July 2018 Midwest Edition by Autobody News

36 YEARS

MIDWEST EDITION

AUTOBODY IL / IN / IA / KS / KY / MI / MN / MO / NE / ND / OH / SD / WI

ASA National Announces Changes for ASA Midwest ASA National announced changes to its regional affiliate ASA-Midwest. ASA-Midwest, which is comprised of six states (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas and Oklahoma), will be restructured. Arkansas and Oklahoma will no longer be part of ASA Midwest. In addition, ASA-Midwest’s members will realize a reduction in their annual dues. The reduced administrative expense and a shift to a more virtual environment of meetings and member services is one of the many benefits resulting from these changes which will be effective October 1, 2018.

ASA National will announce a new executive director for ASAMidwest in the coming weeks. Dan Risley, ASA President stated, “The changes will allow us to better serve a broader base of members in these states and hopefully garner an increase in participation as we move to a more virtual means to communicate regularly amongst the board of directors, staff and membership.” Recent legislation in these areas surrounding safety inspection programs is a great example of the need for increased communication and See ASA Midwest, Page 27

Senator: Trump Tariffs May Drive Off Alabama’s Auto Jobs by Brad Harper, Montgomery Advertiser

Alabama Sen. Doug Jones said a proposal by President Donald Trump to place a 25 percent tariff on imported cars, trucks and auto parts could cause automotive plant workers to lose their jobs, especially in Alabama. “I can’t just sit by while the president’s, I believe, shortsighted proposals threaten (jobs) in Alabama,” Jones said. “The proposal is going to hurt Alabama, plain and simple.” In a letter sent June 7 to U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Jones joined Sen. Lamar Alexander,

AUTOBODYNEWS.COM

Vol. 7 / Issue 10 / July 2018

NY Body Shop Sues Insurance Company, Adjusters on Behalf of Clients

State Consumer Insurance Company, Inc., IANet Corporation and insurBarry’s Auto Body is part of an on- ance adjusters Gabe Deri, Louis going lawsuit filed on behalf of five Simo and Basit Irfan. of its customers for “violating genBarry’s Auto Body, co-owned eral business law §349 by engaging by Barry Crupi, Jr. and his sister in unfair claims practices.” Michele, alleges that Tri-State provided only partial payment for the damage claims of customers’ vehicles to repair them back to their pre-accident condition as obligated under an insurance policy and New York State law. The body shop is suing for a total of approximately Barry Crupi, Jr. and his sister Michele are co-owners of $500,000, which includes the body shop legal fees and treble (triple) The Staten Island, NY-based damages. Prior to the repairs, Tri-State body shop originally filed the lawsuit in July of 2017 in the Supreme Court provided Barry’s Body Shop estiof the State of New York against TriSee Body Shop Sues, Page 50 by Stacey Phillips

Will County IL Jury finds Bourbonnais Man Guilty in Double Body Shop Homicide

Democrat Doug Jones won a special election for Senate in December, beating polarizing Republican nominee Roy Moore. Credit: Mickey Welsh, Advertiser See Trump Tariffs, Page 3

A jury found a 43-year-old Bourbonnais man guilty of the slaying of two people in a Joliet shop. Prosecutors argued over the past week that William N. Krasawski was responsible for the deaths of Michael R. Oram, 48, of Joliet and Jamie L. Wills, 43, of Lockport on March 9, 2016, inside Fleet Specialty Painting and Auto Body in Joliet. Both were found beaten to death inside the shop. The jury took about two hours to reach the verdict. When Judge Dave Carlson read the verdict, Wills’ father, Dana, pumped his fist. Krasawski’s sister, Becky, cried out as she was escorted from the courtroom. “Billy, I love you so much!” she said. Doug Oram Sr., Oram’s father, said he was relieved after the past two years had been scary and long. He said he hasn’t been able to sleep.

“My opinion was whatever (the verdict) was, that’s what it was going to be,” Oram said. Dana Wills, who said he lives in Wisconsin, didn’t want to come to the first trial earlier this year, which ended in a mistrial, but he had kept abreast of the developments through the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office. He did come for the reading of the verdict Tuesday. “I’m just glad it’s over,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any way anybody else did it but him. The evidence showed that.” Krasawski’s attorney Alex Beck previously sought to have the case tossed by claiming there was no physical evidence linking his client to Oram’s and Willis’ deaths. “We were surprised by the verdict,” Beck said. “We were happy with See Shop Murder Trial, Page 37

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JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Continued from Cover

Trump Tariffs

CONTENTS 3 Complete Zara’s Collision Center Apprenticeship Program in IL . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Andy’s Auto Group To Relocate to Former Rothman Building in Alton, IL . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Attanasio - IL Body Shop Owner Creates Cajun Sauce, Uses as Marketing Tool . . . . . 32 Auto Body Program to be Discontinued at Alpena, MI, Community College . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Auto Body Xperts Has Been Serving West Michigan for 70 Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Cliff’s Auto Body and Glass in Adrian, MN,

Paintless Dent Repair in Collision Repair . . . 52 Sisk - ASA Partners With Bosch for 5th, Final Webinar: Recalibrating Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Sisk - YANG 2018 Leadership Conference Is Highest Rated Yet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Yoswick - 5 Years Ago, Shop Wanted to Choose Parts Systems Rather Than Face Insurer Mandates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Yoswick - Certification, Legislation Related to Non-OEM Parts Get Spotlighted at Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Represents New Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Easley’s Body and Paint Shop in West Plains, MO, Is 73 Years Old and Counting . . . . . . . . . 9 Gerber Collision & Glass Opens Repair Location in IL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 KY Body Shop Owner Brings Awareness to Mental Health After Son’s Suicide . . . . . . . . 14 Michigan Stakes Claim as Global Leader of Autonomous Vehicle Industry. . . . . . . . . . 15 Missouri Anti-Vehicle Safety Inspection Dies . . 12 Northeast WI Counties Among Top 10 for Deer Crashes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Ohio Body Shop To Restore Gemini, Apollo Capsule Replicas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Raffle Tickets for MPCC Student-Built Car Are Now on Sale in NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Technical Centers Start Registered Apprentice Program in MO . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The Truck Doctors Handles Big Vehicles in Fort Dodge, IA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Two Arrested for Stealing Radiators in IA. . . . . . 6 WI Collision Repair Student Finds Mentors Through Youth Apprenticeship . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Wife & Husband Team Creates Amazing Vehicles at Cool Hand Customs . . . . . . . . . . 10 Will County IL Jury finds Bourbonnais Man Guilty in Double Body Shop Homicide . . . . . . 1 YANG Holds MI Meet-Up With Aftermarket 101. . 18

NATIONAL 3M, CREF Announce 3M Hire Our Heroes Fundraiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Americans Are Increasingly Afraid of

Attanasio - Kickin’ Kolor Is All About Custom Colors, Valuable Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Attanasio - Shop Owner Creates Podcast to Connect With Shop Owners, Managers . . . . 36 Ledoux - The 1940s – Part 1 - An End, a Beginning and a Birthday . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Phillips - CA Body Shop’s Business Model Focuses on Heavier Collision Repair Work. . . 48 Phillips - PDR Experts Share Opportunities for

See Trump Tariffs, Page 27

Autonomous Cars, Study Finds . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Contributing Writers: John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr, Stacey Phillips, Victoria Antonelli, Gary Ledoux Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Sean Hartman, Bill Doyle, Norman Morano (800) 699-8251 Office Manager: Louise Tedesco Digital Marketing Manager: Bill Pierce Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia Graphic Designer: Michelle Lucas Online and Web Content Editor: Rochelle Beckel Accounting Manager: Heather Priddy Editorial/Sales Assistant: Randi Scholtes

Serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, 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. ©2018 Adamantine Media LLC.

Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Laurel Auto Group of Westmont . . . . . . . . . . . 45

AutobodyLaw.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Luther Bloomington Acura-Subaru . . . . . . . . . 49

Axalta Coating Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Maplewood Toyota-Scion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Bettenhausen Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . 62

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

McGrath City Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Bob Hook Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Mercedes-Benz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,34-35

CarcoonAmerica Airflow Systems. . . . . . . . . . . 8

MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Charles Gabus Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Mirka USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Classic Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . 38-39

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Morrison’s Auto Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Courtesy Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

NACE-Automechanika Trade Show. . . . . . . . . 13

WIN 2018 Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

DeBeer Refinish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . 58

New CREF, Service King Grant Announced. . . . 65

Dent Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

O’Reilly Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Diamond Standard Parts, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Original One PartsTM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

ECS Automotive Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Patrick BMW MINI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

EMS Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Patrick Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Equalizer Industries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Polyvance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Erhard BMW of Bloomfield Hills . . . . . . . . . . . 33

PPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,6

Erhard BMW of Farmington Hills . . . . . . . . . . 33

Reliable Automotive Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 15

FI.TIM SRL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Richfield-Bloomington Honda. . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Robaina Industries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

GYS Welding USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

SATA Dan-Am Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 30-31

Spanesi Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . 65

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . 59

Infiniti of Naperville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Symach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Jack Phelan Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram

The Sharpe Collection of Automobiles . . . . . . 42

AMi Honors Class of 2018 at ASA Annual Business Meeting & Conference . . . . . . . . . 60 ARM Hosts 10th Annual Road Show and Business Networking Conference . . . . . . . . 16 ASA Announces New 2018 Board of Directors . 60 Auto Care Association Communities Award 2018 Leadership 2.0 Scholarship . . . . . . . . 63 Families File Keyless System Lawsuits After Carbon Monoxide Deaths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Gerber Collision & Glass Opens 2 Repair Locations in Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 HDDA Releases Web Resource Center . . . . . . . 64 How Will Autonomous Cars Impact Cities?. . . . 65 Insurance Hearing on Autonomous Vehicles’ Data Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Most Influential Women Celebrated at

NICB Releases Data on Animal-Related Insurance Losses, 91% Involve Deer . . . . . . 62 NY Body Shop Sues Insurance Company, Adjusters on Behalf of Clients . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Register for Trade Mission to Chile . . . . . . . . . 64

COLUMNISTS

R-TN, in urging the administration to reconsider the plan. The administration has targeted allies, including Canada and Mexico, in trying to reduce a trade deficit it considers a national security issue. “We can assure you that reducing the size of our state’s automotive manufacturing base will not bolster our nation’s security,” the letter states. In a media call June 7, Jones called the claim of national security concerns “mystifying.” “We’re now looking at imposing tariffs on allies who are not cheating,” he said. “They’re not doing anything wrong … It really seems to be a lot of political messaging leading up to the midterms.”

Senator: Trump Tariffs May Drive Off Alabama’s Auto Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Tesla To Open Its Own Body Shops, Could Offer Same-Day Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Uber’s Self-Driving Vehicles Rely on Humans to Brake in Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 WAC Moves Forward With New Officers, Future Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Why Choosing a Technical School Makes Sense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

REGIONAL

The automotive industry employed nearly 40,000 people in Alabama last year, most of them working as part of a supply-and-assembly chain for foreign automakers such as Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz. In January, Toyota and Honda announced a joint plant near Huntsville that will employ another 4,000, and in early June Hyundai announced a $388 million expansion of its Montgomery plant. The Montgomery Advertiser reported more than a year ago that import tariffs could endanger those jobs at Alabama plants. Automotive parts and components work their way through a complex web of interdependent plants throughout North America and may cross borders as many as eight times before being installed at assembly plants in the U.S., Canada or Mexico,

Autobody News Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018; (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com editor@autobodynews.com

of Countryside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Toyota of Des Moines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Jake Sweeney Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Kelly BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

VanDevere Kia-GM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Kia of Des Moines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . 63

Kia Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Wedge Clamp Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Launch Tech USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Zimmer Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram . . . . . . . . 68

autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Insurance Hearing on Autonomous Vehicles’ Data Access by Brittney Kohler, CitiesSpeak

manufacturing and automotive practice leader at Marsh and McLennan; Ryan Gammelgard, counsel to the public policy resource group at State Farm; Sam Geraci, the vice president of strategy for American Family Mutual Insurance Company; Ian Adams, assistant vice president at the R Street Institute; and Jack Gillis from the Consumer Federation of America. The panel was teed up to answer important questions about the safe and effective rollout of AVs and what this new technology might change. Panel members expressed that data—in particular, crash data—will be necessary in order to do their jobs and provide an accurate risk-based assessment of the vehicles for their policies. Gammelgard spoke of the importance of data for the insurance industry, for “by law [they] match price to risk” and if they are not given access to the data they “might not be able to do so.” Adams echoed this concern, stating that “insurers will need to be able to access data related to autonomous See House AV Act, Page 6

Americans Are Increasingly Afraid of Autonomous Cars, Study Finds by Lee DeVito, Detroit Metro Times

A new report from AAA found that an increasing number of Americans do not, for one, welcome our autonomous vehicle overlords. The study follows a spate of high-profile accidents involving autonomous technology, including an autonomous Uber vehicle that killed

The Tesla Model S following its recovery from the crash scene near Williston, FL. Credit: National Transportation Safety Board, Wikimedia Creative Commons

a pedestrian in Tempe, AZ, earlier this year—the first reported fatal crash involving a self-driving vehicle and a pedestrian in the country. According to AAA’s report, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of American drivers say they would be too afraid to ride in a fully self-

Uber’s Self-Driving Vehicles Rely on Humans to Brake in Emergencies

cle behavior.” Additionally, the safety system is not designed to alert the veA preliminary government report on hicle’s operator. The San Francisco-based techthe March fatal crash involving an Uber self-driving test vehicle and a nology company confirmed this findpedestrian in Tempe, AZ, showed ing. The test vehicle involved in the that the vehicle’s manufacturer-installed automatic emergency braking incident, a modified 2017 Volvo XC90, was operating with its selfsystem was disabled at the time. driving system in computer control mode and had a vehicle safety operator inside it when the accident occurred. While the Volvo was factory-equipped with a collision avoidance function, in addition to functions for detecting driver alertness and road sign information, all advanced driver assistance functions were disabled when it The report by the National Transportation Safety Board was put into computer control (NTSB) found that Uber does not enable the automatic mode. braking feature while its test vehicles are under computer On the night of March control to “reduce the potential for erratic vehicle 18, the vehicle and its safety behavior.” Credit: NTSB/Wikimedia operator were traveling at The report by the National Trans- 43 mph. A pedestrian wearing dark portation Safety Board (NTSB) found clothes stepped into the roadway, that Uber does not enable the auto- about 360 feet south of the crosswalk. matic braking feature while its test ve- While the pedestrian was pushing a hicles are under computer control to bicycle, it did not have any safety re“reduce the potential for erratic vehi- flectors. by Michaela Kwoka-Coleman, Auto Rental News

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

driving vehicle—an increase from 63 percent in 2017. And nearly twothirds (63 percent) report they would actually feel less safe sharing the road with a self-driving vehicle while walking or riding a bike. Perhaps surprising, the study found that millennials—that supposedly tech-savvy, smartphoneaddicted and automobile-hating cohort—are the generation most distrustful of the new technology, with the percentage of millennial drivers who report being too afraid to ride in a fully self-driving vehicle increasing from 49 percent to 64 percent since 2017. In 2016, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a package of bills into law that allowed for autonomous vehicles to share the roads with drivers in Michigan, among the most permissive of autonomous technology in the nation. Detroit’s Big Three automakers are all at work developing vehicles with autonomous technology. We thank Detroit Metro Times for reprint permission.

steering wheel less than a second before impact and began braking less than a second after impact. “The vehicle operator said in an NTSB interview that she had been monitoring the self-driving interface and that while her personal and business phones were in the vehicle, neither were in use until after the crash,” the report says. Since the NTSB report is preliminary, it does not contain any probable cause for the accident. After the initial accident, Uber indefinitely halted all self-driving vehicle testing across the country. On Uber self-driving system data playback from May 23, Uber revealed to its Arizona the fatal March 18 crash of an Uber test vehicle employees that it will be shuttering shows when, at 1.3 seconds before impact, the its autonomous vehicle test program system determined emergency braking was in the state, following mounting pubneeded to mitigate a collision. The yellow lic pressure. bands depict meters ahead of the vehicle, the In an email, an Uber executive orange lines show the center of mapped travel told employees that the company will lanes, the purple area shows the path of the be focusing on testing vehicles in vehicle and the green line depicts the center Pittsburg and San Francisco, but in a of that path. Credit: NTSB “much more limited way.” Currently, Uber does not have report says, in part. “At 1.3 seconds before impact, the self-driving system the approval of the California Dedetermined that emergency braking partment of Motor Vehicles to test its autonomous cars in the state. was needed to mitigate a collision.” We thank Auto Rental News for Data from the Volvo shows that the safety operator engaged with the reprint permission. “As the vehicle and pedestrian paths converged, the self-driving system software classified the pedestrian as an unknown object, as a vehicle, and then as a bicycle with varying expectations of future travel path,” the

autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Raffle Tickets for MPCC Student-Built Car Are Now on Sale in NE

Raffle tickets are now on sale for the 2018 Mid-Plains Community College student-built car. A ticket launch was planned for noon on June 11 at North Platte Buick GMC, 2302 East Fourth St. in North Platte, NE. This year’s car is a 1932 Ford Roadster. It was built by students in MPCC’s classic car restoration, automotive technology and auto body technology programs and is the result of a partnership with Lincoln-based Speedway Motors. “The partnership with Speedway has been a wonderful experience,” said Bryan Herrick, MPCC’s firstyear automotive technology instructor. “We built the car from scratch using mainly Speedway parts. Ninetyfive percent of the project came straight from the Speedway catalog. The remaining 5 percent involved our construction of the interior.” It’s the first time MPCC has undertaken such a project. The past 13 years, the students restored and modified classic cars. Many of the lessons they learned through that process still applied to building a new car. For the roadster, automotive tech students were charged with building

a new chassis, creating electrical systems and designing and building a new drivetrain. Auto body students were tasked with fitting the various body components together, painting the exterior and interior surfaces and designing and constructing the seats and upholstery.

Raffle tickets went on sale June 11 for the 2018 Mid-Plains Community College studentbuilt car. The 1932 Ford Roadster is the 14th car to be raffled by MPCC’s Transportation Division

“There wasn’t a book of step-bystep instructions,” said Don Wilson, MPCC auto body instructor. “Our students had to learn each process before they could make the various systems work properly and look amazing.” The goal was to create a car anyone could drive. The roadster’s drivetrain consists of a 327 GM small block engine with three two-barrel carburetors coupled to a Turbo 350 automatic transmission

Auto Body Program to be Discontinued at Alpena, MI, Community College by Jordan Spence, The Alpena News

Alpena Community College in Alpena, MI, has decided to suspend its auto body program in order to restructure. The change was discussed at the board of trustees meeting on May 16. The board discussed the new change after Chris Lubiato, head of the auto body department, sent his letter of resignation. Board Chairman John Briggs asked if the college will try and find a replacement. College President Don MacMaster said the college will not hire anybody anytime soon. “Enrollment was very low to non-existent and there was some question as to whether or not to run the program. So we will look to suspend it again,” MacMaster said. “The advisory committee to that program met last night. They’re fully apprised and supportive of what we’ve done and what we’re doing.” Vice Chair Thomas Townsend asked if officials were going to do what they did last time, which was to restructure during the next 12 6

months. “It has been restructured and we are content with that. It hasn’t been rolled out yet,” MacMaster said. “We have the work done but it hasn’t been employed yet, but it’s going to be employed in 12 months. We may pick away at having an adjunct doing some of those classes. There’s been some discussion on that, but we don’t know how firm that is. It is a possibility.” MacMaster said the advisory committee was firm on wanting to teach students more about current industry standards and be less focused on hobbyist lessons. He said the college will start to look for a replacement instructor after the first of next year because beginning a search now wouldn’t make much sense since the program wouldn’t start again until next August. “From the college’s standpoint, occupational programs are fundamental to our success. So eliminating permanently I would be hesitant to do,” MacMaster said. We thank The Alpena News for reprint permission.

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

and a Ford 9” rear end. Four-wheel disc brakes with Rocket racing wheels were also added. The entire car is either painted, chromed, stainless or fabric. “It turned out amazing,” said Brandon McElwee, auto body student. “To see it come together from start to finish was unbelievable.” The car will tour the state over the summer, making appearances at car shows, parades and cruise night events. A total of 10,000 raffle tickets will be available at a price of $10 each. Proceeds will be used for scholarships for students in the college’s transportation programs and to help offset the cost of producing the next raffle car project. Tickets are being sold everywhere the vehicle is displayed. A schedule will be posted on the college’s website, mpcc.edu, as dates become available. Tickets can also be purchased in the welcome centers at any of MPCC’s campuses in McCook, North Platte, Broken Bow, Imperial, Ogallala and Valentine. The drawing for the ’32 Ford will be at 3 p.m. during Colonel Cody’s Cruise Show and Shine in downtown North Platte on Sept. 8.

2 Arrested for Stealing Radiators in IA by Courtney Fiorini, Globe Gazette

Two Mason City, IA, residents were arrested May 21 for stealing radiators from a Clear Lake, IA, collision repair center. Tracy Eugene Burke, 49, and Tina Ann Caruth, 41, were each charged with felony second-degree theft and cited for trespassing - first offense following an incident at North Iowa Collision Center. About 1:15 a.m. May 21, Burke and Caruth were allegedly found in possession of several stolen aluminum radiators. Court documents say the items were found in the back of Caruth's vehicle and that she admitted to taking the radiators. Both were arrested and booked into Cerro Gordo County Jail. They each posted a $5,000 bond and were released May 21. Burke was scheduled to appear in Cerro Gordo County District Court on May 30. Caruth was scheduled to appear June 8. We thank Globe Gazette for reprint permission.

autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

WI Collision Repair Student Finds Mentors Through Youth Apprenticeship by Staff, Inspire Sheboygan County

Travis Steindl always had an interest in cars. While a student at Oostburg High School in Oostburg, WI, he had a part-time job as a lube technician at Carlton Automotive, changing oil, rotating tires, mounting and balancing tires, performing state emission tests and filling out work orders. At the very beginning of his senior year, Steindl learned about and applied for a youth apprenticeship through Lakeshore Technical College. He interviewed with Jeff Wiegand, collision center manager, and John Michaels, auto body technician and refinish specialist, both at Sheboygan Chevrolet. “I gave him the tape test,” Michaels recalled. “You just simply do a straight line masking; it’s just a quick guide to see what kind of possibilities he might have. It sounds easy, but for some people it isn’t. Travis made it look easy. Between that and the recommendation he got from his high school shop teacher, who really gave him some good remarks, he was an easy choice.” With his acceptance into the youth apprenticeship program, Steindl

was on his way. “I wanted to do something with cars; this opened up and I got into it, and I just really like it,” he said. When asked what he likes about body repair work, he said just about everything.

(l to r) Jeff Wiegand, collision center manager at Sheboygan Chevrolet; Travis Steindl; and John Michaels, auto body technician and refinish specialist at Sheboygan Chevrolet

“You know, the fact that I get to work with my hands and at the end of the job, I can stand back and see that I’ve taken a wreck and really made it into something,” he said. During his senior year of high school, Steindl got out of a couple of classes each day to work a few hours of on-the-job training with Michaels, who acted as his youth apprenticeship mentor.

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Michaels quickly discovered that Steindl’s abilities went far beyond that original straight line. “He’s a quick learner and within less than six months, he was repairing damaged body panels and doing it effectively and beautifully. He could refinish a panel too. He has a natural knack for it,” said Michaels, who also was required to grade Steindl’s work per youth apprenticeship guidelines. Steindl graduated from high school in 2017 and went on to study in the automotive collision repair and refinishing technician program at Lakeshore Technical College. He also continued working part-time at Sheboygan Chevrolet. His hard work, both in school and on the job, paid off in a big way. “They (LTC) actually bumped me up for a semester because of my work experience,” Steindl said. At the end of the semester next fall, Steindl will graduate with a technical diploma in the field of his choice with a guaranteed full-time job at Sheboygan Chevrolet—pretty good for a young man who will be 20 years old upon graduation and well on the road to a satisfying career.

Wiegand noted the importance of programs like the youth apprenticeship. “You need it,” Wiegand said. “That’s the future. You get young people interested and involved.” In addition to the admiration of his mentor and fellow workers at Sheboygan Chevrolet, Steindl’s talents were recognized recently when he placed second at Skills USA, a statewide competition against approximately 45 other students that involved writing an estimate, completing a 10weld I-CAR test (a standardized test for the auto collision repair industry), fixing three dents in a fender (one being metal-finished) and a plastic repair. “We were all so proud of him,” Michaels said. While Steindl appreciates the guidance he gets from Michaels, a 32-year pro at auto body refinishing, Michaels also enjoys the opportunity to share his cumulative knowledge with Steindl. “I get to share my experience and hand it off,” Michaels said. We thank Inspire Sheboygan County for reprint permission.

Easley’s Body and Paint Shop in West Plains, MO, Is 73 Years Old and Counting by Abby Hess, West Plains Daily Quill

Seventy-three years is a long time for an auto body shop to be in business, but the post-World War II automobile boom couldn’t have been better timed for Easley’s Body and Paint Shop in West Plains, MO, which first opened doors in 1945. Over the next 10 years, the automobile industry would quadruple production, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, and between 1945 and 1980, motor vehicle production increased ten-fold, researchers from the University of Gronigen in the Netherlands reported. Hindsight seems to suggest Truman Easley’s decision to open an automobile body and repair shop at the onset of the boom was perceptive, if not shrewd. Today, the shop has continued to adapt to its customer base and performs repairs and body work on a multitude of vehicles made for land and water travel. Now under the leadership of owner/operator Roger Harper, the company aims to offer quality collision repair and partners with other area businesses to put customers’ needs first, said Shealia Harper, shop manager and Roger’s wife.

Roger took over ownership of the business in 2009 from Brock Moore, who had bought it about 15 years before from Easley, Shealia said. Roger has been with the com-

Easley's Auto Body and Paint Shop owner Roger Harper, left, and employee Jerry Wood work on a customer’s bumper at the shop, 4719 U.S. 160, about three miles south of West Plains, MO. The shop offers auto body and repair work, collision repair, windshield and window replacement and general paint services. Shealia Harper, wife of Roger, is the office manager

pany for about 25 years, as has the shop’s only other employee, Jerry Wood. For at least 25 years, Easley’s Body and Paint Shop has been located at 4719 U.S. 160, about three miles south of West Plains city limits.

Services offered in addition to general auto body work and repair include windshield and window replacement, collision repair, spray-on bedliners and auto body paint. Shealia said the company stands out because of its dedication to quality work and customer service. “We treat people like we want to be treated,” she explained. “We want people to feel they’re well taken care of.” Every step of the way, she added, customers are partners in their own projects as the company makes an effort to give customers exactly what they want, affordably. Easley’s Body and Paint Shop works with all insurance companies, increasing accessibility for many customers. In addition, the company guarantees its work for as long as the customer owns the vehicle on which work was carried out. Shealia said the focus on customers is more than just good business—it’s one of many ways the company tries to give back to its community. She described the way the community came together for the Harpers in their own time of need. Shealia is

a lung cancer survivor and during the most exhaustive portion of her treatment, she was driving to and from St. Louis almost daily. Family, friends and customers came together to see the couple through, taking shifts driving and helping out where they could, said Shealia, crediting the experience for building meaningful friendships. As a result, she said, she and Roger are determined to give back to the community, offering support the way they were once supported. To learn more about Easley’s Body and Paint Shop, call 256-3852, email info@easleybodyshop.com, follow “Easley’s Body and Paint Shop” on Facebook or drop in during business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. We thank West Plains Daily Quill for reprint permission.

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Wife & Husband Team Creates Amazing Vehicles at Cool Hand Customs by Ed Attanasio

He’s known for his ability to make anything out of nothing. His fabrication and welding skills are remarkable. He’s an artist who works in a wide range of mediums and she is someone who isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to restore a car and make it look spectacular. EJ and Amy Fitzgerald, the coowners of Cool Hand Customs in Middleton, WI, recently celebrated their company’s 10th anniversary. It hasn’t been an easy ride, but by

EJ and Amy Fitzgerald are the co-owners of Cool Hand Customs in Middleton, WI, and recently celebrated their company’s 10th anniversary

working hard and leveraging their stellar reputation, this couple is now firing on all cylinders and garnering rave reviews from their sponsors and satisfied clients. A mega-talented duo, the couple fell into car restoration after working in construction remodeling homes for many years. When the economy imploded in 2008, Amy and EJ— with a 3-year old at home—decided to take out a loan and start Cool Hand Customs. “We borrowed $13,000 and started the business in our 400square-foot garage at home,” Amy said. “We decided we might as well take a leap of faith and chase our passions. Back then, we primarily restored and painted motorcycles and did very well because EJ is a talented airbrush artist. He sees the world in 4-D just like our daughter, Jade, does. But I don’t, so we play differ10

ent roles within the company and complement each other very well. I have always been a huge car buff and he is a motorcycle guy, so we started by working on motorcycles and then went on to building cars and it just kind of worked out.” Six months after opening its doors, Cool Hand Customs went to its first SEMA Show with a large extended cab Dualie they painted for a client. Things have gotten better for the company ever since. “We realized right then that this is where we wanted and deserved to be, so we really stepped up our game and took it to the next level,” Amy said. “The American flag that EJ painted on this vehicle is so realistic, it’s remarkable. It got a lot of attention. When we got home, we moved into a 4,000-square-foot facility and now we’re actually growing too big for that space and need to move again.” Cool Hand Customs was chosen as one of 25 golden ticket winners when its truck was chosen at last year’s SEMA Show while on display in the E3 Spark Plugs Booth and then invited to participate in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Challenge Invitational. Their orange 1941 Dodge pickup was featured at the Las Vegas Speedway as part of the festivities. “It was a lot of fun and we were so excited when we got the opportunity to participate in the OUSCI and really show that the SEMA vehicle could perform on the street and in road courses,” Amy said. “Now we can’t wait to participate in more auto cross and road rally events. It was a real honor to be considered as one of the best 25 street-worthy show cars at SEMA and it really provided us with a lot of momentum from this event.” Ten years after their first involvement in SEMA, Amy is playing an integral role within the organization and proud of it. She currently sits on the ARMO/Automotive Restoration Market Organization Council and on the ETTN/Emerging Trends and Technology Network Cross Council Sub Committee and is also part of the SEMA Scholarship Committee to review applications to award SEMA scholarships.

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Bogi Lateiner, host of Velocity’s “All Girls Garage.” “Ninety women working on these types of projects is so inspiring and really empowering,” she said. “The teamwork and talent that goes into these vehicle builds is something I want to do as much as I possibly can.” As her husband’s “second hands” Amy loves what they create and never tires of the frenetic pace and hard work involved. “We really work well toThe shop’s orange 1941 Dodge pickup was invited to gether and the work is exparticipate in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Challenge citing every day,” she said. Invitational and featured at the Las Vegas Speedway “I lead on wiring, interior during last year’s SEMA design and installation, and volved as I possibly can because I EJ leads when it comes to the airlove this industry so much. If I can brushing, welding and metal fabricagive back in any way, I want to do tion work. Together we fabricate, install and build the mechanicals, it.” Amy also participated in a few body work, paint, assembly, etc., and all-women builds, including a 1969 produce ‘drivers’ that our customers AMX and recently a 1957 pickup are proud to display and drive across with Bogi’s Garage. Bogi’s Garage country if they want. We are a twoSee Cool Hand Customs, Page 18 is a shop owned and operated by “When I was sitting at that first banquet, it really hit me: ‘Wow, we have arrived,’” Amy said. “Now I sit on two SEMA councils and am on one committee and want to be as in-

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Technical Centers Start Registered Apprentice Program in MO by Amy Wilson, Lake News Online

Just as there is an identified skills gap across America, workforce development has been identified by community leaders as a key component to economic development at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. In the last couple of years, the Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council (LOREDC) has been working more closely with local schools to begin closing the skills gap in the tri-county region. With support from LOREDC and local businesses and groups, Camdenton and Eldon technical schools were able to get a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and Missouri Department of Economic Development to launch a registered apprenticeship program, following in the footsteps of School of the Osage, which started this program last year. Registered apprenticeship is a flexible “earn while you learn” training model supported by the MDED’s Division of Workforce Development through the U.S. Department of Labor. The MDED describes the program as a combination of employerdriven, job-related instruction with extensive on-the-job learning under the supervision of a trade professional. The grant application focused on construction, information technology and transportation, meaning anything related to marine and automotive repair, collision repair and advanced manufacturing such as metal fabrication and machining, according to Lake Career & Technical Center Director Jacqueline Jenkins. She worked with Kelli Engelbrecht of the Eldon Career Center to obtain the grant, which will cover the cost

of one program coordinator who will work with students, the technical schools and the business community. “These are manual labor positions, but they are very wage-sustain-

Credit: Lake News

ing positions,” Jenkins said. “I always tell individuals who talk about STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Math], ‘I love STEM, but you know, if I hear a clank in my car, I’m not going to an engineer. I’m going to my auto tech.’ And you can make darn good money doing that. I love career tech education because I see what it does for kids.” Jenkins cited a former student making $34 per hour in what would be considered a trade. “There’s almost a stigma with a trade program now that there’s no money. No, you can make money. It’s just physical labor in some cases,” she said. Besides automotive technicians, building trades is another segment of industry seeing a growing skills gap in America and locally, said Jenkins. In the Lake area, marine repair technicians are another area of need, and some of the local marine dealers have been very supportive of getting the program going, she said. In fact, she attributes G and G Marina with help-

Missouri Anti-Vehicle Safety Inspection Dies

The Missouri Legislature closed its session without a floor vote on House Bill (HB) 1444. The bill was “dropped from the House calendar.” If enacted, HB 1444 would have repealed Missouri’s vehicle safety inspection program. The 2018 Missouri legislative session has ended for the year. “ASA is proud of Missouri repairers who spoke up in opposition 12

to House Bill 1444, which would have eliminated the state vehicle safety inspection program,” said Tom Piippo, ASA Mechanical Operations Committee director. “ASA presented testimony against HB 1444. This is an example of what repairers can do when they work together for a common goal. In this case, our goal was to protect one of the best vehicle safety inspection programs in the nation.”

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

ing the program get off the ground. The grant funds run from March 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. In recent weeks, the two districts were working together to hire the right person to get the program established. They’re hopeful that the grant will be available again in 2019, as the program will still be in its infancy at the end of the current period, said Jenkins. With vocational learning facilities serving their district as well as nearby districts, the Camdenton and Eldon facilities have the potential to reach a wide segment of the future workforce in the Lake area, benefiting current and future employers and employees. The registered apprenticeship program helps introduce students to skills that are in demand. It is different from an internship, according to Jenkins, in that students must do significant work in their field of study. The program requires a mini-

mum number of hours of classroom and lab instruction as well as on the job site. “It offers a lot of flexibility,” said Jenkins. “It truly is employers sitting with the school and agreeing, you teach this, you teach this. It’s just a win-win. It truly is. An employer helps build their own workforce. They need skilled labor so they can bring someone in that they can train for their way, train their processes.” In addition to helping ensure students receive a good beginning in technical training in specific areas of commercial need, the registered apprenticeship program also helps introduce students to what are called “soft skills.” Mentors and managers in the field can help teach kids about the importance of attendance, problem-solving and customer service. According to the MDED, Missouri currently has more than 400 registered apprenticeship programs with 13,000 active apprentices and hundreds of participating employers. We thank Lake News Online for reprint permission.

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KY Body Shop Owner Brings Awareness to Mental Health After Son’s Suicide by Amber Philpott, WKYT

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says that on average, someone dies by suicide in Kentucky every 11 hours and many of those taking their own life are doing so at younger and younger ages. Even in the year 2018, there is still a stigma placed on suicide. One man is using his own personal journey through grief to change how others think about suicide. Inside a Lexington, KY, auto body shop, there is a process of giving life back to something that was once a beauty on the road. Mark Cain likes to joke that he runs the back of the shop and his son, Shelby, runs the front. Together, the two have always shared a love of cars. “By the time he was 7 he wanted to go racing,” Mark said. “We went racing from the time he was 7 all the way up until he was 23.” As much as Mark and Shelby shared, there were times the two just couldn’t connect. “When someone is depressed,

their feelings and emotions start becoming irrational,” Mark said. “Shelby was up and down, so you never could get on the same page as him. If you are not educated [about mental health] and if you are not

Credit: Shelby’s Way

talking about it, which is a hard thing [to do], you don’t know the signs to look for.” He’s talking about the warning signs that eventually led to Shelby’s death by suicide in 2009. The Cains are not alone when it comes to suicide in Kentucky. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says suicide is the 11thleading cause of death in Kentucky,

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

and it’s the second-leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10–34 years old. Dr. Timothy Houchin is a Lexington child and adolescent psychologist who has seen a dramatic increase in younger patients facing mental health issues. He says it’s something we are still not talking about enough. “Not just open about it in the doctor’s office, but open with schools, confidants, teachers, children’s peers,” he said. “If someone is talking about the thought of death, suicide, depression or anxiety, then that needs to be conveyed to folks that can actually make a difference.” Changing the conversation about mental health and the stigma placed on suicide is what Mark has set out to do in a world that Shelby knew: the car community. Mark started Shelby’s Way to bring awareness to suicide prevention. “In the industry I was in, I did a

lot of different events,” Mark said. “There would be things about autism awareness, but I never saw anyone carrying the mental health, depression or suicide crown. The info was there online, but I wanted to get it out to my community.” Shelby’s Way has created an outlet for Mark and his family to take their message of awareness and share it through their love of racing and hot rodding. “Shelby’s Way is a ministry as much as it is a nonprofit. I don’t think I could have dealt with Shelby’s death without Christ in my life, and Shelby brought that to me,” Mark said. Shelby’s Way now holds several events throughout the year, from car shows to golf scrambles. The money raised helps in a number of ways. “Most families aren’t even prepared for that type of loss, so I wanted to make sure the money we raised helped. We either assist people or pay for the funeral,” Mark said. Mark admits his time in the shop is a release. Every car that comes in

leaves with a new life, always with Shelby looking on, and gives a family the chance to give his son a voice, even in death. “Shelby still had a life to lead, and I’m just trying to extend that, but if I could just leave a little legacy behind for him... You know one day, maybe somebody will see one of our shirts and say, ‘That’s a really cool shirt design,’ or ask what Shelby’s Speed and Custom is, and they can share the story with them,” Mark said. In addition to helping pay for funerals, in the last 16 months Shelby’s Way has paid out $5,075 in mental health care costs to help those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. We thank WKYT for reprint permission.

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Michigan Stakes Claim as Global Leader of Autonomous Vehicle Industry by Chris Galford, Transportation Today

The state of Michigan is poised to be at the forefront of the autonomous and connected vehicles industry, representing a $3 trillion opportunity for state companies. Michigan is one of only a few states with legislation permitting driverless car testing and deployment on public roads, along with the most connected and autonomous vehicle testing facilities to support these efforts. Its history as an auto manufacturer bedrock in the world has also helped significantly. As is, Michigan is working closely with manufacturers, suppliers and others to guarantee state laws, signs, traffic signals and road markings are all integrated into autonomous vehicles’ needs. “We’ve established ourselves as really allowing and fostering the development of this technology in the state,” said Collin Castle, Intelligent Transportation Systems program manager at the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The business world is responding. Continental AG and Magna are testing in Michigan, along with the

U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, IAV Automotive Engineering Services and the Toyota Research Institute, among oth-

ers. Even the academic world is getting involved, with specialized degree programs and their own testing, research and technology facilities. Perhaps the most prominent sample of this is the American Center for Mobility (ACM), which is partnering with 15 Michigan colleges and universities to create an Academic Consortium on automated vehicle testing and implementation. “There is so much infrastructure here in terms of the supplier base to support vehicle engineering and development, including the universities and the entire ecosystem

that supports the auto industry,” said Chris Hennessy, vice president of power train engineering at IAV Automotive Engineering Services. “Its engineers are familiar with the automotive industry and the architecture of electrical and control system and how to integrate these developing technologies into that vehicle architecture.” Toyota Research Institute recently invested $5 million into a nonprofit testing and product development facility, and Google’s Waymo is eying the state for new test facilities and tech centers. All of this points to good signs for Michigan’s future role in the autonomous industry—and its potential to benefit economically from it. We thank Transportation Today for reprint permission.

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ARM Hosts 10th Annual Road Show and Business Networking Conference by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On May 3–5, the Automotive Recyclers of Michigan (ARM) hosted its 10th Annual ARM Road Show and Business Networking Conference at GoGo Classic Cars & Showroom in Galesburg, MI. The exciting weekend-long event attracted around 250 attendees from more than 40 member facilities. According to ARM Executive Director Barb Utter, “Every year is a new experience, and we had a lot of great things this year. Our members find it really valuable to bring their employees and key people, and we are grateful to the industry professionals who gave up time with their families to attend the educational portion of the event on Saturday. That’s why it’s important for us to ensure the event offers a lot of value, and everyone seemed to enjoy meeting with people they do business with. “Our members are passionate about the industry, and it’s amazing how they are all so willing to share with each other so we can all be successful. Members of ARM work together to promote professionalism

without reinventing the wheel, and the goal is for everyone to leave the Road Show feeling energized with new ideas. Everyone realizes that you cannot be an island by yourself and expect to make it. Owners and managers need to support and value their teams, and we all need to come together to learn and do our best for the industry as a whole.” The event started on Thursday with an afternoon of golf and networking at the Stonehedge North Golf Club in Augusta, and the evening continued with the ARM Car Cruise-In and Bonfire. Friday’s focus was on facility tours, beginning with GoGo Auto Parts, proceeding to Airway Auto Parts and ending with a tour of Morris Rose Auto Parts, which included fire training. Utter shared, “The yard tours are a huge attraction, and we had 114 people attend on Friday. We try to feature facilities of all sizes. At the final stop, at Morris Rose, the Kalamazoo Fire Department set three cars on fire and provided us with a demonstration of how to use a fire extinguisher.” Friday evening featured the

3 Complete Zara’s Collision Center Apprenticeship Program in IL

Jay Alwood, Ryan Miller and Travis Sunderland, students in the Capital Area Career Center Auto Body Program, have completed their semester-long apprenticeships at Zara’s Collision Center in Springfield, IL.

partment full-time after graduation June 1. Miller and Sunderland graduate from Taylorville High School May 25, with Miller pursuing opportunities in the area and Sunderland attending Lincoln Tech in Indiana. “The collision repair industry is a tremendous employment opportunity for young people after graduation,” said Zara. “When you consider student loan debt and the unknown many college graduates face to find a job in their field of study, this (l to r) Jay Alwood, Ryan Miller and Travis Sunderland bridge to a skilled caThe announcement was made reer path is something we’re proud by Brad Zara, president of Zara’s. to offer.” Zara’s Collision Center has “It was an honor for us to include these three young men as been awarded several certifications part of our team for the past semes- by major auto manufacturers assurter,” said Zara. “All three learned, ing that Zara’s possesses the proper contributed and gained confidence tools, equipment, facilities and and respect of their fellow team trained staff required to repair vemembers. I’m excited for what the hicle brands to precise specifications to ensure the fit, finish, future holds for them.” Alwood, of New Berlin High durability, value and safety of the School, will join Zara’s detail de- manufacturers’ vehicles. 16

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

grand opening of the Road Show, happy hour with the exhibitors and the exposition itself, as well as a live auction and raffles. The training portion of the event took place on Saturday. “We had a good cross-section of educational seminars,” Utter said. Following the President’s Welcome with ARM President Ross Lewicki, attendees enjoyed a seminar titled “Don’t Feed the Monkeys” about individual’s personality traits, covered by Paul D'Adamo of RAS Recall Team. Next, Sandy Blalock, Acting CEO of ARA, provided an update on the happenings and current direction of ARA. An employee roundtable was also held, broken out by job function. Utter said, “Attendees enjoy discussing things with their peers, and we already receive great feedback on the roundtables.” Next, the options were “Don’t Think It Can’t Happen to You” with Shannon Nordstrom of Nordstrom’s Automotive, Forklift Training with Paul Secker of SAS Forks, D’Adamo’s “Building a Safety Culture from Steel Toe Shoes to Safety Recalls,” and Copart’s Amanda

Zmolek’s presentation on “The Millennials are Coming! Employee Retention, Social Media Marketing, and More in an Awesome World.” The afternoon began with the 2nd Annual ARM Top Dog Production Recognition. “Top Dog is one of the event highlights after only one year,” Utter noted. “The member facilities nominate their top production people, and all of the nominees are recognized with a cash reward and drawing for a reward from their employer, which ranges from a day off, lunch, their boss doing their job for an hour, and so much more. Everyone laughs and loves it. In fact, I think it’s one of the strongest teamwork things we do.” The afternoon’s scheduled events were cancelled due to lack of a convenient meeting space after the wind destroyed the group’s tent. ARM will host its 18th Annual Golf Outing on June 18 at the Links of Novi. Proceeds benefit the Kent Utter Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund and ARM. To register or for more information about ARM, visit http://www.automotiverecyclers.org/.

autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

YANG Holds MI Meet-Up With Aftermarket 101 by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On May 15, the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG) held a Regional Meet-Up at Craft Breww City in Farmington Hills, MI, in conjunction with Northwood University’s Aftermarket 101 course. The event was hosted by Dayco.

formed of future events. “This event turned out much larger than expected compared to other meet-ups, which was great to see. This shows that YANG is aiding in growing and engaging the future leaders of the industry. Held in conjunction with Northwood University’s Aftermarket 101

Young industry professionals gathered in Farmington Hills, MI, on May 15 to network with their peers

Dayco Senior Marketing Specialist Angela Golden noted, “The event was an exemplary YANG Meet-Up. Attendees represented suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and auto body shops, with more than 25 different companies in attendance. Attendees were excited to be a part of the event to meet others within the industry and expand their knowledge and network. Newcomers liked the format of the meet-up and wanted to make sure they were on the list to be in-

course, this meet-up was a great platform to bring together industry newbies and other young auto care professionals to engage in networking. These association-sponsored events help generate a larger audience to network with and keep members engaged and connected in the aftermarket to keep the industry growing.” For more information visit: www.autocare.org/What-We-Do /Professional-Development/young -auto-care-network-group/

and painting, miscellaneous painting projects and repairs on customs and classics along the way, Cool Hand Customs is currently working on its person shop with no employees, so it third SEMA vehicle. Amy has seen is just us each day working together. more and more women get involved Sure, we do butt heads now and then, in the show and is excited to see the but we both live and breathe this evolution firsthand. “When we went to our first SEMA 10 years ago, there were literally no lines for the ladies’ bathroom, but it’s no longer the case,” she said. “More women are participating, and not just on the marketing side of the industry. They want to be hands-on and we love to network, rely on each other With a workload of roughly five cars annually, Cool Hand Customs is always busy and looking for its next great project and support each other. Participating in these all-fework and enjoy it tremendously. It’s male builds is a great way to achieve not all roses and fun, especially when that. We’re so fortunate to be doing deadlines are approaching, and some what we do and it’s become a huge days we work 16 hours straight. part of our lives, so we would not We’re really blessed because we’re trade this for anything else!” equally driven to succeed at this business and take pride in our work.” www.autobodynews.com With a workload of roughly five cars annually and other smaller jobs UPDATED DAILY like occasional motorcycle builds Continued from Page 10

Cool Hand Customs

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Northeast WI Counties Among Top 10 for Deer Crashes by Jason Zimmerman, WBAY-TV 2

You might have noticed more deer on the side of the road. That’s because the month of June is an active one and usually has a spike in car-deer crashes, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. “The big thing is, June is when the female deer have their fawns right now and they’re moving around a lot, so there’s a lot more activity. It’s kind of a combination of it becoming summer so there [are] more vehicles on the road, speeds are creeping up and the deer activity is going up; it’s all of those combinations coming together,” said Safety Engineer Scott Nelson. In Northeast Wisconsin, some counties are worse than others. While Dane County had the most deer crashes last year with 959, Manitowoc County came in third with 788, followed by Shawano County with 775. Waupaca, Outagamie, and Fond du Lac Counties all fall within

the top 10. “I think statewide, we had a little over 20,000 car-deer collisions. Unfortunately, nine resulted in fatalities and six of those were motorcyclists,” added Nelson. Ron Goss owns an auto body shop in Menasha. He said damage from deer collisions always tends to pick up in early June and that this year is no exception. “We’ve had like six in the last week and two of them just today. Estimates can range anywhere from $8,000 to $700,” said Goss. If you are driving and spot a deer, experts say the worst thing you can do is swerve. Instead, stay the course to potentially minimize damage and avoid hitting something else like a guard rail, or even another vehicle. We thank WBAY-TV 2 for reprint permission.

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autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Cliff’s Auto Body and Glass in Adrian, MN, Represents New Chapter

ton area. Years later, he got his hands dirty working on his own race cars Dent Works has a new name: Cliff’s and was hired at Dent Works in 2007. Steve got his training at a high Auto Body and Glass. The Adrian, MN, auto body re- school vocational program in Lupair shop has a new owner and dif- verne. After a few years working at an auto body shop in Worferent sign, and customers thington, he started the are asked to enter through a store as L&H Body Shop different door than before. along with Gary Hoffer in But other than that, the nuts 1980. Steve took full conand bolts of the business trol in 2005, renamed it, are exactly the same. expanded the shop and inIf it ain’t broke, don’t troduced paintless dent refix it, right? Well, in this pair. shop, there are a lot of broCliff Lynn “That really expanded ken things and a whole lot Credit: Karl Eversof fixing going on. Hillstrom, The Globe my customer base out to the surrounding communities, Steve Lynn, who has run the shop for the better part of four even out of state,” Steve said. “If they decades, retired and handed it over to had a dent, a deer accident [or] hail damage, they’d come back here and his nephew, Cliff Lynn, in May. Steve and Cliff followed a sim- have it repaired.” Having worked on thousands of ilar route on their journey to the auto body industry. They grew up in the cars, Steve has seen everything. That same room in the same house on the includes the time when a customer same farm located south of Adrian— came in needing repairs to their windshield—which had a deer’s antler stuck separated only by a few decades. They both learned to work on in it. When the time was right to recars at a young age. Cliff got his experience working on a dirt race car tire, Steve knew he had a great sucdriven by his mother, Shellie, who cessor waiting in the wings. “Being in this business for 39 was a popular racer in the Worthingby Karl Evers-Hillstrom, The Globe

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

years, I just felt like it was time to pass the torch to Cliff,” Steve said. “He was my number one go-to guy. When I was out on the road repairing, he was here working at the shop, which gave him a good start to do office work and deal with customers and insurance companies.” Steve will continue to do some repairs for dealerships and shops as Dent Works. Cliff, meanwhile, is now firmly planted in the driver’s seat. It’s gone smoothly so far, but he’s learned that managing the shop and doing his own repairs is a difficult balance at times. Recently, Cliff found himself spending four hours to replace a bumper on a Chrysler PT Cruiser— typically a 30-minute job—as a constant flurry of phone calls from customers and insurance adjusters provided plenty of distraction. “I’d rather be on the floor, doing the work,” Cliff said. “I find myself doing the office stuff after hours and try to be on the floor doing the repairs during business hours.” Dent Works received a lot of positive feedback in part because Steve made sure to clean the outside and inside of vehicles he worked on,

even leaving the wheels squeaky clean and vacuuming crumbs off of the seats. “Especially when we put a new bumper on, I can’t stand letting a vehicle go where there’s one clean part of the car and the rest goes on dirt,” Steve said. “That drives me insane.” Steve has long relied on wordof-mouth referrals to promote his business. When a hailstorm hit Sioux Falls, SD, a few years ago and the local shops were occupied, Dent Works got new customers, who then turned into more customers when they told their friends. “It’s like a domino effect,” Steve said. “There’s no better advertising than customer satisfaction.” Cliff has continued that strategy and, so far, he’s happy with the results. “Right now I’ve got myself and two technicians, and there’s not a time of day when any of us are standing around looking for something to do,” Cliff said. “The customer base has been incredibly supportive. Even with the change of ownership, they continually come back.” We thank The Globe for reprint permission.

Ohio Body Shop To Restore Gemini, Apollo Capsule Replicas by Bryan Reynolds, The Lima News

The replica Gemini space capsule lifted off from the Armstrong Air and Space Museum the morning of June 5 and set down at Auglaize Auto Body on Auglaize Street in Wapakoneta, OH, to undergo some restoration work.

The replica Gemini capsule from the Armstrong Air and Space Museum was transported to Auglaize Auto Body in Wapakoneta, OH, June 5 for restoration. Credit: Bryan Reynolds, The Lima News

The space capsule isn’t undergoing the same extensive restoration work the F5D-1 Skylancer did, said Chris Burton, executive director of the museum. “It’s mostly paint,” he said. “They’re going to strip it down to

the base and put a nice layer of paint intended to withstand the environment it will be subjected to.” Burton said the last time the Gemini capsule was restored was around 2000. Every so often, someone would add a layer of outdoor paint to it, but Auglaize Auto Body will add a paint specifically made to withstand the constant weather, contact and sun to which the capsule is subjected. Joe Patterson, owner of Auglaize Auto Body, said Ohio History Connection, the organization financing the restoration, reached out asking if he would be interested in doing the restoration work. Patterson sent the organization a quote—$7,000 per capsule—and it was quickly accepted. Patterson said they will ultimately restore both the Gemini and Apollo capsules, beginning with the Gemini. He and his employees will strip the paint completely off both capsules and do some necessary repairs. They will repaint the Gemini cockpit so it’s more historically accurate and repaint the exterior. “Everybody is excited about it, especially me,” Patterson said. “This

is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not many body shops can say they’ve done something like this. We’re donating a ton of labor to them just for the chance to do it.” Scott Bowersock, of Bowersock Signs-N-Lines in Wapakoneta, will be painting the hand lettering and American flag that was on the original. “That’s a neat deal,” he said. “When anybody ever asks where you’re from, they say, ‘Wapakawhat?’ Then when you say [it is the] birthplace of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, they get it.” Patterson is estimating it will take six to eight weeks to complete the Gemini project. We thank The Lima News for reprint permission.

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Gerber Collision & Glass Opens 2 Repair Locations in Georgia

The Boyd Group Inc. recently announced the May 25, 2018 opening of two collision repair centers in Marietta and Canton, the northern suburbs of Atlanta, GA.

The centers were previously operated as Cherokee Collision Centers and are situated approximately 16 miles apart. Both repair centers are located within two miles of the well-traveled Interstate 575. This highway serves the far northern suburbs of Atlanta, the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. “With the addition of these two suburban locations, we further establish our strong presence in Georgia,” said Tim O’Day, President and COO of the Boyd Group. “We look forward to achieving further operational synergies and providing excellent service to our customers and insurance partners from our locations across the state.”

autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

The Truck Doctors Handles Big Vehicles in Fort Dodge, IA by Terrence Dwyer, The Messenger

Troy Waller has opened a new business in Fort Dodge’s booming Corridor of Commerce. In early April, he launched The Truck Doctors at 3375 Fifth Ave. S. “We’re focusing on semis and RVs,” Waller said. “Major stuff. Fabrication work. It’s pretty much body work. With the RVs, we’ll be doing all the maintenance of those things.”

The Truck Doctors’ manager, Doyle Richardon, looks over an RV brought in for work recently. The large shop allows them to work on several of them at once. Credit: Hans Madsen

While body work and vehicle painting will be at the heart of the projects The Truck Doctors handles, other services are also available, including installing and repairing electronics. “Basically, full service on RVs,” said Doyle Richardson, who manages the business. “We’ll be doing winterizing, awnings—everything to do with RVs.” Waller said he believes this new venture responds to a growing need that has been largely unmet in this part of Iowa. “With the semis, there aren’t really many people doing what we do,” he said. “We’ve had a good response from a lot of truck drivers.” Waller said the strong economy is causing greater consumer interest in RVs. He said the array of services The Truck Doctors offers is very much in sync with that trend. “The initial response has been pretty good,” he said. “We haven’t done any marketing yet at all. Even without that, it’s been pretty steady with people calling.” Waller said he expects The Truck Doctors to attract customers from a wide area. “For Troy Waller Auto Body, I probably draw from 30 or 40 miles,” he said. “With this, I’d feel comfortable saying probably a couple hun22

dred miles. Semi drivers are used to driving long distances. With RVs, they’ll travel to get service taken care of.” This new enterprise is a separate business from Troy Waller Auto Body, 508 S. 32nd St., which Waller created and owns. The Truck Doctors was inspired by the need for a shop that could perform assorted work on large vehicles, he said. “We needed more room,” Waller said. “The idea’s been kicking around for a couple years. People would come by with a semi and RVs. I couldn’t get them in my shop due to the doors. This came available and I decided to give it a whirl.” The Truck Doctors is housed in a huge building with massive doors and extremely high ceilings. “It’s 10,000 square feet,” Waller said. “Anything that will go down the highway, we can get in here.” There is ample room for a large number of vehicles inside the structure. “We had 12 in here last night,” Richardson said. “That was semis and a fire truck.” Waller has outfitted The Truck Doctors with the state-of-the-art equipment needed to ensure quality work on customers’ vehicles. “I installed a PPG Delfleet system,” he said, providing one major example. “It’s a mixing system for paint. We’re the only one here that has a paint-mixing system for semis and stuff. Some places mix it out of town. We mix everything here.” Waller stressed that what makes this new business a good choice for truck and RV owners is the expertise his team of professionals possesses. “I’ve got 20 years of knowledge and experience in the collision industry,” he said, noting also that Richardson has been in the RV world since 1987. “My employees have broad expertise in the body work.” Waller said that initially, some of the projects being handled at The Truck Doctors are making use of specialists from Troy Waller Auto Body. “Eventually, I’ll get this place self-sufficient,” he said. “As it grows, we’ll do that. There are three full-time employees here right now. When all

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

is said and done, it will probably employ 10 to 12 people.” Waller said the key to success in businesses like the ones he owns is careful attention to customer service.

Kurt Davis, of Fort Dodge, looks over work being done on his semi tractor at The Truck Doctors new shop in Fort Dodge. Credit: Hans Madsen

“We’re honest,” he said. “We treat people right. I treat people like I would want to be treated. We take care of people.” Meet Troy Waller Troy Waller graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1987. He continued his studies at Iowa Central Community College and Iowa State

University. At ISU he prepared for a finance career, but an old passion for working on automobiles presented an attractive entrepreneurial opportunity. “This was something I had a knack for,” he said, explaining how Troy Waller Auto Body came into being. The small, 1,600-square-foot shop that was the company’s original home quickly became too cramped. The business grew fast. Almost exactly two years after it was launched, Waller moved the company to 508 S. 32nd St. It has continued to grow significantly in the subsequent decades. After nearly a quarter of a century at the helm of his body shop and other entrepreneurial ventures, he said the aspect of being a business owner that he most enjoys is dealing with customers. “I’ve always liked meeting new people and being able to help people,” Waller said. We thank The Messenger for reprint permission.

autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Auto Body Xperts Has Been Serving West Michigan for 70 Years by Austin Metz, Holland Sentinel

A local body shop known for serving the West Michigan community is now celebrating 70 years in business. First started in 1948 as Hudsonville Body Shop, Auto Body Xperts was created by Herb Scout and his friend Gord. In 1982, John Scout, Herb’s son, and Bob Arnoldink bought Gord’s portion of the business and ran it as a partnership until Herb’s retirement. And while the business started with one location, it grew through the years with the creation of Holland Auto Body Shop and the purchase of Marcott Body Shop in Wayland. In September 2017, the business opened a fourth location in Zeeland. Despite the different names, the shops were all family-owned-andoperated by the same partners. In an attempt to avoid confusion, in 2008, all locations changed their names to Auto Body Xperts. For Arnoldink, although he bought into the business in 1982, he first started with the company in 1970, right out of high school.

The Holland Auto Body Xperts building is located at 216 N. 120th Ave. and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Credit: Contributed photo

“When I started here, it was a small shop on Chicago Drive and it was a three-man operation,” Arnoldink said. “It was three guys working in a building. It was a small little building and we could get about five cars into the building. I never had any idea that it would grow into what it is. I didn’t even plan on staying there that long.” Arnoldink said the growth of the business followed the growth that occurred across West Michigan and the additional demand they found in the body shop industry. Along the way, the business joined CARSTAR and worked with them for about 20 years. For Arnoldink, that partnership taught him a lot about running a successful business. “I learned how to build and run 24

a business [and] how to run multiple operations by belonging to that franchise,” Arnoldink said. Through the years, the company has continued to remain a family-run business and today, a number of family members help operate the four locations.

Auto Body Xperts has opened its fourth location at 9389 Riley St. in Zeeland, MI. The new 13,000-square-foot facility can service up to 20 cars at a time and features brand new state-of-the-art equipment. Credit: Austin Metz/ Sentinel Staff

“We live in this community,” said Mandy Beroza, Arnoldink’s daughter and general manager. “Our customers are our friends and neighbors. We are blessed to have serviced the community for 70 years and want to give back in any way we can.” As Beroza said, the company’s focus has remained in West Michigan and serving the local community. Arnoldink said that is not something they plan on changing. “We have tried to stay somewhat local around West Michigan,” Arnoldink said. “I’ve had people that have talked to me about buying shops outside of West Michigan, but you know what? I really like West Michigan. I like being around here and I like doing business around here and I really don’t want to spread myself too thin.” Arnoldink said that through the years, he has received different tidbits of knowledge that have helped push the business forward. Today, the goal of Auto Body Xperts is to offer more than what the customers would expect. An example of putting that into action occurs when they work on a person’s car. Following the work, the customer is given 12 free car washes. After the washes, the company will detail the car as well. The emphasis is on providing proper body work while also continuing to monitor that

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

repair moving forward. As for the future of the business, Arnoldink said that he will eventually retire but, along with his children currently active in the company, he said he already has grandchildren who have expressed interest in being involved. “I think about it and I think it could really be fun to work with your kids and grandkids and [help] the business [grow],” he said. “My kids are taking over more and more and we really enjoy being of service to people. That is really what it is about.” As part of the company’s anniversary celebration, on June 12 all locations will offer free car washes and cake to customers. The company is also running a scavenger hunt with clues being posted on the company’s website. The winner will win a $500 Amazon gift card. For more information about the scavenger hunt and for clues, visit autobodyxperts.com. Arnoldink said he appreciates the business they have had through the years, despite the fact that cus-

tomers generally come to the business because of a damaged vehicle. “I would like to say thank you to our customers. Thank you for what you have done and thank you for the business you have given us,” Arnoldink said. “When people come to us, for us, it is about helping that

Auto Body Xperts started in 1948 in a small shop that could service up to five cars. Over the past 70 years, the company has grown and now has locations in Holland, Zeeland, Hudsonville and Wayland. Credit: Contributed photo

person. I always say that I’m sorry you had to do business with us, but thank you for doing business with us.” We thank Holland Sentinel for reprint permission.

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Product Innovation with Ed Attanasio

Kickin’ Kolor Is All About Custom Colors, Valuable Training Kickin’ Kolor in Davenport, IA, is the brainchild of Jim and Chris Hetzler, a store that was designed to help artists, body shops, painters, hot rodders, car rebuilders and hobbyists attain paint supplies and gain access to expert technical support and training. With more than 45 years of knowledge and experience, the Hetzlers have become well-known for being a one-stop solution where cus-

Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.

store and ship it directly to them. So, as I developed my craft, we in- want something different or fancy, House of Kolor set us up with a pro- cluded custom paint into the mix as that’s a big part of what we’re doing,” gram that worked out really well for well because the rage back then was Chris said. “When they come here, us and our customer liked it immedi- painting vans, so all of that was thrown they can touch and feel the products ately. As we were rolling along, we together and it worked. and learn proper techniques, which is thought, ‘Why sell [not] only House very important and I believe of Kolor paint but other products too, we provide a special cussuch as sandpaper and fillers and all tomer experience for them of the other items that go along with that they really value.” the paint?’ So, we began to diversify The store is more of an our inventory and became a one-stop art gallery and museum than solution.” just simply a store, Chris exThe store’s inventory plained. began to grow after that and “We have a lot of Jim’s things started rolling along artwork here on the walls at an accelerated rate shortly and much of it is geared tothereafter. ward his airbrushing and Kickin’ Kolor is a destination store where customers come “We got together with pinstriping, so we’re not just to hang out and and attend classes to learn more about reps from Sherwin-Williams a paint store. We’re located things like pinstriping and airbrushing in our area that owns House in an old building made of of Kolor and decided to part“Now we’re a destination shop brick with open beam ceilings and ner up with Martin Senour, a offering all of it because it’s all inter- we believe it has a very comfortable Sherwin-Williams product,” connected. We named the company feel for the customers. People wanhe said. “Martin Senour was Kickin’ Kolor after the Shimrin2 der around and we have the mixing being sold through NAPA paint line was released because it en- bank here, so some customers will stores and put together a abled people to use the paint samples often hang out and it’s like more [of Chris and Jim Hetzler own and operate Kickin’ Kolor in Davenport, IA, where they have built a strong following with full line of paint, body and to create any custom color they a] mom-and-pop environment. Jim is artists, body shops, painters, hot rodders, care rebuilders equipment (PBE) items for wanted to formulate. They wanted well-known and they always want to and hobbyists who require products and training the collision repair industry, something completely one-off and discuss their projects with him as tomers can create amazing finishes home do-it-yourselfers and custom totally unique, so we were cocktail- well. We hold two pinstriping classes and graphics on vehicles all over the painters. We liked the idea of selling ing a lot of House of Kolor paint here every year with 15–20 students country and learn skills such as pin- their products.” with vibrant colors and pearls that and conduct one airbrushing class striping and airbrushing in a handsJim is a veteran of the custom speak for themselves. I let Sherwin- limited to eight students, both in a on classroom environment. paint world. People know his name Williams shepherd us in the direction classroom we have here. We’re also Jim is always looking for unique throughout the nation for his air- of the Martin Senour products, and going to be offering a hands-on that’s where it really took off. It’s been House of Kolor workshop that Jim paint colors, so when House of Kolor brushing and pinstriping skills. released its Shimrin2 paint line, he an exciting journey because will be conducting in his own paint took to it almost immediately, he said. we get neat projects to help booth very soon and people are al“I began being associated with people with all the time. In ready getting excited about that.” House of Kolor about a decade ago fact, we recently used House “I’ve been teaching pinstriping when I won my first of four Prestiof Kolor samples to do pro- for 18 years and limit the class sizes gious Painter Awards from them back duction for Walmart to use to give everyone one-on-one instrucin 2007 for a 1939 Buick that was seon Apple iPhones and we’ve tion,” Jim said. “Eighty percent of lected for their annual car calendar,” been involved in providing these folks have never picked up a he said. “It’s a neat deal, especially unique colors for some vehi- pinstriping brush before, so we get a because you’re being honored along cles used in movies.” lot of new fresh talent coming here for with some of the leading painters in Jim’s wife, Chris, runs the classes. Many of them have the the industry.” the store and is extremely potential to do it professionally, so it’s Jim Hetzler is well-known for creating new and exciting That first award led to bigger knowledgeable about the exciting. All of the supplies are procolors for his customers and better things for the Hetzlers. House of Kolor paint line, vided in the classes and they get to “So, we started up a sample serv“In the early ‘70s, I began pin- which gives Jim a lot of free time to take everything home with them, so ice at that time, spraying out samples striping and learned how to do letter- sell products and train people about they get to practice on their own to get for our customers,” Jim said. “Once ing by doing it,” he said. “Back in custom graphics, custom paint and better. One or two students from each they decided on a sample color, we those days, the real experts were not pinstriping. of my classes eventually end up becould mix their paint by using the really willing to share their secrets “When body shops get into coming professional pinstripers, unique color formula right here at our about pinstriping and hand lettering. some tape-outs and multi-colors and which is of course very satisfying.”

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Continued from Cover

ASA Midwest

representation. “One example of the need for increased activity is that state vehicle safety inspections are continually under attack at a state level. Our goal is to strengthen our foothold at the state level as we believe legislation will be introduced again in the coming year,” said Bob Redding, ASA Washington D.C. representative. “We look forward to working with the other associations in these states to better support the collision and mechanical repair industries.” Shop owners in Oklahoma or Arkansas who are interested in participating and assisting with the formation of a state association can contact Tony Molla, ASA Vice President, by email at tonym@asashop .org. “We recognize the need for a strong state association in these areas and we are committed to making that a reality. State associations are the building blocks and founda-

tion of ASA,” said Roy Schnepper, ASA Chairman. If you would like additional information regarding the structural changes of ASA Midwest or have any other questions, please contact ASA President Dan Risley by email at danr@asashop.org. The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and collision repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous state affiliate and chapter groups. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. To take advantage of the many benefits of membership in ASA, please visit ASAshop.org or call (817) 5142900, ext. 2. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at Taking TheHill.com.

Continued from Page 3

Trump Tariffs

according to a study by the nonprofit Center for Automotive Research. Tariffs would escalate the price of each border crossing and put enormous pressure on companies to cut costs, potentially breaking down the entire supply chain. CAR analyst Bernard Swiecki said last year that foreign automakers such as the ones in Alabama already have plants elsewhere and can simply move production overseas if the price gets too high. The CAR study found that a 35 percent import tariff on light vehicles and parts from Mexico alone would cost at least 31,000 American jobs. That doesn’t include retaliatory

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tariffs and doesn’t approach the broader scope of the Trump administration’s current proposal. Canada is Alabama’s largest export market, largely because of the cars made here. Jones said he’s been in touch with all of the state’s auto manufacturers and “they’re very concerned” about the auto tariff proposal. That plan and a recent tariff on imported steel and aluminum has spawned dire warnings from a bipartisan mix of business leaders and politicians, who fear a growing trade war. Sen. Bob Corker, R-TN, cosponsored a bill with seven other Republicans and four Democrats that would give Congress the power to approve or reject new tariffs. We thank Montgomery Advertiser for reprint permission.

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autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Andy’s Auto Group To Relocate to Former Rothman Building in Alton, IL by Jill Moon, The Telegraph

Andy’s Automotive Group owners Mark and Diane Anderson planned to build a new facility on Godfrey Road—which would have taken the company to Godfrey—but were happy to announce they are relocating their business just off of Homer Adams Parkway, at 3001 Washington Ave., in Alton, IL, in the former Rothman Furniture building, the Andersons said. Currently, Andy’s Tire and Auto has been operating at Alton Square Mall and Andy’s Auto Body at 3444 E. Broadway, but the move will put both of those locations under one roof. “Working with Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick was a great experience. We thank him for his patience and understanding of this opportunity presenting itself to us. He’s been very understanding of our needs,” Mark said. “Customers can expect the same quality care and service they’ve grown accustomed to. We are bringing the same trusted technicians and service advisors, George and Jan.” All of Andy’s Automotive Group’s customer service warranties transfer to the new Andy’s Tire and Auto location. The telephone number remains the same as the number customers have been calling: 618465-6272. “The city is working with us to expedite the required business permits,” Anderson said about phase one of Andy’s Automotive Group’s move first relocating Andy’s Tire and Auto. “I talked to Alton Mayor Brant Walker. They have the architectural drawings, which are required, and he said they will prioritize getting permits.” Currently, Andy’s Tire and Auto at Alton Square Mall occupies 10,000 square feet, Andy’s Auto Body occupies 22,000 square feet with six buildings and the Rothman building is almost 35,000 square feet. “This move consolidates our business from two locations. With the body shop being here, it’ll be much more productive all in one place,” Anderson explained to The Telegraph about the new high-traffic location. Months ago, Rothman Furniture first indicated that Art Van Furniture 28

could take over former Rothman spaces when it closed its greater St. Louis area locations. However, obviously Art Van did not take over the Alton space and held grand openings of five St. Louis stores over Memorial Day weekend. Last November,

Auto on the Alton Square mall backlot, 180,000 vehicles a year drive by, according to a study, whereas a traffic study of Homer Adams Parkway and Washington Avenue determined that 12.9 million vehicles a year drive by. “I don’t know how to forecast that into sales, but I think it’ll be significant,” Anderson noted. “It’s an attentiongrabbing spot at Homer Adams Parkway. This location is a win-win for all of our customers being that it A rendering of Andy’s Automotive Group’s new signage, illustrated by Arrow Signs, will be installed at the former is located directly between Rothman Furniture building at 3001 Washington Ave., off our current locations.” of Homer Adams Parkway, in Alton, IL Andy’s Tire and Auto, at Art Van Furniture announced a fran- the mall for the last six years, started chise partnership with the Rothman doing emission inspections to bring Furniture retail family. Locations in- awareness of the business and its locluded in the franchise agreement cation at the mall, which it will conwere Affton, Bridgeton, Richmond tinue almost uninterrupted. Heights and O’Fallon, all in Missouri, “The state told us that emission and Fairview Heights, IL, according inspections would bring 16,000 cars to Art Van Furniture’s website. a year. That’s about how it worked Renovation on Andy’s Automo- out and why we started doing that at tive Group’s new building started the tire and auto mall location,” Animmediately, such as exterior and in- derson explained about why the busiterior painting that Anderson under- ness began emissions testing, which took himself. Anderson hired union labor for all other aspects of the building’s renovation with Jun Construction for the overall build-out and construction; Camp Electric for all electrical service; and Kane Mechanical for heating/cooling, plumbing and fire protection. Arrow Signs & Outdoor Advertising Inc. in Godfrey helped with signage and other efforts. Andy’s Auto Body’s move to Washington Avenue from Broadway, where the Andersons own the buildings and property made up of six parcels at about 4,000 to 5,000 square feet each, will be phase two of the Andy’s Automotive Group relocation. Each parcel’s building has an office and bathroom, and eventually those parcels will be for sale. “I will do some freshening up and painting, but basically those are ready to move in,” Mark said. The group’s phase two move of Andy’s Auto Body is expected to be complete by no later than summer’s end, Anderson said. Emissions testing will not be interrupted due to precise coordination in accordance with the state of Illinois’ guidelines. Currently, at Andy’s Tire and

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

brings little to no revenue. “Many of those people who came to us for that said, ‘I didn’t know you were here.’” All 27 of Andy’s Automotive Group’s employees will work at the new location. Andy’s Automotive Group is part of the CARSTAR franchise, but operates independently. The privately owned auto body business joined the group to improve its buying power, for example in purchasing paint and allied products such as sanding materials and vehicle insurance information. “In another year or so, we hope to add up to seven employees, so we are expecting to add jobs and continue to help the city with sales tax receipts, which is significant,” Anderson said. “It’s like moving into a new house. It takes time to get everything in place.” Andy’s Automotive Group expects to have a soft opening at the end of June and a grand opening at the end of phase two, expected approximately at the end of August. We thank The Telegraph for reprint permission.

autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

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ACURA OHIO

Columbia Acura Cincinnati

800-654-3553 513-530-0698 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-12 columbiaparts@mail.com ILLINOIS

Acura of Libertyville Libertyville

847-680-7333 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 7:30-4 kmilz@acuralibertyville.com

Arlington Acura in Palatine Palatine

800-991-8438 847-991-9005 Dept. Hours: M-W 7:30-7:30; Thu-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-3 aaip.partsmgr@rohrman.com

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Please contact these dealers for your Honda or Acura Genuine parts needs. INDIANA

MINNESOTA

Honda of Fishers Fishers

800-806-6404 317-299-3723 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6 honda-west@att.com MICHIGAN

Victory Honda Plymouth

800-824-4646 734-453-3600

Richfield-Bloomington Honda

MISSOURI

OHI O

Honda of Tiffany Springs

Akron

R i ch f i e l d

816-452-3221

800-328-2703 612-866-8197

Dept. Hours: M-Fri 7-6; Sat 7-4 parts@hondaoftiffanysprings.com

330-633-8197 330-633-6060

Dept. Hours: M-Thu 6:30-9; F 6:30-6; Sat 6:30-5 parts@rbhonda.com

Roper Honda Joplin

H a z e l wo o d

WIS C O N S I N

Russ Darrow Honda

Dept. Hours: M, W, Th, F 7:30-6; Tu 7:30-7; Sat 9-1 dvice@roperauto.com

888-318-1671 414-586-5401

MISSOURI

Bommarito Honda 800-731-8270 314-731-8270

Zeigler Honda

Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7-6 Lrowe@bommarito.net

Superior Honda of Omaha

Ed Napleton Honda

Omaha

888-342-1678 269-585-5812 Dept. Hours: M-Thu 7-8; F 7-6; Sat 8-4 bobsmith@zagteam.com M I N N E S O TA

Brookdale Honda Brooklyn Cente r

800-899-8900 763-331-6880 Dept. Hours: M-Th 7-9; F 7-6; Sat 8-6 parts@lutherbrookdalehonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7-6 gethondaparts@napleton.com

St. Paul

800-592-9514 651-484-0975 Dept. Hours: M-Thu 8-9; F 8-6; Sat 8-4:30 hondaparts@buerkle.com

ILLINOIS

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-5:30; Sat 8-6 ianw@hondaofomaha.com

573-818-3650

St. Louis

888-680-6025 636-336-5003 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-5 hondaparts@frankleta.com

MINNESOTA

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-5:30; Sat 7-12 hondaparts@hondaoflincoln.com OHIO

Jay Honda B e d f o rd

800-509-9057 440-786-3363 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4 jayhondaparts@gmail.com

MICHIGAN

Buerkle Acura Minneapolis

Tr oy

708-460-6369 708-403-7770

800-717-3109 763-488-1122

800-935-0923 248-643-0900

Dept. Hours: M-W 8-5:30; Thu 8-7 F 8-4:30 Sat 8-2 acuraparts@rizzacars.com

Dept. Hours: M, F 7-5:30; Tue-Thu 7-7; Sat 7:30-4 acuraparts@buerkle.com

Dept. Hours: M 7:30-8; T-F 7:30-6; Sat 10-3 parts286@acuraoftroy.com parts287@acuraoftroy.com

McGrath Acura of Morton Grove

Luther Bloomington Acura

Morton Grove

800-451-5078 952-887-0600

Acura of Brookfield

Dept. Hours: M 6:30-6; Tue-F 6:30-9; Sat 8-4 parts@bloomingtonacura.com

800-383-3936 262-439-6029

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-9; Sat 8-6 acparts@mcgrathag.com

Mullerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woodfield Acura Hoffman Estate s

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-9; Sat 8-4 wildehondaparts@gmail.com

Lincoln

Orlando Park

847-470-2309

Waukesha

800-526-3209 262-542-9300

800-742-7811 402-437-1201

Joe Rizza Acura

Bloomington

Wilde Honda

Honda of Lincoln

Columbia

Frank Leta Honda Buerkle Honda

888-408-0911 402-408-1100

Frank Fletcher Honda Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 gropp@fletcherauto.com

Milwaukee

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-4; Sun 8-4 hondaparts@russdarrow.com

NEBRASKA

St. Peters

800-875-4190 636-928-4400

Dept. Hours: Tue, W, F 8-6; M, Thu 8-8; Sat 8-4 grobinette@glakeshonda.com

877-244-6632 417-625-0846

Dept. Hours: M 7:30-8; Tue-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4 Karl_messer@victoryplymouth.com

Kalamazoo

Great Lakes Honda

Kansas City

Acura of Troy

WISCONSIN

Brookfield

Dept. Hours: M-Th 7:30-6; F 7:30-5; Sat 8-4:30 patrick.murphy@zimbrick.com

866-475-9280 Dept. Hours: M 7-5; Tue-F 7-6 Sat 8-3 mcavallini@woodfieldacura.com

autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Day Job/Night Job

Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.

with Ed Attanasio

IL Body Shop Owner Creates Cajun Sauce, Uses as Marketing Tool Dave Dunn is not just a shop owner. He is also a marketing guru, the owner of a training center and the founder of Gator Sauce, a culinary creation that he uses as a marketing tool that has people throughout Illinois salivating and pouring it on everything from gumbo all the way to scrambled eggs. In addition to having been the owner and operator of Dave’s Auto Body in Galesburg, IL, for the past 42 years, Dunn also owns Masters Educational Services, a consulting and market managing firm that teaches people how to increase their work output and market their businesses. He is 63, but will work indefinitely, he said, because he still loves the business and is always looking for new ways to make it even more exciting, including developing products like Gator Sauce. Dunn dropped out of high school

at age 16 and opened his own shop in Knoxville, IL, after working as a general manager at a car dealership for two and a half years. “Working there was a great experience because I received a lot of

Dave Dunn, the owner of Dave’s Auto Body in Galesburg, IL, developed a product called Gator Sauce to attract customers and create a brand people will remember

mentoring and was exposed to new cars and coaching,” he said. “But then the place burned down, and that’s when I opened Dave’s Auto Body.” By doing the important things right, Dunn was able to step away from his business in less than a decade. “At age 30, I was semi-retired and playing a lot of golf,” he said. “Several articles appeared in local publications telling my story and people began calling me. They wanted to know how I was able to succeed while other owners were in their 60s and working 70 hours a week. That’s when I starting a consulting company that I did for 10 years.” At age 40, he established Masters School of Auto Body Management. People would come to him rather than him traveling to them as a consultant.

“It took off like gangbusters and we’ve been doing it ever since,” Dunn said. “We now have our corporate headquarters here in Galesburg and we have students from all over the country. Now we teach management, leadership and marketing and have instructed more than 6,000 students within the last 22 years. We feature a basic four-day class and also have a wide range of other skills-based classes for things such as sales estimating, production management and marketing that are more specialized and average two to three days for both the dealership world, the independent body shop world and other industries as well.” Dunn realized long ago that the collision repair business is based on need rather than choice. Nobody wakes up in the morning yearning to visit a body shop or get into an accident to go to one. So, how can a shop

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build an ongoing relationship with the consumer and give them a reason to actually enter the facility? Dunn is a strong believer in what’s known as the “purple cow effect,” he said.

Dunn gives the sauce away and calls it one of his best marketing ideas ever

“If you drive by a bunch of black and white cows, that isn’t remarkable, but if you see a purple one, you’re likely to pull over and take a picture of it,” he said. “It makes a huge impression. Our Gator Sauce is our purple cow because people don’t expect a body shop to

have a sauce and it is definitely an attention-getter.” The sauce is purchased and relabeled through a company in Louisiana called Cajun Chef Sauces and is popular at local restaurants. The cost of providing it free to the public is approximately $20,000 annually, distributing 5,000 bottles of the product every year. Some shop owners must think Dunn is crazy, but it’s a marketing tool that has paid for itself many times over, he said. Dunn’s sauce is now a big deal and has become a cult favorite throughout the county, he said. “The Gator brand has led to other things within the Galesburg area under the group name of Gator Events,” he said. “It was developed to increase community involvement and has led to charitable events, including a benefit run and chef challenges where they create different recipes using the sauce. A few years ago, we did a Dave’s Gator Sauce Challenge where we closed a street here in the shopping district of Galesburg and turned it into a big street fair [that] 5,000 people attended. “I joke about a lot of my market-

ing efforts and say that the best things I’ve done involve giving things away,” he said. “I have a registered trademark on something called Detail for Life, where we detail our customers’ cars four times a year after we fix them. We detail 500 cars every month out of our detailing shop in a town of roughly 30,000 people and many of them are paid customers.” Dave’s Auto Body does $5.5 million in sales every year out of a small town, which is unusual. He credits much of it to his unique marketing concepts, including one that involves a palm tree outside his shop. “It’s like the purple cow idea because palm trees don’t grow in Galesburg, but we have one here,” he said. “In California or Florida, that would obviously not be anything unusual, but here it’s an attention-getter and people want photos taken with it all the time.”

AUTOBODY

www.autobodynews.com

Gerber Collision & Glass Opens Repair Location in IL

The Boyd Group Inc. recently announced the June 8 opening of a collision repair center in Chicago, IL. The center previously operated as Brown’s Auto Construction and served the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago for ap-

proximately 60 years. This popular north-Chicago neighborhood is located 10 miles from the city’s downtown core. “With the opening of this location, we drive further synergies in the Chicago market,” said Tim O’Day, President and COO of the Boyd Group. “Existing Gerber Collision and Glass centers are situated approximately five miles north, west and south of this new location. Our established presence and strong reputation continue to make us a top choice for our customers and insurance partners in the area.”

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Social Media for Shops

Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.

with Ed Attanasio

Shop Owner Creates Podcast to Connect With Shop Owners, Managers Ron Perretta has owned and operated Professionals Auto Body with two locations in Altoona and Dunkinsville, PA, since 1979. He also owns Global Business Consultants, which advises collision repairers; Media One, which performs marketing and advertising services for body shops; a mechanical shop; a glass company; and a towing business. He started his shop at age 19 and is always looking for new ways to expand and diversify his businesses.

Q: A:

Why do you have so many irons in the fire?

I have been talking to shops about that for the past 20 years and I always tell them that all shops should diversify, only because when things in one business can lag, having several working in conjunc-

tion to keep revenue coming in will help them during those lean times.

Q: A:

You recently created Body Shop Pioneers?

Yes, it’s a Facebook page and we also do a podcast with the same name. We reach out to shops around the country that have made a difference in the collision repair industry and/or are trying to do so. With our podcast, we interview top people in the industry and discuss some of their achievements and how they’ve impacted the business. We talk about their roles; the whole concept is to get their messages out there so that shops all over the country can understand that they’re not the only ones who are going through the same hurdles that we have all encountered. We also try to make the point that by sitting on the sidelines, changes will

not occur. When they start looking at what their peers in the industry are doing, it will hopefully motivate them to help create these changes that we badly need in this industry. We also have another podcast that we produce called the Professionals Auto Body Community podcast that we use to communicate community messages. We have interviewed local law enforcement and people with other meaningful causes in the communities where we do business, and it’s been a valuable tool in that regard.

If you want to participate in Body Shop Pioneers, you have to qualify and it’s a fairly exclusive group. Is that correct?

Yes, you have to be either a body shop owner or a manager. We don’t accept technicians,

painters, front office people or vendors, because we want to feature topics and subjects that apply directly to what owners and managers are interested in. It’s a small exclusive group right now, but it’s still a young project and we’re expecting it to grow rather quickly. It’s not going to be huge, but we expect it to grow significantly within the next one to two years. On our Professionals Auto Body Facebook page, for example, we’re currently approaching 15,000 people who like us and are active on the page. We have a pretty big base with consumers in our markets and the Body Shop Pioneers page [will grow in] the same way. In fact, just this week I had to decline 40 people who wanted to join Body Shop Pioneers because they’re not owners or managers. So it is already growing in popularity, but we have to keep it exclusive.

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So you have major names in the collision repair industry on your podcast and the members send you questions to ask them in advance?

That’s right. Next week we will have shop owner Ray Gunder on our show, a well-known name in the industry, and recently we had Gina Petrarca, an attorney whose father owns a shop in Rhode Island who is heavy in collision-related state legislation and a major player in the state. We will also have April Hernandez Stevens on our show soon. She is a body shop owner in Atlanta, GA, who won a large lawsuit a few years ago against State Farm.

Q: A:

Why did you name it Body Shop Pioneers?

Because we want it to cater to those shops that want to be independent from their DRPs, the way we do it here at Professionals. Years ago, we dropped all of our DRPs because we decided that we didn’t want to compromise our qual-

ity anymore. We want other shops to know that they can be independent and don’t have to deal with the multiple obstacles that are often created by the insurance programs. I was a trainer for 17 years traveling all over the country for PPG, and out of the thousands of shops I met with, not one ever said that they enjoyed their DRPs. We want them to know that they have options and don’t have to be bullied around. If they don’t want to be run by a third-party, it’s possible and those that have shed their DRPs are what we call Body Shop Pioneers. Some shops don’t think they have choices, but we want them to know that they can. That’s why we feature truly independent shops on our Facebook page and podcast.

Your leading source for MIDWESTERN Collision Repair News! midwestern.autobodynews.com

Continued from Cover

Shop Murder Trial

how the evidence came in. We truly believed he was going to be found not guilty.” Joliet police Lt. Joseph Rosado, evidence technicians Jeffrey Fornoff and Jerry Austin, and Detective Jim Voudrie testified. Fornoff said he took pictures of the crime scene, including a pipe wrench that was found with blood on it. Rosado testified to meeting and speaking with Krasawski when he was located by police at the Star Motel in Chicago Heights, and Krasawski told him he had a gun and bags of crack cocaine. Rosado said a SWAT team was called to the scene. Prosecutor Daniel Egan argued that on March 9, 2016, Krasawski used a pipe wrench and a hammer to strike his victims in the head at the auto body shop. He also argued that Krasawski was high on crack and tried to hide the weapons. After Krasawski left the shop, he sold his cellphone and car and contacted his mother to tell her he was in trouble, Egan argued. Krasawski then used the money to buy

more crack and hid out at the Star Motel. Egan argued Wills’ blood was found on Krasawski’s clothes. Defense attorney Amy Christiansen has said the physical evidence was not clear cut. She said no DNA from Krasawski was found on the murder weapons and none of Oram’s blood was on Krasawski’s clothes. The murder trial is the second one for Krasawski. The first, in February, ended in a mistrial when former Joliet Police Detective Tom Ponce revealed Krasawski’s criminal history during his testimony. Krasawski’s attorneys sought to have the charge dismissed after Judge David Carlson declared the mistrial, arguing that Ponce’s testimony was prejudicial. Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Fitzgerald reiterated the testimony of expert witnesses on Wills’ blood splatter found on Krasawski’s clothes. He also referenced Krasawski’s actions after the murders. Charles B. Pelkie, spokesman for the state’s attorney’s office, said a murder conviction with two or more victims warrants an automatic life sentence. Krasawski is set to be sentenced Aug. 8.

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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.

ASA Partners With Bosch for 5th, Final Webinar: Recalibrating Driver Assistance Systems On Wednesday, May 16, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) partnered with Bosch for the fifth and final webinar of their series on scanning: “Recalibrating Driver Assistance Systems: The Road to Repairing Autonomous Vehicles – Collision Avoidance System Recalibration.” ASA Vice President Tony Molla began the webinar by welcoming attendees and thanking Bosch’s Doc Watson and Pat Pierce for their patience throughout the series. He reminded attendees that the webinar would focus on key procedures for

both collision and mechanical repair and that the tips provided also apply to other brands of scan tools. Before starting the training video, Watson shared, “As a representative for Bosch, we’re happy to have as many attendees as we do today. This is a big topic in our industry, and whether you’re in collision [or] mechanical repair, it applies to all of us.” The video began by looking at the ADAS systems being used today and defining a long list of enhanced features and technology that are integrated into modern vehicles. Bosch’s stance on scanning aligns with most OEMs’ position statements that support pre- and post-scans of vehicles to help identify potential collision and non-collision related DTCs. It also supports reporting all DTCs to the vehicle owner and the insurance company. Discussing adaptive lighting systems that could have several sensors located in many different areas of the vehicle, Watson shared common locations and how to determine when calibration is necessary. He also discussed common locations for blind spot sensors that monitor the location of other vehicles that the driver cannot see. Calibration of this feature often includes removal of the sensor as well as removal of the bumper 40

cover to avoid damaging the mounting location. Regarding forward radar sensors, it is important to monitor the forward distance of objects in front of the vehicle and to control the following distance because systems use this data when calibration is required. Park assist sensors—ultrasonic sensors located in the front and rear bumper covers—monitor the distance between the vehicles and other objects, and calibration or aiming may need to be done after removal of the bumper cover, removal of the sensor or an impact on or near the sensor. Calibration of a steering angle sensor may be needed after airbag deployment, structural repairs or a wheel alignment. This is important because the steering angle sensor controls the lane keep assist, blind spot detection and adaptive lighting. Watson continued to discuss the use of and when calibration is needed on the following: adaptive lighting systems (after suspension or structural repairs, headlight replacement or windshield replacement), blind spot sensors (removal of the sensor, removal of the bumper cover or damage to mounting locations) and forward radar sensors (after replacement of a forward radar sensor but possibly after removal of front bumper/grille, after front structural repairs, or after removal and installation of the forward radar unit). Utilizing multiple cameras to provide a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle, the 360 degree camera view requires calibration of all the cameras after the replacement of any of the cameras. However, some OEMs may also require calibration when a side mirror, bumper cover or door is removed. Forward-facing cameras almost always require a calibration or aiming procedure after replacement, but aiming may also be required after removal of the windshield, rearview mirror or the camera itself. “When vehicle repairs containing ADAS integration is done, there is a danger of misalignment, which can have a significant effect on the efficient functioning of the system,”

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Watson said. “If the camera or sensors are out by even a few millimeters, it can mean the difference between a vehicle avoiding a collision or not. Dynamic ADAS calibration is carried out with the use of a hand-held device plugged directly into the car. Often, the vehicle manufacturer will stipulate specific parameters for calibration of their dynamic ADAS. Static ADAS calibration is carried out in a workshop environment on a level surface. This form of calibration requires specialized equipment. Each car manufacturer requires different calibration settings for their static ADAS.” Looking at the camera system, Watson demonstrated that the light reflecting off an object in front of a lens passes through the lens and is collected at a focal point before it passes to a charge coupled device (CCD), which then collects the light and sends

it to a capacitor which, in turn, sends it to the amplifier where it is converted to voltage. The voltage is then sent to the controller for calculation. The controller will use multiple recordings over a given time period to calculate distance and identify deviation from normal conditions based on location, speed and distance using an algorithm. Watson used several illustrations and clips to demonstrate how this works, stressing “The whole idea of ADAS systems is to help avoid accidents. The system tries to aid the driver to prevent accidents.” The webinar concluded with demonstrations of camera calibrations for several makes and models, focused on reasons to carry out the calibration, what conditions must be met before calibration, how to calibrate the camera and what types of test drives are necessary after caliSee ASA Partners, Page 55

autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Industry Insight

—John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, 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.

with John Yoswick

Certification, Legislation Related to Non-OEM Parts Get Spotlighted at Convention “But I’m almost more interested Speakers representing insurers and non-OEM parts manufacturers, dis- in quality and how quickly you can tributors and certifiers offered a vari- get that part where it needs to go and ety of perspectives from the podium how you work with repair facilities at the recent Automotive Body Parts and others to facilitate a good, solid Association (ABPA) annual conven- repair,” he said. “For crash parts, we tion. look for NSF- or CAPA-certified Patrick Burnett, who leads ma- parts, and NSF-certified distributors terial damage operations for Nation- to deliver those crash parts. To us wide Insurance, told non-OEM parts that’s very important. It’s important industry representatives at the event to know the quality of what’s going on our estimates and what that alternative parts played may be delivered to those a significant role in the alrepair facilities as those most 700,000 estimates for parts go onto vehicles.” the insurer’s auto claims last Burnett was asked about year. his view of the outlook for “I won’t get into exact body shops. He said driver numbers, but I will tell you Bob Frayer safety and assistance techalmost half of the part dollars that we wrote came from alternative nology will continue to make repairs more complex. parts,” Burnett said. “It’s going to change who’s able He said that as a financial organization, the cost of those parts is im- to repair that car, who should be repairing that car,” he said. “It will portant.

change the make-up of the repair in- aftermarket parts industry to ensure that non-OEM parts such as bumper dustry; I’m very confident of that.” He acknowledged it will be covers allow for the proper functough for smaller collision repair op- tioning of proximity sensors and erations to keep up. rearview cameras. “It’s one thing to design “The larger shops that a bumper cover that fits the are committed to the equipvehicle. It’s another thing to ment, the training [and] the design a bumper cover that certification path and that allows for the proper instalhave the money [and] the lation of the proximity sencapital outlay that it takes to Ray Colas sor, and making sure that make that happen will be well-positioned for the future,” he proximity sensor works properly,” said. “I think those [that] are not, Frayer said. “It’s something that NSF those who are just saying, ‘I’m just is working very hard to make sure going to … do what I’ve always happens.” He said 21 parts distributors have done,’ at some point the [car population] that they’ll have available to re- earned NSF certification themselves, a program NSF developed, Frayer pair is going to shrink.” Returning to the subject of cer- said, in part to ensure distributors are tification, Bob Frayer of NSF In- actually delivering certified parts ternational said his organization is when shops order certified parts. “That seems like a very comlaunching certification of non-OEM radiator supports. He also urged the mon sense way of running a busi-

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ness, but I can tell you in fact that’s not the way business is always being done,” Frayer said. “Many times, certified parts are ordered and that’s not what’s delivered to the repair shop. I think it was important for us to recognize that, and make sure that what’s ordered is what gets delivered. When a certified part gets ordered and a non-certified part gets delivered, I think that hurts all of us in this room.” As he did at the ABPA conference a year earlier, Frayer worked to explain the difference between a NSF-certified part and one bearing the “NSF Registered Part” label. As part of the full certification process, Frayer said, NSF conducts audits of the parts’ manufacturing facilities; that doesn’t happen for “NSF Registered” parts. Certification also involves “in-market testing of the products being sold,”—not so with parts that are only registered. With those parts, he said, NSF only validates “that the design is the same as the OEM part and that it worked properly on the vehicle.” Mirrors are among the parts commonly being “registered” rather

than “certified.” “We’re doing this because for certain part types, this is what the market is asking for,” Frayer said, not indicating whether by “market” he was speaking of parts manufacturers or parts buyers as not interested in the presumably more expensive certification process. “I

5 years old or newer. Ray Colas, director of government affairs for LKQ Corporation, told those at the ABPA convention that the bill was introduced by a lawmaker who represents a district in which an LKQ facility is located. Colas said that previously bringing the state representative in for a facility tour had helped raise his

would love to be able to certify all these products … but at the end of the day, what the market is saying is we don’t have an appetite for certification.” State and federal legislation related to non-OEM parts was also on the agenda at the ABPA convention. A bill introduced in Iowa, for example, would prohibit insurers from requiring a shop to use a specific parts vendor or procurement process, or from requiring the use of non-OEM crash parts for the repair of a vehicle

understanding of the issue, something Colas reminded the lawmaker about. “‘In all honesty,’ he told us, ‘I completely forgot about that,’” Colas said, noting that the lawmaker still has some concerns but said he would “remove the bill from consideration.” Colas had similar assessments of lawmakers sponsoring bills in Illinois that would require the use of OEM repair specifications and procedures when estimating repairs and prohibit

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the use of non-OEM parts without the customer’s consent in writing. “They did not realize what they got themselves into,” Colas said. “We had to educate them. It’s always good if we educate these members before somebody else does.” (In an op-ed piece published in a Rhode Island newspaper in June after the convention, ABPA Executive Director Ed Salamy voiced opposition to proposed legislation in that state that would expand the state’s ban on the use of non-OEM parts to include vehicles up to 48 months old—from the current 30month ban. Calling the legislation anti-competitive, Salamy warned consumers that, “Put simply, these bills would take away your choice about how to repair your vehicle.”) Sources say that during a portion of the ABPA convention closed to the media, a former U.S. Senator expressed optimism about the prospects for the “PARTS Act,” proposed federal legislation that would slash the time that automakers can use design patents to prevent other companies from producing replace-

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Historical Snapshot with John Yoswick

5 Years Ago, Shop Wanted to Choose Parts Systems Rather Than Face Insurer Mandates 20 Years Ago in the Collision Repair Industry (July 1998) I was recently told of a body shop doing more than $5 million in gross sales per year. It sounds like an impressive operation until you consider that this shop, heavy into direct repair programs (DRPs), has only a 4 percent profit margin. For all that’s involved in maintaining an auto body business—the customer-employee-insurance headaches, enormous outlays for tools, help and training, building and property payments, etc.—such a meager profit is an insult to business intelligence. With most shops today making less than 5 percent profit (and that margin is steadily dropping) repairers who are also good businessmen are rare.

In 1998, Washington shop owner Dick Strom was a regular columnist in a number of industry trade publications, often espousing the view that DRPs would benefit insurers far more than shops or consumers

I’m reminded of the true story of several scientists who were dropped off in a remote region of Africa to make scientific reports. After going months with no human contact and with their food supplies depleted, they eventually discovered a patch of berries that look quite similar to an edible variety back home. In the following weeks, gorging themselves on these berries, they slowly became weaker and weaker until each man died. Analysis of the berries after the men’s bodies were found showed that they had absolutely no food value. These men, confident that they were 44

well-nourished while waiting out their rescue, actually were being weakened and starved to death so slowly that they didn’t realize their mistake until it was too late. I have to wonder about the great number of shops clamoring for pieces of the DRP berry pie. Why is it so hard for otherwise intelligent men and women to see the trap and the coming malnutrition and starvation that insurers will eventually bring upon us when DRPs have saturated the industry? Body shops, now contentedly stuffed overfull with DRP berries, will eventually realize they’re starving to death, though by that time, they’ll be powerless to resist. All the work in the world, if it is of no profit, is still profitless. – from an editorial by Dick Strom, at the time a shop owner in Washington state, published in The Golden Eagle. According to the shop’s website, Strom sold the business to his sons in 2010, and it “continues to thrive as a non-DRP shop” with 14 employees.

15 Years Ago in the Collision Repair Industry (July 2003) Third-party “desk auditors” faced some critics and tough questions during a panel discussion at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) held in Hollywood, FL, in late July. Representatives of three companies that offer insurers remote reviews of repair estimates discussed their companies’ histories, employee training and auditing practices. The three were asked, for example, whether they are compensated for their work based upon the amount by which they are able to reduce a shop’s estimate. “We are compensated on a perfile basis, whether there are savings or not,” said John Gizzio of American Computer Estimating (ACE), a Pennsylvania-based desk review company that audits more than 10,000 claims each month. “We do not take part of the savings. And we do ... charge if there are no savings. We are compensated for every job that we do.”

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Mike Price of the Georgiabased, 30-employee Audit Services, Inc., also said his firm is paid on a perclaim, per-assignment basis. Mike Saliba, vice president of ComSearch’s Ready Review desk auditing service, said his company’s compensation is “based on a number of things, but savings is not one of them.” Gizzio said that some of the savings they offer insurers is not just in reduction in the bottom line of repair estimates, but in reductions in cycle time, rental costs and direct expenses such as field adjusters. All three of the companies say they are not using electronic systems that automatically flag certain items on estimates for review. Rather, the reviewer enters the estimate into the company’s chosen estimating system and checks it against the profile established by their insurer client. While those “profiles” cover such things as

non-OEM and salvage parts use, all three of the companies say they do not change “judgment” repair times. “We do not adjust or change judgment items,” Price said. “We apply our client’s guidelines... When it comes to a judgment item, obviously we haven’t seen the damage.” The other two companies represented on the panel concurred, and although the three represent a majority of the desk audit market, nearly every shop owner at CIC raised their hand when asked if they had had judgment times changed as part of desk audits. “There are other companies that do this work,” Gizzio said. “We’re not representing them, just our own companies here today ... If you put down a five-hour repair, you get a five-hour repair.” Price said he recommended that See Historical Snapshot, Page 54

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National Associations with Chasidy Rae Sisk

YANG 2018 Leadership Conference Is Highest Rated Yet The Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG) hosted its 2018 Leadership Conference at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, GA, on May 11– 12 in conjunction with the Auto Care Association’s Spring Leadership Days.

According to YANG Liaison and ACA Manager of Government Affairs David Pinkham, “The event went incredibly well. It was our most well-attended and highestrated Leadership Conference to date. We wanted to ramp up the content this year and provide an effective balance of industry education and professional development, both of which were accomplished.” “Auto Care staff and the YANG Advisory Council were in agreement that this event blew our expectations

paced day and a day of engaging speakers with content that would be relevant to any young, driven professional. The networking opportunities also provided attendees a chance to make connections and talk about their experiences in the industry. “The Auto Care Association prides itself on being able to bring professionals from across all sectors together to network and conduct important business. YANG’s events, especially the YANG Leadership Conference, are a great example of not only being able to bring people together, but putting them in a position to learn from one another and

conference attendees. After a networking break, Ryan Jenkins discussed “Next Generation Leadership: Keys to Working Across a Multi-Generational Workforce” before the conference concluded with “How To Be a Leader,” presented by Scott LeProhon, executive vice president of Global Procurement for Genuine Parts Company. “The purpose of the YANG’s 2018 Leadership Conference attracted many Leadership Conference was attendees who rated this year’s event the best to date to offer quality leadership “Future Trends: The Next Big Indus- training and networking to the auto try Issues.” After a brief networking care industry’s top under [age]-40 break, attendees participated in a performers, and we feel we met the Communicating with Influence work- goal,” Pinkham said. “YANG hopes shop. The day ended with an ACPAC to build off this year’s success and host a conference next year that surReception and dinner. Saturday’s sessions began with a passes this one. We’ve officially Rapid Fire Session and Round Table raised the bar so the pressure is on to Discussions, which were led by five keep the content fresh and exciting.” discussed “Our Industry: A Year in Review.” Afterward, Jim Dykstra, CEO of Dytech Auto Group, covered

Scott LeProhon of Genuine Parts Company presented “How to be a Leader.”

broaden their view of the industry. The vast majority of Leadership Conference attendees we surveyed found the event to be both enjoyable and worth their while.” The conference began on May 11 at 1 p.m. with a Welcome Address, followed by a keynote presentation ti-

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out of the water,” said JC Washbish, director of marketing for the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance and YANG vice chair. “It was a fast46

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Shop Strategies with Stacey Phillips

Stacey Phillips is a freelance writer and editor for the automotive industry. She has 20 years of experience writing for a variety of publications, and is co-author of “The Secrets of America’s Greatest Body Shops.” She can be reached at sphillips.autobodynews@gmail.com.

CA Body Shop’s Business Model Focuses on Heavier Collision Repair Work Earlier this year, industry veteran David Caulfield opened Fix Auto Anaheim North in Anaheim, CA, using an innovative business model. Caulfield has been in the collision repair industry since 1975, working every aspect of the trade from the bottom up. In 1988, he opened his first body shop in Orange County, CA—East Hills Auto Collision—which eventually grew to include three locations and became part of the Fix Auto franchise. Last year, Caulfield sold his interest in the business and opened Fix Auto Anaheim North, a 23,500square-foot facility that focuses on heavier collision repair work. Caulfield recently shared information with Autobody News about the processes he uses at Fix Auto Anaheim North—his specialized collision services facility—and his advice to collision repairers looking to

set themselves apart and be more profitable.

What prompted you to open Fix Auto Anaheim North and how have you differentiated your business?

After working in the industry for nearly 43 years, I really wanted to focus on things that I felt needed assistance in the industry where there were some trouble spots. I decided to open Fix Auto Anaheim North to focus on reducing the risk and liability associated with heavier collision claims. I feel it will help reduce severity costs through parts price discounts and creative estimating and offer a more objective way to look at how a vehicle is repaired today versus the way our predecessors may have written an estimate on a car.

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and spending a few more minutes to match the colors, we’re finding that eight out of 10 of those that used to be blended in the past are reduced to two. Another example is PDR (paintless dent repair). It has always been viewed that if the dent is small enough, we’ll PDR it. However, when we have a five- to six-hour dent where the paint isn’t damaged, we’ll PDR those as well. This saves the insurance company and conThe customer care area at Fix Auto Anaheim North sumer a lot of money. match the color. The practice of Can you tell us about the speblending panels increases severity, cialized process you use at the cycle time and the unwarranted removal of parts, yet to set yourself up shop and the benefits? for an additional buffing process. Our system is different than This is costly to the shop, the insurer a traditional body shop. Typand unnecessarily invasive to the vehicle. Using technology correctly ically, when a vehicle comes into For example, a lot of metalliccolored panels are estimated with the assumption a blend is required to

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the shop, a technician is responsible for the car key-to-key including a teardown, disassembly, reassembly, framework, mechanical, body, etc. In our model, we have a technician assigned to each one of those skill sets. When a vehicle comes into our facility, a team will disassemble the car, then it will go to the next phase on the assembly line to the next technician and on through completion. Using this process, which is now part of our SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), we’ve been able to reduce cycle times by as much as 65–70 percent. That’s pretty significant. Our record right now on an average claim of $3,900 is 3.8 days. We’re not saying that we’re better than other shops as far as somebody fixing a dent or welding. Our equipment is brand new and we’re using the latest technology in order to stay compliant with the manufacturers’ recommendations like other companies would have. What sets us apart is the way we do it and the order we do it in. We don’t burden one technician to be responsible for the entire repair. Instead, we’ve invested in specific

skills for each of our technicians. For example, we have disassembly, reassembly, mechanical, structural and frame, cutting, fitting and welding and metalsmithing departments. In most shops, when someone fixes a dent, they call that person a body man, but the person who fixes a dent or works the metal in our shop has a department called metalsmithing. That way, he or she takes

get that car out and correct in the shortest period of time with the least invasive repair.

How has your background helped you institute the model used in the shop?

My background gave me the ability to understand what the next move needed to be. During part of my career, I worked in production shops where there were more disciplined practices and the assembly line was in use. Cars would move pretty seamlessly through a shop, resulting in a one- or two-day repair. I decided to implement that methodology into the collision repair system and found it has been working The repair plant area at the 23,500-square-foot facility out pretty well. an objective view of the vehicle and makes decisions based on what the What did it entail to build a task is. If there is a large dent, it isn’t shop that focuses on heavier attacked with a grinder. The tech is collision? really studying it to make sure that it can be kept as small as possible and It took many years of experimake the best moves as possible to ence and a lot of planning as

Q: A:

Luther Bloomington Acura Our parts. Your peace of mind.

far as the layout of the facility and to set up a consistent production line. With our model, a vehicle has no choice but to drive straight into the shop. Then it goes on to a track system and the car slides into its proper stalls. It helps you stay disciplined on the order of things. We also built a team that understands the importance of perfecting one skill instead of multiple skills in order to meet the goals of the company. If you are a frame person, you are a specialist and expert in structural and frame. If you are in the welding department, you are an expert in cutting, fitting and welding and that’s your job; you don’t need to worry about any of the other skill sets in the facility. We just require you just do that job correctly and pass it off to the next person, so they have success. We also have removed many of the traditional burdens a technician faces that cause loss of focus on the repair. Typically, body shop technicians are paid on commission. We are salary-based and pay hourly. Whether our employees fix a car or not, they are paid. Our model relies on having See Business Model, Page 55

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Continued from Cover

Body Shop Sues

mates for each of the vehicles. According to court documents, “… Tri-State used improper methods for calculating the number of hours required to repair the vehicles, including without limitation, refusing to pay for certain necessary repairs, refusing to allow for items which were recommended by the manufacturer guidelines and/or best practices and refusing to account for the published guidelines that are generally accepted within the automotive insurance repair industry.” The documents also state that “… Tri-State arbitrarily set price caps on the amount it would pay per unit for labor costs to repair the vehicles,” and they were far below the market rate. Barry’s Auto Body alleges in court documents that when preparing the estimates, “Tri-State insisted on using parts that are not Original Equipment Manufacturer parts (nonOEM), even when those parts are known to be of inferior quality to OEM parts and where the use of such non-OEM parts did not meet TriState’s contractual and legal obligations under the applicable policies and under New York State Insurance Law.” Six causes of action are mentioned in the lawsuit. The first is Breach of Contract Against Defendant Tri-State. Barry’s Auto Body alleges that Tri-State did not provide enough funds (a sum of $53,905.67) to adequately restore the vehicles back to their condition prior to the accidents/occurrences. The second cause of action is the Violation of General Business Law §349 Against Tri-State. “…TriState has continually engaged in unfair claims practices… including using inappropriate methods of determining the number of hours of labor, the arbitrary capping of labor rates, arbitrary capping of paint and materials, refusing to pay for body shop materials, and misleading consumers regarding the availability of other repair shops that would put the vehicle to its pre-loss condition for the amount of Tri-State’s estimate,” the lawsuit states. The third cause of action is De50

ceptive Business Practices in Violation of General Business Law §349 against IANet Corp for allegedly acting in “bad faith” and “… changing adjusters’ estimates without inspection, setting arbitrary caps on price of certain tasks and otherwise interfering with the claims process…” according to court documents. The last three causes of action are Tortious Interference With Business Relationship Against each of the adjusters. The lawsuit states that each of the adjusters interfered with the body shop’s contracts with its customers to repair the vehicles for “no legitimate purpose” and “acted maliciously” and with the sole purpose of harming the Plaintiff and its repair contracts. The lawsuit is currently in the discovery phase and the next court date is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2019. Autobody News reached out to Crupi, Jr. to learn more about the lawsuit and the issues collisions repairers should be aware of.

Q: A:

Why did you decide to file this lawsuit?

I filed this lawsuit among others because I will not have my customers, my business or its people pushed around. At Barry’s Auto Body, we believe in saving money where possible, but we will never compromise the quality of our work or the safety of our customers driving these automobiles in order to increase insurance company’s yearly profit margins. Customers always lose when their vehicles are not repaired safely and properly. It puts the passengers at risk and it kills their resale value. I also believe in my heart that it is more important today than ever before for auto body shops, and really any business that deals with insurance companies, to fight for what is right. This bully-like mentality many insurance companies use to suppress labor rates and push around shops into doing improper repairs truly hurts. We also allege this particular lawsuit has misconduct by numerous insurance adjusters and independent insurance adjusters on these claims. With vehicles being more technologically advanced than ever before, improper repairs can throw off airbag timing and cause vehicles’

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

braking systems to malfunction as well. Shops must now have the absolute best equipment to repair these vehicles properly. The days of using cheap machinery to save costs are over because today’s cars are constantly changing and require up-todate equipment. There are also additional steps necessary to repair vehicles properly. These procedures should never be compromised at the vehicle owner’s expense.

What would you like collision repairers to know about the lawsuit and these issues?

Insurance companies should not tell you how to repair a vehicle or how to run your business. Recent lawsuits have shown that insurance companies are not the ones ultimately responsible for repairing vehicles properly. You, as the auto body shop, are 100 percent responsible for restoring these vehicles SAFELY and PROPERLY every time. You can and may be sued for not doing safe or proper repairs.

Therefore, it is up to you to make sure you are being paid properly to restore these vehicles to their pre-accident condition. I repair every car as if my own son or family member were being put into this vehicle after the repairs are completed, and SO SHOULD YOU. The days of letting insurance companies push our shops around are done. Shops who succumb to the pressures of these insurance companies to “cut corners” or repair vehicles unsafely or improperly will always be in jeopardy of going out of business by a lawsuit for improper repairs or not having the finances available to run their businesses properly. In the beginning, it may feel that as a small business shop owner, you are David taking on Goliath. You may feel scared to death—like you have no way out in sight. If you are serious about being in this business for the long-term, it is important to do the research and push through all these fears for yourself, your employees, your customers and for what is right. Messages to Tri-State Consumer Insurance Company were not returned.

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Tips for Busy Body Shops with Stacey Phillips

PDR Experts Share Opportunities for Paintless Dent Repair in Collision Repair Over the next five to 10 years, more shops are going to rely on paintless dent repair (PDR) and it’s going to be a “must-do” to compete, according to Ryan Hampton, co-owner of The 300 Advantage. “PDR has always been like a young stepbrother to the collision industry,” he said. “The more PDR companies separate themselves in the industry, the more technicians are reaching out for education and trying to prepare themselves for the growing trends and technology, such as scanning and electric vehicles, that have been taking off over the last several years.” Ryan Hampton, Bill Park and Tony Frasher, owners of The 300 Advantage, discussed PDR during a Guild 21 podcast sponsored monthly by VeriFacts Automotive. It was part two of a three-part podcast series on repair versus replace. The previous month, Kurt Lammon, president of Polyvance, and Scott McKernan, president of #1 Vinyl & Leather Repair, talked about plastic repair and interior parts. In the third podcast, Bryan Robaina, president of Robaina Direct, will discuss dent repairs on outer sheet metal and aluminum panels. “We see a big opportunity for innovation in the industry,” said Park. “Like Guild 21, we believe in smart repairs—fixing it right the first time.” The business partners began looking at opportunities available in PDR methodology, bringing it to a broader market and building a business around it. That led them to establish The 300 Advantage, a Colorado-based company that has businesses in catastrophic hail management, accident and hail repair, Cat-Hail Insurance claims management and a platform technology firm to support the various entities and the market at large. This includes Smart Claims Services, Axiom Accident & Hail Repair and PDR Mobile Solutions/PDR Boss. “The vision of the 300 group is to create a variety of businesses within the automotive smart repair industry

worldwide,” said Park. During the Guild 21 podcast, George Avery, Avery Consulting LLC, led a discussion with Hampton, Park and Frasher about PDR repair, covering hail damage applications,

used to pull the dents out in inacces- age, a PDR matrix is used, which is a guide that outlines the vehicle’s sible areas where rods can’t reach. Frasher said the use of PDR is panels. Park said although the matrix more standardized when it comes can add a lot of value, he cautions reto hail repair versus collision repairers about the unintended consequences around being too stringent pair. “It’s very rare you have an within the matrix. “I think the matrix can lead an insurance adjuster with a PDR background,” he said. adjuster or somebody in the field to “On the hail side, an ad- replace panels much faster than they juster can go out and adjust necessarily need to,” he said. “I think a claim easily. They can see there should be more awareness of a panel has so many dents doing the right thing for the car and understanding that sometimes you on it.” PDR techniques allow technicians opportunities to minimize might have to look outside of the maRegarding new PDR toolthe number of steps necessary to perform a quality repair ing, Frasher said glue pulling trix.” what can be repaired using PDR, has really advanced. Hampton agreed. Overall, he technician skills and estimating in re“Technicians are getting better said to step back from the matrix and lation to PDR. at it. The more they practice with it, do what is best for the car. PDR is known as an affordable the faster they get,” he said. “Any time you can save the liaand quick method of removing dents He added that glue can move a bility and the integrity of the vehicle, from the body of a vehicle without lot of metal very quickly compared I think it’s always a smart decision to disturbing the finish, which elimi- to a normal dent rod. look at that first,” he said. nates the need for repainting the reFor those planning to do PDR When estimating for hail dampaired area. Generally used for hail damage, PDR can also be utilized for a wide variety of minor repairs on both aluminum and steel panels. If there is paint damage, experts HYUNDAI say that PDR might not be a good alternative; however, some technicians can use conventional paint and body methods, which is referred to as “push to paint.” For example, this method can be used on a hail-damaged roof, so it doesn’t need to be replaced. Avery said PDR techniques provide technicians opportunities to minimize the number of steps necessary to perform a quality repair, which is in the best interest of the ve• Experienced Parts Team • Wide Delivery Area hicle and the consumer. • Large Inventory • Genuine Hyundai Parts “PDR as a first option will be• We are in the Hyundai Go Genuine™ Collision come the method of choice over Conquest Program time,” said Park. “Innovation and demand for speed will drive this. By Parts Number: using PDR, technicians are able to Parts Hours: reduce the severity of damage at the 8am - 5pm Mon - Fri 24-Hour Fax: dent level and potentially eliminate 773.413.3008 blend panels, which are huge cost savings.” PDR technicians often use metal rods to push dents from the body mcgrathcityhyundai.com hyundaiparts@mcgrathcity.com panel’s underside. Glue-pulling tools 6750 W. Grand Ave. / Chicago, IL 60707 that use a specialized tab can also be

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

work, Frasher stressed the importance of being familiar with corrosion protection and recommended keeping a can nearby while doing a repair. Hampton said as far as scanning goes, any car that has been taken apart during the PDR process should have a pre- and post-scan. “Industry-wide, we know everyone doesn’t do it, but it should really be done,” he said. The Hotbox is a relatively new technology used for PDR that allows technicians to pull dents from the top side of the panel. This eliminates damaging the back side of the panel and larger dents can often be pulled faster. “When the dents get larger, it’s 100 percent about technique,” said Frasher. “There are a few specialty tools, but more than anything it’s about understanding the old-school metal techniques.” He said that is a main difference between hail and collision. “With hail, for the most part, you are never on a dent for more than a couple of minutes,” he said. “However, for larger dents, it takes time

and focus.” In addition to using PDR for hail damage, body shops are now incorporating PDR into repairs. Avery said to use critical thinking to determine if it’s the right thing to do for the repair. Some shops are finding there are savings in doing what is called “push to repair.” One advantage is the opportunity to push out the majority of a dent and not disturb the paint. As a result, the repaired area is minimized, which can avoid paint match issues and the expense of blending into adjacent panels. “There are top savings in push to repair,” said Frasher. If you have a large dent in the middle of a quarter panel, for example, and you’re welding pins on, then the entire repair zone grows. If it can be shrunk with glue pulling, then he said time and money can be saved. “That’s one of the things that I feel is probably going to grow, but it’s difficult for an adjuster walking up to the car,” said Frasher. “He doesn’t know what the capability is going

to be for any specific shop to know if it is a viable option.” Currently a bottleneck in shops, he said as PDR becomes more widely used, adjusters will be able to write up the estimate using PDR up front. When hiring technicians, Avery asked the presenters how to best find a quality technician who can do PDR since they are often hard to locate and there is no certification offered. “It’s a new industry,” said Hampton. “Although it has been around for 30-plus years, that’s still relatively new when you take into consideration that the trade itself is extremely artisan. The guys who can work on the big damage are extremely rare.” He said there is no easy answer to finding an in-house or sublet technician and recommended talking to others in the industry, watching YouTube videos, researching on social media and checking online reviews. “Body shops have some of the best eyes in the industry,” said Hampton. “They know what to look for, and you just have to do your

Continued from Page 44

now processed more than 8,600 inquiries.

if a remote auditor changed judgment times, the shop should call the insurer involved. – As reported in Autobody News.

5 Years Ago in the Collision Repair Industry (July 2013) At the Collision Industry Conference

Stabler said understanding those differences won’t matter if shops are being required to use a particular system. “Let the people who want to make a parts procurement engine build the best tool, and let the marketplace decide which one is the best, rather than being forced,” Stabler said. Aaron Schulenburg of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) agreed. “For more than a year now, this committee has been asked, at least by individuals of this body, for a very serious discussion about the entry-tomarket (of the systems),” he said. “It keeps being avoided, frankly. I think we really need to have that before we just ask how they work.” CIC Chairman George Avery said the committee should continue its work on the matrix, but acknowledged that “it seems like we jumped ahead,” and that “it’s prudent that we facilitate the discussion that I think is being asked for.” – As reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), July 29, 2013.

Historical Snapshot

10 Years Ago in the Collision Repair Industry (July 2008) The Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) has surpassed one of its first milestones by processing more than 500 inquiries in just over six months of operation. If the value of inquiries remains consistent, the first two quarters of the year indicate that the DEG will likely process more than 1,000 inquiries by the end of year on. “Collision estimating data customers clearly turn to the DEG as their partner for submitting their firsthand-concerns to the information providers,” said DEG Joint Operating Committee Member Nick Kostakis. – As reported in Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT. The DEG website (www.DEGweb.org) has 54

In 2013, California shop owner Randy Stabler said shops should be allowed to choose which electronic parts sourcing / ordering systems are used based on features, rather than insurer mandates

(CIC) held in Boston, some participants questioned why the CIC Parts Committee had not addressed certain issues related to electronic parts procurement systems. The committee is working to produce a matrix that it hopes will indicate differences in features and other aspects of the various systems. But California shop owner Randy

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

homework.” When estimating collision work related to PDR, Hampton said if the collision damage is minor, PDR can be used. However, if the damage is more complex, most adjusters would write the estimate as a conventional repair unless the shop has a technician familiar with PDR and the technology needed. “There is a common sense factor that comes in,” he said. “It’s no different than body work and determining how many hours it will take to fix a quarter panel.” Currently, the technicians doing PDR on big dents are targeting the end customer and many times the work isn’t going through insurance. For example, if it is an $800–$900 repair, some feel it’s not worth it to file a claim because it will probably increase insurance rates. “The majority of those types of repairs are not done in shops today because of that reason,” said Hampton. “As more and more of those repairs get done and more people on all sides understand what can be done, I think that will change.”

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Continued from Page 49

Business Model

technicians available in real time for any vehicle that comes their way. That’s the investment we made.

Q: A:

What has your experience been like with Fix Auto?

Each Fix Auto is independently owned and operated. I’ve found that Fix Auto is a supporter of innovation. They are always encouraging the individual franchisees to raise the bar on whatever they do. I regularly attend Fix Auto meetings. I think that anytime shops can get together, the owners can collaborate on what’s working for them and what’s not. Something new always seems to come out of that. What is your advice to shops preparing for the future and being innovative?

If you’re tired of sitting at the table, wondering how you can best cure diminishing profits, in-

creased cycle times and the increased risks associated with today’s vehicles, you really need to know the make-up of what you are bringing into your facility.

vehicles, the shop was designed and built to repair vehicles that were those 15 out of 100 cars that average about $5,500 a claim and have structural and/or welding and/or mechanical work needed related to the collision. About 90 percent of our work is DRP-related. We opened February 5 of this year and we brought in $90,000 our first month and $151,000 our second. Our goal is to repair about six of these heavier collision claims per day. When you separate the heavier collision out of the Eddie Ruacho, a structural specialist, spot welds a vehicle mix of both heavy and light with a new replacement panel in the “cutting, fitting and repairs, there is a very proswelding” department perous business model to be After studying this for many had for both types. The larger repairs years, I believe that 15 out of 100 ve- can be done in five to seven days comhicles will require structural work, pared to the 20 or more that it currently welding or heavy mechanical. Once takes the industry today, and the lighter those cars are identified, they will hits in zero to three days; deeper diseventually end up in a specialized counts can be offered to both the inshop like ours and there’s an enor- surer and consumer. mous amount of profitability available and more seamless throughput. www.autobodynews.com Although we receive a variety of

Continued from Page 40

ASA Partners

bration. Bosch calibration coverage includes FCA, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Toyota and Subaru, but the company is continuing to increase its coverage to include all makes and models requiring forward-facing cameras for dynamic and/or static calibration. Preceding Bosch’s question-andanswer session, Watson concluded by thanking those who attended the series. “We hope we have accomplished our goal of increasing your understanding of ADAS, its impact on the industry and how it impacts repairs and diagnostic procedures,” Watson said. “Our intent was to introduce and provide information and resources to support your understanding and interest in diagnosing and repairing systems, and we look forward to providing additional training sessions in the near future.” All five Bosch webinars are available online for ASA members. For more information about the association, visit www.asashop.org.

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Why Choosing a Technical School Makes Sense by Bill DeYoung, St. Pete Catalyst

America’s education system isn’t exactly a well-oiled machine, on any level. According to the Federal Reserve, more than $1.4 trillion in student loan debt remains outstanding—over $600 billion more than the sum total of our national credit card debt. Higher education, of course, has never been cheap—and there are strong indicators that specialized course programs, training academies and technical schools can focus American students toward lucrative careers in ways that the traditional four-year public colleges don’t. Or can’t.

Credit: Pinellas Technical College

In all-important STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, 21st century education comes with many options. And they don’t all consume four years— or longer—and cost the nest egg. Carl Lavender, who manages the Office of Workforce Innovation at Pinellas Technical College, has heard all sides of the argument. “People say, ‘Hold on now, they’ll pay that student loan money back,’” Lavender explained. “Well, they haven’t found enough jobs to pay back those lump sums. “The smart household knows when the child isn’t a four-year college child: ‘But my child needs to work, so let me give him or her something they can do right now.’ And that’s why technical colleges are incredibly important right now.” It’s not your grandfather’s technical school any more, turning out aspiring beauticians and auto mechanics. Between its campuses in St. Petersburg and Clearwater, FL, PTC offers intensive courses—most take 56

a year or less—in computer systems and information technology, network support services, coding, pharmacy tech, web development, medical coding, record transcribing and administration, surgical technology and other crucial STEM-related careers. These are in-demand careers. “Between our two technical college campuses, we have 4,224 students enrolled,” Pinellas County School Superintendent Dr. Michael Grego said at an education roundtable in April. “We see 87 percent of these students graduate, and then we see 93 percent of our graduates placed into employment.” The cost of the PTC education is considerably less than a four-year university tuition. And the school’s success rate in industrial courses (welding, HVAC, electricity, automotive service technology, etc.) is impressive. “It’s a smart conversation to discuss technical colleges as a forward-thinking workforce development plan,” Lavender said. “And there is this whole national movement regarding the craftsmen-slash-tradespeople that are retiring, and the need for prepared young people to step into those roles based upon the demand for the trades, of course, but also because the four-year degree isn’t the only path to take to self-defining work.” Twenty-eight percent of PTC students enroll with full college degrees— even Masters and higher—eager to change or expand their experience. “For those who’ve been working for a long time and are sick of the rat race—hey, go back to school, pick up certification in a trade and try a new career,” Lavender offered. New construction, building maintenance and the repair of homes and offices are expected to drive demand for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. During his April talk, Grego also praised PTC’s medical assistance programs. “PTC’s pharmacy technician and dental assisting graduates have placement rates above 98 percent,” he said. “We have more job calls than grad-

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

uates. “There’s a huge demand for those who follow the allied health career path. Hospitals need these folks to be on staff and full-time. There are 70 million Boomers in America, and we’re approaching the time in our lives when we may have a prescription or two in our house … “So you’re talking about a boom industry. Go to your local pharmacy and look behind that counter. To that end, our college produces pharmacy technicians who are absolutely necessary to hospitals, clinics and medical offices. Absolutely necessary.” Established at PTC just a year ago, the Office of Workforce Innovation exists to plug students directly into the local workforce—filling one skills gap at a time. “We help graduate people and help find them jobs,” Lavender explained. “We help get people certified to work in industry, and we help industry keep their workforce educated and connected.” More and more, the country’s technical schools—so much more

than less-expensive alternatives to “real” colleges—are turning out skilled, viable, competitive members of the contemporary American workforce. “It’s a whole different conversation now,” Lavender pointed out. “What’s happening now is that the sociology major can’t find work: ‘Had I gone to school and gotten certified in welding, or in dot net computer programming, I’d be doing a whole lot better right now with my income.’ “So, to that person who might still say ‘Oh, the trade college? Too bad’ – no, I don’t think so. These are necessary jobs that make life better for people.” We thank St. Pete Catalyst for reprint permission.

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autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Insurance Hearing Shows Need for Autonomous Vehicles Data Access by Brittney Kohler, CitiesSpeak

On May 23, the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on the impact of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on the future of insurance. In light of the Senate’s American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies Act (AV START Act), this hearing brings another critical perspective on AVs. For cities, the hearing yielded two crucial takeaways on the issue’s policy future. First, data access is not guaranteed in the AV START Act for the car owner or even the insurer, yet insurers are required by law to price by risk, making it critical to insurance companies. Second, the insurance sector expects shifts in how cars are insured and new risk models in order to evolve with AV technology. Chairman Sean Duffy (R-WI) presided over a panel of witnesses who are directly involved in the growth of AV technology and its impacts on insurance. The panel was made up of David Carlson, a U.S. manufacturing and automotive practice leader at Marsh and McLennan; Ryan Gammelgard, counsel to the public policy resource group at State Farm; Sam Geraci, the vice president of strategy for American Family Mutual Insurance Company; Ian Adams, assistant vice president at the R Street Institute; and Jack Gillis from the Consumer Federation of America. The panel was teed up to answer important questions about the safe and effective rollout of AVs and what this new technology might change. Panel members expressed that data—in particular, crash data— will be necessary in order to do their jobs and provide an accurate riskbased assessment of the vehicles for their policies. Gammelgard spoke of the importance of data for the insurance industry, for “by law [they] match price to risk” and if they are not given access to the data they “might not be able to do so.” Adams echoed this concern, stating that “insurers will need to be able to access data related to autonomous vehicle operation if they hope to create products that meaningfully reflect risk.” Gammelgard added that while 58

data “is critical for liability determinations,” it is also “important [to the public] in determining the safety and reliability of technology.” Geraci also noted that “regulated review and validation of rates and coverage requires insurers to provide state insurance regulators with extensive levels of actuarially valid data on crashes [and] their frequency and severity,” a task that might prove impossible without access to the crash data in AVs. Geraci continued that there has been widespread data collection on human drivers and their accidents, and it should be the same for AVs now. The data that insurers want is just the crash data, and would “not include private data or confidential business [proprietary] data,” Geraci said. Currently in the AV START Act, there is no requirement that data of any kind from AVs will be shared, even for crash data. Gillis pointed out that in the AV START Act—which would expand testing in order to get the technology into commercial use more quickly—”accident data is not being made available to the public, including insurers.” Without such data, the insurers will be “left to guess [the levels of risk] or rely on the companies’ safety claims” added Gillis. Gammelgard noted that “any attempt to include data access provisions [has been] met with great resistance.” Gillis went on to say that it could be the role of the federal government to “ensure that crash data is made publicly available.” Both Geraci and Gammelgard were supportive of the Inhofe amendment to the AV START Act that would create a Data Access Coalition to set up recommendations for a potential future data access structure. However, it would take two years to make recommendations even while AVs would continue to be put on the roads. Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) asked the panel what steps are being taken to assess the safety of AVs before they are put on the road since they are “not required to submit safety assessment letters to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,” to which Geraci answered that the “[data is needed] to understand

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

surance begs the question of what individuals will do to protect themselves from risk. Some, such as Gammelgard, see personal mobility coverage rising— policies that “insure the person on every step of their day.” As the hearing showed, AVs stand to revolutionize the transportation industry and the insurance guidelines for it. This technology could bring mobility to those who are traditionally restricted, such as the older Americans and those who have disabilities. The experts at the hearing showed that part of a responsible rollout would address data sharing from AVs, and specifically, continuing to make safety data available to the public and insurance companies so that they can make accurate risk-based assessments. Congress still could include a more certain answer on data access in the AV START Act, and cities along with the insurance industry should be watching what this means for the future of our roads. We thank CitiesSpeak for reprint permission.

safety performance.” Rep. Sherman seemed open to the idea of the federal government having a role in ensuring that data, saying that “maybe Congress ought to help with requirements that you get that data.” The second major takeaway from the hearing centered on the shifting landscape of the insurance market itself in response to AVs entering and taking over the automotive scene. Gammelgard said that higher and higher levels of automation on the road “will necessitate changes in the types of policies offered” by insurance companies, particularly as vehicle ownership shifts from the individual to corporate level. David Carlson said that as the technologies advance, the “liability pendulum will shift from personal auto to commercial product liability.” This means that companies will likely buy insurance policies on a fleet basis. Carlson said that “fleet coverages are likely to become admitted coverages subject to greater underwriting and rating security.” Such a shift from personal to commercial in-

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In Reverse

Gary Ledoux is an industry veteran with 48 years’ experience in the automotive and OEM collision parts industry. His column appears exclusively in Autobody News. He can be reached at YesterWreck@yahoo.com

with Gary Ledoux

The 1940s – Part 1 - An End, a Beginning and a Birthday The 1940s marked the end of the Great Depression as America was thrust into WWII. It was a time of great uncertainty. Several years of global war would bring about cultural, economic, political and social change that had never before been seen in the U.S. and around the world—not the least of which would be dramatic changes in the American automotive industry in general and the collision repair industry in particular. In fact, many collision industry leaders and long-standing collision industry suppliers agree that the post-war period beginning in 1945 marked the birth of what we know today as the modern automotive collision repair industry. Interestingly, in December 1941, just before America’s entry into the war and in the face of lingering difficult economic times, new car production hit a peak in the U.S. A financial

analyst employed by State Farm insurance estimated there were 30,000,000 cars on America’s roads, and less than half carried adequate insurance. Subsequently, State Farm agents were selling record numbers of new auto insurance policies. Every week, records were broken. It seemed like there would be no end to the ravenous selling of auto insurance policies. And then all hell broke loose on a Sunday morning in Hawaii, on a U.S. Navy base that few Americans were aware of. The war years were marked by shortages of just about everything, including tires and gasoline. In 1942, civilian car production was curtailed so that factories could turn out war materials. Auto travel and just about everything associated with it were brought to a standstill. Car dealers had to survive on service and parts sales. Auto parts jobbers were selling fewer parts

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and less paint and body supplies, so some turned to other items to generate a profit, including lawn mowers and bicycles. Many companies now associated with the collision industry did their part to the war effort. DuPont, longknown for its superior gunpowder, contributed 4.5 billion pounds of explosives for the war effort. SherwinWilliams was ready to help the cause with a newly constructed $37 million facility and a workforce of 6,000. The company made more than 10 million ammunition shells, several million aerial bombs and anti-tank mines. The U.S. was building ships—which needed paint—and Sherwin-Williams was ready. More than 400,000 pounds of Sherwin-Williams paint was applied to the USS Iowa. The war accelerated the development and production of special aviation and industrial coating that would later fit peacetime applica-

tions. More than 2,700 SherwinWilliams employees served in the US Armed Forces. Sadly, 25 never returned home. Industrial color designers who had spent the 1930s trying to figure out what color car would sell best were relegated to designing camouflage patterns. Despite the death of new automobiles and severe slump in vehicle miles traveled, automotive technology continued to plow forward. The decade of the ‘40s saw such automotive innovations as automatic transmissions, safety-rim wheels, two-speed electric windshield wipers, electro-hydraulic power windows and seats, disc brakes and some unit-body construction. Car design was influenced by aviation and the air war over Europe and the Pacific theater. The once-boxy auto design was becoming sleeker and more stylish—adding new challenges to their See The 1940s, Page 63

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autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

AMi Honors Class of 2018 at ASA Annual Business Meeting & Conference

ager (AAM), Accredited Master Collision-Repair Estimator (AMCE) and Accredited Master Automotive Managers (AMAM) designations during the ceremony. “It was an honor to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of this group of industry professionals during our graduation ceremony. We are excited to see the growth of AMi reflected in the number of graduates and the diversity of certifi2018 AMi Graduation at ASA Annual Conference cates and professional May 4 at the Walt Disney World designations being awarded,” said Swan & Dolphin Hotel and Resort AMi President Jeff Peevy, AMAM. AMi role-based designations in Orlando, FL. The formal graduation cere- highlight the growing role soft skills mony was part of the Automotive and business management education Service Association’s “Celebration play in the success of today’s autoof Excellence” award ceremony, motive repair business. Students which recognized individuals and focus on multiple core categories of organizations that have made sig- training and professional developnificant contributions to AMi, ASA ment: financial management, sales & and/or the automotive repair indus- marketing, operational management, HR and personnel development, IT try. AMi recognized students earn- management, risk management and ing the Accredited Automotive Man- leadership. The Automotive Management Institute (AMi), the industry’s leading provider of management education for automotive service and collision repair professionals, held its first graduation ceremony of 2018 on

WAC Moves Forward With New Officers, Future Plans by Chasidy Rae Sisk

The members of Women in Automotive and Collision (WAC) met on May 15 at Gateway Motorsports in Madison, IL, to continue the group’s efforts to move the association forward and discuss recent successes. According to WAC President Shelly Jones, “We started the meeting by going over the mission and the introductions with each participant by saying their name, business and time in the industry. There were a lot of great stories shared of growing up in the industry and why this group is important for the industry. Several members have offered to donate dinner when we do not have a corporate dinner sponsor. Dinner for this meeting was donated by Secretary Peggy Vorwald, who shared her industry story with the group. We call this a member spotlight.” WAC discussed plans to create the group’s official website and revealed its new table cloth for industry events. They also talked about recently attended events and which events they plan to attend in the future. Recently, WAC’s Sheena Wagner and Jess Crump set up a 60

table at the Rockwood Summit High School Biodiesel Car Show, where they talked to attendees about the career opportunities available in the automotive industry. Thanks to Wagner’s efforts as sponsorship coordinator, WAC has been joined by several corporate sponsors, including Cooper Color Inc., American Family Insurance, Sikkens, LKQ Corporation and PPG. The group is grateful to these companies for supporting its mission. In addition to maintaining WAC’s Facebook page, Social Media Manager Tricia Belz is developing a LinkedIn page for the group. During the meeting, WAC also announced that Sarah Young from Original One Parts will fill the role of marketing coordinator for the association. Jones stated, “Sarah has already used her amazing graphic design talents to create forms and handouts for the group to use.” Young shared her take on the meeting as well. “It wasn’t a drag… pun intended!” she said. “As the group gathered at Gateway Motorsports Park, and after some open dialogue intro-

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

ASA Announces New 2018 Board of Directors

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) announced changes to its Board of Directors following its Annual Business Meeting May 2– 4 at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotel and Resort in Orlando, FL. ASA Chairman Roy Schnepper, AAM, Butler’s Collision, Roseville, MI, who is serving the second year of his two-year term, is looking forward to working with the new leadership team. “As I look at our new leadership, I believe we have a strong team in place to help chart the association’s growth and progress on new initiatives as we move forward,” Schnepper said.

Members of the 2018 Board include: • Chairman: Roy Schnepper, AAM, Butler’s Collision, Roseville, MI • Chairman Elect: Bob Wills, AMAM, owner of Wills Auto Service in Battle Creek, MI, and the immediate past director of ASA’s Mechanical Division Operations Committee • Secretary/Treasurer: Fred Hules, AMAM, owner of Tech 1 Auto in

ductions, there would be small pauses to watch the drag cars do test runs. Everyone is excited to know that we are trying to do something, specifically something that will help drive successful women in the industry and create awareness of opportunities with careers in the industry. It’s crucial for both the sponsors and the association to stay active and aware of each other’s existence. To be able to have support from both aspects helps continue the efforts of bringing more innovation and partnerships within the industry for a better outreach.” For more information, visit WAC’s Facebook group at https://www .facebook.com/groups/wacstl/about.

Peoria, AZ • General Director: Elissa Larremore, owner of CBS 1 Collision, based in Shreveport, LA • General Director: Todd Black, AMAM, owner of Unlimited Service, Bellingham, WA • Mechanical Division Director: Tom Piippo, AMAM, owner of Tri-County Motors, Rudyard, MI • Collision Division Director: Scott Benavidez, AAM, owner of Mr. B’s Paint & Body Shop, Albuquerque, NM • Immediate Past Chairman: Darrell Amberson, AMAM, owner of LaMettry’s Collision, Minneapolis, MN Dan Risley, ASA president/executive director, also serves on the ASA Board of Directors in an ex-officio capacity. Retiring from the ASA Board of Directors is Ed Cushman, AMAM, C&H Auto, Spokane, WA. “ASA wants to thank Ed for his great service and commitment to the Board, to the association and, most of all, to its members, whom he always puts first. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” said Schnepper.

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Continued from Page 4

House AV Act

vehicle operation if they hope to create products that meaningfully reflect risk.” Gammelgard added that while data “is critical for liability determinations,” it is also “important [to the public] in determining the safety and reliability of technology.” Geraci also noted that “regulated review and validation of rates and coverage requires insurers to provide state insurance regulators with extensive levels of actuarially valid data on crashes [and] their frequency and severity,” which might prove impossible without access to the crash data in AVs. Geraci continued that there has been widespread data collection on human drivers and their accidents, and it should be the same for AVs now. The data that insurers want is just the crash data, and would “not include private data or confidential business [proprietary] data,” Geraci said. Currently in the AV START Act, there is no requirement that data of any kind from AVs will be shared, even for crash data. Gillis pointed out

that in the AV START Act—which would expand testing in order to get the technology into commercial use more quickly—”accident data is not being made available to the public, including insurers.” Without such data, the insurers will be “left to guess [the levels of risk] or rely on the companies’ safety claims” added Gillis. Gammelgard noted that “any attempt to include data access provisions [has been] met with great resistance.” Gillis went on to say that it could be the role of the federal government to “ensure that crash data is made publicly available.” Both Geraci and Gammelgard were supportive of the Inhofe amendment to the AV START Act that would create a Data Access Coalition to set up recommendations for a potential future data access structure. However, it would take two years to make recommendations even while AVs would continue to be put on the roads. Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) asked the panel what steps are being taken to assess the safety of AVs before they are put on the road since they are “not required to submit safety as-

sessment letters to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,” to which Geraci answered that the “[data is needed] to understand safety performance.” Rep. Sherman seemed open to the idea of the federal government having a role in ensuring that data, saying that “maybe Congress ought to help with requirements that you get that data.” The second major takeaway from the hearing centered on the shifting landscape of the insurance market itself in response to AVs entering and taking over the automotive scene. Gammelgard said that higher and higher levels of automation on the road “will necessitate changes in the types of policies offered” by insurance companies, particularly as vehicle ownership shifts from the individual to corporate level. David Carlson said that as the technologies advance, the “liability pendulum will shift from personal auto to commercial product liability.” This means that companies will likely buy insurance policies on a fleet basis. Carlson said that “fleet coverages are likely to become admitted coverages subject to greater underwrit-

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ing and rating security.” Such a shift from personal to commercial insurance begs the question of what individuals will do to protect themselves from risk. Some, such as Gammelgard, see personal mobility coverage rising— policies that “insure the person on every step of their day.” As the hearing showed, AVs stand to revolutionize the transportation industry and the insurance guidelines for it. This technology could bring mobility to those who are traditionally restricted, such as the older Americans and those who have disabilities. The experts at the hearing showed that part of a responsible rollout would address data sharing from AVs, and specifically, continuing to make safety data available to the public and insurance companies so that they can make accurate risk-based assessments. Congress still could include a more certain answer on data access in the AV START Act, and cities along with the insurance industry should be watching what this means for the future of our roads. We thank CitiesSpeak for reprint permission.

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Continued from Page 43

Spotlighted at Convention

ment crash parts from 14 years to just 30 months. Mark Pryor, a former Senator from Arkansas who is now a partner with a legal and lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. that is representing the “Quality Parts Coalition,” said that group is pressing for a vote on the bill by a U.S. House committee before the mid-term elections in November. But the legislation faces some big hurdles to overcome before this Congress ends. Even if passed by the committee, the bill would still need to be scheduled for a vote in the House, and there’s been no action on the Senate version of the legislation. Two of the bills’ four primary sponsors (Republicans Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah and Rep. Darrell Issa of California) have announced their retirement from Congress this year, and most D.C. observers aren’t predicting a flurry of legislative activity in the final six months of the 115th Congress.

Families File Keyless System Lawsuits After Carbon Monoxide Deaths by Eric T. Chaffin, The Legal Examiner

In the mid-1990s, keyless ignition systems started to become available in luxury vehicles. Today, they are much more popular and are offered as standard or optional equipment in many models. They’re convenient and easy to use, as the driver can start the car without having to insert a physical key into the ignition. But the lack of a key is also allegedly creating some safety risks. According to recent reports from the New York Times and other media outlets, more than two dozen people have been killed from carbon monoxide poisoning after failing to shut off their vehicles with keyless ignitions. An additional 45 have suffered injuries from carbon monoxide gas. Mom and Son Suffer Symptoms From Carbon Monoxide After Leaving Car Running Keyless entry and ignition systems have no traditional key, but instead have only a push-button to unlock and start the car. The system works by sending an encoded signal to a receiver in the car. This signal then tells the car to unlock or start the engine. The button also needs to be pushed

to stop the car engine, but this is the step that is sometimes easily missed in everyday life. AJC News reports that a busy Florida mom left her car running in the garage as she hurried to start a conference call. She stated she pushed the button to close the garage door and somehow didn’t remember to push the button to stop the car. The car continued to run, sending carbon dioxide into the home. The mother’s 13month-old son later woke up screaming after midnight, and when she went to pick him up, he went limp in her arms. She got dizzy herself and ran out into the garage, where she saw that the taillights on her car were still on and the engine was still running. Florida Man Found Dead From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning The Times reports that a 75-year-old Florida man drove his Toyota into his garage and went into the house with the wireless key fob, apparently believing the car was shut off. Twentynine hours later he was found dead, a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning. His son later told the Times that his father thought that ‘when he took the key with him when he left the car, the car would be off.’ All of the deaths

NICB Releases Data on Animal-Related Insurance Losses, 91% Involve Deer by Lynn Walford, Auto Connected Car News

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released a study on the number of animal-related insurance losses for the years 2014–2017. The data is gleaned from insurance claims for losses that occurred in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. A total of 1,740,425 animal-related insurance claims were processed with 1,739,687 of them— 99.9 percent—involving vehicles. The actual number of incidents is likely much higher since many drivers do not choose to carry coverage for that type of event. About 640,000 of those claims specified one of the top five animals involved and over the four-year period, 91 percent of those claims involved deer.

While all animal-related claims went up 6 percent over the four-year period, those that specified a deer 62

was involved actually declined by 30 percent.

The top five animals involved in vehicle collisions were deer (584,165), raccoons (22,644), dogs (20,610), turkeys (7,289) and coyotes (6,023). The top five states where these incidents occurred were: Pennsylvania (145,728), New York (115,670), Texas (105,036), Wisconsin (81,282) and North Carolina (79,252). The top five cities for these encounters were: San Antonio (3,945), Austin, TX (2,452), New York (2,442), Pittsburgh (2,115) and Rochester, NY (1,929). You can download the complete report here and an infographic here. Animal-related losses are good

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

reason to make sure that you have adequate insurance and understand your coverage to protect against losses from these and other kinds of damagecausing incidents. The average animal crash claim amounted to about $4,000 in 2016 according to one major insurer. That would have amounted to nearly $1.8 billion in claims in 2016. Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800-TEL-NICB (800-835-6422), texting keyword “fraud” to TIP411 (847411) or submitting a form on NICB’s website. Or, download the NICB Fraud Tips app on your iPhone or Android device. We thank Auto Connected Car News for reprint permission.

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associated with carbon monoxide poisoning from keyless systems have been associated with vehicles being left running in a garage. Injuries have included brain damage and death. Without a physical key to actually turn and remove, some users forget to push the button, particularly if the car’s engine is quieter, which is often the case in the newer model vehicles. Several years ago, the Society of Automotive Engineers called for the implementation of alerts into the car to let the driver know the engine was still running. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed a federal regulation to require manufacturers to add these modifications, but nothing has been passed yet. Families File Keyless System Lawsuits Some automakers are voluntarily making the change. Ford’s keyless vehicles will now turn off automatically after 30 minutes of idling if the key fob is not in the vehicle. Meanwhile, families who have suffered injuries or deaths are filing lawsuits against carmakers, claiming the companies knew about the risks and failed to take appropriate action. We thank The Legal Examiner for reprint permission.

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Continued from Page 59

The 1940s

repair. Way before the 2015 Ford F150 truck was introduced with a “high strength, military-grade, aluminumalloy” body, the Boeing Aircraft Company designed an automobile slated for post-war production in 1943. Its design, not surprisingly, was heavily influenced by aircraft design, with a 75HP rear engine and an all-aluminum body. It never reached production, but its development underscores the fact that using something other than steel for car bodies is not an entirely new idea. In fact, Ford introduced the first “plastic” car in 1941. The “plastic” was 70 percent cellulose derived from hemp, sisal and wheat straw with a resin binder made from soybeans, wheat, cotton and a few other “proprietary” materials. The car material was supposedly lighter than steel and could withstand 10 times the impact. (This sounds like today’s high strength steel!) Henry Ford was truly a man ahead of his time. The 1940s also saw improve-

ment in automotive refinish technology. Paint booth fires in the 1930s led to improved paint booths of the 1940s being made of cement blocks or metal—non-flammable materials. Lights were also placed in housings to keep them out of the path of atomized paint. Doors were put on the front of the booth to create a drivein structure and keep overspray from permeating the shop and every other car in the shop. The first modern spray booths were born. The 1940s also saw the introduction of better overspray, capturing media filters made with treated paper. This also marked the natal beginnings of specialty auto body repair tools, metallic paints, improvements in custom paint mixing and production at the shop and jobber level and early estimating guides, which included parts. Perhaps most important to the coalescence of the collision repair industry was the early formation of the auto body and auto repair associations and the early newsletters that they sent out to their members during the 1940s. Some of these led to the development of today’s trade magazines. In 1940, the Independent Garage Own-

ers of California became one of the earliest associations dedicated to the independent garage owner. The organization catered to both mechanical and collision shops. At the time, the line between these two very different businesses was still quite blurred, but would soon be better defined. On Oct. 3, 1945, civilian car production resumed with new designs and new technology. Car makers worked frantically to keep pace with new demand. Multi-car families soon became commonplace, adding to the aggregate miles traveled and commensurate accidents. Body shops and auto repair businesses were sprouting up on every corner. Hundreds of thousands of GIs were returning from the war. Some returned to their prior jobs. But many, having joined the service right out of high school, were looking for work. With the influx of new cars and increased availability of gasoline and tires, and given the rather crude state of automotive technology and ease of repair, many ex-GIs went into the mechanical or body repair business. The U.S. government even helped by providing “How-To” books on starting a car repair business. There was nothing about an early (and for several years later) body shop that could be called “professional.” Technicians were untrained (except

possibly those who were trained to repair military vehicles during the war), the shops were a mess, there were no standards on how to repair the cars, no standards on how to estimate the damage and nobody catered to the customer. There was very little overhead at the time. Not having to pay for estimators, office staff, tooling, equipment, computer program subscriptions, etc. led to high net profits. One might compare it to the “Wild West” days of the collision industry. Shop owners made up the business rules as they went along. The shop owner provided repair estimates---sometimes verbally, sometimes on a piece of scrap paper. The collision industry, in its formative years, had no business model to pattern itself after, so everyone bumbled along as best they could. Fortunately, the 1940s was also the time when collision industry leaders began to emerge. Between them, a few collision industry associations and some industry periodicals—which were quite localized at first, and then went regional and then national—the industry finally began to form and take shape. The war in Europe ended in May 1945. On August 14, 1945, hostilities in the Pacific theater ceased and the war was over. So it is safe to say that the modern collision repair industry was born in the summer of 1945.

Auto Care Association Communities Award 2018 Leadership 2.0 Scholarship

The Import Vehicle Community and the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), communities of the Auto Care Association, have selected Cory Martin, CRP In-

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dustries, Inc. and Angela Golden, Dayco, respectively, as scholarship recipients to attend the highly acclaimed University of the Aftermarket’s 2018–2019 Leadership 2.0 Program. Valued at more than $6,000, the annual scholarship gives two individuals—an Import Vehicle Community member and a YANG

member—the opportunity to participate in one of the most highly regarded leadership development programs available to the auto care industry’s next generation of leaders. The scholarships were presented by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, which is fully funded by auto care industry donations. The foundation provides support for educational programs advancing the auto care industry. To learn more about the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and its mission, or to make a donation to the foundation, please visit www.uofafoundation.com. For more information about the Import Vehicle Community, visit www.autocare.org/import-vehicle -community. For more information about YANG, visit www.auto care.org/yang.

autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

2018 Most Influential Women Celebrated at WIN Conference

Women’s Industry Network (WIN®) conference attendees and other distinguished guests celebrated this year’s recipients of the Most Influential Women (MIW) award on May 8 during a ceremony held at the 2018 Educational Conference in Indianapolis, IN. The event provided a glimpse into the MIW program’s history, recognized past recipients of the award and honored the 2018 recipients. The Most Influential Women award is given annually to women in the collision repair industry who exemplify qualities of business and

2018 Most Influential Women honorees

The registration deadline is quickly approaching for companies interested in joining the Auto Care Association’s Trade Mission to Chile. The trade mission will take place on August 21–22, 2018, and the deadline to register is July 6. Trade mission participants will enjoy customized one-on-one meetings with prospective partners and customers, hotel accommodations, local transportation, meals, interpreters, market overview briefing and a networking reception. The trade mission is open to all companies in the industry, with qualifying companies eligible to receive a $1,500 offset of the trade mission package cost. Under the United States - Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA), 100 percent of U.S. consumer and industrial goods exports to the region are no longer subject to tariffs. Previous trade missions to Latin American countries, organized by the Auto Care Association in collaboration with the U.S. Commercial Service, include Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. 64

civic leadership, vision and commitment to excellence. The MIW program’s charter aligns with WIN’s mission to “enhance the role of women in the industry.” For 20 years, the award has recognized nearly 90 women for their professional accomplishments and for going beyond requirements of their positions to give back to their communities. This year, guests honored the 2018 winners: Shelly Bickett, Fix Auto USA; Mary Mahoney, Enterprise Holdings, Inc.; Marie Peevy, Automotive Training Coordinators, LLC; and Petra Schroeder, Collisionista. The evening was emceed

by 2017 Most Influential Women Renee Ricciotti and Liz Stein. “It was such a pleasure to celebrate with the MIW recipients. They are outstanding women who have made an amazing impact on this industry,” said Cheryl Boswell, cochair of the MIW Committee. “I would like to thank the MIW sponsors who made the celebration possible.” This year’s MIW sponsors are as follows:

• MIW Vision Sponsor: Automotive Color & Supply Corp • MIW Leadership Sponsors: Audatex, a Solera Company; CCC Information Service Inc.; Enterprise Holdings, Inc.; and PPG Industries Inc. • MIW Supporter Sponsors: CSN Collision Centres, DCR Systems, The Doan Group, PPG Industries Inc. and Spanesi

Please join us in congratulating the 2018 Most Influential Women honorees! For MIW award details, criteria and nominations, please visit: https://thewomensindustrynetwork .siteym.com/page/MIW

HDDA Releases Web Resource Center

Heavy Duty (HDDA), the only community that serves the entire heavy duty aftermarket supply chain, announced the release of a new web resource center dedicated to the progress of the development of heavy duty product data standards. Included on standards.hdda.org are updates and highlights of the project status, downloadable information on product data standards, a calendar of product category data collection and a volunteer form to participate in the standards creation. The resource center will serve as an integral part of the standards project, which will include the standardization of product information communication across more than 8,200 key components for 150 heavy duty vehicle systems. This type of standardization will result in accurate part data for a more accurate product selection, lower return rates and increased customer service—all while maintaining manufacturer ownership of their product data.

Tesla To Open Its Own Body Shops, Could Offer Same-Day Repair by Fred Lambert, Electrek

After it was revealed that Tesla owners were experiencing excessive wait times at body shops after being in accidents, Tesla started working on several initiatives to address the

issue, including opening up its own “Tesla body shops.” CEO Elon Musk now says that Tesla is about to open the first of those shops and that they could even potentially offer same-day repairs. Musk made the comment during Tesla’s 2018 shareholder meeting June 5. He said that Tesla should open

JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

its first stores in the top 10 metro areas by the end of June. The CEO expects that it will result in a drastic reduction in cost and time of repair, which has been a problem with Tesla’s current thirdparty repair shop system.

Some Tesla owners had been complaining about repair time after accidents for a long time, but it came back to the forefront of Tesla news last year. It can sometimes take months for repairs to be completed. Tesla placed the fault on its third-party body shops and the body shops are saying that it’s Tesla’s

fault because of delays of parts. Last year, Tesla moved some of its training programs online and looked to certify more equipment in order to offer more options to shops. The automaker said it was “adding 300 body shops to its network.” Despite those initiatives, Tesla owners are still reporting some long wait times with third-party body shops after body damages. Now, Tesla is trying to address the issue with its own body shops, which will also be annexed to Tesla’s existing service centers, and they will pre-stock some parts in order to achieve much faster repair times. Electrek’s Take It’s one of Tesla’s biggest problems and like with most of Tesla’s issues, the automaker’s solution is to go inhouse. I can’t wait to see how it will impact wait times, but if they are indeed stockpiling some of the most popular parts, it should certainly have a major impact. We thank Electrek for reprint permission.

3M, CREF Announce 3M Hire Our Heroes Fundraiser

3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, along with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, have launched their 2018 fundraiser to help support programs to attract and support military veterans seeking a career in the collision repair industry.

Since 2013, the 3M Hire Our Heroes program has generated more than $1,065,500 that was used toward scholarships and tool grants for military veterans and their family members pursuing a career in the collision repair industry. This year, donors have two ways to show their support and win: The “Show Your Support” campaign and the 3M Hire Our Heroes 500. Show Your Support Campaign All donations of $200 or more made to the Collision Repair Edu-

cation Foundation, earmarked for the “3M Hire Our Heroes fund” made before August 30, 2018 will receive a full-size 3M Hire Our Heroes Flag designed by Chip Foose and be entered into a drawing for the following prizes:

● 1st Prize- Authentic Racing Helmet, autographed by 40 Cup drivers from the 2017 season, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. and NASCAR legend Richard Petty! ● 2nd Prize- Authentic Racing Helmet, autographed by 40 Cup drivers from the 2016 season, including Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon! ● 3rd Prize- NASCAR® Racing Experience for 4 people at a track near you! ● 4th Prize-NASCAR® Racing Experience for 4 people at a track near you! ● 5th Prize- NASCAR® Racing Experience for 4 people at a track near you! ● 6th Prize- Petty’s Garage Sign Autographed by “the King,” Richard Petty! ● 7th Prize- Patriotic hood designed by Ryan “Ryno” Templeton!

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The RIGHT

COLLISION

How Will Autonomous Cars Impact Cities?

National League of Cities (NLC), in partnership with the Bloomberg Aspen Initiative on Autonomous Vehicles, recently released a series of interactive future scenarios for autonomous vehicles. These scenarios aim to help cities envision how autonomous technologies can improve life for residents by improving mobility, decreasing isolation and increasing the use of public space. They will also help city leaders anticipate and plan for some of the risks that could include increasing congestion, lost revenue and new safety concerns. More than 100 cities around the world have been mapped on the Global Atlas of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) in Cities as piloting AVs, or have committed to doing so in the near future. Around 40 cities in the U.S. are on that list. The reports touch on the need for legislation to govern the rollout and operation of these new technologies, as well as further research on artificial intelligence, safety precautions and limitations.

Indiana

New CREF, Service King Grant Announced

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and Service King Collision Repair Centers recently announced the recipients of “The Service King Way Grant: In Honor of Mario Malacara”. Malacara was a highly admired and respected 14-year Service King teammate who tragically passed away in December 2016. The Service King Way Grant was created last year in memory of Malacara’s dedicated service, loyalty to the industry and the indelible impact he had on countless people during his career. Sean Huurman, chief human resources officer at Service King Collision Repair Centers, said, “He embodied the values we have at Service King, referred to as The Service King Way.” This year’s recipients of the scholarship include Rysheek Cobb (UTI, Houston, TX), Raymond Nguyen (UTI, Houston, TX), Moises Merlos (Holmes High School, San Antonio, TX) and Julian Martinez (Holmes High School, San Antonio, TX).

Ohio

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800-592-5170

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Kentucky

Mentor 8460 Tyler Blvd.

440-266-6763 Fax

Mon-Thu 7am - 7pm Fri 7am - 6pm Sat 7am - 3pm gregj@driveclassic.com www.driveclassichyundai.com

DON FRANKLIN HYUNDAI Lexington 3340 Richmond Rd.

888-823-7335 859-263-5020 859-263-8527 Fax

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For Your Collision Job. Visit these Genuine Hyundai Parts Dealers: autobodynews.com / JULY 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

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