November 2018 Northeast Edition by Autobody News

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PA Shop Pays $67,462 in Back Wages, Damages to Settle Claims Under FLSA Overtime Rules

After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Boehm Family Enterprises LLC—doing business as McElwain Brothers Paint and Collision in Ellwood City, PA—has paid $33,731 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 12 mechanics and painters to resolve violations of the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). WHD investigators found that Boehm Family Enterprises LLC violated the FLSA by incorrectly classifying the mechanics and painters as exempt from the law’s overtime requirements and paying them only straight time when they worked more than 40 hours in a workweek. Additionally, the employer failed to include employee performance bonuses

when determining overtime pay. “The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to ensuring employees receive the wages they have rightfully earned and that law-abiding employers compete on a level playing field,” said Wage and Hour District Director John DuMont in Pittsburgh. “The Department’s Wage and Hour Division provides many resources to employers to help them comply with the law and understand their responsibilities to employees.” Employers who discover overtime or minimum wage violations may self-report and resolve those violations without litigation through the PAID program. For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the Division, contact the toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).

AUTOBODYNEWS.COM

Vol. 9 / Issue 8 / November 2018

Panel Says Struggle to Get Paid for Scans a Subset of Larger Debate About OEM Procedures by John Yoswick

For Wayne Weikel, the question isn’t whether collision shops should be compensated for the vehicle scans the automakers say are a part of proper repairs. Scanning, Weikel said, is just one aspect of OEM repair procedures that collision repairers should be following and for which insurance companies should pay. “Insurance companies have actuaries designed to price insurance policies. Auto manufacturers have engineers that can tell you how to fix a vehicle correctly. I don’t see how we conflate the two,” said Weikel, senior director of state government affairs for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. Shops, he said, shouldn’t be

Wayne Weikel of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said collision repairers should follow OEM procedures—and be paid for doing so

placed in a situation of making the proper repair without proper payment. “That, we think, is wrong,” Weikel said. “The problem here isn’t whether there is a solution. The solution is that we need to use OEM procedures every time. The problem is making sure shops get paid for See Paid for Scans, Page 26

Convictions in Murder of Bronx Auto Body Shop Owner Who Was Federal Witness in Drug Enforcement Action

Jittery Days Remain for U.S. Auto Industry, Despite Trade Pact ‘Fight Over’, Ford Cutting Jobs

by Staff, Bronx Voice

by Bill Koenig, AdvancedManufacturing.org

Two men were convicted of murdering a Bronx, NY, auto body shop owner who turned out to be a confidential informant. Federal prosecutors said the pair killed Robert Bishun, a known heroin dealer and owner of a Morris Park auto body shop. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Ge-

offrey S. Berman said, “Just over two years ago, Robert Bishun was violently kidnapped and brutally murdered by the defendants because he was a federal cooperating witness. “Today, the jury in this case returned a unanimous verdict holding the defendants accountable for their See Convictions in Murder, Page 12

The U.S. auto industry has seen one major headache go away. However, that doesn’t mean industry jitters have ceased. The Trump administration announced Sept. 30 that Canada will be part of a new trade agreement with the U.S. and Mexico. That will, essentially, preserve an automotive supply chain extending across the three countries that formed because of the North American Free Trade Agreement. “Aside from avoiding disaster, there really wasn’t much to gain or lose” in the new agreement, said Kristin Dziczek, a vice president of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR; Ann Arbor, MI) in an e-mail interview. “There will be some movement of supply chains to North American on the margins.” NAFTA will get new “brand-

ing.” It’s now going to be called the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. “USMCA. That’ll be the name, I guess, that, 99 percent of the time, we’ll be hearing: USMCA,” President Donald Trump said Oct. 1, according to a White House transcript. “It has a good ring to it.” Of course, Trump isn’t neutral. He criticized NAFTA when he ran for office. “I have long contended that NAFTA was perhaps the worst trade deal ever made,” he said in discussing the new deal. “To me, it’s the most important word in trade because we’ve been treated so unfairly by so many nations all over the world. And we’re changing that.” One Fight Down…

See Jittery Days Remain, Page 32

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NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

CONTENTS REGIONAL

NATIONAL

AASP/NJ Hosts 14th Annual Lou Scoras

AAPEX 2018 Announces Let’s Tech

Abington Body Shop Has Been in Chinchilla, PA, Since 1958. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Branning Collision Centers Refurbishes, Donates 2 Cars to NJ Families in Need . . . . 20 Convictions in Murder of Bronx Auto Body Shop Owner Who Was Federal Witness . . . . . . . . . 1 Fire Rages Through NY Auto Body Shop . . . . . 10 Geisinger Employees Ease Up on the Gas, Test Electric Cars in PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 NJ Man Charged in 2 Car Insurance Fraud Schemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit at SEMA, Second Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit Panel at SEMA, First Session. . . . . . . . . . . . 28 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, Third and Final Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 PA Shop Pays $67,462 in Back Wages, Damages to Settle Claims Under FLSA Overtime Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 PA Warns About Flood-Damaged Vehicles After Hurricane Florence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Trying to Spur Electric Vehicles in NJ With Wave of Fast-Charging Stations, Rebates . . . 6 Wenzel’s Auto Body Earns Assured Performance Certification in MA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

20-Minute Presentations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Benevolence Car to Improve Their Lives . . . 78 All 2019 Civic Models To Feature Honda Sensing Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 ALLDATA Wins 2018 PTEN Innovation Awards, Continues To Win at NACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Autonomous Cars: Human Drivers Still Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 California Autobody Association Complaint Leads to Legal Opinion on Opt-OEM Parts . . 11 CIECA Focuses on Data Standards . . . . . . . . . 35 Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards

Anderson - 4 Questions To Consider Ahead of Negotiating for Any ‘Not-Included’ Estimate Line Item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Attanasio - Let Your Customers Become Your Brand Ambassadors With Ad Specialties . . . 56 Chess - Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding, Shop maintenance and Safety. . . . . . . . . . . 48 Phillips - How Independent Nashville Body Shop Is Nurturing Homegrown Talent . . . . . 66 Phillips - The Best Body Shops’ Tips: How to Take Great Photos to Support Your Estimates . 24 Phillips - The Best Body Shops’ Tips: Why OEM Certifications Are Critical to Remain in Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Sisk - ASA, Cintas Offer Webinar on ‘Ensuring Safety in Every Corner’ . . . . . . . . 40 Sisk - Collision Career Institute Addresses Technician Shortage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Yoswick - Stats From 20 Years Ago Indicate Shop Labor Rates Haven’t Kept Up With Inflation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

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Acura of Westchester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Malco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Atlantic Hyundai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Malouf Chevrolet-Cadillac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Audi Fairfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . 74

Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . 65

McGovern Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram . . . . . 14

Fix Auto Expands Use of CCC ONE® Platform . . 76

AutobodyLaw.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Mercedes-Benz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 42-43

Florence Impact on Insurers Tempered by

Axalta Coating Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 19

Mercedes-Benz of Atlantic City. . . . . . . . . . . 51

BASF Automotive Refinish Coatings . . . . . . . 31

Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Jittery Days Remain for U.S. Auto Industry,

Bical Auto Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Mercedes-Benz of Fort Washington . . . . . . . 51

Despite Trade Pact ‘Fight Over’, Ford

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . 70-71

Mercedes-Benz of Paramus . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Cutting Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Cadillac of Mahwah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Mercedes-Benz of West Chester . . . . . . . . . 51

Latest ‘Who Pays for What?’ Survey Open . . . . 74

CarcoonAmerica Airflow Systems. . . . . . . . . 48

Mercedes-Benz of Wilmington . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Management Software To Launch at SEMA . . . 69

Central Avenue Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram . . 18

Mercedes-Benz Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 81

Milt’s Precision Collision Works for Its

Certified Automotive Parts Association . . . . . 49

MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Cherry Hill Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram . . . . . 26

Mirka USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Chicago Pneumatic Compressors. . . . . . . . . 16

Mitsubishi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . 66

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . 46-47

Collision Equipment Consulting, Inc.. . . . . . . 44

Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealer . . . . . 80

Colonial Automotive Group . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 59

Northstar Kia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Dent Magic Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Nucar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Diamond Standard Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

O’Reilly Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Dominion Sure Seal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Polyvance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Dynabrade, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Porsche of Fairfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

ECS Automotive Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Porsche Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . 73

Empire Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

PPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

a Subset of Larger Debate About

EMS Automotive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Priority 1 Automotive Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

OEM Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Equalizer Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

RBL Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Robaina Industries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Tariff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Fred Beans Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

SATA Dan-Am Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

SATAjet 5000 B ‘Sixties’ Special Edition Gun . . 22

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Schultz Ford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Sherwin-Williams Study Reveals Primary

GYS Welding USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Security Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram . . . . . . . . 7

Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 38-39

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes . . . . . 21

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . 78

Spanesi Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Infiniti of Norwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . 77

JiffyJump.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Symach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . 79

Tasca Automotive Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Killer Tools & Equipment Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . 72

Launch Tech USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

VIP Honda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Lexus Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . 66

Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . 75

Long Automotive Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Westbury Jeep-Chrysler-Dodge-Ram-SRT . . 25

Lynnes Auto Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

YesterWreck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Breakfast To Take Place at SEMA . . . . . . . . 35 CREF Fall Career Fairs Connect Industry With Next Generation of Techs. . . . . . . . . . . 80

Mostly Uninsured Flood Losses . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Customers, Not Insurance Companies . . . . . 16 Musk Blames Trailer Shortage for Tesla’s Model 3 Delivery Delays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

COLUMNISTS

AUTOBODY

After the Donation: The Nolan Family Uses

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Memorial Golf Outing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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New Windshield Patent May Change Auto Glass Repair, Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Oldest Body Shops in America: Keene Auto Body. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Over 70 Million Vehicles Are on the Road With Open Recalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Panel Says Struggle to Get Paid for Scans

PGW Auto Glass Raises Prices Following

Reason Body Shops Prefer Waterborne Coatings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Subaru Destroys 293 Ascent SUVs After Coding Error Leads to Unsafe Cars . . . . . . . 76 U.S. DOT Announces Roadway Fatalities Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 WMABA’s Collision P.R.E.P. Opens for Presentation Submissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Florence Impact on Insurers Tempered by Mostly Uninsured Flood Losses by Amy O’Connor, Insurance Journal

Insurance industry losses from Hurricane Florence, which hit the Carolinas mid-September as a Category 1 storm, will be manageable and not have a severe impact on insurers, according to experts. As the storm turned out to be less of a wind event and with flood excluded on most homeowners’ insurance policies, it is expected that insurers will not experience the significant losses that were initially feared. However, uninsured flood losses could cost nearly $20 billion, by some estimates. “All indications we have seen is [Florence] was more of a flood event than wind issue,” said Brian O’Neill, executive vice president for JLT Re’s National Catastrophe Practice. According to Fitch Ratings, wind speeds from Florence diminished as the storm approached the U.S. coast and Florence was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall in North Carolina on Sept. 14. Fitch said the level of wind-related damage to property is expected to be modest as a result of the significant decline in wind speeds, limiting losses to primary property insurance writers. Catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide estimated that industry insured losses from Florence’s winds and storm surge will range from $1.7 billion to $4.6 billion. Losses include downed trees that caused damages to homes and automobiles, downed utility poles and shingle loss with isolated cases of more extensive roof damage. Karen Clark & Co. said it expects insured losses from Hurricane Florence will reach $2.5 billion. That estimate includes insured losses to residential, commercial and industrial properties. CoreLogic said Sept. 24 that it estimates wind losses will total between $1 billion and $1.5 billion. State Farm, the number one insurer in both North and South Carolina, said in North Carolina it has received approximately 2,280 auto claims totaling about $2.5 million, and approximately 15,000 homeowner claims totaling $2.7 million related to Hurricane Florence as of Sept. 24. 4

In South Carolina, State Farm had received approximately 560 auto claims and 1,800 homeowner claims. The insurer has paid approximately $749,000 in homeowner claims and approximately $498,000 in auto claims as of Sept. 25. It expects these numbers will increase as customers discover and report claims/damage.

This enhanced satellite image made available by NOAA shows Hurricane Florence off the eastern coast of the United States on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 at 5:52 p.m. EDT. Credit: NOAA via AP

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said the North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association, the state’s insurer of last resort, had received 50,000 claims so far. “From a property insurance point of view, [Florence] is insignificant,” said Gary Marchitello, head of Property Broking for Willis Towers Watson. “Clearly from a number magnitude, dollar magnitude, it is not going to be significant at all to the insurance industry.” Fitch Ratings said it expects limited or no rating actions for the private insurance industry from Florence. Analyst firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW) said primary insurers will have “meaningful Florence exposure, but losses should be absorbed within 3Q18 catastrophe provisions.” Because of improvements in catastrophe modeling, Marchitello noted that “it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that a weather event or geological event would catch insurers off guard.” Flood Losses Fitch noted that flood losses will significantly contribute to overall losses from Florence as storm surge and historic levels of rainfall inundated

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

coastal areas as well as a significant number of inland counties, but most of these losses will be incurred by the National Flood Insurance Program or are uninsured. The slow-moving storm stalled over the Carolinas, bringing as much as 40 inches of rain in some parts. AIR said preliminary reports from the National Weather Service noted that more than 35.93 inches fell in Elizabethtown, NC, breaking the record set by Hurricane Floyd in 1999, and more than 30 inches of rain fell on Swansboro, NC. Many other locations received more than 20 inches. For many residents in the Carolinas, flood losses from Hurricane Florence will be uninsured as standard homeowners’ insurance policies typically do not cover the peril. The take-up rate for coverage from the NFIP is low. CoreLogic noted that NFIP insures a total of 445,000 residential and commercial policies in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, which was also impacted by the storm. Just over 134,000 homeowners in North Carolina have insurance through the NFIP, according to Causey. “I was very disappointed by the small number of flood insurance policies in force in North Carolina,” Causey said. “We certainly have much more water damage than wind damage, and unfortunately, these people that think they may have coverage when they file those homeowners’ claims are going to find out floods aren’t covered.” The take-up rate of flood coverage commercially is much higher, said Marchitello, as companies buy some degree of coverage, but that is usually subject to a sublimit. CoreLogic estimated total flood losses for residential and commercial properties in the Carolinas and Virginia will be between $19 billion and $28.5 billion. The catastrophe modeling firm said about 85 percent of the residential flood loss is uninsured and is estimated to total between $13 billion and $18.5 billion. Insured flood loss covered by the private insurance market will total about $4.5 billion to $7.5 billion in North Carolina and about $1 billion to $2 billion in South Carolina, CoreLogic said. Its analysis includes residential

homes and commercial properties, including contents and business interruption and does not include broader economic loss from the storm. Neither AIR nor KCC included NFIP flood losses in their loss estimates. Causey said the NFIP had received 10,000 claims in the state and paid out about $10 million as of Sept. 25. The Associated Press reported that North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said that nine of the state’s river gauges were at major flood stage and four others were at moderate stage as of Sept. 22, while parts of Interstates 95 and 40 will remain underwater for another week or more. Economic Losses AP said an economic research firm estimated that Hurricane Florence has caused around $44 billion in damage and lost output, which would make it one of the top 10 costliest U.S. hurricanes. The top disaster, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, cost $192.2 billion in today’s dollars, while last year’s Hurricane Harvey cost $133.5 billion. Moody’s Analytics estimates Florence has caused $40 billion in damage and $4 billion in lost economic output, though the company stressed that the estimate is preliminary and could go higher or lower, AP said. In South Carolina, the AP reported crop damage was estimated at $125 million so far, according to Gov. Henry McMaster. North Carolina likely won’t have preliminary crop damage estimates until early October, state Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler told the AP in September. Five of North Carolina’s top six farming counties are within the hardest-hit areas in the eastern part of the state. “I think it’s easily going to be in the billions of dollars,” Troxler said in an interview with AP, calling the damage “catastrophic” and “unbelievable.” South Carolina Gov. McMaster has estimated damage from the flood in his state at $1.2 billion, AP said. We thank Insurance Journal for reprint permission.

www.autobodynews.com

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Trying to Spur Electric Vehicles in NJ With Wave of Fast-Charging Stations, Rebates by Tom Johnson, NJ Spotlight

Months of negotiations have led to a new effort to electrify New Jersey’s transportation sector with a measure that tries to allay “range anxiety” for consumers.

A legislative push to kick-start the state’s lagging efforts to promote the use of electric vehicles calls for the development of hundreds of fastcharging stations across New Jersey and rebates to those who buy zeroemission cars. The legislation, expected to come up for consideration in October, stems from months of negotiations among clean-energy advocates, lawmakers and the Murphy administration. A draft bill essentially merges features of several proposals that

came before the Senate Environment and Energy Committee in May. The proposal is viewed as a way to accelerate what many see as a top policy imperative—electrifying the transportation sector, the state’s biggest source of greenhousegas emissions contributing to climate change. The draft bill mostly focuses on light-duty vehicles, but also includes provision for a pilot program to spur electric utilities to put electric school buses into service as well as a long-range plan to electrify the entire fleet of school buses.

the end of 2021. (Fast-charging stations can take 20 minutes to one hour to charge a vehicle; Level 2, between three and five hours). The legislation also includes a rebate program to incent consumers to buy plug-in vehicles, recommending $100 million be set aside annually for three years. The funding for that initiative, however, is uncertain. The bill suggests tapping the Societal Benefits Charge, a fee on utility bills that raises more than $300 million a year for clean-energy programs; using money New Jersey will get when it rejoins the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; and asking utility customers to contribute.

They Call It Range Anxiety But the main thrust of the legislation aims to address consumer range anxiety—the fear that electric vehicles will run out of power before being recharged. To that end, the bill calls for a statewide public plug-in electric-vehicle charging initiative of at least 600 fast-charging stations at 300 locations across the state and another 1,000 Level 2 charging stations by

Rubber, Road, Money “Where the rubber meets the road is money,’’ said Sen. Bob Smith, a Democrat who is sponsoring the bill. “The financial side is a bit tricky.’’ Smith is hoping to post the bill on Oct. 15 at the Senate Environment committee, which he chairs. He does not expect the financing to be settled until the bill is reviewed by the Senate Budget panel. Even with uncertainty about how

Wenzel’s Auto Body Earns Assured Performance Certification in MA by Staff, Cape Cod Times

Wenzel’s Auto Body Inc., located in the Upper Cape area of Massachusetts, has been officially certified by Assured Performance, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, for maintaining the tools, equipment, training and facilities necessary to repair the participating automaker brand vehicles. Wenzel’s is now officially recognized by Assured Performance, FCA, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia. Wenzel’s passed the rigorous certification. Less than 5 percent of body shops across the nation are able to meet the stringent requirements to become officially certified

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and recognized. The certified network is made up exclusively of best-in-class collision repair businesses that have met or exceeded the requirements of the certification program. Wenzel’s Auto Body owner Jim Wenzel said, “This certification supports our reputation for superior customer service serving our community. We are your neighbors and friends, so it is important to provide our customers with the peace of mind that their vehicles are being repaired correctly by highly trained professionals that care about them.” We thank Cape Cod Times for reprint permission.

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NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

the rebates will be funded, proponents are glad to see the issue being taken up again by lawmakers. “It is really long overdue,’’ said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club and member of a coalition that’s pushing electric vehicles. “You really need a comprehensive package like this to move forward.’’ Jim Appleton, president of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers, noted the state is far behind mandates to put more zeroemission vehicles on the road. New Jersey is one of about a dozen states that are part of the California Clean Car program, which mandates that a certain portion of vehicles have zero emissions. In 2018, only 0.4 percent of automotive sales in New Jersey were for pure battery-electric vehicles. By the end of the year, it is supposed to be 4.5 percent, he said. “The big picture piece of this is price and infrastructure,’’ Appleton said, referring to the higher cost of electric vehicles and lack of plug-in charging stations. “Cash on the hood is critical.’’ We thank NJ Spotlight for reprint permission.

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Abington Body Shop Has Been in Chinchilla, PA, Since 1958 by Charles Erickson, The Abington Journal

The long building with the high ceiling at 126 Northern Blvd. in Chinchilla, PA, has always been associated with the automotive industry. It was built in the early 1950s as a place for washing the carrier trucks and trailers that brought cars to the area from the East Coast assembly plants of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. Since 1958, the building, which is painted flat white, has been the only home of Abington Body Shop. The proprietors—there have only been four, two brothers and then two spouses—have made a business from pulling out dents, replacing sheet metal that was crumpled by a crash or corroded by age, and repainting and restoring cars and trucks to a condition similar to when they were new. “This place has been here 60 years,” said Todd Chambers as he worked in the shop alone on a recent Saturday afternoon. He and his wife, Kathi, purchased Abington Body Shop in August 2017. “We felt we needed to keep it running. Keep it open.” On a frame rack behind Todd, raised off the floor, was a 1962 Chevrolet Biscayne. It was rammed at an intersection and its passenger door was damaged. The car is too new to have been trucked to the area on a carrier that was washed in this building, but old enough that Chambers had to find a used door from a specialty supply house in Massachusetts. All makes and model years are serviced at this body shop. In front of the old Chevy was a 2015 Nissan NV cargo truck with a high roof. It had just been repainted in the paint bay at the back of the shop and wore a brighter shade of white than the color on the outside of

the building. A generator company had retained Abington Body Shop to fix some dents and repaint the truck. “We do anything from a small fender repair up to a major collision,” Todd said.

vating, also based in Chinchilla. The spouses bought the body shop, including the building and the land on which it sits, 13 months ago. Vehicle towing remains an important part of the business. Tow monies sometimes enhance the sales from repairs, and other times they can be the only revenues earned from an accident. Cars are pulled to the Chinchilla shop for repair but also taken to dealerships and other repair facilities. There are seven trucks in the towing fleet, and Robert Todd Chambers, co-owner of Abington Body Shop, works and Buzzy Jackson would in the Chinchilla garage, which he purchased in August recognize two of them im2017. Credit: Charles Erickson, The Abington Journal mediately. In 1958, Robert “Buzzy” JackA 1989 Ford F-350 and a 1987 son and his brother James went into Chevrolet Scottsdale 30 remain in business together and opened a body service. The Jackson brothers always shop on busy, pre-Interstate 81 North- took care of their property, and the new ern Blvd. For the next 42 years, they owners have a similar approach to carworked on a forgotten number of cars ing for their assets. and trucks that had been towed, “We kept up on them. We maindragged, flat-bedded or driven to their tained them and they still run good,” garage. Todd said. “The cost of new trucks is “The body shop business is pretty steady,” Todd said. “It gets a little busy at times. It gets a little slow at times. But generally it’s steady.” Buzzy Jackson was the father of Kathi Chambers. He died in 2000. James Jackson, her uncle, died last year. When James passed, Kathi and Todd discussed ways of keeping the shop a going concern and having it remain in the family. Abington Body Shop had long been a central fixture in their lives. They married in 1992, a few years after Todd began hanging about the premises and learning how to do body work. “I’ve been around this since 1986, really,” he said. Once they decided to purchase Abington Body Shop, Todd wound down his business, Abington Exca-

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expensive, so we try to keep the old stuff moving.” The most modern parts of the shop are in a small room in back, near the paint booth. Kathi takes care of the bookwork in this office, which she shares with cans of paint and two computers. One of the computers is used to determine the amounts of base coats and reducers needed to match paint colors. “This formula is for silver streak metallic,” Todd said, pointing at a touch-screen monitor. Making 8 ounces of the paint required eight ingredients, including 129.9 grams of medium aluminum base coat and just 3.1 grams of blueblack base coat. Todd and Kathi have two daughters. One is a university student and the other graduated from school as a welder. “She has helped me here with some welding,” Todd said. “She may want to take this over someday, hopefully.” We thank The Abington Journal for reprint permission.

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NJ Man Charged in 2 Car Insurance Fraud Schemes by John Heinis, Hudson County View

A Jersey City, NJ, man was charged in two elaborate luxury car insurance fraud claims in which he both staged that his vehicle was stolen and participated in a “crash and buy scheme,” Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced. On July 31, following a lengthy investigation, John D. Johnson, 25, of Jersey City, surrendered to members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Insurance Fraud Unit at the county administration building in Jersey City while accompanied by his attorney, Suarez said in a statement. Johnson was arrested without incident on one count of insurance fraud. Johnson was released on his own recognizance and made his first appearance on these charges in Central Judicial Processing Court on August 7, authorities said. The Insurance Fraud Unit was notified of the case by a special investigator affiliated with the involved insurance company. The subsequent investigation revealed that on Oct. 29, 2017, the insurance company received a claim

that a Pontiac G8 was stolen from the area of Fulton and Rose Avenues in Jersey City sometime between Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, officials said. On Oct. 30, 2017, members of the Jersey City Police Department were dispatched to Fulton and Rose Avenues on a report of a recovered stolen vehicle that was blocking part of the sidewalk, authorities said. The recovered vehicle was a Pontiac G8 and was found with a broken rear window. The engine, transmission and several seats were missing, police said. The charge against Johnson alleges that he committed five acts of insurance fraud by fabricating the stolen vehicle claim to the insurance company and that he removed the engine and the transmission from his vehicle for the benefit of at least $1,000, police said. Also, during their investigation, detectives discovered that shortly after the insurance company denied the stolen vehicle claim for the Pontiac G8, Johnson purchased a Cadillac CTS. On May 22, 2018, while driv-

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

ing the Cadillac CTS, Johnson collided with several parked vehicles. It is alleged that he purchased a new automobile insurance policy for the Cadillac CTS after the collision and then falsely filed an accident claim on May 23, 2018, in what’s known as a “Crash and Buy Scheme,” authorities said. On August 30, 2018, Johnson surrendered a second time to members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Insurance Fraud Unit at the Hudson County Administration Building on Newark Avenue in Jersey City while accompanied by his attorney. Johnson was arrested without incident on a complaint charging him with one count of insurance fraud and was released on his own recognizance. He made his first appearance on these charges in Central Judicial Processing Court on Sept. 5. Suarez credited members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Insurance Fraud Unit with the investigation and arrest. We thank Hudson County View for reprint permission.

Fire Rages Through NY Auto Body Shop by Liz Goff, Queens Gazette

Firefighters battled a raging blaze at a Long Island City, NY, auto body shop on Sept. 29, an FDNY spokesperson said. Flames shot from the business at 23-59 Borden Ave. about 8 p.m. on Sept. 29, fed by oil, paint and other accelerants stored at the location. More than 168 firefighters from 29 units battled through billowing black smoke and flames that quickly spread throughout the one-story commercial building for more than four hours. Firefighters declared the blaze under control just minutes after midnight, officials said. Police went door-to-door advising local residents to keep their doors and windows shut to prevent smoke from entering, while EMS crews remained at the scene. There were no injuries. We thank Queens Gazette for reprint permission.

California Autobody Association Complaint Leads to Legal Opinion on Opt-OEM Parts by Ed Attanasio

On Oct. 8, Kenneth Schnoll, general counsel and deputy commissioner of the California Department of Insurance (CDI), sent a letter to the California Autobody Association (CAA) to issue a legal opinion pursuant to California Insurance Code Section 12921.9 based on a complaint filed by the trade organization. After receiving information from CAA, the CDI issued a legal opinion clarifying terms such as “Opt-OE” and outlining unfair insurance settlement practices involving insurer designations. In addition, Schnoll issued opinions on situations in which insurance companies engage in price discrimination by forcing collision repair shops to purchase parts from suppliers they specify. Schnoll addressed CAA’s original complaint, submitted by David McClune before he retired as CAA executive director, concerning the ambiguity of how parts are categorized. “You informed us that certain insurers use non-standard replacement

crash part terminology and descriptions such as ‘Alt-OEM’, ‘Opt-OEM,’ and ‘Surplus-OEM’ or other similar terms on their claims settlement estimates and appraisals,” Schnoll wrote. “You also informed us that these replacement crash parts may be overproduction OEM parts, blemished or damaged OEM parts and that such parts may not carry the same new OEM part warranty. Additionally, we understand that different categories of crash parts are frequently combined by insurers on repair appraisals and estimates and called ‘Opt-OEM’, ‘AltOEM’ and other similar variations. For example, you informed us that various insurers list parts from an auto-dismantling vendor as ‘Used’ when those parts are actually new OEM parts.” Jack Molodanof, lobbyist for CAA, said that the clarification on parts definitions will hopefully make life easier for consumers, body shops and insurance companies alike. “The insurance companies will now have to be sure that if they’re using these terms, they are going to have to be very unambiguous and

exact. Since the BAR doesn’t recognize terms such as “Opt-OEM” or “Alt-OEM,” any part description on the estimate and invoice must be clear and specific, otherwise you may be subject to violation. The shop has to describe every part to the customer so they understand what is being purchased, and now the insurers are going to have to do the same,” he said. Another issue that Schnoll’s letter addressed was the practice of insurance companies forcing collision repair shops to purchase parts from insurer-specified vendors and engaging in consumer price discrimination. Molodanof said that favoring one vendor over another can lead to other problems down the road. “If a body shop is required to use vendors preferred by the insurance company, that could potentially prevent a customer from taking their car to the shop of their choice,” he said. “This clarification is important for consumers and body shops because they now have a strong case if they decide to complain about preferable treatment to certain parts suppliers.”

“You informed us that certain insurers are requiring auto repair shops to use parts from certain vendors that are priced less than MSRP,” Schnoll wrote. “You also informed us that although insurers deny that they are requiring auto repair shops to buy replacement parts from their preferred vendors, they also inform the auto repair shops they will not pay a price for a replacement part that is higher than the price quoted by their preferred crash parts providers. “CAA believes that each of these activities constitute unfair trade practices under the Insurance Code and the California Code of Regulations because the use of non-standard replacement parts terminology and descriptions on their auto body or collision repair estimates and appraisals does not comply with the requirements of the California Business & Professions Code or the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) regulations and such are untrue, deceptive or misleading. “California Business & Professions Code section 9884.9(c) requires See Parts Legal Opinion, Page 32

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

AASP/NJ Hosts 14th Annual Lou Scoras Memorial Golf Outing Tony Perez and Brad Decker. The second place team included Rod On Monday, Sept. 17, AASP/NJ hosted Cameron, Mike Padula, Joe Lubisits 14th Annual Lou Scoras Memorial cher and William Hutchinson, and Golf Outing at the Colonia Country coming in third was the team comClub, attracting nearly 100 automotive posed of Bill Flannery, Tom Collins, Bill Laud and Bill Paulaukas. Mike industry participants. AASP/NJ President Jerry Mc- Padula took the victory for Longest Nee told guests, “I appreciate every- Drive, and Joe Lubischer won Closest to the Pin. The yearly outing honors former board member Lou Scoras. Funds raised benefit the Lou Scoras Memorial Scholarship, which was designed to encourage young people to pursue a collision repair career. AASP/NJ Executive AASPNJ-Golf-Nov18Ed-First-Place-Winners: The first-place Director Charles Bryant team in the 2018 Lou Scoras Memorial Golf Outing consisted stated, “He was dear to of (l to r) Ben Morgan, Al Taylor, Tony Perez and Brad many of us, and we always Decker want to make sure he is rebody taking the time to come down. membered.” “We always try to think about the I know it takes a lot to get out of your people who have made our association businesses during the day.” The day began with a luncheon great. Lou was probably one of the first before a full day of golf. The festivi- shops in the state to use computer estities ended with a cocktail hour and mating,” added AASP/NJ Treasurer dinner ceremony, complete with Tom Elder. “He was forward-thinkprizes. The 2018 winning team con- ing. He was a friend. He had a great sisted of Ben Morgan, Al Taylor, attitude and I talked to him almost by Chasidy Rae Sisk

Continued from Cover

Convictions in Murder

heinous crimes. We hope that today’s result brings some small measure of peace to Robert Bishun’s family.” On Sept. 20, 2016, Robert Pizarro and Juan Rivera attempted to rob Bishun at gunpoint inside his auto body shop in the Bronx. During the attempted robbery, two customers were bound with zip ties and locked in the trunks of separate vehicles inside the shop. Upon learning that Bishun was a federal cooperating witness, Pizarro and Rivera kidnapped Bishun from his shop and strangled him to death with a plastic zip tie before abandoning his body in the back of his own vehicle on the side of the road. On a prior occasion, in January 2015, Pizarro and another accom-

plice stormed into Bishun’s auto body shop and robbed him at gunpoint, taking approximately $10,000. Two customers were also bound with zip ties. Pizarro, 38, of the Bronx, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison plus 32 years. Rivera, 41, also of the Bronx, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison plus seven years. Mr. Berman praised the investigative efforts of the DEA, NYPD and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Swergold, Jessica Fender, Jared Lenow and Margaret Graham are in charge of the prosecution. We thank Bronx Voice for reprint permission.

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every day. We’d laugh, talk and think back on all the things that happened to us in the auto body industry and try to think about how to make it easier. He was taken from us way too soon.” AASP/NJ is grateful to the many sponsors who made the 14th Annual Lou Scoras Memorial Golf Outing so successful. This year’s Platinum Sponsors were the Amato Agency and All American Auto Salvage. Gold Sponsors included Greco Publishing, AkzoNobel Coatings, Cosmo’s Ocean County Auto Wreckers and Fenix Parts. Auto Body Distributing Co. participated as a Silver Sponsor. This year’s Bronze Sponsors included Flemington Car & Truck Country, United Bank Card Network/Harbortouch and Hoffman Services, Inc. Refreshment carts were sponsored by Leesville Auto, Cosmo’s Ocean County Auto Wreckers and Fenix Parts. All American Salvage sponsored lunch, the Amato Agency sponsored dinner, and the Hole in One contest was sponsored by Maxon Hyundai-Mazda-Buick-GMC. Hole Sponsors for this year’s outing included Parkway Auto Body, Bloomfield Auto Body, Auto Body Distributing Co., The Amato Agency,

NJ Gasoline and C-Store Auto Association (NJGCA), Mike Kaufmann Dealer Group, Walter’s Auto Body, Metropolitan Car-O-Liner, Continental Auto Parts, Sherwin-Williams, All American Auto Salvage, Mountain View Auto Body, First Class Auto Glass, L & M Auto Center, Nucar Connection, Flemington Car & Truck Country, Axalta Coating Systems, Bill Flannery Automotive, USI North America Paint Booths, Albert Kemperle, Thomas Greco Publishing/New Jersey Automotive, Lee’s Auto Body, Meadowlands Exposition Center, Maxon Hyundai-Mazda-Buick-GMC, Central Paint, Holmes & McDowell, Elizabeth Truck Center, Anthony’s Auto Body, Mitch Portnoi - Post, Polak Law Firm and Sal’s Auto Body. This year’s Prize Sponsors were Nucar Connection, Cosmo’s Ocean County Auto Wreckers, Sherwin-Williams, The Amato Agency, Maxon HyundaiMazda-Buick-GMC, Axalta Coating Systems, Auto Body Distributing Co. and Utica National Insurance Company. For more information on AASP/NJ and the association’s event, visit aaspnj.org.

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

U.S. DOT Announces Roadway Fatalities Down

On Oct. 3, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that 2017 highway fatality numbers are down following two consecutive years of large increases. In addition, preliminary estimates for the first six months of 2018 appear to show that this downward trend continues into this year. “Safety is the Department’s number one priority,” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “The good news is that fatalities are trending downward after increasing for the two previous years. But, the tragic news is that 37,133 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2017. “ Earlier this month, NHTSA kicked off the agency’s “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different” campaign in Nashville, which ran alongside the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” message over the Labor Day weekend.

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WMABA’s Collision P.R.E.P. Opens for Presentation Submissions

The Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA) Collision P.R.E.P. education event, serving the East Coast collision repair industry, will once again be at the spring NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show on March 15–17 in Secaucus, NJ.

The event is now announcing the open window for speakers to submit their presentations for consideration in the educational line-up. Last spring, the Collision P.R. E.P.—short for Professional Repairer Education Program—blew all expectations out of the water by having a full slate of nationally recognized speakers, which led to the fantastic turnout by repairers. Hoping to continue to grow and bring leading-edge topics that are relevant to repair industry advancements, the event is asking for submissions by leaders in the industry.

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Collision P.R.E.P. will follow the format of seminar presentations, as well as organized panel discussions. The focus will be on relevant and timely information that addresses issues that collision repairers are currently facing. The deadline for submitting a presentation is Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. Submissions received after that may not be considered for this event. To submit a proposal, email the following information to jordanhendler@wmaba.com. The email should contain the following information in either the email body or an editable document: • Presentation title

• List of all presenters involved (include name, title, company, email address) • The presentation description

• Name at least three takeaways for the attendee

WMABA encourages NORTHEAST exhibitors to support WMABA through sponsorship of the Collision

P.R.E.P. program. NORTHEAST 2019 show sponsorship and promotional packages are also available through AASP/NJ. As a sponsor, your company will receive highly visible recognition before, during and after NORTHEAST. Note: there is no speaker compensation for participation as a presenter in Collision P.R.E.P. If you have any questions or would like more information on Collision P.R.E.P., please contact WMABA Executive Director Jordan Hendler directly at jordan hendler@wmaba.com or (804) 7899649. For questions regarding NORTHEAST, contact event management at (973) 667-6922.

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Milt’s Precision Collision Works for Its Customers, Not Insurance Companies in NY at Collision 31 in Newark and another 18 months at Corby’s Collision in Cars and trucks are Milt Race’s pas- Canandaigua. sion. While he prefers them to be “Then I saw this body shop was shiny and undamaged, he makes his available,” Race recalled. “It was living taking smashed-up vehicles Country Valley Collision, and it had and making them look like new. been foreclosed. It was vacant for about two years and had plenty of space. “I bought it on July 1, 2011. I wanted to run my own shop and do things my way.” Milt’s Precision Collision does any and all kinds of body work, ranging from repairing and painting vehicles involved in accidents to custom restorations. Milt’s Precision Collision does any and all kinds of body “We are a full-service shop work, ranging from repairing and painting vehicles involved that can straighten frames, do in accidents to custom restorations. Credit: Spencer Tulis, fabrication, welding and all Finger Lake Times other work involved with getRace runs Milt’s Precision Col- ting a damaged vehicle into as close to lision on Pre-Emption Road in original shape as possible,” Race said. Geneva, NY; using a skill he learned Race and fellow body man Jason from his father’s body shop back Baldwin also do tire mounting and while he was in high school. Milt’s balancing and light mechanical work father was in the business for 56 such as brakes, exhaust systems and tune-ups. One point Race drove home about this business: He does not work for insurance companies, but for his customers. “We are not what is called a pro or contract shop that allows insurance companies to dictate how we fix a vehicle,” Race elaborated. “We look at an estimate and explain to customers that the insurance companies often call for after-market, nonoriginal parts or used parts to keep their costs down. I advocate for the customer to have their vehicles fixed to as close to original as possible, even if it costs insurance more. We My goal is to do the job right the first time. I will argue with insurance companies don’t want unhappy customers. We want them to be repeat customers and to tell others about so the customer doesn’t have to. us. We try to treat each vehicle as if it was our “I don’t use after-market or used own," said Milt Race parts. My goal is to do the job right years. the first time. I don’t want unhappy “I ran my dad’s body shop dur- customers. We want them to be repeat ing high school right up until I grad- customers and to tell others about us. uated,” the 1987 Penn Yan Academy We try to treat each vehicle as if it was graduate said. “My dad and brothers our own.” taught me the trade of auto body Race said he explains the repair work.” process in detail to his customers and After Milt graduated from high takes pride in providing legitimate school, he went to work at Farnsworth estimates. He asks a customer to Chevrolet in Canandaigua, staying come in and look at the vehicle so he there for nine years. He spent 15 years can explain problems that arise and by David L. Shaw, Finger Lake Times

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

how they will be handled. Those business practices appear to be paying off. Race said revenue and the number of customers have increased each year he’s been in business, raising the prospect of hiring new employ-

Milt Race runs Milt’s Precision Collision on Pre-Emption Road in Geneva, NY, using a skill he learned in his father’s body shop back in high school in Penn Yan. Credit: Spencer Tulis, Finger Lake Times

ees. However, that leads to another issue plaguing many industries: finding trained auto body repair technicians. Race noted that fewer and fewer young adults are willing to undertake the hard work involved with body repair and that enrollment in those programs at BOCES is declining. “It’s hard to find people willing

to go into this field,” Race reiterated. Another challenge: The cars of today are much different from those that existed when Race first started in the business. There is less metal and more aluminum, carbon fiber and plastic. Vehicles are more complex and computer-driven, with electronics replacement and repair now a part of the business—requiring Race and Baldwin to keep up with new technology. “We actually glue, rather than weld, many body panels today,” noted Race, who likes to hunt when he squeezes in time away from the shop. Race has expanded his business to include a line of after-market lighting and sirens for trucks, police cars and emergency vehicles. His shop also has grown to offer a line of vehicle accessories such as Nerf bars, rain deflectors, bug shields, floor mats, lift kits and a line of wheels and tires. We thank Finger Lake Times for reprint permission.

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Geisinger Employees Ease Up on the Gas, Test Electric Cars in PA by Joe Sylvester, The Danville News

General Motors, promoting its electric vehicles with help from Geisinger test drivers, plans to place autonomous, or driverless, electric cars on [Mahoning

Research in Danville, PA, and other employees watching via live video chat.

Travis Hester, president and managing director of GM Canada, explains the electric motor of a 2018 Chevy Bolt EV at Geisinger on Oct. 9. Credit: Joe Sylvester, The Danville News

Township, PA] city streets by next year, a GM official told health system employees on Oct. 9. “They will prove safer than human drivers,” Michael Ableson, GM vice president of electric vehicle infrastructure, told the gathering in the Henry Hood Center for Health

A charging station for electric cars at Geisinger in Danville, PA. Credit: Robert Inglis, The Danville News

Ten different Geisinger employees are randomly selected to test drive a 2018 Chevy Bolt EV for a week during the 25 weeks of testing that started in June. Geisinger installed charging stations near the

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Knapper Clinic as part of the test drive program. “By the time this ends around Thanksgiving, we will have eliminated 400,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (from the air),” said Ableson,

Geisinger President David Feinberg, left, listens to Michael Ableson, General Motors vice president of vehicle infrastructure, speak about electric cars on Oct. 9 at Geisinger. Credit: Robert Inglis, The Danville News

who noted zero emission vehicles make up less than 1 percent of vehicles sold. The executive, formerly GM’s vice president of global strategy, said the company is developing autonomous electric cars because GM

is committed to “zero crashes, zero emissions, zero congestion,” and because electrification and autonomous vehicles are trends in the auto industry, along with connectivity and ride sharing. Ableson said the company will ensure the driverless vehicles are safe once the hardware and software problems are resolved. He said GM purchased a Silicon Valley software startup that was already working on autonomous vehicles in dense urban environments to facilitate the development of the vehicle. The sensors and computer software in those vehicles are designed to prevent crashes. Someone in the audience asked how GM will deal with liability if an autonomous vehicle is in a crash. “It will be safe,” he said. “If it is the fault of the vehicle, we will take responsibility. If there is a problem, we’ll fix it.” The price of an electric car starts at about $33,000, but Ableson said federal tax credits will reduce the See Electric Cars in PA, Page 32

PA Warns About Flood-Damaged Vehicles After Hurricane Florence With automotive officials estimating that as many as 40,000 vehicles were damaged by flooding from Hurricane Florence, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) are warning consumers to be on the lookout for flood-damaged cars being sold as undamaged new or used vehicles. “Though not all states were directly affected by Hurricane Florence, flood-damaged cars could potentially end up in the market across the country,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards in a Pennsylvania Insurance Department press release. “It’s important that consumers are aware of how to spot a vehicle that may be flood-damaged.” The release outlined things to check for that may indicate a vehicle has flood damage, such as: • Water stains, mold, mud or sand under the carpets, seats, floor mats, inside roof cloth and under the dashboard. • Rusty metal inside the car. The inside of a car does not usually rust.

• Musty odors in the trunk and in the passenger compartment, especially when running the air conditioning or heat. • Fog or moisture inside interior and exterior lights and excessive fogging of windows and condensation on windows.

• Mud or grit in the spare tire compartment and under the hood. When checking under the hood, it is important to look under wires, boxes and in hidden areas. • Oxidation under the hood. Oxidation on metal can look like white powder, or it could be small holes called pitting. • Brittle wires under the dashboard, speakers and hood.

A checklist of items that may indicate a vehicle is flood-damaged is available on the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website. Flood-impacted vehicles that have been issued a certificate of salvage are required to undergo an en-

hanced vehicle safety inspection prior to being issued a title in Pennsylvania. Upon successful completion of the enhanced inspection, a Pennsylvania title will be issued with a Flood or Reconstructed Flood brand, the release stated. “Consumers buying a vehicle with a salvage certificate or flood title should be aware of possible implications if they file an insurance claim on the vehicle,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman in the release. “Even if the vehicle is new, if a claim is later filed, the insurance company will research the vehicle history and see the prior claim for flood damage. If the vehicle is deemed to be a total loss, the insurer will likely pay out significantly less than would be paid for a vehicle that did not have flood damage.” Insurers also may not be willing to provide comprehensive and collision coverage on flood-damaged vehicles because the insurer can’t be sure of the vehicle’s value or how complete any repairs are, Altman added. Getting a loan for a vehicle without full comprehensive and col-

lision coverage is nearly impossible, so consumers would likely have to pay cash for the vehicle, she explained. Consumers can use the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s VINCheck database to see if the vehicle had a claim for flood or other damage filed. Consumers can also check reference services, such as the National Motor Vehicle Titling Information System (NMVTIS). NMVTIS is overseen by the U.S. Department of Justice and is designed to protect customers from fraud and unsafe vehicles and to help keep stolen vehicles from being resold. NMVTIS is the only publicly available system in the country that requires all insurance carriers, auto recyclers, junk and salvage yards, and states to report vehicle history information, according to the release. Source: Pennsylvania Insurance Department

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autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Branning Collision Centers Refurbishes, Donates 2 Cars to NJ Families in Need by Vashti Harris, CentralJersey.com

Branning Collision Centers recently donated refurbished cars to two New Jersey families as part of the Recycled Rides program. The company donated a 2016 Mitsubishi to Monmouth County resident Valerie Benites and her family. The company also donated a 2016 Hyundai to Monmouth County resident Olivia and her family on Sept. 26 during an unveiling ceremony at the company’s East Brunswick facility at 1120 Route 18 north. “When I went to share my story, I was just grateful for the opportunity to at least have my story heard. I can’t express how immensely grateful and blessed I am to be one of two families [chosen] for this amazing event, and I can’t begin to thank

Monmouth County resident Valerie Benites (Left) received the keys to her newly refurbished vehicle on Sept. 26 at Branning Collision Centers' East Brunswick, NJ, location

everyone who helped pull this event together,” Benites said. “The most amazing gift from one human being to another is to see another human being struggling and instead of walking by and turning a blind eye, stepping in and helping. I have been dealt with some pretty rough cards over the past several years, and my family [and I] have been through quite a bit, but this past year alone has completely restored my faith.” Benites and Olivia are domestic abuse survivors. For the safety of her and her children, Olivia chose not to use her real name. This is the third year that the company partnered with a nonprofit organization to identify deserving candidates to receive the vehicles. Monmouth County-based 180 Turning Lives Around selected the families, according to a prepared statement from Branning Collision Centers. 20

“With this generous donation from Branning, GEICO and Recycled Rides, a mother can now pursue gainful employment more easily and take her children to school and ex-

tracurricular activities that they previously had difficulty participating in without their own transportation,” 180 case worker Lumi Espaillat said in a prepared statement. “In addition to a car, you are giving them the ability to pursue better lives.” In addition to the vehicles, Branning also provides recipients with donations from local retailers, such as gas cards, food, clothing and other gifts, according to the statement. “In my 10 years with the agency, about 95 percent of the clients that have come through our doors have had either extremely unreliable vehicles or no vehicle at all. This makes it almost impossible for them to go about their lives in [the] carefree, easy way that we would all hope that everyone is able to,” said Melissa Knott, program coordinator for 180 Turning Lives Around. Knott said having a reliable vehicle is completely essential for independence and safety and is often one of the reasons why victims of domestic violence cannot leave an abusive relationship. “Without a vehicle, you can’t get to school or work, which limits your access to money, which in turns limits the victim’s ability to secure alternate housing … It’s really hard for clients to share their stories. It’s not easy. You might think, ‘Oh, there is a program that offers a free car to someone, and everyone is going to jump for the chance,’” Knott said. “While everyone might want to jump for the chance, it’s very, very hard for them to share their personal stories, personal tragedies and everything that they have suffered. So the ones that do have that courage to come forth are incredible; they are

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

my heroes.” This is the fifth Recycled Rides event in which GIECO has donated vehicles to be restored by Branning’s team. The two donated cars are the sixth and seventh vehicles that GIECO and the company have restored for the program. GEICO Auto Damage Manager Eric Tomkiewicz said GEICO has been involved with Recycled Rides for five years, and each year he makes a personal commitment to increase the number of vehicles that are donated. “Next year, I am hoping we can do 10 of these and really make an impact on 10 different families. The one thing that impresses upon me when meeting the family is [that] our industry has a great opportunity to use what we know to get people back on course. Knowing the families, it’s really not a question of the need; it is a question of these families wanting to succeed, and basic transportation affords that to them,”

Tomkiewicz said. This marks the second time that Branning will be donating multiple vehicles simultaneously, according to the statement from Branning Collision Centers.

“There is so much involved in bringing this day together; it’s truly a labor of love. Our staff and volunteers’ time and energy work tirelessly to prepare for this event. Our contributors have given generously and most have been involved in our Recycled Rides program since our first event in 2015,” said Kim Branning, chief operating officer for Branning Collision Centers. “I believe I can speak for everyone when I say there is an emotional connecSee Cars Donated, Page 27

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autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

SATA To Release SATAjet 5000 B ‘Sixties’ Gun

At SEMA 2018, SATA, German manufacturer of high-performance spray guns, breathing protection equipment, filter regulator units, cup systems and accessories, will display its new product launches under the exciting motto “Welcome to the ‘Sweet Sixties.;”

The SATAjet 5000 B Sixties is, of course, a fully functional spray gun suitable for daily use in the spray booth due to its robust special surface coating. This special edition gun can be ordered with a kit of three RPS multipurpose cups. While the HVLP version is available with nozzle sizes ranging from WSB to 1.5, the RP version is offered with nozzle sizes from 1.2 up to 1.4. Both technology versions come in standard only. The Special Edition Sixties spray gun will be available from your SATA distributor beginning Nov. 1.

Continued from Cover

vestigating whether tariffs should be levied.

CAR’s Dziczek, whose portfolio covers economics, trade and labor, said the changes under USMCA won’t all be favorable. “Production costs will go up, and sales will likely go down—all other things equal,” Dziczek said. Trade publication Automotive News, in a recent editorial, sounded more relieved than celebratory. “This rebadged North American Free Trade Agreement is good for the industry not because its terms are favorable, but because the fight is over,” according to the editorial. This fight may be over. There are other trade conflicts. Trump has led the U.S. into a trade war with China. There are also trade tensions with the European Union and other regions. “Yes, there are still jitters about China, the possibility of Section 232 tariffs being imposed on Japan, EU, U.K. once it leaves the EU, and South Korea,” Dziczek said. Section 232 is the term the U.S. Commerce Department uses for in-

Déjà Vu Trade isn’t the only worry. Ford Motor Co. (Dearborn, MI), a decade after avoiding bankruptcy, is again looking to revamp itself and cutting jobs. The automaker relies heavily on large pickups for the bulk of its profit. Its CEO, Jim Hackett, who took command of the company last year, talks about making Ford more fit. In early October, the company told salaried employees that cuts are coming. For now, there’s no hard timeline. “We are in the early stages of reorganizing our global salaried workforce to support the company’s strategic objectives, create a more dynamic and empowering work environment, and become more fit as a business,” the company said in a statement. “The reorganization will result in headcount reduction over time, and this will vary based on team and location. We will announce more specifics at the appropriate time.” During the 2000s, Ford had a

Jittery Days Remain

series of restructuring plans that cut thousands of jobs. The company recruited Boeing Co. executive Alan Mulally as CEO in 2006. He sold off European luxury brands and got rid of Mercury. The company was able to avoid bankruptcy, unlike General Motors and Chrysler, because it borrowed using its assets (including trademarks such as the Ford blue oval logo) as collateral. Mulally at the time was hailed as a turnaround artist. But that was then. The automotive world has gotten more complicated since Mulally retired in 2014. Now, there are issues such as self-driving cars and ridesharing services to deal with. Mulally’s successor, Mark Fields, was found wanting by the company’s board. Now it’s Hackett’s turn. The outcome isn’t assured. Once more, Ford employees brace themselves for cuts. Jittery days. We thank AdvancedManufacturing .org for reprint permission.

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Tips for Busy Body Shops with Stacey Phillips

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

The Best Body Shops’ Tips: How to Take Great Photos to Support Your Estimates Writing a proper estimate is an important component of running a successful collision repair facility. There are many aspects to consider when preparing an estimate, and Roger Cada, senior consultant for Accountable Estimating, said collision photography is a requirement that is often overlooked.

A typical photo taken by a body shop

When taking photographs to document repair damage, Cada said that a poor image could actually work against you, costing a body shop time and money. During a webinar held in September and hosted by Dave Luehr’s Elite Body Shop Academy, Cada shared how to take pictures strategically to document damage as well as the repair process. As collision repairers move into the world of ADAS systems and advanced high-strength steels, Cada said it’s crucial to keep good records for every vehicle. “Photos are a big part of this and provide the record you need so if you are challenged later on, you have the documentation that tells a story of exactly what was needed and what was done,” he said. Any information in the file also becomes evidence if it goes to litigation and can help protect your shop. “As much as we might not like it, insurance companies are now expecting more information on the administration side,” said Cada. “If you build an estimate correctly, and you are challenged in a court of law, documentation is better than your word.” When talking to webinar attendees, Cada drew on his 45 years of industry experience, which includes working in collision repair for 15 years. More than half of that time was 24

spent as an estimator and business manager for independent shops and dealerships. In 1983, Cada joined State Farm Insurance and was a corporate lead trainer for estimators during the majority of his career. Part of this role included working alongside automakers and information providers to write the most accurate estimates possible. He said it’s helpful to think about it this way: “If it’s not documented, it never happened.” As a result, he said his goal has always been to help shops achieve a positive outcome of success, so every detail of the estimate is covered and supplements are reduced, but not at the cost of reducing profitability for the shops. After leaving State Farm, Cada began consulting with the collision repair industry. In 2018, he founded Accountable Estimating with Kent Ruppert, CFO, and Scott Ellegood, COO, with an emphasis on the creation of online estimator certification training courses. They are also working with AMi (Automotive Management Institute) to establish a certification program for estimators. Since establishing Accountable Estimating, the team has aimed to bring what they learned in the collision and automobile insurance industries over the years to help body shops improve operations. Some of the training and assistance they provide includes an online/on-demand collision photography course. Not only can good images support the estimate, but Cada explained they also are an essential aspect of providing visual documentation to justify payment for the customer and help reduce the time spent negotiating estimating charges with insurance companies. In some states, photographs can also help demonstrate who is liable for the accident and at what percentage based on where the vehicle was struck, as well as how the accident occurred. Over the years, Cada has found that images are a key factor in subrogation. “Sometimes we make recommendations to our customers based on what we feel will be greater success,”

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

he explained. For example, Cada said, if a customer approaches the bill payer and that insurance company takes the im-

they’ll knock hundreds if not thousands of dollars off the reimbursement to the insurers,” he said. As a result, it can be very costly for all involved. In addition, quality photographs can also help reduce supplements and lead to more efficiency, profits, quality and positive Customer Service Index (CSI) scores. “You as an estimator have the ability to control all of this,” he said. By incorporating some of the recommendations from Rather than writing an esRoger Cada at Accountable Estimating, a damage photo timate based on the images can improve dramatically taken, Cada recommended ages and estimates to the other insurer, taking pictures after the bid is written. “You should take them after you the insurer will look at the evidence, images and documentation and pay write your most complete bid because it helps support the estimate and what based off the information provided. “In the case of subrogation, they you are charging for, so it becomes a will review the estimate being pre- receipt for the items bid on the estisented and if it’s not presented well, See Estimate Photos, Page 35

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

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Paid for Scans

using OEM repair procedures every time.” Weikel spoke at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), held in Atlanta in August, as part of a panel discussion on the need to improve shop’s use of—and compensation for—OEM repair procedures. John Eck, who has overseen the development of the General Motors newly announced collision shop certification program, said he’s seen

from personal experience the need to hold the industry to a higher standard. He said his father sent him photos of his late-model car after it had been “t-boned,” along with an estimate for repairs from a shop. “It was horrifying,” Eck said of the estimate. “This is a 4-year-old vehicle with sensors in the front. There was no scanning [on the estimate] and there were like six parts on the estimate. I told him, ‘Dad, I count 10 lying on the ground.’” Eck called it “unfathomable” that any shop would not check the calibration and sensors of the elec-

tronic safety systems—often one of the biggest reasons a customer chose a particular vehicle—as part of any

John Eck of General Motors called it “unfathomable” that any shop would not scan a vehicle as part of the collision repair process

collision repair. “When I go to a dealer for an oil change, the first thing they do is plug the vehicle in,” Eck said “Yet we’re not willing to do it when we know there are systems that have been ripped off the car? It doesn’t make sense. There’s no way anyone in this room, regardless of what stakeholder side you fall on, would not check to make sure that’s happening if it’s your wife or daughter or your family member [who will be in that vehicle].” Panelist Darrell Amberson, who oversees operations for the nine LaMettry’s Collision shops in Min-

Lower the Cost-Barrier to OEM Procedures John Eck of General Motors was the latest automaker to address the issue of shops having to pay to access OEM repair procedures. An attendee at the recent Collision Industry Conference (CIC) drew applause when he said that if the automakers want the procedures to be followed, they should understand that the cost of accessing the information can be a barrier to that happening.

Eck pointed out that his company does make some structural repair procedures available at no charge at its www.genuinegmparts.com website. He said the company charges both independent and dealership body shops the same subscription fees so there is “a level playing field.” He said there is a cost to developing those procedures, and automakers face a balancing act of how much of that cost “can be built into the sales

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

price of the vehicle.” But he also noted that GM’s newly announced shop certification program requires the use of the Mitchell International estimating system because that system will have GM repair procedures embedded into it, making them accessible as an estimate is being written. “They’re going to be delivered to you. You won’t have to research them anymore,” Eck said.

nesota, said he sees not only insurers but even some collision repairers questioning OEM procedures. “There are those who in some cases may not be educated and believe the way they have been doing things works fine,” Amberson said. “There are those who question the manufacturers. I frequently hear com-

Panelist Darrell Amberson said he’s concerned that even some shops challenge the need to follow OEM repair procedures

ments like, ‘They are just looking after themselves,’ or ‘They come up with policies that are over-the-top so therefore we don’t have to give too much credibility to them.’ I think that strikes at the core of the issue.” But Eck said that following OEM procedures makes sense because the

only alternative is “leaving it to every man, woman and child to figure that out for themselves.” “Is there anybody else writing repair procedures for GM vehicles?” Eck asked rhetorically. “Anyone that is tearing these cars apart, testing different weld techniques? What are the alternative procedures?” Eck said some attempts to legislate the use of OEM procedures at a state level have incorporated the issue with attempts to limit the use of non-OEM parts. “In my world, those are two different things,” Eck said. “Repair procedures are how you fix the car; parts are about what you’re putting on.” He said it’s safe and proper repairs—not OEM parts sales—that are the focus of GM’s new shop network program. “We’re looking to partner with facilities that are saying, ‘I’m going to do the right thing, and it doesn’t matter how old the car is, or whatever,’” Eck said. “The parts discussion? We can debate that. We know how to sell parts. We’ll compete there. But on the process, on the things you have to do to fix it correctly, on that

[we are looking for] those who are saying, ‘An uncompromised commitment to safety.’” The CIC committee that organized the panel discussion in Atlanta polled CIC attendees about how they felt about the idea of legislatively mandating the use of OEM collision repair procedures. About 22 percent said they “don’t like government intervention” and that the industry can regulate itself. But three-quarters said such legislation is needed “to get compliance and avoid risk of litigation.” “Repairers shouldn’t be placed in the middle of this, deciding between a proper repair or proper payment,” Weikel said. “Scanning is only a function of using proper repair procedures. If you’re using OEM repair procedures, it says in there to scan. So if we fix the [issue of the need to adhere to OEM repair procedures], that solves the payment issue and gets everyone on the same page about what the expectations are.”

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Cars Donated

tion to these families that is so rewarding.” The Recycled Rides program is run by the National Auto Body Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and implementing community-centered initiatives that exemplify the integrity of the collision industry. Recycled Rides aims to donate refurbished vehicles to local, economically disadvantaged families with the help of insurance companies and agencies, car rental companies, collision repair centers, parts vendors, local businesses and others in the industry. Since its creation in 2007, the program has helped provide thousands of vehicles to families in need, according to a prepared statement. For more information about Branning Collision Centers, visit www.branningcollisioncenters.com. We thank CentralJersey.com for reprint permission.

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit Panel at SEMA, First Session The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) recently announced the participants and session details for the first of three panels to make up the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit (Summit) this fall. The Summit held Thursday, Nov. 1, as part of the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, will kick off with the 9–10:30 a.m. session “The Rules – and Challenges – of Structural Repair on Modern Architecture.” To register to attend the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, visit www.scrs.com/rde and either select the individual sessions or purchase a Full Series Pass for the best value. During the open and interactive session, panelists will explore how modern vehicle architecture and design specifically influence repair facility processes. From research of advanced substrates and mixed-material designs to

joining processes and equipment necessities, the program will fully explore the range of considerations necessary to perform structural collision repair. With automakers intentionally designing flows of energy through structural components and away from occupants, understanding how to anticipate and identify signs of energy travel through the vehicle and the possible impact upon the repair process is also critical for technicians and owners alike. The morning session will be moderated by Ron Reichen, Precision Body and Paint in Beaverton, OR, and Danny Gredinberg, administrator of the Database Enhancement Gateway (www.degweb.org). Panelists will include: Robert Hiser | Auto/Steel Partnership Lead, Advanced High-Strength Steel Repairability

compliance for Assured Performance Network, and David Gruskos, president, Reliable Automotive Equipment Inc. Panelists will include: John Eck | General Motors Company Collision Manager, Customer Care & Aftersales Kenneth Park | Volvo Cars USA Certified Collision Program Manager Ben Cid | Mercedes-Benz USA Collision Business Manager Mark Zoba | Nissan Group of America Manager, Collision Network Growth & Strategy

There has never been a better time to gain an understanding of what OEMs expect of the collision repair community. To secure your spot to learn directly from General Motors, Volvo Cars USA, Mercedes-Benz USA and Nissan Group of America about their certified networks, visit www.scrs.com /rde to register. Other sessions included in the 2018 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit include:

9–10:30 a.m. “The Rules – and Challenges – of Structural Repair on Modern Architecture.” 3–5 p.m. “The Future Impact of Telematics, Technology, Transportation and the Collision Industry”

The 2018 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit is made possible with

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. “The Evolution of OEM Network and Expectations”

3–5 p.m. “The Future Impact of Telematics, Technology, Transportation and the Collision Industry”

The 2018 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit is made possible with support from PPG Automotive Refinish, AkzoNobel, BASF, CCC Information Services, Inc., General Motors Company: Customer Care & Aftersales, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes, Inc. and Spanesi Americas. For more information about SCRS, or to join as a member, please visit www.scrs.com, call 1-877-8410660 or email info@scrs.com.

To secure your spot to learn directly from Audi of America, the Auto/Steel Partnership, FCA and Porsche Cars North America about vehicle design and how these companies support proper structural repair, visit www.scrs.com/rde to register. Other sessions included in the 2018 OEM Collision Repair Technol-

OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit at SEMA, Second Session The Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit (Summit) will be held on Thursday, Nov. 1 in Las Vegas, NV, at the 2018 SEMA Show. To register to attend the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, visit www.scrs.com/rde and either select the individual sessions or purchase a Full Series Pass for the best value. The Summit will feature three sessions, each uniquely designed to host discussion between companies and individuals who are able to highlight emerging trends that influence vehicle repairability and collision industry preparation. The second session of the Summit will run Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., titled “The Evolution of OEM Networks and Expectations.” In this 90-minute panel discussion, representatives of General Motors, Mercedes-Benz USA, Nissan Group of America and Volvo Cars USA will share details of their distinct program structures and elaborate on how the expectations have evolved to their present state. As vehicle architecture and technology advance, so do the expectations of those performing repairs. Specialization and commitment to repair procedure adherence become increasingly more paramount, and many automakers have shifted their models of creating OEM collision repair networks to ensure that consumers have vetted options if collision repair services become necessary. The session will be moderated by Aaron Clark, vice president, technical

ogy Summit include:

Body Structure Service Engineer, General Motors Company Mike Kukavica | Porsche Cars North America Collision Repair Technology Instructor, AfterSales Technical Training Shawn Hart | Audi of America Collision Instructor/Curriculum Designer Dan Black | FCA Advanced Body Development Service Engineer and Collision Repair Manager

support from PPG Automotive Refinish, AkzoNobel, BASF, CCC Information Services, Inc., General Motors Company: Customer Care & Aftersales, Sherwin-Williams Automotive

Finishes, Inc. and Spanesi Americas. For more information about SCRS or to join as a member, please visit www.scrs.com, call 1-877-841-0660 or email info@scrs.com.

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Tips for Busy Body Shops with Stacey Phillips

The Best Body Shops’ Tips: Why OEM Certifications Are Critical to Remain in Business For those body shops still not con“The top insurance carriers are alvinced that obtaining OEM certifica- ready looking at their DRP programs tions is a critical component for and overlaying them with certification surviving in the future, Robb Young programs as a possible way to enhance of Assured Performance said, “Change and improve the 35-year-old business is necessary if you want to capitalize model,” said Young, who predicts this on the opportunity of the future. If you will continue in the future. continue to run your business the same As a result, he stressed the imporway you have been, five years from tance of getting certified to stay comnow your business will either be dying petitive. or be out of business.” “As Benjamin Franklin said, ‘By Young recently spoke to a group failing to prepare, you are preparing to of body shop owners and managers fail,’” said Young. Currently, approximately during the AkzoNobel Acoat 10 percent of shops across Selected North American the United States have some Performance Group meeting in San Diego, CA, about type of certification. The reathe “20/20 Vision: Leveragson, according to Young, is ing Your Certification.” they lack the proper tools, That 20/20 Vision, accordequipment, training and faciling to Young, is the point in ities to repair vehicles to OEM Rob Young which a shop has 20 percent specifications for proper fit, growth in its business and earns a 20 finish and safety. For example, out of the percent pretax net profit, an achieve- 6,000 shops that have applied for certiment made possible as a result of fication through Assured Performance OEM certification and executing a Network over the last seven years, well-thought-out business strategy to Young said only 25–30 percent could become an OEM Certified Collision obtain certification. Care provider. Young is the director “If only 10 percent of the shops of strategic accounts for Assured Per- are experts, be one of those top 10 performance, a North American adminis- cent,” Young recommended. “Be the trator of OEM certification programs, local expert of choice.” network management platforms and He encouraged shop owners and collision repair business development managers to change their current line programs and tools. of thinking, begin exploring what sets During his training session, them apart from the shop down the Young discussed the new paradigm street and utilize OEM certification as taking place in the collision repair a marketing differentiator. industry and presented the case for Young mentioned how certificacertification from both revenue and tion not only differentiates a business, expense perspectives. but how it also can help with staff reHe identified the three main fo- cruitment, marketing, how customers cuses insurance companies have choose a shop, manage the company’s today: customer satisfaction, cost re- processes and with overall quality. duction and risk mitigation. OEM certification also provides “The paradigm is shifting and quality assurance for a facility in the they [insurance companies] are look- event there is litigation. He talked ing for ways to save money and re- about the importance of having a duce risk,” said Young, who had process in place and documenting that worked in the insurance industry and process on every single repair. automotive industry for 25 years prior “If you are pulled into a court of to joining Assured Performance Net- law, you’ll need to provide substantial work this year. Rather than viewing documentation to show how you folinsurance companies as customers, he lowed OE repair procedures by a suggested looking at them as strategic trained technician, using the correct partners. parts,” Young cautioned.

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

He also mentioned the OE-QC tool inside Assured Performance’s ShopOps platform that every certified shop has access to. The first step is to set up basic rules and processes. This includes listing out the tool and equipment purchases necessary for the facility, allocating money toward training, marketing and researching the cost of certification fees. “Yes, there’s a cost to getting certifications,” explained Young. “You can’t buy them. You have to qualify. It’s a value proposition that must permeate your shop’s culture.” Although there is an investment necessary for certification, it has been shown to ultimately increase the amount of business coming to your doorstep. “Most of our shops see an increase in the number of vehicles they repair if they follow the process and

the marketing strategies laid out through the OEM Certification programs,” Young said. Young also pointed out that OEMs are proactively communicating with insurance companies and marketing to consumers through Assured Performance’s locators and marketing tools available in ShopOps. “OEMs are increasingly directing traffic to shops that are certified,” he said. “Over the last 18 months, data has shown that a shop that follows OEM procedures has a lower cycle time and higher CSI score.” Once a shop receives certification, Young reminded shop owners and managers to let everyone know about it. “When you get certified, you have the right to carry that badge,” he said. “It’s an honor, so make sure to use them on all your marketing collateral.” See OEM Certifications, Page 41

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, Third and Final Session The Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit will be held on Thursday, Nov. 1 in Las Vegas, NV, at the 2018 SEMA Show. The final afternoon session on Nov. 1, held from 3–5 p.m., will explore “The Future Impact of Telematics, Technology, Transportation and the Collision Industry.” To register for all three sessions of the 2018 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, visit www.scrs .com/rde. For this two-hour session, SC-RS welcomes back TEDx speaker and author of “The Zero Dollar Car,” John Ellis of Ellis & Associates. Ellis is an expert in big data and how it will change the business models of the world’s leading sectors.

In this session, SCRS has brought together thought leaders with OEM, technology, claims and fleet backgrounds to explore how the future of automotive technology inside the vehicle will change external interactions in the event of a loss. Whether communicating with individuals or associated organizations, there is a great deal of development in the area where technology interfaces and telematics data will impact collision repair business models. Panelists will include: Andreas Hecht | CCC Information Services SVP, General Manager OEM Derik Reiser | Enterprise Holdings, Inc. AVP, Technology Innovation Charlene Wehman | Subaru of America, Inc. Cross-Car Line Planning

Manager – Telematics James Levendusky | Verisk VP, Telematics

Continued from Page 11

quire the use of non-original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts in the repair of an insured’s motor vehicle unless the consumer is advised in a written estimate of the use of non-original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts before repairs are made. In all instances where non-original equipment manufacturer aftermarket parts are intended for use by an insurer, the written estimate must clearly identify each part with the name of its nonoriginal manufacturer or distributor and a disclosure document.” At the conclusion of the letter, Schnoll wrote, “The Department appreciates you bringing these important concerns to our attention. We encour-

age any of your members or their customers with specific examples of insurers impermissibly describing, pricing or requiring the use of replacement parts from specific vendors to contact the Department to permit us to investigate and resolve those specific disputes. These complaints may be forwarded to the Department’s Consumer Services Division at: California Department of Insurance Claims

Parts Legal Opinion

that each written estimate of the cost of the auto body or collision repairs indicate whether each crash part is either an OEM part or non-original OEM aftermarket crash part and whether each replacement part is new, rebuilt or reconditioned. The use of any terms other than original OEM or non-original OEM in a repair estimate, such as ‘Optional OEM,’ ‘Alternate OEM’ or ‘Surplus OEM,’ is not permitted. “California Business & Professions Code section 985.1 provides in relevant part that no insurer shall reContinued from Page 18

Electric Cars in PA

price to under $30,000. He added that the cost of the vehicles will come down over time.

Several Chevy Bolt electric cars are parked by chargers at Giesinger, Danville, PA. Credit: Robert Inglis, The Danville News

He said they have a range of 238 miles on a charge and are less expensive to operate and maintain than gasoline-powered vehicles. He agreed with another com32

ment that zero emissions cannot be achieved until both vehicle and power generation emissions are eliminated. Geisinger employees are testing the cars because Matthew Walsh, Geisinger’s chief operating officer of Clinical Enterprise and a Detroit native, met Travis Hester, president and managing director of GM Canada, at the Detroit car show. “He told me about the program GM was contemplating,” said Walsh, who said Geisinger was already interested in electric vehicles. Todd Merriett of Geisinger’s marketing and communications department recently test drove one of the Bolts. “I saved on gas,” said Merriett, who lives in Lewisburg. “That’s a nice perk. It’s really quiet. It stops and you say, is this thing still on?” We thank The Danville News for reprint permission.

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

The panelists will share direct experience in their world of connectivity and help the repair audience consider and understand the work being done to integrate point-of-impact data, telematics and connectivity between respective parties. Most importantly, attendees will gain visibility into what that connectivity means to repairers, the work they do on the shop floor and their relationship to the consumer and others in the process. To register, visit www.scrs.com/rde. Other sessions included in the 2018 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit include:

9–10:30 a.m. “The Rules – and Challenges – of Structural Repair on Modern Architecture.” 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. “The Evolution of OEM Networks and Expectations.”

The 2018 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit is made possible with support from PPG Automotive Refinish, AkzoNobel, BASF, CCC Information Services, Inc., General Motors Company: Customer Care & Aftersales, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes, Inc. and Spanesi Americas. For more information about SCRS, or to join as a member, please visit www .scrs.com, call 1-877-841-0660 or email info@scrs.com.

Services Bureau, 300 Spring Street, South Tower, Los Angeles, CA.” If you want to file a complaint with the California Department of Insurance, this URL will allow you to access its Auto Body Repair Shop Report Form: www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers /105-type/95-guides/01-auto/upload /CSD005AutoBodyRepairShop ReportForm.pdf.

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

All 2019 Civic Models To Feature Honda Sensing Technology by Gary Ledoux

If history has taught us anything about vehicle technology, it is that the latest advancements may be introduced in limited production or highline cars—from the hydraulic brake systems of the 1930s to the curved windshields of the 1950s and the advent of disc brakes in the 1970s—but eventually, that technology will be applied to every vehicle in the car maker’s line-up. Such is the case with Honda’s 2019 Civic, the 10th generation of one of America’s most popular and celebrated cars. Introduced in the fall of 2015 with first the sedan and then the coupe, the 10th-generation Civic will surpass 1 million units this year. Moving forward to make Honda Sensing® standard equipment on all Honda vehicles by the year 2022, all trim levels of the 2019 Civic sedan and coupe, from the base LX to the highest-line touring, will feature Honda Sensing® technology. This underscores the increasing need for pre- and post-scanning and recalibration of critical components when making collision repairs. Honda Sensing® is Honda’s ex-

clusive intelligent suite of safety and driver assistive technologies designed to alert drivers to things they may miss while driving. The suite consists of:

• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS): Designed to help keep the car centered in a detected lane

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Maintains a set following interval behind detected vehicles • Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM): Adjusts steering and braking if the vehicle crosses detected lanes without signaling

alerts that you are at risk of a collision

Other available Honda safety driverassistive technology features, depending on the vehicle model and trim level, include:

• Honda Lane Watch™: Any time the right turn signal is activated, the camera on the passenger-side mirror will turn on, displaying a live video on the car’s Display Audio TouchScreen, providing four times more vision than a standard mirror

• Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™): Applies brake pressure when an unavoidable collision is determined

• Blind Spot Information System: When the turn signal is activated and a vehicle is detected in the adjacent lane, an audio and visual alert will activate until the adjacent vehicle moves away or until the turn signal is turned off

• Forward Collision Warning (FCW): Uses a camera on the windshield to detect vehicles in front of your vehicle, activating audio and visual

• Auto High-Beam Headlights: When driving at night above 25 MPH with the headlight switch turned to AUTO, the system will apply high or

• Lane Departure Warning (LDW): Detects un-indicated departure from detected lanes, providing visible and audible alerts

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

• Cross Traffic Monitor: When in reverse, both audio and visual alerts are activated if another vehicle approaching from either side is detected

low beams, depending on the surrounding environment.

On its consumer website, American Honda posted, “We are passionate about the safety of not just everyone who gets in a Honda, but of everyone who shares the road with them too— from other drivers to bicyclists to pedestrians.” By model year 2020, Honda expects “…a 50 percent reduction in crashes involving model year 2020 Honda vehicles.” By model year 2030, Honda predicts that everything on the road will be connected, “including pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycle riders.” By model year 2040, Honda expects all Honda models of that year to be accident-free. It is also expected that a synergy will exist between Honda and other vehicle makers and transportation providers to work together to eliminate all accidents. By model year 2050, Honda predicts a “network of intelligent, interconnected machines” that will communicate with one another as well as other areas of infrastructure to provide efficient, trouble-free and accident-free transportation.

Continued from Page 24

Estimate Photos

mate,” he said. This can also result in less tension with insurance companies and a noticeable difference in profits. “We’re building a record of the vehicle not only for your internal file, but also to get success from the bill payer,” he said. There are three main types of images he recommends taking: damage photos, repair process photos and those that show the positive outcome of the car. All three are an important part of documenting what happened throughout the entire process. Whenever possible, he advises having the same person who wrote the estimate take the pictures. Cada shared 10 tips on how to take

better photos to support your estimate: 1) Whether using a cell phone, a point-and-shoot camera, a 35 mm or a tablet, Cada said to use the method that provides the most success. Better does not necessarily mean a more expensive camera. 2) Be aware of not getting too close to the car when taking pictures. 3) Consider taking comparative photos (i.e. both the damaged side of the vehicle and undamaged side) as well as ones before and after. 4) Make sure every image is based on supporting the estimate line item. 5) Minimize the use of props (such as arrows, fingers pointing, or writing on the vehicle). That can actually work against you if you are called to testify in court. 6) Take your shots at different

angles, pay attention to the lighting and utilize the reflections in your natural surroundings. 7) Photos should be clear, crisp and showcase the damage in detail. 8) Ensure you don’t capture things you don’t want in the images; after reviewing, keep the best and delete the rest. 9) Utilize mirrors to show damage and validate quality control in hard-toreach areas. 10) Practice every day to improve the quality of your images and be patient; taking good pictures is an acquired skill. For more information about Accountable Estimating and the training provided, visit www.accountableestimating.com. For information about Dave Luehr’s Elite Body Shop Academy, visit www.elitebodyshopsolutions .com/ academy

Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Breakfast To Take Place at SEMA

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) is holding the second annual Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Breakfast at the 2018 SEMA Show. This event will be free to attend and held on Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 7:30–9:30 a.m.

in Ballrooms D–E at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. Seating for breakfast will be on a first come, first served basis and will be limited to 200 available seats. Prestigious awards include: • Body Shop Business: Executive of the

Year Awards (Independent and MSO) • CIECA: Electronic Commerce of the Year Award & Outstanding Achievement Awards • I-CAR: I-CAR Chairman’s Award, Jeff Silver Award and Russ Verona Memorial

CIECA Focuses on Data Standards

CIECA held its 10th annual Symposium in Tampa, FL, Sept. 17—19, providing members and guests with the opportunity to hear a wide range of speakers discuss relevant industry issues. These included business and technical presentations about blockchain, photo estimating, OEM vehicle recalls, automated parts procurement, telematics and the connected car, an explanation of Xsd 2JsonSchema, and tips on how to position yourself in the collision repair industry. “It’s an exciting time to be involved in the CIECA organization,” said Clint Marlow, CIECA’s chairman of the board. “Over the next several years, we’re going to see a lot of innovation in the industry. What makes that innovation possible is data standards.”

Award • NABC: Award of Distinction and Body Shop Image Award • SCRS: March Taylor Kina’ole Award and Affiliate Association Award • AMI: AMI Graduating Class of 2018

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Sherwin-Williams Study Reveals Primary Reason Body Shops Prefer Waterborne Coatings by Stacey Phillips

With the usage of waterborne coatings on the rise, a recent study conducted by Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes found that quality was the primary reason collision repairers favor waterborne refinish coatings over traditional solvent systems. The study was conducted in July, prior to the company launching its new Ultra 9K Waterborne Basecoat System the following month. “As we prepared to launch our new product, we were interested in finding out general user opinions about waterborne coatings and what is driving the change to use them,” said Brian Shenk, marketing director for Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes. “The extensive market survey revealed a number of trends and information regarding the use and increased acceptance of waterborne systems.” Out of the 250 survey respondents across the United States, the majority classified themselves as body shop owners or managers. Seventy-seven percent work for or own an independent body shop, and 60 percent have annual revenue of $1.5 million or less. According to the survey, 64 percent of collision repair shops have used waterborne paint within the last year. “When we first started manufacturing waterborne coatings for the refinish market, we expected that most people were going to want to use them because of changing [VOC] legislation and wanting to be ahead of the curve in regard to compliance,” said Shenk. What we’re finding is that the technology behind waterborne paint is so superior today that shops are changing for a completely different set of reasons other than because they are required to do so.” As a result of the study, Shenk said they learned the five key considerations from collision repairers when choosing a new waterborne system for their facility. Color match was at the top of the list followed closely by productivity and ease of system use. Price and OEM approvals were also factors in their decision-making process. The number one reason shops 36

aren’t using waterborne coatings, according to the study, is the cost of new equipment. However, more than half of those who currently don’t utilize them said that they plan to do so or at least look into it over the next year. “There’s a reasonably big contingent of underinformed shop owners who have misconceptions about waterborne systems,” said Shenk. Typically, he said those not using waterborne basecoats believe they are significantly slower than solvents and not going to provide the same color match or durability. They might have tried it years ago or heard mixed reviews. “It surprises me that people make up their mind one way or another about waterborne coatings and then don’t consider them again,” said Shenk. “Today’s products are vastly different.” Some of the recent innovations introduced to the market include increased production, quality of paint matching, better application equipment and supplier training. “By today’s standards, all shops should be switching to water,” said Greg Weaver, co-owner of Acworth Collision in Acworth, GA. “Shops need to forget the water-based horror stories. Today’s systems provide better color match, better speed and are equal to, or even less, in overall expense compared to solvent.” “We wanted to ensure our new product could perform in really busy collision shops,” said Shenk. “This research tells us that we’re on the right track. We’ve received an unwavering positive response from our customers, and it gives us confidence that the product is what our customers want.” Sold exclusively through the Sherwin-Williams branch stores in North America, the Ultra 9K system is compact, requiring less than 70 toners and a single reducer. Shenk said the new line was created to provide precise and quick color match to help shops improve cycle time and maximize throughput. It utilizes intuitive Color Retrieval Software and spectrophotometer as well as a wet-on-wet application. It is compliant in national rule and VOCregulated areas and can be used in various climates in high or low hu-

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

midity. Steve Raines, manager for Acworth Collision, in Acworth, GA, said the shop’s painters love to spray Ultra 9K. “It goes on wet-on-wet so it’s faster than other systems, the color match is outstanding, and it’s really more production-friendly,” he said. “It even reacts well to humidity, which is something we struggled with using other systems.” “The new Ultra 9K system addresses what is most important to every collision center—productivity and efficiency,” said Rob Mowson, vice president of marketing for Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes. “It utilizes the finest speed primers, color basecoat and fast glamour-producing clearcoats. We wanted this system to be a true change for the industry. We re-thought everything to make sure that the entire shop experience is best-in-class.” Shenk said the bottom line is that there are two main considerations for a shop when considering a refinish system: color match and

turnaround time, both of which Ultra 9K offers collision repairers. “We’ve been very pleased with our customers’ reaction to the new product,” said Shenk. “It’s fun to connect with customers and introduce a product that is welcomed by those in the industry who need it. It’s really satisfying to have something so meaningful in the work lives of painters and people who run body shops.” Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes manufactures and distributes a complete line of advanced technology paint and coating systems for automotive and fleet refinishing industries. The Automotive Finishes division is part of The Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group, which supplies a broad range of highly engineered solutions in more than 120 countries around the world. Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution and sale of paints, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers.

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with Any Parts Needs. For new customer inquiries, email: parts@nucar.com or call Nick Halliday at:

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email: parts@nucar.com

HONDA CONNECTICUT

Lia Honda of Enfield Enfield

800-221-3131 860-741-3401 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-4 jdoucette@liacars.com

Manchester Honda Manchester

800-442-6614 860-645-3115 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-5; Sat 8-4 gabe.llantin@manchesterhonda.com

Schaller Honda New Britain

800-382-4525 860-826-2080 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 8-1 jkiniry@schallerauto.com MAINE

Berlin City Honda South Portland

800-640-6685 207-774-6685 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 mmmparts@berlincity.com

Prime Honda Saco

207-391-7910 207-282-0900 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Th. 7:30-7; Sat 7:30-4 klavalle@driveprime.com MARYLAND

Criswell Honda Ger mantown

866-738-2886 Dept. Hours: M-Thu 7-9; Fri 7-7:30; Sat 8-6 hondaparts@criswellauto.com ACURA MARYLAND

Tischer Acura Laurel

800-288-6983 301-498-3322 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4 wholesaleparts@tischerauto.com MASSACHUSETTS

Acura of Boston Brighton

800-254-1169 617-254-5400 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-5 bruce.fisher@acuraofboston.com

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

PEN N S Y LVA N I A

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell Honda

Madison Honda

Dick Ide Honda

Ellicott City

Madison

R o ch e s t e r

Wexford

410-461-5000 410-461-9654

800-648-0293 973-822-1710

800-462-0056 (N.Y.) 585-586-4919

724-940-2006

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 bshortt@odonnellhonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-Thu 7-8; Fri 7-6; Sat 8-6; mschumer@madisonhonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-Thur 8-8; Fri 8-5:30; Sat 8-5 parts@dickide.com

Ourisman Honda of Laurel

Rossi Honda

Lamacchia Honda

Laurel

Vineland

S y ra c u s e

800-288-6985 301-498-6050

800-893-3030 856-692-4449

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-7; Sat 7-4 julio.cruz@ourismanautomotive.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 6:30-5; Sat 7:30-3 dave@rossihonda.com

MASSACHUSETTS

LIA Honda Northampton Northampton

800-369-7889 413-586-6043 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-4 dstanisewski@liacars.com NEW JERSEY

Clinton Honda Annandale

877-657-2787 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5 chrish@clintonhonda.com

Honda of Turnersville Tur nersville

800-883-0002 856-649-1584 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-4 sbaptist@penskeautomotive.com

Hudson Honda West New Yor k

Route 22 Honda Hillside

973-705-9100 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7:30; Sat 8-5 rt22hondaparts@route22honda.com

VIP Honda

Sussman Honda

Albany

Roslyn

800-272-6741 518-482-2598

800-682-2914 215-657-3301

Dept. Hours: M, T, W, F 7:30-5:30; Thur 7:30-8; Sat 8-5 apersaud@liacars.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-1 rendrick@sussmanauto.com

Williamsville/Buffalo

Babylon Honda We s t B a by l o n

631-669-5800 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7:30-3:30 babylonparts@aol.com

Brewster Honda B re w s t e r

845-278-4177 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 kbennett@liacars.com

Pittsburgh

800-468-2090 412-390-2908

Lia Honda of Albany

908-753-1680 NEW YORK

Shadyside Honda

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5 shadysidehondaparts@hotmail.com

Lia Honda of Williamsville

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-3 kevinh@viphonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 johnryan@baierl.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 9-1 parts@lamacchiahonda.com

North Plainfield

866-483-6917 201-868-9500

877-659-2672 716-632-3800 Dept. Hours: M-Thu 7:30-8; Fri 7:30-5; Sat 8-5:30 liaparts@liacars.com

VER M O N T

802 Honda Berlin

802-223-9700 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 8-Noon hondaparts@802cars.com

Ray Laks Honda We s t S e n e c a

716-824-7852 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-8; Sat 7:30-5:30 ekuznicki@raylaks.com PENNSYLVANIA

Apple Honda Yo r k

800-960-9041 717-848-2600 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-4; Sun 10-4 applehondaparts@appleauto1.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7:30-5; Sun 8-3 anthony.perrone@hudsonhonda.com

NEW JERSEY

315-471-7278

Baierl Honda

NEW YORK

PEN N S Y LVA N I A

Acura Turnersville

Acura of Westchester

Smithtown Acura

Tu r n e r s v i l l e

We s t chester

St. James

Emmaus

888-883-2884 856-516-6060

914-834-8887

888-832-8220 631-366-4114

877-860-3954 610-967-6500

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-4 parts@smithtownacura.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-5; Sat 8-5 mustafa@vinart.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 kristen.powell@penskeautomotive.com

Elite Acura Maple Shade

856-722-9600 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 bmartinsen@group1auto.com

Park Ave Acura M a y wo o d

888-690-7621 201-587-0028 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-3 ron@parkaveacura.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-8; Sat 8-4; Sun 9-4 acura.parts@yahoo.com

Curry Acura S c a rsdale

800-725-2877 914-472-7406 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 parts@curryacura.com

Paragon Acura Wo o dside

718-507-3990 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5; Sun 9-4 johnp@paragonacura.com

PENNSYLVANIA

Baierl Acura Wexford

800-246-7457 724-935-0800 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-1 johnsabella@baierl.com

Lehigh Valley Acura

Sussman Acura Jenkintown

800-826-4078 215-884-6285 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-1 rendrick@sussmanauto.com

Davis Acura Langhor ne

866-50-ACURA 215-943-7000 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-4 markh@davisacura.com autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

National Associations with Chasidy Rae Sisk

Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, who writes on a variety of fields and subjects, and grew up in a family of NASCAR fans. She can be contacted at crsisk@chasidyraesisk.com.

ASA, Cintas Offer Webinar on ‘Ensuring Safety in Every Corner’ On Wednesday, Sept. 19, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) partnered with Cintas to provide an informative session titled “Shop of the Future: Ensuring Safety in Every Corner.” This brief contribution to ASA’s Webinar Wednesdays featured a presentation by Cintas National Account Manager Ian Adams. The webinar began with ASA Vice President Tony Molla welcoming attendees and introducing the seminar’s presenter, who would “walk us through some very important information on safety hazards in the shop and ensure you’re following safety procedures. He will help make you more aware of where these hazards might be,” Molla explained. Adams began by displaying a CAD drawing that demonstrated automotive shop hazard areas to provide insights on which areas in the

shop might need attention. He also noted that “a clean shop is a safe shop” and stated his intention to help attendees “prevent common safety issues you might have in the shop.” Adams explained that slips, trips and falls make up the majority of general industry accidents, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In fact, falls account for more than 8 million hospital emergency room visits, making it the leading cause of emergency room visits at 21.3 percent, and falls also account for around 25 percent of all repaired injury claims per fiscal year. Employees slipping on slick floors accounts for 85 percent of worker’s compensation claims, and 22 percent of slip or fall incidents resulted in more than 31 days away from work. Compensation and medical costs associated with employee slip and fall accidents reach an approximate $70

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

billion each year. Common locations and reasons for slips, trips and falls include wet or greasy floors, dry floors with dust or powder, uneven walking surfaces, recently waxed floors, loose flooring, missing tiles and bricks, sloped walking surfaces, clutter, electrical cords, open desks, metal surfaces, wet leaves and more, but Adams assured attendees that there are easy solutions to avoiding these situations. Some of these solutions include displaying “wet floor” signs when needed and cleaning up spills immediately. Shops should use moisture-absorbent mats with beveled edges in entrance areas, ensuring the backing material does not slide on the floor. Proper area rugs and mats should be used in areas with extra hazards, such as grease use or wet floors. Adams recommended, “Make

sure your floor is covered by National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) mats. NFSI mats are the safest for the shop, and they also recommend where you should place them, such as in high-traffic areas like entryways and by counters.” Turning to fire safety, Adams noted, “Most of these items are pretty common,” before delving into details about fire extinguishers, exits signs, fire alarms and sprinkler systems. “The first line of defense against a fire of limited size is your fire extinguisher, especially in areas where you’re working with oil, gasoline or anything flammable. Make sure you have the proper extinguishers that cover the types of fluids you’re working with. You can minimize damage immediately if you have multiple extinguishers in the shop so that one is always within close proximity. You also need to get it checked annually,

at a bare minimum. Each extinguisher should have an inspection date within the past 12 months by a certified inspector. There are companies, such as Cintas, that do these inspections, or you can contact your local fire department and marshals for an inspection.” Exit signs and lighting are commonly seen along exits, and most contain a backup battery so that they will still work if a power outage occurs. “These are key to guiding other individuals out of the shop in the event of a fire,” Adams explained. Fire alarms sound an alert to announce a fire and initiate an appropriate response. It’s important to monitor and maintain alarms every six to 12 months to ensure they work appropriately. Sprinkler systems do not prevent a fire, but they are intended to minimize the amount of damage and losses if a fire occurs. These should also be inspected regularly. Adams also emphasized the importance of keeping a fire aid kit handy in the shop “to help an injured person before emergency personnel

can arrive.” “You should install a cabinet of OSHA-certified/compliant materials to use in case of an employee or customer injury,” he said. “OSHA requires that adequate first aid supplies be readily available and that a person or persons should be adequately trained to render first aid. These materials should be kept in a single location and made available to all employees so they can render the necessary first aid in the event of an injury.” Recommending that shops also offer lockers to store personal protective equipment (PPE), Adams defined this equipment as the head-to-toe PPE offerings available for daily use to prevent injuries. “Providing a location where they can keep their gloves, helmets, safety glasses, etc. in one place and keeping it stocked on a regular basis shows that you care about your employees, which increases morale when they know that you care about their safety,” he said. Automatic electronic defibrillators (AEDs) are crucial, and Adams suggests every shop invest in at least

one of these machines, keeping it close enough that it can be accessed in the recommended one to three minutes. He explained that more than 400,000 Americans die each year from sudden cardiac arrest, the number one killer in the workplace, but over 80 percent of people who experience sudden cardiac arrest will survive if an AED is used within the first one to three minutes. As his presentation concluded, Adams emphasized, “These preventative measures are just a few of the key points in which your business can save face and make your workplace a safe place for your employees and customers. This information is intended to help guide you in the proper direction for your business and is not intended as a substitute for any OSHA certification or class. Cintas recommends that at least one person from your shop take the full OSHA certification course in order to know all the rules and guidelines necessary to keep the shop up-todate and to ensure everyone is aware of the safety guidelines.” The webinar concluded with a question-and-answer session.

Continued from Page 30

OEM Certifications

5 tips on how to market your certifications: 1) Educate the “key holders.” Consumers are the ones who have the right to choose who repairs their vehicles. “Many people won’t know the name of your shop but will recognize the name of the OEM,” Young explained. 2) List all certifications on the company website and create a landing page with information. 3) Hold an open house and invite the community to attend. 4) Use email and direct email campaigns to reach out to former customers, insurance agents and others. 5) Share information about your certifications on social media. In closing, Young recommended getting certified over the next 12 months. “Just pick one and do it,” he said. “Change your reality and become a leader in the industry. Not only does this give customers confidence that you can get the job done, but it also demonstrates you are best in class.”

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

From the Desk of Mike Anderson with Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson is the president and owner of Collision Advice, a consulting company for the auto body/collision repair industry. For nearly 25 years, he was the owner of Wagonwork Collision Center, an OEM-certified, full-service auto body repair facility in Alexandria, VA.

4 Questions To Consider Ahead of Negotiating for Any ‘Not-Included’ Estimate Line Item Among the most common types of questions I get from shops is something like this: “Mike, I see this particular procedure you ask about in one of your ‘Who Pays for What’ surveys, but we just can’t seem to ever get paid for that. How are shops negotiating for that?” I take a two-track response to this type of question. First, I challenge them to ensure that they’ve actually really tried to get paid for whatever the procedure is. After three years of conducting “Who Pays” surveys, I never cease to be amazed at the percentage of shops that acknowledge they’ve never negotiated to be paid for some of the procedures.

Take “airbag residue clean-up” as an example of one such not-included procedure. Our survey last spring found that even though more than one-third of shops (36 percent) said they are paid for this procedure “always” or “most of the time” by the eight largest national insurers when it is a necessary step they perform, more than 60 percent of shops have never sought to be paid for it. But once a shop shows me they have asked to be paid for a procedure but just aren’t being successful, I suggest they use a four-question process to prepare for future negotiations. Question #1: Is it required to return the vehicle back to pre-accident condition?

Have you documented that the pro44

cedure is necessary? Check out the OEM repair procedures, ideally through the automaker websites directly. Get the appropriate bulletins from your paint manufacturer. Other manufacturers of materials or equipment offer bulletins detailing the need for some of these procedures. Scanning the vehicle may provide documentation of the need for some operations. Question #2: Is it included in any other labor operation?

No estimator should be without a copy of the estimating guides (often referred to as “p-pages”) for all the estimating systems. You can download them from the “Estimate Toolbox” section on the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) website (www.DEG web.org). You can also search the DEG database of inquiries submitted to the estimating system providers; there may already be a response confirming that the procedure you are working to negotiate for is “not-included.” (Our “Who Pays” survey reports now include those DEG inquiries related to each procedure.) If there isn’t already an inquiry related to the procedure, you can submit one yourself. The associations offer some great free tools to help as well. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) regularly updates what it calls “not-included operations” charts and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) offers a 24-page “Guide to Complete Repair Planning.” Check those out at the association’s websites.

plastic parts, for example. Audatex is 20 percent of the basecoat time (with a minimum of two-tenths), CCC is 25 percent of the basecoat time (with a maximum of an hour) and Mitchell is 20 percent of the basecoat time (with no minimum or maximum). Again, the estimating system estimating guides or the DEG are your best sources to determine whether a pre-determined time has been established for a not-included procedure. Question #4: What is it worth?

If it’s required, it’s not-included, and there’s no formula or pre-determined time for a procedure, you will have to determine an appropriate amount. I can’t tell you what to charge. You have to figure out what your labor is going to be and any materials you’re going to use.

But keep in mind that the time you charge should reflect how long it takes the average technician to gather up their tools, equipment and supplies and perform the task in a safe and proper manner, and then return their tools and equipment. If it’s a procedure done frequently in your shop, you may want to set up some time studies to determine an appropriate charge. I highly recommend using an invoicing system for materials or supplies. You can check to see if there’s an OEM warranty labor time. The four negotiating questions can apply to just about any line item on your estimate. Arm your estimators with the tools and resources needed to answer those four questions and you can be among the shops successfully being paid for many not-included procedures when they are necessary and your shop does them.

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Question #3: Are there pre-determined times?

In a few cases, the estimating systems have established a formula for some not-included procedures. CCC, Mitchell and Audatex all have predetermined times for prepping raw

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Authorized Dealer

www.collisionequipment.net Ted Dinnella 516-361-9220

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Hey Toby! with Toby Chess

Toby Chess is an I-CAR program instructor, Training specialist, and former salvage yard operator. Toby is universally known in the collision industry for his work with first responders and advocacy for body shops and consumers. He can be reached at tcspeedster@gmail.com

Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding, Shop maintenance and Safety Recently, I was asked by a shop owner to put on a Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) clinic. I had previously put on an ICAR cycle-time class, and we, as a group, put together STRSW standard operation procedures. One of the lines stated that a test weld needed to be performed and the tear out nugget needed to be measured (five times the thickness of the metal). The owner was extremely concerned that his

technicians were not performing test welds, and with the current state of affairs regarding lawsuits, he wanted me to make sure that every one of his techs knew how to perform test welds. He also purchased calipers for all of his techs. After my PowerPoint presentation, we went down to the shop and did set-up and test welds (I have five different samples for metal thickness, and the techs took out two pieces, measured and welded them together then did a peel test.) The first tech welded his two coupons and sparks were flying. I asked if sparks made for a better weld. Half said ‘yes.’ But it’s ‘no,’ there shouldn’t be any sparks. The sparks can be caused by: incorrect squeeze pressure, poor fit, worn or improperly dressed electrodes, electrodes not perpendicular to the work surface and/or misaligned electrodes. (See Fig. 2, 3 and 4)

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Fig. 2

Fig. 5). I adjusted the electrodes, and no more sparks. You might think that this article is about STRSW, but you would be mistaken. It is about shop Fig. 4

Fig. 3

In this case, the electrodes on the Prospot C gun were misaligned (See

Fig. 5

maintenance and safety. Does Your Facility Have an Evacuation Map? OSHA does not require a printed map for evacuation in the case of an emergency, but other governmental agencies may. Check with your insurance carrier, fire marshal and state and local agencies that may require evacuation maps. However, OSHA does have requirements for your Emergency Action Plan (EAP). An EAP is required for any facility with 11 more employees. OSHA allows facilities with 10 or fewer employees to communicate their EAP plan orally. Whether presented in writing or verbally, the EAP must have the following minimum elements as described in the OSHA standard 1910.39(c)(1)-(6). • Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency

• Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments • Procedures for employees who re-

main to operate critical operations before they evacuate • Procedure to account for all employees after an evacuation • Procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties

OSHA requires that first aid kits be inspected, be of the proper size (for the facility), be inventory maintained, include the proper signage and be accessible.

• Evacuation maps serve as a great visual tool to communicate important information from your EAP plan

First-Aid Kits

• Fire extinguishers are in their assigned place • Fire extinguishers are not blocked or hidden

• Fire extinguishers are mounted in accordance with NFPA Standard No. 10 (Portable Fire Extinguishers). Install a sign or other means of identification above a portable fire extinguisher so its location can be identified from a distance in case it is obstructed from view.

• The name or job title of every employee who may be contacted for more information about the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan

OSHA does not have rules for everything in the work place. They will use standards/regulations from American National Standards National Institute (ANSI), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or any other government agencies rules that will suit OSHA. In other words, why reinvent the wheel if it is already there?

visually inspected monthly. The inspection should assure that:

Fig. 6

ANSI sets the minimum items for medium and large first aid kits. Here is an example of a form for those ANSI minimums and sign-off sheet from Kent Automotive. (See Fig. 6) Fire Extinguisher Portable fire extinguishers must be

• Pressure gauges show adequate pressure (a CO2 extinguisher must be weighed to determine whether leakage has occurred) • Pin and seals are in place

• Fire extinguishers show no visual sign of damage or abuse • Nozzles are free of blockage

• Maintenance, inspection and testing

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

of an extinguisher are the responsibility of the employer. Maintenance should be done at least annually by a certified inspector. The employer shall record the annual maintenance date.

Did you know that an inspection on each fire extinguisher needs to be done once a month by a designated employee and the back of the inspection card needs to be initialed? A fire extinguisher needs to be mounted within 20 feet of a potential fire source. In other words, you need to have one near your paint mixing room to be OSHA-compliant. Work Place Labels Here are some of the OSHA regulations for work place labels:

1910.1200(f)(6) Workplace labeling. Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(7) and (f)(8) of this section, the employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with either: 1910.1200(f)(6)(i)The information specified under paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (v) of this section for labels on shipped containers; or, 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii)Product

Fig. 7

• Check bed for straightness (Manufacturer Rep)

Fig. 9

identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical. (See Fig. 7, 8 and 9)

If you are storing paint, you need to place a label on the container. The label that comes from your pour will be sufficient. A piece of masking tape saying “Honda 87” will not work. Here is an example dealing with work place labels that I presented at a CIC conference (See Fig. 10). You will note that workplace label is the new OSHA-required label. All the information needed for the label can be found in the Safety Data Sheet for that particular manufacturer. Extension Cords and Electrical Equipment “Sometimes during use, the third prong, or the grounding pin, may become loose or fall out. No one should be allowed to bypass the grounding pin by bending it out of the way or removing it completely. If the grounding pin is missing, the cord must be removed from use, repaired and tested before it is put back into service,” according to OSHA regulations. OSHA fined a shop $4,500 for three defective extension cords. Frame Bench Machine Maintenance on a frame bench should consist of the following:

Fig. 8 50

• Check frame bolts and replace if worn • Check all hydraulics for leaks and fluid levels • Clean pinch weld clamps • Check for a safety chain

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Spot Welders Spot welders can provide years of trouble-free use, but they must be properly maintained. (See Fig. 11, 12 and 13) Your spot welder must be maintained on a regular basis (sometimes after every use):

• Check the tip alignment • Clean the tips with a Scotch Brite or 120 grid sand paper after every use • Dress the tips with a machinesupplied tip dresser or replace as necessary • Check the electrode/electrode tips for wear and imperfections • Check water level monthly on water-cooled machines • Change coolant as per manufac-

Fig. 10

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turer’s requirements • Check electrical cable and plug • Check computer upgrades

regulators shall be removed and valve-protection caps, when provided for, shall be put in place before cylinders are moved.

Worn Out Nozzle. Fig. 15

• 1910.253(b)(5)(iii)(C) Before connecting a regulator to a cylinder valve, the valve shall be opened slightly and closed immediately. The valve shall be opened while standing to one side of the outlet; never in front of it. Never crack a fuel-gas cylinder valve near other welding work or near sparks, flame or other possible sources of ignition. Another major piece of equipment that we tend to overlook is our compressors. If they go down, all production stops.

Fig. 11 Worn Out Diffuser. Fig. 16

Compressor Maintenance Some maintenance items to look at:

• Change oil on a regular basis • Inspect any belts for wear • Change air filter if one is installed • Drain water from tank daily • Change desiccant on a regular schedule

Worn Out Electrodes. Fig. 12

• Rotary screw compressor has an oil filter, an air inlet filter and an air/oil separator that need to be replaced after every 2,000 hours of use A number of shops have switched to rotary compressors.

An important fact of this type of compressor: Oil in a rotary screw compressor is also used to cool, clean and seal. This means the compressor oil is that much more crucial to the compressor’s operation. Make sure you follow manufacturer’s recommended oil change service. Vehicle Lifts OSHA has no regulations that speak directly to the subject of vehicle lifts. However, the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, signed into law March 7, 1996, allows for government organizations, including OSHA, to apply nationally recognized standards such as ANSI /ALI ALOIM (current edition) to satisfy its safety mission by suggesting the use of such requirements to abate infractions cited under the existing OSHA regulations. There is an entire American Na-

Missing Ground - OSHA Fine. Fig. 17

Misaligned Electrodes. Fig. 13

MIG Welders One of the most abused pieces of equipment in the body shop is the MIG welder.

Here are some problems that I see on a regular basis when conducting the I-CAR MIG certification test. (See Fig. 14, 15, 16 and 17)

Broken Gauges - OSHA Fine. Fig. 14

See the YouTube video on maintenance and set-up on a MIG welder: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSXHd -8nV7c 52

Another OSHA hot button is the welding tank. Welding tanks need to be chained up with a safety cap secured to the top of the tank, along with proper signage.

How many of you have a MIG Welder consumable kit? Again, OSHA has a number of regulations dealing with welding tanks. I have included a couple of them here:

• 1910.253(b)(2)(iv) Valve protection caps, where cylinder is designed to accept a cap, shall always be in place, hand-tight, except when cylinders are in use or connected for use.

• 1910.253(b)(4)(i) Oxygen cylinders shall not be stored near highly combustible material, especially oil and grease, or near reserve stocks of carbide and acetylene or other fuelgas cylinders, or near any other substance likely to cause or accelerate fire. • 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(D) Unless cylinders are secured on a special truck,

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tional Standard outlining the safety requirements for proper vehicle lift operation, inspection and maintenance. This standard, ANSI/ALI ALOIM (current edition), covers lift operator qualifications, training and responsibilities; maintenance procedures, documentation and frequency; and periodic qualified lift inspection. In addition to regular in-house inspections, the standard requires that all vehicle lifts be inspected at least annually by a “qualified lift inspector.” A lift inspection is a thorough evaluation of the operating mechanism(s), safety system(s), maintenance, structural integrity and field modifications of a particular lift in order to identify any risks that may affect the ability of that lift to operate in a safe and reliable manner. OSHA can come into your facility today (without warning) to check on isocynate protection and vehicle lift inspection tags. There is an article on lifts in Repairer Driven News (RDN) that can be found here: www.repairerdriven news.com/2018/06/01/auto motivelift-institute-beware-counterfeit-n-ylift-inspection-stickers/.

Shop Air Here is what OSHA has to say about shop air: Compressed air is used in the manufacturing industry to drive tools, create motion, lift, clean, move and cool materials. Compressed air usage is governed by OSHA standard 1910.242(b). “OSHA regulations state the following about compressed air: Compressed air may only be used for cleaning if • The pressure is lower than 30 psi (210 kPa). • Chip guards and personal safety equipment are used.

This means the downstream pressure of the air at the outlet of the air gun, nozzle or pipe opening is not allowed to exceed 30 psi (210 kPa) for all static conditions. A higher static pressure could cause serious injury to the operator. Therefore, to minimize the risk of injury in the event of total blockage, the pressure at the blockage should be less than 30 psi (210kPa). An air pressure gauge is the easiest way to check air pressure.

Chip guards are used to protect the operator and people working in the vicinity from flying chips and particles. They can either be screens or other solutions to prevent eye and body injuries. It is important to keep in mind that some safety equipment only protects the operator, and these may need to be supplemented in order to protect people nearby. Furthermore, personal safety equipment such as hearing protection and full-cover goggles must be used.” Two ends fitting together: HUGE OSHA violation. Pocket air blowers are also illegal. The DF-BG601 Venturi Blow Gun from Dent Fix Equipment is designed to meet the safety standards of OSHA and provide the user with the most thrust possible. IT WORKS.

Particulate Respirator. Fig. 18

Vapor Respirator. Fig. 19

Respirators (See Fig. 18, 19 and 20) From OSHA website:

• Employers must provide a medical evaluation to determine employees’ ability to use a respirator before fit testing and use. The employer must

Combination Respirator. Fig. 20

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use a physician or other licensed health care professional (LHCP) to perform medical evaluations using a medical questionnaire or by conducting a medical examination. â&#x20AC;˘ Failure to conduct fit testing prior to respirator use, and at least annually, was the fourth-most-cited respiratory protection violation (failing to provide information to voluntary users was number three), according to the BLS study. All employees using a negative or positive-pressure tight-fitting face piece respirator must pass an appropriate qualitative fit test or quantitative fit test. Fit testing is required prior to initial use, whenever a different respirator face piece is used, and at least annually thereafter. Proper respirator size is determined through a fit test. The following is a true story of a shop owner in Colorado.

Years ago, this shop owner embarked on the road to lean production. I marveled at how he transformed his facility into a totally lean collision center. In June of 2016, an OSHA inspector walked into his shop on the Isocynate and lift protocol. OSHA

can arrive at your shop unannounced to determine how you manage your employee protection for isocynates. The first item the inspector wanted to view was the shopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s respirator fit-test report. My friend told the inspector that he had not done it, but was planning on getting it done in the near future. The inspector excused himself, went to his car and came back with a hard hat with a video camera attached to it. He started taping the initial interview again and now wanted to see the shop. My friend asked about the fine and nearly had a coronary when told it would be $7,000. After seeing the cleanliness of the shop, the fine was reduced to $1,500. The inspector also stated that he could appeal the fine, but pointed out a few smaller OSHA infractions. The inspector told him to get the test done ASAP and let him know when it was completed. The shop owner called his Kent agent, and it was done the following week. My question to you: Have you done your yearly fit test for all body technicians and helpers, painters and helpers and detailers (only if they use

rubbing compound-crystaline silicon protection). If the answer is no, get it done NOW.

in use?

Did you know that leaving the funnel lid open on a solvent waste drum is an OSHA violation?

Having an open container of thinner for cleaning a paint gun will result in a huge OSHA fine.

Fig. 21

Respirator storage bag from Kent Automotive. Fig. 22

Did you know that it is an OSHA violation if the respirator is not stored in an enclosed container when not

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Media and Publicity for Shops with Ed Attanasio

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

Let Your Customers Become Your Brand Ambassadors With Ad Specialties A body shop in the Bay Area gave me a swag bag full of stuff a few years ago that included pens, a t-shirt, a baseball cap, a coffee mug and several other items displaying the shop’s logo. I could see right away that they were quality items, which is why they stayed out of my trash bin. In fact, I wear the t-shirt and the baseball cap all the time because they’re comfortable and I like the design. I realize that I’ve become a walking billboard for the business, but I’m okay with it because I’m getting some free high-end apparel and other cool stuff as part of the deal. As a marketing tool, it’s working because the investment that the shop made in ad specialties has paid for itself—at least in my case. Anything that has your company’s name on it is called an ad specialty. From my experience, almost every body shop in the country makes

a practice of giving away at least one to three ad specialties to their customers, associates and vendors. It’s a huge business; in fact, the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) has identified it as a $19.4 billion industry with a network of more than 25,000 distributors and suppliers throughout North America. Putting your logo on an item and getting people to use it is the biggest challenge for any business, but by taking a creative and strategic approach, many shops are getting maximum exposure out of their ad specialties. By thinking outside of the box and finding unique items, some companies have become well-known for their ad specialties, such as In ‘N Out Burger, Ford Motor Company and Skechers. Identifying a high-quality ad specialty and personalizing it for your current followers is also a great way to further strengthen your position

with your customer base, according to Brad Healy, owner of Custom Concepts in San Jose, CA. “If you’ve already fixed someone’s vehicle, why not keep them in the loop by sending them an ad specialty every six months to remember you?” Healy said. “I show body shops how to use a form of personalization that is unique so that when others see your message, it comes through clearly. “Being creative is also a great way to really connect even more with your most-prized contacts. Some shops will put the company mascot on the item, such as the shop dog or pet. Corny sayings like ‘We Meet by Accident’ will also work, believe it or not. The most important thing is to not buy inexpensive items because it makes you look cheap. Instead of purchasing 5,000 cheap plastic pens, for example, maybe buy 2,000 higher-

quality pens in order to keep them in the hands of your customers longer.” A well thought-out ad specialty is more likely to pay for itself over time and maybe even generate a profit in some cases. “The longer a customer will use that item, the longer your name and brand will remain at the top of their minds, which means your efforts will grow exponentially,” Healy said. “We want something that they will use repeatedly and that will remain on their desk for a much longer period of time. Some shops (mostly restoration) sell a line of apparel, which is the ultimate situation because people are paying them to do their branding for them.” Some shops are always looking for seasonal ad specialties to gain even more exposure during certain times of the year. “During the summer, some shops use flip flops, sunglasses and beach

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towels, and in the winter, I will often suggest beanies and even sweaters or jackets if they have the budget,” Healy said. “One of my clients even asked me to create book covers for the backto-school season, and they received huge kudos from the students and their parents.” According to Healy, the products that leave the most positive impressions and that recipients keep longer are: outerwear, shirts, recognition items (awards, plaques), caps/headwear, flash drives, health and safety products, desk/office accessories and bags. The ASI conducted an in-depth study a few years ago to illustrate the importance of ad specialties in the automotive marketing, branding and advertising world: • Over half (52 percent) of the time, ad specialties leave a more favorable impression of the advertiser. • Eighty-one percent of product recipients indicated that an item’s usefulness is the primary reason to keep it. • There are nearly 8,000 different automotive-related promotional products currently in ASI’s database. • The automotive industry buys more

promotional items than do all other consumer product companies combined nationwide.

Study results show that most people own approximately 10 ad specialty items on an on-going basis and hold on to them for an average of six months, a far longer time period than any other traditional form of advertising. What’s your ultimate goal in giving away a pen, hat or key chain? Who’s your target audience—millennials, small families or the senior market? Are you trying to reach out to prospective customers? Or are you staying in touch with your VIP clients —those who seem to get into more accidents or have higher-end vehicles? Are you doing a campaign targeting your vendors, insurance agents, local community leaders or organizations? It all comes down to finding your target market and continually branding. But maybe just importantly, invest a little more money into your ad specialties or buy them in smaller quantities and distribute them less liberally. The idea is to get people in your community to wear that same shirt ad hat more than just once!

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

PGW Auto Glass Raises Prices Following Tariff by Emmariah Holcomb, glassBYTEs.com

President Trump’s auto glass tariff became effective Sept. 24. Chinese materials used in auto glass and glazing industries can expect to see a 10 percent increase as a result of the tariff, according to the document.

PGW Auto Glass notified its branch customers about its 10 percent increase to its products as a result of the tariff. The company’s increase became effective Oct. 1. “Due to these actions by the United States Trade Representatives (USTR), and like many U.S. industries today, PGW Auto Glass is forced to pass through this additional cost,” read an excerpt from the company letter to its branch customers.

This isn’t the only increase in tariffs the industry should be on the lookout for. According to Trump, there will be an additional increase at the start of 2019. The current 10 percent tariff is expected to increase to 25 percent. The expected increase to imported Chinese materials is expected to have a continued effect on the industry. PGW Auto Glass also stated it will increase the cost for its products by another 15 percent following the expected increase in the tariff in January 2019. This planned additional increase will then be in line with the increases made at that time. “Effective January 1, 2019, PGW Auto Glass intends to increase prices an additional 15 percent on all auto glass products reflecting the 25 percent tariff,” according to the company’s letter. According to the tariff list made available in September, some of the affected products include laminated safety glass, tempered safety glass, glass frit and various float glass products. We thank glassBYTEs.com for reprint permission.

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autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

National News with Chasidy Rae Sisk

Collision Career Institute Addresses Technician Shortage As the technician shortage continues to plague the collision repair industry, the topic of attracting new blood to shops has become common at events and in facilities across the country. However, once someone new is sold on collision repair, the next concern is ensuring they receive the proper training to successfully begin a career in the industry. The Collision Career Institute (CCI) has developed a means of addressing this dilemma. According to Chief Operations Officer Amber Ritter, “CCI is an apprenticeship program that consists of 3,000 on-the-job training hours plus 250 related supplemental knowledge hours. Our role is to help recruit, manage and track the skill sets of students while helping trainers offer the best knowledge by providing an outlined curriculum. “In addition to facing the challenges of aging techs and a shortage of good employees, it’s important to acknowledge that this is also a difficult industry to train in. Shops are focused on KPIs, speed and cycle time, so it can be difficult to slow down enough to focus on the transfer of skills and knowledge. That can cause potential talent to slip through the cracks.” Ritter explained that many folks interested in a collision repair career are uncertain about how to get started. “Those who start training may get frustrated without a clear pathway,” she said. “They can’t see how they’ll actually become a painter or estimator while they’re sweeping floors or answering phones. CCI aims to give them a path and a structured way to get there.” CCI’s apprenticeship program begins with an eight-week boot camp followed by 12 to 16 months of training and offers three tracks: painter, body tech and repair planner, each containing six specific modules. During boot camp, students get familiar with the track to ensure it’s a good fit by meeting with instructors weekly and engaging in I-CAR training, knowledge-based learning and skills-based assignments in the

shops. Ritter explained, “We work with the shop and trainers to provide a list of tasks the apprentice should be trained on first to create free space in the trainer’s day for the training and so the apprentices are a benefit to their trainer.”

the collision industry, I worked with my husband, Brian, and helped him run our auto glass business for a little over nine years. During that time, I was exposed to the collision industry every day, and I watched the way different shops operated and how each position contributed to the process of

application and began her new job three weeks later. After three years as a parts coordinator at Fix Auto Yorba Linda, she knew she wanted to become a repair planner. When she expressed that desire to upper management, they suggested she would be a great fit for CCI.

Zach Serhal of Fix Auto is currently training two students in the shop he manages. Although he originally struggled with gaining the comfort to delegate some of his responsibilities to his apprentices, Serhal said the apprentices have been a major benefit to the shop. “They provide extra help through each phase of their program, which alleviates time on the trainer,” he said. “They bring a fresh mind to the table for ideas and are given responsibilities, which helps everyone in the shop. The apprentices ‘ramp up’ very quickly. This added help and quick ramp-up time increases the production flow in the shop. With respects to the repair planner portion, we have experienced greatly improved cycle time, increases in profitability and reduced supplement ratio. “CCI’s program can be lifechanging. To be able to get into a field with zero experience and within two years be making a very good, livable salary really says something. The students are vetted, engaged and hungry to learn and grow within their field. Most importantly, they are committed and passionate about their journey and outcome. I am very proud of my apprentices, what they have accomplished and how much they have grown.” Alison Penberthy is currently an apprentice in CCI’s program and working on the fourth module in the repair planner track. She shared, “Prior to working in

repairing the vehicle. It was interesting how the whole process came together to reveal the final product. I wanted to be a part of a process like that.” When her husband informed her that a local shop was hiring for a parts coordinator, Penberthy filled out an

“At that point, I had no idea there was actually a school out there that was specifically designed to help me reach my goal of becoming a repair planner,” she said. CCI’s application process is available to any high school graduate who can pass standard employment

“CCI’s program can be life-changing. To be able to get into a field with zero experience and within two years be making a very good, livable salary really says something. The students are vetted, engaged and hungry to learn and grow within their field.” — Zach Serhal

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

guidelines. Upon applying, the potential student goes through a series of tests and interviews, and if successful, will tour a shop and talk to someone in their chosen position to ensure it’s the path they want to take. Ritter explained, “We send several applicants to interview with management at the shop location, and if the shop doesn’t choose a certain apprentice, we keep them in the applicant pool until we can connect them with a shop that’s a good match.” CCI ensures the trainers know which tasks to teach apprentices first, providing a progression of tasks they can help with and when to introduce skills. Once everyone involved feels the student is ready, the apprentice is tested by a third-party evaluator to ensure they’re capable of completing the learned tasks. Penberthy shared, “The application process started with a Berke Assessment. Once I completed the assessment and received the results, I was told I would make a great fit for the program. I completed the necessary paperwork and was given a launch date. I met with my coordinator, my instructor and my trainer, and

I was given a rundown on the program structure and what to expect on a day-to-day basis. A portion of the training we receive is through ICAR, which is a great addition to the in-shop training; they work hand-inhand with what we are focusing on for that particular module. “CCI’s program is preparing me for my career in the collision industry. The program allows me a safe, neutral zone to learn and grow from my mistakes. It provides a solid foundation of knowledge and experience from some of the best in our industry. Not only are you exposed to the experience and knowledge of our instructor Charlie Robertson, who is the encyclopedia of collision repair, but you’re also paired with an in-shop trainer. My current trainer, Jason Lake, has been in the industry for 20 years. Having the opportunity to work with and learn from these individuals cements the whole process. CCI is changing my life! I love this industry and all it has to offer!” Serhal agrees that CCI’s program is hugely beneficial to the industry. “Programs like CCI provide a huge benefit to the industry’s future.

CCI brings awareness to an industry that not many think about as a career option,” Serhal said. “Their program is accelerated, thorough and up-to-date with the contact changes our industry experiences in repair methodology and requirements. Most importantly, they are providing our industry with the qualified workforce of tomorrow.” CCI was officially launched in 2016 and was founded by Erick Bickett, Shelly Bickett and Charlie Robertson. Any shop with Wi-Fi can sign up for the program, but, Ritter stressed, the shop “has to commit to the training process, be able to provide a trainer and most importantly, commit to train in a structured environment that allows the apprentice to move through the skills.” Both Serhal and Penberthy agree that the program is great for the industry, and they encourage others to get involved with CCI as trainers and students. Serhal stated, “I would recommend other shops get involved with CCI and get involved right now. Many of today’s technicians will soon be retiring, and we can no longer wait to ‘cross that bridge when it comes.’

The time is now to get the next generation in the shops learning, growing and gaining the skills necessary to keep your business moving forward.” Penberthy added, “I would highly recommend this program to those who are interested in the collision repair industry. I love the way the program is designed. It walks you through each step, revealing more of the big picture through each module and giving you time to grasp each concept as you progress one at a time. It’s a great learning environment with hands-on experience. I would tell anyone who is applying for CCI to give it all you have. Be open-minded, listen with your eyes and ears, ask questions, believe in yourself and grow!” Ritter urges interested shops to contact CCI and become trainers. “You’re changing the culture of the industry,” she said. “This is how we get more people involved in collision repair, and this is how you become known as a shop that grows your own people.” For more information about CCI, visit collisioncareerinstitute.com.

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Autonomous Cars: Human Drivers Still Required by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com

A report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) concludes that humans will still be responsible for driving chores even as driverless cars are introduced to the highways. The report was paid for by State Farm insurance company and written by Jim Hedlund, a former senior official at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Researchers looked at how autonomous vehicles will function based on different levels of technology and the fact that the newest driverless cars will be sharing the roads with older vehicles that lack autonomy. According to the report, researchers concluded what others have as well: Self-driving cars will eventually help cut down on crash incidents, but multiple issues must be addressed before that can happen. The GHSA examined potential problems and how those problems should be addressed as well as who or what will be at fault in certain situations. For example, automakers and the government should consider the

possibility of an unlicensed driver starting a driverless car without the driver having the knowledge to take control of the car if necessary. There are also concerns about criminals who could bring a self-driving car to a stop to rob the passengers and how the cars will respond to police commands.

Other issues are mentioned in the report, including how autonomous technology will decide if the car should hit a pedestrian or swerve into an obstacle. In other words, the car must decide if it should take out a jogger in exchange for slamming into a parked truck where the driverless car occupants could be killed.

Then there are further determinations to be made about who or what is at fault and whether the driver or the car should be blamed legally. Researchers are also concerned by mistakes humans make when behind the wheel of vehicles equipped with semi-autonomous features. There are legitimate concerns about consumers buying cars with certain levels of autonomy so the drivers can read a cell phone or perform other tasks while driving. Real-life examples have already occurred with the death of an Arizona woman struck and killed by an Uber self-driving car. Video of the crash showed the driver looking down and away from the road at the time of the crash. In addition, a Tesla lawsuit was filed by a woman who was reading her cell phone when the car slammed into a fire vehicle at 60 mph because she allegedly believed the car would always stop for objects. NHTSA and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) designate automation by five levels, with

Level 2 vehicles containing features that can maintain speed and lane position. Level 3 cars can take control in some situations but will warn drivers when to take control. The technology has some automakers worried because drivers may be too distracted to quickly take control of the cars. Finally, Level 4 driverless vehicles can take control for entire trips, and Level 5 cars will be able to accomplish the same thing without human occupants. The Governors Highway Safety Association takes the position that states should encourage driverless car testing, but there must be regulations and oversight for those tests. According to the report, drivers should be required to know all about the limitations and capabilities of autonomous technology, possibly through state driver education and licensing programs. We thank CarComplaints.com for reprint permission.

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autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Historical Snapshot with John Yoswick

—John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988. He is the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com). Contact him by email at jyoswick@SpiritOne.com.

Stats From 20 Years Ago Indicate Shop Labor Rates Haven’t Kept Up With Inflation 20 Years Ago in the Collision Repair Industry (November 1998) PPG has done a comprehensive study of over 2,000 collision repair facilities. Here is a snapshot of some of the statistics: • The average labor rate: $34 an hour. • Average gross profit per hour per technician: $45.63 (top 25 percent), $32.57 (middle 50 percent), $19.69 (bottom 25 percent). • Labor efficiency (hours sold versus available hours): 154 percent (top 25 percent), 118 (middle 50 percent), 82 percent (bottom 25 percent)

PPG’s Rich Altieri said it is likely that repair opportunities will continue to decrease. His prediction: By 2006, 40 percent of today’s shops will cease to exist. If the collision industry is a $24 billion business, 24,000 shops doing $1 million a year in sales would take care of the market. – As reported in Hammer & Dolly. The rise and fall in the number of body shops isn’t always clear. Some claim there were as many 80,000 shops in the 1970s. But using more than 40 years of data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), industry publication CRASH Network argues the total number of shops has fluctuated between 37,500 and 44,000 from 1972 on, growing by just over 300 shops to about 40,200 in 2016. The average labor rate nationally last year was $48.85 (according to CCC Information Services), up almost 44 percent compared to the average reported by PPG for 1998, but below the 54 percent cumulative rate of inflation during that period; to keep up with inflation, the national average last year would have had to have been about $53. 15 Years Ago in the Collision Repair Industry (November 2003) The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) “Fraud Awareness Committee” is the first to admit its recent survey was not scientific. After all, it was completed by only about 100 64

people who happened to be attending the CIC meeting earlier this year. But the results may be interesting for those wondering about some of those “gray areas” shops and insurers find themselves in at times, said David McCreight, a member of the committee who shared the survey results last month in Boston.

In 2008, Chris Andreoli of Progressive predicted more shops would adopt the practice of a complete tear-down or “blueprinting” of a vehicle prior to production

One scenario posed on the survey was a shop that installs a non-certified, non-OEM part because the certified part—which is what the insurer requires—was not readily available, and the shop didn’t want to harm its cycle time. About 92 percent of those surveyed found this “unacceptable.” But if the shop disclosed to both the insurer and vehicle owner that a non-certified part was used because a certified part wasn’t available locally, 83 percent of those surveyed found it acceptable. About 93 percent felt it was unacceptable for a shop to order a nonOEM part, return it and supplement for an OEM part claiming poor fit without first trying the non-OEM part. When the situation was changed to the shop returning a part without trying it, but installing the OEM part while absorbing the price difference, only 37 percent thought this was unacceptable. A large majority said it was consumer deception and an unfair claims practice for an independent appraiser to leave needed items off of estimates at the request of the insurer because the customer may choose to not repair the vehicle. But what if the vehi-

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

cle was repaired and the omitted items were added? More than half (57 percent) still felt this practice was problematic. About one-third of those completing the survey were collision repairers and another 17 percent were insurers. The other half represented other segments of the industry, including the automakers and industry vendors. – As reported in Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT. 10 Years Ago in the Collision Repair Industry (November 2008) At the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Las Vegas, the “Business Management Committee” shared responses it received from several insurers about what the committee calls a “complete repair plan.” Designed to reduce the need for supplements (the committee estimates

IN ENU

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that it costs about $700 for shops and insurers to create or process a single supplement), the plan essentially involves a shop disassembling a damaged vehicle to determine virtually all of the parts and procedures needed, allowing for one estimate and one parts order without the need, in most cases, for a supplement. Some shops interested in using such a system have said they have met resistance from some insurers. The committee, however, received generally positive responses to the concept from the insurers it contacted. “Allstate is in support of any process that encourages a thorough and complete tear-down at the time of the estimate,” Bill Daly of Allstate Insurance wrote. Tim Constien of American Family Mutual Insurance Company was supportive of the idea under certain

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autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Shop Strategies with Stacey Phillips

How Independent Nashville Body Shop Is Nurturing Homegrown Talent tinue to grow the business while offering great service to my customers.

Q: A:

Currently, I have 20 employees, and many of them have worked here for more than a decade. I pay my technicians a little more per labor hour—about $3 more per labor hour than they can receive anywhere else in town. Because of that, I can retain them, and it seems to keep the revolving door down. I think shop owners need to offer a substantial enough wage, so your employees don’t jump from one shop to the next. I also give employees an extra week of vacation after they work at the shop for more than 10 years, so they get three weeks total per year. These may be small things, but it does make a difference. I’m proud of my team and how they work together and cooperate with one another. That takes building a culture. Dave Luehr at Elite Body Shop Solutions helped me a lot with culture. He gave me reading material, and we have expanded on his basic principles and implemented them at the shop. You can tell when someone is having a rough day. You have to find out if it’s something to do with the person’s work life or personal life. If it has to do with something at work, it gives you the opportunity to deal with it, so it doesn’t fester. If one person has an emergency, my team will jump right in and finish that car. That makes my heart happy to see them do that.

How did you get involved in the business, Linda?

When John sold the business to his son Gary, who I was married to at the time, I began working at the shop. It was the early 1980s; we had two small kids and I worked parttime. Interest rates were very high, and we were going through tough economic times. We went out on a limb

Whaley Body Shop has many long-term employees, such as Steve Fulton, who has been employed there for 15 years

and decided to take the company to the next level. With a lot of hard work and dedication, we were able to triple the size of our shop and get through that hump. We decided to sell the business to a nephew on Gary’s side during the late 1980s, and he ran the company for about 10 years. In 2008–09, we decided to take the company back. The economy was suffering again, but we were able to keep all of our vendors and employees and run it successfully. I had the opportunity to purchase the shop in 2011 as a sole owner, and I’ve run Whaley Auto Body since then. My goal is to con66

Q: A:

What sets your business apart from others in the industry?

The number one thing that sets us apart is that we are a household name in our area. We have a really good reputation. We receive a lot of great reviews and have many longterm employees.

Q: A:

How do you retain your employees?

How do you ensure a quality repair for customers?

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Because I don’t have a high turnover rate, I’ve found it has been very helpful. Historically in our business, when someone is disgruntled or going to leave, they cut corners. My goal is to keep turnover low, so there is consistent work in the shop. I created some Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that Dave helped me put into place several months ago. This has greatly helped hold people accountable and keep things flowing in the shop. The company is achieving a great transformation that I never thought possible. It has also helped me work toward reaching my potential and given me a renewed passion and vision for the future. With cars changing so much, I think it’s imperative to keep up with the times to be successful. You have to do the repair right. There’s no question about it.

Your best advertiser is your satisfied customer, and we all know that. Do a nice job, give them back a clean car, provide personalized service and the work just follows from there.

How do you receive feedback from customers and ask for reviews?

One of the unique things I have done over the last couple of years is hand-write thank you notes to my customers. Inside the envelope, I include my business card as well as information on how to write a review about the service they received at my shop. I list three different ways they can post a review—Yelp, Google and Facebook. I also include a pen, magnet and some type of treat. Although the majority of my customers don’t acknowledge it, a small percentage

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Sixty years ago, John (J.T.) Whaley opened a small body shop in Nashville, TN, which he named Whaley Body Shop. Although John retired in 1981, the business has remained in the family ever since and prides itself on offering quality repair work to its customers. Autobody News spoke to Linda Whaley, owner of Whaley Body Shop, about how the business has survived tough economic times and retained its employees.

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781-585-7570 781-585-2966 Fax M-F 7:30 - 5:30; Sat 8 - 4 brucem@martysbuickgmc.com

autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

comes back and tells me how much they appreciate the work we’ve done to their car. One lady recently wrote me a letter thanking me; she was impressed that I took the time to write her a note. I think it shows that I care and that I’m willing to sit down and spend the time to show my appreciation for their business and not send a mass-produced letter. It does take up some of my valuable time, but for me personally, it’s rewarding whether or not they recognize it. Also, I know my effort will stick in their minds if they have a wreck again.

Q: A:

How are you addressing the shortage of technicians?

One of the ways I’m addressing this problem is by paying apprentices to help in the business.

What is your biggest challenge right now?

I think the biggest challenge for me is [filling] an opening for a technician. Our industry is really lacking quality people to do the work that needs to get done. Whaley Body Shop has been around for 60 years, and I remember people used to line up to come and work here, but the industry is just not producing new technicians as they should. Recently, I put up a banner

on the outside of my building looking to hire body techs. Never in my life did I think I would have to do that. Unfortunately, it didn’t draw people.

as an apprentice and has now converted to a full-fledged commission worker, and I have two techs fresh out of school who have been here about a year. It takes a while to get them to perform on their own, so I nurture them along the way. I’ve also paired them with experienced technicians to give them an opportunity to assist with many types of processes in the shop.

What advice do you have for other body shops currently looking for new talent?

I’ve found it’s crucial to cultivate technicians from the trade schools. You have to take a chance. Go ahead and interview them at the end of the school year and make a spot for them to work at your shop. Otherwise, we’re not going to have anyone to do this work. I don’t think our industry understands the level of high alert that we are in. We’re in a dying trade, and if we don’t do something, we’re not going to have a way to fix these cars. It’s scary to me that we don’t do more to foster homegrown talent.

Linda Whaley said she is proud of her team members and how they cooperate with one another. Pictured is Jim Seat, who has worked at the shop for 10 years

I’m a small shop, and it’s a liability to my company because it takes several years of training. However, I feel that I’m doing my part to help. I currently have one employee who started

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Q: A:

What do you enjoy most about working in this industry?

I enjoy the whole process of a car coming in torn-up, and then that same vehicle goes out looking better than it did when it first came in here. That is IF a customer has taken good care of it. You can only do so much. I’ve had my share of cleaning up cars, and I’ve found that there are some very meticulous people and there are others who don’t value their cars like they should. It’s nice to see vehicles that are crunched up become nice and shiny and clean and then hand the keys back to the customer. I find they are so happy because it’s a stressful situation to be without your car, and they don’t like being in rental cars either. I’m pretty proud of being one of the few female body shop owners in this industry. At first, when I got back into the industry, I anticipated some resistance. As it turns out, I’ve found that my female customers actually love doing business with a woman-owned business. I realized it was a plus. I also think we need more women in our industry because of our attention to detail.

Continued from Page 64

20 Years Ago

circumstances. “We believe it has some potential limited benefits with our highest-performing direct repair program shops,” Constien said. “If the process is not done correctly or efficiently, it will increase the time a customer is without a car.” Progressive Insurance was perhaps the most enthused with the idea. “The benefits of a shop adopting this type of a more efficient repair strategy are clear to me,” Chris Andreoli, corporate property damage process manager for Progressive, said. “I’m sure you’ll begin to see an increase in the number of shops that adopt this methodology.” – As reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), Nov. 17, 2008. Over the past decade, more shops and insurers have shifted toward “blueprinting” or a complete tear-down of the vehicle to ensure all parts and procedures are included in an approved work order prior to the vehicle moving forward

in production. 5 Years Ago in the Collision Repair Industry (November 2013) During discussion at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), California

In 2013, Nick Bossinakis of Overall Parts Solutions said shops already using an electronic parts ordering system that were then being required to use PartsTrader were like someone already “listening to digital music on their iPod, and instead you are now bringing them an 8-track tape.”

shop owner Randy Stabler said he’s “kind of perplexed” why the Parts Trader mandate has become “such a lightning rod” for an industry that has been accepting insurer mandates since the early days of computerized estimating. “That was then. Today it’s parts.

Tomorrow it’s paint materials. What happens the day after?” Oklahoma shop owner Gary Wano responded. “If we don’t stop the mandates at some point in time, what are we doing?” Janet Chaney, who serves as the executive director of several state body shop associations, said it clearly comes down to the role parts play in a shop’s profit. “How many times have we been told what to do and we’ve agreed to it and it’s turned on us,” she said, drawing applause. Nick Bossinakis of Overall Parts Solutions, which offers an electronic parts ordering system, said one of the reasons this mandate is frustrating shops is that they may already be using one of the other electronic parts procurement systems that for them works better than PartsTrader. “You have (shops or parts vendors) that are out there listening to digital music on their iPod, and instead you are now bringing them an 8-track tape,” Bossinakis offered as an analogy. – As reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), November 18, 2013.

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MyShop Traffic™, a management software for collision repair facilities created by a body shop for a body shop, will make its debut at SEMA 2018. MyShop Traffic is a secure and full-service management software that is designed to increase a body shop’s productivity and ROI. It is the brainchild of 40-year auto body veteran Gene Cortes. Cortes has worked in every aspect of this business— from driving tow trucks to working as an adjuster for major auto insurance companies to managing and owning small body shops before opening his current body shop in 1992. MyShop Traffic optimizes a shop’s business by tracking cycle time, cutting back on wasted inventory, increasing productivity and allowing shop owners to lead and manage their staff from any location in the world.

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autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Original Thought #78

YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE AT THE FIRST REPAIR.

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BMW of Watertown Watertown 844-895-6839 860-274-5471 860-274-0617 Fax M-F 7:30am-5:30pm Sat 7:30am-4pm

John.musco@hoffmanauto.com

BMW of Darien Darien 203-328-1325 203-978-0043 Fax M-F 8am-5pm

wholesale@bmwdarien.com

MARYLAND

BMW of Catonsville Catonsville 855-996-2906 410-818-2600 Fax M-F 8am-5pm

www.bmwofcatonsville.com

BMW of Silver Spring Silver Spring 301-890-3015 800-288-6982 301-890-3748 Fax M-F 7:30am-5pm wholesaless@mileone.com www.bmwofsilverspring.com

MASSACHUSETTS BMW of Sudbury Sudbury 800-338-3198 508-881-7578 Fax M-F 7am-5pm

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NEW HAMPSHIRE BMW of Stratham Stratham 800-989-5200 603-772-9436 Fax

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NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

NEW JERSEY

BMW of Bloomfield Bloomfield 888-596-7024 973-748-8373 M-F 8am-6pm psantos@dchusa.com

BMW of Flemington Flemington (877) 657-2787 (908) 782-1795 Fax M-F 7:30am to 6pm Sat 8am to 2pm www.njparts.com

BMW of Morristown Morristown 973-796-3145 973-796-3146 Fax M-F 8am-6pm

BMW of Tenafly Tenafly 877-634-7207 201-567-2712 Fax M-F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm

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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. autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Over 70 Million Vehicles Are on the Road With Open Recalls by Consumer Federation of America, YubaNet.com

More than 70 million vehicles on the road with open recalls pose a significant highway safety danger. “While these open recalls present a clear hazard to the occupants of these vehicles, they are also a hazard to the rest of the driving public,” said Jack Gillis, CFA’s executive director and author of “The Car Book.” The high number of open recalls means that a significant number of owners are “turning in” used cars with an open recall or those vehicles may be recalled by the manufacturer while waiting to be resold. Some car dealerships are violating state laws that prohibit them from selling unsafe vehicles, particularly when they are subject to a safety recall. The result: A significant number of used vehicles are likely to be sold with open recalls. While the subsequent owner can have any recall addressed at no charge for 15 years from when the recall was issued, they may not know about the recalls or fail to check their particular vehicle. They may also experience lengthy delays in being able to obtain repairs due to severe shortages of repair parts or the

manufacturer’s failure to provide a remedy. The automobile recall program is one of the government’s most important auto safety functions, but to be truly effective, recall completion rates must be dramatically increased. “It’s simply not enough to announce a recall; the car companies, car dealers and government must do everything possible to remedy those recalls,” said Gillis. “Under federal law, car dealers can’t sell new cars with open recalls, and under state laws, car dealers are not allowed to sell recalled used cars either. But those laws are not being adequately enforced. With today’s communication technology, social media and information databases, there is no excuse not to significantly increase compliance with safety recalls.” The entire auto industry, all levels of government and individual consumers each have an important role to play in ensuring that safety recalls are performed. The huge rental car industry must acknowledge and respect the importance of recalls, as should the rest of the automotive use and retail industry. Needed Actions To Protect the American Public from Recalled Vehicles

• State attorneys general should enforce existing state laws that prohibit car dealers from knowingly, negligently or deceptively selling unrepaired recalled used cars.

• In addition, Congress and the president should enact federal legislation, enforceable by NHTSA, to prohibit car dealers from selling recalled used cars.

• Require fleet operators to remedy open recalls upon notice and prior to returning vehicles to service. • Recalled taxis and ride service vehicles must be remedied upon notice and prior to returning vehicles to service.

• Auto auction companies must remedy recalls during their refurbishing process and prior to the transfer of the vehicle.

• Require car companies to send out notices (by e- and postal mail) every two months until the recall is resolved or vehicle has been removed from service.

• Require DMVs and state inspection

programs to include VIN-specific recall notices on registration renewals and inspections to alert the owners that their vehicles have unrepaired recalls. • The government (NHTSA) must initiate an effective public education campaign to get vehicle owners to sign up for recall notifications.

• New and used car dealers must register owners for recall notices on safercar.gov as part of the selling paperwork. Insurance companies should provide a recall report before providing insurance.

• Manufacturers must provide loaner cars for owners of recalled vehicles when there are significant delays in obtaining recall repair parts. “Corporate America and the government have developed massive database and information systems for advertising, marketing and tracking purposes. It’s time to put those same systems in place for remedying recalls,” concluded Gillis. We thank YubaNet.com for reprint permission.

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Allentown 610-820-2985 (610) 336-8125 Fax M-F 7:30-5:30 parts@danielsbmw.com

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Maine

Downeast Toyota / Scion 800-432-0220 BREWER

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ALLDATA Wins 2018 PTEN Innovation Awards, Continues To Win at NACE by Chasidy Rae Sisk

Recently, ALLDATA, an AutoZone company, won two 2018 PTEN (Professional Tool & Equipment News) awards: one in the Scan Tools category for ALLDATA Diagnostics and one in the Computers and Software category for ALLDATA Collision Advantage. ALLDATA President Satwinder Mangat stated, “We are very proud to be honored with these awards. Innovation is the core of our legacy, and it drives our vision to be the leading data-driven solutions provider in the industry.” Designed to recognize the most innovative products introduced in the last year, contestants for the PTEN Innovation Awards are evaluated by a panel of judges consisting of technicians and shop owners who select winners based on their ability to make vehicle diagnosis and repair easier and more efficient as well as to make shops more productive. ALLDATA Collision Advantage analyzes estimates to ensure they’re OEM-accurate and contain thorough

documentation, providing shops with the backup needed to charge for necessary repairs. Collision Advantage works with all three major estimating systems and delivers OEM alerts, vital repairs and manufacturer position statements on a single screen. Shops can use ALLDATA Diagnostics™ to turn a tablet into a professional-level scan tool with ALLDATA built in. With unlimited pre- and postscans, no per-scan charge and no charge for software or data updates or even the equipment, the tool’s cost is all included in one subscription fee that allows shops to limit liability by using ALLDATA Diagnostics to conduct full-system exportable pre- and post-repair scans. At NACE Automechanika in Atlanta, ALLDATA Diagnostics was voted the 2018 Innovation Zone Winner in the Repair and Maintenance category. Mangat stated, “By tackling the challenges our customers face day-in and day-out, our teams are inspired to deliver innovative solutions like ALLDATA Collision Advantage and ALLDATA Diagnostics.”

GARMAT Celebrates 30 Years at SEMA with SEMA Specials, Sponsored Events Garmat is excited to announce special SEMA pricing to celebrate 30 successful years as the industry’s leading all American paint booth manufacturer. To thank its

customers and to celebrate at SEMA, Garmat is kicking off the show with savings up to $5,000 on the purchase of Garmat equipment and GasCat catalytic drying systems. Packages include Paint Booths, Prep-Decks, CTOF’s, Paint Mix Rooms, and GasCat Accelerated Curing Solutions. Now is the time to get the refinish equipment you need to make your shop a production powerhouse in 2019! In addition to our SEMA specials Garmat is also sponsoring the Collision Hub Estimating for Profit education session on October 29

located at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino 2411 W. Sahara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102. Garmat President Johan Huwaert will be racing for a great cause in support of the 3M and CREF for the 3M Hire Our Heroes 500 event to drive support for our nation’s veterans and family members and race for the collision repair industry’s future. Join us at SEMA to find out who wins industry bragging rights for the fastest time. Marketing Director and National Account Manager at Garmat USA said “As usual SEMA is one of the most exciting events in our collision repair show schedule and we have a lot to be excited about with our thirty year anniversary. Please stop by booth 10825 and join us!”

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Porsche Princeton Lawrenceville, NJ 609-945-1500 609-945-0501 Fax

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autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Musk Blames Trailer Shortage for Tesla’s Model 3 Delivery Delays by Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times

Elon Musk said an “extreme shortage” of car carrier trailers is partly to blame for Tesla’s delivery woes. And in typical Musk fashion, the answer is for Tesla to build its own trailers. That has trucking industry executives and analysts scratching their heads. “There’s no shortage that I know of,” said Guy Young. As general manager of the Auto Haulers Assn. of America, he would know. “There’s a general shortage of drivers, but we’ve got a lot of members with drivers and car carriers who could supply what they need.” Antti Lindstrom, a trucking analyst for IHS Markit, is flummoxed too. “I have never heard of a situation like that,” he said. “In my experience there is always some available capacity that can be harvested” — especially, he said, for a well-known company with a $50 billion market value. “It’s confusing. It doesn’t sound real to me.” Many Tesla buyers complain they’ve paid full price for one of the company’s new Model 3 vehicles but haven’t received them or had planned deliveries canceled. The auto haulers’ Young said the problem more likely lies with Tesla’s own logistics operation. “It’s like anything else,” he said. “If you don’t start planning ahead of time, building relationships, it can get a little difficult.” Tesla declined to discuss trailer shortages, or details of any plans to build its own, with The Times. It’s the build-your-own part that

puzzles Frank Maly, a trucking analyst at ACT Research. “If they’re talking about building [trailers] from the ground up, that would be a surprise to me,” he said. First, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a long checklist of regulatory information that must be submitted and processed

A basic bumper replacement taking matters into its own hands. Facing a shortage of body parts to re- takes at least 24 hours, she said; “You pair Teslas involved in car crashes— can’t rush it” without sacrificing qualsome owners have waited months to ity. A new door could be hung in an get their cars back from such fixes— hour, but the vast majority of jobs the company this year began opening would take far longer, Tanzillo said. Having Tesla parts in-house its own “light collision repair” body could speed the process, she said. It shops. So far, there are nine. On Sept. 16, Musk tweeted that also helps that Teslas come in only a Tesla “is bringing most few colors. A body panel could be collision repairs in-house” painted in an hour, Tanzillo said, but because delays at third- most cars get faded by the sun, which party body shops are “dri- means a paint job requires blending ving Tesla owners (and us) and matching. A high-quality job would take hours. crazy.” Uptown used to work on He followed with a burst of tweets. “Having all parts in Tesla cars, “but we do work on them now only when parts are not necesstock & not waiting for insurance approval” would make sary,” Tanzillo said. “We can’t get A truck carries new Model 3s from Tesla’s Fremont, CA, as“a world of difference,” one parts. When we can, they won’t ship sembly plant. Credit: Russ MItchell, Los Angeles Times said. In another he said he’d them to us. They have us pick them for a new commercial trailer to be reduce body work turnaround time to up. They want to control everything. used on public highways. Also, mate- “under an hour.” There are plenty of other models out rials, tooling, an assembly line and Asked about the speed claims, there.” trained employees would be needed to Giovanna Tanzillo, co-owner of UpTesla declined to comment about build them. town Body & Fender in Oakland, CA, Musk’s claims or body shop expanIt’s possible, though, to build a said: “I do not know how that is pos- sion plans. system inside a regular enclosed semi- sible. I’d be interested in knowing We thank Los Angeles Times for trailer known as a “dry van” to hold more myself.” reprint permission. about eight cars without necessitating government approval, Maly said. It’s called an “upfit” and it’s used by several automakers, he said. Musk, the chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, “makes cars, he makes rockets, so there’s a fighting chance they could get that up,” Maly said. “But then the challenge is, where do you get the dry vans?” With the U.S. economy humming, new dry vans also are in high demand. “If you ordered one today, Order Genuine Mazda Parts from these Parts Specialists in your area you might get it in April,” Maly said. Logistics isn’t the only chalDELAWARE MARYLAND lenge Tesla is attempting to solve by

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Latest ‘Who Pays for What?’ Survey Open Now with four years of data from “Who Pays for What?” surveys, Mike Anderson of Collision Advice can point to some changes within the industry that the survey results reflect. “This summer, more than 1 in 4 shops—27 percent—reported being paid to set up and perform destructive test welds ‘always’ or ‘most of the time’ by the eight largest national insurers,” said Anderson, who conducts the surveys 74

with CRASH Network. He said the final of the four 2018 “Who Pays for What?” surveys is open now through the end of October at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/XPH5 C3X. Anderson said the survey can be completed by any shop owner, manager or estimator who is familiar with the shop’s billing practices and the payment practices of the largest national insurers.

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

Subaru Destroys 293 Ascent SUVs After Coding Error Leads to Unsafe Cars by Jessica Miley, Interesting Engineering

A coding error has led Subaru to recall and dispose of 293 of its Ascent 2019 SUVs. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report revealed that the error caused robots building the cars to miss two critical welds in the car’s fabrication.

The welds were located on the car’s B-pillars, which hold the hinges to the second-row doors. The missing welds reduce the overall strength of the car’s body and could result in passengers suffering injury in a crash. No Fix Available on Post-Production Vehicles There is no way to fix the error postproduction, so all the cars needed to be destroyed rather than refurbished. Subaru said only nine of the affected cars were actually in the hands of consumers and that all affected customers would receive a replacement vehicle.

“All potentially affected vehicles will be inspected by an SIA factory representative, and if the vehicle is missing any spot welds, the vehicle will be replaced with a new one. There is no physical remedy available; therefore, any vehicles found with missing welds will be destroyed,” a document submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration read. Software Errors Rare in Modern Carmakers The defected cars were located between July 13 and July 21, although not all cars produced in this model were affected by the flaw. The company launched an investigation in production procedure after an audit discovered a single example of the mistake in July. According to Stout’s 2018 report of Warranty and Recall, almost 8 million vehicles were recalled in 2017 because of a software or integrated circuit issue. This year, other major car makers like Ford and Tesla have also experienced costly recalls due to errors. As we head into the robot revolution, automakers need to take a

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warning from Subaru and ensure development practices are strict without any exceptions on release quality. Although it isn’t common to hear of coding mistakes causing production problems, it isn’t totally unheard of. In the 1980s when GM began a major push to automate its car assembly lines to stand a chance against its Japanese competitors, the new robots in the paint shop turned on each other rather than the cars in front of them. GM didn’t get off with just the one instance; robots responsible for fitting windscreens reportedly liked to smash them up instead, and in a case similar to Subaru, the spot welding robots began welding doors shut rather than their hinges. Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk admits that having robots isn’t always the best solution. In an interview earlier this year, he admitted that sometimes the robots slow down production rather than make it quicker. Via: Safety Recall Report/Subaru We thank Interesting Engineering for reprint permission.

Fix Auto Expands Use of CCC ONE® Platform

CCC Information Services Inc. (CCC) announced that Fix Auto USA has expanded its use of the CCC ONE® Platform and will now use the CCC® Parts electronic parts ordering solution for the company’s extensive and growing network of body shops. CCC Parts electronically connects collision repairers with parts suppliers, whose live inventories, pricing, and delivery times are displayed while creating the estimate. Those parts are then available for purchase through CCC ONE® once the estimate is complete. CCC is a leading Software as a Service provider to the collision repair, insurance, and automotive industries. “We are proud to expand our relationship with an industry leader like Fix Auto,” said Joseph Allen, SVP and GM, Automotive Services Group, CCC.

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NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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Despite Trade Pact, Jittery Days Remain for U.S. Auto Industry by Bill Koenig, AdvancedManufacturing.org

Of course, Trump isn’t neutral. He criticized NAFTA when he ran for office. “I have long contended that NAFTA was perhaps the worst trade deal ever made,” he said in discussing the new deal. “To me, it’s the most important word in trade because we’ve been treated so unfairly by so many nations all over the world. And we’re changing that.” One Fight Down… CAR’s Dziczek, whose portfolio covers economics, trade and labor, said the changes under USMCA won’t all be favorable. “Production costs will go up, and sales will likely go down—all other things equal,” Dziczek said. Trade publication Automotive News, in a recent editorial, sounded more relieved than celebratory. “This rebadged North American Free Trade Agreement is good for the industry not because its terms are favorable, but because the fight is over,” according to the editorial. This fight may be over. There are other trade conflicts. Trump has led the U.S. into a trade war with China. There are also trade tensions with the

Think Genuine Subaru Parts.

European Union and other regions. “Yes, there are still jitters about China, the possibility of Section 232 tariffs being imposed on Japan, EU, U.K. once it leaves the EU, and South Korea,” Dziczek said. Section 232 is the term the U.S. Commerce Department uses for investigating whether tariffs should be levied. Déjà Vu Trade isn’t the only worry. Ford Motor Co. (Dearborn, MI), a decade after avoiding bankruptcy, is again looking to revamp itself and cutting jobs. The automaker relies heavily on large pickups for the bulk of its profit. Its CEO, Jim Hackett, who took command of the company last year, talks about making Ford more fit. In early October, the company told salaried employees that cuts are coming. For now, there’s no hard timeline. “We are in the early stages of reorganizing our global salaried workforce to support the company’s strategic objectives, create a more dynamic and empowering work environment, and become more fit as a business,” the company said in a statement. “The re-

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organization will result in headcount reduction over time, and this will vary based on team and location. We will announce more specifics at the appropriate time.” During the 2000s, Ford had a series of restructuring plans that cut thousands of jobs. The company recruited Boeing Co. executive Alan Mulally as CEO in 2006. He sold off European luxury brands and got rid of Mercury. The company was able to avoid bankruptcy, unlike General Motors and Chrysler, because it borrowed using its assets (including trademarks such as the Ford blue oval logo) as collateral. Mulally at the time was hailed as a turnaround artist. But that was then. The automotive world has gotten more complicated since Mulally retired in 2014. Now, there are issues such as self-driving cars and ride-sharing services to deal with. Mulally’s successor, Mark Fields, was found wanting by the company’s board. Now it’s Hackett’s turn. The outcome isn’t assured. Once more, Ford employees brace themselves for cuts. Jittery days. We thank AdvancedManufacturing.org for reprint permission.

Keene (866) 832-0013 (603) 757-0013 (603) 719-0932 Fax

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The following dealerships are eager to serve your needs. Call your local Subaru collision parts specialist today! autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

After the Donation: The Nolan Family Uses Benevolence Car to Improve Their Lives by Ed Attanasio

Some Benevolence cars are used by their recipients for many years as a reliable form of daily transportation, while others eventually sell them or give them to family members. Either way, the vehicle helps these families and individuals enhance their lives while setting themselves up for ongoing success. In many ways, these vehicles enable people to pay it forward and help others after receiving the gift of transportation. In 2016, military veteran Cassidy Nolan and his wife, Jillian, drove their 2015 Chrysler 200, donated by Hertz and refurbished by Mike’s Auto Body, until their family increased in size, requiring a larger vehicle. “We now have a third child, Colt Maximus Nolan, so we had to get a bigger car, so now we have a 2016 Ford Explorer,” Cassidy explained. “But without the money we received from the sale of the Chrysler, we never would have been able to acquire our new vehicle. “When we got the car from Mike’s Auto Body, it offered us mobility and enabled us to achieve so many things that we wouldn’t have

been able to do. It gave us a great jumpstart. We were able to go on a couple family vacations because of that car, so it definitely improved our overall quality of life. We visited family in Chico, CA, and also visited the Monterey Aquarium and took another vacation where we drove more than 2,300 miles throughout the West over three weeks. It also gave us financial support so that we could get a new vehicle and go to the next level as I pursued my education.” At the time of the vehicle presentation, Cassidy was a student at Napa Valley Community College (NVC), and now he is on track to graduate from the University of California, Berkeley (known as Cal) next year in May. He was also the social media director of Cal Veterans Group when he received the car, but now he is the organization’s president and proud of it. In this role, he is in a position to help many of the 300 veterans who are currently enrolled at Cal. “Cal Veterans Group helps veterans work back into civilian life and re-adjust,” Nolan said. “We are dedicated to providing programs and services in support of the academic and personal success of student veterans

New Windshield Patent May Change Auto Glass Repair, Replacement by Emmariah Holcomb, glassBYTEs.com

Four Mexican inventors are changing the direction of automotive windshield breaks. The team, with Ford global technologies in Michigan, has been working on a way to create a defined break for laminated windshields that directs a break outward. Originally, they had filed for a patent in July 2016, and they were recently granted a patent for their design in June of this year. A laminated windshield is made up of an outer and inner layer of glass, while plastic or a specially designed film is commonly found between both layers and is known as the interlayer. The main benefit of interlayers is that it holds the inner and outer layers of glass together if the windshield breaks, shatters or becomes damaged in any way. Doing this can help reduce the amount of injury those inside of the vehicle may face. But what about if a person or persons want to safely escape the vehicle? Their design incorporates a 78

break line with an outward path. The main goal is to provide a way out of the vehicle from the inside in the event of an emergency. As the break line is directed outward, it resists breaking inward, according to the patent, which then allows it to provide higher levels of protection to vehicle occupants. “While laminated glass provides a number of significant safety benefits, it should be appreciated that it can make it very difficult to escape from the interior of a motor vehicle when the doors of the vehicle have been rendered inoperable. …[our] laminated windshield incorporates a break line engineered to break outward toward the outer glass layer, thereby allowing one to actually break the laminated windshield in order to provide an emergency escape route from the motor vehicle,” according to an excerpt from the patent. We thank glassBYTEs.com for reprint permission.

www.autobodynews.com

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

and increasing student veteran access to campus resources and enrichment opportunities. We also play a key role in campus outreach and recruitment of student veterans here at the Cal Veteran Services Center on campus.” The Nolans will never forget the day they received their Benevolence car for many reasons. “We found out that Jillian was pregnant two days before, so we were obviously thrilled,” Nolan said. “In addition, I received the 2016 Veteran of the Year for the 4th Assembly District during that same time, so it was a phenomenal moment for many reasons and a definite life-changing experience.” Nolan was sponsored by the Pathway Home in Napa, which provides veterans with educational, professional and clinical support designed to enhance their lives following military service. Eight technicians at Mike’s Auto Body also donated all of their time to refurbish the vehicle. In addition to the refurbished vehicle, the Nolan family also received one year of insurance paid for by Mike’s Auto Body and provided by Napa State Farm Agent Melinda Adams. In addition, Mike’s Auto

Body also donated a trunk load of gifts for the Nolan family. Now looking back on the entire experience, Cassidy and Jillian are both humble and grateful. “This car helped us so much, and one of the best things about it is that I got to see my husband more frequently,” Jillian said. “The Benevolence vehicle gave us something you can’t buy, and that’s time.” Cassidy wants to thank everyone at Mike’s Auto Body for this unusual act of kindness, he said. “The folks at Mike’s are all about helping people, and the Benevolence Program is a prime example of that,” he said. “A car represents a lot of things—freedom, independence and the ability to have a better and more productive life, and that’s what our Benevolence vehicle did. It set us up for success and it is still giving through the use of our new car.”

TWITTER : @autobodynews

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autobodynews.com / NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS

CREF Fall Career Fairs Connect Industry With Next Generation of Techs The Collision Repair Education Foundation fall schedule of career fairs, offered in partnership with the

TechForce Foundation, provides collision and auto service industry businesses with the opportunity to connect with high school and college transportation students across the country. Through these partnerships, the fall events will bring more than 2,500 collision, auto service, heavy duty and diesel students to participating employers. Employers who are interested in participating at the events should contact Brandon Eckenrode, director of development for the Education Foundation, via email at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation .org or (312) 231-0258. The remaining fall 2018 schedule includes: • Topeka, KS (10/11) - Wash-

burn Institute of Technology • Concord, NC (10/18) - Axalta Coating Systems Customer Experience Center • Jamaica, NY (11/27) – NYADI – The College of Technology for Transportation • Columbus, OH (12/6) Fort Hayes Career Center

The Education Foundation plays an active role in facilitating onsite interviews, employment-related presentations and ensuring students are well-prepared for meeting company representatives. “Connecting students with the array of career opportunities available to them in the industry is a core component of the Education Foundation’s mission,” Eckenrode said. “Our transportation career fairs provide the perfect opportunity for industry employers to meet and interview students who have trained for entry-level positions in collision repair and other related automotive professions.”

Oldest Body Shops in America: Keene Auto Body

Eleanor, visited Keene, NH, about 20 miles away. They obviously liked If there has ever been a quintessen- it, and moved to Keene shortly theretial New England town, it’s Keene, after. In 1928, Ensio founded Keene NH. Auto Body & Welding Co. at 543 Main St., where the business has remained ever since. The building has undergone several changes and expansions, but after almost 100 years, the business remains in the same spot. Paul Piispanen, the son of Ensio, took over the business in the 1950s and ran it with his wife, Katherine PiKeene Auto Body founder Ensio Piispanen, date unknown ispanen. In the 1990s, Nestled in the southwestern third-generation owner Steven Pipart of the state, it is an idyllic area ispanen, Paul and Katherine’s son, for viewing the famous New Hamp- took over the reins. Keene Auto Body specializes shire fall foliage. It is the Cheshire County seat and the home of Keene in auto body repair and offers 24State College and Keene Auto Body. hour towing, serving the entire MonKeene Auto Body was founded adnock region. in 1928 by Ensio Piispanen, an immigrant from Finland. When he moved to the United States, he AUTOBODY worked for a car factory in Winchenwww.autobodynews.com don, MA. Later, he and his wife,

AAPEX 2018 Announces Let’s Tech 20-Minute Presentations Technology experts will take the Let’s Tech stage at AAPEX 2018 to give “TED Talk-style” presentations on the latest products, tools and technologies and how they benefit automotive aftermarket businesses.

Let’s Tech returns to AAPEX with a new lineup of presentations on the latest products, tools and technologies in the automotive aftermarket

AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and will take place Tuesday, Oct. 30 through Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. The 20-minute presentations will cover advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), telematics,

vehicle-to-vehicle communications (V2V), the digital service advisor and digital technician, and repairing cybersecure vehicles. Presentations also will address tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) solutions and best practices, the integrated tire shop, inventory optimization, radar sensors, connectivityefficient maintenance programs and autonomous revolutions in the aftermarket industry. All presentations will take place on the Let’s Tech stage in the Level 2 lobby of the Sands Expo. To register, visit www.aapexshow .com/attendee. AAPEX 2018 will feature more than 2,500 exhibiting companies displaying the latest products, services and technologies. More than 47,000 targeted buyers are expected to attend, and approximately 162,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from 135 countries are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX 2018. AAPEX is a trade-only event and is not open to the general public.

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by Gary Ledoux

NOVEMBER 2018 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Genuine INFINITI Parts Call any of these following dealers.

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914-232-8146 914-232-5733 Fax M-F 8am - 5:30pm Sat 8am - 2pm dkorkatzis@mercedesbenzgb.com

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888-30-PARTS

800-220-7278

201-265-7808 201-483-2782 Fax

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M-Th 7:30am - 7:30pm F 7:30am - 5pm Sat 8am - 5pm parts@prestigemb.com

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Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown St. James

631-265-5339 631-265-8146 Fax M-F 8am - 5pm Sat 8am - 4pm mlevantino@mbofsmithtown.com www.mbofsmithtown.com

781-229-1600 617-275-2185 Fax M-F 7am-7pm Sat 8am-5pm parts@mbob.com www.mbob.com

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