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ARA Takes Summer Road Trip Virtual, Annual Convention to Follow Suit

by Chasidy Rae Sisk the restricted list. as the ARA members who graciousEdivan took the tour virtual, ly agreed to open their doors to their The Automotive Recyclers Associposting pictures and videos to the or peers were able to still reach the ARA ation (ARA) planned its inaugural ganization’s social media accounts to membership at large through videos ARA Summer Road Trip for July 23- allow would-be attendees to join him and postings on ARA’s social media 25, with the intention of connecting for the road trip experience. platforms.” up-and-coming industry leaders with Edivan began his road trip on Sandy Blalock, executive direc experienced auto recycling veterans July 23 by visiting CAR Auto Recytor of ARA, added, “While the chalthrough tours of several ARA mem clers in North Manchester, IN, and lenges presented by the COVID-19 ber facilities. Legal Chop Shop in Fort Wayne, IN. pandemic made the widely-attended

The Road Trip was to be an Over the following days, he visited Road Trip unrealistic, ARA was able evolution of the association’s Future Auto Parts City in Gurnee, IL, and to adapt and leverage the reach of Leaders of Automotive Recyclers Rockford’s Auto Parts in Rockford, social media and technology to bring Educational Summit (FLARES), esIL, as well as Bionic Auto Parts & ARA members together and share tablished in 2018. Sales in Chicago and Northlake Auto knowledge.

The tour was scheduled to beRecyclers in Hammond, IN. “Overall, it was a great oppor gin in Chicago, but unfortunately, Edican also dined with the own tunity for ARA to get back out and in the days leading up to it, Chicaers of ABC Auto Parts in Riverdale, visit face-to-face with some of our go Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued an IL, owned by Jim Watson, ARA past great Illinois and Indiana members, emergency order requiring two weeks president, and his brother, Joe Watand ARA looks forward to reschedof self-quarantine for travelers from son, current president of the Auto & uling the Road Trip as soon as safely 15 different states due to COVID-19 T ruck Recyclers of Illinois (ATRI.) possible,” Blalock said. concerns. “All locations are either CARARA has also made the difficult

Although ARA was forced to and/or Gold Seal-certified automotive decision to shift its 77th Annual Conpostpone the Road Trip out of pre recycling facilities, having achieved vention & Exposition, scheduled for caution for members’ health and the top tier of certification for gener Nov . 11-14, to a completely virtual safety , ARA Director of Member al business practices, environmental event. Relations Vince Edivan, who had and safety issues, and customer ser“Ultimately , the health and safety planned to act as host of the trip, was vice offered by ARA and recognized of the membership and staff is our top able to safely travel to Chicago, since by the industry,” Edivan shared. “It priority,” Blalock said. “After many his home state of Virginia was not on was a rewarding experience for all, discussions, serious consideration, and with the safety of all attendees at the forefront, we have decided to re-direct all our efforts into transi tioning the 77th Annual ARA Convention and Exposition into a virtual conference. We were hopeful that this year’s convention could remain a live event, but the current state of affairs simply presents too much uncertainty and risk at this time.”

“For 76 years, the ARA Annual Convention and Exposition has been the gathering place for the professional automotive recycling industry and an incredible place to network, learn and conduct business,” said ARA President Scott Robertson. “ARA is the voice of the professional automotive recycling industry and it is our duty to provide information, education and opportunity to automotive recyclers from around the world—even in the midst of a global pandemic.

“Yes, it will look different, but it will still be the extraordinary experience that our attendees have come to expect year after year .”

For more information on ARA and the upcoming 77th Annual Convention & Exposition, visit a-r-a.org.

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“You’re making the investment today for the return down the line,” said Connor Smith, CARSTAR original equipment manufacturer (OEM) manager, as he began describing the value in auto glass businesses gaining OEM certifications in an industry webinar.

The webinar, The Importance of OEM Certification, was hosted Aug. 11 by the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) and took a closer look at the long-term benefits available to the industry.

Smith shared his insight on why now is the time for business es to start looking into becoming OEM certified, which certifications are the most beneficial to shops, what the return on investment (ROI) looks like once gaining certifications and what the future of certifications look like.

Automotive technology plays a large role in why Smith thinks “now is the time to look into OEM certifications.”

During the webinar , Smith by Kurt Verlin, The News Wheel Are you currently waiting on the delivery of a Honda you ordered? When it arrives, it may have been assembled by one of Honda’ s accountants.

According to a reportfrom local radio station WOSU, white-collar employees at Honda’s plant in Marysville, OH, have been asked to fill in for a rapidly dwindling blue-collar workforce.

Honda is still scrambling to regain normal inventory levels af ter its factories were shut down between March and May, and it can’t backfill assembly line positions fast enough to recover.

“Regardless of whether or not you wanted to, you could be subject to it,” said a Honda employee mentioned some of the related challenges associated with newer-model vehicles.

“Everyone knows your standard Corolla is more high tech now than it was 10 years ago,” said Smith. “All of the advancements and safety-marketed features makes repairs more challenging, especially when you factor in the training. The best way to get OEM certifications of any type is through training.”

When it comes to which certification shop owners should consider, Smith had a simple but direct answer: “Business owners should choose the one that they have the most equipment for and that doesn’t need a huge investment to start.”

He advised industry business owners to look at their local deal erships and inquire if they need or have a body shop. This, according to Smith, can lead to a possible partnership or sponsorship in the who wished to remain anonymous. “They took volunteers first, but my understanding was they didn’t receive many volunteers for this activity, so then they made it mandatory.”

WOSU was able to procure an email in which a Marysville general manager outlines why Honda employees working in the research and development, purchasing and accounting departments were requested to work on the factory floor . Chief among the reasons were COVID-19 and the $600 benefit that unemployed workers are receiving until the end of July .

Though Honda is taking precautions—daily temperature scans for employees, mandatory masks and the ability to test for COVID-19 on-site—it confirmed it has recently seen an increase in cases across North America. Honda’s anonymous worker believes that whenever an assembly line worker gets sick, they’ve been in contact with 40 other workers.

People in the regular assembly line workforce are also absent for other COVID-19-related reasons, future. He stressed the importance of always having a good relationship with your local dealers.

“The first thing you should do is research various certification requirements and other needs,” said Smith. “Be aware that some certifications will require dealer sponsorships—this is why building a

“There’s one consistent thing, the OEs are here and they aren’t going away,” — Connor Smith

relationship with them is key.”

There were a number of attendees concerned about the ROI associated with gaining specific OEM certifications. Smith responded to their concerns by stating, “This is a long-term game and you should think of this like a 401(k) for your business; it’s wrong to want shortterm gains from these certifica tions.”

Although the cost associated with certifications is high up front, according to Smith, there are several areas for future growth. By choosing this type of investment for your business you could gain such as finally taking the time to receive elective surgeries they had initially postponed because of the pandemic, and dealing with the medical, familial and other impacts brought on by the coronavirus.

According to Jamie Karl of the Ohio Manufacturers Association, Honda’s Marysville plant already needed workers before the pandem ic, which has only made the situation worse.

Honda says it is targeting “sometime in August to return to proper staffing levels,” but with the COVID-19 situation only getting worse in the U.S., it is difficult to imagine how the automaker will pull that off. additional technicians, marketing support from the OEs, which include an influx of brochures as well as digital content, and more.

“The potential for additional techs could also get your business additional cars within the year as well, you just have to keep remind ing yourself that it’s a big investment upfront, but a minimal maintenance investment,” Smith said.

Going Forward

According to Smith, the future of OEM certifications are uncertain, but they are a big factor in the “right now.”

“There’ s one consistent thing, the OEs are here and they aren’t go ing away,” said Smith.

He also stated these types of certifications are becoming a standard which may lead to issues with future repairs if your shop or technicians aren’t certified.

“I honestly think it’s worth the investment to keep your business,” Smith concluded.

We thank glassBYTEs.com for re

Honda is Asking Office Staff to Work on Assembly Line

print permission.

We thank The News Wheel for reprint permission.

NICB: Thousands Left to Rebuild After Isaias

As Hurricane Isaias leaves a path of destruction in its wake, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) warns everyone as floodwaters recede, many flood-damaged vehicles are left. This provides an opportunity for fraudsters to dupe innocent car buyers. Dishonest dealers can buy flooded vehicles, clean them up and sell them to unsuspecting buyers. Many of these vehicles come on the market after natural disasters.

NICB recommends buying from a reputable car dealer; to check the car thoroughly looking for water stains, mildew, sand and silt under the carpets, headliner and behind the dashboard; and to look under the hood for signs of oxidation. Pull back the rub ber “boots” around electrical and mechanical connections for these indicators. Ferrous (containing iron) materials will show signs of rust; copper will show a green patina; aluminum and alloys will have a white powder and pitting.

Source: NICB