 7-6; Sat 8-4 bobsmith@zagteam.com
Frank Leta Honda
Lafa yette
800-488-3537 765-448-1000
Buerkle Honda S t . P aul
M 7:30-8; Tue-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-3 Brho.partsmgr@rohrman.com
800-592-9514 651-484-0975
Bosak Honda
M-Thu 8-9; F 8-6; Sat 8-4:30 hondaparts@buerkle.com
Hig hla nd
800-542-6725 219-922-3102
Luther Hopkins Honda Ho pkin s
M 8-5; Tue 8-8 W, Thu, F 8-5; Sat 8-4 davepropeck@bosakmail.com
800-328-6016 952-908-8585
Honda of Fishers
M-Thu 7-9; F 7-6; Sat 8-4 tim.lewis@hopkinshonda.com
888-680-6025 636-336-5003
800-806-6404 317-299-3723
Richfield-Bloomington Honda
M-F 8-6 honda-west@att.com
R ichf ie ld
800-328-2703 612-866-8197
Jay Honda Be d ford
800-509-9057 440-786-3363 M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4 jayhondaparts@gmail.com W IS CO NSI N
M-F 7-6; Sat 7-5 hondaparts@frankleta.com
Russ Darrow Honda
Honda of Tiffany Springs
888-318-1671 414-586-5401
K a ns a s C it y
800-875-3911 816-452-3221 M-Thu 7-7; F-Sat 7-6 parts@hondaoftiffanysprings.com
Mungenast St. Louis Honda S t . L ou is
F ish er s
M a r ys vi l le
C o lu m bi a
S t . L ou is M INNE SO TA
OHIO
800-875-4190 636-928-4400
Basney Honda
Bob Rohrman Honda
Roper Honda
800-233-1288 314-487-5112 Wholesale Hours: M-F 7-5 www.stlouishonda.com
M i lwa u ke e
M-F 7-6; Sat 7-4; Sun 8-4 hondaparts@russdarrow.com
Wilde Honda Wa u ke sh a
800-526-3209 262-542-9300 M-F 7-9; Sat 8-4 wildehondaparts@gmail.com
For more collision info, go to: collision.honda.com airbagaware.honda.com crashrepairinfo.com
M-Thu 6:30-9; F 6:30-5:30; Sat 6:30-5 parts@rbhonda.com
ACU R A OH IO
IL LI NO I S
ILLINOIS
ILLINO I S
Columbia Acura
Acura of Libertyville
C in c i nn at i
Li be r ty v il le
Continental Acura of Naperville
800-654-3553 513-530-0698
847-680-7333
C hic a go / Su bur b s
866-475-9280
M-F 7:30-6; Sat 7:30-4 kmilz@acuralibertyville.com
888-711-1506 630-960-2175
M 7-5; Tue-F 7-6 Sat 8-3 mcavallini@woodfieldacura.com
M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-12 columbiaparts@mail.com IND I ANA
Arlington Acura in Palatine
Ed Martin Acura
P a l a ti n e
I n d ia n ap ol i s
800-991-8438 847-991-9005
888-812-1269 317-706-1933 M 8-8; Tue-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 testridge@edmartin.com
M-W 7:30-7:30; Thu-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-3 aaip.partsmgr@rohrman.com
M-F 7-5:30; Sat 8-4 bobw@conacura.com
McGrath Acura of Morton Grove M or to n Grove
847-470-2309 M-F 7-9; Sat 8-6 acparts@mcgrathag.com
Muller’s Woodfield Acura Hof fm an Es t ates
MIN NE SO TA
Buerkle Acura Minn eapolis
800-717-3109 763-488-1122 M, F 7-5:30; Tu-Thu 7-7; Sat 7:30-4 acuraparts@buerkle.com
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 21
Lean Operations
The Process of Winning with David Luehr
In my first article for Autobody News, I’m going to write about winning. That sounds simple, you might think, but there’s a problem: Everything you know about winning is wrong. The moment of triumph, the congratulations, and the final score—those are the basic components of winning? Right? Wrong! If this surprises you, you are not alone. Until I learned the true secret to winning, I thought I knew all about the subject. I was totally wrong. I had a lot to learn. Now I’ve discovered the real sources of success, in both business and sports. Have you ever repaired a picky relative’s vehicle? Let’s say Aunt Patty’s new SUV. If you have, you know that no matter how hard you try to make everything perfect, she’s going to find fault with something. Either the color won’t precisely match, or a taillight will fail to work, and with your very particular Aunt Patty, no job is ever done on time. I’ve never liked working for people I’m close to—relatives, neighbors, or friends. No matter how good the work is, they always seem to want something more, often something that’s indefinable. It’s one of those situations where no one wins. So why is it that the jobs we fuss over the most give us the biggest headaches? Why can’t we win when it counts? Maybe we care too much.
Outcome thoughts vs. Process thoughts I know a little about tennis and a lot about body shops. Sometimes what works in one works in the other. One day my tennis coach told me the chief obstacle to improving my game was the fact that I care too much. “Care too much?” I asked. “Are you serious?” “Yes,” he said, “I am. You care too much about winning. When you start to play, you get so emotional that you can’t look at what you’re doing objectively.” It turned out I was having “outcome thoughts.” As I competed against my opponent on the other side of the net, my mind was on my hoped-for victory. I saw my last shot hitting just out of my opponent’s reach, and imagined him congratulating me at the net with a handshake. My thoughts weren’t fo-
David Luehr is the owner of Elite Body Shop Solutions, LLC, a collision business consulting firm based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a 30 year veteran of the collision repair industry. David is an expert in Body Shop Operations and specializes in Lean, and Theory of Constraints methods. Email him at dluehr@msn.com
cused on what it would take to get there.
Scoreboards Scoreboards aren’t just for fans. They help players too, especially after complicated actions. Once the confusion is over, the scoreboard tells them where things stand. However, if we allow our minds to get too wrapped up in the scoreboard data, we lose sight of the game right in front of us. If we always focus on the results posted on scoreboard, we’re ignoring what we need to do to win. At Nick Saban’s University of Alabama football program, throughout the season the coaching staff and players don’t talk about the National Championship, but they’ve won it three times in the last five years. How? Each Crimson Tide player and coach asks: What do I need to accomplish right now to dominate the competition? They know that you don’t earn the championship on the day of the championship game. You win it through a process of preparation that takes years. When we fail to prepare and execute at the body shop we invite all those hectic Fridays, when everything goes wrong. Why? Because we didn’t properly prepare on Monday and Tuesday. If we had, those Fridays would be easy. In the collision repair business, we hold ourselves accountable, using a system of Key Performance Indicators. These include Profitability, CSI, Cycle Time, Alternative Parts Usage, and many others. A good shop manager understands these metrics. A great manager always executes the tasks required to consistently reach the metrics. This isn’t something you do once in a while. In the collision repair business winning comes from the same basic principles as those found in tennis or football: constant attention to disciplined preparation and following the right process. Scoreboard-based compensation Companies that rely on results-based compensation systems need to examine these carefully. Results-based compensation is popular because it seems fair: workers get paid on the basis of the results they produce. However some companies don’t, won’t, or can’t
22 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
measure results accurately, and sometimes they measure the wrong things, or fail to measure the right ones. This can lead results-based systems that create motivational “silos” that can damage your business globally. For instance, if your company’s “scoreboard” holds people accountable for Alternative Parts Usage, pressure to perform well on that could have a negative impact on Quality, Cycle Time, or CSI. It’s something you must watch out for. What might work better would be a program that rewards consistent quality in employees’ performance as they follow processes designed to ensure that work is done to a high standard. If their work follows a good process, and measures up to the best standards, results will usually take care of themselves.
Three Elements of Winning Big MSO consolidators, like ABRA, Caliber, and Gerber, know that fast, profitable growth comes from consistent, predictable positive results, one job after another. This is the only way to create secure relationships with insurers and customers. These companies also understand the staffing and training requirements for rapid and sustained growth. What winning principles do these industry giants follow? PROCESS, TRAINING and INSPECT WHAT YOU EXPECT. Their winning ways are based on a written process that produces consistent, predictable results. They train their people to follow the process, then they constantly check to make sure this discipline is followed day after day. Process, alone, isn’t enough. It must be accompanied by periodic testing. Shops that don’t implement PROCESS, TRAINING and INSPECT will struggle; most will fail.
Process If you’ve ever watched the best golfers, you’ve seen them go through their “routines” just before hitting the ball. This routine is settling, and helps the golfer build confidence. Doing it every time also encourages a player’s consistency. Most start behind the ball, lining up the shot. Many golfers take a few practice swings. This is followed by visualization, and finally execution with-
out tension or hesitation. One thing this does is to keep the golfer from allowing emotions to rule. The golfer has a strategy, and a proven process. The golfer who does this every time will avoid choking, and will live up to his or her potential. Almost everything in life is a process. Most of us have a morning routine: getting up, eating breakfast, going out the door. It gets us to work on time. Fixing cars is no different. Every shop has a process, whether they know it or not—but some have very poor processes. Many processes are outmoded, while others were flawed from the start. Many shops have good processes, but don’t consistently follow them. I’ve worked with organizations that had stale old policies created for situations that no longer existed—yet the policies went on and on. Such “sacred cows” must be slaughtered! In lean thinking circles, many of us have been involved in Value Stream Mapping. This is a detailed analysis, and “mapping out,” of a shop’s current processes. It looks at what goes into a process, how it works, and the value of the result. It forces the shop leadership to examine each task and method to see if these provide customers with the value they are willing to pay for. Value Stream Mapping should help the shop’s staff identify those tasks and methods necessary for a good process. Most shops I’ve worked with had fragmented processes, each for a different area. These betray a lack of unity and direction. They often conflict with one another. This creates a disconnect between the administrative processes of the business, and the work processes used on the shop floor. This leads to poor communication, unnecessary delays, poor quality and upset customers. Any good administrative workflow process begins with the proper flow of dependent events in the system. Quality control must be built into the process, so, at each stage, the recipients get a product that meets all quality standards. A good process should: 1. Produce consistent, predictable results every time. See Process of Winning, Page 26
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 23
On Creative Marketing
Tom Franklin has been a sales and marketing consultant for fifty years. He has written numerous books and provides marketing solutions and services for many businesses. He can be reached at (323) 871-6862 or at tbfranklin@aol.com. See Tom’s columns at www.autobodynews.com under Columnists > Franklin
What’s In A Name? Possibly The Success Of Your Shop! with Thomas Franklin
Recently the president of the local Autobody Association Chapter renamed his shop. It had been J & L Body Shop for many years, but he chose to rename it Fix Auto, Sun Valley. Obviously he chose this name to reflect a relatively new relationship with the Fix Auto organization. But there may have been a deeper reason for the renaming. When all a prospective customer has to judge a shop is the name, a name like J & L really says nothing about the nature or quality of the shop. And this shop name is typical of many shop names that just reflect the owner’s name or names. But even those shops that intend to convey some degree of quality in their name -- like Elite Auto Body, Precision Auto Body, Superior Auto Body, Supreme Auto Body, Ace Auto Body, etc. -- are so commonplace they are no longer noticed. The effect can be the exact opposite of what was intended. Ideally you need to create a name with a trademark image that no one can ever mistake as someone else’s! And that image has to convey quality and uniqueness at a single glance -- not an easy task. First of all, recognize your own uniqueness. Every human is different. We have unique fingerprints and voiceprints. Your shop also has at least one unique characteristic. There is at least one thing that your shop does a little different (and hopefully a little better) than most shops around you. Find a way to emphasize that. You don’t necessarily need to change the name of your business, but you do need a sub-title, a slogan that strongly announces some specialty that is uniquely yours. Some shops specialize in a particular make of vehicle.
Identifying their specialty is easy. They can announce: “We are masters of Jaguar repair” or “Porshe repair” or “Volvo repair.” Others may focus on being “Paint Matching Specialists” or “Excelling in Perfect Restoration.” Shops that are already successful may not need much more, but those with no recognizable image need to be doubly creative. While actually changing the name of your body shop may be a more radical move than is necessary, it could also be a very powerful marketing action if a name with exceptional drawing power is selected. A few body shops in the Los Angeles area have names that suggest certain characteristics. One shop, for example, is named “Car-tique,” an obvious adaptation of “boutique” which suggests a small but elite type of shop. Another body shop was named “Picasso,” obviously a reference to the famous painter and an implication that this shop specializes in fine paint work. One shop in the Marina area was called the “Insurance Collision Center,” a direct reference to their primary source of work. “Country Club Auto Body” in Mission Hills would seem to be catering to affluent customers (or “wanna be” affluent customers). A shop that emphasizes service might want to choose a name like “Red Carpet Auto Body,” that says to a prospect, “Come to our shop and we’ll roll out the red carpet for you.” A name of this kind also provides some immediate ideas for decor. In his “The Guerrilla Marketing Handbook,” Jay Levinson has a number of good suggestions on name selection that might apply to body shops. For openers he discourages seeking advice from friends, family and other casual
Advertise in our CLASSIFIED SECTION for $50 per column inch! Place an ad in our AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE section of Autobody News.
800-699-8251
ltedesco@autobodynews.com
24 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
bystanders. He notes that names selected by committees are “usually losers.” He suggests instead making a list of the qualities your business emphasizes, with an eye to incorporating a key quality in the name of your shop. Some examples might include “Speedy,” “Reliable,” “Fearless,” “Flawless,” “Professional,” or “Jiffy.” Jay also cautions against the word “International,” a name is so frequently used, it gets lost in the shuffle. It takes up six full columns in one Business White Pages alone! Some marketing research done many years ago turned up the fact that people were unusually attracted to the word “Apple” in a business name. After that survey, there was a rash of new businesses with the word “Apple” in the name. These ranged from “Apple One Employment Agency” to “The Apple Farm” restaurant, “Apple School” and, most famous of all, “Apple Computers.” In New York I wouldn’t be sur-
prised to see a shop called “Big Apple Auto Body,” but elsewhere it may be wiser to come up with a different approach. After all is said and done, if a shop’s name is “Superior Auto Body” and the work isn’t “superior,” or even competent, no amount of namechanging is going to compensate for that liability. And if a shop’s name is “Mediocrity Plus” but the work is excellent, the name will be only a small liability. A good name or slogan is an essential part of a good “First impressions marketing strategy,” but once a prospective customer is in your shop and has experienced your fine quality of work, it will no longer matter what you call your shop. When you’ve chosen well and communicated it well, your “trademark image” will be indelibly branded on the minds of both customers and prospective customers and will quietly contribute to your continuing prosperity.
• Experienced personnel ready to take your call • Delivering to all of Ohio
• Experienced personnel ready to take your call • Delivering to all of Ohio
Parts Department:
Parts Department:
(440)703-1114
(888)680-6939
240 Broadway Avenue Bedford, OH 44146
250 Broadway Avenue Bedford, OH 44146
ganleyauto.com
ganleyauto.com
Northeast Associations with Chasidy Rae Sisk
Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, 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.
ABAC Legal Counselor Objects to Use of Camera Phone Photos for Estimates An alarmingly more prevalent concern in the collision repair industry is insurers’ use of camera phone photos for writing estimates. Rather than having licensed physical property damage appraisers physically inspect a vehicle after a collision, many insurance companies, including Allstate, State Farm and MetLife, are asking their customers to submit camera phone pictures of the damage, and they are using these photos to write their estimates. Attorney John Parese, who acts as legal counsel for the Auto Body Association of Connecticut (ABAC), believes “the growing trend of using camera phone pictures prior to getting a repair professional involved is illegal, unethical, and most importantly, harmful to consumers.” Furthermore, Parese notes that this practice violates the CT Unfair Insurance Practices Act (CUIPA) and potentially other consumer protection laws. As such, Parese has written to the CT Insurance Department outlining his
concerns on behalf of the ABAC, in addition to writing an article for ABAC’s member newsletter which emphasizes the possible dangers of this new habit and why he believes it should be declared unlawful. In his letter to the Insurance Department, Parese highlights portions of CUIPA that define unfair insurer practices as misrepresentations of facts and compelling insureds to settle a claim for less than the value of the repair. Though the benefits for insurers to write estimates based on camera phone photos are obvious, it creates the hazard of such estimates only capturing a fraction of the actual damage and thus encompassing only a portion of the cost to restore the vehicle to its preloss condition, and this is especially dangerous when claimants pocket the check instead of paying for the repairs, a common practice that is certain to increase when consumers believe the damage is purely cosmetic. Parese’s
concern is that “many of these vehicles are not safe to be put back on the road, and the safety of a vehicle often cannot be assessed from a camera phone picture.” Because claims are being paid based on claimant-taken photos which cannot possibly depict the full extent of damages, Parese sees this practice as “a fundamental misrepresentation of policy or third-party rights and benefits... Insurers have a legal and often fiduciary responsibility to make fair and complete payments for covered losses. This system is plainly designed to save insurers money on its own labor costs (ie. less paid appraisers) and on the amount it ultimately pays on claims (ie. calculated underpayment of claims). These savings come at the expense of consumer safety and complete reimbursement.” In his article for ABAC’s newsletter, Parese argues that using camera phone pictures to write an estimate be-
fore involving a repair professional in the process appears unethical and illegal based on CT’s unfair insurance practices law. In addition to safety and legal concerns, Parese also acknowledges that collision repair facilities suffer from this practice because they are losing work on these needed repairs that insurers are arbitrarily dismissing through the practice of writing estimates based on photos which can only capture cosmetic damages. Parese hopes that the issues he has raised will convince the CT Insurance Department to prohibit insurers from engaging in this unethical practice in his state. Unfortunately, his battle only encompasses the state of CT, and though he is unfamiliar with the laws in other states, he encourages trade associations across the country to investigate how this trend violates their state laws and to join the battle to protect consumers and the integrity of the collision repair industry.
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 25
What Do You Do When You’re Put Between an Underground Fire and a Radioactive Superfund Site? by Bill McClellan, St. Louis Post Dispatch
Sid Copeland started Northwest Auto Body in 1933. The shop was at Shreve and West Florissant avenues. John Kitchin began working at the shop in 1949. He was a World War II vet. In 1962, they moved their business to Wilborn Drive, near West Florissant and Goodfellow Boulevard. Sid Copeland started Northwest Auto Body in 1933. The shop was at Shreve and West Florissant avenues. John Kitchin began working at the shop in 1949. He was a World War II vet. He had been in the Navy. Served in the Philippines. Came home and married Helen Goellner. Started a family. He bought the business from Copeland in 1952. He did the bodywork. Helen ran the office. In 1962, they moved their business to Wilborn Drive, near West Florissant and Goodfellow Boulevard. John retired for health reasons in 1985. By then, his son, also John, was working at the shop. John Jr. was the oldest of three kids, and the only one interested in the family business. He had been working at the body shop off and on since he was 15. He took a couple of years off to pursue a career in music. He played in various bands and worked in bars and hotel lounges. He came back full Continued from Page 22
Process of Winning
2. Have simple, clear instructions, written out and accessible to everyone. 3. Flow well from resource to resource, without unnecessary delays. 4. Identify who does what. 5. Be visual—both in the operating manual and on the shop floor. 6. Be comprehensive, well-planned, and free of waste and inefficiency— and no sacred cows! 7. Be based on proven methods or best practices. 8. Be created with the customer’s, and the employee’s happiness in mind. 9. Be created with the input and buy-in of the entire organization.
Training In business and in sports, you may know the process, without knowing how to use it. Great athletes spend endless hours practicing, and perfecting their craft. These athletes know without the right preparation, they won’t be able to win. But they also know they must execute. If they can’t apply all that preparation to the game
time to the body shop in 1974 when he was 25. He was 36 when he took over the shop. The neighborhood was deteriorating. John Jr. began looking for another location. He found one on St. Charles Rock Road. In 1992, he moved to 12990 St. Charles Rock Road. The new site was next to the West Lake Landfill, and not far from the Old St. Charles Bridge. Traffic was steady. Then the bridge closed. Traffic slowed. Also, a new landfill opened behind the shop. That was the Bridgeton Landfill. It was a problem because dirt would blow down from the landfill and clog the air filters of the booths in which the repaired cars were painted. But the real problems were just beginning. In 2010, elevated temperatures were discovered in gas extraction wells on that second landfill. Laypeople call it an underground fire. Technically, it is not a traditional fire, but a chemical reaction that produces high temperatures. Whatever you want to call it, it is moving underground from the Bridgeton Landfill toward the West Lake Landfill, which is the depository of illegally dumped radioactive waste. Last year, the attorney general said the fire was 1,000 feet from the radioactive waste. Estimates were that the underground fire would hit the waste in
itself, then what good is it? This is also true when dealing with collision repair customers. Though you may know how to prepare an estimate, can you sell the job to the customer? Do the people on the floor know how to apply the process to the work? Have they been trained to do this? Remember, just because you give someone has an SOP manual, doesn’t mean he or she will be able to do every job in it. They might need a few lessons! These lessons come in various forms: I-CAR and other outside training services, in-house or on-the-job training, videos, workshops etc. Make sure your people have a deep understanding of how the processes work, and give them all the tools they need to execute successfully.
Inspect What You Expect Testing and auditing are the “secret sauce” that brings it all together. I’ve seen many improvement initiatives fail, even in some organizations that had great people. Despite the dedication and effort that went into them, in most cases these initiatives failed, partially or fully, within a few months. Most often they fail because they neglect
26 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
one to three years. So these are the body shop’s closest neighbors. Next to the body shop on St. Charles Rock Road is the West Lake Landfill. Walk along the road and you can see the fence with the yellow signs warning of radioactive waste. Just behind the body shop is the Bridgeton Landfill. It is easy to stand in the yard of the body shop and imagine where the underground fire will come in contact with the radioactive waste. Not ideal for selling a business. John Jr. is now 65. “This is my retirement,” he said as he showed me around the business. By the way, he has 12 full-time employees, including his son, John Kitchin III. He’s 39. He has worked at the body shop since he was a teenager. He’d like to work something out with his father, and keep the business going. But not at its present location. He worries that they’re losing business. That’s iffy, of course. “You can’t measure the people you don’t get (because of your location),” John III said. It could be the economy and the fact that people are worried about the future. Some people get a car banged up, and they pocket the insurance money and drive around in a banged-up car. For whatever reason, business is not growing.
proper testing and inspection procedures. Testing and auditing isn’t a complicated task. It requires leadership, discipline, and a written test. It only takes an hour or two to type out a test. I prefer about twenty questions, some true-or-false, and some multiplechoice. Of the various auditing methods, I prefer this: 1. Identify the process’s most important elements. 2. Write an auditing form asking: “Is this critical task or process being followed consistently? Yes or No?” Your form may have as few as ten items, or it might have over a hundred, but all should be noted and answered in the course of an audit. I recommend frequent auditing, especially whenever new processes are being implemented. In a more stable system this should still be done at least every quarter. Those who are engaged in the auditing process should see it as an ongoing coaching opportunity.
Summary Finally, the Process of Winning is this: 1. Create good processes that are aligned with the entire organization.
What does seem perfectly clear is that their property is virtually unsellable. Who would buy property at the intersection of an underground fire and radioactive waste? So here is a third-generation family business that wants help. The Kitchins want to be bought out or relocated. To me, it seems clear the Kitchins deserve compensation. A more interesting question: Who should pay? When the Kitchins bought their property, the West Lake Landfill was owned by Laidlaw. Laidlaw sought bankruptcy protection in 2001. Republic Services owns the two landfills now. Should that company be liable? West Lake Landfill is a Superfund site. Should the government be liable? The leached barium sulfate that was illegally dumped came from Mallinckrodt Chemical Works. Should that company be liable? On the other hand, Mallinckrodt was doing important work for the federal government’s Manhattan Project. Without an atomic bomb, we would have been forced to invade Japan, and thousands of Americans (and even more Japanese) would have been killed. Maybe even John Kitchin Sr. It gets complicated. Maybe the legal system will sort it out. The Kitchins are talking to an attorney.
2. Slaughter the “sacred cows.” 3. Focus on process, not outcomes. 4. Be careful how you measure people, and how you define success. 5. While it’s okay to look at the scoreboard once in awhile, don’t focus on it! 6. Don’t get emotional. When the pressure is on, stick to the process. 7. Training, training, training. 8. Testing, testing, testing. 9. Inspect What You Expect. 10. Most importantly, be disciplined… and don’t ever give up! Body shop people are some of the smartest, hardest-working folks on the planet. They shouldn’t suffer from the diminishing returns so typical in today’s ultra-competitive and everchallenging marketplace. It’s not so much that they “care too much,” but they often work in hurried environments, where they aren’t given time to direct their passions sensibly. Care about the task at hand, and don’t worry about Aunt Patty’s smile. You might improve your repair process as much as I improved my tennis game. Once I learned to love the rewards of each step in the journey, I found my first trophy at the end. You can too!
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 27
Southeast Associations with Chasidy Rae Sisk
Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, 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.
Southern Automotive Repair Conference Held by Six State Associations The Southern Automotive Repair Conference (SARC) took place at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, MS, April 11 and 12, 2014. With six state associations collaborating to host the event, expectations had set the bar high, and no one was disappointed! Steve Plier, executive director of the Alabama Automotive Repair Society of Excellence (ALARISE) who hosted the first SARC in 2012, was “pleased with the conference. This was the first year that we had six state associations working together, and we also had visitors from eastern Texas who are considering forming an association in their area. I think that we all realize that the only way to effect the change needed in this industry is by providing collision repair industry professionals with the opportuSteve Plier nity and means to educate themselves on business principles and to remain abreast of the training and equipment necessary to repair vehicles in light of ever-changing technology.” The first SARC was held in 2012 with most attendees coming from AL, but when ALARISE worked with the Mississippi Collision Repair Association (MSCRA) in 2013, attendance spiked to around 250 industry professionals, including some attendees from FL and GA. By including four additional associations in 2014, SARC more than doubled attendance with nearly 600 individuals present to partake of the networking and educational opportunities provided by the conference. The new associations who participated in the 2014 SARC were the Florida Auto Body Association (FACA), the Georgia Collision Industry Association (GCIA), the Louisiana Collision Industry Association (LaCIA), and the Tennessee Collision Repairers Association (TCRA). The group decided to hire an Administrative Coordinator, Georgia Thorson, to handle the day-to-day questions and details, and Plier praises Thorson for doing such an ex-
cellent job in coordinating the event. Of course, the six associations who hosted the conference also deserve credit for its success. Aaron Schulenburg, Executive Director of SCRS, praises the collaborators. “I’ve had the fortune to be involved in each iteration of this event since it was established, and it is amazing to watch the growth of involvement and drive in the marketplace. There is a lot to be said for the organizational efforts extended by the state associations who are all involved in orchestrating the event, and it certainly makes us proud that all of those organizations are SCRS Affiliate Associations… I always expect a lot out of this event, and it never fails to deliver.” The 2014 SARC focused on education, business principles, consumer protection, and shops’ right to receive fair compensation for work performed. These efforts received approbation from SCRS; as Schulenburg explains, “marketplaces benefit from the ability to have a strong and focused group create opportunities for them to learn from some of the industry’s leading subject matter experts in the convenience of their own back yard. Just as important, the association events promote camaraderie and networking. It’s through these types of events that competitors can view each other as colleagues and that there can be healthy discussion about ways that the industry can better serve the consumer.” The conference began on Friday afternoon and continued on Saturday with a full agenda of featured speakers, breakout sessions, and sponsor demonstrations, in addition to exhibitions on the tradeshow floor which was open for the duration of the conference. Topics ranged from marketing to the new aluminum F-150 and beyond; Plier boasts “you name it and we covered it!” Registration began at 4PM on Friday with the Welcoming Reception and exhibition floor opening at 6PM. The presentations on both Friday and Saturday were moderated by the Master of Ceremonies, Patrick Porter, radio personality and owner of Porter’s Body Shop in
28 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Brookhaven, MS. At 5:30 PM , the first breakout session of the conference was “Businesses Marketing Strategies,” presented by Ron Perretta and sponsored by PPG. On Saturday, the tradeshow floor was open from 8AM until 5PM, allowing attendees to visit exhibitors’ booths in between educational seminars. Ron Perretta began Saturday’s conference at 8AM with a two-hour “Social Media Workshop,” sponsored by PPG which ran at the same time as four additional breakout sessions. Bill Byrnes of America’s Auto Body and Mitchell International both presented at 8AM, and Byrnes repeated his seminar at noon. Next, at 9AM, Tony Nethery, Executive Director of TCRA, discussed “Future Equipment, Training and Cost,” while in another room, the Coalition for Collision Repair Excellence (CCRE) explained who they are and what they strive to do.
The Featured Speakers segment of the conference began at 10AM with an Industry Update as presented by Schulenburg on behalf of SCRS. Schulenburg was followed by Richard Valenzuela of NABR who discussed “Variable Rate Systems.” In addition to Byrne’s second breakout session at noon, two more sessions were held at the same time: a two-hour session on the new aluminum F-150 model, led by Chief’s Ford F-150 Project Manager, Richard Perry, and a one-hour segment by Dave Bortz of Car-OLiner. While Valenzuela repeated his seminar at 1PM, Ron Perretta of Professionals Auto Body held a breakout session entitled “Business Basics,” thus concluding the event’s breakout sessions. From 2-6PM, the final four Featured Speakers gave one-hour presentations, beginning with Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Mike Thornton. The motivational speaker Original BMW Parts
bmwusa.com
Original Thought #78
YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE AT THE FIRST REPAIR.
• Original BMW Parts & Accessories Michigan
Erhard BMW of Bloomfield Hills
Illinois
Laurel BMW of Westmont
Bloomfield Hills (800) 626-9787 (248) 642-0443 www.erhardbmw.com
Westmont (630) 230-2890 Direct Wholesale Hours: M-Fri. 7 am - 6 pm Sat. 8 am - 3 pm www.laurelbmw.com
Farmington Hills (888) 834-8635 (248) 699-3003 www.erhardbmwoffarmingtonhills.com
Ohio
Erhard BMW of Farmington Hills
Jake Sweeney BMW Cincinnati (513) 782-1125 (513) 782-1131 Fax www.sweeneybmw.com
shared war stories with an emphasis on teamwork, and Plier notes that Thornton’s speech was “very moving… If that didn’t send chills up your spine, I don’t know what would!” Next, Dave Poston, Collision Marketing Manager for American Honda, discussed “Honda Repair Technologies,” followed by Assured Performance’s Aaron Clark who covered “OEM Certification”, providing an idea of what’s to come regarding this topic. The event concluded with a discussion and question-andanswer session on the details and status of lawsuits filed against insurers, led by John Mosley, President of MSCRA and owner of Clinton Body Shop, and Ray Gunder of Gunder’s Auto Center, along with Attorney John Eaves Jr. Alysia Hanks, Executive Director of LaCIA, was “most excited about getting to meet Mr. Gunder. He was just as nice as could be, and I could tell he really cares about this industry when he spoke. It was also nice to be around so many individuals in our industry who also think it’s well past time for a change.” Hanks was also honored to have Randy Ishee, from the LA Attorney
General’s office, attend SARC 2014 as a guest of the LaCIA. He was invited to speak at one of the meetings, and Hanks said, “when I spoke to him before the event ended, he told me it was his mission to right the wrongs in this industry for all these good people in it and, most importantly, for the consumer. He has friends in other states who are in this industry, and he couldn’t believe the things he was uncovering. We’re lucky to have him on our side.” Regarding the many educational seminars and breakout sessions, Schulenburg noted, “attendees were engaged in the conversation throughout the day and were clearly hungry for the motivation and tangible solutions they received from all the speakers. With more than 500 repairers in attendance, it was a success by every measure.” Concurring with Schulenburg’s analysis of attendees’ interest in the discussions at the conference, Plier says that “their enthusiasm tells me that repairers thirst for this kind of information and that they want to improve for the consumer.” Hanks believes the event went very well, and she feels “so lucky to
be part of an industry where we have so many people who just genuinely want to do the right thing and make an honest living without having the daily fights we have to battle… I think [the conference] was a great opportunity for us to network with other states and hear what they are doing. I’m already looking forward to next year!” The only negative feedback Plier has received referenced the plethora of information presented—“we received a few complains about the classes running together and attendees not having enough time to visit the exhibitors. We stubbed our toes on a few things, like the over packed agenda, and we could’ve done a better job organizing registration. We are looking at ways to avoid cramming so much in for next year to make it easier to pick and choose which segments each person wants to attend and to allow more time for networking and visiting
exhibitors.” Despite these minor stumbling blocks, Plier believes the SARC 2014 went well overall, and the nice weather that weekend led him to state “it was like a little vacation but also an educational opportunity.” He also believes that Biloxi was the perfect location for people to come out and enjoy the conference as it is about as centralized as possible. The six collaborating associations met on Friday night, and deciding to keep the SARC in Biloxi for the next two years, they set dates. Next year’s conference will be held on April 17 and 18, 2015, while SARC 2016 will take place on April 8 and 9. The core group has already begun planning for next year’s event with the goal of addressing as many hot topics in the industry as possible. If this year’s SARC was any indication, next year’s event should be even more exciting!
Register Your Email for Our
Free Twice Monthly Newsletter at www.autobodynews.com
GRIFFIN FORD
1940 E. Main St. Waukesha, WI 53186
THE PARTS YOU NEED FROM THE PEOPLE YOU TRUST!
Parts Dept. Hours:
Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:00pm
800-242-2240
Ph: 262-542-8058 Fax: 800-547-3649 Offering our customers the
Highest Quality, Factory-Certified Ford Parts www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 29
Getting Powered Up at the 2014 WIN Annual Educational Conference by Alicia Basteri, Online Editor
past year, the 2014 WIN Conference sponsors, as well as committee chairs,
Day 1: Monday, May 5th The meeting kicked off on an uncharacteristically blustery day (for San Diego, anyway). I received another warm welcome at the registration desk, and was super stoked to unwrap a stylish black pashmina from my welcome packet—it certainly came in handy! As I walked into the conference room and looked around for a seat, I paused and smiled as I realized that it was a room full of women (well, there were a few men). I settled in next to friendly faces as the emcee, Michelle Sullivan, welcomed a record number of 178 conference attendees.
The scavenger hunt was designed to meet attendees from different generations
As a newbie to the collision repair industry, I was one of the 65 new Women’s Industry Network (WIN) members attending their first WIN Annual Education Conference, which was held May 5–8, 2014, at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego, CA. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect—and was more than pleasantly surprised! Even before arriving, after joining WIN and registering for the conference, I received a personal email from a WIN member warmly welcoming me to WIN and offering assistance with any conference questions. This was to set the tone for my experience.
Recipients of the 2014 WIN Cornerstone Award, Denise Caspersen and Ruth Weniger
“When I think about why I get so excited about WIN, for me it is all about camaraderie—camaraderie is the spirit of WIN.” Sullivan then introduced the theme of the conference by inviting attendees to “Power Up!” Next, 2013-2014 WIN Board of Directors chairwoman Margaret Knell recognized WIN achievements over the
ple: Four Kinds of People Who Can Change Your Life,” tapped into the
co-chairs, and other members. In addition, she presented Denise Caspersen and Ruth Weniger with the 2014 WIN Cornerstone Award, which is awarded to individuals on the WIN Board of Directors who exemplify the values and vision of WIN. Laurie Cusic, senior facilitator for Brody Professional Development, then presented “Bridging the Generational Gap,” which addressed the need to understand generational differences in a workplace with four distinct generations—traditionalists, baby boomers, generation Xers, and millennials (or generation Yers)—and attendees participated in a related networking event. My overall first impression was that there was great energy in the room, and, unlike a lot of other conferences, everyone seemed genuinely excited— and “powered up”—to be there, friendly, supportive, and proud. This feeling was solidified during the welcome dinner at Paradise Cove, where attendees mingled with old friends and new over a luau-themed menu, followed by roasting marshmallows in a bonfire to make s’mores.
Day 2: Tuesday, May 6th Attendees started day two with the annual WIN Scholarship Walk to raise funds for the WIN Scholarships. Following a continental breakfast, charismatic keynote speaker Dr. Verna Cornelia Price, CEO of The Power of People Consulting Group and author of “The Power of Peo-
30 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
(“The Green Revolution” by Mike LeVasseur). The day ended with the WIN Annual Membership meeting, which provided the “2014 Report to the Industry” including reports from the Communications, Membership, Finance, Scholarship, Nominating, and Governance committees. In addition, the WIN Board of Directors, new WIN Executive Committee, and WIN Scholarship winners in attendance were recognized. The evening festivities started with a cocktail reception, followed by the annual WIN Gala and Most Influential Women Ceremony. After dinner, WIN colleagues and friends recognized and introduced the honorees: Frederica Carter, president of F. Carter Events, LLC (former communications manager at AkzoNobel); Jordan Hendler, executive director of the Washington Metropolitan Auto-
WIN “Power Up!” theme with her message of “The Power of You!” Dr. Price explained that you are born with power; no one has more power than you; no one can take your power (but you can give it away); and your power multiplies when you use it. She also talked about the four types of powerful people: adders, subtractors, multipliers, and dividers. Next up, the engaging Colette Carlson, founder of “Speak Your Truth”, talked about “The Hard, Cold Truth— Working Hard Isn’t Working,” including how to communicate New WIN board members: (left to right) Marie Peevy, successes, cultivate connec- Trish Gould, Jaclyn Byers, Jessica Rob, and Nina Pedrazza-Zinna tions, and develop strategic relationships. body Association; and Leanne JefAfter lunch, attendees went to feries, director of Collision Programs one of three workshops about tech- for AIA Canada. And last but not least, nology (“Mastering the Muck of Your dessert was served! Technology” by Kathi Burns), negotiation skills (“Truth About Negotia- Day 3: Wednesday, May 7th tion: A$k and You Shall Succeed” by After a continental breakfast, John Colette Carlson), or sustainability Kett, president and CEO of Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA), presented “The Increasingly Interconnected APD System,” covering the operational and technological forecast for IAA and key information about the direction of the industry. Following the break, Jane Hylen, senior vice president of North Central Operations Enterprise Holdings, presented “Keys to Success” within the automotive industry. Tracy Holberry from SherwinWilliams presented the 2014 ScholKeynote speaker Dr. Verna Cornelia Price talking about
“The Power of You!”
See Getting Powered Up, Page 33
Laurel Auto Group of Westmont Accidents Happen
Laurel BMW of Westmont
Insist on Original BMW Parts and Accessories www.laurelbmw.com
(630) 654-5400
Laurel BMW of Westmont 430 E Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559
www.laurelbmw.com
• Two Deliveries Daily • 17 Delivery Trucks
Truth in Engineering
Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-3
Phone: (888) 545.6900 Fax: (630) 655.5999
Audi Genuine Parts
Large Inventory of OEM Parts Quick, Courteous Service Knowledgeable Staff Audi Westmont 276 E. Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559 Parts Direct: (630) 230.2222 / Fax: (630) 655.5750 Hours: M-F 7-6 / Sat 8-4 www.audiwestmont.com
Mercedes-Benz of Westmont • Large Inventory • Exceptional Service 200 E. Ogden Ave Westmont, IL 60559 www.mercedesbenzofwestmont.com
Phone: Fax:
(630) 654.1039 (630) 654.8167
GENUINE PARTS
Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 31
Social Media for Shops
Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.
Five Common Marketing Mistakes Body Shops Make with Ed Attanasio
1) Too Many Hats. Too Little Bandwidth You’re the owner, estimator, painter, front office person, receptionist, marketing director, technician and detailer. Oh, and I also forgot janitor, psychiatrist and a shoulder to cry on. As a marketing person, I wouldn’t know how to write an estimate or paint a fender, so why do you insist on trying to do it all when it comes to your marketing, public relations and advertising? Wearing too many hats means you’re doing too much and marketing should be the first hat to remove from your busy life as soon as you possibly can.
Solution: Empower and Delegate In some cases, you may already have someone in your crew that can help you in your marketing efforts. Maybe one of your estimators or front office people can play a role in your marketing scheme. One body shop took a newbie office assistant and turned her into a confident and extremely efficient marketing professional and now she does all of their e-mail marketing, blogging, social media and online advertising. All it took was one day of training and she was up and running and ready to take on the world.
2) Too Late to the Party Without a strategized plan and an annual marketing budget, you’re shooting in the dark and the first casualty could be your business. Too many body shops get fat and happy when the cash flows in, but all of a sudden--wow, the competition comes to town or they lose a DRP and jump into panic mode. One body shop owner freaked out when three MSOs moved into his city, so he borrowed $50,000 and asked me where should he spend it? Use it for your retirement, I said, because marketing is something you do all the time—not just in emergency mode.
Solution: Make It a Priority Marketing moves quickly and if your competitor is working faster and harder than you are, they will obviously capture more market share. There are only so many car accidents in your area every year, so why is the shop down the street fixing 150 vehicles monthly while you’re doing half that? Maybe
because they’ve made their marketing a priority while many of your marketing projects are sitting in a constant state of limbo. “We’ll get to that next week…next month…next year,” and then it never happens. Marketing is not a part-time thing reserved for evenings and weekends, it’s fast-paced and everchanging and that’s why it needs to be full-time and on the front burner.
3) Too Many Unrealistic Expectations If a marketing company says that they’ll get you ranked #1 on Google within one month’s time, listen to what your father used to tell you—“If it looks too good to be true, well…” Some so-called marketing agencies can get you involved in what they call “black hat tactics” while promising you the world, which can lead to Google sanctioning you and shutting down your web site. If any company promises you anything—get it in writing and don’t pay them until they deliver.
Solution: Devise a Plan and Stick to It Too many business owners (not just body shops) develop a “checked box” mentality when it comes to their marketing efforts. “We updated our web site, created a blog and did some SEO, so we’re good.” Well, maybe you’re good right now, but how about three months from now? Just by checking things off on your marketing to-do list doesn’t mean you can stop or slow down. New content should be added to your site all the time to enhance SEO. Your blog needs new articles, photos, etc. on an ongoing basis. I hate to see a collision blog that hasn’t been updated since 2012, for example. Marketing, advertising and public relations is not a start-and-stop thing and that’s why you should never even look at the finish line. 4) Too Dependent on DRPs You have some nice cozy DRPs that bring you tons of business, but if they make up more than 80% of your total revenue, you’ve got too many eggs in one basket. What happens if you fumble a couple repairs and suddenly you’re no longer the insurance company’s flavor of the week? A healthy
32 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
balance between DRPs and non-DRP business should be close to 50-50, but too many shops don’t get it, until they get the axe. By continually hammering away at the big three—marketing, public relations and advertising—one DRP won’t be able to make or break you.
Solution: Seek Your Independence If you’re DRP dependent, you might want to do more consumer marketing and advertising, such as radio and TV broadcast, outdoor advertising, direct mail, online advertising and social media. You can continue relying on your DRPs, but when times change and the DRPs are harder to attain, you’ll be in a better place and more prepared for a life with fewer DRPs. Plus, it all works together to brand your business, so that when consumers do have a choice, you’re on their radar.
5) Too Much Micromanagement Perform your due diligence and talk to
a lot of marketing experts before choosing which way to go. But once you find the right company or individual, let them do their job and step aside. Too many body shops owners listen to everyone about marketing— their wives, girlfriends, the postman and the guy at the deli down the street. Hire the right people and let them perform. Sit down with them every 3-6 months to check the results of their work and re-assess things at that point, but don’t jump the gun when you don’t see instant results. Marketing takes time, like fine wine—but in the end you’ll start seeing positive results, because solid marketing is an investment and not an expense.
Solution: Become a Sponge Learn as much as you can about marketing, advertising and public relations and then pass it on to the people who will actually be doing the heavy lifting. If you’re knowledgeable, you
TOYOTA OF GRAND RAPIDS Your Customers Deserve Genuine Toyota OEM Parts. • Dedicated Wholesale Staff • Competitive Wholesale Prices • Exceptional Customer Service
Parts Dept. Dept Hours: Ho rs Mon., Wed.: 7:30 am - 8 pm Tue.,Thurs., Fri.: 7:30 am - 6pm, Sat.: 8am - Noon
Phone:
800-354-7037
www.toyotaofgrandrapids.com 2555 28th Street SE • Grand Rapids MI 49512
won’t have to take advice from people who read something somewhere and aren’t afraid to share it with you. You need to be the final arbiter when it comes to your marketing. You may not have the time to do it yourself, but at least you’ll know what’s going on. The paint companies, professional organizations and marketing firms offer classes, training sessions and seminars all the time and many of them are free, so be a sponge and suck up as much of this information as you can, because knowledge is power.
Advertise in our CLASSIFIED SECTION for $50 per column inch! Place an ad in our AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE section of Autobody News.
800-699-8251 ltedesco@autobodynews.com
Continued from Page 30
WI Social Media Protection Act Signed By Governor
Getting Powered Up
arship recipients in attendance, Stephanie Baker and Suzanna Hernandez, with a certificate for tuition and travel-related expenses paid in full for any automotive training course at a Sherwin Williams Training Center of their choice.
2014 WIN Most Influential Women honorees Leanne Jefferies, Jordan Hendler, and Frederica Carter
Margaret Knell closed the conference with a summary of the events and officially passed the torch to Denise Caspersen, newly-elected chairwoman of the WIN Board of Directors. If you’re a woman in the collision repair industry, I highly recommend
WIN Scholarship winners with WIN Committee co-chairs: (left to right) Suzanna Hernandez, Teresa Bolton, Stephanie Baker, and Bev Rook-Twibell
that you join WIN (visit http://thewomensindustrynetwork.ning.com/pa ge/join-win-1 or email Mary Kunz at MarySKunz@gmail.com) and attend the 2015 WIN Annual Education Conference. If you’re already a WIN member, WIN asks that you please consider joining a committee as WIN is entirely volunteer-based. Sign in to http://thewomensindustrynetwork.ni ng.com/page/join-a-committee and click on the Committee description to find full descriptions and contact information. If you missed the 2014 conference but will be attending the 2014 NACE/CARS Expo and Conference, stop by the WIN booth.
Wisconsin has joined the ever-increasing number of states legislating against employers’ access to employees’ and applicants’ social media sites. On Tuesday, April 8, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed the Wisconsin Social Media Protection Act, 2013 Wisconsin Act 208 (the “Act”), into law, which prohibits both public and private employers, regardless of size, from requesting or requiring employees or applicants to provide their information to their personal internet accounts. The Act applies similarly to landlords with respect to tenants and prospective tenants and to educational institutions with regard to students and prospective students. Employers will want to ensure that their policies and procedures do not run afoul of this new law, which authorizes a $1,000 penalty for violating its prohibitions in addition to other remedies. The Act became effective on April 10, 2014. The Act prohibits employers from requesting or requiring that an employee or applicant disclose access information for the employee’s or applicant’s personal internet account or otherwise grant access to that account (i.e., “shoulder-surfing”).
From OEM to aftermarket, see all the Collision Parts we have to offer! • Large Inventory • Exceptional Service
513.782.2829 513.782.2846 FAX
• Genuine Chevy Parts • Ready To Serve You Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7:30am - 6pm Sat. 8am - 12pm 33 West Kemper Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45246
JAKE SWEENEY BMW Large inventory of Original BMW Parts & Accessories Premium customer service from our experienced staff Fast, friendly delivery Monday-Friday Technical information available
www.sweeneybmw.com Parts Direct Lines:
513.782.1125 513.782.1131 Fax
Original BMW Parts
www.jakesweeneychevy.com bmwusa.com
105 West Kemper Road Cincinnati, OH 45246 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 33
Southeast Associations with Chasidy Rae Sisk
Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, 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.
Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast Finalizes Conference Plans for 2014 The Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast Inc. (AAAS) Annual Conference and Trade Show 2014 will be held June 5–8, 2014, at the Sandestin Village of Baytowne Wharf in Destin, FL. In addition to providing useful educational information, the event will offer an excellent forum for networking opportunities and plenty of adventure through a fishing expedition, golf tournament, and dinner cruise. The cost of the conference is $135 per person with additional fees for the golf tournament and deep sea fishing expedition as detailed below. To register, return the registration form (available at www.aaas.us/events.aspx) and payment to AAAS Annual Conference and Trade Show, 11245 Chantilly Parkway Court, Montgomery, AL 36117. For questions or additional information, contact Jennifer Johnson at 800-239-7779 or jennifer@aaas.us.
Thursday, June 5 The conference will begin on Thursday, June 5, 2014, with a Welcome Reception from 6:00–7:30 PM.
Friday, June 6 Networking opportunities will resume at 5:15 AM Friday, June 6, 2014, with deep sea fishing aboard the Miss Hazel Charter Boat located behind the Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant on Highway 98. With a huge 20-by-20-foot fishing deck, the boat can accommodate up to 20 people, who will be provided with all necessary equipment and lunch, to enjoy this angling trip at a cost of only $100 per angler. At 2:00 PM, the AAAS Board of Directors meeting will be held at the Baytowne Conference Center, and the evening will conclude with the AAAS Chairman’s Reception at the Baytowne Marina.
Saturday, June 7 After a continental breakfast and tabletop show at 7:30 AM, the educational portion of the conference will begin on Saturday, June 7, 2014, at 8:30 AM with AAAS chairman Mike Morgan welcoming attendees and sharing the “State of the Association Reports.”
Following Morgan, the first presentation of the morning will be “Aftermarket Changes and Trends Impacting You and Your Business,” given by keynote speaker John Washbish, president and CEO of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance. Over the course of his four-decade-long career in the aftermarket industry, Washbish has served on several councils and association boards in addition to receiving multiple awards that recognize his leadership skills. Morgan feels “very fortunate to have John joining us for our annual conference. We look forward to his visit, and him sharing his views and insights on the industry and the economy.” AAAS has also scheduled three additional gentlemen to follow Washbish, and they “are honored to welcome an impressive list of guest speakers who will deliver very timely educational and informative presentations on some of the most important topics facing the aftermarket industry today,” Morgan states. Washbish’s presentation will be followed by Scott Luckett, CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), who will discuss “The Connected Car: The Impact of Vehicle Telematics in the Auto Care Industry.” Luckett’s efforts in the aftermarket industry have yielded recognition in the form of the 2001 Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Education Award and the 2002 University of the Aftermarket Founders Service Award. Following a short break, “Aftermarket Access to OEM Vehicle Repair Information” will be presented by Skip Potter, executive director of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF). With over 45 years of experience in the automotive industry, Potter has worked for multiple trade associations and been recognized with several awards, including being named an “Aftermarket Influence” by Babcox Publications in 1999. The concluding seminar, “Obamacare: Its Impact on You, Your Employees, and Your Business,” will be led by Wayne Bowling, senior vice president of employee benefits for the
34 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Willis Group. Bowling has been involved in the sphere of employee benefits since 1981 and will have plenty of useful insights on the highly-anticipated topic of Obamacare. The 2014 Bell/Hines Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament will start at 12:30 PM at the Baytowne Raven Golf Course. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the AAAS Educational Foundation Scholarship Prop gram (AAASEF). The four-person scramble is an 18-hole tournament with competitions for longest drive, straightest drive, closest to the pin, and hole-in-one prizes on par-3 holds with a possible prize of up to $10,000, sponsored by Federated Insurance. The golf tournament was established in 2008 to honor Dick Bell and Al Hines for their tireless contributions to the aftermarket industry. Participants will be charged $125 per golfer with $25 being a tax-deductible donation to AAASEF. The entry fee also covers
green fees, lunch, refreshments, and a golf kit. The AAAS Annual Conference and Trade Show 2014 will conclude on Saturday night with a dinner party and bay cruise aboard SunQuest Cruises’ Solaris, included in the conference cost. With three decks of indoor and outdoor attractions, attendees will enjoy a threehour dinner cruise with three full courses, a premium bar, and house entertainment.
Promote your business with an exclusive article featuring your products or services.
Call for details!
800-699-8251
The following dealerships are eager to serve your needs. Call your local Subaru collision parts specialist today! OHIO
Brunswick Subaru
Brunswick Toll Free (888) 460-7080 Direct (330) 460-7080 (330) 460-7082 Fax Mon.-Fri. 8-6; Sat. 8-4 www.brunswickautomart.com
WISCONSIN
Wilde Subaru
Waukesha (800) 903-2434 (262) 544-1913 Fax Mon.-Thu. 7-7; Fri. 7-5; Sat. 8-4 parts@gowilde.com www.wildesubaru.com
Southeast Associations with Chasidy Rae Sisk
Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, 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.
Mike Anderson Visits WMABA to Discuss Estimating Practices, Parts Procurement and More! On Thursday, May 1, the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA) hosted industry speaker Mike Anderson for a full-day educational seminar on “The Encyclopedia of Estimating Practices” at the LKQ Training Center in Linthicum Heights, MD. In addition to providing a State of the Industry update, Anderson’s seminar also touched on parts procurement, the future of DRPs, cycle time and many other topics. Jordan Hendler, Executive Director of WMABA, describes the seminar: “With his usual boisterous and ‘take-me-as-I-come-orleave-me’ personality, Mike gave attendees more than they bargained for. Safety is his number one priority, and he wants every pair of ears to hear how vehicle technology is changing everything we know about collision repair processes.” Through his passionate approach, Anderson’s goal was to stress that, despite the importance of focusing on
cycle time, safety is an even more pressing concern for collision repairers because the consumer is trusting their repair facility to look out for their best interests and ensure that their car is restored to its pre-loss condition properly. “A lot of people aren’t aware of what it takes to fix a car properly. I don’t mean that disrespectfully; it’s just that the industry is changing so fast that it takes a lot to keep up on things today. You really have to spend time on training,” Anderson emphasizes. In discussing the impact that a proper repair estimate has on cycle time, Anderson explained, “when you pass on an estimate that’s really incomplete and another technician finds more damage, you’re just creating inefficiency in your process… Speed is the name of the game. It’s not just about writing an accurate blueprint to fix the car right...Even if you’re not a DRP, you have to get [better] at turning cars quicker just because there is
ORIGINAL GM PARTS RTS FOR RA
PROFESSIONAL FINISH PROFESSIONAL
Call Any of These Wholesale Parts Dealers.
less profit on a job and you have to turn more cars just to get to the breakeven point quicker. We really tried to focus [in the class] on just how the estimate is really the basis for getting the right part the first time and the basis for communicating properly with a customer.” Anderson discussed everything from receiving proper reimbursement from insurers to lean processes, reducing stress in the shop environment and the demands that new technology places on repairers. “We really have to understand that with all this new technology with accident avoidance systems, lane departure systems and autonomous braking that you can’t just go through [the vehicle] like in the old days and say, ‘I’m just going to check out all the lights and door locks.’” You have to have a scan tool to actually take and check a lot of these things during an output test and [make] sure they’re working properly.” Rather than suggesting quick fixes, Anderson provides tools and methods for learning, focusing on the long-term solution of studentinitiated learning and adaptation. As part of this initiative, Anderson pro-
vided attendees with a list of websites where they can acquire this type of necessary knowledge: www.DEGweb.org, www.CollisionAdvice.com, www.EstimateScrubber.com, www.PartsVoice.com, and www.Estify.com. Anderson was pleased with participants’ responses to his seminar: “Everybody was interactive and had lots of great questions. One of things I found really refreshing was there were a lot of young people in the class, particularly young females. It’s really nice to see more and more women represented in the industry. It’s always nice to see young people. With what we do with regards to computers and technology, young people are more open to [this industry].” As a recurring speaker at WMABA meetings, Anderson praises the association and explains why he is always willing to visit the East Coast to teach the association’s members. “I get the privilege of working with a lot of different trade associations across the country, and I don’t think a lot of people realize what they have in Jordan Hendler as executive director. She is truly one of the most passionate people you can ever meet in the industry.”
LKQ’s 2014 GetGreen Promotion Winners Announced
Michigan
Ohio
Alma Chevrolet Buick GMC
Jake Sweeney Chevrolet
989-463-0456 Fax
513-782-2846 Fax
Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6 parts@almabuickgmc.com
Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6 Sat. 8-Noon www.jakesweeneychevy.com
888-229-2336 ALMA
Wisconsin
Ivan Gandrud Chevrolet
800-242-2844 GREEN BAY
920-468-3658 920-468-3673 Fax Mon.-Fri. 7-7; Sat. 7-2 parts@gandrud.com
513-782-2829 CINCINNATI
The 2014 LKQ Get Green promotion started in February 2014, and ended April 17, 2014. The nationwide promotion offered thousands of instantwin prizes along with a sweepstakes promotion for a chance to win a 2014 Honda Accord. Overall, there was one grand prize winner, five first place winners, two second place winners, five third place winners, and thousands of instant-prize winners. The grand prize winner is John Avila, owner of John’s Auto Center in Corpus Christi, TX. Avila will receive the 2014 Green Car of the Year, a Honda Accord. “I have been a customer with LKQ for many years, beginning in the Greenleaf days,” says Avila. “I feel unbelievable and overwhelmed that I won a car. Something you think will never happen, then it happens to you, I feel thankful and blessed,” stated Avila. John’s Auto Center participated in the LKQ Get Green promotion
through LKQ Central Texas located in New Braunfels, TX. The 17-acre location services the Austin, San Antonio, McAllen, and Corpus Christi markets with quality recycled auto parts. “John’s Auto Center has been a valuable customer of ours for over eight years. They have been using the same sales representative for those eight years, and John the owner is a great long-term shop owner and very deserving of this grand prize,” stated Tchad Taormina, LKQ Central Texas plant manager. The first place winners each will receive Raleigh bicycles, the second place winners each will receive a $200 LKQ gift card, and the third place winners each will receive a solar backpack. The instant-win prizes included 10,000 trees being planted through the Arbor Day Foundation, digital music downloads, limited edition LKQ Get Green t-shirts, LKQ gift cards, and iPads.
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 35
Winners of Society of Collision Repair Specialists Industry Achievement Awards The winners of the annual Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) Industry Achievement Awards—which recognize industry professionals who have distinguished themselves through their outstanding efforts and exceptional commitment on behalf of the collision repair industry—were announced at the SCRS Industry Awards and Corporate Member Recognition Lunch on April 9, 2014, in Portland, OR. “These individuals personify the best the collision repair profession has to offer; those who help drive effective change and positive results in their industry and surrounding communities,” stated Dusty Womble, chairman of the SCRS Nominations and Awards Committee. “It’s always incredibly exciting to spend time recounting the positive example of these exceptional achievements, and this year proved to be no exception.” SCRS thanks the 2014 award winners—pacesetters that establish a positive tone for the rest of the industry. “It’s satisfying to be able to devote a night to those individuals who serve as an inspiration for all of us that come into contact with them,” added Aaron Schulenburg. “Their enthusiasm for the industry is infectious and, as a result, they motivate us to give our best as well.”
Collision Industry Individual Service Award The Collision Industry Individual Service Award is intended for individuals in the industry that exhibit actions considered exemplary in maintaining and advancing the collision repair industry. The 10th annual recipient Mike Anderson owned Wagonwork Collision Centers in Alexandria, VA, for over 20 years. Selling the business provided Mike the opportunity to focus his efforts on his true passion: helping collision repairers improve their businesses and, as a result, their lives through his Collision Advice consulting company. In 2014, Mike spent more than 341 days on the road doing workshops, seminars, and onsite consulting, and he is a frequent speaker for SCRS affiliate associations because of his passion, presence, and knowledge. Mike was unable to accept the award in person because he was working with a collision repairer actively engaged in the activity he was being recognized for.
“I was brought up in this business to give back as much as I can,” Anderson explains. “My dad drilled it into me, and so did other influential figures in my life, including Sheila Loftus, formerly of the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMBA) and Elainna Sachire, president of Square One Systems, who
Frank LaViola, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Mike Anderson
moderated a 20 Group that had a lasting impact on me. These mentors challenged and encouraged me to see that helping others opens the door to the best kind of success, that which is long-lasting and true. Whether I’m sharing information or providing education, I try never to lose sight of that important fact.” Anderson was presented with the award later in the week during one of his seminars in St. Louis, MO. Frank LaViola from Enterprise Rent-A-Car sat Anderson in front of the classroom and read the original presentation speech from the awards ceremony. “Even though I couldn’t make it, just the thought of being in the company of all those industry greats makes me speechless,” added Anderson. “I only want to help, so this recognition is humbling, but at the same time very much appreciated.”
Collision Industry Non-Individual Service Award This award was created for SCRS to spotlight contributions to the collision repair industry from a corporate or company level. The 2014 award went to the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), which is tasked to secure donations that support quality collision repair education programs that promote and enhance industry career opportunities. Approximately 60,000 students have been touched by the CREF programs, and close to 2,000 instructors
36 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
and 1,150 schools support the programs. In 2013 alone, CREF coordinated more than $18 million in donations to high schools and colleges across the country, with support from each side of the “industry aisle.” “We are surprised and absolutely delighted by the award,” stated Clark Plucinski, CREF executive director. “Sometimes we wonder if the work we do is recognized as providing something the industry desperately needs, and then a validation like this award comes along and we’re reminded that it most certainly is. The support continues to pour in and it makes a huge difference for our students. I want to express my incredible thanks to SCRS to make the commitment to thank us at this level; their involvement makes this award especially meaningful.”
Regional Lifetime Achievement Award John Mattos was a third-generation automotive refinish supplier. The Pro Finishes PLUS enterprise he owned together with his cousin Joe Mattos remains a spiritual successor to the paint business started by his grandfather in 1928, a tradition passed down to his father and uncle and most recently to John and Joe. While John was generous with his technical and refinish product knowledge, it is his work with the WMABA from its inception in 1967 to the present for which he is fondly remembered. “John was a good evangelist for WMABA in the early days, perfect for spreading the word because he had a gregarious personality and close relationships with many body shops in the
Ronald Reichen, SCRS Chairman, and Domenic Brusco, CREF Treasurer
area,” said Joe. “His commitment to the association lasted close to four decades; he never stopped spreading the word about WMABA achievements, sharing his ideas how to make the industry stronger and better, and
fostering leadership in others.” Joe didn’t know until the presentation itself that he would be accepting the Regional Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of his cousin. “I really wished John could have been there to accept the accolades himself,” he stated, “but it was extremely gratifying and quite an honor to see a lifetime full of effort on behalf of our industry validated in a most meaningful way. It was quite an event and very special to us indeed.”
Individual Lifetime Achievement Award The Lifetime Achievement Award is SCRS’ truest mark of distinction and a rare recognition dispensed only ten times in the over three decades of the SCRS existence. In 2014, the special honor went to Gary Wano, Jr., owner of
Barry Dorn, SCRS Past Chairman, and Joe Mattos
G.W. & Son Auto Body Shop in Oklahoma City, OK, a professional who was raised in the industry and consistently exhibits his devotion to it—so much so that the award seemed the only way to properly recognize him. “The Lifetime Achievement Award is a symbol of the most exemplary among us, and Gary Wano certainly fits the description,” said Jeff Hendler who presented the award to Wano. “He never hesitates to assist those who need it and has a knack for bringing out the best in someone, whether they’re close to home or half way around the world. This award speaks volumes of his integrity and unselfishness, and as much as it is an honor for Gary to receive the award, nothing could top the honor I felt preSee Achievement Awards, Page 42
National Associations with Chasidy Rae Sisk
Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, 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.
NABC’s Recent Meetings Focus on Building Positive Image for Collision Industry image of our collision industry.”
On Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday, May 1, the National Auto Body Council (NABC) held several meetings at I-CAR’s Corporate Offices in Hoffman Estates, IL. Their Strategy Session was held at 8AM on Wednesday, and on Thursday, their 8AM Committee Meeting preceded their 10AM Board Meeting. This series of meetings was scheduled as part of the NABC’s ongoing efforts to build on their three-year strategic plan to continually enhance initiatives that present a positive image of the collision repair industry in local communities. Nick Notte, NABC Board President, explains “as an organization, we continually review and consider ways we can reach more collision repairers who could benefit from the community initiatives we have developed. One of our goals is to partner and develop a synergy with other industry groups which collectively benefits all of us in the collision industry.”
As such, key topics at these meetings included finding ways to increase collaboration with other industry organizations and to reach a broader audience of collision repair professionals through the use of targeted industry segmentation data. NABC’s efforts to collaborate with other industry organizations can be seen in the upcoming Collision Industry Breakfast which will be held at the Skills USA competition in Kansas City in June; the breakfast is being jointly sponsored by the NABC, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and ICAR. In regards to their second effort discussed at the meetings, the NABC hopes to utilize industry segmentation data to ensure the organization is reaching the broadest possible audience of collision repairers with a focus on all classes of facilities, including everything from small independent shops to larger multi-shop operations.
The NABC has also engaged in a concerted effort to develop ways by which to further define and enhance the value propositions provided to their members. Notte notes, “since January, we have had a record number of new members join the NABC as well as many who have renewed their commitment.” Recycled Rides also continues to be one of the NABC’s main initiatives, and they plan to hold presentations about this and other core efforts at upcoming industry events, including June’s Skills USA as well as in July when they attend NACE in Detroit. Notte says, “NABC’s signature initiative, Recycled Rides, has gained significant traction in communities nationwide, and we are enthusiastic about our goal to donate 300 vehicles this year. We are energized and want to capitalize on this positive, collaborative momentum in our mission to promote a positive
• Over One Million Dollars in Parts Inventory! Hours:
• Over One Million Dollars in Parts Inventory! Hours:
• Over One Million Dollars in Parts Inventory! Hours:
• Over One Million Dollars in Parts Inventory! Hours:
Mon.-Fri. 7:30am - 5:30pm
Mon.-Fri. 7:30am - 5:30pm
Mon.-Fri. 7:30am - 5:30pm
Mon.-Fri. 7:30am - 5:30pm
www.grahamautomall.com
www.grahamautomall.com
www.grahamautomall.com
www.grahamautomall.com
Wholesale Manager: Bryan Dwiggins
Wholesale Manager: Bryan Dwiggins
Wholesale Manager: Bryan Dwiggins
Wholesale Manager: Bryan Dwiggins
419-529-1259
419-529-1259
419-529-1259
419-529-1259
Fax: 419-529-2071 bdwiggins@grahamautomall.com
Fax: 419-529-2071 bdwiggins@grahamautomall.com
Fax: 419-529-2071 bdwiggins@grahamautomall.com
Fax: 419-529-2071 bdwiggins@grahamautomall.com
Graham Ford
Graham Hyundai
Graham Toyota
Graham
1515 W. 4th St. Mansfield, OH 44906
1515 W. 4th St. Mansfield, OH 44906
1515 W. 4th St. Mansfield, OH 44906
1515 W. 4th St. Mansfield, OH 44906
NABC www.NationalAutoBodyCouncil.org 520-548-2000
Advertise in our CLASSIFIED SECTION for $50 per column inch! Place an ad in our AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE section of Autobody News.
800-699-8251 ltedesco@autobodynews.com
Chevrolet Cadillac
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 37
Minnesota Women’s Economic Security Act Signed Into Law Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has signed the Women’s Economic Security Act (“Act”) into law. The Act is a major piece of legislation aimed at improving working conditions for women that will have a significant impact on Minnesota businesses. A combination of at least nine different bills, the Act is intended to reduce the gender pay gap and to provide greater workplace protections for pregnant women and nursing mothers, among other things. The Act adds a protected class under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minn. Stat. Section 363A, et seq. (Effective immediately) The Act expands the list of protected classes under the Minnesota Human Rights Act to include “familial status.” “Familial status” means “the condition of one or more minors being domiciled with (1) their parent or parents or the minor’s legal guardian or (2) the designee of the parent or parents or guardian with the written permission of the parent or parents or guardian. The term also includes any person who is pregnant or in the process of securing legal custody of a minor. Pregnancy and parenting leave under state law is expanded to 12 weeks. (Effective immediately) The Act doubles allowable unpaid leave under the Minnesota Parental Leave Act from 6 weeks to 12 weeks and allows employees to use leave for pregnancy-related needs. Additional protections for pregnant and nursing women. (Effective immediately) The Act allows employees to bring a civil action to enforce their right to express breast milk during unpaid break times. In addition, employers with at least 22 employees are required to provide reasonable minor accommodations (e.g., water, food, and a stool) or a reasonable, temporary position transfer for pregnant workers. Wage disclosure protection. (Effective immediately) The Act creates a new Section 181.172 of the Minnesota Statutes, to prohibit an employer from requiring non-disclosure by an employee of his or her wages as a condition of employment or to take any adverse employment action against an employee for disclosing or discussing the employee’s own wages or another employee’s wages, which have been disclosed voluntarily. Expanded allowances for sick leave. (Effective immediately) The Act allows employees to use existing earned sick leave under certain circumstances
related to sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking. It also allows grandparents to use existing earned sick leave to care for an ill or injured grandchild. Protections imposed for victims of stalking and sexual assault. (Effective October 5, 2014) The Act expands eligibility for unemployment benefits to victims of stalking and sexual assault. Certification for state contracts. (Effective August 1, 2014) The Act requires businesses with more than 50 employees seeking state contracts worth more than $500,000 to certify their compliance with existing equal pay laws. Funding for women and highwage, high-demand, non-traditional jobs grant program and to promote women entrepreneurs and womenowned businesses. (Effective July 1, 2014) The Act allocates money to establish a program to increase the number of women in high-wage, highdemand non-traditional occupations. It also appropriates $500,000 for grants to Women Venture and the Women’s Business Center of Northeastern Minnesota to facilitate and promote the creation of women-owned businesses in Minnesota.
Next Steps for Minnesota Employers Employers in Minnesota should take the following actions to ensure compliance with the new law: Update workplace policies and employee handbooks regarding unpaid leave and sick leave. Even employers that are not covered by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) must now grant an unpaid leave of absence to an employee who is: (1) a biological or adoptive parent in conjunction with the birth or adoption of a child; or (2) a female employee for prenatal care, or incapacity due to pregnancy, childbirth or related health conditions. The leave is determined by the employee, but it must not exceed 12 weeks, unless agreed to by the employer. Further, an employee also may use personal sick leave for absences due to an illness to or injury of the employee’s mother-in-law, father-in-law, and grandchild (which includes step, biological, adopted, and foster grandchild), in addition to the employee’s child, adult child, spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, or stepparent. An employee also may use personal sick leave for safety leave, whether or not the employee’s employer allows use of sick leave for that
38 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
purpose, for such reasonable periods of time as may be necessary. Safety leave means leave for the purpose of receiving assistance because of sexual assault, domestic abuse, or stalking, whether on behalf of the employee or employee’s relatives as defined above. Offer reasonable accommodations for health conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth. Reasonable accommodations must be offered to an employee if she so requests, with the advice of her licensed health care provider or certified doula, unless the employer demonstrates it would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the employer’s business. Such accommodations may include: (1) more frequent restroom, food, and water breaks; (2) seating; and (3) limits on lifting over 20 pounds. Retaliation against an employee for requesting or obtaining such an accommodation is prohibited. For nursing mothers, an employer must make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location, other than a bathroom, within close proximity to the work area that is shielded from view and free from intrusion and that includes access to an electrical outlet. Re-
taliation against an employee for asserting rights under this section is prohibited. Avoid discrimination based on caregiver or parent status. The law adds “familial status” to the list of protected classes under the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Employers are generally prohibited from discriminating against pregnant women and parents with children under the age 18 at home and should not be asking applicants whether they have children or care for children at home. Be aware that employees are entitled to voluntarily disclose and discuss their wages. Employers may not require non-disclosure of an employee’s wages as a condition of employment, require an employee to sign a waiver which purports to deny an employee the right to disclose the employee’s wages, or take any adverse employment action against an employee for disclosing the employee’s own wages voluntarily. Certify compliance with the Equal Pay Act. Employers seeking state contracts in excess of $500,000 must certify to the commissioner of administration their compliance with the federal Equal Pay Act.
Parts You Need. People You Trust. Genuine Mitsubishi Replacement Crash Parts are close at hand through the following quality dealerships.
MINNESOTA
Richfield-Bloomington Mitsubishi
952-567-7200 BLOOMINGTON (952) 224-5306 Fax M-F 7:30 am - 5:30 pm parts@rbhonda.com
AudaExplore Launches Cloud-Based Fully Scalable Enterprise Body Shop Management Solution AudaExplore(TM), a leading datadriven solution provider to insurance carriers, repairers, dealerships and fleet owners, today announced the launch of MSO Pro(TM), a cloudbased enterprise body shop management (BMS) solution that delivers unmatched capability to manage multiple repair locations and business functions through one experience. Featuring enterprise-level functionality with a dashboard-driven design, MSO Pro is based upon proven technology, which has already processed tens of thousands of repair orders, and millions of dollars in collision repair revenue. The solution is an open architecture design that integrates with estimating platforms from AudaExplore or other technology providers to deliver unique customer moments and increase repairer productivity through the following: ● Predictability: Repairers can make better, more informed decisions that impact customer satisfaction and profitability outcomes through customer satisfaction reporting, predictive production load scheduling and standardizing process across multiple repair locations.
● Scalability: No matter the size or number of locations, from a single shop looking to grow into an MSO to organizations opening their 100th location, the platform combines robust performance analytics and reporting with applications for all business functions including: HR, Sales, Customer Relationship Management and Operations. ● Efficiency: Reducing complex IT integration across business functions and locations with its stable cloud-based accessibility via single sign-on, self-service management of administrator permissions and thorough user adoption training and support. “We’re excited to bring to market a proven and comprehensive enterprise solution--the first of its kind designed for MSOs,” said Gordon Henderson, VP of Collision Repair Solutions, AudaExplore. “MSO Pro breaks new ground in collision repair operations, filling a void in which many MSOs have chosen to either build their own homegrown systems, or deal with the limitations of singleshop or low-volume solutions that require ongoing add-ons to support their multi-shop businesses.”
Auto Damage Experts Will Perform Inspection and Verification for Assured Performance Network’s Certified Repair Shops
Assured Performance and Auto Damage Experts (ADE) announced at the latest Collision Industry Conference (CIC) that ADE has been chosen to perform the inspection and verification of Assured Performance Certified repair facilities across the country. The Assured Performance certification program provides a thirdparty assessment of a shop’s ability to properly repair today’s complex vehicles back to the manufacturer’s specifications by having the proper tools, equipment, training, and facility. Assured Performance and ADE will work together to deliver an accurate and efficient process to assess the participating shops’ capabilities, providing the consumer with an accurate and credible national network of competent and reliable shops to choose from in the event of a collision. ADE has been long known for its superior vehicle appraisal and valuation services, but ADE also provides a suite of services including, but not limited to: ● Detailed Collision Forensics ● On-Site and Remote Pre-Repair Inspections, ensuring the accuracy of an estimate ● In-Process Repair Monitoring en-
suring the proper processes and materials ● Post-Repair Inspections and Verifications, providing confirmation of an accurate repair ● Training and Assistance in Damage Analysis, equipping shops and adjustors with the most up-to-date information on repair specifications and techniques. ● Assessment of Required Repairs and the manufacturer’s recommended processes and materials ● Coaching/Consulting for day-to-day business operations “Assured Performance has developed a first-class program, which offers significant value and opportunities to its qualified members,” said Barrett Smith, ADE’s Founder and President. “We’re excited and proud to work with Assured Performance in helping quality repairers take advantage of the many benefits of the Certification program, including recognitions from numerous OEMs.” For more information on Assured Performance visit www.assuredperformance.net. For more information on Auto Damage Experts, visit www.AutoDamageExperts.com or e-mail: info@AutoDamageExperts.com.
Original BMW Parts
ORIGINAL BMW PARTS bmwusa.com
Original BMW Parts and Accessories Fast, Friendly Service and Delivery We Know BMWs Erhard BMW of Bloomfield Hills
Erhard BMW of Farmington Hills
4065 W. Maple Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 www.erhardbmw.com
38700 Grand River Ave., Farmington Hills, MI 48335 www.erhardbmwoffarmingtonhills.com
Phone: Fax:
Phone: Fax:
(800) 626-9787 (248) 642-0443
(888) 834-8635 (248) 699-3003 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 39
Historical Snapshot
—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.
June Retrospective: ASA Position, CAPA, CIC with John Yoswick
from delays caused by such problems 20 years ago in the collision repair as inaccurate parts numbers used in industry (June 1994) electronic process; The association representatives at the with Chasidy Raethe Sisk • that return of parts might be (Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ Leadership Conference) meeting more complicated (because of the diswere in unanimous agreement on one tance of the participating supplier, for issue: insurer involvement in parts example); and, purchasing. A resolution, passed unan• that the quality of service provided by parts suppliers may suffer if imously, recognized the right of insurwith Chasidy Raethe Sisk choice of suppliers is limited by ers to pursue programs they view as such a program. cost-saving, but called for the insur—as reported in Collision Expert ance industry to consider repair industry concerts when developing any such program. 15 years ago in the collision repair The resolution listed some of the industry (June 1999) industry’s concerns regarding insurer How much more money can the insurwith Chasidy Raeance Siskindustry squeeze from collision involvement in the ordering or purchasing of parts, specifically: repairers? Try $2 billion to $4 billion. • that insurers will use such pro- That’s the figure presented in an article gram to force or intimidate a shop to called “Achieving World-Class Claims use parts suppliers with which the Performance Using Innovative Supply Chain Management” in McKinsey’s shop does not want to do business; Insurance Annual. • that the programs would subwith Chasidy RaeProperty-Casualty Sisk How could the insurance indusstantially reduce shop profits; • that inefficiencies could result try realize this savings? By creating
Associations Assembling
super direct repair programs. “In general,” the report said, “channeling more repair volume to fewer network participants leads to better prices and other concessions.”
Southeast News
Western Associations
Southwest Associations
Automotive Aftermarket is BASF Recognizes 5 Shops with Chasidy Rae Sisk Expected to Grow 3.4% PY as Shops of the Year
Southeast Associations
BASF Automotive Refinish recently recognized five collision repair shops as 2013 Performance Group Shops of the Year at its VisionPLUS Business Solutions Performance Group Conference in Clearwater, FL. ColliChasidy sion repair shopswith that utilize BASF’sRae VisionPLUS Business Solutions, and participate in the program’s Performance Group meetings, were eligible for the award. The 2013 winning shops are: ● Auto Body Specialties, Springfield, with Chasidy Rae OR, Byron Davis, Owner. ● Crystal Lake Automotive, Lakeville, MN, Jim Siegfried and Karl Drotning, Owners. ● Frank’s Autobody Collision Solutions Network, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, Matt Brunelle, Jesse Brunelle, Dave with Brunelle and ReneRae Chasidy Brunelle, Owners. ● LaMettry’s Collision, Richfield, MN, Joanne LaMettry, Owner. ● Center Square Motors, Blue Bell, PA, Chuck Dietch, Owner. The five winners were selected Chasidy based on criteriawith including sales im-Rae provement; overall gross profit improvement; Vision PLUS Performance Group meeting attendance; and meeting participation and contributions.
The U.S. automotive aftermarket is expected to grow on a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4 percent until 2017, according to the “2014 Joint Channel Forecast Model” produced by the Automotive Sisk Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Auto Care Association. The model predicts that the total aftermarket sales will grow from $238.4 billion in 2013 to $273.4 billion in 2017, an increase of $35 billion over four years. “The forecast Sisk model demonstrates that despite strong new vehicle sales, historic high gas prices and a flattening of miles driven, our industry is poised for steady growth,” said Kathleen Schmatz, Auto Care Association president and CEO. “Why? The average age of vehicles is 11.4 years, Sisk the oldest ever, and the age mix of vehicles continues to favor older vehicles, creating a robust sweet spot for service and repair.” Said Bill Long, AASA president and COO, “The forecast model anticipates that Sisk growth in population, employment and income will lead to an increase in miles driven and the number of vehicles on the road resulting in long-term aftermarket growth.”
Northeast Associations Midwest Associations
National Associations
Northwest Associations Shop Showcase
40 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
with Ed Attanasio
Solera’s Tony Aquila, speaking at an international collision repair conference in 2009, said businesses should focus on ‘value’ rather than price, “because cheap sucks.”
David Friedman, one of the authors of the report, amplified the point. “Let’s say State Farm says to their DRP providers, ‘We think you’re the best of the best and we’ve got a new higher-grade program where we’ll
channel even more work to you and we’ll have less inspection.” —As reported in The Golden Eagle. By mid-2000, State Farm was piloting a “Select Service” program with Sterling Collision shops (prior to that chain being owned by Allstate) in several markets; the program eventually replaced the insurer’s “Service First” program, significantly reducing the number of participating shops. 10 years ago in the collision repair industry (June 2004) Tom McGee would like everyone in the collision industry to ask themselves two questions: What led you to get into this industry, and did you ever expect when you started out to be doing what you’re doing now? McGee, the CEO of I-CAR, posed those questions to about 60 people attending an I-CAR “industry forum” in Chicago as a way to introduce his con-
Auto Body Parts Receive Consumer Discount at Auto Pros USA Parts Retail Website Auto body parts are now under new terms of sale at the Auto Pros USA website. All import and domestic parts shippable are receiving new sticker prices for purchasers. Discounts for select types of auto parts can be hard for consumers to locate due to the increase of freight costs for automobile parts shipments. The Auto Pros USA company is now providing a discount for all used auto body parts available for sale at http://autoprosusa.com. The entire inventory of American and imported models of parts that are available for public sale this year has been lowered in retail price. New contracts with agencies offering better prices has helped to configure the current discounts that are found when shopping on the company homepage in 2014. “The vehicle body parts that are offered are in preowned and in aftermarket condition to provide easy selection options for parts purchasers,” an Auto Pros source said. The automobile replacement parts for sale that are marketed on the Auto Pros website to consumers now feature a new phase of warranty coverage. The extension of warranty periods now included for most parts
sales is already calculated in the quoted prices. “American and foreign automaker brands can be found using our search location tool on our homepage to discover all components discounts in place,” confirmed the source. The Auto Pros USA company website now provides consumers with the updated toll-free phone line used to support customers not shopping through the homepage this year. The number at 1-888-230-1731 is now in place for consumers to use for locating company supplied parts. The AutoProsUSA.com company provides discounts for vehicle parts and accessories that can be purchased through its Internet portal. This company has launched a database available to consumers with hundreds of suppliers currently quoting prices before purchase. The AutoProsUSA.com company has a staff of experts contributing to the customer support now available daily. The automotive partners that are found through the company website change periodically as different distributors are included in the North American network.
cept for some websites to help attract more young people into the industry. “Nobody ever explains the career opportunities,” said McGee, who said he’s now the head of an international training organization but started out in the autobody “hobby class” in his high school. “I use the example of touring the DuPoint lab and looking at people who used to be technicians now working in the chemistry area in product analysis. Guys who worked in the stall next to me at my first job out of college now work for GM and Daimler-Chrysler. Did I expect them to go there or me to go here? No. But we don’t show parents what these opportunities are to allow them to understand that kids can make a good career and living in this industry.” McGee, drawing on his own experience as the father of three kids, ages 7 to 12, suggested that I-CAR develop age-based websites that would include such interactive activities as racing and other games, drag-anddrop customizing of vehicles, trivia and printable coloring books that would give kids reasons to visit the sites…The sites would let kids tinker with cars “virtually,” and also help them see that collision repair skills
can lead to rewarding careers not only within shops, but also with paint companies, information providers and insurers. —As reported in Autobody News. I-CAR launched two such websites in 2005. CollisionCareers.org is still live, though it is fairly static and offers little in the way of career path “stories” as it did in the early days. CollisionKids.org is no longer an active site. McGee left I-CAR in 2008 and is now with the Automotive Training Institute.
5 years ago in the collision repair industry (June 2009) Tony Aquila, CEO of Solera, Inc. (the parent company of AudaExplore) told the 250 IBIS attendees (shops, insurers and vendors from about two dozen countries) that businesses moving forward can take one of two roads. “I think you can just focus on ‘faster, better, cheaper,’ but to me, that’s a dead-end,” he said. “It really doesn’t take you anywhere, because eventually, you can’t make it that much cheaper, and you start to erode your profitability, then you start to lose your enthusiasm and vision, and everything kind of unravels. Or you can focus on
what we believe, which is ‘faster, better, more valuable.’ Focus on highvalue things that allow you the opportunity to innovate. Because then price is not the issue. It’s about the value you are delivering. We make no bones about it: When we do something, we want to get paid for it because we’re doing something high-value.” Aquila was asked how his company’s shop customers can use that concept when they feel continually squeezed by insurers. “If the customer is saying they want cheaper, then I would argue to my people that we’re not doing a good enough job providing more value,” Aquila said. “When you focus on just price, the value curve is out of the equation. That means innovation is not happening. You’re not giving them more services. When customers say to me, ‘We need it cheaper,’ then I immediately think: What do I have to do to add more value so they stop talking about cheap. Because cheap sucks. It’s not good for any of us. What we need to concentrate on is how do we get the waste out of the process.” —as reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), June 29, 2009.
I-CAR Enhances Website, Other Improvements Coming
I-CAR® reinforces their ongoing commitment to providing improved services to industry professionals by launching the first of many enhancements to the I-CAR website. These first enhancements are centered around the user registration and tracking portal, myI-CAR.com, with improvements that include more user-friendly, streamlined registration and login pages, along with redesigned, personalized landing pages for faster navigation and ease of class scheduling. Users will see an immediate difference during the login process and find navigation easier as soon as they enter the site. The new landing pages have graphically-focused visual navigation for easy identification of quick links to frequently utilized resources and information. Some of the new highlights include immediate visibility to Gold Class and Platinum recognition status, expiration dates and reports that provide specific details on training required by students and businesses in order to achieve or maintain their Platinum or Gold Class status. Visit www.i-car.com or contact Customer Care at 800-ICAR-USA.
QUALITY IS ALL WE THINK ABOUT. THAT AND QUALITY.
See these Hyundai dealers below for all your collision parts needs!
THESE DEALERS are GENUINE WHOLESALE PARTS SPECIALISTS. MIC H IGAN
Sunshine Toyota BATTLE CREEK
269-965-1000
269-441-1262 Fax Mon. - Fri. 7:30am - 6pm; jody@sunshinetoyota.com www.sunshinetoyota.com
Toyota Grand Rapids GRAND RAPIDS
800-354-7037
616-942-4658 Fax
OHIO
INDIANA
Classic Hyundai
Indy Hyundai
MENTOR
INDIA NAPOLIS
440-266-6750
800-592-5170
440-266-6763 Fax
317-536-1552 Fax
Mon-Fri 7am - 6pm Sat 7am - 3pm gregj@driveclassic.com www.driveclassic.com
Mon 8am - 8pm Tue-Fri 8am - 6pm Sat 8am - 1pm inss.partsmgr@rohrman.com www.indyhyundai.com
Mon., Wed. 7:30am - 8pm; Tue., Thur., Fri. 7:30am - 6pm; Sat. 8am - 12pm www.toyotaofgrandrapids.com
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 41
SEMA Show Registration Now Open As of May 12, 2014, you can now register to attend the 2014 SEMA Show at www.SEMAShow.com/register. The annual trade show for the automotive accessories market is set for Tuesday– Friday, November 4–7, 2014, in Las Vegas, NV.
You can register as an attendee, exhibitor, and media member: Attendees: Distributors, retailers, installers, and buyers who will be meeting with exhibitors at the SEMA Show should register as an attendee. Applicants may be required to submit proof of employment in the industry. During registration, attendees will be able to sign up for special events and
seminars, including those offered by the Society of Collision & Repair Specialists (SCRS), Tire Industry Association (TIA), and more. Approved attendees who register before the early deadline in October 2014 will receive their badges in the mail. Exhibitors: The exhibitor category is for company personnel working in the booths of exhibiting companies. To secure an exhibitor badge, individuals will need to have the unique password and user id that was provided, via email, to the primary contact at the exhibiting company. The primary contact may register the entire staff at one time quickly and easily. Exhibitor badges are not to be used for non-employees, including contest winners, contractors, and vendors. During registration, exhibitors will also be able to order complimentary tickets to the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet. Tickets to the banquet, which is attended by 3,000 attendees and considered by many to be the industry’s premier cel-
NSF Certifies 500 Sheet Metal Parts Made by Gordon
NSF International has certified 500 different sheet metal hoods and fenders from Gordon Auto Body Parts Co., Ltd. via the NSF Automotive Collision Replacement Parts Certification Program. The NSF certification of 500 unique sheet metal parts includes more than 700 different models from all major auto companies. NSF certified parts now cover more than 20,000 vehicle applications and represent a significant increase in the number of sheet metal certified parts available in the market. This 500 parts certification complements Gordon’s already certified steel bumpers and bumper brackets. To earn certification, Gordon automotive parts were independently reviewed and tested against OE service parts and all hoods and fenders were fitted to vehicles to ensure proper fit. NSF International also regularly audits Gordon’s OE-ready manufacturing facilities and quality systems to ensure that they meet or exceed each of NSF’s stringent requirements. “Achieving this important certification from NSF International is essential as it underscores the quality and integrity of our automotive parts in terms of fit, form and function. We look forward to certifying more auto parts in the near future,” said Richard Wang, Gordon Auto Body Parts Co.
Executive Assistant to President. “This NSF certification occurs in conjunction with the increase in Gordon’s sheet metal parts inventory so we are prepared to offer these NSF certified parts to ensure inventory levels can meet the anticipated growth in demand.” “Earning NSF certification underscores Gordon’s commitment to ensuring that high-quality collision replacement parts are available so body repairers, insurers and distributors can make more quality repairs using NSF certified hoods, fenders, steel bumpers and bumper brackets,” said Bob Frayer, Director of NSF International’s Automotive Collision Certification Programs. In addition to sheet metal components, the NSF Automotive Collision Replacement Parts Certification Program tests and certifies lamps, bumper fascias, reinforcing beams (rebars), step bumpers, plastic components and absorbers. NSF also offers automotive collision parts distributor certification, which requires distributors to have quality management systems in place that address traceability, service and quality issues. This includes having an effective records system, inventory systems to track orders and parts through the supply chain, and an ISO 9001-certified quality management system.
42 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
ebration, sell for $50 each. Media members: Editors and journalists covering the SEMA Show can register for complimentary media credentials. Applicants may need to supply proof of media affiliation, such as bylined articles or business cards. All approved media will be able to pick up their credentials onsite in the SEMA Show Media Center, which includes exclusive services and amenities to assist with reporting from the event. During registration, media are able to secure a ticket to the LTAA Media Preview—a brandnew event that will give media exclusive early access to new products on Monday, November 3, 2014, the day before the SEMA Show officially opens. “There are many advantages to registering early for the SEMA Show,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of events and communications. “Early application expedites the registration process, which is the first step to developing a personal plan for the show. Whether you’re an exhibitor, buyer, or media, having a plan in advance of the event is the best way to ensure success.” Complete details about the SEMA Show and registration are available at www.semashow.com.
Continued from Page 36
Achievement Awards
senting it to him.” Receiving an award of this magnitude was hard for Gary to process initially. “I have to say maybe I still don’t believe it,” he said. “In my 51 years of life, the only milestones more incredible than this one were the birth of my children. Family is so important to me, I wouldn’t have had the time available to offer help to other repairers around the globe had I not been blessed with my sisters Kristi Wano and Tammy Tomberlin and my parents Gary, Sr. and Leona, who were willing to focus on the day-to-day operations of our store. “Their contribution also allowed me to work with some of the best leadership in the industry, the SCRS board. SCRS helped me grow into the professional I am today, and it’s no surprise as I see all of the attributes listed for this award in each SCRS board member. They share a passion for the industry and aspire to a level of fortitude and selflessness in their drive for industry improvement. If we keep moving forward, I have no doubt the best is yet to come.”
Car-O-Liner Offers Free Value-Added Design Planning
Car-O-Liner®, a leading global provider of collision repair equipment to the automotive aftermarket, offers WorkShop facility design planning for Car-O-Liner equipment placement as a free value-added service through local authorized Car-O-Liner Distributors. Through this service, shops address challenges posed by limited space or awkward building layouts by designing a concept for how Car-O-Liner equipment will best fit to optimize work flow, thereby providing confidence that their equipment investment will maximize both technician productivity and shop profitability.
After consulting on the objectives of the facility, the Car-O-Liner Distributor will work with shop operators and their architects to plan and visualize the most effective layout
from a top view in 2D. The unique footprint of the building is accurately represented to include structural attributes such as garage bay openings as well as doors, windows, lighting,
and more. Equipment can be rotated and moved, in real time, to determine optimal placement with consideration for vehicle flow restrictions, safety, and other requirements of the space. At any time, the design can be viewed in 3D from any angle with the ability to save and print high-resolution drawings and specifications. In addition to 3D renderings, a detailed report of the Car-O-Liner equipment specifications selected for the layout can be printed to quickly and easily make the design a reality. To learn more about how a WorkShop facility design plan can improve your efficiency, contact your local Car-O-Liner Distributor, visit www.car-o-liner.com, or call toll free (844) 833-9419.
ABRA Acquires 24 Collision Centers of America Locations
ABRA Auto Body & Glass, a leading national damaged vehicle repair company, announced the purchase of all 24 Collision Centers of America repair centers in Chicago, Illinois, the surrounding communities, and Northwest Indiana. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. “They’re a great company. I know our employees and customers will be in good hands moving forward and will receive the same personalized service and top-quality workmanship they have enjoyed with us over the years.” ABRA is one of the largest and fastest growing multi shop repair operators in the country. Today’s transaction boosts its nationwide portfolio to 218 collision repair centers in 17 states. “ABRA is one of the most iconic brands in the collision repair industry,” said David Mulder Sr., founder and president of Collision Centers of America. “They’re a great company. I know our employees and customers will be in good hands moving forward and will receive the same personalized service and topquality workmanship they have enjoyed with us over the years.”
AMI Taking Applications for $1,000 High-Octane Award
The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) is accepting applications for the $1,000 Arrowhead Specialty Markets "High Octane" Scholarship. The scholarship, which is awarded to an Automotive Service Association (ASA) Mechanical Division member who strives to be, or is presently working in a management capacity. The scholarship will be applied toward the recipient’s expenses to attend the 2014 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in Detroit, July 31–Aug. 2. CARS is sponsored by ASA and offers an educational lineup of AMI seminars, technical training courses and industry sessions, an exposition and the opportunity to network with other automotive service professionals. To be eligible, applicants must work in the mechanical repair industry; must demonstrate an interest in self-improvement through education and training; must own or work for a business that is an ASA member in good standing; and, if the applicant is not the business owner, must be recommended by the owner. To request a scholarship application, call AMI at (800) 272-7467, ext. 101.
Bloomberg reports Esurance to Take on Advertising Giants
Solera Buys Pittsburgh Glass Works’ Insurance Business
Advance Auto Profit Up 21%, Acquisition Boosts Sales
SCRS Member’s E-Catalog
Allstate Corp., the largest publicly traded home and auto insurer, hired Alan Gellman from Wells Fargo & Co. to oversee marketing at its Esurance unit. Gellman will be chief marketing officer, reporting to Esurance Chief Executive Officer Gary Tolman in San Francisco. He held marketing roles for the past 10 years at Wells Fargo, the auto insurer said. Allstate has ramped up advertising spending to win customers from big spending rivals such as GEICO and Progressive Corp.
Solera Holdings Inc. says it is buying the insurance and services division of private equity-owned Pittsburgh Glass Works LLC for $280 million, expanding the Texas-based insurance software company’s business to include automobile repair and claims management services. Solera’s acquisition of the insurance division, which is expected to close by the end of June, will be paid for entirely with cash, the company said. Pittsburgh Glass Works is owned by NY-based private equity firm Kohlberg & Co. LLC.
Auto parts retailer Advance Auto Parts Inc reported a 21 percent rise in quarterly profit, helped by the acquisition of the biggest operator of the Carquest chain of auto repair shops and car parts stores. Advance Auto completed the acquisition of General Parts International Inc in January, making the company the largest auto parts retailer by sales in the United States. Advance Auto’s net income as reported rose to $147.7 million in the first quarter ended April 19 from $121.8 million a year earlier.
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) Member Services E-Catalog was created to help SCRS members do business with other members. If you are a repair facility, share it with your friends and colleagues; if you are with an association, pass it along to your membership. If you are a corporate or company member, share it with your customer base or post to your social media account. View the catalog at: http://scrs.com/index.php?id=ecatalog.
What are the Best Parts of Driving? Mazda Parts.
All The Genuine Lexus Parts You Need For That Trouble Free Repair, And Lexus Finish! These Dealers Below Are Genuine Lexus Parts Distributors:
Order your Genuine Mazda Parts from one of these parts specialists in your area.
OHIO
Lexus of Akron/Canton Akron
OHIO
800-326-8111
Brunswick Mazda
(330) 645-4811 Fax
Toll Free 888-460-7080 Direct 330-460-7080
Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm; Sat 9am - 3pm rob_rotondo@lexusofakron.com www.lexusofakron.com
Brunswick
Fax 330-460-7082 M-F 8-6; Sat 8-4 www.brunswickautomart.com
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 43
BMW Joint Venture to Triple Carbon Fiber Plant Capacity
BMW Group’s joint venture with SGL Group will spend $200 million to triple the capacity of its carbon fiber products plant in Moses Lake, WA. The factory will become the world’s largest producer of carbon fiber, with an annual output of 9,000 tons by 2015 when the expansion is completed. The plant provides carbon fiber reinforced plastics for BMW’s family of i electric and plugin hybrid cars—the i3 electric compact car and the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. The i3 has just been released in the US and the i8 is to launch in August. The carbon fiber has been used to produce 5,000 i3 cars at BMW’s factory in Leipzig, Germany, which has a daily output of 100 vehicles. With the expansion, BMW said it will be able to use the carbon fiber for other models “at competitive costs and in large quantities.” The redesigned 7-series flagship sedan due in two years is expected to make extensive use of carbon fiber. The joint venture, SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, is 49 percent owned by BMW. The partners have spent $100 million on the plant, which has 80 employees. The expansion will create 120 additional jobs.
US Government Says It Lost $11.2 billion on GM bailout
The U.S. government lost $11.2 billion on its bailout of General Motors, more than the $10.3 billion Treasury estimated when it sold its remaining GM shares in December. The $11.2 billion loss includes a write-off in March of the government’s remaining $826 million investment in "old" GM. The U.S. government spent about $50 billion to bail out GM. During the company’s 2009 bankruptcy, the government’s investment was converted to a 61% equity stake in the automaker, plus preferred shares and a loan. The US bailout of GM and Chrysler saved 1.5 million jobs in the United States, according to the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, MI. GM just posted its 17th consecutive profitable quarter. Earnings, however, were hurt by a $1.3 billion charge for the costs of various recalls, including for faulty ignition switches on 2.6 million cars. GM is under investigation by the Justice Department, U.S. auto safety regulators and Congress over its failure to detect the faulty ignition switch for over a decade. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is also investigating GM.
OSHA Cracking Down on Isocyanate Exposure
A representative of GMG Envirosafe warned attendees of the Collision Industry Conference held April 9–10 that OSHA is cracking down on body shops to ensure workers are protected from isocyanate exposure. Brandon Thomas, chief operations officer of GMG, a company that offers OSHA, EPA and DOT compliance solutions, said a study done by OSHA’s counterpart in Britain found that painters in a body shop environment have 80 times the risk of occupational asthma from isocyanates than industrial workers. It’s precisely for that reason, Thomas said, that OSHA is targeting the collision industry more aggressively than others. According to Thomas, OSHA has fined body shops $1.6 million over the last three years. OSHA’s enforcement division has increased inspections 25 percent over the last four years because they have a bigger budget, and there is an average of 4.33 citations per inspection. OSHA’s goal, Thomas said, is to eliminate isocyanate exposure altogether in two ways: engineering controls (spraybooth, mixing rooms, ventilation, gun washers, etc.) and administrative controls (PPE training and processes).
CAPA Reaches 15 Year Milestone for Vehicle Test Fits
The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) incorporated its Vehicle Test Fit (VTF) program in 1999 and since then, CAPA has performed more than 10,000 VTFs to ensure that the gap, flush and fit of CAPA parts rival those of OE parts. Since then, there has been a dramatic increase in the quality of the aftermarket parts submitted for testing under CAPA’s rigorous certification standards. CAPA says its program was so successful that after it was initiated, the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) performed blind test fits to compare CAPA Certified parts to OE service parts. CIC participants selected the CAPA Certified part five out of eight times. “While today CAPA’s unique vehicle test fit process has become the industry-accepted standard for test fitting aftermarket parts, it was entirely innovative when we introduced it,” said Debbie Klouser, CAPA’s director of operations. “Considering all of CAPA’s extensive certification requirements, the VTF has played the single most critical role in today’s acceptance of CAPA Certified parts as the best way to contain repair costs without compromising quality.”
Ford Dealerships Exceed Enrollment Goals for Collision Repair Training on F-150
According to Ford, 850 Ford dealerFord sold 763,402 F-series trucks When aluminum is bent or bro- more than 3,000 dealerships have ships have enrolled technicians in in 2013. It doesn’t report sales of the ken, it behaves differently than steel. body shops; the rest outsource the training courses to learn how to do F-150 separately from the rest of the F Aluminum does not have the “metal work to other dealerships or to indecollision repairsthe on industry. the 2015 alu- series, but Ford production statistics memory” to resume its original shape, pendent collision repair shops. Ford matters affecting Want to Contribute to this Southwest Edition? said it has enrolled about 420 indeminum F-150 pickup. Ford said the show that 69 percent of all F-series as steel does. number exceeds its goal of having 750 production was F-150 in 2013. Ford strongly recommends col- pendent shops and hopes to enroll 750 dealerships enrolled in the courses by 2-part course lision shops set up separate areas by year end. the end of 2014. The I-CAR training course will for working on aluminum because Technicians aren’t the only ones utobodynews.com The training courses will be be divided into twopublisher@autobodynews.com segments. The of steel-aluminum contamination is- who need a better understanding of taught by instructors from I-CAR. first teaches general aluminum repair sues. Galvanic corrosion, similar to the aluminum repair process: InsurJason Bartanen, I-CAR director of techniques, including aluminum weld- rust, can occur when the metals ance adjusters do, too. industry technical relations, calls it ing and the operation of rivet guns. touch each other. Combustion can Said Bartanen: “This training one of the biggest technical training The second concentrates particular occur when the two metals will with be open to the insurance industry Promote on your businessalso with Promote your business programs of its kind ever. So far, I- design elements of the 2015 F-150 it- mix. so insurance adjusters will know what exclusive article featuring an exclusive article featuring CAR has scheduled about 700 classes self. Among thean training requirements to do and can write more accurate in locations around the country. DealFord has offered to pay the or costservices. will be a weld test in which technidamage assessments.” your products or services. your products advertise ership training To begins this month. of one technician per dealership for cians will be asked to perform six I-CAR and Ford experts also will y callindependent Joe Momber at: the training course, which takes about welds from two positions. I-CAR offer lectures and demonstrations on Training for collision ry shops and insurance estimators begins two days and costs about $1,000. welding experts will travel to dealer- repairing the new F-150 at the Inter800-699-8251 in June. Dealerships that want to have more ships and repair shops to be sure that national Autobody Congress & Expoe-mail: “Because of the magnitude and than one trained technician will pay they have acquired the proper alu- sition (NACE) July 30-Aug. 2 in CALL: JoetoMomber Call for jmomber@autobodynews.com of this vehicle, I think we’re the additional expense send extrafor details! minum-handling equipment and details! that Detroit. 51 volume going to see a fantastic response to technicians. it is installed properly, Bartanen said. The 2015 F-150 is scheduled to www.autobodynews.com this course,” he said. To work on 800-699-8251 aluminum, Ford Independent shops 800-699-8251 arrive in dealerships in the fourth Ford’s shift from steel to alu- recommends that dealerships with Roughly 20 percent of Ford’s quarter. n. minum on its biggest-selling vehicle body shops and independent repair is an enormous industrial undertaking shops buy new tools, including speand affects everyone from the factory cialized rivet guns, MIG (metal inert floor to the collision repair shop. FordEmail gas) welders and specialized vacuum Register Your for Our Register Your Email for Our wants to be sure collision repair spe- systems. Ford has estimated dealercialists know what they’re doing the ships can buy the equipment they first time a damaged aluminum need to get started for $30,000 to pickup rolls into a shop. $50,000.
te us!
write us!
Free Monthly Newsletter
Free Twice Monthly Newsletter
at www.autobodynews.com
at www.autobodynews.com
44 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
South Carolina Shop Files Suit Against State Farm Citing Breaches of Contract and Defamation The owners of Coastal Collision Collision Works and other Charleston Works, David and Susan Monta- body shops to repair automobiles on naro, filed suit on March 6 against the basis of the State Farm estimate of State Farm in the SC Court of Com- damage instead of performing an inmon Pleas for defamation, unfair dependent evaluation of damage. trade practices, breach of contract ● Attempting to persuade Coastal with their insureds and breach of Collision Works and other Charleston agreement with Coastal Collision. body shops to not use new parts but to The shop is located at 2543 Savannah substitute parts of an inferior quality; Hwy, Charleston, SC, 29414. Becky to repair instead of replace parts reSnelgrove and Steve Fields are quiring replacement; and to ignore named in the suit as State Farm rep- damages that might not be recognizawww.autobodynews.com resentatives. ble by the customer. CHECK IT OUT! Coastal Collision Works accuses ● Arbitrarily refusing to pay reaState Farm of engaging in a course of sonable costs associated with needed action to artificially depress the price repairs. for the repair of damaged automobiles ● Refusing to pay the fair market in the Charleston, SC, area. In addi- price of parts, insisting that any body tion it accuses State Farm of: shop doing State Farm repairs order ● Attempting to persuade Coastal from aTo specific parts supplier and then advertise Collision Works and other Charleston call refusing to reimburse the at: body shops Advertising Sales body shops to agree to repair automo- for the extra time involved in ordering 800-699-8251 biles for an amount less than they orparts from the specified parts supplier. e-mail: dinarily charge in exchange for ● Refusing to pay for certain reprompt adjustment of losses; for re- advertising@autobodynews.com pairs and operations necessary in the ferral of business; and for being listed www.autobodynews.com repair of damaged vehicles. by State Farm as a “preferred” shop. In addition, the shop says State ● Attempting to persuade Coastal Farm falsely accused the owners of
This spring, four CARSTAR Auto charging noncompetive prices and of Body Repair Experts stores were performing work not reasonably necrecognized by Mitchell, as recipients of the 2013 AutocheX™ Soluessary for a proper repair, which has tion Premier Achiever Awards. damaged the shop’s reputation and “Repair shops are making a comcaused it monetary damages. mitment to their customers on a According to the plaintiffs, State daily basis,” said Jim O’Leary, Vice Farm violated the South Carolina UnPresident of Mitchell Repair Solufair Trade Practices Act by steering tions. “It’s important for Mitchell to recognize these efforts and honor customers to competitors, citing the Give us your on matters those affecting industry. teams the that have gone above State Farm Selectopinion Service Program. and beyond to deliver some of the The plaintiffs have requested industry’s best service.” The 12th triple damages from the court. annual Premier Achiever Awards A State Farm spokesman had not honor collision repair shops that publisher@autobodynews.com responded to a request for comment at consistently achieve the highest press time. customer satisfaction scores as measured by the AutocheX solution, either independently or as part of an insurance-sponsored repair program. The CARSTAR shops honored this year were: To advertise The source for timely ● Walt’s Autobody CARSTAR call Joe Momber at: – information that every Topeka, KS 800-699-8251 ● ABC CARSTAR Body & Frame body shop needs! – Prescott, AZ e-mail: ● Superior Auto Body CARSTAR – jmomber@autobodynews.com CALL 800-699-8251 Pinellas Park, FL ● www.autobodynews.com Autobody Resurrection Start Your FREE CARSTAR – Lakeland, FL
See the NEW
Audi Genuine Parts
Four CARSTAR Shops Were Recognized by Mitchell
write us!
Mail Subscription.
Register Your Email WE WANT TO BE YOUR SOURCE FOR REAL VOLKSWAGEN Free PARTS. Monthly Ne
Autobody News Website
Nothing else measures up.
www.autobodynews.com
at www.autobodynew We have the Real VW Collision Parts that make your job easier and your customers happier.
To advertise call Sean Hartman at:
800-699-8251 e-mail:
Order Audi Genuine Parts from these select Dealers shartman@autobodynews.com
www.autobodynews.com
Illinois Audi Exchange HIGHLAND PARK 847-432-5880 847-432-5708 Fax
Ohio
Brunswick Volkswagen B R U NS W ICK
Toll Free 888-460-7080 Direct 330-460-7080 FAX: 330-460-7082
M-Fri 8am - 6pm; Sat 8am - 4pm
www.brunswickautomart.com
gorejel@audiexchange.com
These dealers are Genuine VW Parts Wholesale Specialists. www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 45
NACE | CARS 2014 Agenda Announced and Online Attendee Registration Opens
As of May 6, 2014, both online attendee registration and housing reservations are open for the 32nd annual NACE | CARS 2014 Expo & Conference at http://www.naceexpo.com/Content/Reg ister/3/. Part of Industry Week, the collision and service repair industry’s premier networking event, the NACE | CARS 2014 Conference will be held July 30–August 2, 2014, and the Expo will be held July 31 and August 1, 2014, at the COBO Convention Center in Detroit, MI. Other Industry Week events include many board and association meetings on July 28, 2014; the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) summer meeting on July 29, 2014; and the I-CAR Conference and Gala 35th Anniversary Networking Event on July 30, 2014.
View the Conference Program and Schedule-At-A-Glance at: http://www.naceexpo.com/page.cfm/A ction=Seminar/libID=1/listID=1/t=m/ goSection=5. Expo passes to access the show floor only can be purchased for $35. Individual, 90-minute conference sessions are available for $75 per session or individual three- or four-hour conference sessions are available for $150 per session. A Day Pass is $250, and Saturday Mechanical Sessions are $150. A full-access Super Pass is $315 for members and $365 for non-members. All prices noted reflect early bird pricing, which is in effect through June 14, 2014. I-CAR Add-On Education, the Collision Repair Executive Symposium (CRES)/MSO Symposium,
and Technology and Telematics Forum (TTF) events are available at an additional charge. New for 2014, all registration options include the NACE | CARS Show Floor Receptions in the evening on July 31 and August 1; the Opening General Session the morning of July 31, 2014; and The Assembly - Industry Forum in the afternoon on July 30, 2014. Additional details on these events will be released in the near future. Special discount pricing is available for Automotive Service Association (ASA) members, and discounts are also provided for other industry organization members. All NACE | CARS exhibitors will be offering substantially discounted Expo Passes and 10 percent off any conference purchase (excluding I-CAR Add-
NACE Announces CRES/MSO Symposium Agenda
NACE has announced the schedule is now available for the Collision Repair Executive Symposium (CRES), formerly the MSO Symposium. The MSO Symposium has been an extremely popular, sold-out event during NACE since it premiered in 2011, drawing attendance from the largest multi-shop operators in the collision repair industry. This all-new CRES business event now caters to a broader group of collision repair executives allowing it to be more inclusive of some of the best, as well as the largest, operators in the marketplace. This year’s event includes key changes in content including a focus on management, operations and participation from insurance company executives presenting leading information on industry trends. Designed for collision repair multi-shop operators, as well as operators looking for high-growth strategies, mergers and acquisitions, divesting, and operational excellence, CRES is scheduled for Friday, August 1. The NACE | CARS Expo will take place Thursday and Friday, July 31-Aug. 1, with education beginning Wednesday, July 29, at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit.
Registration for CRES is $150 before June 14 and $250 following, and is available online at http://www.NACEexpo.com/Content/Register/3/ for qualified shop owners. This “next generation” CRES event provides information for high-growth shop owners and multiple-store operators that is unparalleled. This year’s CRES includes an Expo Pass, as well as a ticket to the Opening General Session and Welcome Party Thursday, July 31, allowing for multiple networking opportunities for shop owners and MSOs throughout the event. “A significant amount of time, effort and planning has been invested in developing the fresh content for this year’s all-new format for CRES as we strive to deliver relevant, high-level content for this important and rapidly growing segment of the collision repair industry,” said Russell Thrall, Collision Week publisher, symposium moderator and co-producer. Dan Risley, ASA president and executive director, and CRES co-producer stated, “Some businesses are preparing for expansion through growth or acqui-
“We applaud and welcome Valspar’s leadership commitment to the NABC,” said Chuck Sulkala, NABC executive director. “Valspar’s membership at our highest Diamond level represents a strong endorsement of the value and important work by our entire membership as we continue to strengthen and build a positive image of our collision industry.” View all NABC Diamond Members at: nationalautobodycouncil.org/membership/diamond-members.
46 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
www.autobodynews.com CHECK IT OUT!
sition while others are preparing for merger or divestiture. This symposium will provide information essential in understanding market conditions and preparing for the future, regardless the size of the business.” Sponsorship opportunities for the CRES are selling quickly, with 12 sponsors confirmed to date: ASA, AudaExplore, AutoZone, Axalta Coating
Systems, BASF, Car-O-Liner, Chief Automotive Technologies, CollisionWeek, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, PPG, UniCure and Universal Technical Institute. It is co-produced by ASA, NACE To advertise and Russell Thrall. CRES will be moderated by a call Advertising Sales at: team of experts including Marcy Tieger, 800-699-8251 Roger Wright, Erick Bickett and Russell Thrall. e-mail:
advertising@autobodynews.com
AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE
www.autobodynews.com
When all you need to do is move a vehicle, use:
See the N
Autobody New > EASY TO USE <
SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY
Go to www.forkliftwrecker.com and watch our video.
877.593.6959
Valspar Joins National Auto Body Council
Valspar Automotive is the 32nd National Auto Body Council (NABC) Diamond Member. “From the time we first visited with NABC representatives at the SEMA Show in 2013, we knew this was an important mission that we need and want to support,” said Peter Willman, Valspar Automotive North America general manager. “Community involvement matters to us, which is why it was an easy decision to join and help further the NABC mission and its programs.”
On Education). Attendees are encouraged to contact an exhibitor to redeem this discount. For a list of current exhibitors, visit http://fp37.a2zinc.net/clients/StonefortGroup/NC14/public/eventmap.aspx. In addition, special discounts are available to students and educators focused in the automobile repair industry. Additionally, NACE | CARS participants are encouraged to book hotel reservations early, as the rooms are filling fast. Attendees and exhibitors can review the hotels within the official housing block and reserve their rooms online.
www.autobodyn
Looking for Good Collision Personnel? •1,262 Collision Techs resumes online •1,295 Painters resumes online •1,177 Estimators & Mgs resumes online •11,256 Mechanical Tech resumes online
To advertise ACTautostaffing.com or 727-733-5600 call Sean Hartman at:
TheFastenerWarehouse.com
Save 40-60% • Easy to navigate online catalog • Same or next day priority shipping • Check out our monthly specials • Use promo code TFW at check out to receive an additional 5% savings
800.281.6399 TFWHouse@aol.com
800-699-8251 Advertise e-mail:in our shartman@autobodynews.com CLASSIFIED SECTION for $50 per column inch! www.autobodynews.com Place an ad in our AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE section of Autobody News.
800-699-8251 ltedesco@autobodynews.com
MCR Safety Donates 26,000+ Pairs of Safety Eyeware
MCR Safety donated over 26,000 pairs of safety glasses and goggles worth nearly $50K to the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). They will be distributed to collision school programs across the country for fall 2014. “We protect people and are proud to contribute our safety eyewear to help support CREF efforts...We hope our contributions will foster safety awareness throughout their careers,” stated Glen Herald, MCR Safety COO. CREF director of development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “On behalf of the thousands of collision students that this donation will assist and help keep them safe within their collision school programs, I would like to thank MCR Safety for their continued support. This in-kind donation will be one to remember, and it was awe-inspiring to have a semi-truck deliver 15 pallets of the donated glasses and goggles. As collision school instructors continue to face shrinking program budgets, this type of donation helps free up additional funds that can now be used elsewhere within their collision program.”
ETI to Hold Meeting with NACE CARS in Detroit
NABC Appoints Dan Young to Board of Directors
Another automotive industry organization will be joining Industry Week and the NACE/CARS 2014 Conference & Expo in Detroit MI. The Equipment & Tool Institute (ETI) will hold their board meeting Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit,. Dan Risley, Automotive Service Association (ASA) president and executive director, stated “We are thrilled to have ETI join us in Detroit this year. This is a very important and respected organization, and their support is significant to Industry Week. The overriding purpose of the event is to bring the industry together, and ETI’s involvement is another example of collaboration.” “ETI is pleased to be holding our summer Board of Directors Meeting in Detroit in conjunction with Industry Week,” said Jessie Korosec, ETI meeting and event manager. “The Westin is an excellent venue and we are looking forward to a successful meeting.” Visit www.etools.org and www.naceexpo.com to learn more.
The National Auto Body Council bership can use to make a positive (NABC) appointed Dan Young, impact in their local communities.” CARSTAR senior vice president of Sulkala also thanked Mark insurance reltions, to its Board of Di- Lovell for his years of service to the rectors. Young will complete a two- NABC. “We appreciate the signifiyear term vacated by Mark Lovell of cant investment of personal time that LKQ Corporation because of in- Mark has dedicated to NABC as a creased business commitments. member of the board and especially As part of his responsibilities on for his efforts to pioneer, develop, the NABC Board of Directors, Young and chair the Distracted Driving Iniwill also serve as chair of the NABC tiative,” said Sulkala. Distracted Driving Initiative, an intra”I have been a long-time supcollision industry effort to educate porter of NABC and its initiatives to young drivers on give back and help those in need,” the dangers of said Young. “I am honored to have inattentive and an opportunity to work with my coldistracted driv- leagues on the Board of Directors ing. who are all committed to NABC’s “We are de- mission to identify and implement lighted to wel- programs that promote a positive come Dan to our image of our collision industry.” Dan Young Board of Directors,” said Chuck Sulkala, NABC executive director. “Dan’s considerFollow us on Twitter: able industry experience from both the collision repair as well as insurance perspectives will be invaluable in helping NABC enhance commuAccept no Substitutes! Give us programs your opinion on matters affecting the industry. nity service that our mem-
www.autobodynews.com
write us!
CHECK IT OUT!
@autobodynews
publisher@autobodynews.com SCRS Examines Repairer Ability to Control Data
Many repairers are unaware of the being accessed and collected, and inbreadth of data being extracted from quiring if repair facility end-users their servers, where it is being ex- have options to restrict non-required tracted from, what settings they could data from being collected, accessed, or employ to better control the flow of shared. As a result of that research, Precise fit and finish, information, or even how that infor- SCRS issued an article outlining the installation and mation may be used beyond its in- resulting responses To fromadvertise each of the Toeasy advertise The source tended purpose. For years,for the timely Society technology organizations. The article a limited warranty call Advertising Sales at: call Joe Momber at: of Collision Repair that Specialists information every concludes that: direct from KIA — all (SCRS) has alerted its members about Technology800-699-8251 has increased the 800-699-8251 body shop needs! the potential risk and liability associability to communicate information genuine e-mail:advantages e-mail: ated with inadequate control over esti- amongst businesses; however, the inadvertising@autobodynews.com jmomber@autobodynews.co 800-699-8251 of genuine KIA parts. mate CALL data and business information. crease of applications that indiscrimiFor example, SCRS was notified nately extract data in the background www.autobodynews.com www.autobodynews.com Your local KIA retailer Start Your FREE of growing concerns relative to the for unknown or unintended purposes has all the parts collection of data through participa- is a concern for repairers who have Mail Subscription. tion in the PartsTrader parts procure- obligations to protect data generated you need. ment program. As the program rolled by their business. out across the nation, more questions There are advancements being See the NEW Your Em began to arise when end-users noticed made, or already in Register place, from some key identifying information from non- estimating system providers that allow State Farm estimate files populating collision repair facilities to maintain their PartsTrader dashboard. The re- better control over the data files being pairer concern surrounds the amount exported from the estimating systems www.autobodynews.com at www.autobod of non-voluntary information being to other data collection sources. provided through the data collection The solutions and options for process, which could offer valuable each estimating system vary, so it is information surrounding market vol- important to compare capabilities of ume and shop volume, raising further the software programs relative to feaconcerns over the potential of violat- tures that allow greater control over ing agreements with non-involved car- unwanted data transfer, and to make riers by sharing information with an any necessary profile changes in line To advertise unrelated third-party. with individual business practices. call Sean Hartman at: SCRS researched the issue with Read the full article at: PartsTrader, and each of the estimat- http://scrs.com/data/uploads//2014800-699-8251 ing system providers to identify the april-scrs-examines-repairer-abilitye-mail: means and extent in which the data is to-control-data-flow.pdf. shartman@autobodynews.com
Autobody News Website
MISSOURI Lou Fusz Kia St. Louis
(877) 221-4151 (314) 595-4942 Fax
M, W, F 7am-8pm; T, Th 7am-6pm Sat 7:30am-4pm fuszkiaparts@fusz.com www.kia.fusz.com
www.autobodynews.com
Free Monthly
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS 47
Phone: Go Further 59 Years a Ford Dealer with over 314 Years Parts Experience!
515.270.9095 800.362.1679 Fax Your Order:
515.270.5008 üDedicated Wholesale Staff üPrompt & Dependable Delivery PARTS HOURS Mon - Fri 7:30am-6:00pm s Sat 8:00am-4:30pm
4475 Merle Hay Road Des Moines, IA 50310
OF DES MOINES
• Over $1 Million in OEM Parts • Knowledgeable and Courteous Parts Team • Come see us at our NEW location
1650 SE 37th Street Grimes, IA 50111
The Right Part at The Right Price, Right Now! Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30am-7pm / Fri 7:30am-6pm Sat 7:30am-4:30pm
PARTS: 515.276.4913 • 800.342.7045 FAX 515.276.0277
Electronic Parts Cataloging for Faster & More Accurate Service! • Genuine Kia OEM Parts • Efficient Service on All Orders • Fast & Free Delivery • Parts Specialists On Call
515.727.1815 s 866.412.0152 Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00am-6:00pm / Sat 7:30am-4:30pm
4475 Merle Hay Road · Des Moines IA 50310 48 JUNE 2014 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Fax: 515.309.1412