37 YEARS
NORTHEAST EDITIO N
AUTOBODY CT / DE / ME / MD / MA / NH / NJ / NY / PA / RI / VT
AUTOBODYNEWS.COM
Vol. 10 / Issue 3 / June 2019
Solving the Tech Shortage: I-CAR is Helping Future Technicians Turn Their Passion into Lifelong Careers
ABAC Hosts Panel of Industry Leaders to Address Members’ Questions
by Stacey Phillips
by Chasidy Rae Sisk
When Nick Notte speaks to students across the country who are considering a job in the collision repair industry, he often shares his personal experience. The current senior vice president of sales for I-CAR (InterIndustry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) always had an interest in cars. He was able to turn that passion into a lifelong career and is now around vehicles every day. “The feedback you get from these kids is tremendous,” said Notte. “You can truly change their minds
and convince them that collision repair is a good way to go.” Formed in 1979, I-CAR is dedicated to providing the information, knowledge and skills required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs. The not-for-profit organization provides a variety of educational and training recognition programs for the collision repair industry. “I-CAR will soon offer 267 different courses to keep the industry on pace with technology innovation and skills development,” said Notte. With a strong network of more See Tech Shortage, Page 26
Common Mistakes Body Shops Make When Recycling & Staying Green
ices for recalled and expired goods. It also provides related education and training services for many companies, including collision repair shops. Headquartered in Lake Forest, IL, with many more bases of operation around the world, Stericycle maintains toxic waste incinerators in Utah and North Carolina.
by Ed Attanasio
Wade Scheel, director of governmental affairs at Stericycle Environmental Solutions, has been working at the 30year-old compliance company for 11 years and has three decades of industry experience. Stericycle specializes in Wade Scheel, collecting and disposing regdirector of ulated substances, such as governmental medical waste and sharps, affairs at Stericycle pharmaceuticals, hazardous Environmental Solutions waste, and providing serv-
What are the most common slip-ups that body shops encounter when
Q:
See Staying Green, Page 22
Industry professionals shared their expertise with members during the quarterly meeting of the Auto Body Association of Connecticut (ABAC). Topics discussed ranged from insurer interference to storage charges and OEM repair procedures. ABAC News provided association members with a recount of information panelists shared with attendees. The meeting began with Bob Amendola, ABAC president, welcoming attendees and thanking sponsors. He covered highlights from ABAC’s previous “Winds of Change” meeting. In addition, he addressed ways in which the panel would work. Amendola shared, “We hope to be concise when addressing your concerns. Every time we engage with
each other, we all learn more.” Following dinner, Tony Ferraiolo, former ABAC president, encouraged attendees to see the importance of the Customer Repair Contract. “If you don’t use a Repair Contract, you have nothing, said Ferraiolo. “If these people do not want to pay you or if you go up against an insurance company in court, you have a zero chance of a decision in your favor.” Dave Fogarty, panel moderator from Lorenson Auto Group introduced the rest of the panel: Amendola (Autoworks of Westville), Ferraiolo (A&R Body Specialty), Tony Cavallaro Sr. (Airport Road Auto Body), Ed Lupinek (Eddie’s Auto Body), Tony Lombardozzi (Superare MarSee Industry Leaders, Page 4
CIC Speakers Debate Need to Legislate Use of OEM Repair Procedures
was geared towards new limits the legislation would have placed on the State legislative efforts to enact leg- use of non-OEM parts. islation on the use of OEM repair pro“In the collision industry, we cedures have bogged down. can’t seem to escape loading Other issues, such as steerthese things up,” Bob Reding and non-OEM parts, ding, national lobbyist for have taken priority. Therethe Automotive Service Asfore, these issues are being sociation (ASA), said of incorporated into the prosuch state bills. “Only a few posed legislation, according [of the current proposed state regulations] are skinny to speakers at the Collision Bob Redding bills, dealing with OEM Industry Conference held in procedures. We often see parts get in. Nashville, TN. For example, a bill in Nevada In some state bills, like in Texas, you that would have prohibited an in- see steering slip in there. When you surer “to repair a motor vehicle in a have a bill moving, people try to manner which is contrary to the rec- solve every single issue in it. It brings ommendations of the manufacturer in all sorts of controversy when it of the vehicle,” failed to move for- picks those other kinds of things. It ward by a legislative deadline, this brings out other adversaries, and typspring. Opposition to the bill surfaced ically [the bills] have problems along at a hearing in March. The opposition See CIC Speakers Page 12
by John Yoswick
PERMIT #288 ANAHEIM, CA
PAID
Change Service Requested
P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE