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Driverless Car Bills Speed Through MI Senate by Michael Gerstein and Michael Martinez, The Detroit News
The Michigan Senate overwhelmingly approved a legislative package on September 7 that would let companies cruise ahead with plans to operate driverless vehicles on Michigan roads, with one legislator comparing it to the race to put a man on the moon. In a series of 36-0 votes, the Republican-controlled chamber approved bills that would allow the burgeoning autonomous car industry to put electronically-controlled vehicles on any Michigan road. “We’re moving into the next cen-
tury, ladies and gentlemen,” Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kowall, RWhite Lake, told fellow senators as he urged support for the legislation, which he introduced earlier this year. The package of four bills aims to keep Michigan ahead of competing states like California and Florida that are trying to lure companies and investments with autonomous car-friendly laws. The new laws would allow the public to buy and use fully driverless cars whenever they’re available. They would allow an autonomous car without a steering wheel or pedals, and not reSee MI Senate, Page 15
Honda ProFirst Certification Reaches 700 Shops
Gary Ledoux is pleased to see that 700 body shops are now members of American Honda’s ProFirst certification program, but he also knows that there is still much work to do to reach the goal of 1,200 shops See Honda Hits 700 Shops, Page 31
P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018
When body shop number 700 recently became a member of American Honda’s ProFirst certification program, assistant national manager of Collision Parts and Service Marketing Gary Ledoux took a deep breath, knowing full well that there is still much work to do. To Ledoux, the ultimate goal of getting 1,200 shops in the program within the next 18 months seems very reachable. “When we first launched this program in April of 2015,
we heard from roughly 100 shops right away, asking ‘How can we join, and what do we need to do?’ We got a lot of the top shops in the country onboard quickly because they were already doing all of the things required by the program.” A lot of collision repairers were skeptical about the value of OE certifications in general, but pretty soon they changed their minds, Ledoux said. “Initially, not everyone thought that certifications were going to be around very
Change Service Requested
by Ed Attanasio
VOL. 6 ISSUE 1 OCTOBER 2016
California Regulator’s Stand On ‘Alt-OE’ Parts May Lead to Pressure To Clarify The Terminology
Some of those parts appear to be new, OEM parts but are being sold and Discussion within the industry of “alt- delivered by non-OEM or salvage parts suppliers, shops say. Others apOE” or “opt-OE” parts seemingly has pear to be slightly-damaged or blemraised more questions than answers this past year, but one state regulatory ished OEM parts that may or may not agency has a clear stand on arrive “repaired.” Given that shops don’t althe topic—one that may drive ways know what they will rechanges nationwide. ceive when they order such a “The term by itself, ‘altpart, the BAR said, conOE’ or ‘opt-OE,’ is not recogsumers certainly won’t know nized by the Bureau,” Jaime what those term mean on an Ramos of the California Burepair estimate or invoice. reau of Automotive Repair Jaime Ramos Shops in that state are free to (BAR) field operations and enforcement division told attendees at use such parts, Ramos said, but they NACE in Anaheim, CA, in August. can’t use those terms on the paperwork Ramos and other representatives without more adequately explaining what is being put on the vehicle. of the BAR said that it’s clear from dis“The BAR has no position on cussion with shops that a wide variety whether they are good or bad parts,” he of types of parts are being lumped together under the “alt-OE” or “opt-OE” said. “But the whole premise of [BAR category names in some markets. See Alt-OE Parts, Page 60 by John Yoswick
IN Attorney General Sues Former Evansville Car Dealer for Failing to Deliver Car Titles Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller’s Office filed a lawsuit against a former Evansville auto dealer who closed its doors without handing over car titles to dozens of Hoosiers who purchased vehicles from the company. Under current Indiana law, an Indiana motor vehicle dealer must deliver a valid title to a purchasing customer within 31 days from the date of sale. Without a title, a vehicle owner cannot obtain a state vehicle registration in order to operate the vehicle legally. In a lawsuit filed in Vanderburgh County court, the Attorney General alleges Unlimited Automotive Wholesalers LLC did not provide car titles to 37 total customers who had purchased vehicles from the dealer before it went out of business earlier this year. The Indiana Secretary of State’s Office revoked the company’s auto dealer license in April. The Indiana Secretary of State’s
Office was able to provide Unlimited Automotive Wholesalers customers with temporary license plates through their Victim Assistance Program. These plates allow these consumers to have legal plates for their vehicles while the AG’s lawsuit is pending. Any consumer who needs help getting a temporary plate should contact the office at 317-234-7190. In its lawsuit against Unlimited Automotive Wholesalers, the Attorney General’s Office seeks to obtain permanent car titles for the impacted customers in addition to recovering investigative costs and pursuing civil penalties for alleged violations of Indiana’s consumer protection laws. The Attorney General’s Office receives more auto sales complaints each year than any other retail category, with 1,340 complaints filed in 2015 and nearly 900 complaints filed in 2016 thus far.
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2 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
COLUMNISTS Antonelli - Educational Seminars Institute Helps NACE Attendees Prepare for the Unthinkable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Attanasio - Professional-Looking Uniforms Are No Longer Just Optional . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Attanasio - WyoTech is Now a Half-Century Old and Still Thriving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Phillips - ABRA’s New Career Development Academy Offers Attractive Incentives & Aims to Train and Place the Workforce of Tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Phillips - Five Ways to Deliver Outstanding Customer Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Phillips - Small Town Business Splits Time between Collision Repair & Classic Car Restoration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Phillips - The Road to Autonomous Vehicles: How Collision Repair Shops Should Prepare. 52 Phillips - What Shops Can Expect to See in Vehicle Hacking, Accident Avoidance Technology & Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Yoswick - MSO Symposium Looks at International Business Models, Slow-Down in Consolidation. . . . . . . . . . . 56 Yoswick - Retro News: National Leadership Conference, Lou DiLisio on 9/11, NACE in ‘06, MSO Panel in ‘11 . . . . . . . . . 40
NATIONAL 3M™ Introduces Cavity Wax Plus . . . . . . . . . 63 AAPEXedu Announces 2016 Service Professionals Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 AAPEXedu to Focus on Industry Trends, Market Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 AMi Honors Class of 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 ASA Ohio’s Networking Event in Cleveland Area, Next Event in September: Retirement Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 ASA to Host Webinar on Automotive Safety Inspections, Technologies. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 ASI Recognized as I-CAR Gold Class Business. 19 Auto Glass TV Informs and Entertains Technicians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Automotive Parts Associates Establishes Scholarship Opportunities for Stakeholders’ Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Axalta Appoints Samuel L. Smolik to Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 California Regulator’s Stand On ‘Alt-OE’ Parts May Lead to Pressure To Clarify The Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 CAPA Announces New Certification Standard for AC Condensers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 CDS Announces Release of asTech2™ Diagnostic Tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Collision Repair Education Foundation Announces Support From Driven Brands . . 62 Collision Repair Online Courses Now Available at AMI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 CREF Seeking “Back to School” Support for High School and College Collision Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 CREF’s Golf Fundraiser Supports Education for Next Generation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Driven Brands’ Jose R. Costa Earns the Gold Award for Executive of the Year. . . . . 66 Flooded Cars Likely to End up in NC, Attorney General Cooper Warns Consumers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 From Refugee to Top Technician: The Duc Huynh Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 GM Uses Humor to Educate Consumers About Original Collision Parts . . . . . . . . . . 67 Honda ProFirst Certification Program Hits 700 Shops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Houston in Top 3 List of Cities with Most Auto Insurance Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 IAnet Selects CCC ONE® Appraisal Platform as its Preferred Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 I-CAR® Creates Online Tool to Calculate Training’s Return on Investment . . . . . . . . 63 Louisiana Flooding, Sub-water: Flooded Cars Overwhelming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 NHTSA’s Proposed Rule on Recall Notification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 PPG Earns American Honda Approval. . . . . . 68 State Farm’s Offer & Acceptance Program to Change and the Offer Is Going Down . . . . 68 Survey: Top Services Wanted By Dealership Service Center Customers . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Truck Carrying Takata Air Bags Explodes, Burns Houses, Kills Texas Woman . . . . . . 18 Uber’s Self-Driving Volvos Take to Pittsburgh Streets Two Operators Per Vehicle. . . . . . . . 4 Update on Enacted Driverless Cars Legislation . 4 Valspar’s House of Kolor Releases New Color Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Volvo to Sell Self-Driving Car Tech to Other OEMs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Back on July 27, ASA Ohio held its first networking event for the Greater Cleveland area. Matt Dougher, Executive Director for ASA Ohio, stated, “The event went well and provided an opportunity for members from the Greater Cleveland area to meet and network. ASA Ohio also provided a legislative report. Attendees enjoyed the location of the event and the opportunity to meet with other shop owners.” Expectations were met for this event, but Dougher pointed out, “We can always improve. ASA Ohio is the only organization whose sole purpose is to represent the interests of Ohio shop owners, and we hold these networking events to give them a chance to get together and discuss the current state of the industry.” On September 27 and 28, Jim Silverman of The Automotive Training Institute will share with you how to create the life you want in your golden
years. Some of the important topics covered will be: How Much Money will you really need to retire? Why Social Security will not be enough to meet your needs? Why working IN your business instead of ON your business will dramatically impact what your business is worth when you sell. How to create the future you deserve by watching the right key indicator each week. ASA Ohio is offering this workshop in two locations: Cincinnati 6:30 – 8:30 PM KOI Auto Parts Warehouse 2701 Spring Grove Ave Cincinnati, OH 45225 and Akron 6:30 – 8:30 PM Automotive Distributors Warehouse 1329 E Archwood Ave Akron, OH 44306 Go to asaohio.org to register.
Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Online Editor and Copywriter: Deana Cacus Contributing Writers: Tom Franklin, John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, David Brown, Rich Evans, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr, Stacey Phillips, Victoria Antonelli Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Sean Hartman, Bill Doyle, Norman Morano (800) 699-8251 Office Manager: Louise Tedesco Sales Assistant: Jessica Day Content/Social Media Specialist: Cass Heckel Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia
Abaris Training Resources, Inc. . . . . 6 ALLDATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Anest Iwata USA, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 64 Axalta Coating Systems . . . . . . . . . . 2 Blue Springs Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 67 Bob Hook Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Car-Part.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Carcoon America Airflow Systems . 56 Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA). . . . . . . . . . . 29 Charles Gabus Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 ChemSpec USA, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Chief Automotive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Classic Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Courtesy Subaru. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 DJS Fabrications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Dominion Sure Seal, Ltd. . . . . . . . . 18 Eco Repair Systems of North America, LLC . . . . . . . . . . 26 ECS Automotive Concepts . . . . . . . 16 Equalizer Industries, Inc. . . . . . . . . 40 Erhard BMW of Bloomfield Hills . . . 57 Erhard BMW of Farmington Hills . . 57 Eurovac, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 FBS Distribution Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . 8 Ganley Westside Hyundai . . . . . . . 32 Ganley Westside Subaru . . . . . . . . 47 GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . 59 Herkules Equipment Corporation. . 23 Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 35 Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers. . 62 Jack Phelan Chrysler-Dodge-JeepRam of Countryside . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Jake Sweeney Chevrolet . . . . . . . . 50 Kelly BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Kia of Des Moines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Kia Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . 55
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. ©2016 Adamantine Media LLC. Autobody News Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018; (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com Email: news@autobodynews.com
Midwest
REGIONAL 10th Annual ASA-Midwest Tailgate Party: Chiefs vs. Saints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 1Collision Network Expands Into Michigan . . 10 AASP-MN to Host Peer-to-Peer Learning & Networking Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Abaris’ Carbon Fiber Training Courses at SPE ACCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 ASA Midwest Root, Root, Roots for the Home Team!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Attanasio - KY Shop Pulls Its Weight for Local Special Olympics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Automechanika Chicago & NACE Team Up in 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 BASF’s R-M Sponsors Back to the Bricks for Second Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Driverless Car Bills Speed through Michigan Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Fire Destroys IN Auto Body Workshop . . . . . . 8 First Responder Extrication Demo at Butler’s Collision Kicks off NABC Lineup . . . . . . . . 24 Following a Road Less Traveled—Female Auto Body Students at MPCC . . . . . . . . . . 10 Gerber Collision Opens New Repair Location in Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 IN Attorney General Sues Former Evansville Car Dealer for Failing to Deliver Car Titles . . 1 Is No-Fault Auto Insurance to Blame for High Rates, Fraud? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Mighty Auto Parts Partners with Ohio-based Parkway Auto Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 PDQ and Dover Foundation Donate $10,000 To Make-A-Wish® Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Tools and Tech Highlight Snap-on Franchisee Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 University of the Aftermarket Offers 101 Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Wilder Auto Body to Build New Shop . . . . . . 16 YANG Hosts Two Regional Meet-Ups in October . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Young Sisters Recognized for ‘Doing Most Good’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
ASA Ohio’s Networking Event in Cleveland Area, Next Event in September: Retirement Planning
Index of Advertisers
Contents
Killer Tools & Equipment. . . . . . . . . . 7 Laurel Auto Group of Westmont . . . 33 Luther Bloomington Acura-Subaru. 60 Luther Hopkins Honda . . . . . . . . . . 30 Maplewood Toyota-Scion . . . . . . . . 63 Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 68 Midwest Parts Group . . . . . . . . . 12-13 MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 66 Miracle System/Equipment Gateway, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Mirka USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Mitchell International. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 39 Morrison’s Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Motor Guard Corporation . . . . . . . . . 6 Nissan of South Holland . . . . . . . . . 42 Nissan Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . 64 Polyvance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Preval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 ProLine Tool & Supply . . . . . . . . . . 49 Richfield-Bloomington Honda . . . . 38 Russ Darrow Automotive Group. . . 52 SATA Dan-Am Company . . . . . . . . 11 Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 31 Shop Pro Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Sorbothane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 69 The Sharpe Collection of Automobiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Toyota of Des Moines . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Toyota of Grand Rapids . . . . . . . . . 54 Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 68 U-POL US . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Valspar Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 VanDevere Kia-GM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 West Bend Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . 36 WyoTech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 28 Zimmer Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram . 72
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 3
Uber’s Self-Driving Volvos Take to Pittsburgh Streets Two Operators Per Vehicle
Uber has launched a fleet of self-driving cars in Pittsburgh, making this city of 300,000 the first in the US to let any passenger hail an autonomous vehicle. The Uber vehicles are equipped with seven traffic-light detecting cameras to a radar system that detects different weather conditions to 20 spinning lasers that generates a continuous, 360 degree 3-D map of the surrounding environment. For now, Uber’s test cars travel with safety drivers, as common sense and the law dictate. These professionally trained engineers sit with their fingertips on the wheel, ready to take control if the car encounters an unexpected obstacle. A co-pilot, in the front passenger seat, takes notes on a laptop, and everything that happens is recorded by cameras inside and outside the car During the demonstration for reporters two engineers were seated in front—the backup driver and another monitoring the car's 3-D map and scribbling notes on how to improve the car's software. The engineers undergo a week of safety orientation or more to drive the cars. “We actually think of Pittsburgh as the double black diamond of driving,” Raffi Krikorian, director of Uber Advanced Technologies, said. “If we can really tackle Pittsburgh, than we have a better chance of tackling most other cities around the world... Bridges are re-
ally hard,” Krikorian said. “And there are like 500 bridges in Pittsburgh.” Pittsburgh has helped Uber to expand its research around autonomous vehicles, by leasing a large plot near the city’s riverfront for a testing track. When state regulators tried to ban ridesharing services in 2014, Pittsburgh’s mayor and the state’s governor helped negotiate those hurdles. Pittsburgh’s mayor, Bill Peduto, said “It’s not our role to throw up regulations or limit companies like Uber.” Uber planned to use about 100 modified Volvo sport utility vehicles for the passenger trials. The vehicles will also have a human monitor behind the wheel. “You can either put up red tape or roll out the red carpet. If you want to be a 21st-century laboratory for technology, you put out the carpet.” Uber has 500 employees at a center in Pittsburgh’s industrial Strip District working on autonomous vehicles, according to Mr. Peduto. Uber will have 1,000 employees at the site, known as the Advanced Technology Center, within a few years Peduto said “There is no technology that is fail-proof and there is no tech that can guarantee there won’t be accidents, but right now there are 3,287 people who die in automobilerelated accidents around the world each day, and there has to be a better way,” he said.
Update on Enacted Driverless Cars Legislation Many people consider autonomous vehicles to be a significant part of the future of the automotive industry. As the technology for autonomous vehicles continues to develop, it may be necessary for state and municipal governments to address the potential impacts of these vehicles on the road. Sixteen states introduced legislation related to autonomous vehicles in 2015, up from 12 states in 2014, nine states and D.C. in 2013, and six states in 2012.
States with Enacted Legislation In January 2016, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx unveiled new policy that updates the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 2013 preliminary policy statement on autonomous vehicles. This announcement was made at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in conjunction with a commitment of nearly $4 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the development and adoption of safe vehicle automation. The new policy is designed to facilitate and encourage
Two Drivers or None?
the development and deployment of technologies with the potential to save lives. Within six months, NHTSA will propose guidance to industry on establishing principles of safe operation for fully autonomous vehicles. Nevada was the first state to authorize the operation of autonomous vehicles in 2011. Since then, seven
other states—California, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, Tennessee and Utah—and Washington D.C. have passed legislation related to autonomous vehicles. Arizona’s governor issued an executive order related
4 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
to autonomous vehicles. Florida’s legislation, passed in 2012, declared the legislative intent to encourage the safe development, testing and operation of motor vehicles with autonomous technology on public roads of the state and found that the state does not prohibit nor specifically regulate the testing or operation of autonomous technology in motor vehicles on public roads. Florida’s 2016 legislation expands the allowed operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads and eliminates requirements related to the testing of autonomous vehicles and the presence of a driver in the vehicle. Virginia’s governor Terry McAuliffe announced in early June a partnership allowing research and development for autonomous vehicles to take place in the state with “Virginia Automated Corridors.” Arizona’s Governor Doug Ducey
signed an executive order in late August 2015 directing various agencies to “undertake any necessary steps to support the testing and operation of selfdriving vehicles on public roads within Arizona.” He also ordered the enabling of pilot programs at selected universities and developed rules to be followed by the programs. The order established a Self-Driving Vehicle Oversight Committee within the governor’s office. Michigan has recently refined its legislative framework (see cover story this issue.) Previously it had defined “automated technology,” “automated vehicle,” “automated mode,” expressly permits testing of automated vehicles by certain parties under certain conditions, defines operator, addresses liability of the original manufacturer of a vehicle on which a third party has installed an automated system, directed state DOT with Secretary of State to submit report by Feb. 1, 2016.
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www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 5
ASA Midwest Root, Root, Roots for the Home Team!
On August 8, ASA Midwest’s St. Louis Chapter gathered at Busch Stadium for the Association’s annual Night at the Ballpark networking event. According to Sheri Hamilton, executive director of
ASA Midwest, “We planned this social event as an opportunity for members to network with other shops in the area and watch Cardinals baseball! Our Night at the Ballpark event went extremely well, and we had a record number of attendees.” Bolstered by the cheers of their fans, including over a dozen ASA Midwest members, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Reds with a final score of 5-4. “Everybody had a great time cheering the home team on to victory,” Hamilton stated.
Young Sisters Recognized for ‘Doing Most Good’ by The Telegraph
vides generously for families in need at Christmastime. Originally, more than eight years ago, Taylor wanted to give away money she had collected in a bank to
The St. Louis Midland Chapter of the Salvation Army recently honored a pair of Godfrey sisters with a special award for community service. Taylor Freer, 12, and Lily Freer, 9, received the agency’s “Doing the Most Good” award in the youth division. “So proud of these two,” their mother Carrie Freer said. An award ceremony took place Aug. 19 at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis. Earlier this summer, Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick declared July 29, 2016, as Taylor and Lily Freer Day after the siblings held their eighth annual Christmas in July, (http://bit.ly/freerautobody The St. Louis Midland Chapter of the Salvation Army sisters) at which the event recently honored sisters Taylor Freer, 12, and Lily Freer, 9, of Godfrey, with its “Doing the Most Good” award in raised $33,500 for the the youth division. An award ceremony was held Aug. 19 Riverbend’s Community at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis. Christmas. Last year, the event raised $25,000. Christmas in charity. But with the help of her famJuly is a fundraising jump-start event ily, the idea evolved to what it is for Community Christmas that pro- today — a fundraiser for Community
6 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Christmas. All of the proceeds go toward items, toys and other needs for families who receive Community Christmas giving. “We try to give back as much as we can,” the girls’ dad, Tim Freer, said. Christmas in July is a lunch held at Freer Auto Body, the family business in Godfrey, where sloppy Joes, chips and dessert are served by youngsters to the public. Raffle tickets also are sold, contributing to the funds raised. The event raised $2,500 its first year. The girls, their friends, their father, mother and grandparents, Mike and Margaret Freer, all chip in volunteering time to make Christmas in July a success, the girls’ grandmother said. The family is one of the top supporters of Community Christmas, which is sponsored by the Telegraph and the United Way. The United Way recognized Taylor and Lily as “outstanding community volunteers” in the years since the Freer girls founded Christmas in July. Visit www.stl.unitedway.org for more information about Community Christmas. We thank The Telegraph for reprint permission.
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 7
PDQ and Dover Foundation Donate $10,000 To Make-A-Wish® Foundation
PDQ Manufacturing, Inc., a manufacturer of in-bay automatic vehicle wash systems, has made a $5,000 donation to the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Wisconsin. The amount was equaled through a matchinggrant initiative created by the Dover Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of PDQ’s parent company, Dover Corporation, for a total donation of $10,000. The Dover Foundation was created in 2011 as a way to help support not-for-profit organizations, causes and/or projects that benefit the local communities in which its operating companies are located. This marks the fifth consecutive year that PDQ and the Dover Foundation have made a donation to Make-A-Wish of Wisconsin, which grants the wishes of children who have been diagnosed with lifethreatening medical conditions. This year’s donations helped make the wishes of two ill Wisconsin children come true: ▪ Emily, a 12-year-old diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer, received her wish when a bakery kit-
chen was installed in her home. Her wish will allow her to focus on the joy she finds in baking and help her escape the rigors of her medical condition.
Fire Destroys IN Auto Body Workshop Lightning is believed responsible for a fire late Sunday, August 28, that destroyed a two-car wood garage with an attached workshop at Mc-
Other vehicles outside were damaged, but it appeared there was no significant damage to a nearby house, he added.
▪ Payton, an 11-year-old diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma, had her wish come true by traveling with her family to Hawaii to spend time together at Disney’s famous Aulani Resort & Spa in Oahu.
“The Make-A-Wish Foundation is an extremely well-respected organization, and we’re pleased that for the fifth straight year we can provide them with a charitable donation,” said Andrea Brazeau, HR generalist for PDQ Manufacturing. “The opportunity and ability to give back to local communities in which we operate is very important to PDQ, Dover Corporation, and its employees, and we are extremely pleased to be able to partner with Make-A-Wish and help such special people as Emily and Payton.” For more information, visit www.pdq inc.com.
8 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
A fire destroyed a workshop at McQuaide Auto Body and Repair along Cemetery Road in Conemaugh Township late Sunday, August 28. Credit: Tom Peel/Gazette photo
Quaide Auto Body and Repair along Cemetery Road, Conemaugh Township. Rick Bouch, chief of the Tunnelton-Conemaugh Township Volunteer Fire Department, said McQuaide family members heard a loud crash a few minutes before midnight during “a major electrical storm.” Bouch said the garage and shop and at least one vehicle in the garage were destroyed by the resulting fire.
No one was hurt. Officials did not have an estimate of damage. Because there are no fire hydrants nearby and tankers were needed to transport water, the Saltsburg, Blairsville, Coal Run, Iselin, Coral-Graceton, Aultman and Indiana fire companies also responded, along with more units from Westmoreland County. We thank The Indiana Gazette for reprint permission.
Tools and Tech Highlight Snap-on Franchisee Conference
The 2016 Snap-on Franchisee Conference (SFC) highlighted the latest in product innovations, business sem-
sociates and suppliers were on hand, agnostics to a panel of fellow franmeeting with franchisees face-to-face chisees sharing best practices. A scaleto demonstrate new products, teach version LEGO® Snap-on mobile store new methods and expose and a custom tool storage aquarium franchisees to the latest in by the creators of Animal Planet’s technology to run their “Tanked” were on display after being businesses. Our SFC goal finished onsite. As a part of the weekend events, is for every franchisee to refresh their knowledge of Snap-on reserved the Universal Stuthe many initiatives in dios Florida theme park exclusively support of the profitable for franchisees and their guests during growth of their franchise a special Snap-on Saturday Night. The business; to experience festivities included drawings and givethe exceptional range of aways, including a 1969 custom Caproducts available to their maro® pool table in Snap-on® red with customers; and to share working lights, real chrome, stainless experiences with thou- steel bumpers, steel rims and a professands of their fellow fran- sional slate playing surface. Snap-on Saturday Night concluded with an exchisees.” Tools and Tech Highlight Snap-on Franchisee Conference The conference cen- clusive concert by country music duo inars and programs to enhance the tered around a 144,000 square foot Thompson Square. success of Snap-on Tools franchisees. Product Expo displaying The conference, held in Orlando, thousands of different proFlorida, played host to more than 8,700 ducts, including the latest registered attendees, including repre- innovations in hand tools, sentatives of more than 3,000 North tool storage, power tools, American routes. diagnostics and shop and “Snap-on Tools’ annual SFC is tech. In addition to a booth our most extensive opportunity to focusing on productivity demonstrate the depth of support for and profitability, franchiour franchisees and their success,” said sees could learn from five Tom Kassouf, president of the Snap- different business seminars, on Tools Group. “More than 1,000 as- ranging from hands-on di- Tools and Tech Highlight Snap-on Franchisee Conference
University of the Aftermarket Offers 101 Program
Do you have new hires and/or people making a job transition that requires them to understand the aftermarket? The University of the Aftermarket, in cooperation with the Auto Care Association, will present its annual “Aftermarket 101” program in Southfield, MI, October 4 and 5, 2016. The program provides employees who are new to the aftermarket with a better understanding of the industry, its structure and big-picture trends. During the day-and-a-half program, which is open to any new employee in the automotive aftermarket, participants will be exposed to key information about the aftermarket, its history, scope, market channels, customers and trends. Faculty will expose these new employees to the complexities of the industry, including its use of acronyms and jargon. Specific subjects include: • Industry basics, channels and terminology • History of the aftermarket • Current state of the aftermarket • The global aftermarket • Distribution: structure and trends • The service dealer’s world • Macro trends: The big picture •Field trip to visit a WD To register, visit www.university oftheaftermarket.com.
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 9
Following a Road Less Traveled—Female Auto Body Students at MPCC They’re giving the boys a run for their money. Carra Johnson, of Madrid, NE, and Jessica Schaben, of Gothenburg, NE, took classes at Mid-Plains Community College in programs most women don’t go into: automotive technology and auto body technology.
Jessica Schaben, of Gothenburg, works in a paint booth at MPCC. She graduated in 2016 with a degree in auto body technology
Both were the only women in their classes. The fact that most of their gender shies away from the field did little to damper the spirits of the
two women. In fact, they embraced the idea of being unique. “I’m always up for a challenge,” said Johnson. “Plus, it’s kind of fun showing up the boys.” Johnson’s interest in mechanics developed while her family was living on a farm at Brandon, an unincorporated community in Perkins County. “Dad was having problems with some of the farming equipment, so I decided to try to help him fix it,” Johnson said. “I realized I really liked working with tools and machinery.” She chose MPCC to further her education because the college was close to home and offered a lot of one-on-one and hands-on instruction. “I didn’t expect to learn so much so quickly,” said Johnson. “I think the smaller class sizes had a lot to do with that.” Unlike Johnson, Schaben never had much interest in working with vehicles until it came time to pick a college. “I was planning to go to the University of Nebraska at Kearney for graphic design,” said Schaben. “But the school was too big and intimidating for me.” Her boyfriend was enrolled in an auto body technology night class at
1Collision Network Expands Into Michigan
The 1Collision Network has announced the addition of Butler’s Collision, located in Roseville, MI, marking the Network’s entry into the Michigan marketplace. “As our industry continues to change, I felt Butler’s Collision needed support, competing in a market where consolidation is strong,” Butler’s president and owner Roy Schnepper commented. “After meeting with Jim Keller a few months ago, I felt we could achieve that next level with 1Collision. I am excited for the future and retaining the independence we enjoy.” “As we begin our growth in Michigan, we are proud to welcome Roy, his son Dan, and the entire Butler’s Collision team to the Network,”
said 1Collision Network president Jim Keller. “Roy and Dan operate a high quality repair service, and Roy continues to serve his industry in leadership roles as former Collision Operations Committee member and current chairman-elect of ASA, as well as a member of the I-CAR board of directors.” According to the 1Collision Network, they are an organization of independent and dealer-owned and operated collision repair businesses committed to high quality collision repair services, peak performance, developing trusting insurance relationships, and ensuring a positive, predictable, and seamless repair experience for both the consumer and the insurer.
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MPCC at the time, and after tagging along one evening, Schaben decided the course looked like a lot of fun. “I didn’t really know what to expect,” Schaben said. “At first, I didn’t think I could do any of the projects, but I found out I was wrong. I owe most
Carra Johnson, of Madrid, works on a car at MPCC. She graduated in 2016 with a degree in automotive technology
of my success to my instructors. They helped me work on certain skills until I got them right.” Her favorite part of the program was painting cars. She won the college’s hood decorating contest with a blue AC/DC design. “I took a lot of art classes in high school,” said Schaben. “In the auto body technology program, I can still be creative—just in a different way.”
10th Annual ASA-MW Tailgate: Chiefs vs. Saints
Join ASA-Midwest at Arrowhead Stadium on October 23rd as they watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the New Orleans Saints. Enjoy fun, food and the friendship of fellow automotive service professionals before the game begins. The party starts at 9 am, with a noon kickoff time. Shop own-
ers, vendors, managers, techs, families and individuals are all invited to attend. Tickets are located in Section 304 and include game day admission as well as food and drinks before the game at the tailgate party. Already have tickets? ASA Members and their families can eat and drink at the party for free. For more information, visit www.asa-midwest .org.
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 11
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www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 13
AASP-MN to Host Peer-to-Peer Learning & Networking Events In response to member demand for more opportunities to connect and share knowledge and experiences with other members, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) has two peer-to-peer learning and networking events scheduled for this fall. The first, a Mech XChange targeted for mechanical-division members, will take place on September 27 from 4 – 6 p.m. at IDENTIFIX in Roseville, MN. In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in two roundtable discussions:
Managing the Customer Experience Every interaction a customer has during the course of doing business with a shop – from scheduling the initial appointment to delivery of the repaired vehicle and everything in between – will impact their satisfaction and loyalty to a shop. Successful shops control and manage the little things, as well as the big things, throughout the entire customer experience. Attendees will share ideas and best practices for managing customers’ experiences. Shop Scheduling & Workflow To succeed, all shops must manage
their workflow efficiently. This starts with scheduling and includes systems, processes and operational philosophies for maximizing productivity and moving cars through the shop. Attendees will learn tried-and-true methods
for tightening up the scheduling and workflow process and increasing profits. Collision-division members will gather on Wednesday, October 12 for a Body Shop Session. This event will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Grumpy’s Bar & Grill in Roseville, MN. The cost to attend is $25 per person, which includes lunch. In this session, attendees will learn about OEM certification programs that are becoming more and more prominent in the collision industry. There can be extensive costs and requirements associated with
14 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
joining these programs, and doing so could be beneficial for some shops and a waste of time for others. AASP-MN has assembled a panel of local collision shop owners who have gone down this road and are willing to share their “lessons learned” in the process. Certifications represented will be: Ford, Nissan, FCA (Fiat Chrysler), Honda, Infiniti, GM, Hyundai, Audi, Mercedes Benz, VW and Porsche. George Maris, American Honda Motor Co. collision parts market manager, North Central zone, will also be in attendance to share a manufacturer’s perspective. Attendees will hear about their experiences, get questions answered and will potentially learn how to determine if OEM certification is a good fit for their own shops. Participants at both of these events will also receive a report on AASP-MN’s current initiatives and upcoming events. Anyone in the automotive service industry is welcome to attend, and membership is not required. For additional information or to register, contact the AASP-MN office at (612) 623-1110 or (800) 852-9071 or visit www.aaspmn.org.
Gerber Collision & Glass Opens New Repair Location in Indiana
Gerber Collision & Glass announced the opening of a new collision repair center in La Porte, Indiana. La Porte is about 70 miles southeast of Chicago, with the center located between the company’s repair centers at Elkhart and Valparaiso, Indiana. It previously operated as Blake's Collision Center. “We are very happy to be adding this location, which strengthens our footprint in northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area,” said Tim O'Day, president and COO of Gerber Collision & Glass. “We also look forward to becoming part of the La Porte community and introducing the Gerber brand of professional and friendly service.”
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Continued from Cover
MI Senate
quire that a human be ready to take control in an emergency. Until now, autonomous vehicles could only be driven in Michigan for test purposes, and a driver had to be at the ready. The new laws also would allow ride-sharing services without drivers to be operated by auto manufacturers or ride-hailing services like Lyft or Uber. One of the bills would also allow for the decommissioning of small stretches of public road to be used privately as part of the proposed American Center for Mobility test site at Willow Run. “I see this as the equivalent of the race to space,” said state Sen. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth. “We can think of these Senate bills as one small step for Lansing, one giant leap for driverless mankind.” The legislation has the support of major automakers and suppliers, many House lawmakers and Gov. Rick Snyder. Snyder has said driverless-car testing and operations are crucial for helping Michigan keep its economic edge
and remain the automotive capital of the world after years of economic hardship. Michigan is one of seven states that, along with Washington, D.C., have laws allowing testing of autonomous cars, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California, Florida and Nevada have laws allowing for the “operation” of those cars beyond testing. The legislation now moves to the state House for consideration. Bryant Walker Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina who studies self-driving car regulation, called the bills “a mixed bag.” “Critically, they are in desperate need of clarification followed by thoughtful discussion,” he said. Walker Smith said the bills do a good job of allowing autonomous vehicles on the road, but much of the language becomes confusing and difficult to differentiate from current laws. “Like earlier bills in Michigan and other states, SB 995 and 996 understandably struggle to reconcile an existing vehicle code with automated driving,” he said, going on to call some See MI Senate, Page 16
Mighty Auto Parts Partners with Ohio-based Parkway Auto Group
Mighty Auto Parts, a franchisor of sales and services in aftermarket auto parts, has announced the addition of the Dover, Ohio-based Parkway Auto Group to the growing number of car dealership organizations that have acquired a Mighty distribution franchise. Parkway’s newly-established franchise provides Mighty’s signature inventory management services and full range of preventive maintenance products, including filtration, wipers, lighting products, batteries, brakes, belts, shop supplies and chemicals. Customers include Parkway’s affiliated service centers as well as other wholesale customers in their exclusive territory (tire dealers, quick lubes, service/repair shops as well as other car dealerships). Parkway Auto Group, a thirdgeneration company, is led by owner/ principal dealer Glenn Mears III and operates four new car dealerships in eastern Ohio. Parkway’s Honda, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram, Ford/Lincoln, and Nissan dealerships are located along what is known as the “Green Auto Mile” in Dover, Ohio. They also operate an independent auto
service facility at their former Suzuki dealership. “We are thrilled to partner with such an impressive organization as Parkway Auto Group,” said Ken Voelker, president and CEO of Mighty. “This venture is well-positioned to benefit both teams. For Parkway, we look forward to supporting their growth and success within their own dealerships as well as their outside wholesale customers. For Mighty, we are excited to expand our brand presence in a new market.” “Having a Mighty division will help us build additional internal profits by controlling the parts we put on our used cars during reconditioning while also helping us better service all makes and models,” stated Glenn Mears III. “In addition, and maybe even more importantly, it will allow us to broaden our wholesale customer base in surrounding markets. We’re really excited to have Mighty as a partner to assist us in reaching our goals. And although we are just getting started, we are already looking forward to future expansion opportunities with Mighty.”
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 15
Wilder Auto Body to Build New Shop
Continued from Page 15
MI Senate
of the language “collectively, a mess.” The bills follow a state board’s July approval of $20 million to help transform a former World War II bomber plant in Ypsilanti into a new testing facility for autonomous vehicles. The facility would be complete with roads, traffic lights and cul-de-sacs at Willow Run. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is expected to release draft guidelines later this year that would serve as a framework for states crafting new laws that allow the selfdriving cars on public roads. It’s unclear when companies might open sales to the general public.
We thank the Detroit News for reprint permission.
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by Ryan D. Wilson, News Editor, The Clay Center Dispatch
After almost 13 years at their current facility at 619 Lincoln Ave., Wilder Auto Body is building a new collision repair shop in the 100 block of Crawford Avenue, just east of the viaduct on US-24 on the south side. “We’ve outgrown our current facility; we’ve grown every year,” owner Kyle Wilder said. “We’re mostly growing to help serve the community and make it better for our employees.” The business has changed quite a bit since Wilder opened the shop in December. Then, Wilder was on his own. Now he employs six full-time people, and while they focus on collision repair and insurance work, they do a little bit of just about everything, from seat covers to a little bit of restoration. Insurance work and collision repair remain the main parts of the business, and they will continue to focus on that in the new facility, Wilder said. The business is one that’s “insurance preferred,” meaning insurance companies refer collision repairs to them. Much of their work covers head and tail jobs on vehicles that hit deer, but they can repair “any kind of car damage,” Wilder said.
YANG Hosts Two Regional Meet-Ups in October
The Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG) of the Auto Care Association has announced its Regional Meet-Up schedule for October. In partnership with member companies, YANG is hosting two Regional Meet-Ups for young auto care professionals in Southfield, MI and Des Moines, IA.
Details for the events are as follows:
Monday, October 3, 2016, 6 p.m. 9 p.m. ET Garage Gurus Technical Service Center 24475 W. Ten Mile Rd., Southfield, MI 48033 Host: Federal-Mogul
Thursday, October 6, 2016, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. CT
Draught House 50 6240 Mills Civic Pkwy., West Des Moines, IA 50266 Hosts: Arnold Motor Supply and Continental
These local events are part of the YANG Regional Meet-Up program, which was launched in June 2015. All young professionals—both members and non-members—under the age of 40 in the industry are encouraged to attend these events for in-person networking without having to travel far from home. To RSVP to any of these events, visit www.autocare.org/yang events. There is no fee to attend. For more information on hosting an event, visit http://autocare.org/What -We-Do/Professional-Development /YANG/host-a-regional-meet-up/.
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The business offers a range of services, including paintless dent repair, framework, paint and aluminum repair, fiberglass and repairs on just about any type of vehicle, including trucks and cars. They also offer car rental for customers getting repairs done and a 24-hour towing service.
(l to r) Ray Turner, Kyler Wallace, Dusty Fahey, Robert Blackwood, Kyle Wilder and Kathy Wilder (front)
They’re able to work with all insurance companies, he said. The new facility will be two and a half times larger than the current facility, with all new equipment, Wilder said. That includes a new paint system and aluminum repair, he said. “The main thing is, we’ll make it better for our workers and our customers,” he said. Wilder plans to move out of his current facility after the new shop near
the viaduct is built. He said he chose that location because “it just worked out.” The site has a lot of traffic, high visibility and a lot of space to work with, and will have more as they clear out more trees on the property. Wilder said he got into the business because he enjoys working with cars. He started his shop in Clay Center because he grew up here and has roots in Clay County that go back five generations, including a few who homesteaded in the county in the late 1800’s. Wilder received a diploma in Automotive Collision Repair from Manhattan Area Technical College. He has worked in automotive collision repair for 16 years and received certification from I-Car Training Courses, EPA Training and PPG Certified-Envirobase HP. The business staffs a team of four certified technicians, a service manager and an office secretary. Technicians are all certified and have received training in PPG-Envirobase HP. Wilder said he’s worked hard to make the business what it is, including working a lot of late nights. “I plan on being in Clay Center until I retire,” he said. We thank The Clay Center Dispatch for reprint permission.
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 17
BASF’s R-M Sponsors 2nd Back to the Bricks
BASF’s R-M automotive refinish paint brand recently served as the Platinum sponsor for the Back to the Bricks car show in Flint, MI for the second year in a row. With more than 4,000 vehicles on display, thousands of car enthusiasts filled the streets of Flint for the event.
to encourage high school students to consider the automotive trade. This year, robotics demonstrations were conducted by Kettering University and several local high schools during the week leading up to the show. “It’s great that Back to the Bricks is working to get young people involved in the industry,” said Freeman. “BASF supports vocational education through our involvement with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), iCAR and several other local vocational programs across the U.S.” The R-M display featured a 2016 Ford Mustang built by Ice According to BASF, Nine Group owned by Keith Strong and a 1965 Chevrolet Back to the Bricks has Corvette restored by Randy Misekow of Custom Paint brought together car lovers owned by David Spooner. in a family-friendly atmos“BASF and the R-M brand were phere to celebrate the automotive inhappy to be back for our second year dustry and its role in the history of Flint supporting Back to the Bricks,” said R- since 2005. With the help of sponsors M Market segment manager Mike like BASF and R-M, this event has exFreeman. “R-M has been around since ploded in the last decade from a small, 1919, and it’s fun talking to people fa- one-day car show complementing Demiliar with the brand who like to rem- troit’s Woodward Dream Cruise to its inisce about their cars painted with own five-day event with more than R-M.” 500,000 attendees. In 2015, Back to the Bricks inFor more information, visit http:// troduced “Hot Rod High” as a way www.basfrefinish.com.
18 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Truck Carrying Takata Air Bags Explodes, Burns Houses, Kills Texas Woman
a nearby home, killing 69-year-old Lucida Robles. It also burned 10 A truck carrying Takata air bag infla- other houses and injured a driver and tors and propellants exploded in South passenger in a passing vehicle. Texas last week, killing one person, News 4 San Antonio said the the company said on August 29. explosion was not caused by a collision with another vehicle, suggesting it was caused by a problem in the truck, its trailer or the cargo. Takata has a warehouse in Eagle Pass that stocks inflators manufactured across the border at a plant in Monclava. Takata said it sent personnel to the site to help investigate the incident. File photo of a Takata airbag that exploded in a vehicle The Takata recall is the in South Carolina largest in the history of the The inflators and propellants auto industry. Prolonged exposure of are at the center of a global recall in- the inflators to hot conditions can volving exploding airbags. The de- cause airbags to explode, spraying fective bags have killed at least 14 shrapnel into the passenger compartpeople in the U.S. ment. The truck in last week’s inciMore than 100 million vehicles dent, operated by a subcontractor, worldwide with Takata inflators are was bound for a Takata warehouse being recalled. in Eagle Pass when the accident occurred. We thank the Dallas Morning The ensuing explosion destroyed News for reprint permission. by Terry Box, Dallas Morning News
ASI Recognized as I-CAR Gold Class Business
Audit Services Incorporated (ASI) has announced its achievement of obtaining I-CAR Gold Class business status, the highest recognition for training available in the collision repair industry. “The I-CAR Gold Class designation provides our clients with confidence that ASI is committed to ensuring our employees achieve the highest level of training available,” said John Hall, president of ASI. “It is a symbol of our commitment to provide distinctive quality and unparalleled customer service.” Today’s vehicles are increasingly more sophisticated, featuring an evergrowing number of components, parts and advanced lightweight materials. resulting in repair procedures changing significantly from year to year, making current repair knowledge critical for the achievement of complete, accurate estimating and quality repairs. “We are honored to be named a Gold Class business,” said Hall. “ASI is committed to providing best-inclass services....best practices, an accurate estimate and, ultimately, safe vehicle repairs.” For more information, visit http:// www.asiclaims.com.
Flooded Cars Likely to End up in NC, Attorney General Cooper Warns Consumers Watch out for vehicles damaged by devastating floods in Louisiana to show up for sale on new and used car lots in North Carolina, Attorney General Roy Cooper cautioned consumers in August. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people suffering in Louisiana, and we hope the flood waters will soon start to recede,” said Cooper. “But even as storm victims begin to pick up the pieces, flooded cars will be on their way to North Carolina and other states to trick unsuspecting car buyers. Learn the warning signs to avoid flood cars.” After major storms, both new and used cars that were flooded will be offered for sale. These vehicles are frequently put through extensive cleaning that can make it difficult for prospective buyers to detect even serious damage. Under North Carolina law, flood damage to a car must be disclosed in writing before the car is sold. Vehicles that have been partially or totally submerged in water resulting in damage to the body, engine or transmission are classified as flood vehicles, but title paperwork is sometimes unlawfully altered to remove any mention of flood damage. Failure to disclose
damage to a vehicle is a class 2 misdemeanor prosecutable by local District Attorneys, and violators of the law can face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. “This flooding has already caused terrible damage, and we don’t want to see anyone else suffer down the road,” Cooper warned. “If you’re shopping for a car, be on high alert for flood cars.” To avoid buying a flood-damaged car, follow these steps: Ask the seller directly if the car has been damaged in any way, including by storms or flooding. Consider getting a complete vehicle history report using a service like CARFAX. Request a copy of the title for any used car. Check the date and place of transfer to see if the vehicle comes from a state that recently experienced flooding. Flood damage will only be disclosed on the title if the insurance company officially declared the car totaled. Have the car examined by an independent mechanic of your choice before you buy. Avoid buying a car over the internet if you haven’t seen it in person, especially if it is being sold in an area
that recently experienced flooding. If possible, take the car for a test drive and remember to: ♦ Check for rust and mud in the trunk, glove box, and dashboard and beneath the seats.
♦ Look for rusty brackets under the dash and carpet, discolored upholstery, and mismatched carpet. ♦ Test electronics like headlights, windshield wipers, turn signals, power outlet, and radio.
♦ Run the heater and air conditioner, and look in the vents for signs of water or mud.
♦ Make sure all gauges on the dashboard are working accurately.
If you believe that you may have unknowingly purchased a flood-damaged vehicle, report it to the North Carolina Consumer Protection Division by phone, toll-free within North Carolina, at 1-877-5NO-SCAM. Consumers can also get tips on auto damage disclosure and file a consumer complaint online at www.ncdoj.gov.
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 19
Is No-Fault Auto Insurance to Blame for High Rates, Fraud? by Sarah Breitenbach, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Michigan House members returned to work the week of September 5 to decide whether they’ll give the state’s motorists a break on their highest-inthe-nation auto insurance premiums. In doing so, they’ll decide whether to dilute the nation’s most stringent nofault auto insurance law, which requires drivers purchase coverage that provides unlimited lifetime medical benefits, and continue a trend among states of altering or even scrapping their no-fault laws. For many Michigan motorists— who pay on average $2,738 a year, more than double the national average—the decision would appear simple enough. “Customers are saying it’s getting tougher and tougher to pay those premiums,” said Lori Conarton, a spokeswoman for the Insurance Institute of Michigan, which represents insurance companies. But caught up in the Michigan debate is whether to also limit how much doctors and hospitals get reimbursed for injuries caused by car crashes and constrain payouts for people who abandon their jobs to care for an injured loved one. Michigan is one of a dozen states still requiring no-fault insurance, which assumes each driver’s insurance company will cover the cost of treating injuries regardless of who caused the wreck. (Damage to vehicles and property are typically covered under the collision and comprehensive portions of insurance policies.) The idea behind no-fault laws was that insurance companies would deliver faster payouts to crash victims and lower premiums in exchange for caps on damages and limits on consumers’ ability to sue. By the mid-1970s, 16 states had embraced the idea. But the benefits promised didn’t come to fruition everywhere. By the early 1990s, insurance premiums had increased, drivers were suing their insurers over coverage benefits, and fraud had become rampant. Some states found themselves in the position Michigan is in now. They altered their no-fault laws or dropped them. It’s a situation that Florida lawmakers also find themselves in. They’ve looked at a proposal to scrap their no-
fault law. In New Jersey, lawmakers have expanded caps on reimbursement rates for certain medical procedures. Both states have no-fault laws and are among the 10 states with the highest auto insurance premiums. Michigan’s highest-in-the-nation premiums can be attributed to the requirement of providing unlimited lifetime medical benefits and care, which no other no-fault state has, Conarton said. Her group estimates premiums could be cut by as much as 45 percent if House members agree to a bill, which the Senate has passed, that would limit how much insurers have to pay for specific medical procedures and allow drivers to choose the amount of medical coverage they get.
Fraud The proposed changes Michigan House members are considering also are aimed at cutting down on fraud, in which unscrupulous doctors or other health care providers collaborate with drivers to fake crashes or embellish medical claims from real crashes to collect insurance payouts. Without a requirement to prove fault, scammers can easily trick the system into an illegitimate payout, which also leads to higher premiums for law-abiding drivers. The proposal would create a fund to pay for investigators and prosecutors dedicated to chasing down auto insurance fraud cases. “Insurance companies know that there is fraud going on,” Conarton said. “But when they take it to a prosecutor or investigators, their resources are limited. They’re working on cases that involve murder and assault... and don’t always have the time or the knowledge of insurance fraud to pursue those cases.” Florida has been plagued by a string of auto insurance fraud cases over several years. One scam led to $1.5 million in questionable insurance payouts to a Florida chiropractor. But fraud is only part of the problem in Florida, said Republican state Senator Jeff Brandes, who proposed that the state scrap its no-fault law and instead force drivers to carry coverage for property damage and bodily injury liability. The current no-fault law, which has capped medical benefits at $10,000 since 1972, only provides “marginal”
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benefits to crash victims because medical claims for serious injuries can cost a lot more, Brandes said. “It’s basically a bare-minimum policy that’s rife with fraud and abuse,” Brandes said. When his bill failed earlier this year, Brandes asked the state to study how premiums would change if the no-fault system doesn’t change and how proposals, like his bodily injury liability coverage requirement, could improve coverage. The study also will analyze the effect of Florida’s 2012 reforms that required that crash victims seek treatment within 14 days and capped the medical payout at $2,500 for injuries not considered to be “emergency medical conditions.” The changes were designed to lower the cost of personal injury protection and limit fraud, though medical providers say it hindered their ability to get paid. “We’ve been constantly reforming it since the ’70s, but I think there’s a general consensus that $10,000 of minimum coverage is not enough,” Brandes said. “As most other states have figured out, you can provide bet-
ter, more comprehensive coverage.”
Origin of No-Fault The idea of a no-fault insurance system originated with academics in the 1930s as a way to try to make sure medical benefits were paid quickly to crash victims and not clog the courts with small claims cases. But while people injured in crashes benefited from quick payouts, no-fault laws also meant they largely gave up their right to sue negligent drivers and in a few cases saw a steep increase in insurance premiums. Most states require that drivers purchase a minimum of liability insurance to cover damage to property and other people’s injuries if they cause a crash. Many drivers end up buying more coverage than is required. When the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) last analyzed no-fault auto insurance laws, 16 years ago, it concluded that it was unclear whether insurance programs that only require a minimum amount of bodily injury coverage and still allow drivers to sue over crashes are better See No Fault Auto Insurance, Page 23
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Continued from Page 20
No-Fault Auto Insurance
than no-fault. Wayne Goodwin, North Carolina’s insurance commissioner and head of the NAIC’s automobile insurance working group, said, “the fact that we have so many states that do not have no-fault is indicative of what’s working better.”
High Premiums No-fault laws are not the only source of high auto insurance premiums, even in Michigan, said Michael Barry, a spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute, a nonprofit communications group supported by the insurance industry. States with high premiums are often subject to other risks like natural disasters or congested roads, which up the chances that people will have a wreck. “This drives the frequency and severity of automobile accidents,” he said of traffic congestion. “Just a lot of cars on the road, driving a lot of miles. Just a lot of people going to and from work.”
Josh Hovey, a spokesman for Michigan’s Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault, a group of consumer organizations, patient advocates, health care providers and rehab facilities that wants to preserve the state’s no-fault law and lifetime benefit, points to other expenses, such as property and other liability coverage, that are driving insurance premiums. Only a third of a driver’s premium goes to the no-fault coverage requirement, he said, and that amount of coverage is essential to guaranteeing people with major injuries can get the medical care and long-term rehabilitation they need. “We have patients who have been paralyzed, who have received significant brain injury, and through the rehab that’s been provided, they’re able to in some cases recover to go back to some type of employment,” he said. The proposal before the House would preserve Michigan’s lifetime medical benefit, but Hovey said it wouldn’t do enough to lower premium costs and would ultimately restrict the care that crash victims could receive at the hospital and at home. Hovey’s group argues that the savings promised by proponents of the
legislation would only amount to a few dollars each month. The proposal could also cost Michigan hospitals as much as $1.2 billion, Hovey said; and would significantly limit how much compensation family members receive when they have to abandon jobs to care for a disabled loved one. But Conarton says the state needs to set limits, similar to those established for workers’ compensation cases, on how much insurance companies have to pay when someone is injured in an accident. Right now, she said, hospitals or doctors can charge as much as they want to treat someone for car crash injuries. “If you break your arm in a work accident, there’s a fee schedule so your MRI would cost this much and it’s noted what that would be,” she said. “In the no-fault system, you break your arm in a car accident, there’s no fee schedule and auto insurers are required to pay the charges.” We thank The Pew Charitable Trusts for reprint permission.
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ASA to Host Webinar on Automotive Safety Inspections, Technologies
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) will held a webinar on periodic motor vehicle safety inspection (PMVI) programs and new safety technologies in September. The webinar highlighted the value of these programs and how they continue to protect consumers, providing important information for shop owners, managers and anyone involved in offering vehicle repair services to consumers. Participants heard from industry representatives, vehicle repairers and ASA leadership sharing their views on the value of PMVI programs, with Robert L. Redding Jr., ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative, hosting the program. In addition, participants also heard more information about ASA’s third annual Vehicle Safety Inspection and Maintenance Forum, which will take place in the Houston area October 19. For more information, visit www.ASAshop.org or www.Taking TheHill.com.
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 23
Automechanika Chicago & NACE Team Up in 2017
According to Automechanika Chicago, they will create a unified stage using NACE’s strong relationships within the collision and OE community combined with Automechanika Chicago’s global strength throughout the automotive aftermarket. Working in collaboration, the two entities will forge a partnership focused on training and product discovery for automotive technicians, shop owners and parts distributors. A combined Automechanika Chicago and NACE show will take place July 26-29, 2017 in Chicago. “We are extremely pleased with this alliance,” stated Dennis Smith, president and CEO of trade fair organizer Messe Frankfurt North America. “The industry has been asking for this, and we listened. By combining the expertise of two undisputed market leaders, Automechanika Chicago and NACE, we are confident in our ability to offer a comprehensive platform for companies interested in reaching collision and mechanical repair shops en masse.” For more information, visit www.Automechanika Chicago.com.
First Responder Extrication Demo at Butler’s Collision Kicks off NABC Lineup More than 25 Detroit-area first responders recently smashed windows, deployed airbags and cut up vehicles at Butler’s Collision in Roseville, Michigan, kicking off the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Fall schedule of First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE™) training sessions. Hosted by National Auto Body Council members, the FREE program provides local first responders across the country with unique, valuable instruction and hands-on extrication practice specifically on late-model vehicles with complex airbag systems, sophisticated electronics and high-strength steels. “We are dealing with a whole new car; high strength steel that poses a little bit of a different problem. Now we are dealing with the issue that when we cut into the car, if it catches on fire, we have to worry about the battery,” explained Jeff Kaczynski, one of the participating Roseville fire fighters. “We worked on brand new cars with every new safety feature, so we are seeing airbags in the posts and pillars, side airbags, airbags in the seats, so it poses lots of different threats out there. It’s nice to get training like this on newer cars so we can do our job much better,” Kaczynski concluded.
Abaris’ Carbon Fiber Training Courses at SPE ACCE
Abaris Training Resources recently introduced updated carbon fiber repair training and services at the 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers Automotive Composites Conference and
that include both interactive classroom lessons and active training exercises. Two of the courses offered were specifically designed to teach advanced composite automotive structural repair for technicians. The company also offers multiple courses in design and analysis of composite structures, bonded joints and repairs for engineers. In addition to conducting regularly scheduled training at Abaris’ two U.S. facilities and one located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Abaris offers onsite training and other engineering and technical services to customers worldwide. “Students don’t just gain knowledge; with active training, they acquire applicable skills,” said Louis C. Dorworth, division manager of Abaris Direct Services. Abaris has been conducting advanced composite training since 1983. For more informaSpecialized courses bring students up to date tion, visit www.abaris.com. on carbon fiber repair
Exhibition in Novi, MI. According to the company, Abaris offers curriculum in courses
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The FREE training programs are provided at no cost to fire departments, thanks to the contributions and collaborative efforts made throughout the collision industry. Nearly 50 late model vehicles, typically 2-3 for each event, have been donated by State Farm and Audi of America for the upcoming Fall FREE schedule. Extrication tools and instruction are provided
by Holmatro Rescue Equipment, with venue, event coordination, food and refreshments hosted by participating repair facilities. The demo at Butler’s Collision was the first of 11 first responder events scheduled by 1Collision Network, utilizing two of the seventeen 2016 Audi A3 e-trons donated by Audi of America. “We’re excited and pleased to partner with the National Auto Body Council, State Farm, Audi of America and all the participating shops to increase the opportunities for first responders to further hone their skills
on 2016 Audi vehicles with model year technology, enabling them to save critical seconds and lives,” said Jim Keller, president of 1Collision Network. Other repairers hosting FREE events this fall include 3D Auto Body & Collision Centers, Weber’s Body & Frame, Service King, CARSTAR Metcalf, Gapsch CARSTAR and A&B CARSTAR Smithville. “NABC’s first responder extrication program is an excellent way for shops to give back to their local communities and to demonstrate the professionalism and integrity of our collision industry,” said Michael Jordan, chair of NABC’s First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE) program. “We urge anyone interested in hosting this program to attend any of our upcoming events, join the NABC and contact us to schedule an event in your area.” For more information about NABC’s FREE program, contact Mike McManus at 414-768-8000, ext 119.
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www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 25
Houston in Top 3 List of Cities with Most Auto Insurance Fraud by Amy Davis, KPRC-TV, Reporter/Consumer
L.A., New York and Houston—you might think we’re hanging with the cool crowd when you hear we all made the top three in a recent study, until you hear it was for cities with the most auto insurance fraud. “We knew that this was a problem in Houston,” Fred Lohman, with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, said. Lohman said the fraud in our area begins at the scene of car accidents with the tow. “The goal is to get the car to the shop,” he said. Not just any body shop. KPRC Channel 2 News found tow truck drivers steering accident victims’ vehicles to body shops of the wrecker driver’s choice, not the customer’s. “Did you tell the tow truck driver where you wanted him to take your car?” Davis asked Doris Babineau, who was involved in a car accident. “No, he volunteered,” she answered, talking about the tow truck driver who drove up on the scene. “’I’m gonna take it to a good place, and we’ll be sure (to) guarantee that your car will be fixed,’” she said he told her.
KPRC 2 News discovered that the tow truck driver who took Babineaux’s 2014 Nissan Altima to Collision King on West Tidwell was paid handsomely to do so. We obtained an incentive sheet the body shop and storage lot owner passed around to Houston wrecker drivers, advertising that he’ll pay them $600 for every car 2013 and newer they tow in. They’ll get another $400 if the body shop makes repairs to the vehicle, and a $100 bonus if the wrecker driver brings the customer along to sign for the repairs. That’s a $1,100 incentive for tow drivers to bring cars to his shop instead of where the car owner wants them to take it. “Once that happens, and it gets to the body shop or the storage facility, then all the fees start mounting,” Lohman told Davis. And they did. The day after Babineaux’s accident, she decided to take her Altima to a Nissan dealership for repairs instead. Just to get her car from Collision King, the body shop demanded $1,619.31.
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“You think $1,600 for doing no work on this vehicle and having it less than two days is fair?” Davis asked Collision King owner Allen Suleiman. “In a sense, yes,” he replied. “In what sense is it fair for me to pay $1,600 when you did nothing to a vehicle?” Davis countered. “Well, remember you got about $600 worth of storage fees, because the minute it comes here, you got a tow bill,” he said. But there are no towing charges listed on the bill. Instead, there is a $245 pay out fee, a $250 admin fee, a $240 preservation fee, a $250 transfer fee and a $500 steering fee. Davis asked Suleiman what the steering fee is. “That’s when an insurance company – when a customer wants to do business with us and the insurance company forces them to take it to their shop. That’s what the steering fee is,” he said. Did you get that? The steering fee is charged to penalize the insurance company when the customer takes their vehicle somewhere else.
“It’s the consumer that gets hurt on this stuff,” Lohman said. “They’re the ones really paying the price.” Even if you’ve never been in an accident, you’re paying for it in your premiums. None of the fees, not even the bounty paid to wrecker drivers for cars, are illegal. It’s why Houston police and the insurance industry are asking Houston city councilmembers to regulate body shops by setting limits on fees and requiring the businesses to give customers a written estimate before any work on a vehicle is even started. “City ordinances can certainly address the problems,” Lohman said. “That’s what local government should be doing in protecting its constituents.” HPD tried to get council to pass similar changes five years ago with no luck. They said they’re hoping this time around they can get enough support to push it through.
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Sub-water: Flooded Cars Overwhelming by Ken Stickney, The Daily Advertiser
The destruction of some 100,000 vehicles—maybe more—due to recent flooding may have left the southern Louisiana automobile market out of balance.
Credit: Scott Clause/The Advertiser
Bob Giles, owner and operator of Giles Automotive in Lafayette, said on September 6 that area auto dealer business is brisk, but many customers who lost their vehicles to high water in the unnamed August 11–13 storm have no trade-in vehicles to offer when making their purchases, leaving some dealers short of available products in their used car lots. That situation may affect auto dealers far beyond Louisiana, he said. “It’s tough to get pre-owned vehicles into the lot,” he said. Automotive News has reported that more than 100,000 insured vehicles were flooded in the August storm,
more than 100,000 people have filed for flood aid, and more than 60,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Vehicle flooding was most destructive to electrical systems, said Thomas Huffman, owner of Any Body Towing in Lafayette. He said other damages included water in motors and in the exhaust and intake systems. “They are total losses,” he said of most of those vehicles. Huffman said wreckers continued to tow vehicles recently that were previously unreachable because of flooding that persisted in some neighborhoods. He said he was reluctant to send his own trucks into high water because he did not want them damaged. Giles said the “vast majority” of vehicles that were caught in the flood have been totaled. He said Giles Automotive gave free inspections for flood damage; if vehicles could be salvaged, he said, the company is willing to help restore the vehicle. Roszell Gadson, a media specialist for State Farm Insurance, said his company has processed some 19,000 flooded vehicles in Louisiana, most of them total losses. Every vehicle is different, but electronic damage can propel the cost of repairing a vehicle beyond its actual value. That’s when insurers set-
tle, he said. According to Gadson, if a vehicle can be repaired, it may go to a certified mechanic for work. If it can’t be repaired, the insurer will likely send it to a salvage vendor, perhaps to be broken down for parts. Oftentimes the vehicles are sold for scrap metal. Damaged vehicles have caused some concerns, Better Business Bureau
Credit: Scott Clause/The Advertiser
of Acadiana President Sharane Gott said. In a column published Tuesday, September 6, she cautioned consumers to beware of flood-damaged vehicles. Gott offered these tips for avoiding the purchase of a flood-damaged vehicle:
♦ Check the title to make sure the car is not marked “salvage,” which would indicate it came from a flood-affected state.
♦ Check gauges, lights, wipers, turn signals, radio, heater and the air-conditioner several times. ♦ Check the trunk, glove box and under carpeting for musty smells that indicate flooding.
♦ Get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Giles said reputable dealers would not resell a flooded vehicle. But he cautioned, “less-than-honest people will buy from a salvage yard,” and repair branded vehicles for resale. Louisiana cars have been sent out of state, where they may get new titles that obscure the fact that they have been flooded, he said. His business has to be careful that vehicles that customers offer as tradeins have not sustained previous flood damage, Giles stated. Some customers are unaware that their comprehensive vehicle insurance includes flood coverage, unlike private homes that require additional coverage for floods. “If you have comprehensive insurance, flood (insurance) is not an addon,” he said. We thank The Daily Advertiser for reprint permission.
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 27
ABRA’s New Career Development Academy Offers Attractive Incentives & Aims to Train and Place the Workforce of Tomorrow by Stacey Phillips
Graduates of ABRA Auto & Glass’s new apprentice technician program are being offered attractive incentives that most new employees dream about: immediate job placement, average salaries of $80,000, eligibility for a retention bonus and thousands of dollars in tools. The Springboard Apprentice Technician Program was launched this past summer at the company’s new Career Development Academy in Eagan, Minnesota. Autobody news spoke to David Kuhl, the chief people officer at ABRA, about the program, which focuses on attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry. Kuhl said the sky is the limit for these students who represent the workforce of tomorrow.
Q:
Can you please tell us about ABRA’s Springboard Program and the Career Development Academy (CDA)?
ABRA was established in 1984 A: and has more than 5,200 employees who work in the company’s 334
repair centers located in 24 states across the nation. The company launched a five-week accelerated training program in July, which is held at our new Career Development Academy. The 14,000square-foot facility is located in Eagan, Minnesota and is both a training and production facility. The program was implemented to prepare students with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform disassembly and reassembly of vehicles, minor dent repair, plastic bumper repair, steel welds, set up a vehicle in a measurement system, and non-structural glass removal and install. Those who complete the apprentice program have the option to continue their training to become a C-Level technician with ABRA. Our instructors use I-CAR programs and certification as part of the apprentice program and our vendor partners have donated equipment for the shop, which has created a real production environment.
leaders in customer service, quality and cost. This is awesome, but the challenge is finding enough talent to do the work that is coming in the door. In terms of the ABRA approach, our company has had an intense focus on quality and lean manufacturing. This is a very specialized way of doing our work. We felt
Erik Klawiter, Joshua Rohde (ABRA CDA General Manager in back row), Vang Lor, Derrick Pegues, Andrew Olson, Tyler VanAlstine, Beng Lee, Duane Rouse (President, CEO of ABRA Auto Body & Glass), Dan Libby, and Keeran Nicholls celebrate the official ribbon cutting of the ABRA Career Development Academy
that we needed a specialized training program that was immersive and intensive, and would expedite the learning curve pretty significantly. The bottom line is that we have an opportunity to deliver highly skilled and motivated C-level technicians who are not only trained but embody our culture and values. The good news is that our repair centers are literally fighting to employ our CDA graduates. The third reason we opened the academy has to do with millennials. Quite frankly, millennials aren’t going into the trades at the same rate as the generations before them did. This problem is not unique to ABRA. There is a huge demand and we need to educate people about this industry and how wonderful and lucrative it can be. We’re not just educating the general public, but individuals who might be choosing between college or the trades.
Q:
It sounds like ABRA is meeting an important need in the industry. How many students have applied for the program and will all of them be placed in an ABRA location upon graduation?
What prompted the opening of A: Q: CDA? Three things prompted its openA: ing: our demands, the ABRA approach and millennials. As far as our demands, we are
We used several media outlets to get the word out and we had a really good turnout! We actually had 450 applicants and there were 10 students in our first class. We’ve placed 100 percent of our graduates to date. We have so much work that we could literally hire 150 experienced
28 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
body technicians. As we move forward, the plan is to have 100-125 academy grads per year and we may even build additional programs on top of that. It has been really amazing and exciting to see so many people who raised their hands and wanted to be part of this. Many say they were struggling and couldn’t go to college or were in jobs with little or no future. The program has literally changed their lives.
unique and loyal experience, we hope they don’t even think about leaving ABRA when other companies come knocking on the door. We are currently looking for more students, folks who are highly passionate about cars and committed to a
What is the cost of the proQ: gram? This is what makes us really unique—there is no cost. In fact, A: we pay them for the duration of the five
weeks of training. When they graduate, we give them about $3,000 worth of tools, and they are placed in clean, wellrun repair centers. On top of that, we wanted to make it even more compelling. We give them a sign-on bonus paid out over a couple of years, which is a significant amount of money. We wanted to make sure we got the best of the best. Everyone is looking for talent and by creating such a
Beng Lee (SpringBoard Apprentice) confers with Joshua Rohde (ABRA CDA GM) on sheet metal work
career and want to be part of what we think is the best apprenticeship program on the planet.
will this initiative address gap in the industry Q: theHowtalent
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It’s not a possibility; it’s a realA: ity. As we share information about the program, we want to be very
and what is ABRA’s vision for the academy?
Many of our leaders in the comA: pany started as a body technician or as an estimator and ended up
thoughtful and careful what we tell them about the career path and the income trajectory. As we look across ABRA today, an $80,000 salary is an average number. Almost 25 percent of our technicians earn over $100,000 a year, and it really comes down to the individual’s ability to be efficient, productive and be able to work on a team. A lot of people might not realize that it can be as lucrative as that.
managing a store, a market, or a region. It’s much more than a technical job for some folks—it’s a career. It can be a very lucrative and successful job. We want to share that information with the general public and also to people in the trades. I honestly feel that we have created opportunities for folks who might not have thought about collision repair. For instance, We’re seeing a good number of women coming into the program, which traditionally has not happened in our industry. I’m really proud and excited to see that we have three women in a class, and we’re hoping to have more join on as we go forward. Our goal is to build awareness about not just ABRA but the opportunities in this industry as being a great place to start or advance your career.
(l to r) Christine Newman, Nick Spadoni, Ivy Hoffman, and Neal Sims; members of the Academy’s second class of 10 apprentices, watch as Loren Estwick (ABRA Technical Trainer), shows how to prep a bumper cover for repair
Many in the industry were surQ: prised to hear that technicians could earn $80,000 a year. Is this a
As part of our lean process, our technicians can become highly successful when they follow our process. It is an alternative to going to college
real possibility for technicians?
and racking up a bunch of debt; you can really earn a nice living being a body technician.
When you were formalizing the Q: program, what did you learn? We went out into the field and A: talked to our seasoned technicians and store leaders. We asked
them how long it would take to become a really good C-level technician. They told us that you would have to work on hundreds and hundreds of cars. We took that as a challenge. The initial timeframe we gave was about 12-18 months, as a best-case scenario. We have a very regimented program and have been able to take that from 12 months to literally three months. I’m proud to say that the two first classes graduated and they’re doing work that typically would take 12 months. All of a sudden people realized that the right learning environment will create incredible quality, proficiency and production. This is changing the way we are thinking about talent. If we can do this in five weeks and maybe another month in the field, it will alter the way we think about bringing talent in.
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Ivy Hoffman mixes metal glaze for small repair in metal finishing
We are able to determine who has the attitude, work ethic, the process focus and the mechanical aptitude for this industry. It’s phenomenal how people have gone through those assessments, and then done really well in the program.
What are the initial indications launching in July? Q: after See Workforce of Tomorrow, Page 32
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The last piece that is really interesting is that we’re not screening for technical skills. We can take someone who just graduated from high school who welds cars, and maybe has been working in the backyard or with their dad on a car and we can put them through two online assessments that look at attitude and personality, and mechanical aptitude.
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Honda Hits 700 Shops
long, but we kept telling them this is the future. This is not a fad like the hula hoop, it’s going to be the way of doing things from now on. Every car manufacturer in this country has some form of a certification program, so this is obviously the direction where the wind is blowing right now.” Seven hundred shops saw the light eventually, but it took a little stiff competition to get a few latecomers into the fold, Ledoux explained. “Some shops looked down the street and saw their competitors with their ProFirst plaques and they decided that they needed to do the same. They didn’t want to be left
out, so they did what they had to do in order to be in the program.” To qualify for the Honda ProFirst program, shops have to meet certain knowledge and skill requirements and maintain an I-CAR Gold status. They have to use the proper equipment and their people have to be highly trained. Technicians must complete Honda/ Acura specific I-CAR classes and shops also have to meet a list of requirements and pass an independent party inspection to get in, according to the American Honda ProFirst website. With a plethora of shops that are currently working toward meeting the program’s requirements, what can Ledoux tell them? “If you really want to be in the program, we are willing to help you in any way we can. The one
part of the process seems to slow down when it comes to the training component. They need to be I-CAR Gold or a VeriFacts VQ or Medallion shop, and that is something that can’t happen overnight. They can get the welder and are willing to do everything else, but completing the right training or becoming a VQ or Medallion shop seems to be an obstacle for some shops. So if you ever have any questions, just contact us and we will work with you, because we want good shops in the program if they qualify.” To support their ProFirst shops all over the country, American Honda has 10 reps visiting shops on a regular basis. “We have some of the best people in the industry out there in the field, and many of them are former
parts directors or long-term American Honda employees. They are always out there looking for top shops in each region to be in the program, but we always want to do a careful inspection of the facility before we start the conversation. We are looking for the best of the best.” Although American Honda is shooting for 1,200 members (which is roughly 4% of all the body shops in the U.S.) there are also geographic limitations and some regions that are already full. “At the beginning of this program, we devised a system to make sure that there aren’t a bunch of ProFirst shops in one region, and now some of the smaller markets are full. We don’t want to be like Starbucks, with a location on every corner. Unfortunately, some shops came to the party a little late, so they’re now on a waiting list.” Once a shop successfully does the work to become a ProFirst shop, the next step is leveraging the strength of the certification through internal marketing and other efforts, Ledoux said. “We recently had Michael Anderson from Collision Advice talking to some of our ProFirst shops and he told them basically that acquiring the certification is just the beginning. Putting that plaque in a prominent spot in your shop, mentioning the certification in your ads, etc.—these are all things you should do to get real value out of your role in the program.” Ultimately, any certification program, including American Honda’s ProFirst, does not bring you cars to repair unless you do your part, too. “Some members will call us and ask, ‘How many cars did you bring us last year?’ and we tell them, ‘This is not a DRP.’ We do get referrals for our shops, and consumers find them on our website, but I tell people that certifications set the table and then you need to do the rest. The insurance companies may drive cars to these shops, but it is up to the shop to retain these customers and get referrals from these customers by leveraging their status as a ProFirst shop.”
Your leading source for MIDWESTERN Collision Repair News! midwestern.autobodynews.com
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 31
Educational Seminars Institute Helps NACE Attendees Prepare for the Unthinkable by Victoria Antonelli
Speaker Maylan Newton began his presentation with a personal story about how one moment changed his life, and how shop owners can prepare for when illness, accidents, injuries, family issues, or even death strikes. “I try to use the lessons I learned in a very hard way to prevent other people from having that happen,” said Newton. Newton presented his seminar “It Happens! But Will Your Business Survive It?” during the 2016 NACE | CARS Expo and Conference, which was held in Anaheim, CA from August 9-13. On December 30, 2014, Newton, owner of Educational Seminar Institute, crashed his motorcycle while having a small stroke, also known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). He broke his left collar bone and seven ribs. Only days later, on January 2, 2015, he suffered from an Ischemic Stroke in his occipital and temporal lobes. The doctors told his wife and two children that he may not make it through the night, and if he did, he Continued from Page 30
Workforce of Tomorrow
When you start a new program A: like this, you really don’t know what to expect because the industry
doesn’t have a well-defined career path for body technicians. Part of our work
would most likely be a “non-functioning person” for the rest of his life. Newton defied the prognosis, and after spending a month and a half in the hospital, he was finally released on February 14, 2015. He endured four more months of strenuous physical therapy and recovery before speaking
Maylan Newton riding his motorcycle
about his experience at trade shows and conferences across the United States. “Even though a TIA is extremely preventable, it causes 180,000 deaths per year in the United States and is the number one cause of adult disabilities,” explained Newton. He said the stress, along with the nature of his job, caused him to put his gives us the ability to set compensation according to specific skill levels and competencies. This is particularly important with millennials, who are continuous learners and grew up with the ability to selfeducate. Although the program is not just for millennials, that seems to be a constant trend. It allows them to know how to reach a certain goal, what it takes and then what happens at that point.
health on the back burner. The business owner started out as a technician, before “accidentally” becoming a service writer in the early 80s. “I complained to the shop owner about the service writer we had at the time, and the next morning he fired him and hired me,” he explained. “Even though I have no problem talking to people, I knew I still needed to be trained on how to make and close a sale along with other formalities.” Newton began training with the late owner of Educational Seminars Institute and started working for him full time in 1983. After the owner died from a heart attack in 1998, Newton took over his business in 2000. “My job required a lot of traveling, and when you’re on the road, eating right and exercising is very difficult,” he explained. While in the hospital, Newton’s wife said something to him that changed his life. “She said, ‘My number one fear has happened,’ and I asked, ‘What was that?’ to which she responded, ‘I have a business I know nothing about that I’m responsible for and it provides in-
come for my family.’” Newton said that was when he realized, “this is the biggest failure I ever could’ve had for my family.” So how exactly do you prepare for a catastrophe of such epic proportions?
Maylan and his daughter pose for a selfie during his hospitalization
“You have to recruit people whom you can trust,” Newton stressed. While he was in the hospital, his wife would bring him his cell phone. He would talk to his employees for 30 minutes daily, which left him physiSee Educational Seminars, Page 50
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Does this have any effect on Q: technical schools? Some people have asked us if A: we are taking students away from technical schools. We really
Christine Newman practices her use of a hammer and dolly within the metal finishing portion of training
is to define what it really means be an A-, B- and C-level tech and the skills, experiences and proficiencies needed to get from one level to the next. We think that’s important because it gives us an opportunity to articulate and explain the training that is needed to get to the next level. It also
aren’t. Instead, we are reaching out to many potential applicants who never even considered this career. The industry has a shortage of talent. Our hope is that our competitors may also see this as a good opportunity to find talent and encourage more people to join this industry. For more information about ABRA’s Springboard program and the Career Development Academy, call 763-585-6362 or visit www.abracda .com.
32 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
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www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 35
WyoTech is Now a Half-Century Old and Still Thriving performance courses, which are our street rod, motorsports chassis fabrication and high-performance courses. We now have three locations: Daytona Beach, FL, which is our motorcycle/marine school; Laramie, WY; and Blairsville, PA, where we have our automotive, diesel and collision-related campuses.
by Ed Attanasio
John Hurd, 52, is the Industry Relations Specialist for WyoTech. Autobody News recently asked him about his company’s three campuses, the curriculum for its collision repair programs, and how the need for qualified people in this industry has grown exponentially over the past five years. John Hurd is the Tell us a little about the Q: history of WyoTech. We’re celebrating our A: 50th anniversary this year for WyoTech. WyoTech was es-
Industry Relations Specialist for WyoTech and is currently planning big things for this year’s SEMA Show
tablished in 1966 as a diesel training program and we expanded into automotive rather quickly. We consider our core programs to be automotive, diesel and collision refinishing. Starting in the 1970s and through the 1990s, we added elective programs such as trim and upholstery and applied service management, where students learn all aspects of communications and business operations. We also created restoration and
ple?
You’re in a unique poQ: sition because you’ve been there so long – maybe
you can talk about how the collision industry has changed and why there’s such an extreme need now for new peo-
trades, electrical, welding, HVAC, construction—have been affected due to the aging workforce. And it is compounded because the secondary schools that are teaching industrial arts and automotive programs are fewer than ever. So what we’re finding is a real lack of education in our trades. Our focus is to try to create a larger pool of entry-level techs. We know too that we can’t do it alone. We’ve got to work together with the industry so that these schools are able to create good career development strategies.
What do you do as the IndusQ: try Relations Specialist for WyoTech?
The change has taken place I work with all of the industries within the last four to five years we are involved in to provide A: A: primarily. The aging of our technician support for our programs at the cam-
force is probably the biggest reason, and it’s driving the need because techs are retiring and it’s only going to escalate as we move forward into the next 10-15 years. So all of the industries—and this is not only in the automotive and transportation field, but all
36 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
puses and provide opportunities for our students. And that ultimately helps our outreach and admissions team. We’ve got admissions representatives that are positioned across the country. They visit high schools, private schools and community colleges and
present what WyoTech has to offer while creating more awareness around the need for new professionals in all of our industries, including collision repair. You’re seeing community colleges stepping back into the trades, but I still see the high schools and secondary market lagging behind. You know the perception from mom and dad: “Oh, you want to be a mechanic? You don’t want to get all greasy...” But the industry has changed and the old stereotype of backyard mechanics covered in dirt no longer exists. Everything is so high-tech now with the amount of electrical wires, connected systems, and computers in these cars. Who’s going to work on all that? It’s going to be the technically-inclined young people who really get the level of sophistication and skill needed to repair those systems. It’s a great time to be looking at this industry as a career and a good time as an education organization to be offering this training, keeping up with the changes in technology, and partnering with the some of the best companies in the automotive industry. One of our main priorities is evolving and updating our curriculum
to ensure that we’re meeting the need and the demands of all our industries, including collision repair. There are students that come to us with very little knowledge of tool nomenclature, vehicle terminologies, etc., so we’re adjusting our curriculum to support that. We also have students who complete high school automotive programs before enrolling. In addition, approximately 30 percent of our students are veterans whose skills in the military often transition well to the programs we offer.
How many collision repair stuQ: dents do you have in your programs?
Right now I would say it’s A: about 15–20 percent, with most of our students in our diesel programs.
So we are trying to build on that population and get more focus on collision by building awareness. If you look at Department of Labor statistics, the earning potential has historically been a bit better on your diesel and automotive side.
Q:
What do you offer for someone who wants to be a technician,
a painter or an estimator?
A:
We provide a good overview of entry level skills in each category of collision repair. We follow NATEF and the I-CAR standards. When students graduate, they have their Non-Structural Level One and Refinish Level One Platinum Certificates. We’re an I-CAR welding test site and an ASE test site both at Laramie and Blairsville. Our core collision program is 1,000 hours and the student also chooses an elective. So a student comes to WyoTech for nine months, 1,500 hours of training. We’re providing the students with a strong foundation to help them get employed—maybe they want to work on the metal side or on the refinishing side, it’s their choice, but we’re giving them the skills they need.
do you then try to help to Q: getAndthem jobs after graduation? Absolutely. One of the great A: things that has always been the hallmark of WyoTech is our career
services department. We’ve got a career services team that works with the students and employers. We hold ca-
reer fairs throughout the year at our campuses as well. We invite employers into the campuses; they set up tables and talk to the students. Many do interviews onsite at that time as well. We have them at least twice a year, sometimes as much as four – depending on the population.
Tell us what you’re going to Q: be doing at this year’s SEMA Show?
We applied to Ford for a vehiA: cle that we could customize and showcase at this year’s SEMA to
commemorate our 50th anniversary. It’s a 2016 Ford Transit van. We are doing a custom build and working on it right now. It’s going to resemble one of those old classic vans from the late 60’s and early 70’s, but with new technology throughout. The build is currently being filmed at our Blairsville location for season 12 of Chop Cut Rebuild, so it’s exciting. We’ll be in Central Hall at this year’s SEMA show, booth #23893, and we will also be showcasing our motorcycle program by building an early 1970s Easy Rider-type Harley to tie in with the theme of 50 years.
Valspar’s House of Kolor Releases New Color Book
House of Kolor®, a Valspar Automotive brand, has unveiled its newest color books, complete with the Shimrin2™ Intermix System, select featured formulations and classic colors that the custom paint company is known for in the industry. The new book, available now to order, also includes more than 250 custom color samples and the following: ● Undercoats ● Solid Graphic Kolors ● Karrier Bases ● Shimrin2™ Effect Packs ● Kustoms Styling Kandy™ Basecoats ● Base and Effect Custom Stylings ● Urethane Kandy Kustom™ Stylings ● Factory Packs
“From the deepest candies to unique sparks, this color book offers the latest in color documentation for House of Kolor,” said Gina Mahan, brand manager of the House of Kolor line at Valspar Automotive. “Whether you’re a longtime refinisher or a weekend warrior, this color book will become an important part of your project, a must-have when you’re considering color for a vehicle.” To request a copy, visit: http:// www.houseofkolor.com/contact-us.
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 37
Shop Strategies
Stacey Phillips is a freelance writer and editor for the automotive industry. She has 20 years of experience writing for a variety of publications. She can be reached at sphillips.autobodynews@gmail.com.
Small Town Business Splits Time between Collision Repair & Classic Car Restoration with Stacey Phillips
In the small town of Edina, Missouri, it is not uncommon for Hunter Body Shop to simultaneously work on a collision job, a restoration project and selling a used car. Established in 1982, owner Billy Hunter focuses on what he enjoys best—working on all makes and models of cars and taking care of his customers. In addition to the collision repair side of his business, Hunter Body Shop specializes in classic car restorations and pre-owned vehicle sales. Autobody News spoke to Hunter about what he loves best about the industry and some of his upcoming projects.
and aluminum welders. Over the years, we have found success using AkzoNobel and PPG products in our shop. We try to focus on customer satisfaction because that is your best advertisement. I have always had a passion
time from the age of 12. His specialties are painting and fabricating. One of his special builds was a right-hand drive 1957 Chevy convertible that was featured in several magazines. Our latest creation is a 1970 Nova. We also have
my love of hot rods. After high school, I went directly to work in a few different shops before starting my own in a 24-by-24-foot garage at the age of 21. That was in 1982.
1970 Chevy Nova with custom chassis, integrated roll cage and LS1 motor
We now have a 30,000-squarefoot facility staffed by my wife, Belinda, our son, Brett, two full-time technicians, a part-time detail girl and myself. We focus on collision, restorations, heavy equipment, semis, boats, motor homes, hot rods and customs. We also do custom exhaust and 24hour towing. In a small town, you need to do it all!
How are you able to meet cusQ: tomers’ needs with so many different areas of focus?
A:
In order to meet our customers’ diverse needs, our facility has two paint rooms, three frame machines
What do you enjoy most about Q: running your business in a small town? My favorite part of the business A: is working together as a family and considering my employees also as
my friends. I enjoy all of the daily surprises that come with a small business in a small town. We appreciate all of our customers who have kept us going for 34 years. The collision business is exactly what you make it. It’s hard work, but very rewarding. We struggle to find young people willing to put in the time it takes to learn the craft and also the labor, but we have an excellent staff right now. We have many more projects coming up on our ‘to do’ list!
How did you get started in the Q: collision repair and classic car restoration business? My auto body experience started in high school, working nights A: and weekends in a local shop to fund
two Corvettes, a 1963 Split Window and a 1962 convertible in the works. However, all of this takes a backseat to our customers’ collision work.
1957 Chevy with blown 900 HP motor and suicide doors
for cars, especially hot rods. We build our own chassis and complete the entire car except for the interior work.
tell us about your claswork? Q: sicCancaryourestoration One of our first specialty builds A: was a 1959 Cadillac. We took the roof off, fabricated floor boards and
put in a 900 hp Big Block Chevy for the motor. The car had originally belonged to a doctor here in Edina, which is a town of 1,200. It has since been featured on the television show My Classic Car and has been to the SEMA
S9 Cadillac “Ratillac” with blown 900 HP Big Block Chevy
show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as well as numerous shows around the country. Our son Brett joined the business full time in 2006 after working part
38 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
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www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 39
Historical Snapshot
—John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, who has a body shop in the family and has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988. He is the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com). Contact him by email at jyoswick@SpiritOne.com.
National Leadership Conference, Lou DiLisio on 9/11, NACE in ‘06, MSO Panel in ‘11 with John Yoswick
20 years ago in the collision repair industry (October 1996) The fourth resolution approved at the event dealt with the responsibility of insurers, shops and vehicle manufacturers to provide vehicle-owners with information regarding the use of nonOEM or salvage parts in the repair of their vehicle. “We, as well as the insurance company, have the responsibility to disclose to the consumer what he’s getting on his car,” Kansas City shop owner Bill Eveland said. He said his shop has customers sign a document that lists any non-OEM or salvage parts used in the repair, and explains that the shop cannot guarantee any such parts. But others at the conference said it is also the vehicle manufacturers’ responsibility to educate consumers about the possible ramifications that use of non-OEM or salvage parts may have on the vehicle warranty. Fred Fleming of General Motors
said most vehicle manufacturers have or soon will have printed materials available that will help shops explain warranty issues to consumers. “No one wants to be surprised on a new model vehicle that the driveline warranty has been negatively affected,” Fleming said. The resolution approved called for insurers requiring or encouraging the use of non-OEM or salvage parts to notify vehicle owners in writing of this practice prior to authorization of repairs. It also called on vehicle manufactures to educate consumers about parts-related warranty issues, and on shops to notify customers of the types of parts to be used. – As reported in Autobody News about the “National Leadership Conference,” a gathering of state association leaders from around the country. The automakers have continued to use consumer marketing and other tactics to stave off competition from alterna-
40 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
tive parts, although the percentage of OEM parts among all those used has declined over the last two decades.
15 years ago in the collision repair industry (October 2001) Since the horrific events of September 11, I have spoken to many individuals about what has happened and how it might affect us in both the short- and long-term future. One of the issues that has been raised is the upcoming Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, scheduled for October 3 and 4. I have talked to several people who suggested we cancel the meeting, while others have pleaded to continue as planned. We are not a nation of quitters, and while I completely understand and respect the apprehension one might have in traveling and congregating at a meeting, I also feel as though we must continue on. This great country was not built on trepidation and uncer-
tainty; it was built on the will to live and prosper. In that light, we will continue on with our plans to hold the CIC meeting as scheduled in Alaska. The meeting will be held three weeks after the tragic events of September 11. A time for healing and reflection is upon us now. We are a nation that will rise from this event stronger
Lou DiLisio, who in 2001 was the chairman of the Collision Industry Conference, decided to go ahead with the planned CIC meeting in Alaska just three weeks after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001
and more determined than ever, and the time to start that movement is now. – From an editorial by Lou DiLisio, at that time the chairman of CIC. The meeting was attended by about 60 people, far fewer than the 200-400 people at most CIC meetings.
10 years ago in the collision repair industry (October 2006) But the growth continued well into the 1990s, with the NACE trade show setting new attendance records each time it returned to Las Vegas: 22,517 attendees in 1991, 35,800 in 1994, and just over 41,000 in 1997, when the show also hit a peak of 656 exhibitors in a massive 277,500-square-foot trade show. One of the positive outcomes of NACE’s growth has been the show’s ability to bring in some of the country’s most-coveted keynote speakers. They’ve ranged from political heavyhitters like George Bush (2002) and Elizabeth Dole (1997) to sports legends like Fran Tarkenton (1994) and Lou Holtz (1992). Others came from the media world, such as Larry King (1998), Bill O’Reilly (2003) or Geoge Stephanopoulos (1999). “It’s great being able to see people
like Colin Powell (1996) or G. Gordon Liddy (1990) – that guy ran a chill up your spine,” Don Peers, now a retired Nebraska shop owner, said. “I’m not big on movie stars or singers or stuff like that, but anytime you get to see any of those people live, it’s impressive. If [Ret. Gen. Norman] Schwarzkopf (1995) announced that day he needed 1,000 volunteers right now to go into combat, I would have followed him out the door.” – From a history of the NACE trade show, published in The Golden Eagle, October 2006. The event no longer includes big-name speakers as the attendance shrunk below 30,000 after 2004 (and under 10,000 since 2013). But show organizers say this year’s event in Anaheim, Calif., back in August marked the third year of growth.
they would be better off just ensuring that they consistently meet those expectations every time. Brock Bulbuck, CEO of The Boyd Group, the Canadian firm that also operates 128 shops in the United States (including the True2Form and Gerber Collision chains), said the problem with that concept is that customer expectations keep rising. “If you don’t strive to wow and exceed and set the bar as high as you can, I think you run the risk of establishing a culture in your organization where just doing your job is good enough,” Bulbuck said. “I don’t think that’s conducive for creating promoters (among customers) and growing your business.” Caliber Collision CEO Steve Grimshaw also agreed that exceeding expectations is the key to differentiating your business from the competition. But Cathy Bonner, president of the 47-shop Service King chain in Texas, said there is some logic in what the U.K. insurer was espousing. “I think in collision repair, the primary customer is insurance, and if you don’t exceed their expectations, you will not be rewarded with growth,” she
5 years ago in the collision repair industry (October 2011) At a day-long symposium for multishop operators held during NACE this month, a panel of MSO representatives was asked to comment on a proposition, espoused by an insurer in the United Kingdom, that businesses often “trip over themselves” trying to exceed customer expectations when
said. “The secondary customer is the traditional retail customer. I think it’s true that you don’t have to exceed their expectations; you just have to satisfy them. That’s what we’re rewarded on by the primary customer, the insurance companies, whether we have satisfied those customers and given them great service.” – As reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), October 24, 2011. Bulbuck continues to lead The Boyd Group, which now has more than 350 shops in North America. Grimshaw is still CEO of Caliber, which now has more than 400 shops. Bonner was shifted from president at Service King to chairman of the company’s board after investment firm The Carlyle Group acquired majority ownership of the company in 2012; the company now has more than 300 shops.
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What Shops Can Expect to See in Vehicle Hacking, Accident Avoidance Technology & Cybersecurity software, connectivity and content all happening at the same time, Alam said Leading automakers and experts in that over the next 10 years consumers vehicle security, telematics technol- and shops are probably going to see ogy, and diagnostics and repair shared the biggest change in vehicles since their insights with the collision repair the days of Henry Ford. industry during the Technology & He gave a simple analogy, comTelematics Forum at NACE CARS paring the vehicles of today to a hamExpo & Conference in August. They burger. Like a burger with all of the different layers of condiments, the technologies in vehicles are being added on top of one another. “They have never been designed to be a single system,” said Alam. “They all came from different suppliers. Security was just an afterthought that came along.” He stressed the importance (l to r) Moderator Donny Seyfer, chairman of ASA; Craig of designing security for veSmith, a reverse engineer and “white hat hacker;” and hicles from the ground up and Mahbubul Alam, a developer of solutions to respond to referred to the five “Cs” that vehicle hacking will need to be addressed: discussed how advanced technologies, connectivity and the Internet are 1) Chipsets (that go into your elecchanging the automotive industry. tronics) Presented by the Automotive Service 2) Clients Association (ASA) and Automotive 3) Connectivity Technology Experts, the forum was 4) Cloud-based sponsored by the Alliance of Automo- 5) Content being shared bile Manufacturers, a group of 12 of the leading car manufacturers in the While developing future security sysworld. tems, Alam said car manufacturers Here are some of the highlights should consider borrowing best pracfrom the three presentations: Vehicle tices from other industries such as fiHacking, Accident Avoidance Tech- nance, defense, utility, aviation and nology and Vehicle Security. manufacturing, to determine how they might apply to vehicles. The amount of software and techVehicle Hacking Donny Seyfer, chairman of ASA, nology going into cars is increasing moderated a session on vehicle hack- every year. Currently, vehicles have aping that featured Craig Smith, a re- proximately 80 percent hardware and verse engineer and “white hat hacker,” 20 percent software. Analysts project and Mahbubul Alam, who special- that nine years from now, in 2025, it is izes in developing solutions to respond to vehicle hacking. As a “white hat hacker,” Smith tests what the “bad guys” might do to hack a car. “If I want to go after a vehicle, typically what I’ll do for the most impact is see how far away I can manipulate the (l to r) Moderator Roy Schnepper, chairman elect of physical aspects of the car,” ASA; Matthew Valbuena, Mazda; Richard Salceda, he said. He will usually look Mazda; and Mark Allen from Audi. Not shown: Garrick Forkenbrock, NHTSA at 3G or cellular connections and attempt to unlock the doors or estimated there will be 60 percent softstart the vehicle. Smith predicted that ware and 40 percent hardware. encryption will increasingly be utiWith the close link between data lized to address hacking as more tech- and software, Alam said manufacturers nology is incorporated into vehicles. will need to monitor what types of softWith the development of new ware are on the vehicles to make upby Stacey Phillips
42 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
dates when new solutions are launched and monitor how they are functioning. This is similar to a mobile phone, which needs to be continually upgraded. Also similar to a mobile phone, consumers will have the option to upgrade when and if they want to. “When it comes to vehicles, there are certain demographics they aren’t going to feel comfortable updating,” said Alam. Instead they will go to dealerships, which will become an extension of the OEMs when it comes to updates. These are all new concepts for the auto industry, and Alam stressed the importance of matching technology with human acceptance when deciding which solutions to use in vehicles that are manufactured in the future. Summary of presentation based on information shared by Craig Smith, Theia Labs; and Mahbubul Alam, Movimento.
Accident Avoidance Technology Roy Schnepper, chairman elect of ASA, moderated a session on accident avoidance technology. Garrick Forkenbrock from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHT
SA), spoke about the administration’s focus on crash avoidance technologies. He said their mission is to save lives, prevent injuries and reduce the economic costs due to road traffic safety through education, research and safety standards. According to the NHTSA, about 32,500 people died on American roadways in 2015. This number is up 7.7 percent from 2014. Ninety-four percent of the crashes can be attributed to some form of human choice or error. “When we look at these numbers, there is a big opportunity for crash avoidance technologies to improve safety,” said Forkenbrock. During the session, he highlighted some of the crash avoidance technologies currently available. There are two main types: passive and active. Passive avoidance technologies have been around for several years and include forward collision warning, lane departure warning and blind spot detection. Those in the “active” category physically change the state of the vehicle and are becoming more common. There is Lateral Deviation Support See Vehicle Hacking, Page 46
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Shop Showcase KY Shop Pulls Its Weight for Local Special Olympics with Ed Attanasio
Randy’s Body Shop in Paducah, KY, has been in existence since 1982, when Randy Wiersma opened his doors with just five people, including two coop students from a local trade school. Randy’s wife, Dianne, ran the front of-
The annual Kentucky’s Big Brown Truck Pull in Paducah, KY gets sponsors from all over state and Randy’s Body Shop has been involved since its inception eight years ago. Credit: VUE Magazine
fice, and Randy jokes that his two young sons, Brad and Kyle, were also there as “part-time helpers,” with their principal roles being to interrupt pro-
duction. Well, those two annoying little teenagers have been running the show at Randy’s Body Shop since 2008, repairing 80 cars monthly with a crew of 20 people. Brad is the vice president/GM and Kyle runs the backend. Brad’s wife, Vanessa, manages the front office, and hopefully one of Brad’s two sons, Cody and Clay, will eventually step up to make this a third-generation business. Randy’s Body Shop is proud to be serving the people of Paducah, and that’s one reason why they have never forgotten their connection to this small town of 25,000 people. If there is a local charity that needs some help and assistance, the Wiersma family is willing to help, because they really care about fulfilling their civic obligations to the community. Every year, Randy’s Body Shop works with the Special Olympics as part of Kentucky’s Big Brown Truck
44 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.
Pull, held every summer on Paducah’s Riverfront. This event has raised more than $300,000 since its inception eight years ago. The shop’s participation in the event is in honor of Kyle and Brad’s brother David, 32, who is a
for individuals in Kentucky with special needs. People from the surrounding areas come out for the Big Brown Truck Pull annually, where they watch teams from the community as they pull a large UPS truck 12 feet. “Whoever can pull it the fastest wins, and they always get a big crowd for the event,” Brad Wiersma said. “They have all kinds of teams competing, including a youth category, where they pull a UPS van instead of a truck.” With a brother who has been competing in the Special Olympics for many years, The money raised from the event goes to the local Special playing an integral role in the Olympics and several teams consisting of Special Olympians Big Brown Truck Pull is satalways compete in the pull. Credit: VUE Magazine isfying for the family in sevSpecial Olympics athlete. Funds eral ways. “It’s a big deal, and every raised by the event are donated to the time I see these athletes out there, it is Special Olympics to provide year- definitely exciting,” Wiersman said. round physical fitness opportunities “Every year at the event, some Special
Olympians get up and talk about how their lives have been changed by the Special Olympics, and if that does not get you going, nothing will. We have seen how the Special Olympics have
Everyone comes out for the Big Brown Truck Pull as they watch teams from the community as they pull a large UPS truck 12 feet. Credit: VUE Magazine
enhanced David’s life, so we believe in it and love supporting it.” Brad Wiersma and his brother
Kyle have succeeded in a tough business because they listened to what their father said and did as they grew up in the shop. “My dad always told us to watch our costs and never spend more than you take in,” Brad said. “Always leave money available to invest into your business and remember that the focus should always be on the customer.” His advice must have worked, because success for the shop came quickly and gradual growth followed. The senior Wiersma moved his shop to an 11,000 square foot building in 1991, and today, the business has grown into a multimillion-dollar operation. As Randy’s Body Shop continues to grow, Brad and Kyle are continually looking to improve the business. The shop began offering routine clinics beginning with a Women’s Car Clinic in 2010, and now they sponsor Young Driver’s and Parents Clinics that are offered in conjunction with local insurance providers to educate young drivers about the importance of proper vehicle maintenance. In addition, Randy’s Body Shop gained its certification for child seat installations, which makes it the first and
only private organization in Paducah that is certified to offer car seat installations. Doing charity work helps to bring more business to the shop, but that is not why the Wiersma family supports the local Special Olympics via Kentucky’s Big Brown Truck Pull. “It does help, because people see us out there and they often mention it when they bring their vehicles in here to be repaired,” Wiersma said. “We all win by doing these types of things, and if we get a few more cars as a result--I won’t argue with it. But that’s not why we do it, and I think most people realize that it’s all coming from the heart!” Brad’s father opened his shop 34 years ago, more out of necessity than anything else. He kept destroying his own vehicles, so he figured that if he could fix them himself, he could save some serious cash. Dad must be proud of the fact that his sons have continued his legacy while giving back to organizations like the Special Olympics.
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CAPA Announces New Certification Standard for AC Condensers
The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) has announced the CAPA 602 Standard for the Certification of Aftermarket Air Conditioning Condensers; which includes performance testing requirements for leak resistance, burst resistance and heat exchange as well as fit. “Manufacturers who choose to certify their parts to CAPA’s Standards have a way to clearly demonstrate the quality of their products to the repair industry,” stated Deborah Klouser, CAPA director of operations. “The CAPA 602 AC Condenser Standard joins the CAPA 601 Radiator Standard as part of CAPA’s Cooling Parts Standards, which will also include a standard for cooling fans.” In addition to AC condensers and radiators, CAPA also certifies part types including fenders, hoods, grilles, bumper covers, headlamps, taillamps, fog lamps, front and rear bumpers, reinforcement bars and energy absorbers. Parts that meet CAPA certification requirements are authorized to display the CAPA Quality Seal and are identified on CAPA’s Certified Parts Listing at www.capa certified.org.
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Continued from Page 42
Vehicle Hacking
(LDS), which includes lane keeping support, lane centering control and blind spot intervention; and Automotive Emergency Braking (AEB), which includes dynamic brake support, crash imminent braking and pedestrian crash avoidance and mitigation. AEB systems, which vary by vehicle, use sensors to detect objects in a driver’s path and become operational just before the crash. NHTSA has performed research on crash avoidance technology for the last six years. This includes test track evaluations, safety benefit estimation, crash data analysis and ultimately developing objective test procedures to evaluate system performance. “We believe in the technology are making efforts to disseminate our research findings in reports and presentations,” said Forkenbrock. “We have worked with the industry and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to establish a voluntary commitment to have most automakers make AEB standard equipment by the year 2022.” There are also plans to incorporate AEB into the new cars assessment program for the model year 2018. According to NHTSA traffic safety facts, there are about 1.7 million rear-end crashes each year. Although not all of them would benefit from AEB, Forkenbrock said that approximately 910,000 per year could potentially be avoided or mitigated. It is also estimated that the combination of forward collision warning, crash imminent braking and dynamic brake support could prevent 200,000 minor injuries, 4,000 serious injuries and 100 fatalities. Approximately 613,501 lives have been saved by auto safety technologies over the last 50 years, according to NHTSA. “Safety will continue to be a major influencing factor for innovation including crash avoidance technologies,” said Forkenbrock. More information and videos are available on the following websites: www.nhtsa.gov; www.safercar.gov; www.youtube.com/user/USDOTN HTSA/Featured Following Forkenbrock’s presentation, Mark Allen from Audi talked about the types of driver assistance/ crash avoidance technologies from the car manufacturer, such as Audi’s adaptive cruise control, active lane as-
sist and top view camera. This was followed by a summary presented by Richard Salceda and Matthew Valbuena from Mazda about the company’s new technologies. These include driving position and interior layout, radar cruise control and the lane keep assist system.
speed, steering and braking could lead “It’s the responsibility of the reto safety features like driver correction pair shop owner to make sure that the and alerts but according to reports, systems in the shop are secure,” said your behavioral driving patterns could Gruszczynski. “You don’t need to habe as identifiable as a thumbprint. ve an IT guy on staff or on call, but you Smith said it’s important to look should have somebody on your staff at what types of images are being who does understand all of the aspects stored on the car and being sent off and of the data that comes from the vehicle how this information is being and where it goes.” He also recomused. mended that shops do their best to stay As part of the Future of educated about new requirements. Privacy Forum, she said their “I think there needs to be continuapproach is to determine best ous work together to make sure the data practices for these types of stays safe, consumers stay safe and venew technologies and figure hicles stay safe,” said Gruszczynski. out how to enable the tech- Smith agreed. “This is the very beginnologies to exist and be use- ning of this debate and I think as the data (l to r) Moderator Bob Redding, lobbyist for ASA DC; ful but also to think about grows and as the technologies grow this Lauren Smith, Future of Privacy Forum; and Bob consumer protection. “Yes, will become a bigger and bigger topic,” Gruszczynski, Volkswagen your car is learning more and she said. More information about these more about you and sometimes that Summary of presentation based on technologies can be found on their websets off red flags,” said Smith. “But information shared by Lauren Smith, sites: www.audi.com and www.mazda the reality is that what your car knows Future of Privacy Forum; and Bob .com. about you can save your life and we’re Gruszczynski, Volkswagen. here to foster those conversations.” Gruszczynski spoke to attendees Vehicle Security During the third portion of the forum, about the short- and long-term soluFOLLOW US ON Bob Redding, lobbyist for ASA DC, tions to address cybersecurity issues. INSTAGRAM : moderated a seminar on vehicle cy- These include vehicle manufacturers bersecurity with guest speakers Lau- using gateways, shutting down auto@autobodynews ren Smith from the Future of Privacy matic enhanced diagnostic recognition Forum and Bob Gruszczynski from and transmitting the data to a cloud. Volkswagen. Smith said that transportation is expected to change more in the next five years than it has in the last 50. One of the biggest changes is that cars are increasingly relying on more data and sensors, and becoming more like a computer. Data collection in vehicles isn’t new by any means. Computerized systems have been in cars since the 1960s and data recorders, used since the 1990s, are in 96 percent of cars today. However, there have been many recent developments. “The prediction is that 50 billion connected devices will exist by 2020,” Original BMW Parts & Accessories said Smith. Not only is more data being collected, but it is also being commuLarge Inventory nicated outside of vehicles through the Competitive Pricing manufacturer, a plug-in or a service inExperienced Staff stalled by the owner of the car. This can include sensitive data such as where someone is located as Phone: 614.471.2277 well as biometric information that colOriginal BMW Parts lects physical and biological characParts Direct: 614.337.3090 teristics of the driver. Smith cited the Parts Fax: 614.476.2488 example of internal cameras that capbmwusa.com ture facial recognition, voice samples www.kellybmw.com and the individuals who are in the car. Hours: M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-2pm Another area of sensitive data being collected includes behavioral 4050 Morse Rd • Columbus, OH 43230 driving patterns. Behaviors such as
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Professional-Looking Uniforms Are No Longer Just Optional by Ed Attanasio
I was in a large shop recently talking to a couple of technicians and I was impressed by their knowledge and commitment to the industry. Two of them were I-CAR Platinum Level certified and the other one was on his way to achieving the same. We were discussing things like aluminum repairs and the value of training, but I could not help but stare at them. None of them were dressed the same, and all of them wore different baseball hats, representing the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Raiders and even another shop, which I found interesting. Two of them had uniform shirts that looked like they were older than me, and the third gentleman was donning a t-shirt advertising a band called the Insane Clown Posse. Wow, these guys are smart; they communicate well and they’re obviously dedicated to what they’re doing, so why are they dressed so poorly? That’s why I decided to write my column this month about shop uniforms and how they can help (or hurt) your company’s image.
Ted Stein, the state president of the California Autobody Association (CAA) and the fixed operations director at Penske Ford in La Mesa, CA has a
total of 38 years in the industry, so he knows the importance of uniforms in a shop environment. “We are very picky about our uniforms, and we make them a priority,” Stein said. “They are an extension of your business, and if your people look sloppy, that reflects on the
entire company. Your uniforms are a definite form of branding, so whether they are t-shirts with your logo on them or something more formal, people are going to see them outside of the shop, when your crew is out having lunch, etc. Image is so important in this industry, because the consumers are relying on us for being honest, approachable and responsible for fixing their vehicles, so we need to look the part.” The days of technicians and counter people wearing their own clothing at work are long gone. While many companies now have more and more casual dress days, automotive repair companies are gravitating away from this trend. If you want to run a professional business, it all starts with what the consumer is going to see. Uniforms that are clean and neat will make the customer more confident and comfortable and will contribute to making the entire process easier overall. Many businesses have discovered that having uniforms in the workplace helps to strengthen and support a cohesive team spirit. A more focused and unified workforce often leads to improved productivity and superior com-
pany performance overall. Seeing is believing, and making a good impression goes a long way. That’s why collision repairers see the results of featuring clean uniforms on their crew every day. To find out the effectiveness of uniforms for your crew, experts at J.D. Power and Associates polled consumers as well as employees and the results are compelling: ● Three out of every four consumers prefer employees in uniform. ● 97 percent of the people polled said that uniforms help to make your crew more recognizable. ● Seven out of every 10 people said that uniforms make your employees look more professional and easier to approach.
Other people polled about uniforms said things such as: ● “Uniforms give the company a better image.” ● “Employees in uniform look more professional and appear to be better trained than those not in uniforms.” ● “They look like a team with uniforms, because no one stands out and everyone looks neat and presentable.”
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Employees asked about their uniforms stated the following: ● “We project a quality image with uniforms, and the customers are more confident in our ability to do a good job by wearing them.” ● “It creates good morale, because if we look good, we will logically feel good as well.” ● “Uniforms allow us to focus more intently on our work, because we never have to worry about what to wear to work.”
Your crew is an extension of you and how you run your business, so uniforms are an ideal way for you to create the image you’re looking for. Today’s consumers are a lot more discerning and know so much more about customer service, transparency and branding. To placate the average customer, you need to create a positive image in every aspect of the repair process, and clean and neat uniforms can be an integral part of that. So if you’re currently not using uniforms or need new ones, make it a priority, because body shops all over the country are using uniforms as part of their formula for success and it’s working.
AAPEXedu Announces 2016 Service Professionals Program
This year’s AAPEXedu (Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo Education) Service Professionals Program is designed to help automotive repair shops connect with today’s tech savvy customers and stay ahead of the curve on key issues affecting their businesses. The Service Professionals Program education lineup includes: ● Shift … Selling to a New Generation of Tech Savvy Customers
● Understanding and Strengthening Your Brand (two-part program)
● Synthetic Oils: Rejuvenate Your Maintenance Service Business
● Achieving Service Excellence in Today’s TPMS Market
● Induction Systems Diagnosis and Repair ● 15 Seconds to Yes!
● Self-Driving Cars: Car Sharing and New Users to Increase Vehicle Usage and Mileage
● Attention to Detail: Make Brake Service More Efficient and Profitable
The Service Professionals Program, sponsored by MAHLE Aftermarket Inc., (Booth 2661), will take place on Thursday, November 3, at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. In addition, several sessions in the AAPEXedu program on Tuesday, November 1 and Wednesday, November 2 will benefit service professionals. The AAPEXedu program includes sessions on sales and purchasing, marketing, branding and customer relationships, industry trends and connected car opportunities. The Service Professionals Program and all sessions in the AAPEXedu are offered at no cost to AAPEX attendees. Sessions are accredited by the University of the Aftermarket toward the Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) and Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations. Attendees are asked to register for AAPEXedu sessions, as some classes have limited seating and fill up quickly. To register, visit www .aapexshow.com/newse. In addition to the AAPEXedu sessions, this year’s Service Professionals Program will include AVI technical training and the Automotive Service Association (ASA) management training on Monday, October 31 and Tues-
day, November 1. There is a separate registration fee to attend these training programs. To learn more about ASA’s program, visit www.aapexshow.com /asa. For more about AVI’s program, visit www.aapexshow.com/avi. The NASTF Fall 2016 General Meeting on November 2 at the Sands Expo/Venetian Hotel will round out this year’s Service Professionals Program. According to event organizers, AAPEX 2016 is expected to feature more than 2,200 exhibitors and 45,000 targeted buyers. Approximately 160, 000 automotive aftermarket professionals from more than 140 countries are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX. AAPEX represents the $328.2 billion global aftermarket auto parts industry and is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).
For more information, visit www.aapex show.com.
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Continued from Page 32
Educational Seminars
cally exhausted. “I told them, I trust and love you guys like family, so just make the right decisions and we’ll figure it all out later on,” Newton said. “During that time, the company actually gained clients, and did not lose a single one.” There was only one other person in the company who did presentation work. During that six month period, he covered all of Newton’s presentations along with his own, causing him to travel twice as frequently. The only presentation he wasn’t able to cover was one that he and Newton were supposed to do together. “I hired a young man to cover that presentation; I had never met him before and only had one hour-long phone conversation with him to go over how I usually conduct my seminars,” Newton explained. “He ended up doing a phenomenal job.” Educational Seminars Institute did not miss one presentation commitment during that six month period. “The biggest problem I see amongst small business owners is EGO,” Newton
said. “You have to let your employees take the lead and make mistakes.” Other pointers that Newton went over in his presentation included:
♦ Share your business philosophy with employees and provide training
♦ Set clear expectations for every position through operation manuals that include processes and procedures Another question business owners should know the answer to is: What do employees need in order to operate the business? A list of the following with contact information:
Vendors • Parts • Sublets • Towing • Glass • Rental cars
Survey: Top Services Wanted By Dealership Service Center Customers
Record360, an industry-leading provider of asset condition software, has released the official results of its first-ever survey of dealership service center customers. The survey’s findings point to an increased need for dealership service centers to improve their service transparency and provide greater visibility into vehicle condition to retain repeat customers. The nationwide survey, fielded by Pollfish, was conducted on June 5, 2016 on behalf of Record360. The survey was conducted online among 500 adults who had taken their vehicle into a dealership service center for maintenance within the past twelve months. The survey probed on the factors that influence visiting and not visiting a service center, as well as what general and tech-related services customers would want to see from service centers. Key findings included: ● The top reason for not choosing a dealership’s service center for maintenance is uncertainty over the cost of the service itself.
to a service center if they thought an item went missing from their car during their last visit.
● More than half of customers want a free car was as part of their visit, and 41% want an email record of their vehicle’s condition.
As dealerships fight to drive their CSI scores higher, the survey’s findings point to ways dealerships can offer stronger customer service. According to Shane Skinner, Record360’s Co-Founder & CEO, “It’s exciting to see that customers are asking for services that are well within any dealership’s ability to offer. Whether it’s stronger transparency around cost and the time it takes to complete maintenance or around visualizing vehicle condition, customers are asking for things that dealerships can implement right now, or with some minor technology upgrades.”
● 80% of customers would not return
50 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
References • Repair information sources • Hotlines for technical assistance • Passwords, usernames, secret questions and answers • Accounts payable • Accounts receivable
Who does what? • Who’s in charge of payroll? • When is payday? • What do we / do we not work on? • What methods of payment do we accept? • What is the end of day closing process?
Employee Profiles: • Individual strengths and weaknesses • How are they compensated? • What are their job duties / responsibilities? • Any unique circumstances agreed upon?
Newton ended his presentation by reminding attendees to think about their family and business first, and how much both entities would be affected by their temporary, or sometimes permanent, absence. “Every time I do that presenta-
tion, either by the end of class or the next day, four or five people email me, hand me notes, or call me and say that the class changed their life,” he said. “They think about business differently, and they’ve started making personal health goals.” Newton also shared that he now walks six miles a day to stay active and maintain his health. He has also developed a workbook for shop owners to have on file in case employees need to run the business. Those interested can receive a copy via email by contacting esi@esiseminars.com. For more information on Education Seminars Institute Automotive Management Specialists, contact (866) 526-3039 or visit their website at www .esiseminars.com
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The Road to Autonomous Vehicles: How Collision Repair Shops Should Prepare to stay.” While sharing information with Two years ago, Sean Carey, an expert attendees, Carey was 16 floors above in the subject of connected cars and the Connected Car Insurance USA telematics, made a prediction. The 2016 conference in Chicago. The conCEO of SCG Management Consultants ference was attended by all of major said that the connected car would ultiinsurance carriers and the majority, if mately change the claims and repair innot all of the large vehicle manufacdustries in a profound way. turers. Fast forward two years and Carey said that the there has been a significant claims/collisions market is increase in the development currently in a state of being of the connected car, with highly fragmented and somenew entrants to the market what dysfunctional, with insuch as Google and Apple, surers dominating the landand the widespread use of scape and MSOs a signifiSean Carey, Advanced Driver Assistance cant barometer of the indusCEO of SCG Management Systems (ADAS) and Mobiltry. As a result, it’s leaving Consultants ity. the independent shops adrift “There are significant disruptive and consumers are somewhat getting forces taking effect with vehicle techlost. nology that will be prevalent as soon At the same time, vehicle techas 2020 that will change the market nology is moving at a rapid pace reforever,” said Carey, during a Guild 21 quiring different repair methods and webinar in September about the conprocedures and creating what he renected car. “While nobody can quite ferred to as a “technology tsumami.” agree when the fully autonomous car “The connected car is connected will be on the market, it is profound to everything,” said Carey. Some of change and it is going to happen faster the capabilities he mentioned inclu-de: than most expect. It’s here and it’s here ● Car to Home/Work: Controlling by Stacey Phillips
52 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
homes from the car (turning on lights, HVAC) ● Car to Car: Real time traffic flow and incident alert, gaming/entertainment, and eco driving and coaching ● Car to Infrastructure: targeted advertising, tolls/metering and parking, vehicle recovery ● Convenient and Entertainment: social apps, streaming music, wifi hotspot and mobile wallet ● Traditional Telematics: diagnostic and vehicle health reports, hybrid navigation and concierge call ● Cloud/B2B: data analytics
Carey said the connected car market has a 45 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR). By the end of 2017, it is estimated there will be approximately 75 million connected vehicles on the road, 25 million of which will have an active user. In 2020, there will be an estimated 220 million connected vehicles on the road, 85 million of which will have active users using the connected car to communicate with outside sources. “That’s significant growth,” said Carey. Carey talked to attendees about
what he referred to as the “Road to Autonomous Vehicles” and the pathway to get there. 1) No Automation: The driver is in control of all aspects of driving; there are no assistance systems; 2) Driver Assistance: May include warning systems such as lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and rear parking sensors; driver is in control of remaining aspects of driving; 3) Partial Automation: There are one or more assistance systems for steering and accelerating/decelerating; driver is in control of remaining aspects of driving; 4) Conditional Automation: Vehicle is control of certain driving scenarios (e.g. highway); driver needs to be able to intervene on request; 5) High Automation: The vehicle is in control of driving; the driver needs to be able to intervene with lead time; and 6) Full automation: the car has full control; there is no driver—only passengers!
Currently, there are vehicles that exist
with conditional automation. By 2021, Ford is expected to introduce a fully driverless vehicle to the market without a steering wheel or pedals for braking and acceleration. Carey said the ADAS currently being used in some vehicles will be an indicator for the way the claims and collision repair sector will be affected. This incudes things like auto emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and parking assist. “All of these things are going to have a fairly dramatic impact on both the frequency of claims, the number of cars available to repair, and the severity of the claim, the cost necessary to repair them,” said Carey. He also addressed how this will impact the accident rate, citing a study conducted by KMPG on Self Driving Cars – Automobile Insurance in the Era of Autonomous Vehicles. KMPG predicted that by 2040 there will be an 80 percent decline in terms of accident frequency per vehicle, compared to today. The average cost per claim (with all loss cost included) is projected to increase from approximately $15,000 in 2016 to $35,000 in 2040, which is a 2.5 times increase.
“Our belief is that the disruption to insurance carriers will be profound—with a select set of winners and a broader swath of potential losers,” said KMPG in its report. “As the way we drive and commute transforms, the amount, types and purchase of automobile insurance will be impacted. The disruption to insurers may be profound, and the change could happen faster than most expect.” Carey said the changes are already taking place. In Illinois, for example, there are plans to alter the toll roads, so semi-autonomous cars can have express lanes in the same way other cars do. As part of KMPG’s research, insurance executives were asked which entities, other than insurance companies, did they think would be a major provider of vehicle insurance in the future. Fifty-eight percent believed Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs); 45 percent answered startup companies, 39 percent thought established technology firms such as Google and Intel; and 32 percent said capital providers, including venture capital, private equity and other investment firms. When asked which entities would
“own” the data related to driverless vehicles, the majority of the respondents believed established technology firms (81 percent) and OEMS (71 percent) would be the primary “owners” of data related to driverless vehicles. “The inclination and indication here is that executives at insurance companies believe the OEMs and the large technology firms will enter this space in a very big way,” said Carey. “I think the OEMS will leverage technology in areas such as First Notice of Loss (FNOL) through the connected car and we’re starting to see evidence of that.” Earlier this year, Toyota launched a new, U.S.-based telematics car insurance company, Toyota Insurance Management Solutions, and more are expected to follow. In order for collision repair shops
to prepare for the changes ahead, Carey recommended repairers plan for a future where there are less repairs coming from a different source requiring higher and different skill levels and using different procedures, equipment and technology than today. “OEMs are at the forefront of creating this future and it’s making its way into the claims/repair segment,” said Carey. “If you’re not preparing for a different supply chain model, you should be.” Sean Carey has over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, with degrees in mechanical engineering, marketing and international business. Currently, he is a strategic consultant in the claims and automotive space and is an expert in the subject of connected cars and telematics. For more information, contact Sean Carey at sean@careyscg.com.
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From Refugee to Top Technician: The Duc Huynh Story by Ed Attanasio
He looks forward to his I-CAR classes, reads repair manuals during his free time, and pursues as many certifications as he possibly can. Whenever
U.S. at the age of 15 three decades ago. Today, Huynh is a star at Anderson Behel—the only body shop he has ever worked for. The shop’s owner, David Mello, remembers the first
Duc and David Mello, the owner of Anderson Behel. Duc says that other shops try to recruit him, but he will never work for another shop, regardless of how much money they offer him
there is a tough technical question at the shop, they immediately call upon him, and for the past decade, he has been mentoring and training young body technicians. His name is Duc Huynh, and he recently celebrated his 26th year as a body technician at Anderson Behel in Santa Clara, CA. His credentials are impressive and his story is amazing, especially when you find out that Huynh is a Vietnamese refugee who did not know how to speak, read, or write in English when he came to the
time he met Duc and decided to add him to his team. “He came to us from the Central County Occupational Center (now known as the Silicon Valley Career Technical Education Center) in San Jose after graduating from high school in 1989,” Mello said. “After interviewing a few prospects, we decided to pick Duc. He had a great attitude that was like ‘I can do this.’ We sensed that he would excel in the job, and he has proven us right again and again. It is a delight watching him grow as a
technician and embracing all of the training and education that is offered to him. Everyone here enjoys working with Duc because he is always in a good mood and has a great sense of humor.” Huynh’s family came to this country in the early 1980s, but it wasn’t exactly a slam dunk. With his parents, two sisters and three brothers in tow, his family escaped Vietnam and fled to Thailand. But they were detained there and stuck in a refugee camp for almost two years, until divine intervention changed everything. “We were basically stuck there in this camp and there was no hope, really,” Huynh said. “It was scary, especially for a teenager like me. The food was terrible you had to pull garbage and dirt out of it before you could eat it. Then one day, the Pope came to visit us at the camp. He gave us all a signed picture of him and he spoke to us.” The national publicity created by Pope John Paul II’s visit led to several countries stepping up and offering the refugees in Huynh’s camp asylum. Since Huynh’s father had worked with the U.S. government during the war,
they all ended up in San Jose, CA, where Duc began attending Santa Teresa High School almost immediately. “I could not speak, read or write English, but they stuck me in normal classes and I sat there, staring at the wall,” he said. “We had no schooling in Vietnam during the war, so I was way behind for my age. I got straight F’s that first year, but slowly I learned English and improved. I learned a lot watching TV, to be honest.” Huynh’s achievements as a tech are represented by his impressive array of training certifications. He is an ASE Certified Master Body Technician, I-CAR Platinum (Both NonStructural, Structural and Aluminum); OEM Certified for Porsche, Nissan GT-R, and Cadillac CT6 and has served as an AYES Mentor for CCOC (now SCTVE) intern students for more than 10 years. Currently, Huynh is working closely with the shop’s newest trainee, Armando Gonzales, according to David Mello. “Armando came to us as a referral from Bob McTaggart, an inSee Duc Huynh, Page 61
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Phone: Duc Huynh is currently mentoring Armando Gonzales (left), a recent tech school graduate who is learning the collision industry at Anderson Behel in Santa Clara, CA 54 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
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www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 55
Industry Insight with John Yoswick
—John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, who has a body shop in the family and has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988. He is the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com). Contact him by email at jyoswick@SpiritOne.com.
MSO Symposium Looks at International Business Models, Slow-Down in Consolidation Consolidation of the industry by the remain the same,” he said. so-called “Big 4” multi-shop operaTo gauge the rate of MSO growth, tors (MSOs) slowed significantly in Romans looked at the total sales of the the first seven months of this year, but shops that the “Big 4” MSOs—ABRA, that isn’t a sign that such consolida- Caliber, Service King and Boyd Group tion is ending, a speaker at this year’s /Gerber —acquired in each of the last NACE predicted. four years. Those acquisitions transIndustry consultant Vince Ro- ferred $300 million in sales to the Big 4 mans of The Romans Group kicked in 2012, $265 million in 2013, and a off the half-day “MSO Symposium” whopping $964 million in 2014. But during NACE with a statistic-laden that dropped to $535 million in 2015, summary of the state of consolidation and totaled only $188 million in the first in the collision repair industry. seven months of this year. While the Big Romans said MSOs and the in- 4 combined added 178 locations last dustry as a whole enjoyed a year, they added just 61 this very good 2015 in terms of year (as of the end of July). the growth of the overall ABRA in particular, he said, market. He estimated 14.5 has “taken a breather,” not million accidents resulted in making any multiple location 11.3 million repairable vehiacquisitions in the first half of cles in 2015, with total re2016, after being very aggresVince Romans pairer revenue (insurer- and sive in the two prior years. customer-pay combined) topping Romans said he didn’t know what that $34.1 billion. That’s a nearly 5 percent decline means, other than that things have jump over 2014, “and 2016 could also clearly slowed down.
In terms of combined total revenues, the Big 4 have grown from $500,000 million in 2006 to $3.7 billion last year. Multi-location franchise networks (such as CARSTAR and Fix Auto USA) have seen much more modest sales growth in that time, going from $1.1 billion in 2006 to $1.3 billion last year. When other MSOs with annual sales of $10 million or more are also added into the mix, the MSO market as a whole has almost tripled its sales from $3.8 billion in 2006 to $10.2 billion last year. That means that large MSOs captured about 30 percent of the industry’s total revenue last year. That said, Romans noted that the Big 4’s 1,400 shop locations is still a small percentage of the total number of shops, which he pegged at nearly 33,000. “There’s still a lot of independents out there,” he said. “In my opinion, there’s still a lot of opportunity for the shops that not part of this consolidation group, or even part of a multi-location
operator group.”
Future MSO growth gauged But Romans looked forward as well as back in terms of consolidation, offering two projections for what he sees the industry looking like in terms of MSOs in 2020. In terms of the “Big 4,” Romans forecasts they will grow from their current annual sales $3.7 billion and 10.9 percent market share to about $6.5 billion and a 17 percent market share by 2020. In a second, “more aggressive forecast,” he said based on “some claims that a couple of consolidators have made recently about where they might be,” the Big 4 may hit $7.5 billion or 19.7 percent market share by 2020. When the franchise networks are added in, along with other MSO with annual sales of more than $10 million, Romans predicts this segment of the market will have 2020 sales totaling between $15 billion and $18 billion for
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as much as 47 percent market share. cussion on collision industry business of the network in those countries where Romans said whether that figure models around the world. Panelists they don’t feel they’re getting an adesounds startling or not “depends on were asked, for example, for countries quate solution,” Hogg said. your perspective.” where they see insurers and collision He noted that Fix Auto has ex“For 4.5 years from now, I don’t repairers working particularly well topanded into four new countries in the think that’s a big deal,” Rogether. Jonas Gunnarsson, a last 18 months. mans said. “I think it will start vice president of Car-o-Liner, “Our problem is we can’t expand to be a big deal when those said his home country of fast enough,” he said. “It does take time segments start to represent 60 Sweden would fit that deto ramp up.” percent or 65 percent of the scription, but also the Middle The Fix network hasn’t signed a market. That kind of structural East country of Dubai. global arrangements with any insurer, change will be even greater “If you have a collision in but Hogg said that is a long-term obJonas Gunnarsson Dubai, you come to a place than we experience today.” jective. The network in each country In the even shorter-term, Romans where you have sort of a supermarket: the operates somewhat autonomously – said maybe the industry will be talking police are there, insurers are there, workeach chooses its own management sysabout the “Big 5” rather than the “Big 4.” shops are there, inspections are there, tem, for example – but data from all “I suspect maybe we’ll see maybe a rentals are there,” Gunnarsson said. “A such Fix shops is fed into “the Fix hub.” fifth consolidator somewhere in the next one-stop shop. It’s working very well.” “So from an insurer perspective, 12-18 months that could come into this As insurance increasingly be- we’ll be able to report on a consolidated market and really mix it up,” Romans comes a global enterprise, the panel [global] basis,” Hogg said. said. “It could be an international entity, was asked how they see the collision He also voiced a concern often disor it could be another aggressive [U.S.] repair industry responding. cussed within the United States but that entity funded by private equity or some Dan Hogg, the chief fihe sees in most markets in other financial channel.” nancial officer for Fix Auto which Fix operates. World, said he sees increasing “From a network perspecinterest among insurers for extive, our shops pursue OEM International perspectives shared This year’s MSO Symposium was open panded partnerships. shop certification where it not just to those from MSOs but also “Conversations we’re hamakes sense for their business, larger single-location shops (those with ving with some of the European but I tend to think that the reDan Hogg annual sales in excess of $3 million) as insurers indicate they are intermuneration for obtaining those well. ested in us expanding into other countries certifications is lagging behind the actual The event included a panel disso they can take advantage of the benefits cost of doing so,” he said.
CDS Announces Release of asTech2™ Diagnostic Tool
Collision Diagnostic Services (CDS) has announced the release of the next generation asTech2™ diagnostic tool. The new asTech2™ device, which began shipping in July, will cover nearly all makes and models from 2008 and beyond. In addition to launching a new mobile app, the company also added new features that include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. The asTech2™ device was awarded 2nd place in the collision repair and refinish product category at the new product showcase at the 2015 SEMA Show. According to the company, CDS received a significant number of pre-orders for the product as a result. “The next generation asTech2™ device represents a significant step forward in our company’s pursuit to provide the best diagnostic services to the collision repair industry," said Dan Young, VP of sales and marketing, CDS. “With today’s vehicles, it is becoming increasingly difficult to perform a proper repair without the help of trained specialists in the area of diagnostics, as evidenced by 4 of the top auto manufacturers’ recent pre- and post-diagnostic scan position statements.”
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Tips for Busy Body Shops Five Ways to Deliver Outstanding Customer Service with Stacey Phillips
An automobile accident can be a very traumatic experience and vehicle owners look to us, as body shop owners and technicians, to take care of them and their vehicles. It seems obvious, but sometimes when we’re caught up in the day-to-day routine, we can easily neglect to provide excellent customer service. “The customer is the lifeblood of your business so treat them that way,” said Mike Cassata, during a recent presentation at NACE CARS Expo & Conference in August. “Make sure they understand that you value them and they are the reason you are there.” The owner of Hammer Insights told attendees that a well-treated and
take that much time to implement but the benefits can be huge for your business.
Make a Good First Impression Many shops focus on technician training, but it’s important not to forget the office staff. They are the first ones a customer talks to, both over the phone and in person. Train your staff to always be courteous and to ask customers when it’s convenient for them to drop off their vehicles. Can they easily find your location? Make sure your shop has adequate signage to be seen from the road and provide plenty of parking if possible. When customers arrive, greet them at the door
Importance of the Customer by Kenneth B. Elliott
A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him… He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so. satisfied first-time customer can turn into a repeat customer and eventually become your regular client and an advocate of your shop. Over time, you may even develop a personal relationship and they may soon begin to feel like your friend. Not only is this beneficial for your business, it’s important to insurance carriers as well. “We have a grocer, doctor, dentist, baker, butcher and mechanic; why not a collision repair professional?” said Cassata. Cassata offered tips during his presentation, which is an elective in the Automotive Management Institute’s degree program. The capacity crowd participated in a discussion on how to deliver outstanding customer service. Many of the recommendations don’t
and take the time to go over all of the procedures with them. First impressions are key. The bottom line—“Make your business easy to do business with,” said Cassata.
Provide an Inviting Environment Cassata said that in addition to friendly customer service, a welcoming environment will leave a positive lasting impact on your customers. Rather than entering a shop full of vapor smells and loud noise, consider providing soft music or set up a television in the lobby. Customers will appreciate having a comfortable area to wait for their vehicles and offer coffee/tea, bottled water and soft drinks. Many customers will bring their children and having a place for them to play or read is an-
58 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Stacey Phillips is a freelance writer and editor for the automotive industry. She has 20 years of experience writing for a variety of publications. She can be reached at sphillips.autobodynews@gmail.com.
other good addition. Also, make sure to have clean restrooms that are easily accessible.
Be Empathetic For many customers, a visit to your shop will be the first time they’ve been in an accident. They may feel lost and confused. Help them feel comfortable and let them know you understand what they are going through. A little TLC will go a long way. “In many cases, you will be the only insurance company representative to meet the customer face to face,” said Cassata. “Fix the customer first, then fix the car!”
Deliver Peace of Mind Exceed their expectations! Assure your customers that you will provide the best service possible and repair their vehicles to the required specifications. Always partner with the best in the trade, whether it’s the tow operator, paint manufacturers, jobbers, me-
chanical shops, parts suppliers or IT providers.
Communicate Often How do your customers want to stay informed about the repair process? Find out if they prefer to receive a text, email or phone call. Let them know if the vehicle isn’t going to be ready when originally scheduled and follow up to keep them notified about the progress. “If there is a problem, resolve it quickly before it becomes a bigger problem.” For more information, contact Mike Cassata at 585-794-0914 or hammerinsights@outlook.com.
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Continued from Cover
Alt-OE Parts
requirements] is that parts are described in a manner the customer understands. So you need to find a way to explain it so the customer understands exactly what they’re getting. I would go so far as explaining: Are they getting the same warranty? Is it the same type of part? Is it a blemished part?” A shop owner at the meeting told Ramos that at least some of the parts
appear to be OEM, arriving in OEM packaging even if sold by a recycler or non-OEM parts vendor. In such instances, the shop owner asked, should they be listed on the estimate as OEM? “It’s hard for us to say exactly how to classify it,” Ramos responded. “You as a shop owner will have to decide what it is.” But another shop owner pointed out that several automakers, including Toyota and General Motors at a meeting held in conjunction with NACE, have said they have no programs to sell
OEM parts outside of their dealer network, and that only parts purchased through their dealers are “OEM.” “I think Toyota and GM just did you a favor, by telling you [that ‘altOE’ or ‘opt-OE’] is not OEM,” Ramos told shops at the presentation. Representatives of Honda and Mercedes-Benz earlier this year similarly said they have no involvement in the “alt-OE” or opt-OE” parts category. Ramos said he doesn’t anticipate the BAR will add those categories to its list of accepted parts terminology,
Regulator suggests shops take themselves out of the middle
The agency that licenses collision repair shops in California says shops too often put themselves in the middle of discussions that consumers themselves should be having with their insurance company. Representative of the California Bureau of Automotive Repair at NACE in August were asked about insurers refusing to pay for pre- or post-repair scans that some automakers have called necessary in recently-released position statements. “You as a shop owner need to take a step back and tell the consumer, ‘Your insurance company is not paying for this,’” Jaime Ramos of the BAR’s field operations and enforcement division suggested. “Tell them: ‘The manufacturer is saying we have to do it. In order to do it right, I need to do that. The insurance company is telling me no. How would you like for me to proceed?’”
Ramos said he can appreciate shops trying to go to bat for their customers with insurance companies. “But I guarantee you they have a little bit more leverage with their own insurance company that you do,” he said. “And if they don’t, then it’s their option. They can pay for it. Or you can document on the invoice that you requested to do it, the insurance did not want to pay for it, the consumer called the insurance company, and the consumer doesn’t want to pay for it either. Then if there’s any trouble codes in there, it’s going to be all on the consumer or the insurance company.” Ramos said he couldn’t speak to the necessity of the scans. “But certainly if a manufacturer found that there’s a need, that when you’re repairing a vehicle you should be doing that, I think that carries quite a bit of weight,” he said.
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given the ambiguity even within the industry about what such parts are. But neither, he said, is the BAR likely to put something in writing showing that those terms are not a recognized part category. Ramos said it’s just easier to list the acceptable terminology than to try to list all the potential unaccepted terms. Jack Molodanof, a lobbyist who represents the California Autobody Association (CAA), said the state’s insurance commissioner’s office is looking into the issue as well, but has not yet taken a position. “If they do take a position similar to BAR, they are going to tell insurance companies to stop it,” in terms of pushing for the use of alt-OE or opt-OE parts, Molodanof said. “But they’re not there yet.” In the meantime, he cautioned shops, stay in compliance with BAR regulations. “If the insurance company is telling you to do something, and you’re doing it and it violates BAR, the insurance companies are not going to be there for you, because the BAR doesn’t care about the insurers,” he said. “They care about you, and it’s your license that is at risk.”
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A number of industry leaders have said that if there’s pressure from shops and regulators in California on parts suppliers and the information providers to better define “alt-OE” or opt-OE” parts in that state, that may lead to some changes nationwide. John Yoswick, a freelance writer
based in Portland, Oregon, who has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988, is also the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www .CrashNetwork.com). He can be contacted by email at jyoswick@SpiritOne .com.
CCC offers help for California shops’ compliance with regs
California collision shops face some unique challenges in complying with Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) regulations, but one information provider is working to help shops meet those challenges. The California Autobody Association (CAA) worked with CCC Information Services to help give shops access within the system to some key BAR regulations, along with tips on how to use the system to meet those requirements. Shops, for example, need customer authorization not only at the start of repairs but also for any supplements as well. Within the ‘help’ application of CCC, shops now can pull up that requirement to review it. Adjacent to that
information is how shops can enter custom disclaimer information that will print on their estimate for the customer to sign. For a verbal authorization, the CCC help app explains, users can create permanent notes on every file, indicating when the customer was called, what phone number was used, and what was discussed. Those notes are date-andtime-stamped with the estimator’s name. CCC’s Mark Fincher said the BAR regulatory help is now in the CCC help app nationwide. CAA’s Don Feeley said CCC has agreed to share the information with the other two major estimating system providers to see if they wish to incorporate similar help in their systems.
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structor at SVCTE. We will have him work with each journeyman for at least one month during his internship with Duc. To give him a well-rounded exposure to all of that we do in the metal department at Anderson Behel, Armando will learn about every aspect of the industry.” Once his apprenticeship with Huynh is completed, Gonzales will begin to work on his own, with jobs assigned directly to him. Next June, the shop will likely take on another trainee from SVCTE in an attempt to continually grow their own technicians while providing careers for local students from the South Bay, Mello explained. Huynh does not hesitate when asked to mentor students at Anderson Behel, even though it requires a lot of time, attention, and TLC. “I show them the right way because it is really the only way to fix these cars,” he said. “I teach them the most important things, like being on time and taking pride in their work. You better have some knowledge if you want to make it in this field. I teach them and then
they leave, but it is satisfying because now a few of them have careers in this industry.” With qualified body technicians in huge demand, Huynh gets calls from competing shops every once in a while. “Yes, they go Duc hunting,” he said with a laugh. “But, I would never think about leaving here. David Mello gave me a chance and sure, somebody can offer me a few more bucks, but what about loyalty? We have a great crew here and a boss who takes care of us. He cares about me and my family, and I will never forget that.” What does Hyunh consider his greatest accomplishment, and what does the future hold for him? “Both of my daughters are going to graduate from college, the first people in my family to do that,” he said. “They are top students and I think they are going to have good careers. For me, I just want to get better at my job and help people our customers, young people who want to get into this business, and everyone else here at Anderson Behel.”
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CREF Seeking “Back to School” Support for High School and College Collision Programs
High school and college collision school programs across the country are beginning, and the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is seeking the industry’s support in helping instructors with donated collision tools, equipment, supplies, products, scrap parts, and other related items. As instructors continue to face limited budgets, the collision industry is invited to help in providing in-kind product donations—which are tax-deductible—that can assist in helping to provide a quality technical education to the students. To kick start the back to school giving, MCR Safety has donated 50,000 pairs of safety glasses and goggles to CREF that will be distributed to schools across the country. This donation will greatly assist students in staying safe within their collision programs and will be one less expense that instructors need to worry about budgeting for. MCR Safety chief operating officer Glen Herald commented, “MCR Safety is proud to be able to assist with these donations. I encourage others to do the same with overstocked inventory.” CREF director of development
Brandon Eckenrode noted, “Industry companies who have items that can be donated to collision school programs are asked to contact the Education Foundation, and together as an industry, we can show these students that their technical education is greatly valued. Instructors have very limited budgets and every bit of assistance helps them provide the best technical education possible. Also, we cannot thank MCR Safety enough for their continued support of donated safety glasses, as they easily have donated over 100, 000 pairs within the past several years, and its always touching when you receive phone calls from instructors who are emotional over the fact that these types of donations mean the world to them due to their budgetary restraints.” Those interested in joining CREF in supporting local collision school programs should contact Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation .org or (847) 463-5244.
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IAnet Selects CCC ONE® Appraisal Platform as its Preferred Solution
CCC Information Services Inc. (“CCC”) has announced that its CCC ONE® Appraisal Platform has been selected as the appraisal solution of choice by IAnet, an independent appraiser (IA) network serving the insurance claims market. According to the company, the CCC ONE Appraisal Platform will offer the IAnet community of independent appraisers a central way to manage appraisals and to connect with their business partners, bringing speed, accuracy and efficiency to the appraisal process. The CCC ONE® network accessible to IAnet includes more than 22,000 collision repairers and hundreds of auto insurance carriers. “IAnet has a laser focus on appraisal accuracy and efficiency,” said John Donley, president and CEO of IAnet. “By offering our network of IAs access to the CCC ONE Appraisal Platform, we’re equipping them with the best estimating and appraisal management tools as well as a way to work seamlessly with the expansive CCC network. We’ve named the CCC ONE platform our solution of choice because we be-
lieve it can help us become an even better partner to our clients, delivering accurate appraisals, quickly and with a high level of service.” “IAnet is a leader in the delivery of appraisal services and its endorsement of our CCC ONE Appraisal Platform is great validation of the steps we’ve taken in the last two years to address the technology gap that has existed for IA solutions in our industry,” said Mark Fincher, VP of market solutions, CCC. “Our approach has been to create a single, cloud-based platform that would include the features and functions needed by appraisers to be successful, while making it easily accessible from anywhere, and connected to the largest network of insurers and collision repairers.” For more information, visit http:// www.cccis.com/.
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Collision Repair Education Foundation Announces Support From Driven Brands
The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) has announced a commitment of $40,000 from Driven Brands to support the Education Foundation’s upcoming collision career fairs around the country, which connect high school and college collision students with potential employment opportunities. Driven Brands will participate in the second annual Cars, Careers & Celebrities Expo on September 16th at the Chicagoland Speedway, attracting collision and automotive students from the Midwest and beyond. In addition to the Chicago event, Driven Brands will be participating in the Education Foundation’s fall career fairs taking place in Minneapolis, Boston, Atlanta, Columbus, and will have access to the hundreds of collision students’ resumes that will be collected by the Education Foundation. Jose Costa, group president of Driven Brands’ Paint and Collision division said, “By partnering with CREF, we’re able to connect with aspiring technicians, relay the benefits of work in the paint and collision industry and share success stories of our franchisees.” CREF director of development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “I would like to thank
Driven Brands for joining the Collision Repair Education Foundation in our efforts to not only support high school and college collision school programs but also connect their students with employment and career opportunities. Through their support, we will be able to continue and enhance our efforts in ensuring that graduate students are ready for entry-level employment within the industry. Through their participation in our events, Driven Brands can showcase their opportunities around the country. We thank them for their support!” CREF’s collision career fairs are open to all industry members. Sponsorship funds raised through these career fairs assist the organization’s efforts in ensuring that collision school programs provide the tools, equipment, and supplies needed to graduate qualified and skilled entry-level employees. Industry members interested in participating in the career fairs and meeting with high school and college collision students are encouraged to contact Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed -foundation.org or (847) 463-5244 for sponsorship and participation information.
62 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
THE RIGHT PARTS For Your Collision Job Visit these Genuine Hyundai Parts Dealers
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3M™ Introduces Cavity Wax Plus
It’s lurking behind nearly every collision repair: the potential for salt and corrosive chemicals, moisture or damaged coatings from stone chips to allow corrosion to attack the repaired area. It’s one of the primary causes of future vehicle damage and customer returns. A 3M survey of body shops found that a large majority of repair technicians are not using any cavity wax to prevent post-repair corrosion, and many that do use it don’t always apply it in critical areas where they should. In addition, many report that their shop’s equipment doesn’t always work correctly, is too bulky to reach all areas of the repair, or requires extensive cleanup time. According to 3M, the cosmetic consequences of poor corrosion protection can deter return business, but more importantly, the safety implications of failing to protect structural parts can be dangerous. OEMs and industry associations alike realize the importance of cavity wax and recommend its use in numerous repair situations. As a result, 3M is offering a step that can help preserve the life of the repair and the safety of the vehicle: application of an anti-corrosion agent like 3M™ Cavity Wax Plus. “3M™ Cavity Wax Plus uses a corrosion-inhibiting formula that will
wick into tight seams to protect welded areas and enclosed cavities with a film that will not harden and remain flowable to self-heal if scratched or abraded,” a statement from the company read. “When used with the 3M™ Cavity Wax Plus Applicator Wand Kit, it will deliver the right amount of flow and wicking to provide consistent and uniform protection for the repair.” The aerosol can eliminates the need for using bulk spray equipment, and the wand kit includes three different length wands, two of which offer a 360-degree spray pattern. The wand kit includes an 8” wand for easy access to areas such as radiator support seams, and two long wands (24” and 34”) to access enclosed areas such as frame rails and rocker panels. “With the new 3M Cavity Wax Plus and the innovative application system, the repair professional can easily, efficiently and cost-effectively protect their repair – and their customer’s investment and safety. Most OEMs recommend the use of a cavity wax for collision repairs, so this allows the technician to restore the vehicle to next best to factory condition, which helps meet insurance standards as well.” For more information, visit http:// 3mcollision.com.
I-CAR® Creates Online Tool to Calculate Training’s Return on Investment
I-CAR® has unveiled a new way to measure the value of training through its Value of Training calculator. Shop owners and managers can now calculate their own training return on investment based on industry KPI standards, number of technicians and the facility’s total revenue. According to the company, the business tool was developed based on several years worth of research findings. I-CAR’s white paper, “Data Proves ROI of Collision Repair Training,” served as the baseline for the calculator’s development. Shop owners and managers can measure the additional revenue a shop can gain through training by inputting its annual revenue, order amount and total number of technicians. The calculator then populates and compares shops without training and those who include training. “These figures were produced by leading industry KPIs imperative to shop success measurements,” a statement from the company read. “The new Value of Training calculator enables those at the management level in repair facilities to explore the financial ROI that training has
been proven to deliver,” said I-CAR CEO and president John Van Alstyne. “Additionally, owners and managers need to understand that technician training is a requirement in today’s era of new car model proliferation. 75-100 new or redesigned models are now launching every year, and each one features new advanced technologies that dramatically impact the repair process. A commitment to education is required to survive the ‘Technical Tsunami™’, and our new Value of Training calculator shows that shops can also thrive while they are surviving.” The calculator can be found at https://www.i-car.com/trainingpays.
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651-288-2525
Phone: Fax: 651-490-2652
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Parts Dept. Hours: Mon - Thur: 7am - Midnight Fri: 7am - 5:30pm, Sat: 8am - 4pm
Phone:
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Fax: 651-490-2652 Serving all of MN and Western WI 2873 N Hwy 61, Maplewood, MN 55109
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 63
AAPEXedu to Focus on Industry Trends, Market Data According to event organizers, the Industry Trends track in this year’s AAPEXedu will provide key market data and analysis to help attendees stay ahead of the curve and prepare their businesses for the future. In addition, results of The NPD Group’s 2017 Consumer Outlook Survey, now in its 11th edition, will be unveiled for the first time exclusively to AAPEX attendees during an Aftermarket Outlook session. Sessions in the AAPEXedu Industry Trends track will include: • 2017 Aftermarket Outlook (offered twice) • Is Vertical Integration Going to Redefine the Competitive Landscape? • Commercial Vehicle Trends (GVWs3 - 8) – Where is the U.S. and Canadian Commercial Market Headed? • Five Trends in Five Minutes • Spanning the Globe: Leveraging Data to Gain Insight into Vehicle Trends Across International Borders • Reaping the Benefits of Category Management for Retailers/Distributors and Suppliers • Next Generation Engagement: Proven Strategies to Attract and Retain Millennial Talent
• Scrappy: How to Cultivate Tactical Ideas to Reach Your Goals The Industry Trends track is one of six education tracks in the 2016 AAPEXedu program. Additional tracks include Connected Car Opportunities, Sales and Purchasing, Marketing, Branding and Customer Relationships, a Service Professionals Program and a Young Professional Program. For session descriptions and a complete schedule, visit AAPEXedu on the AAPEX website, www.aapex show.com. A General Session address by retired four-star General Michael Hayden, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and National Security Agency (NSA), will round out the 2016 AAPEXedu program. General Hayden will speak on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. (PST), at the Venetian in Las Vegas. The AAPEX General Session is free to all AAPEX attendees and no pre-registration is required. All AAPEXedu sessions are offered at no cost to AAPEX attendees. Attendees are asked to register to reserve a seat in the classes they plan to attend as many sessions will fill up quickly. To register, visit www.aapex show.com/newse.
AMi Honors Class of 2016
The Automotive Management Institute (AMi) held its annual graduation ceremony on August 12 at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Anaheim, CA. The ceremony honored the Institute’s 22nd class of Accredited Automotive Managers (AAMs). The graduating class of 2016
Class of 2016 AAMs and AMAMs
included 23 automotive service and collision repair professionals who earned the Institute’s prestigious AAM designation by successfully completing AMi courses and accumulating a minimum of 120 credits. This year’s event also recognized 59 members of its first graduating class of Accredited Master Automotive Manager (AMAM) designation by successfully completing AMi courses and accumulating a minimum of 180 credits. The Automotive Management Institute collaborates with training providers across the industry, aligning training courses into comprehensive educational curricula which, when completed, results in professional designations and certificates. The education represented by these
programs have proven to make positive impacts on business KPI scores and overall profitability. AMI courses concentrate on seven core areas of business management education: financial management, sales & marketing, operational management, HR and personnel development, IT management, risk management and leadership. “In their pursuit of professionalism, these graduates have demonstrated dedication to improving their skills and knowledge,” said AMi chairman Sheri Hamilton. “I am honored to know many of this year’s graduates, and they have placed education as a priority to make a difference in their careers, workplace and industry. This year’s class of AAMs and AMAMs are empowered with knowledge to be the current and future leaders of the automotive service industry.” “It was an honor to recognize these two elite groups of professionals and add them to an impressive list of past AMi graduates,” said AMi president Jeff Peevy. “It is important to acknowledge the accomplishments represented by the AAM and now the new AMAM designations and its connection to improved business and personal performance. Learning truly is the only source of a sustainable competitive advantage, and this group is a great example of that.”
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Al Piemonte Nissan, Inc. Melrose Park 708-343-6669
(708) 343-0706 Fax M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 chrisk@apnissan.com www.apnissan.com
MINNESOTA
Eden Prairie Nissan Eden Prairie 952-567-2150
(952) 567-2197 Fax
M-F 6:30-7 parts@edenprairienissan.com www.edenprairienissan.com
Illinois
South Dakota
Audi Exchange
Audi Sioux Falls
Highland Park 847.432.5880 847.432.5708 Fax
Sioux Falls 888.540.6399 605.221.0550 Fax
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parts@grahamauto.com
Ohio Byers Audi Columbus 888.804.7895 614.863.1770 Fax M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-2pm wholesaleparts@byersauto.com www.byersimports.com
64 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Axalta Appoints Samuel L. Smolik to Board of Directors Axalta Coating Systems has an- tain the sustainability of our operanounced that Samuel L. Smolik tions.” has joined the company’s board of Before assuming his current directors. Smolik is senior vice position at LyondellBasell Induspresident – Americas manufactur- tries in 2015, Smolik was vice presing at LyondellBasell Inident—global health, dustries, a plastics, chesafety, environment and mical and refining comoperational excellence at pany serving businesses the company. From 2005 in the packaging, electronthrough 2009, he was ics, automotive parts, hovice president—global me furnishing, construcdownstream health, sation materials and biofuels fety, security and envisectors. ronment at Royal Dutch “Sam’s broad man- Samuel L. Smolik Shell and before that held agement experience and his exten- a similar position at Shell Chemisive operations expertise will make cal. Between 1975 and 2004, Smostrong contributions to the board,” lik held a number of positions of said Charlie Shaver, Axalta’s increasing responsibility at The chairman and CEO. “Sam’s wealth Dow Chemical Company, including of expertise gained during his ca- a role during its merger with Union reer working at some of the world’s Carbide, before attaining his final leading chemical and oil and gas position as vice president, global companies will provide valuable in- environment, health, safety and sesights into how we can continue to curity. accelerate continuous improvement Smolik has been a member of in our global operations. His deep the American Fuels & Petrochemiknowledge of environmental, health cal Manufacturers Association, the and safety systems will prove espe- American Chemistry Council’s Recially valuable as we continue to re- sponsible Care Committee, and The inforce our health and safety pro- Conference Board’s Chief EH&S tocols as well as our commitment to Officers Council, among other affirespect the environment and main- liations.
Automotive Parts Associates Establishes Scholarship Opportunities for Stakeholders’ Children
Automotive Parts Associates (APA) has established a scholarship program for the children of APA shareholders and their employees in conjunction with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF). Once a student applies for an APA scholarship, the applicant will also be considered for UAF and other scholarships available through www .automotivescholarships.com. “On behalf of the board of directors of APA, I am pleased that APA can be involved in the educational pursuits of its shareholders and their employees,” said Gary Martin, AAP, president and CEO of Automotive Parts Associates. “Partnering with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation is an excellent way to achieve this endeavor, and we look forward to being involved with the continued success of this program.” APA will award five $1,000 scholarships each year to children of APA shareholders and their employees who are attending or will attend a two or four-year accredited college; an ASE/NATEF certified postsecondary automotive, heavy duty or
MINNESOTA Brookdale Volkswagen Brooklyn Center
763-331-6480 Fax: 763-331-6481 M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 8am-4:30pm
parts@brookdalevw.com
Burnsville Volkswagen Burnsville
800-328-2842
collision technician training program; or any licensed and accredited vocational school. Eligible students may apply online by completing the scholarship application form as well as submitting the accompanying APA form to APA headquarters. “We want to commend APA for establishing scholarships for the children of their shareholders and employees and thank them for collaborating with us on this effort,” said Pete Kornafel, MAAP, a trustee of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. “Last year, more than 50 students received more than one scholarship from one application, so by working together, we can ensure that APA applicants receive proper consideration for the APA awards and also other industry scholarship opportunities.” Applications for APA scholarships for 2017 will be accepted from mid-September through March 31. For more information, visit www .automotivescholarships.com.
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Byers Volkswagen Columbus
888-804-7895 Fax: 614-863-1770 M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-2pm
wholesaleparts@byersauto.com www.byersimports.com
SOUTH DAKOTA Graham Automotive Sioux Falls
Fax: 952-892-9471
888-540-6399
parts@burnsvillevw.com
Fax: 605-221-0550
parts@grahamauto.com
OHIO Brunswick Volkswagen Brunswick
Toll Free: 330-460-7080 Direct: 330-460-7080 Fax: 330-460-7082 M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-4pm
www.brunswickautomart.com
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 65
Auto Glass TV Informs and Entertains Technicians Every day, auto glass technicians visit their local auto glass warehouse for the items required to perform their jobs. As they wait for their glass and supplies to be pulled, a casual wait time will now potentially expose those technicians to information, products and education courtesy of Auto Glass TV.
Auto Glass TV was created in hopes of keeping the auto glass industry aware of new and valuable information. According to the presenters, Auto Glass TV is a state-ofthe-art broadcast network that is available at auto glass warehouses. AGTV™ displays current area weather, local traffic reports, auto glass
industry news, events, education, product demonstrations and original AGTV™ programming. Equalizer® designed AGTV™ around the accessibility to its Equalizer® Store locations to broadcast content directly to the auto glass technician. AGTV™ displays information that plays con-tinually, all day and every day. “Auto Glass TV features the best possible content to give technicians a specialized insight into the complex world of auto glass removal, replacement and repair,” a statement from the company read. AGTV™ programs and ads feature a unique QR Code on the video that technicians can scan during the broadcast using their smartphones in order to view the video in its entirety at their leisure. For more information, visit www .autoglasstv.com.
The Automotive Management Institute (AMi) has aligned industry training into comprehensive educational curriculum that, once completed, provides certificates and professional designations for collision repair customer service representatives, office managers, managers and master-level general managers.
■ KPI Basics - Length: 30 mins / AMi Credit Hour: 1 ■ Job Costing - Length: 30 mins / AMi Credit Hour: 1 ■ Budgeting Basics - Length: 30 mins / AMi Credit Hour: 1 ■ Bookkeeping Basics - Length: 30 mins / AMi Credit Hour: 1
Mark Claypool Series Mike Anderson Series ■ Email and Internet Security ■ Improving CSI - On the Length: 30 mins AMi Phone - Length: 30 mins / Credit Hour: 1 AMi Credit Hour: 1 ■ Website and SEO Basics ■ Improving CSI - During - Length: 45 mins / AMi the Sale - Length: 65 mins Credit Hour: 1 / AMi Credit Hour: 2 ■ Social Media Manage■ Improving CSI - Check in ment - Length: 35 mins / and During Repair AMi Credit Hour: 1 Length: 30 mins / AMi Mark Claypool Credit Hour: 1 Frank LaViola Course ■ Understanding Financial State- ■ M.A.D. About Generating Referrals ments - Length: 30 mins / AMi Credit - Length: 30 mins / AMi Credit Hour: 1 Hour: 1 ■ You Don’t Know What You Don’t Frank Terlep Course Know - Length: 30 mins / AMi Credit ■ Three Steps to Successful Marketing Hour: 1 - Length: 45 mins / AMi Credit Hour: 1 ■ Scheduling Best Practices - Length: 45 mins / AMi Credit Hour: 1 For more information, visit http://www ■ Profitability - Length: 30 mins / AMi .amionline.org. Credit Hour: 1 ■ Parts Management - Length: 45 mins / AMi Credit Hour: 1
www.autobodynews.com
Driven Brands’ Jose R. Costa Earns the Gold Award for Executive of the Year in the 8th Annual 2016 Golden Bridge Awards®
Driven Brands’ group president Jose R. Costa has earned the prestigious Gold Award for Executive of the Year in the Golden Bridge Awards®. Costa was nominated in the Automotive, Transportation, Storage and Logistics category, where he was recognized for contributing to his company’s success in nearly doubling the size of its business in just three years and playing a key role in shaping its strategy for vertical expansion and growth through acquisition. The coveted annual Golden Bridge Awards program encompasses the world’s best in organizational performance, innovations, products and services, executives and management teams, women in business, innovations, best deployments, product management, public relations, marketing, and customer satisfaction programs from every major industry in the world. Organizations from every corner of the globe are eligible to submit nominations, including public and private, for-
Collision Repair Online Courses Now Available at AMi
profit and non-profit, largest to smallest and new start-ups. Winners will be honored in San Francisco on Monday, September 12, 2016 during the annual Red Carpet Golden Bridge Awards Ceremony. This is the second time in less than a year that Costa has been recognized for his leadership. In May, Costa was awarded the ExJose Costa ecutive of the Year Bronze Stevie® Award in the Automotive and Transport Equipment Industry category in The 14th Annual American Business Awards. The Stevie Awards recognize outstanding performance in the workplace world- wide. For more information, visit http:// www.drivenbrands.com.
C
YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE AT THE FIRST REPAIR. Choose Original MINI Parts. Because you can’t repair your reputation.
These Dealers Below Are Original MINI Parts Distributors:
ILLINOIS
Patrick MINI Schaumburg
847-605-4055
(847) 619-4511 Fax Hours: M-Sat 8am-5pm
FOLLOW US ON
INSTAGRAM :
@autobodynews
66 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
©2016 MINI, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. The MINI name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.
NHTSA’s Proposed Rule on Recall Notification
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), released a proposed rule that would require manufacturers to notify consumers of outstanding recalls by electronic means in addition to first-class mail. By not specifying the exact method of notification, the rule allows for flexibility in the method of delivery. According to NHTSA, “electronic means’’ may include “electronic mail, text messages, radio or television notifications, vehicle infotainment console messages, over the-air alerts, social media or targeted online campaigns, phone calls, including automated phone calls, or other real time means.’’ The proposal would also allow NHTSA to require manufacturers to send additional notifications if the agency determines that an inadequate number of vehicles have been returned for remedy. To see the full text of the proposed rule, click here. NHTSA is currently requesting public comment on the proposed rule as a whole through Oct. 31, 2016. For example, comments could include the best “electronic means” to receive recall notices.
GM Uses Humor to Educate Consumers About Original Collision Parts General Motors is hoping that a video starring an ill-chosen pet Kinkajou will convince consumers to choose only original collision parts for their Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles. “The Replacements,” introduced recently at the 2016 NACE | CARS expo, opens with an exasperated man who replaces his lost dog with a Kinkajou (a South American mammal) only to find that his new pet is destructive, unlovable and not what he expected. It contrasts his poor decision with the importance of selecting only Genuine GM Parts for crash-related repairs. “It’s a funny video about a very serious issue – the potential risk to our customers if untested sheet metal and other collision parts are installed on their vehicles,” said John Eck, collision manager, wholesale dealer channel at GM Customer Care and Aftersales. “Our customers should always leave the body shop confident that their vehicle has been repaired to pre-crash conditions using the right procedures, parts, processes and quality checks.” “The Replacements” can be viewed at www.genuinegmparts.com/collision -repair-faqs. “Our customers should know that aftermarket parts do not undergo the
same testing that OEM parts – such as GM Original Equipment components – must pass,” said Eck. “Aftermarket parts are not tested in the vehicle while integrated and active with all vehicle systems.” In their new and updated collision repair position statements, GM:
“clip,” and can compromise the vehicle’s structural integrity.
● Reminds consumers and facilities that imitation and counterfeit parts are not covered by the GM factory transferable warranty as well as adjoining parts and systems that fail because imitation parts were used.
● Recommends using new, Genuine
GM also has updated its position statements on refinishing aluminum wheels, improper use of floor mats and wheel alignment specifications. In addition, 2017 collision repair manuals have been added for most GM brands and models. Consumers and collision repair professionals can find and download the updated position statements at: http://www.genuinegmparts.com/forprofessionals/position-statements. No password is required.
GM Parts for repairs involving structural components and parts – and not salvage parts. Salvage parts from damaged vehicles may not provide the same crashworthiness, repairability and corrosion protection.
FOLLOW US ON
● Warns against “clipping,” the practice of cutting and sectioning two vehicles to make a collision repair. Clipping voids the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty for each part involved in the
TWITTER :
@autobodynews
Original BMW Parts
bmwusa.com
Original Thought #78
YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE AT THE FIRST REPAIR. ILLINOIS
Laurel BMW of Westmont
Westmont 630-230-2890 Direct Wholesale M-F 7am-6pm Sat 8am-3pm www.laurelbmw.com
Patrick BMW
Schaumburg 847-605-4055 847-619-4511 Fax M-Sat 8am-5pm
INDIANA
Basney BMW
South Bend 800-274-8504 574-273-5075 M-F 7:30am-6pm parts@basneyimports.com www.basneybmw.com
MICHIGAN
Erhard BMW of Bloomfield Hills
Bloomfield Hills 800-626-9787 248-642-0443 www.erhardbmw.com
Erhard BMW of Farmington Hills
• Original BMW Parts & Accessories
Farmington Hills 888-834-8635 248-699-3003
www.erhardbmwoffarmingtonhills.com
When you repair a BMW, use the parts that are identical
to those used in Series production – and just as reliable. Choose Original BMW Parts and Accessories. Because
you can’t repair your reputation.
www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 67
State Farm’s Offer & Acceptance Program to Change and the Offer Is Going Down by Jenna Reed, glassbytes.com
State Farm is changing the “offer” in its offer and acceptance program, effective September 19. “State Farm is adjusting the market rates it offers for auto glass pricing in relation to National Auto Glass Specifications (NAGS®) and labor rates,” said Dave Phillips, a company spokesperson. The company is communicating these changes through a notice sent out to AGRR companies. Though Phillips says the company does not reveal pricing information publically, glassBYTEs.com™/AGRR™ magazine editors obtained a copy of the letter. The new pricing rates are: Pricing Zone 1: Currently, 25 percent off of NAGS list price for the piece of glass will change to 32 percent off of the NAGS list price; Pricing Zone 2: Currently, 15 percent off NAGS list price for the piece of glass will change to 24 percent off of NAGS list price; and
Currently, 0 percent off of NAGS list price for the piece of glass will remain at that price.
The more populated areas fall into Zone 1, while rural areas are a part of Zone 3. Labor for AGRR technicians will increase from $35/NAGS labor hour to $38/NAGS labor hour. “There is no change to kit pricing nor to windshield repair pricing,” according to State Farm’s letter. “Your continuation in the offer and acceptance program is an acceptance of the pricing changes.” To view a copy of the letter sent to AGRR companies, click here. http://www.glassbytes.com/ documents/OAParticipantPricing ChangesCommunication.pdf We thank Jenna Reed and glass BYTES.com for reprint permission.
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Autobody News
PPG Earns American Honda Approval
PPG has received approval from American Honda Motor Co., Inc., for use of its NEXA AUTOCOLOR® 2K®, DELTRON®, GLOBAL REFINISH SYSTEM™, ENVIROBASE® High Performance
and AQUABASE® Plus products for warranty repairs of Acura and Honda vehicles in the United States. The announcement was made by Steve Topczewski, PPG OEM business development manager. The approval is reflected in the recently re-
leased Acura and Honda Warranty Refinish Guidelines service bulletins. According to the company, these PPG brands incorporate advanced color technology to deliver quality finishes. “PPG takes great pride in partnering with American Honda,” said Topczewski. “Honda has a high standard for excellence, and we are pleased to provide the premium paint products that will produce durable and beautiful finishes for its Acura and Honda brand automobiles. We look forward to continuing our work with American Honda.” PPG has had a longstanding relationship with American Honda, providing a variety of automotive coatings for its vehicles. The latest approval extends to those PPG Nexa Autocolor 2K, Deltron, Global Refinish System, Envirobase High Performance and Aquabase Plus products listed in the aforementioned Honda and Acura bulletins. For more information, visit www .ppgrefinish.com.
www.autobodynews.com C
The Right Parts. A Perfect Fit.
Order Genuine Mazda Parts from these Parts Specialists in your area
OHIO
Brunswick Mazda Brunswick
Toll Free 888-460-7080 Direct 330-460-7080 Fax 330-460-7082 M-F 8-6; Sat 8-4 www.brunswickautomart.com
68 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
THESE DEALERS are GENUINE WHOLESALE PARTS SPECIALISTS.
Sunshine Toyota 269-965-1000 BATTLE CREEK
269-441-1262 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm jody@sunshinetoyota.com www.sunshinetoyota.com
Michigan
Toyota of Grand Rapids 877-703-5932 GRAND RAPIDS
616-942-4658 Fax M, W 7:30am-8pm; Tu, Th, F 7:30am-6pm; Sat 8am-12pm www.toyotaofgrandrapids.com
CREF’s Golf Fundraiser Supports Education for Next Generation by Chasidy Rae Sisk
On August 10, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) held its Annual Golf Fundraiser at the Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, CA, during Industry Week. Co-hosted by PPG Automotive, the event was hugely successful, and Brandon Eckenrode, director of development for CREF, noted, “Thanks to all our sponsors and registrants, a year’s worth of planning resulted in a great afternoon of golfing and networking, and it also helped us raise a significant amount of funds for high school and college collision students.” Eckenrode continued, “As long as it doesn’t rain, we always feel confident that we will have a great event and turnout. Luckily, we had clear skies and a nearly sold out crowd of 144 golfers participate in this year’s event, so we couldn’t be happier.” Feedback from those in attendance, as well as those who only talked to golfers, indicated it was another successful golf fundraiser for CREF. Some of the changes in 2016 included food trucks serving lunch, several drink stations, including a margarita bar, and a wide assortment of promotional items donated by event sponsors.
CREF holds its Annual Golf Fundraiser during Industry Week each year “to bring together sponsors and golfers in helping to raise additional funds FORE a great cause - to
help our efforts in supporting high school and college collision school programs, instructors and students,” Eckenrode explained. “Players have a great day on the course through our incredible sponsors.” According to Eckenrode, “These types of events help not only raise additional funds but also awareness about our efforts in supporting the future professionals of the industry. Understanding and respecting that there are many great charitable causes and fundraising events that industry members participate in and organize, ours
is unique in the fact that we are supporting the future of our industry. I am obviously slightly biased, but without us supporting these students and helping to better train them for industry employment, the industry would be facing an even larger staffing issue it already does.” CREF will hold its 2017 Golf Fundraiser during NACE in Atlanta. “We are looking into various golf courses in the greater Atlanta area right now and working with other industry groups on figuring out the best day/time for the event, but planning for next year has already begun,” Eckenrode added. Industry members who would like to receive information about sponsorship or registration for the 2017 golf fundraiser should contact Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation .org. CREF’s efforts to support the next generation of the collision repair industry will also continue throughout the year as they host their Cars, Careers and Celebrities Career Fairs in cities across the nation in order to connect industry professionals with potential future employees.
MINNESOTA
Volvo to Sell Self-Driving Car Tech to Other OEMs
Volvo is forming a joint venture with Swedish automotive safety supplier Autoliv to develop autonomous driving software and sell it to other automakers. It’s the first time an automaker has partnered with a “tierone” supplier to develop self-driving technology. The deal will see Volvo and Autoliv move their autonomous vehicle software development and intellectual property to the joint venture, which will start with an initial headcount of 200 employees (split between the existing staffs of both companies) and will grow to more than 600. The new company will be headquartered in Volvo’s hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden. Both Volvo and Autoliv will transfer their autonomous vehicle intellectual property to the new joint venture, with Autoliv acting as the exclusive supplier of any developed technology to outside companies (Volvo will purchase directly from the joint venture.) Volvo has a history of developing safety innovations that it then provides to other automakers. Unlike Volvo inventions such as the three-point seatbelt harness, this autonomous tech won’t be available free of charge.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Luther Bloomington Subaru
Courtesy Subaru
Direct (952) 887-0600 (952) 881-1787 Fax Mon. 6:30-6; Tue.-Fri. 6:30-9; Sat. 8-4 parts@bloomingtonsubaru.com www.bloomingtonsubaru.com
Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:30; Sat. 8-Noon parts@courtesysubaru.com
OHIO
(800) 903-2434
Bloomington
(800) 451-5078
Brunswick Subaru Brunswick
Toll Free (888) 460-7080 Direct (330) 460-7080 (330) 460-7082 Fax Mon.-Fri. 8-6; Sat. 8-4 www.brunswickautomart.com
Rapid City
(800) 658-3054
(605) 342-1178 Fax
WISCONSIN
Wilde Subaru Waukesha
(262) 544-1913 Fax
Mon.-Thu. 7-7; Fri. 7-5; Sat. 8-4 parts@gowilde.com www.wildesubaru.com
Byers Subaru Columbus
The following dealerships are eager to serve your needs. Call your local Subaru collision parts specialist today!
(888) 804-7895
(614) 863-1770 Fax
Mon.-Fri. 8-6; Sat. 8-2 wholesaleparts@byersauto.com www.byersimports.com www.autobodynews.com | OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 69
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72 OCTOBER 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com