December 2019 Northeast Edition by Autobody News

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Vol. 10 / Issue 9 / December 2019

SCRS Captures First Place at SEMA 2019 New Products Showcase by Ed Attanasio

To officially kick off the week, SEMA always announces its Best New Products Award winners at its opening morning breakfast. There’s

always a lot of anticipation, because companies know about the importance of these awards and this year was surely no exception. Nearly 3,000 products were en-

tered this year into the 16 different Showcase categories to be considered for a SEMA New Product Award this year. Winners were selected based on a variety of factors that included superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability, among others. The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) won first place in the collision repair and refinish product category for its SCRS Guide to Complete Repair Planning – Blueprint Optimization Tool. The runners-up included GUNIWHEEL for its GUNIWHEEL

SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg’s organization won the first place in the collision repair and refinish product category for the SCRS Guide to Complete Repair Planning – Blueprint Optimization Tool. Credit: Ed Attanasio

and Spray Booth Services for its Airflow=Cashflow Remote Spray Booth Monitoring System. SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg discussed his organization’s winning entry. “Nine years ago, we created our Repair Planning Plan, which is a static document that lists items that are potentially overlooked. We received feedback over the years about it and we have refined it a few times. People told us that it

See 2019 New Products, Page 12

Industry Hears From Texas Couple Who Sued Shop Over Faulty Repairs

Six Cars Given Away by NABC Recycled Rides at SEMA 2019

by John Yoswick

by Ed Attanasio

CIC chairman Jeff Peevy said everyone in the industry regularly makes decisions that can have a profound impact on other people’s lives. Credit: John Yoswick

In an emotional on-stage interview at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) held in Las Vegas in early November, the Texas couple who successfully sued a dealership body shop over its failure to follow OEM repair procedures talked about the dramatic changes in their lives caused by their substantial injuries in a subsequent accident. Marcia Seebachan said she remembers nothing from the time of the accident until four days later, on Christmas, when she regained consciousness in the hospital and wasn’t See Industry Hears From, Page 14

Every year at SEMA, the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides luncheon is on many peoples’ calendars, and the room is always packed with industry leaders, insurance companies, body shops, parts manufacturers, and more. Invariably, the event often features crying (in joy), happy faces everywhere, and a vibe that can best be described as pure benevolence. This year, NABC presented six deserving Las Vegas residents with the gift of transportation via refurbished vehicles that will now enable them to take care of their families, get to work, manage medical appointments and gain their much-desired independence. The Recycled Rides program partnered with a wide range of insurance carriers this year, including State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. Rental car companies such as Hertz and Enterprise, and collision repair facilities and MSOs like Caliber Collision, Service King,

CARSTAR and Gerber Collision, vendor partners such as 1.800.Charity Cars, LKQ and others that have been involved in the program for many years.

Undercover but waiting to change lives forever, six cars went to six worthy families at the NABC Recycled Rides presentation at SEMA 2019. Credit: Ed Attanasio

The NABC Recycled Rides recipients gathered with their children, spouses, and friends to unveil their newly refreshed vehicles in spectacular fashion. Karl Champley, an Australian master builder, television personality and actor who is currently appearing on Ellen’s Design Challenge, served as the emcee for See Six Cars Given Away, Page 22

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CONTENTS REGIONAL

NATIONAL

AASP/MA Fall Meeting Focused on Current

2019 Collision Repair Industry: A Year

AASP/NJ’s Annual Meeting Featured Danny Gredinberg of DEG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 ASA-PA’s 2019 Super Saturday Training Event Attracts Over 300 Attendees . . . . . . . . 6 Body Shop in Staten Island, NY, Encourages

A Behind-The-Scenes Look at SEMA Before Opening Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 AkzoNobel’s Workflow System Gets Patent . . . 60 Bill Shaw is Recipient of CIF Service Award. . . 32 CCC Strengthens Network for Parts

Shops to Adopt Sustainable Practices . . . . . 18

Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

CARSTAR Enterprise in NY Opens . . . . . . . . . . 16

Cummins Unveils Fuel Cell Truck in Atlanta . . . . 4

Class Action Complaint Filed Against Subaru

Dr. Diane L. Peters Dove Into the Future

for Alleged Defective Windshields . . . . . . . . 16 LIABRA October Meeting Features GM and I-CAR Presentations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Nashoba Tech Open House Features Clinic With 1A Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 New Yorker Gets 22 Years to Life for Fatal Shooting of Body Shop Worker . . . . . . . . . . 18 PA Dealership Shows Off Renovations at Open House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Polmanteer Service Center in Penn Yan, NY, Opens Collision Repair Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Woman Wins Raffle Benefitting Penn College’s Automotive Restoration Scholarship Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Anderson - Understanding and Performing the Needed Seat Calibrations . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Attanasio - PPG’s Booth Unleashes Creativity at SEMA 2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Ledoux - Collision Repair Shops “ARM” Themselves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Phillips - 3M Showcases New and Existing Products During SEMA Show . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Phillips - How to Position Your Collision Repair Shop for Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Yoswick - Tesla Promises Better Parts Service, More Support for Body Shops . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Contributing Writers: John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr, Stacey Phillips, Victoria Antonelli, Gary Ledoux Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Bill Doyle, Norman Morano, Kelly Hall (800) 699-8251 Office Manager: Louise Tedesco Digital Marketing Manager: Bill Pierce Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia Graphic Designer: Vicki Sitarz Online and Web Content Editor: Alexis Wilson Accounting Manager: Heather Priddy Editorial/Sales Assistant: Randi Scholtes Office Assistant: Dianne Pray

Serving New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Northern Virginia, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and adjacent metro areas. Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry. Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher. ©2019 Adamantine Media LLC. Autobody News P.O. Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 699-8251 / (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com editor@autobodynews.comx

Accudraft Paint Booths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . 58

Acura of Westchester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

McGovern Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram . . . . . 28

Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists, LLC. . . . . . . . 29

Mercedes-Benz of Atlantic City. . . . . . . . . . . 45

American Innovative Manufacturing-AIM . . . . 6

Mercedes-Benz of Fort Washington . . . . . . . 45

Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Mercedes-Benz of Paramus . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

AutoNation Collision Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Mercedes-Benz of West Chester . . . . . . . . . 45

Axalta Coating Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Mercedes-Benz of Wilmington . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Bical Auto Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Mercedes-Benz Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 63

Blowtherm USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . 52

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . 50-51

Mirka USA, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Cadillac of Mahwah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

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

Central Avenue Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram . 25

New Holland Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram . . . 32

Certified Automotive Parts Association . . . . . 20

New Holland Ford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Cherry Hill Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram . . . . . 12

New Holland Toyota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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

Nielsen Ford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Colonial Automotive Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealer . . . . . 62

Courtesy Mitsubishi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Northstar Kia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Criswell Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram . . . . . . . 16

Nucar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Dent Fix Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Porsche Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . 60

Eckler’s Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

SATA Dan-Am Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

ECS Automotive Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Schultz Ford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Empire Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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

Equalizer Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Sorbothane Soft-Blow Mallet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Spanesi Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Educational Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

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

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . 54

Sherwin-Williams Leads With Art atSEMA 201964

Healey Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Symach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 34-35

Tasca Automotive Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . 64

Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . 56

Infiniti of Norwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

USI of North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Jaguar Land Rover Cherry Hill . . . . . . . . . . . 11

VIP Honda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . 59

Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . 65

Kia of Attleboro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Westbury Jeep-Chrysler-Dodge-Ram-SRT . . 15

Kundert Volvo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

White Plains Volkswagen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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

Yonkers Kia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

of Mobility at AWAF’s Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Elaine Herzberg Death: Self-Driving Uber Ignored Jaywalking Pedestrian . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Final Day of SEMA Features Thought Leaders & Top Build Winner. . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Fossil Fuel Dependence Will Increase Until 2030s Due to SUV Demand . . . . . . . . . . 4 Industry Hears From Texas Couple Who Sued Shop Over Faulty Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . 1 LKQ Announces Its Promise of Calibration . . . . 49 NABC 2019 Award Winners Announced . . . . . . 56 SATA Puts on Wunderbar Show at SEMA 2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 SCRS Captures First Place at SEMA 2019 New Products Showcase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

COLUMNISTS

www.autobodynews.com

in Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Results of NABR VRS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

AUTOBODY

SEMA Show Focuses on Advanced Vehicle Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 SEMA Show Kicks Off With Award Announcements, Celebrities &

Six Cars Given Away by NABC Recycled Rides at SEMA 2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The Driving Force – Women in the Automotive Industry Presented by Kukui . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 The Future of DRP: Is There One? . . . . . . . . . . 62 WD-40 Partners With SEMA Cares to Create Old School 1966 Ford Bronco . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Long Automotive Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

Fossil Fuel Dependence Will Increase Until 2030s Due to SUV Demand by Joey Klender, Teslarati.com

A recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests the dependence on energy sources derived from crude oil will continue to increase until the 2030s and emissions contributing to global climate change could also rise until 2040. The IEA cites the increasing demand for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) as the main contributor to vehicle-based emissions. The United States, China, and Europe have displayed a growing hunger for SUVs, and it is directly contributing to the environmental issues according to the IEA’s annual long-term forecast report, the AP says. The IEA suggested governments in these areas need to display “strong leadership” to reduce carbon emissions from SUVs in an attempt to save the environment. Perhaps the most frightening part of the IEA report was the idea that the growing demand for SUVs could eliminate any environmental benefits from the increasing popularity of electric cars. As the industry for battery-operated vehicles continues to grow across the world, the IEA

feels the current investment in renewable energy is “insufficient,” as the estimated global demand of barrels of oil per day until 2040 is expected to increase from 96.9 million in 2018, to 106.4 million in 2040.

Credit: Tesla

IEA Director Fatih Birol stated SUVs “were the second biggest cause of the increase in emissions in the last ten years, behind the energy sector and

more than all industrial sectors combined,” during an interview in Paris, France. Electric vehicle companies like Tesla have made significant strides in the fight against emissions from petrol-based vehicles. With Tesla’s Model X, along with the imminent release of the Model Y crossover, the company will now be able to offer those interested in purchasing an SUV two different vehicles that offer maximum cargo space in an energy-efficient manner. Fellow all-electric car maker Rivian will also begin producing its energy-efficient R1T truck and R1S SUV in late-2020 and early-2021. Electric vehicles produced by these two companies will rival their gas-powered counterparts, allowing for record amounts of towing capacity, range, and off-roading capabilities. The IEA also recognizes the growing demand for plastic and air travel as two other factors directly

Elaine Herzberg Death: Self-Driving Uber Ignored Jaywalking Pedestrian by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com

The death of Elaine Herzberg in March 2018 was caused by a selfdriving vehicle system that could not see “jaywalkers” and failed to classify Herzberg as a pedestrian. Herzberg, 49, was killed when the Volvo SUV struck her as she ig-

nored the crosswalk signs and walked her bike onto the road. The bike had no side reflectors and the front and rear reflectors faced away from the self-driving Volvo. Additionally, Herzberg’s toxicology tests came back positive for marijuana and methamphetamine. In a final report from the National Safety Transportation Board (NTSB), conclusions reached by investigators match nightmare scenarios predicted by dozens of safety advocates who claim consumers are 4

being treated as lab rats when selfdriving cars are on the roads. In the NTSB report, the 2017 Volvo XC90 that hit Herzberg had its Volvo collision avoidance system deactivated at the time of the crash. The SUV was factory-equipped with several driver assistance systems offered by Volvo, but those features were disabled because Uber had equipped the Volvo with its “Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) developmental automated driving system (ADS).” When the XC90 SUV was operated in manual mode and controlled by a human driver, all the Volvo driver assistance components were activated, but those Volvo components were automatically disabled when the SUV was operated in autonomous mode. Federal investigators found the Uber software completely failed to accurately detect Herzberg as a pedestrian and couldn’t predict which path she was taking while crossing the road. According to the NTSB report, the vehicle was traveling 44 mph 5.8 seconds before the Uber struck

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Herzberg. The NTSB report says the selfdriving system never classified Herzberg as a pedestrian, and she was not classified as a jaywalking pedestrian because “the system design did not include consideration for jaywalking pedestrians.” Uber and Volvo say multiple changes have been made to the selfdriving test vehicles since the death of Herzberg, and both companies claim the same situation on a road today will be avoided. Uber told NTSB investigators that new software would detect and correctly classify the pedestrian 4.5 seconds before the time of impact. In addition to correctly classifying the “object” as a pedestrian, Uber says new software will correctly predict the path of a pedestrian crossing a street and if the pedestrian is on a collision path with the self-driving vehicle. The system allegedly will also initiate controlled braking more than 4 seconds before the original time of impact. We thank CarComplaints.com for reprint permission.

contributing to the report’s main point of the growing oil demand. “The world urgently needs to put a laserlike focus on bringing down global emissions. This calls for a grand coalition encompassing governments, investors, companies and everyone else who is committed to tackling climate change,” Birol said. The importance of identifying and eliminating the issue of carbon emissions is extremely important to the future of the climate. Elon Musk’s mission behind creating a vehicle that emits no carbon emissions has been the main goal since Tesla was created in 2004. “We’re running the most dangerous experiment in history right now, which is to see how much carbon dioxide the atmosphere can handle before there is an environmental catastrophe,” Musk said in 2013. The ever-growing environmental movement has been highlighted by increasingly prevalent activism from people like Greta Thunberg. However, it will take more than environmental activists to implement change. We thank Teslarati.com for reprint permission.

Cummins Unveils Fuel Cell Truck in Atlanta

Cummins Inc. unveiled its latest innovation, a heavy-duty truck with fuel cell and battery electric power. The demonstration vehicle was unveiled at the 2019 North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta. “Developing this cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell truck as a technology demonstrator is an important step in gaining valuable insights that are critical to continue developing the right solutions for the market and preparing for the next 100 years,” said Thad Ewald, vice president, corporate strategy at Cummins. The truck was designed and integrated by Cummins in Columbus, IN, and includes a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell from Hydrogenics. To help all original equipment manufacturing (OEM) customers and end-user envision how Cummins’ fuel cell power can enable their success, the truck has been intentionally designed without collaboration from any of the company’s OEM partners. Obtained via Business Wire.

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ASA-PA’s 2019 Super Saturday Training Event Attracts Over 300 Attendees by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On Oct. 12, ASA-PA hosted its 2019 Super Saturday training extravaganza at the Automotive Training Center in Warminster, PA. The event featured a keynote presentation and a multitude of educational seminars for attendees to choose from as well as a vendor expo during lunch. According to ASA-PA Treasurer Joe Tranchitella, “We received a lot of good feedback this year, and attendance at the event doubled compared to last year. We had over 300 attendees this year from 20 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and England, in addition to 28 vendors from all over the country and even a vendor from England. Super Saturday 2019 consisted of keynote speaker Scott Brown of the Diagnostic Network, in the morning, followed by morning training sessions, a vendor expo during lunch, and then afternoon educational sessions. Many of the seminars were sold out well in advance of the event. Training covered technical topics such as calibration, gasoline direction injection operations, hybrids, and more, plus management seminars offered insights into customer commu-

nication, productivity, attracting talent, and coaching employees. Thirteen industry renowned instructors taught participants at ASAPA’s 2019 Super Saturday training event. Worldpac sponsored presentations by Rick White of 180BIZ and Autotrain’s John Thornton. Morning and afternoon seminars were also taught by Bolt On Technology, Jerry “G” Truglia of Technicians Service Training (TST), Kris Lewis of Onsite Automotive Training and Consulting, Brown, David Hobbs of Delphi Technologies, Master Technician Brandon Steckler, Eric Ziegler from EZ Diagnostic Solutions, and Jorge Menchu, president of AESwave.com. Full-day classes on “J-2534 Programming: Domestic and Asian” and “Tips & Tricks for Snap On Scopes” were taught by automotive repair industry professional Keith Perkins and Brin Kline of Assured Auto Works, respectively. While the management courses were geared towards automotive and collision repair shops, the technical seminars focused on the mechanical side of the industry due to a lack of involvement from local collision repair professionals, a shortcoming that

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

ASA-PA hopes to change in the future. Tranchitella shared, “There are a lot of changes happening in the collision repair industry, and shops really need to stay on top of ADAS and other training opportunities. We are trying to offer a good educational program at our Super Saturday each year, and the body guys can learn a lot from what we bring. We hope to engage more collision repair professionals in the future so we can bring in I-CAR and other collision repair specific training opportunities for the local shops.” The vendor expo during Super Saturday featured event sponsor Bolt On Technology as well as NAPA, Eastern Auto, Advance Auto, Oasis, ProMax, Dorman, and many more local and national vendors. “We are really fortunate to have such great vendor support,” Tranchitella said. “A lot of our vendors visit our chapter meetings to provide members with information about their products and techniques. We have great relationships with them, and we’re really grateful for all they do for the industry.” This year, the team who planned the event consisted of Ron Turner,

Larry Harvey, Tom Gebbie, Ross Colket, Dave Wagner, and Tanchitella. ASA-PA’s Super Saturday was revamped three years ago when Tranchitella, Wagner and Rakowski from Northeast Philadelphia returned from the TST and VISION conferences. “We had been to similar events, and we decided that we wanted to do something like that for the shops in our area. We strive to bring in the best of the best – industry leading trainers from all over the country have taught at our Super Saturday over the past couple years,” Tranchitella stated. “We didn’t expect Super Saturday to grow as quickly as it did; it’s starting to become a nationalized event. The event keeps growing, and we are looking for a bigger venue next year. Super Saturday is a really good event, and we’re already thinking about how we’re going to do it bigger and better in 2020!” For more information about ASAPA, visit asashop-pa.org. Information about next year’s event will be available at paautotraining.com once it becomes available.

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

LIABRA October Meeting Features GM and I-CAR Presentations by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Long Island Autobody Repairmen’s Association (LIABRA) held its October General Meeting at Eagle Chevrolet in Riverhead, NY. Representatives from General Motors were present to pro-

50-50 winner Anthony of Henning Collision won the 50-50 club drawing as the meeting adjourned. Credit: LIABRA

vide information on becoming a GM Collision Repair Network facility and to deliver an aluminum welding repair presentation, plus I-CAR advised attendees how to train for the “technical tsunami” facing the collision repair industry. According to LIABRA Executive Director Ed Kizenberger, “The meeting was very well attended with over 75 industry participants.”

Dan Foster of GM instructed LIABRA members on aluminum welding and repairs. Credit: LIABRA

Attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner courtesy of meeting sponsor Eagle Chevrolet, and Kizenberger called the meeting to order at 8 p.m., informing attendees that the New York State Labor Department has recently been making surprise visits to Long Island collision repair facilities. He urged them to keep their employee labor records in good order and offered his advice if needed. Kizenberger also addressed the issues shops have experienced obtaining GM parts due to the strike, and he advised LIABRA members to instruct customers to call GM with 8

parts complaints. After confirming attendees’ interest, Kizenberger announced that a full-day Advanced Estimating class will be scheduled in early 2020. The first guest speaker of the evening was I-CAR’s Paul D. Hill who spoke about the “technical tsunami” inundating the collision repair industry, how I-CAR supports the evolving needs of the industry, and their new professional development program v. 2.0. Hill stated, “The complexity of the vehicles you’re repairing and the skills needed to repair them are rapidly changing, and training is vital – now more than ever.”

LIABRA Executive Director Ed Kizenberger called the association’s October meeting to order. Credit: LIABRA

Noting that currently, 65% of shops are not engaging in continuous training and education, Hill discussed I-CAR’s new enhanced training program. He explained how members can transition from the old program to the newly enhanced program, including how to transfer credits, and he explored the courses and programs offered. His presentation concluded with a question-and-answer session.

Jeffrey Shaw shared information on the GM Collision Repair Network. Credit: LIABRA

Kizenberger then introduced GM’s Jeffrey Shaw who distributed GM aluminum welding and repair student handbooks. Explaining that GM introduced its Collision Repair Network to ensure their vehicles are repaired correctly and safely, he reviewed the costs asso-

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

ciated with joining the network as well as the training, tool and equipment requirements. Shaw stated, “After the repair, General Motors wants their cars to be as good or better than the day it left the factory. The GM Collision Repair Network is not for every shop.”

Paul D. Hill of I-CAR explored the “technical tsunami” inundating the collision repair industry. Credit: LIABRA

GM Aftermarket Field Manager Victoria Cox then reviewed the benefits of the GM Partner Perks program before turning the floor over to Dan Foster, GM Northeast Region Market Area product specialist. Foster spent the next hour training attendees on aluminum

welding and repairs, beginning by identifying the various types of aluminum as well as the different repair and welding methods used. He also explored sectioning, bonding and riveting methods.

Victoria Cox of GM reviewed GM’s Partner Perks program. Credit: LIABRA

Foster explained that a separate room, tools and equipment are required for repairing aluminum to prevent contamination which could cause corrosion. His presentation concluded with a review of the 2020 Corvette’s aluminum frame, carbon fiber body parts and other changes. For more information about LIABRA, visit liabra.org.

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

AASP/NJ’s Annual Meeting Featured Danny Gredinberg of DEG by Chasidy Rae Sisk

AASP/NJ held its Annual Meeting on Oct. 17 at Gran Centurions in Clark, NJ, featuring keynote speaker Danny Gredinberg of the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) who provided an overview on the purpose of the DEG and how it improves database accuracy through facilitating the submission and tracking of database

DEG’s Danny Gredinberg was the keynote speaker at AASP/NJ’s Annual Meeting on Oct.17. Credit: AASP/NJ & Greco Publishing

inquiries to the three major estimating system providers. The meeting also included AASP/NJ’s Board of Directors election and a special awards ceremony where the associa-

tion honored many members for their commitment to the collision repair and automotive service industries. Regarding Gredinberg’s presentation, AASP/NJ Executive Director Charles Bryant said, “Danny explained how the DEG can offer system users a more standardized and streamlined process for the generation of database inquiries to ultimately put more money in your pocket.” Gredinberg described how to submit successful database inquiries to information providers and discussed the benefits of using DEG. He also explained how the site’s estimating toolbox can assist repairers in building an accurate repair plan by granting access to non-included and included operations. He stated, “The more information you give to the DEG, the better we can help you. It’s not just helping you; it’s helping others industrywide.” Before concluding his presentation, Gredinberg stressed that the voice of every technician is important since more voices will help get issues escalated to those who can effect

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

change. “Don’t think that just because you didn’t get a change, it didn’t work. Your voice is not unheard.” AASP/NJ’s special awards ceremony served as an opportunity to recognize several association members. As a way of honoring Lee Vetland, industry legend and past AASP/NJ president who passed away earlier in 2019, the association created the Lee Vetland Lifetime Achievement Award to honor a member who has been in the industry for at least three decades and has reached the age of 60. Katie Vetland, Lee’s daughter, and other members of the Vetland family were in attendance as they presented the first Lee Vetland Lifetime Achievement Award to Jeff McDowell, past president of AASP/NJ. Tom Elder, treasurer of AASP/NJ, said, “Jeff has given nearly 40 years of his life to this industry. He was president for 12 years and secretary for God knows how many years. He is amazing … We couldn’t have found a better person to take the first award. Jeff has given his all to this industry.”

As McDowell accepted the award, he shared a memory of his years-long friendship with Vetland: “We went way back to the Central Jersey Auto Body Association ... When I was a young man starting my shop, we were both in Woodbridge. He told me to buy real estate. I listened to him, but maybe I didn’t listen as well as I should have,” he quipped. “So, thank you, Lee, wherever you are.”

AASP/NJ awarded the first Lee Vetland Lifetime Achievement Award to AASP/NJ Past President Jeff McDowell (pictured left to right: AASP/NJ Treasurer Tom Elder, Katie Vetland, AASP/NJ Executive Director Charles Bryant, McDowell & AASP/NJ President Jerry McNee). Credit: AASP/NJ & Greco Publishing

Robbie Berman was honored with the Stan Wilson/New Jersey Automotive Body Shop of the Year Award, and he shared, “This really

couldn’t come at a better time, as Saturday I celebrate my 37th year. It really seems like yesterday; it went so quick.” This year’s Russ Robson Scholarship Award, honoring the memory of the former association president, was bestowed upon Alberto Figueroa, and AASP/NJ Mechanical Chairman Keith Krehel was inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame. As he presented the award to Krehel, McDowell laughingly said, “Keith has been very supportive of [AASP/NJ], even when many of the mechanical shops turned away from the association. He works as hard as anyone else, even though he doesn’t have a body shop and hears us speaking mumbo jumbo.” AASP/NJ also held its Board of Directors election, and the current Executive Board was re-elected to include President Jerry McNee, Collision Chairman Dennis Cataldeo, Jr., Mechanical Chairman Keith Krehel, Elder, and Secretary Tom Greco, as well as allied Board Member Mike Kaufmann. For more information about AASP/NJ, visit aaspnj.org

AASP/MA Fall Meeting Focused on Current Results of NABR VRS by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On Sept. 28, AASP/MA hosted its Annual Fall Meeting at Supercharged Entertainment in Wrentham, MA. The meeting was centered around the Variable Rate Survey (VRS) being performed by National Auto Body Research (NABR). According to AASP/MA Executive Director Lucky Papageorg, “The meeting was a smashing success. It was attended by approximately 125 automotive and collision repair industry professionals, and the energy level was huge! Everyone had a great time at Supercharged Entertainment, especially on the go-karts – it’s an awesome venue.” AASP/MA has been working with NABR since May, and during the association’s Fall Meeting, NABR’s Sam and Richard Valenzuela shared information they’ve obtained through the survey so far, plus they provided a live demonstration of the system and Billable Genie. Papageorg shared, “Sam and Richard were our featured speakers after a tumultuous trip to reach us, and they gave a great presentation on very little sleep.”

“Attendees were truly excited about the prospects of what the survey results could potentially gain us,” Papageorg added. “The information available through the Billable Genie aspect of the VRS is particularly fantastic and powerful.” AASP/MA attained Phase 1 of the project by meeting its goal of 315 surveys completed. “This makes

information we’ve collected. We’ve already seen three insurance companies raise their rates since we’ve implemented the survey, and that’s just the beginning of the pressure we’re bringing to bear,” Papageorg added. A week before the meeting, on Sept. 22, AASP/MA participated in the 25th Annual Ride to Defeat ALS as a corporate sponsor. This was Pa-

“The information available through the Billable Genie aspect of the VRS is particularly fantastic and powerful.” — Lucky Papageorg the survey results statistically bulletproof,” Papageorg explained. Phase 2 will focus on raising awareness of the inadequate rate that repairers are currently being reimbursed in Massachusetts. “During Phase 2, we’re going to use the documentation we’ve collected, and we have also raised our goal of completed surveys to 500 and look to increase participation in Billable Genie. From there, we can look at different ways to make our point regarding labor rate with insurers and legislators based on the

pageorg’s fourth ride for ALS, and he stated, “This was the first time that AASP/MA as an association became a corporate sponsor for the ride in an effort to bring attention not only to the disease but also to the fact that AASP/MA is a community-involved association. Through donations and involvement, we had over 30 participants, and next year, we hope to expand on the number of riders that participate from the association.” For more information on AASP/MA and its events, visit aaspma.org.

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item you’ve already captured, and then display it on a comprehensive list of all potentially missed items. The user will then choose the items contained a ton of valuable informa- that apply and import them directly tion, but that it was hard to manually into the estimate.” Winning an award from SEMA can go through approximately 1,000 potentially missed items. They told us be a game-changer and Schulenberg that if there was any way to automat- knows that all too well. “We believe ically check an estimate with the that this technology is not out there with anything else, so we are really excited about its efficiency and the fact that it’s easy to use. It helps shops so that they don’t leave money on the table and create consistency amongst multiple writers. It is also an excellent training tool, especially for new shops that are looking to hire new people and expand. We will be sellCEO/Founder John Baker at Spray Booth Services won a ing it on a subscription basis runner-up award for its Airflow=Cashflow Remote Spray at $139 for the first year, and Booth Monitoring System. Credit: Ed Attanasio SCRS members can purguide that would be huge. So, for the chase it for $99 annually.” Were Schulenburg and his team past 18 months, we have been developing the product to make it a more excited when they found out that they sophisticated tool that can actually had won the award? “Absolutely,” he take your written estimate, import it said. “SCRS is an association whose into the system, will recognize the main goal is to help our shop memContinued from Cover

2019 New Products

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

bers. We don’t traditionally create products, so this was a pleasant surprise. We know this award will give us a boost because the SEMA name

where body shop owners or managers can remotely monitor their spray booths and control the airflow and multiple functions,” Baker said. “Our system is ideal for shops with only one location or 20, to stay on top of your quality control without compromising productivity.” GUNIWHEEL captured the other runners up award for the GUNIWHEEL universal vehicle mounting system that features a tire and wheel-like design. Owner Sergio Rovito knows the Owner Sergio Rovito took one of the two runners up spots value of winning a SEMA with his GUNIWHEEL Universal Vehicle Mounting System. New Product Award beCredit: Ed Attanasio cause the SEMA name caris highly respected and carries a lot ries considerable weight in the of weight in the collision repair in- automotive industry, he said. “We dedustry. We are very humbled by this signed the GUNIWHEEL because we award and glad that we have created saw a definite need for an alternative something that is meaningful for this to jack stands and intended primarily for mounting purposes. Many colliindustry.” CEO/Founder John Baker at sion repairers use it to move vehicles Spray Booth Services is proud of his around the shop with a maximum patented pending monitoring system speed of 5 mph. It’s easy to install and that received one of the two runners doesn’t require any special adapters, up awards. “We have a product so shops love it.”

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

Continued from Cover

Industry Hears From

sure whether to believe her parents that her husband, Matthew, had also survived the accident and was just in another hospital. She said it only added to the couple’s trauma to later learn that their injuries were likely exacerbated

that their injuries in the subsequent accident were more severe because the roof separated and failed to protect them as it would have if Honda’s repair procedures had been followed. The Seebachans also sued State Farm for its alleged role in the shop’s choice of repair procedures; that lawsuit was settled a year ago without the terms of the settlement being disclosed.

“It’s one thing to be dealing with the most traumatic thing in your life, but to find out there were choices made that increased the likelihood that this happened to you is just re-traumatizing. There was a whole different grieving process that had to happen.” — Marcia Seebachan The discussion at CIC did not focus on the lawsuit, but rather on how the incident has impacted the Seebachans. Marcia recovered more quickly than Matthew though her injuries were severe: broken arm, wrist, femur, feet and pelvis, perforated intestines, and torn aorta lining. She required several surgeries to repair the tendons that attach her skull to her spine. Matthew’s severe burns, particularly on his lower legs, required more than two years of daily wound cleaning. He’s been unable to return to work nor continue his training to become a registered nurse. The couple has had to give up on their plans to become foster parents. Marcia Seebachan said as a clinical social worker, she must adhere to a code of ethics that requires her to use only evidence-based practices with clients. That makes it even more difficult for her to fathom why anyone would use a practice in their field – such as a repair procedure – without evidence and research that it is effective and appropriate. That’s why the Seebachans testified in favor Matthew and Marcia Seebachan told CIC attendees of legislation proposed in about the impact a shop’s failure to follow OEM repair procedures has had on their lives. Credit: John Yoswick Texas earlier this year that, if passed, would have rebuying the used vehicle, the shop quired the use of OEM repair prohad attached a replacement roof to cedures. Marcia Seebachan said that the vehicle (after hail damage) using the second or third or subsequent structural adhesive, even though owners of a vehicle deserve the same Honda’s repair procedures called for assurances the original owner had of the use of welds. The Seebachans ar- that vehicle’s engineered safety. “If you’re going to tell me this gued successfully in their lawsuit by the body shop’s decision – prior to the Seebachan’s purchase of the vehicle – to attach a replacement roof to it using adhesive rather than the welds called for by the automaker. “This wasn’t just a series of unfortunate events. This was something intentionally chosen to have been done to the vehicle that impacted us,” Marcia Seebachan said. “It’s one thing to be dealing with the most traumatic thing in your life, but to find out there were choices made that increased the likelihood that this happened to you is just re-traumatizing. There was a whole different grieving process that had to happen.” Two years ago, the Seebachans won a $42 million judgement against the Texas dealership body shop after an accident involving their 2010 Honda Fit. Prior to the Seebachans

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

repair work is as good or better than the original design, then you should be able to show evidence to support that,” she said. CIC Chairman Jeff Peevy, who along with his wife, Marie, conducted the 40-minute conversation with the Seebachans at CIC, said his goal was to let the industry get to know the people they likely had previously only read about. “This is really about human impact as a result of bad decisions,” Peevy said. “Every one of us in this industry is in a position to make decisions. Those decisions impact people and their vehicles, their families and their safety. So I think it’s important that we start to think about the decisions we make, that we always consider those people who put their lives in our hands when we repair vehicles. We all, in every segment, have a role to play in these decisions.” He thanked the Seebachans for traveling to Las Vegas and speaking at CIC. “There’s no telling how many lives you have saved because of your strength and courage and willingness to come here and tell your story,” he

said. Marcia Seebachan said she knows many people undergo traumatic experiences without being given an opportunity, as she feels she and Matthew have had, to create some positive outcome from those experiences.

Dan Risley of CCC Information Services issued a statement affirming that the company has not and will not share data with CARFAX. Credit: John Yoswick

“We’re grateful for everyone being willing to sit in this space with us and hear our story, and hope you walk away with it when you make decisions in your practices,” she said. “That’s all we can hope for, is that you’ll remember that.” See Industry Hears From, Page 20

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

Class Action Complaint Filed Against Subaru for Alleged Defective Windshields Cby Emmariah Holcomb, glassBYTEs.com

Christine Powell has become the lead plaintiff in a class action complaint in New Jersey against Subaru of America (Subaru) alleging the carmaker was “manufacturing, marketing and selling new vehicles with defective and dangerous windshields that were spontaneously and/or unreasonably cracking, chipping and otherwise breaking.” Powell also claims the vehicle manufacturer was aware of its replacement windshields also being defective in her amended complaint. Powell is seeking a trial by jury, as well as compensation for damages and legal fees. Subaru has yet to file a response to Powell’s allegations. “Powell demands that the defendant [Subaru] accept responsibility for replacing damaged windshields under its new vehicle warranty at no charge to the plaintiff [Powell] and reimburse the plaintiff and for losses suffered as a result of the defect and/or that Subaru be required to buyback the class vehicles,” a portion of the amended complaint reads. The 2017-2019 Forester and Outback were the vehicle models listed in the complaint. According to Powell,

the windshields pose an imminent and significant safety hazard to vehicle operators, the public, and are causing others affected (class members) to incur substantial monetary losses and other damages. “[Subaru] has been on notice of this defect in the class vehicles for years but has concealed its knowledge from the public and continues to deny the existence of the defect. Complaints of the defect are widespread and have been brought to the defendant’s attention but the defendant is forcing consumers to bear the costs and expenses associated with the defect,” a portion of the amended complaint reads. The class-action lawsuit alleges that Subaru refuses to replace its broken windshields under its warranty or to reimburse consumers for the broken windshields and other losses resulting from the defect. However, Powell and other class members claim to have complained to the vehicle manufacturer prior to filing the initial complaint in court. Both also assert claims for breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, fraud, breach of the consumer protection statute and unjust enrichment against Subaru. According to the complaint, on or

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

around Aug. 19, 2017, Powell purchased a new 2018 Subaru Forester and was unaware that the vehicle contained a “defective” windshield. Within a few months after purchasing the Subaru, her windshield cracked suddenly. In December 2017, she took her vehicle to an authorized Subaru dealer. At this time she learned the windshield claim would have to be handled through her insurance company, as Subaru “denied being responsible for the breakage.” “The plaintiff was advised that Subaru was not replacing broken windshields under the new vehicle warranty that comes with the Class Vehicles. In May 2019, Powell’s vehicle suffered another break in the windshield,” a portion of the amended complaint reads. According to her complaint, Subaru was made aware of its alleged windshield defect through the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), as there were several recall notices issued for the previously mentioned affected vehicle models. Due to the allegations mentioned in Powell’s amended complaint, she is seeking a trial by jury. We thank glassBYTEs.com for reprint permission.

CARSTAR Enterprise in NY Opens

CARSTAR is continuing its rapid East Coast expansion with its 25th store in New York, CARSTAR Enterprise, located at 19825 Jamaica Ave. Hollis, NY, 1142. “I had a facility on Long Island for a while and then had this facility in Queens for the last six years with a really fantastic team,” says Eddie Kusayev, owner of CARSTAR Enterprise. CARSTAR Enterprise is an exceptionally large facility for New York at 10,000 square feet. This facility also has a state of the art paint booth and equipment. “Our growth along the East Coast is continuing to accelerate as more owners in New York and surrounding states realize their growth potential with CARSTAR,” says Michael Macaluso, president, CARSTAR. “Resources like our EDGE Performance Platform, Driven Brands buying power and industry leading training programs equip owners with what they need to increase their profitability.”

Woman Wins Raffle Benefitting Penn College’s Automotive Restoration Scholarship Fund by Staff, NorthcentralPA.com

Danielle Pisarcick of Homer City, PA, was the lucky winner of the Susquehanna Valley Corvette Club’s 2019 raffle benefiting Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Automotive Restoration Scholarship Fund.

The lucky winner of the Susquehanna Valley Corvette Club’s 2019 raffle, Danielle Pisarcick (right), picks up her new Corvette from Blaise Alexander Chevrolet in Muncy, PA. Credit: NorthcentralPA.com

Pisarcick had the choice of a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette, or $35,000 in cash. Pisarcick chose the beautiful red Corvette as her prize, which she picked up Oct. 17 from Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships

Chevrolet in Muncy, PA. Blaise Alexander Chevrolet in Muncy is a Gold Star Sponsor of the Corvette Club. Blaise and the Susquehanna Valley Corvette Club are dedicated supporters of Penn College’s Automotive Restoration Program, understanding the importance of trade and technological programs, and the need for knowledgeable, hard-working technicians. The Susquehanna Valley Corvette Club has distributed $65,000 dollars in scholarship money as of January 2019. All proceeds from the raffle will be added to the scholarship fund and distributed to future students in need of financial aid. The Susquehanna Valley Corvette Club and Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships extend their thanks to everyone who participated in the 2019 raffle and made it a success. Participation will ensure the club’s ability to continue to support the Automotive Restoration Program and its dedicated students. We thank NorthcentralPA.com for reprint permission.

Nashoba Tech Open House Features Clinic With 1A Auto by Jenna Fisher, Westford Patch

Nashoba Valley Technical High School hosted its annual open house from noon to 3 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 3 in Westford, MA. The school’s Automotive Technology program, in partnership with Westford-based 1A Auto, ran a how-to clinic behind the school during the open house so those attending the event could learn how to check their oil and other fluids, change tires and perform other basic auto maintenance. “We had an idea of how we could partner with Nashoba Tech to jointly help the community,” said Rick Green, CEO of 1A Auto in a statement. “We are going to work with the school by sending our mechanics to help run a ‘how-to’ clinic for the public.” Green said his father taught him and his brother, Mike Green, who is now president of 1A Auto, how to perform basic auto maintenance when they were young, and that they want to do the same for Nashoba Tech students. In addition to the clinic, tours of the school for prospective stu-

dents from Nashoba Tech’s eighttown district were held. Students and parents talked to instructors in technical programs as well as academic classes, and learned about extracurricular opportunities the school offers. Nashoba Tech, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, offers 20 technical programs: Advanced Manufacturing; Automotive Collision Repair/Refinishing; Automotive Technology; Biotechnology; Carpentry; Cosmetology; Culinary Arts; Dental Assisting; Design & Visual Communications; Early Education and Care; Electrical Technology; Engineering Technology; Health Assisting; Hospitality Management; Marketing; Plumbing and Heating; Programming and Web Development; Robotics; TV and Media Broadcasting/Theater Arts; and Veterinary Assisting. We thank the Westford Patch for reprint permission.

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autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

New Yorker Gets 22 Years to Life for Fatal Shooting of Body Shop Worker

Care, asking for the money owed to him from the victim damaging the A man has been sentenced to 22 defendant’s car while working on it, years to life in prison for the 2017 said the district attorney. After fatal shooting of an auto body shop Simpson told the defendant that he worker in Canarsie, the Brooklyn, did not have all the owed money, Essor went to get his gun, according NY, district attorney said. Flatbush resident Richard to Gonzalez. Essor soon after came back to Essor, 35, who tried to flee to Jathe East 98th Street auto maica after the shooting, body shop, pointed the was earlier this month semi-automatic pistol at convicted for second-dethe victim for more than gree murder and criminal 20 seconds and fired two possession of a weapon, shots into the mechanic’s the DA said. chest, the district attorney “This defendant exesaid. Essor shot the viccuted a hardworking and tim again as he tried to defenseless father of three in a chilling attack that Richard Essor was escape before the shooter sentenced to 22 drove away, said the DA. was captured on videoyears to life in The defendant subsetape,” District Attorney prison. Credit: Office Eric Gonzalez said in a of Brooklyn District quently booked a plane ticket to Jamaica for the press release. “The defenAttorney next morning at 7:15 a.m., dant’s senseless actions Eric Gonzalez and as he was boarding left a family and community without a husband, father, the flight, police arrested Essor, according to the district attorney. grandfather and friend.” We thank the Brownsville-East On Sept. 29, 2017, Essor approached Dexton Simpson, a 51- New York Patch for reprint permisyear-old mechanic at Total Auto sion. by Sam Raskin, Brownsville-East New York Patch

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Body Shop in Staten Island, NY, Encourages Shops to Adopt Sustainable Practices Inspired by the testimony of Greta Thunberg, the Australian teen who testified before the United Nations Climate Action Summit, Barry’s Auto Body, Staten Island’s only environmentally friendly automotive collision repair shop, is encouraging other body shops to use “green” automotive products in daily operations. Environmental Protection Agencies regulate the automotive repair industry because most use paints and solvents that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Barry’s Auto Body began voluntarily using eco-friendly

products years ago in order to reduce the shop’s negative impact on the environment. “It is our responsibility as automotive experts to do what we can to change the industry for the better,” says Crupi. “The first step towards that goal is to share information about which eco-friendly products and systems work best so that other collision repair shops will feel confident enough to voluntarily adopt a “green” philosophy. Using environmentally friendly automotive repair products is good for customers, workers, the community and the planet.”

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autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

PA Dealership Shows Off Renovations at Open House by Rick Shrum, Observer-Reporter

The cost of renovating his complex was a lot to bear for Mark Baer. He declined to provide a figure, perhaps because he was still calculating it. “Let’s say it’s a lot,” the owner of Budd Baer Auto said, during a tour of the sprawling facilities that straddle Murtland Avenue on Washington, PA’s, northern border.

Mark Baer shows off a showroom showpiece: a 1923 Buick seven-passenger touring car. Credit: Rick Shrum/Observer-Reporter

Investment of time on this project was formidable as well – two years from the start of planning to end of construction. But the renovaContinued from Page 14

Industry Hears From

Companies say they don’t share data with CARFAX. After discussions at several industry events in recent months about shop data from estimates or parts orders relative to a particular vehicle seemingly resulting in an entry on CARFAX or another history report for that vehicle, a number of companies are releasing statements saying they are not the source of such data “leakage.” “We don’t share data with CARFAX, never have shared data with CARFAX, have no intention of sharing data with CARFAX,” said Dan Risley at CIC, vice president of quality repair and market development for CCC Information Services. “So if you are writing an estimate in CCC ONE and it shows up on some customer’s CARFAX report, you need to do some research on your end: who is pumping data from your system, or if one of your partners that you’re sharing data with is sharing it with someone else.” 20

tion was necessary and much more than cosmetic. “Manufacturers (of cars) have minimum requirements we have to fulfill,” Baer said. “We ran out of space. We got to a point where we

Before launching a company, Henry “Budd” Baer launched his career in auto sales at a used car lot in Dormont, PA. Credit: Rick Shrum /Observer-Reporter

were so crowded, we were unable to service customers the way we needed. We doubled our service capacity by doing this.” And now it’s time to show off CCC’s statement came just a week after OEConnection told users of its CollisionLink system that the company “does not and has never provided or sold data to CARFAX, AutoCheck or any other vehicle history reporting company.” Frank Terlep, who co-chairs the CIC’s “Data Access, Privacy and Security Committee,” with Risley, gave “a big shout out” to such companies that have “stood up and said we’re going to protect our customers’ data.” He also shared a first draft of “Golden Rules” the committee is developing for those entities accessing and using shop estimate data. Those five rules call on such companies to make it clear what data is being used and why, to pledge to not misuse or allow others receiving the data to misuse it, and to give customers “the choice of what to share and what not to share.” Terlep said the committee welcomes feedback on the draft. He said the committee envisions presenting the rules, once finalized, to all companies using industry data, and to recognize those companies who pledge to abide by them.

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

his larger, spiffier, LED-illuminated dealership. Baer, son of the original owner, unveiled his upgraded operation on Sunday, Nov. 17 during a grand opening/open house. Baer, appropriately, is a driven entrepreneur. He turned 70 two weeks ago, yet he displays the energy of a 7year-old as he circulates through those buildings: Subaru, Buick/GM, Mazda and the collision center. The renovations, and they’re not small scale, excite him. And the work did not curtail business, which he said has increased 15% to 20% this year. Budd Baer Auto has about 100,000 square feet of operating space on a 14-acre site brimming with activity. “About 1,000 cars come in and go out each day,” the owner said. “We’re just getting into collision season, and October was our best volume month ever at the collision center.” One distinctive item endures in the showroom there. It’s a red, 1923 Buick seven-passenger touring car known as Josephine, named after the Budd Baer family dog, who rode the running board.

The owner is especially proud of his company’s environmental initiatives, which he said includes 100% usage of LED lighting. “We do everything we can to be as green as we can be.”

Budd Baer Auto memorabilia adorns a wall outside owner Mark Baer’s office. Credit: Rick Shrum/Observer-Reporter

The car culture gripped an adolescent Baer in the early 1960s. “From the time I was 13, I worked for my dad or uncle. I worked Monday for $1 a See PA Dealership, Page 24

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

Changing lives for these six families is what we’re all about, and it takes a collective effort of industry leaders to make it all happen.” The recipients this year conthe afternoon. NABC Chairman of the Board sisted of four families, one couple, Darren Huggins opened the presenta- and a single mother whom all had tion as he welcomed those in atten- one thing in common—the need for dance. “Every year, this is the biggest reliable and affordable transportaevent that we put on for all of those tion. Chris Feliz and Amanda Holin the industry who support the work of the National Auto Body Council,” land received a 2018 Chevy Malibu Huggins said. “I am so proud to be that was donated by Hertz and repaired by Service King Red Rock. The parents of four who relocated to Las Vegas from a small town in Arizona never imagined that they would end up homeless. But luckily, they found the Family Promise Homeless Shelter that helped them on the path back to independence. Now they both have housing, full-time jobs Felicia Houston is a hardworking single mother of an 11year-old son, and now she will be driving a 2017 Nissan and a car that is safe and reAltima that was donated by State Farm and refurbished liable. by Gerber Collision. Credit: Ed Attanasio “We and the kids are so involved with this amazing program grateful for this incredible gift. It’s that has now given away more than also a valuable lesson for our chil2,200 vehicles since its inception. dren because it shows that yes–there Continued from Cover

Six Cars Given Away

are good people out there who are willing to help others,” Feliz said. Cathy Fromoltz and her husband John received a 2017 Toyota Corolla that was donated by GEICO and refurbished by Gerber Collision – Henderson. Cathy Fromoltz was selected by Lake Mead Ministries to help her get back on her feet after

who is mentally challenged and lives with them. “Our lives changed the minute they unveiled that car,” Cathy Fromoltz said. “We are so happy and humbled, I don’t really know what to say but thank you!” Jeremy Davis and Naomi Jenkins, have worked hard to earn their independence and the new car will allow them to do even more. As parents of two, they trade work and child-care responsibilities between the day shift and the evening shift. They spent just a few months in the Family Promise shelter program before moving on to their own home. They reChris Feliz and Amanda Holland posed with NABC ceived a 2018 Ford Fusion President and CEO Bill Garroutte parents right before receiving a 2018 Chevy Malibu that was donated by that was donated by EnterHertz and repaired by Service King- Red Rock. Credit: prise and refurbished by Ed Attanasio CARSTAR Collision Maslosing her job. Subsequently, she ters in Las Vegas. “Now we can get to daycare, found out she had cancer and without any insurance, the couple had to school and work without relying on sell their car to cover bills. Cathy and public transportation, so this a gift her husband, who is disabled, moved that will definitely make an incredito Las Vegas to care for John’s par- ble difference in our lives,” Jenkins ents. They also have an adult son said.

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Felicia Houston is a hardworking single mother of an 11-year-old son who said reliable transportation is the only gift she wants for Christmas. Santa delivered a 2017 Nissan Altima that donated by State Farm and was refurbished by Gerber Collision. She is enrolled in the Family Promise of Las Vegas Housing and Stabilization Program and has been employed at Mandalay Bay Hotel for the past six years. She has been struggling to get to work and travel throughout the community on public transportation. Even though she has a reliable job she has not been able to save money to buy a car. With the gift of the vehicle, Christmas came early for Houston. Janata Gibson, and her four teenagers and one pre-teen, have worked hard to keep her family together and continue their independence. She moved to Las Vegas a year ago and landed a job within weeks, but the family did not have housing. They found it would be difficult to keep the family together because some of the shelters place older teens in a separate dorm of the building. She called Family Promise, and there

was an opening. Gibson enrolled as a family, and there was no separation of the teens. Family Promise guided the family with the necessary resources to obtain a beautiful apartment for her family. With the gift of a 2018 Honda Civic from Progressive that was refurbished by Caliber Collision, Gibson is on her way to freedom.

During the luncheon, the Hall of Eagles honored Mike Anderson as its 2019 inductee for his dedication and service to the collision repair industry.

When Gibson saw her Honda Civic for the first time she nearly lost it. “Wow, this is a miracle!” One additional gifting as part of this year’s program was presented

earlier this fall because the family had an immediate need for transportation. Ma’Lia Ashe-Wiggins received a 2014 Toyota Corolla that was donated by Allstate and repaired by Service King – Grass Valley. AsheWiggins has three little boys. She moved to Las Vegas from California due to domestic violence. When she arrived, she was working two jobs and caring for her children, two of whom have disabilities. She was let go from one job due to her childcare duties and medical needs. That led her to get behind on her rent, and she became homeless. Family Promise provided her and her family shelter, food and supplies, which allowed her to work every day and keep her children in school and daycare. Also, the Hall of Eagles honored Mike Anderson as its 2019 inductee at the luncheon, and Margaret Keith was recognized for her work on the NABC F.R.E.E. programs over the years. The Hall of Legends was established in 1989 as the collision industry’s Hall of Fame. It honors exceptional individuals whose longterm efforts have reached beyond

their jobs and self-interest to make significant contributions towards the betterment of the industry, according to its website. Each year, only a select few distinguished individuals are inducted into the Hall of Eagles through the nominations and votes of current members of the Hall. NABC Recycled Rides is a unique program in which businesses from every facet of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council have donated more than 2,200 vehicles valued at more than $36 million.

Your leading source for NORTHEASTERN Collision Repair News! northeastern.autobodynews.com

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

Continued from Page 20

PA Dealership

day. When I turned 16, I got 30 cents an hour, then thought I was a millionaire when I got to 35.” Mark purchased a Subaru dealership on Route 18 in Canton Township, then relocated it to Murtland. He followed that with a series of other purchases, including a couple of brands that are no longer produced. Mazda came on board in 2005.

ing smoke damage to the rest of the building. Damage, according to Baer, was estimated at $4.5 million. There were no injuries, however, and only two cars – both in the body shop – were damaged.

Mark Baer points out some points of Budd Baer Auto history. Credit: Rick Shrum/ObserverReporter

Mark Baer, son of the founder of Budd Baer Auto, has been in charge of the Murtland Avenue operation since 1984. Credit: Rick Shrum/Observer-Reporter

Two years before that, on a midOctober morning, devastation struck. A fire destroyed the body shop, parts department and general office, caus-

Baer was in Atlantic City, N.J., at the time, attending a Subaru dealership conference. The dealership not only survived, it rebounded, and 16 years later its remodeled operation is on public display. For 70-plus years, the old bromide – “Success Is Relative” – has certainly applied to the Baers. We thank the Observer-Reporter for reprint permission.

Polmanteer Service Center in Penn Yan, NY, Opens Collision Repair Shop by Mike Hibbard, Finger Lakes Times

A longtime local service station has branched out into the collision business. On Sept. 1, a collision shop opened at Polmanteer Auto Service Center on Horizon Park Drive in Penn Yan, NY. “We started this extension because there was a need for it,” owner Gavin Polmanteer said. “We invested in top-of-the-line, quality equipment and employees to capitalize on this segment of the business.” Polmanteer’s father, Fred, started Polmanteer Auto — which included a Mobil gas station — in 1979 at the corner of Liberty and Elm streets (site of the current Walgreens). Fred Polmanteer built a new facility in 2005 at Horizon Park and moved the business there and sold it to Gavin in 2015.

Gavin Polmanteer said the service station does anything from minor repairs to engine repairs on vehicles ranging from passenger cars to heavy trucks. It also does state inspections. Polmanteer Auto has eight employees, including a full-time painter in the collision shop who came from Village Auto. Polmanteer said another employee who has been with the business for years can do body work, and Polmanteer is learning the job, too. The new shop does collision work for insurance purposes, paint jobs and full restorations, and also handles glass work (windshields). “Or if you just have a small dent, we can take care of that, too,” Polmanteer said. We thank Finger Lakes Times 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.

How to Position Your Collision Repair Shop for Sustainability Over the last several years, the collision repair industry has undergone tremendous change and continues to do so, said John Shoemaker, business development manager at BASF Automotive Refinishing North America. During the November 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Shoemaker talked about how collision repair businesses can survive these changes and be successful and sustainable in the future. His presentation was part of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) Repairer Driven Education (RDE) Series. “If shops just want to survive, we can stay where we are and last another two to three years; with luck, we might last five,” said Shoemaker. “However, we are not going to sustain our businesses and move forward.” With the shift in how body shops

operate, Shoemaker said it’s critical to work toward running a well-maintained and equipped business. This involves continuous improvement with training, certifications and developing best practices.

John Shoemaker, business development manager at BASF Automotive Refinishing North America. Credit: Stacy Phillips

Prior to working at BASF, Shoemaker ran a three-shop MSO for a dealer group in Southwest Virginia for 18 years. When the business held staff meetings and talked about moving to the next level, he recalled

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

sharing information from a book titled “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson. “The book talks about the four characteristics that represent the simple and complex parts of ourselves: sniff, scurry, hem and haw,” explained Shoemaker. “Those who sniff, are open to change early; others scurry into action. Those who hem and deny, resist change fearing it will lead to something worse; and those who “haw,” eventually learn to adapt when they realize change can lead to something better.” When you look at these descriptions in terms of a body shop, Shoemaker said businesses that are wanting to move forward should not “hem.” “We have a lot of people in this industry who are sitting in ‘hem’ right now and hope things are not going to get worse, and that we reached the

plateau and are going to be able to ride this out for the next four to five years,” he said. Instead, he said more shops need to act like “sniff” and “haw” and adapt moving forward. A Shift in Focus With OEM Certification Programs In a conversation with Scott Biggs, CEO of Assured Performance Network, Shoemaker said the business owner talked about a series of events that created a perfect storm of conditions that led to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certification model. These included commonization, where shops weren’t differentiating themselves from their competition; the negativity buyers associated with having a poor collision repair experience; and the realization of liability, which remains with the repairer or body shop. The majority

of shops also didn’t have the necessary equipment and training to repair vehicles properly. These points are detailed in the following Autobody News article: “The Best Body Shops’ Tips: How to Leverage the Certified Repair Model.” Meanwhile, the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) Definitions Committee was working toward creating an industry-wide definition for a collision repair provider. Part of the definition states a requirement that repairers, sublet providers and third-party service providers meet OEM specifications regarding equipment, capabilities and training. Shoemaker stressed the importance of following OEM procedures and getting involved in OEM certification programs to best meet the needs ahead. He then discussed the different types of training programs currently available in the industry. They include the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (ICAR)® Professional Development Program™ (PDP), the Automotive Management Institute (AMi) Professional Recognition Program, and

OEM training. When deciding on which OEM certification program to focus on, Shoemaker recommended looking at a shop’s competition to help determine if the OEM program will provide the best return on investment. “Ask yourself, ‘do you want to get certified on vehicles you are already repairing or drive new business?’” he said. “There are two schools of thought.” Many obtain OEM certifications directly through a car manufacturer. Shoemaker explained that the majority of programs are very selective, with an estimated 80 percent needing a referral. Assured Performance Network, a third-party provider, is the administrator for several of these OEM programs. “Assured Performance Network’s collaborative approach allows shops to join several certification programs at one time and one price, which can save them a significant amount of money and avoid redundancy.” Each certification program has specific facility and training requirements that meet the CIC definition of

a general repair facility. For example, as part of some of the OEM open networks, such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan, there is an estimator management training requirement. “Some of the OEMs are now requiring a certified estimator and certified management staff,” said Shoemaker. “That’s where AMi training comes in.” He pointed out the new expectation of office staff being skilled and trained. When it comes to equipment requirements, OEMs are brand specific. As a result, Shoemaker recommended that shops are forwardthinking to ensure the equipment will meet the shop’s long-term needs. He encouraged attendees to think about their purchasing decisions. He used an example of buying a new welder. “You need to do research and look at what’s going on in the industry and with cars,” said Shoemaker. “Then, determine if that welder is going to be the right welder to ensure it is going to be good for three to five years.” Shoemaker then discussed the

benefits of getting certified. Along with this comes a change to the way collision shops will find new business. “OEMs are now using telematics to locate certified collision repair shops,” said Shoemaker. “With telematics, First Notice of Loss (FNOL) is going to connect vehicle owners with certified collision repair shops.” Other benefits include better access to repair procedures and structural parts. With companies such as Volvo now restricting collision parts to its certified collision repair network, Shoemaker said this will become increasingly important. In addition, OEMs advertise for and refer shops that are part of their network. The Importance of Creating Best Practices Shoemaker also discussed the need for shops to change the way damage is documented and validate repair methods with OEM processes. “Make sure you have the documentation you need to tell insurers how the car is going to be fixed,” said

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

Shoemaker. “There is only one way to repair a car.” Shoemaker said we have all of the knowledge needed at our fingertips. He suggested accessing the free SCRS Complete Guide to Repair Planning and look into SCRS’s new estimate optimization software: Guide to Complete Repair Planning – Blueprint Optimization Tool. Other resources include the PPages (also called estimate guides), OEM1Stop, 3M Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), I-CAR information, owners’ manuals and OEM procedures. He also suggested “reprogramming” damage appraisers and training them to describe repair operations as they expect the technician to complete them, identifying each of the steps required, ensuring the information is communicated to all involved and being specific with the necessary processes. “Not only is that how they get paid, but it also reduces your liability and ensures the car is repaired correctly,” he said. “Vehicles are getting too complex to not be educated enough to fix them, so we have to de-

velop some best practices to harness all of this,” he said. He shared information from Dave Dunn’s book “Liquid Amalgam,” which talks about non-negotiables and core values. It is based on four principles:

1) Honesty—being truthful in all transactions and to all parties, 2) Excellence—to meet customers’ expectations and be equal to or better than the standards, 3) Accommodation—coming to an agreement with the customer and delivering on that agreement with the customer’s best interests in mind, and 4) Profitability—which gives stability and attracts desirable employees. “There is a lot of value in creating best practices and developing core values,” said Shoemaker. “I don’t think we spend enough time doing that.” He advised attendees to be consistent with principles and make sure they are clearly understood by all employees. “Ensure everyone knows their

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purpose; don’t waver and always accentuate, not sometimes,” he advised. “There is a big difference between always and sometimes. Always gets you where you want to be; sometimes takes you back where you were.” Once a shop has changed its processes, Shoemaker said the next step is marketing them to customers. After recognizing what enables the shop to stand out among its competitors—whether that is being OEM certified, I-CAR Gold Class or a family-owned business—the next step is to promote those differences to customers. He also mentioned the book “How to Market to People Not Like You” by Kelly McDonald. “The message of the book is to know where your business is coming from and where it’s not coming from and learn how to market to people who are not like you,” explained Shoemaker. He talked about the eight-step process of successful change based on the book “Our Iceberg is Melting” by John Kotter. • Create a sense of urgency;

• Build a Guiding Coalition; • Form a Strategic Vision & Initiatives; • Enlist a Volunteer Army; • Enable Action by Removing Barriers; • Generate Short-Term Wins; • Sustain Acceleration; and • Institute Change.

The challenge, according to Shoemaker, is creating a business culture for the future. “You must move past the status quo to get to tomorrow to be successful. Get out of dark ages and into daylight,” said Shoemaker. “We have to pull our heads out of the sand and move forward. Today is the day to take control of our businesses.” He recommended body shops read “The Secrets of America’s Greatest Body Shops” and ended the presentation with a quote from co-author David Luehr. “Do not limit the majesty of your dreams to your current level of competence,” said Luehr. “Know that all the education you need will be available along your journey.”

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

Dr. Diane L. Peters Dove Into the Future of Mobility at AWAF’s Meeting by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On Sept. 25, the Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation (AWAF) hosted a presentation on “Future of Mobility” at Cauley Ferrari of Detroit in West Bloomfield, MI. Guest speaker Dr. Diane L. Peters, Ph.D., P.E., associate professor of Mechanical Engineer-

(right) Dr. Diane L. Peters, Ph.D., P.E., associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at Kettering University presented “The Challenges of Getting Robotic Chauffeurs, Working Towards Autonomous Vehicles.” Credit: AWAF

ing at Kettering University presented “The Challenges of Getting Robotic Chauffeurs, Working Towards Autonomous Vehicles.” According to AWAF Marketing Co-Chair Patricia Price, “The edu-

cational seminar went very well, and it was very well received by all attendees. Our speaker was insightful, and the topic sparked great conversations and a lot of positive vibes. The venue was also wonderful, and overall, the event exceeded all our expectations.” Dr. Peters began her presentation by expressing that most predictions pertaining to the future of mobility and autonomous driving are quite ambitious. People keep thinking that autonomous vehicles are nearly here, but there have been a few tragedies when it comes to actual progress. She identified three problems that make the future of mobility such a challenge. First, autonomous vehicles have to be able to identify where the car is located, but GPS can fail and provide the wrong signal. It’s imperative that the data be correct before the industry can proceed. The second challenge is the vehicle’s ability to identify what’s located around it and appropriately deal with those objects, whether they are people, animals or something else. The autonomous vehicle must also be able to detect and read traffic signs, traffic lights, barriers and more. Identifying the final challenge, Dr.

Bill Shaw is Recipient of CIF Service Award

The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) is proud to announce that the first-ever CIF Distinguished Service Award was presented to long-time Board member, Bill Shaw, at the SEMA Red Carpet awards breakfast on Nov. 6, 2019. Shaw joined the CIF Board as a Trustee in 2008, served as Board Vice President in 2009 2010, and was appointed to the position of Board President in 2011, serving in this role for the next nine years and working diligently to provide assistance to industry families in need of assistance. Shaw has been a tireless promoter of the CIF mission, demonstrating a selfless commitment to the cause, spending countless hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of hours over the past 12 years working with donors, recipients, and helping to drive awareness of CIF. The CIF Board of Trustees extends their deep gratitude to Shaw for his enduring support over the years.

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

when autonomous driving will actually happen, she suggested, “We’ll see selfdriving cars in the form of public transportation operating in limited domains within five to ten years, but for the public to buy a self-driving car that is 100% autonomous, that’s still twenty years out and even longer in rural areas because the infrastructure just isn’t there.” The reason that AWAF hosted this event was to “provide an opportunity for attendees to meet with other industry professionals they normally may not encounter in their everyday work life and learn about, from Dr. Attendees enjoyed learning about the future of mobility Peters’ perspective and exand supporting AWAF during the Sept. 25 event. pertise, the reality of ambiCredit: AWAF tious predictions as it relates handle unpredictable factors well – we to the future of mobility and auknow which roads have a lot of car- tonomous driving,” Price explained. Price also noted, “Association deer accidents and where people tend to do dumb things, but how do you events and training opportunities are vital to our members because it ultimately teach the car all of that?” During the question-and-answer helps AWAF gain exposure to our missession at the end of her presentation, sion and vision by leveraging sponsorDr. Peters answered questions regard- ships of credible industry companies.” For more information about ing potential guidelines, globalization of autonomy, and infrastructure chal- AWAF and future events, visit www. lenges. When asked for a prediction on awafoundation.org. Peters asked, “What do we do? Seems simple – we follow the road, stay at or under the speed limit, and don’t hit anyone so it’s an easy problem to control, right? What if we’re going to hit something? There are complicated unpredictable factors. Humans actually

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Product Innovation with Stacey Phillips

3M Showcases New and Existing Products During SEMA Show More than a century ago, 3M was established in Minnesota as a smallscale mining venture called Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. Fast forward to 2019, and

the company now operates in 70 countries and creates products and technology for a wide variety of industries. “At 3M, we use science to improve lives and help solve the world’s toughest challenges,” said Mike Roman, chairman and CEO of 3M. During the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, attendees had an opportunity to see new and existing 3M products

in two different booths. Autobody News sat down and talked to Dan Wittek, 3M application engineering manager, and Ricky Miller, 3M senior technical service engineer, about some of the products on display. The following is a summary of the highlights.

Accuspray™ and PPS™ Series 2.0 Kits and Accessories This family of products includes the PPS™ Series 2.0 Spray Cup System, PPS™ Series 2.0 starter and refill kits, and the Accuspray™ spray gun and paint cup kit. 3M created the PPS™ disposable paint cup system almost 20 years ago. The goal was to improve efficiency, reduce waste and speed up the prep and cleanup portions of painting. About a year ago, the company introduced the PPS™ Series 2.0 spray cup system to the market with an improved design for

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

an easier painting process. “There is a more solid fixturing to the spray gun so it’s more robust,” explained Wittek. “There is also more filter

Precision Poly Tape Launched in July 2019, 3M™ Precision Poly Tape is the first advancement in general masking tape since the company originally invented it in 1924. Miller said the product features a polyethylene film that is low-profile, durable, waterproof, highly conformable and hand-tearable. It was designed to reduce slivering and leave a professional edge without the need for razor blades or other tools. When used, the backing conforms and (Back row l to r) Shawn Collins and Dan Wittek. (Front stretches around curves row l to r) Ian Shaw and Rob Blue. Credit: Stacey Phillips and has indicator lines that area, so you get a faster, smoother show when it is stretched too far, acflow of paint.” In addition, Wittek cording to Miller. In addition, it can said the locking mechanism for the be left on for up to seven days without collar is integrated into the lid, which adhesive transfer, slivering, ghosting is a feature that painters appreciate. or tape tracking.

Perfect-It™ 1-Step Paint Finishing System Introduced at the same time as Precision Poly Tape, the Perfect-It™ 1Step Paint Finishing System was designed to eliminate the need for a rubbing compound. Traditionally, Wittek said repairers used a heavy buffer and applied two to three applications of rubbing compound and then additional polishing. 3M’s new system allows for a more efficient process utilizing specialized abrasive

duces a deeper shine and flawless finish. “The Trizact™ abrasives are very forgiving and can allow somebody who is more novice to have the opportunity to produce really reliable, consistent results,” said Wittek.

Cavity Wax Plus Cavity Wax Plus provides corrosion protection for internal body panels, frame rails and structural enclosures. The system consists of a convenient aerosol spray can to eliminate the need for bulk spray equipment as well as three application wands in different lengths for harder-to-reach access. Wittek said OEMs recommend applying internal anti-corrosion material, including cavity wax, during a repair. “With the way our industry is changing, and the importance of folRicky Miller talked about 3M’s latest innovations during lowing OEM repair procethe SEMA show. Credit: Stacey Phillips dures and making certain a discs. When used with the 3M™ repair is done correctly, it’s imporHookit Purple Finishing Film 260L tant that it lasts,” he said. Discs and 3M™ Trizact™ 3000 and 8000 Grade Hookit Foam Abrasive CubitronTM II Abrasives Discs, Wittek said the system pro- 3M recently added 400+ grade discs

and sheet rolls to its family of Cubitron™ II Abrasives. Wittek said the new 400+ grit offers a very fine, highquality finish for paint preparation jobs like featheredging body filler, smoothing primer and sanding OEM e-coat. “It can cut through material 30

Blue Abrasive with a ceramic mineral blend; a high-power, VOC-compliant brake cleaner; a Headlight Restoration Kit; as well as an Auto Water Pump & Timing Cover Repair Kit with a threadlocker and an Auto Oil Pan & Valve Cover Repair Kit. 3M has also introduced additional configurations and sizes of its Blue Abrasives family, which are available in the Hookit™ (hook and loop) and Stikit™ (adhesive backed) attachment systems. “In addition to selling innovative products, we are doing everything we can to (l to r) Ricky Miller, Steve Garland, Heather Paddison be an educational resource and Chris Feather at the indoor 3M booth. They are for body shops,” said Witstanding in front of the 1969 custom Mercedes-Benz tek. “Our goal at 3M and the 280SEL, created by racer and builder, Josh Stahl and automotive aftermarket diVescio’s Customizing and Restoration. Other vehicles in the booth included a Shelby Daytona Coupe built by Chip vision is to sell processes to Foose and a 2007 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail Special. make our customers more Credit: Stacey Phillips efficient in their work.” percent faster and lasts twice as long Some of the educational reas traditional abrasives,” said Wittek. sources offered by the company In addition, it takes less time to sand, include 3M Standard Operating which improves overall productivity. Procedures (SOPs), a YouTube Miller shared information about channel, and the 3M Collision Readditional 3M products on display pair Academy. For more informaduring the show including 3M™ tion, visit www.3m.com.

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2019 Collision Repair Industry: A Year in Review by Chasidy Rae Sisk

As 2019 draws to a close, the world looks back on the year and reflects on all the changes that have come with the turning of a calendar. A handful of collision repair industry leaders share their thoughts on the most impactful memories for their associations in 2019, ranging from association growth and events to future-focused enterprises, such as legislation and aiding the next generation of collision repair professionals. Many associations report growth in membership and benefits for their members. SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg discusses the group’s continued commitment to their healthcare plan and the launch of their 401K Multiple Employer Plan. “There is a significant retirement savings shortage in America, and SCRS wants to change that in the collision repair space. We’ve put together and launched a solution that provides our small business members the opportunity to offer their employees a chance at something better. I really believe in the work we’ve done,” he states. Schulenburg continues, “2019 has been a really interesting year with a lot of ways that SCRS served as a place to turn for information, a source of education and a voice of advocacy, but I think the year has also been earmarked by our focus on finding ways to not just improve the industry, but the lives of those who work within it. It’s exciting to work on things that will matter to people in their business, and we are happy to be leading the charge for the industry.” CAWA established an ERISA health insurance trust this year, according to President and CEO Rodney Pierini, and Sandy Blalock, CEO of the ARA, proudly shares that ARA University, “our industry-leading online learning platform,” was converted to a full, free member benefit for direct members. “ARA leadership felt that the resources and training courses housed on the University were so valuable that every ARA member needed to have full, 24/7 access to the platform.” Earlier this year, AASP-MA implemented a labor rate survey being 40

run by National Auto Body Research, and according to Executive Director Lucky Papageorg, “It has substantiated something we all know – that the labor rate in Massachusetts has been artificially suppressed. It’s been a galvanizing issue for us.” AASP-MN focused on rebranding and improving its communication strategies this year with a refreshed logo and new tagline: “Your Champion. Your Ally.” Executive Director Judell Anderson explains, “The tagline speaks to the association’s role as our members’ greatest champion, leading the way with legislative advocacy, industry promotion and management education. It also recognizes that we are a strong ally, providing proven tools to help members run their business and achieve success.” Since Ray Fisher began serving as Executive Director of ASA at the beginning of the year, he reports, “We’ve had a significant culture change, improved our operating systems, and opened new channels of communication to our members and consumers by introducing the ASA App developed by MobileSoft and launching our new ASA Podcast. We’ve also increased our support and engagement with our Affiliates and renewed our commitment to increasing ASA’s member focus. In short, 2019 saw the growth of a new ASA learning culture that listens and tries new things to serve our members and the industry.” For NABA, it was important to grow the association’s membership in 2019 as a way of uniting the collision repair industry in Nebraska. NABA Vice President James Rodis says, “This helps us spread important information to a greater number of shops across the state and helps to ensure that shop owners have the needed information to do a proper repair for their guests. As an owner or even a worker, it’s extremely hard to stay up-to-date on everything so NABA tries to help out as much as we can.” IABA saw several successes this year. After standardizing the meeting agenda for all its chapters, the association experienced an increase in attendance across the state, including attendees from neighboring states.

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

IABA President Doug Martin also indicates it was incredibly impactful to be able to bring in industry-leading trainers, such as Mark Olson of VECO Experts, Kristen Felder from Collision Hub and GM’s John Eck, thanks to sponsor support. Association events and training opportunities in 2019 were touted by many association leaders. AASP-NJ President Jerry McNee is happy the association saw an increase in the amount of training offers to members, and ASA North Texas President John Firm recalls the chapter’s largest meeting to-date which took place in September at Auto Zone. MSCRA most important venture of 2019 was taking over the Southeastern Automotive Repair Conference, according to Executive Director Ricki Garrett, who indicates being “very pleased” with the changes made to this year’s event. ABAT President Burl Richards reports that the Texas Auto Body Trade Show “keeps getting bigger and better every year and provides a great opportunity for networking and

training that, otherwise, attendees would not have access to without traveling out of state.” Due to ASA Northwest’s continued success with its annual Automotive Training Expo (ATE), Jeff Lovell, president and executive director, shares, “A new ATE East program has been established in October and has over 170 attendees going through two days of training. We are looking forward to growing this new event.” KABA also hosted a new event, its first annual trade show, which took place in April. KABA Vice President Tony Adams expresses pleasure with the attendance and shares, “As a new association, it was exciting to have such great representation from our members and collision repair industry vendors – it let us know we are on the right mission.” AAAMS President Randy Lisk referred to the 2019 conference as “one of the best conferences in many years,” and WIN Chair Cheryl Boswell mentioned the success of “another first-class educational con-

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ference for our entire membership – with more than 225 attendees [where we recognized] four Most Influential Women who have made and continue to make a positive impact on our industry.” WIN also “stayed true to its vision of driving the future of collision repair by providing scholarships and a mentoring program for nine women studying in vocational schools,” Boswell says. Presenting at the St. Louis School-Business Partnership workshop early in 2019 provided WAC with an opportunity to meet a variety of school representatives and nonprofit organizations, and President Shelly Jones shares, “With these connections, we have already begun to fulfill our mission on a much larger scale. In the future, there will be a very real opportunity to promote careers in the collision repair industry from within the classrooms.” The most important thing AWAF did in 2019, according to President Susan Rokosz, was “establishing a board position focused on STEM and piloting a number of STEM outreach efforts to girls and young women.

The automotive and mobility industries offer great opportunities in a wide-ranging selection of STEM fields, and we want to make sure that we fill the talent pipeline with great female candidates.” NATA also strove to initiate conversations about the opportunity the industry holds for students who will become future repairers. According to Executive Director Cathi Webb, “NATA’s first Educational Roundtable brought together educators, industry leaders, counselors, parents and students to support existing auto tech programs in Oregon schools. Educators help each other by sharing curriculum and teaching tools, and educators and employers brainstorm ways to help, such as donating tools, equipment and vehicles, job shadowing, internships, and advisory board participation.” WIA launched its partnership and scholarship program with Northwood University, increasing the number of scholarship programs they offer women to a total of four now. Founding Board Member Jody Devere states, “Enabling more women in the automotive industry to

reach their educational and career goals is of paramount importance to our mission.” CAWA created a scholarship program for “automotive high school teachers to assist them in keeping their programs viable – through the granting of funds, access to industry training, or the donation of automotive products and parts for use in the classroom,” Pierini explains. Associations on both coasts put a lot of effort into their apprenticeship programs to ensure that a new generation of techs are being properly trained to repair vehicles. IGONC Executive Director Bob Pulverenti shares, “After years of work to get the North Carolina Automotive Apprentice Program in place, we have registered six apprentices. IGONC is beyond proud to see these kids thriving in shops while obtaining their automotive degree, tuition-free.” ASA Northwest Chairman Butch Jobst is “happy to announce the iTAC apprenticeship program recently received a grant that will allow a faster roll-out of this awesome program. We are very fortunate to be-

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long to such a connected community of automotive repair shops who support one another.” Anderson also says that AASPMN’s continued investment in its MNCARS initiative was huge in 2019. “The availability of a future workforce remains the most challenging issue for the industry, and the sole purpose of MNCARS is to promote careers in the automotive industry and recruit young people into the state’s college-level automotive service and collision repair programs and, ultimately, into industry workplaces.” AASP-MN also introduced legislation to “make it an unfair claims practice for an insurer to deny payment for repair operations and procedures performed in accordance with the original vehicle manufacturer’s documented technical procedures,” Anderson shares. “While it was disappointing to have the bill pulled just hours before a scheduled hearing, we feel we’re well-positioned to advance this legislation in 2020.” Legislative efforts were also very important for other associations in 2019. ABAC promoted efforts to save the 1963 Consent Decree which pro-

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hibits insurers from engaging in illegal and anticompetitive practices, plus they “enforced the appraiser’s code of ethics within [Connecticut] with respect to third party appraisal companies that were intentionally violating it,” President Bob Amendola says. ABAT was also involved with important legislation this year. Richards recalls, “Some Board Members testified in front of the Insurance Committee for our Texas House Bill that we tried to pass. It was an educational experience, and we believe our experiences this year will pay dividends when we introduce our new bill in 2021.” The collision repair industry continued to grow and advance in a variety of ways in 2019, and the experiences gained have positioned the industry’s associations to continue enhancing their membership benefits, training opportunities, efforts on behalf of the next generation, and legislative initiatives as 2020 rolls around. Autobody News looks forward to continuing to provide all the latest association news in 2019. Happy holidays from our family to yours!

A Behind-The-Scenes Look at SEMA Before Opening Day

explained the types of positions they typically hire for and the skills needed. With the Specialty Equipment MarThey included SCRS, Iket Association (SEMA) show openCAR, CREF, Service King, ing at the Las Vegas Convention and others. Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, attendees The 8th annual MSO began to arrive in Las Vegas for the Symposium was another big event. highlight. During the afShowgoers had an opportunity ternoon event, attendees to participate in several events. The had the opportunity to hear Society of Collision Repair Spe(l to r) Darin Poston, PPG, and Omar Acosta, Seward about the latest industry cialists (SCRS) Repairer Driven County Community College. Credit: Stacey Phillips trends and statistics from Education (RDE) Series kicked off Susanna Gotsch, industry today with sessions about advanced of DRPs and positioning your busibusiness communications, improv- ness for sustainability. Presenta- analyst from CCC. A panel discussion ing overall gross profit, the future tions are held throughout the week was held, focusing on the evolution of covering a wide range of OEM repair programs; panelists intopics for all segments of the collision repair industry. SEMA Education hosted a Student Career Day at the Westgate Resort Las Vegas. According to SEMA Edu- cluded Mark Allen, collision repair cation, the goal is to expose program manager of Audi North students to the diversity of America; Mike Anderson, president career opportunities avail- of Collision Advice; and Bob Mcable in the industry. There Donald, president of Summit Conwere more than 40 partic- sulting. Future trends in auto ipating companies and insurance and claims handling was organizations that inter- addressed by Clint Marlow, direc( l to r) Ariana Currim and Adriana Flores, California State University, Fullerton. Credit: Stacey Phillips acted with students and tor, Allstate. by Stacey Phillips

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Product Innovation

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

with Ed Attanasio

PPG’s Booth Unleashes Creativity at SEMA 2019 At the SEMA Show every year, people can’t wait to see PPG’s booth as the anticipation builds. What will the theme be? What vehicles will be on display, and which celebrities will make appearances? The given is that

greet sessions and a few surprises along the way. This year’s theme was “Creativity Unleashed” to honor great painters that use PPG to produce eye-catching art with that coveted “wow factor.” When you entered PPG’s booth, the first thing you noticed was a 30 foot faux brickyard wall covered with pop art from top to bottom with a mannequin that looked like a tagger posing atop. The main focal point of the display was a collection of artwork displaying the artistry and craftsmanship of more than 30 of the custom Bright colors on stunning vehicles is always a winning car world’s top artists. formula for PPG at SEMA. Credit: Ed Attanasio Cristina FronzagliaPPG’s one-of-a-kind booth will fea- Murray, director of marketing comture custom vehicles, distinctive art- munications at PPG, admitted that work pieces, advanced automotive her company’s booth is always a prirefinish products, celebrity meet-and- ority every year and a fun project to

year, they do not disappoint!” Mark Worman, one of the stars of the reality show “Graveyard Carz” where they perform over-the-top Mopar muscle-car restorations, loves meeting his fans at SEMA. “Some people just want to say hello, while others have specific questions about some of our builds. They want a glimpse at what goes into the making of the show, and I always tell them that “Graveyard Carz” is 100% (l to r) Allysa Rose, Mark Worman and Will Scott of real. It’s such an honor for a Graveyard Carz were signing and posing for photos at great company like PPG to this year’s PPG booth at SEMA 2019. Credit: Ed Attanasio invite us to be here because they always wanted to do with color it means they respect our work and and take their creativity to an entirely our show.” While some large companies shy new level. What they come back with is always amazing and more than away from pulling out all the stops at what we ask for! We have some of SEMA, PPG zigs, while many others the most talented and creative mas- zag and the results are always highly terminds using our products, and this See PPG’s Booth, Page 54 work on. “Each year, we like to raise the bar in our challenges to our painters,” she said. “This time, our goal was to unleash their inner potential by inviting them to show what

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The Driving Force – Women in the Automotive Industry Presented by Kukui

ship building and how we’re serving need,” Best pointed out. “We can help though. I can see people and know our customers in that arena.” make the experience less stressful. how they’re feeling. Everything I do On Oct. 18, Kukui Corporation’s Best noted, “Automotive is a It’s about taking their pain away and is based on our relationship with our Jimmy Lea hosted a webinar enti- male-dominated industry, but change making it easier for our cuscustomers, and that’s what tled “The Driving Force – Women in is starting with female shop owners. tomers. We understand the matters most.” the Automotive Industry” where he We start the relationship building. female consumer because Lea observed that 80% was joined by six automotive indus- It’s wonderful when we go to indus- we are them.” of automotive buying decitry experts who happen to try events and see so many sions are made by women, Carlson contributed, be women as they discussed women owners and lead- “Just having someone at and women spend over $2 their careers and their viers.” billion each year on autothe shop whose job isn’t to Cindy Frasca, sion of the future. Kukui’s Jarosik added, “Putting fix cars - there’s a person motive purchases and reCOO of Kukui. description of the webinar ourselves out here in public whose mission is to make pairs, yet less than 20% of pointed out, “Eighty perand sharing that we’re in so people feel welcome and comfort- the automotive workforce is comcent of all automotive buymany different facets of the able. Sometimes, people coming into prised of women. In regards to ening decisions are made by Kukui Corporation’s industry – it’s huge! It’s the shop are scared because they’re couraging women to enter the Jimmy Lea women. Every year, women such a fun industry to be in waiting to find out what’s wrong industry, Carlson rebuffed that idea: spend over $200 billion on vehicle now. It’s that ripple effect of touching with their car, but a huge smile and “I don’t want a woman working for purchases and repair services. And people. This wasn’t my greeting can change the us just because she’s a woman. I shy yet, less than 20% of the total work- dream. I don’t know that any away from making opportunities whole mood of the visit.” force in the automotive industry are of us wanted to work in the Frank concurred, “It’s just for women, but I promote all women.” automotive industry as kids, not about how we repair the opportunities in our field. I want but as soon as I started stepcars; it’s about how our a qualified employee, regardless of ping into those shoes, I knew customers feel when they gender.” I was home.” “I don’t want to open the door leave the shop.” Frank and Best are also just because you’re female,” Jarosik Dineff talked about her Leigh Anne Best, co-founders of Brakes for co-owner of Might customer service role in the said. “I want to open the door because Breasts, and Lea asked them Auto Pro Medina’s shop: “I’m not shy about the you’re skilled and have the passion to Complete Auto about their charitable organfact that I know nothing learn! We don’t just need bodies anyRepair and Care See The Driving Force, Page 58 ization which was founded about cars. I know people in 2011. In October 2019, over 230 shops participated, representing 38 (l to r) Megan Dineff, customer service manager states and two countries; 100% of the for Ervine’s Auto Repair and Jamie Carlson, donations go to Dr. Vincent Tuohy owner of Ervine’s Auto Repair to support research for the Cleveland The panel consisted of Megan Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Fund. Dineff, customer service manager Frank and Best discussed how for Ervine’s Auto Repair; Jamie difficult treatment can be for victims Carlson, owner of Ervine’s Auto of breast cancer and emphasized the Repair; Cindy Frasca, COO of importance of finding a vaccine to Kukui; Kathleen Jarosik, owner prevent the disease. Carlson, a surof Xpertech Auto Repair; Laura vivor, urged shops to support Brakes Frank, co-owner of Auto Repair for Breasts and encouraged women Technology; and Leigh Anne Best, to have a mammogram done since HOURS: co-owner of Might Auto Pro Med- early detection is vital. 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Tesla Promises Better Parts Service, More Support for Body Shops With nearly 500,000 plug-in electric vehicles now sold, Tesla has more such vehicles on the road in the United States than Chevrolet and Nissan combined. That means collision repairers, particularly those in key Tesla markets – like California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Illinois – are likely to see one roll into their shops for repairs. Or will they? Tesla already operates more than a dozen of its own body shops, and the automaker has said it will more than double that in the coming months. “Why are we doing this? From our perspective, we need to create more capacity to repair our vehicles,” said Alex Tsetsenekos, a former executive at Liberty Mutual who Tesla hired last year to lead its effort to offer a better insurance option for owners of the company’s vehicles.

Operating its own shops, he said, is part of the company’s effort to lower the cost of ownership ¬– including insurance – for Tesla drivers. “We’re seeing that we can be anywhere from 20 percent to 30 per-

“They don’t want to drive an Enterprise car for four weeks. We also see demand from consumers who say, ‘Look, would you just fix it? You made it. You fix it.’ So we took that to heart.”

“Because of the way we construct our vehicles, we total fewer of them,” — Alex Tsetsenekos cent lower in repair costs than your standard repair shop,” Tsetsenekos said. “So we’re happy to take that [repair] volume so we can drive down that cost, affecting the consumer in terms of their [insurance] rates.” Reducing cycle time with the added capacity also gets its customers back in their cars more quickly, he said. “They bought a Tesla and want to drive a Tesla,” Tsetsenekos said.

In addition to opening its own shops, Tesla also hopes to add to its current network of about 500 Teslacertified independent shops (which includes more than 100 in California alone). Tsetsenekos said the automaker realizes it needs to do more to help those shops get Tesla vehicles back on the road both faster and correctly. He said the lower repair costs the company is seeing in its own body shops compared to others in the same

area is in part because Tesla’s shops have the needed training, tools and “knowledge transfer.” That’s why the automaker wants to increase the number of its certified shops. “Once [those shops] have all those capabilities and you direct the vehicles to those shops, I think we will see severity really fall,” Tsetsenekos said. Tesla is doubling the size of its collision repair support team to about 40 people, he said. In addition, certified shops (as well as insurers) have access to that team if they find a Tesla procedure for a particular repair that doesn’t exist. “There’s an entire facility where all they do is break down the cars and simulate how we are going to [make a repair],” Tsetsenekos said. “They will pull engineers out of the factory to come down and work with them. In three days, we will turn around a

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new procedure to fix something that you don’t have an answer for. Within five days, we publish it to everyone who has access to our tools.” While Tesla’s Elon Musk has sometimes cast the blame for what he sees as slow repairs of Teslas by shops, Tsetsenekos acknowledged that weaknesses in the company’s parts logistics have contributed to repair delays and added costs. “We’ve taken that to heart at the most senior level,” Tsetsenekos said. “The ability to have the parts when and where they are needed is something that, quite frankly, other OEMs have a long track record of delivering. Part of it is their dealer networks. Part of it is they have just had years and years to develop that.” He said the company’s body shop team is being responsive to that issue, and at times has gone into the factory “and literally taken a part off the line and driven it down to a shop, saying, ‘Here’s your part.’” Other improvements in parts logistics are underway, he said, and by next spring, Tesla will have it parts “logistics capability up relative to our competitors” like Ford or GM.

Tesla also has followed through with its plans, announcing earlier this year, to begin selling auto insurance to owners of its vehicles in California, with plans to expand the offering to other states. Tesla claims the rates it offers are as much as 30 percent lower than those of other insurers. The automaker is working with State National Insurance Company on the program. State National

is a subsidiary of Markel Corporation, the 47th-largest personal auto insurance company in the United States (with similar market share as Horace Mann, American Access, Wawanesa General, and Safety Insurance Group). Data from Tesla vehicles, particularly when in autonomous mode, “will decrease the frequency and severity of collision claims for Tesla owners,” State National has said in regulatory filings about what will allow it to offer insurance

at a lower cost. But Tesla is also making efforts to work more closely with other insurance companies in an effort to reduce the costs of policies for Tesla owners. One advantage for both body shops and insurers, Tsetsenekos said, is that only about 4 percent of Teslas are declared total losses, when comparable luxury brands are totaled at three to five times that rate. “Because of the way we construct our vehicles, we total fewer of them,” he said. He thinks that even low total loss rate could be improved further by getting more of the wrecked vehicles into Tesla-owned or certified shops. “There are situations where we have had body shops call us and say they’re going to total the car,” Tsetsenekos said. “When we’ve peeled that back, they were struggling to repair certain aspects of the vehicle. So they had a discussion with a field adjuster and said, ‘We don’t know [how to repair this],’ so it’s a total. That’s been one of the themes we’ve seen. It’s not every time, but it’s more than an anecdote.”

LKQ Announces Its Promise of Calibration

LKQ Corporation is providing customer peace of mind by introducing its Promise of Calibration. The Promise of Calibration states: “LKQ Corporation warrants that all recycled OEM, reconditioned OEM and KeysIQ parts purchased directly from LKQ and installed on a private passenger vehicle, are suitable for the calibration of appropriate ADAS components with properly operating systems.” As an added benefit, LKQ provided further assurance by supplementing the Promise of Calibration to include the actual diagnostic and calibration labor operation. “Providing this level of comfort and commitment for our parts and services benefits all stakeholders within the collision repair and glass industries including repair shops, insurers, and most importantly, vehicle owners,” said Terry Fortner, LKQ North American vice president of sales and marketing.

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In Reverse with Gary Ledoux

Gary Ledoux is an industry veteran with 50 years’ experience in the automotive and OEM collision parts industry. His column appears exclusively in Autobody News. He can be reached at YesterWreck@yahoo.com

Collision Repair Shops “ARM” Themselves From the start of the “modern” collision shop in the late 1940s up through the 1970s, body shops, as a business, were fairly crude by most standards. They needed little in the way of equipment - perhaps an air compressor being their most expensive item. With some sanders, body files, a few spray guns and a fan to remove paint fumes, they were good to go. The business and accounting side of things wasn’t any more sophisticated. A shop owner bringing a year’s worth of receipts to their accountant at the end of the year enabling them to calculate taxes passed for accounting and business management. Owners didn’t know from week to week if they made a profit or not, or if their business was going forward or backward. If there was money left in the checkbook after payroll, it was a good week. Accounting and management tools for the collision repair trade just did not exist – and even if they had existed, nobody knew how to use them or what the number meant once they were calculated. Most owners came up through the ranks as technicians. They could write an estimate (albeit most did not know if the repair would be profitable or not) and repair a wreck, but were woefully inadequate in the business management department. In 1974, industry pioneer Denny Kiyohara started an accounting service and focused on body shops. The only shops that were anywhere near organized enough to use his services were dealership body shops – ones used to shuffling a lot of paper and tracking numbers. (Anyone who worked in any dealership department, even then, knew it was a numbers game). Seeing a need, Kiyohara developed the first computerized accounting system for body shops; the Automotive Repair Management System (ARMS). Eventually, he created a computer system to handle what had previously been done on spreadsheets. In 1976, Kiyohara started with 13 shops, networked together, and started aggregating and sharing numbers. It was the precursor to what would later be

known collectively as “20-groups.” The project was a success which made Kiyohara consider launching his product nationwide; however, there was one major problem – so few shops were tracking their finances and they didn’t understand basic business concepts. Talking about job costing and profit margins brought a “deer in the headlights” look to most shop owners. He knew that the shop owners needed training to make his computer product work for them; thus, ARMS management training seminars were born. Kiyohara knew shop owners needed to not only know and understand accounting procedures, but more importantly, the basic reason why all that work was necessary. In 1981, Jack Sutherland joined Kiyohara and helped create the threeday seminar. They touched on trends facing the industry at the time, such as job costing, production management, etc. Sutherland then worked with the shops one-on-one to help them create their own business plan. By the 1980s, Kiyohara’s concept exploded across the industry. ARMS classes were being taught by a small army of instructors all over the U.S. Instructors were holding classes for 100 people or more. A full-page ad in an early 1983 trade magazine for the ARMS said, “Industry predictions say that fifty percent of collision repair shops will not be around by 1985” due to ineffective management. Sadly, that statement was not entirely wrong! The first seminar was held in Tucson, AZ, in February 1983. Among the 25-30 attendees was shop owners Dick Schoonover of Schoonover Auto Rebuild of St. Paul, MN; Russ Verona, East Rockford Collision of Rockford, IL; Jerry Kottschade of Jerry’s Auto Body in Mankato, MN; Dale Bright of Dale Bright’s Auto Service of Chino, CA; Vaun Hamlin of Hamlin’s of Bridgeville, PA, and Chuck Sulkala of Acme Body and Paint of Boston. The seminar was sponsored by the Automotive Service Council, the

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

forerunner of the Automotive Service Association and coordinated by Bud Merwin. Also attending was Jon Fryxell of 3M. The 3M company saw a high level of enthusiasm for the class, purchased it, and made it a nationwide program. Noted industry leader Chuck Sulkala eventually became an ARMS instructor. At its height, over 175 seminars were conducted each year. Instructors included industry luminaries Sulkala, Bob Richards, Lirel Holt, Mel Hunke, Jeff Hendler, and many others. Holt eventually found the CARSTAR shop franchise. Using the same principles he taught with ARMS, Holt helped the franchisees under his wing. In a January 2018 interview, Sulkala explained that an ARMS class wasn’t one-hundred percent accounting. He said, “One of the points we wanted to make was for shop owners to clean up their act, and start being

professional. To do that, Jeff Hendler and I put on some skits. I wore an old shop coat that my father wore when he worked in the shop. It was covered with dust, I was chomping on a cigar … and we looked like shop owners of the ‘50s and ‘60s. It was hilarious. The guys in the class cracked up, but many of them saw themselves and what they looked like to the public. It was eye-opening. Those students may not have remembered the accounting parts, but even years later, they remembered those skits.” Steve Trapp worked for 3M at that time, had grown up in the collision business, and had a penchant for the business side of things – so it was natural that he became one of the earliest ARMS instructors. In an October 2017 interview, Trapp gave the following account of those days: It was an eye-opening experience for shop owners. Most, if not all

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of them, had never opened their books to anyone outside of their accountant. The sad thing was, in those days before metrics were established, the accountant could tell the shop owner if the numbers added up or not, but he could not say if the numbers were good or bad. Some shop owners almost cried when they discovered the poor shape of their business. Some owners found out how deep in debt they were. Some had taken all the risk and spent all the money to be a shop owner, only to find that they had “bought themselves a job.” They weren’t making any more as an owner as they did working for someone else. It is no wonder many simply decided to “throw in the towel.” Seeing their poor state of financial affairs, coupled with the changing technology of the unibody car and the money it would take to purchase new equipment, must have been devastating. Early in 1983, ARMS advertised a complete shop management computer system for under $12,000. The system included an ALTOS computer and an Epson printer and modem. (Note: $12,000 in 1983 is

equal to about $31,000 in 2019). The development of the ARMS system meant a chart of accounts was needed. Trapp helped develop a new chart of accounts, based not on the standard dealership chart of accounts, but something that was more pertinent to the collision side of the business. This led eventually to the formation of 20-groups for collision shops – a staple in the dealership side of the business, but something very new for collision shops. In the summer of 1987, 3M announced that Holt would spearhead its ARMS educational programs. By the time the program wounddown in 1989, over 20,000 people representing 10-12,000 shops had gone through the program. Sulkala and Hendler tried to keep the program going into the 1990s bringing in another industry veteran, Lou DiLisio to help. But the times were changing and it seemed that everyone who wanted the knowledge taught by the seminars had received it, and it was time to move on. Sulkala taught the last ARMS class in Greensboro, NC, in December 1990. The industry had been “ARMed.”

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DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

WD-40 Partners With SEMA Cares to Create Old School 1966 Ford Bronco SEMA attendees got a chance to look at the WD-40® X SEMA Cares “Year of the Bronco” was the theme 1966 Boosted Bronco and see at the 2019 SEMA Show, and that’s demonstrations of WD-40 Brand why WD-40 Company, in conjunc- products, many of which were used tion with SEMA Cares rebuilt a 1966 during the Boosted Bronco restoration. Every year, WD-40 selects a vehicle rebuilder for its reputation and skillset to work on its SEMA Cares car. This year it was LGECTS Motorsports of San Dimas, CA, with Louie Morosan and his two daughters Theresa and Sarah working side-by-side to make the Bronco a show-stopper. “It was a pleasure to do this vehicle because it is More than 20 companies were involved in the build by going to raise money for a donating their time, skills, or products to the project. good cause,” Louie MoCredit: Ed Attanasio rosan said. “It made it even Ford Bronco. After its appearance in sweeter to do the work with my two WD-40’s booth, it will be auctioned daughters and members of our crew. off to raise money for ChildHelp, a We are in this business to make nonprofit organization dedicated to money, of course, but when we can the prevention and treatment of child do something special like this with a major name like WD-40, that makes abuse. by Ed Attanasio

it really satisfying and good for the soul.” Morales, SEMA Garage mechanical engineer, played a role in the design of the Boosted Bronco. “We always love partnering up with companies such as WD-40,” he said. “We wanted to retain a lot of the original aspects of this 1966 Ford Bronco, but we added a more powerful engine and a lot of new features. To get so many eyes on this vehicle and get such great feedback throughout the

show is really a big deal!” WD-40 Brand debuted the Boosted Bronco three years ago at the 2017 SEMA Show with builder Aaron Vaccar, with rave reviews. That year, the Boosted Bronco was given a 3.5L eco-boost, a twin-turbocharged engine with six-speed automatic transmission. For the 2019 SEMA Show, WD-40 wanted to surpass what was achieved two years ago, so it took the rebuild to the next level and made numerous updates, including a brand-new fuel system and custom exhaust; custom fabricated turbo piping; new front and rear suspension with a 5inch lift and new front and rear axles; custom brown leather seats, a rear bench and fully carpeted interior to give an old-school aesthetic; new front and rear door panels with side mir(l to r) LGE-CTS Motorsports of San Dimas, CA, turned the rerors; six-point roll cage and building project into a family affair, with Louie Morosan and new exterior trim, wheels his two daughters Sara (left) and Theresa (right) working on the SEMA Cares 1966 Ford Bronco.Credit: Ed Attanasio and tires.

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

“It’s great to be able to modify an iconic vehicle like the Ford Bronco using WD-40 Brand products, particularly as the 2021 release approaches,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM and

profits benefitting ChildHelp, one of the charities supported by SEMA Cares. “The WD-40® X SEMA Cares 1966 Boosted Bronco build is meant to inspire the next generation of automotive technicians to live life hands-on and continues WD-40 Company’s commitment to giving back,” said Erin Bala, director of brand marketing and innovation at WD-40 Company, which to date has donated more than $1 million to SEMA Cares charities through vehicle restoration and auctions. In addition to checking out the Boosted Bronco at the WD-40 Brand booth, SEMA Show attendees were SEMA Garage Mechanical Engineers Luis Morales (left) able to test the brand new and Conner Forcucci-Morris worked on the vehicle. WD-40® Specialist® PeneCredit: Steve Cummings, WD-40 trant with a Flexible Straw product development. “We’re hon- as it debuted at the show. Attendees ored to be able to participate in the could also enter for a chance to win build with WD-40 Company and sup- a collection of WD-40 Brand products and gear. port SEMA Cares.” They also learned how WD-40 After being on display at the SEMA Show, the vehicle will be auc- Multi-Use Product and the WD-40® tioned off with 100 percent of the Specialist® line of products played

a critical role in the Boosted Bronco build, including WD-40® Specialist® Carb/Throttle Body & Parts Cleaner; WD-40® Specialist® Industrial-Strength Cleaner & Degreaser; WD-40® Specialist® Penetrant with Flexible Straw; WD-40® Specialist® Electrical Contact Cleaner Spray; WD-40 EZ-REACH; WD-40® Specialist® Spray & Stay Gel Lubricant and WD-40® Specialist® True MultiPurpose Grease. Build partners that donated products for use on the Bronco include: Currie Enterprises; Wilwood Brakes; Wheel Pros; Toyo Tires; Energy Suspension; Drake Automotive; Solo Motorsports; Skyjacker Suspension; Lund International; NRG; Classic Instruments; Auto Custom Carpets; LGE-CTS; Distinctive Industries; PPG; Lokar; Magnaflow; Summit Racing; Hellwig Products; Yukon Gear & Axle; Tom’s Bronco Parts; Wild Horses 4x4; Flaming River; Tom Woods Custom Driveshafts; Greddy Performance Products; Weld Hard Fabrication; Covercraft; Painless Wiring; 3D Liquid Graphics; and Optima Batteries.

NABC 2019 Award Winners Announced

At the 2019 SEMA Show, the National Auto Body Council (NABC) presented the awards to its annual award winners. “There are collision repairers who are doing incredible work to build their businesses and serve their local communities,” said Bill Garoutte, president and CEO of the NABC. The NABC Body Shop Image Award was presented to Paul Branning of Branning Collision, with six locations in New Jersey. They were selected for décor and ambiance at their location at 98 Crow Hill Rd., Freehold, NJ. The NABC Award of Distinction was given to April Lausch, marketing manager for Faulkner Collision Center with 12 locations in Pennsylvania. Faulkner was honored for her support of many NABC events over the year. “We are so proud to be able to recognize the leaders in shaping the image of the collision repair industry,” said Marie Peevy, co-chair of the NABC Awards Committee.

CCC Strengthens Network for Parts Marketing

CCC Information Services Inc. (CCC) and BMW of North America (BMW) announce that the automaker will leverage the CCC Promote technology to provide dealers with a powerful new marketing solution to price and promote parts to collision repair facilities while estimates are being written. CCC Promote offers OEMs a way to present promotional pricing early in the estimating process when replacement part decisions are being made. Prices can be customized by vehicle make, model, year, or part type. “CCC is proud to support BMW and we value their endorsement of CCC Promote,” said Jim Kinsherf, vice president, OEM Group for CCC. “CCC ONE processes more than $13 billion in parts annually. By making CCC available to its dealers, BMW parts can be seen and made available within the estimating workflow of a dynamic community of repairers. We’re excited to support their parts program.” 56

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autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 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.

Understanding and Performing the Needed Seat Calibrations The need for vehicle seat calibrations isn’t new. Many years ago, Will Latuff of Latuff Brothers Auto Body in Minnesota forwarded me information pertaining to a seat calibration needed on a Honda. I started looking into it and found there are several vehicles that require these seat calibrations after a collision. Despite this information, last year’s “Who Pays for What?” survey found that 20% of shops have never asked to be paid for such a calibration. (Hopefully that doesn’t mean they aren’t doing them). I think there are a number of things that shops aren’t always considering when it comes to seat calibrations. First, you need to understand why resetting or calibrating the seat sensors is so critical. The system tells the vehicle about the person driving the vehicle as well as the passenger (if there is one). This is important because in the event of an accident, how the airbag deploys may vary depending on whether I’m the one

driving the vehicle – at 180 pounds – versus my sister driving the vehicle at 102 pounds. In some cases, the system tells the vehicle not to deploy some of the airbags, such if there’s no passenger in the vehicle, or if the passenger is a small child. Second, you have to research the OEM repair procedures related to them every time because they vary by automaker and from vehicle model to model. Some Toyotas, for example, require a seat calibration after any accident, no matter what, even if the vehicle was parked and unoccupied when it was hit. However, on other Toyota models, a calibration is required only if a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) related to the system has been set – yet another reason that performing a vehicle diagnostic scan is so critical. There’s no onesize-fits-all approach. Some of the systems may even reset themselves after a test drive; so, you have to check the procedures to know what the particular requirements are for

representatives. “I’m not going to compare men and women from an HR perspective,” Frasca quipped, continuing, “What I will tell you is more. We need smart people that can that we get amazing people through word of mouth. There are keep up with the technology certain aspects we’re lookand want to do this. This curing for in associates. We rent generation that’s graduneed people who care, pay ating from high school seems attention to details and reto be more open to going to ally want to do what’s best technical schools and enterfor our customers.” ing non-conventional female The panelists continued careers.” Laura Frank, co-owner of Auto their fun, conversational The discussion turned to how acceptable it is be- Repair Technology tone as they answered attencoming to attend technical schools dees’ questions, and the webinar concompared to pursuing a four-year de- cluded with Kukui’s Patrick Egan gree, and the panelists also conversed conducting a drawing for a $100 on the expense of being a technician, Amazon gift card. A replay of the the tools that must be purchased, and webinar is available at www.kukui the largest items, such as scan tools, .com/blog/women-in-auto-care-1. Lea announced that the next that are becoming imperative for the shop to invest in. Topics covered webinar would include several labor rates, certification, licensing, more extraordinary human beings, including Mary Steele, executive and educating consumers. Lea then turned to Frasca to ask director of ASA Florida, and he inwhat Kukui does to attract female vited Jarosik to return as a panelist.

the specific vehicle you are repairing. Automakers use different terminology for various systems, which presents another challenge. It might be called an occupant classification sensor (OCS), an occupant detection sensor (ODS), a weight calibration sensor (WCS), or a “passenger sensing system.” Many automakers refer to the process as a “zero-point calibration” of the system. I find one of the best ways to start researching seat calibration requirements is by checking the vehicle owner’s manual. It will tell you what the automaker calls the system, and can help you explain the importance to the customer. In the owner’s manual for a particular Nissan model, for example, it clearly states, “If there’s any impact to your vehicle from any direction, then your occupant classification sensor

The Right PARTS A PERFECT Fit.

Continued from Page 46

The Driving Force

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

(OCS) should be checked.” It goes on to say: “Failure to verify proper OCS function may result in an improper airbag deployment resulting in injury or death.” This is serious stuff. Knowing what the automaker calls their system will help you locate the information you need in the OEM repair procedures, often under the “safety restraint system” section; but, it can be tricky. Nissan often refers to the “occupant classification sensor” (OCS), but the information in Nissan’s TechInfo website may be under “zero-point reset.” Using the vehicle owner’s manual and the OEM repair procedures every time will help you understand and perform any needed seat calibrations, and help justify the need and importance of the procedure to your customer or any billpayer.

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SEMA Show Kicks Off With Award Announcements, Celebrities & Educational Opportunities tions from 2,400 exhibiting companies. Showgoers were able to meet More than 160,000 people attended the Specialty Equipment Market automotive celebrities, including Association (SEMA) Show in Las Wayne Carini, Chip Foose, Dave Vegas. The four-day-long event Kindig and Richard Rawlings. One of the highlights of the kicked off on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Durshow is the New Products Breakfast held the first day of SEMA. The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) received the award for Best New Collison Repair & Refinish Product for its newly launched Complete Guide to Repair Planning - Blueprinting Optimization Tool. GUNIWHEEL received the runner-up award. Look for a detailed article by Ed Attanasio Jeff Peevy, CIC chairman, pictured with his wife about the award winners Marie, and Marcia (in red dress) and Matthew in the next issue of Auto(sitting) Seebachan. Credit: Stacey Phillips body News. The SCRS Repairer Driven Eding the week, attendees will have the opportunity to walk through 1.2 ucation (RDE) Series sessions were million net square feet of exhibit held throughout the day. Dave space and an additional one million Smith of Auto Damage Experts square feet of features and attrac- talked about completing thorough by Stacey Phillips

and workmanlike repairs and Lee Rush from Sherwin-Williams Automotive Refinish held a session titled, “Sick and tired of collision management the old way?” In addition, Brett Steele of Podium talked about why collision centers should be texting. Held in conjunction with the SEMA Show is the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting. CIC Chairman Jeff Peevy has set aside an empty chair at each meeting to represent the consumer. Peevy filled that empty chair with special guests Marcia and Matthew Seebachan. The Seebachans were the owners of the Honda Fit vehicle that was in the accident that resulted in a $42 million lawsuit. Peevy, and his wife, Marie, interviewed the Seebachans about their experience and the human impact of poor repair decisions. Check the Autobody News Facebook page for show updates. More information about the SEMA show can be found online: https://www .semashow.com/.

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DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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AkzoNobel’s Workflow System Gets Patent

Carbeat™, AkzoNobel’s state-ofthe-art digital bodyshop workflow control solution that enables automotive body repair shops to track their work in production and thus operate more efficiently, has been awarded a patent. The U.S. Patent Office found the Carbeat system inventive based on several outstanding features, including its use of drag-and-drop functionality, and its identification and use of trend data for more efficient body shop planning. “We are very happy our software fulfills the strict requirements for this patent,” says Mike Sillay, product manager services, AkzoNobel. “Technology is playing a growing role in our industry. Our mission is to help collision repair professionals save time and money, and we are proud of the system our team has created to help achieve that.” To date, Carbeat is being utilized in 15 countries and is available in 17 languages.

SATA Puts on Wunderbar Show at SEMA 2019 by Ed Attanasio

SATA always has the same great spot at SEMA, and every year they pull the trigger and go all-in. This year, people who visited the SEMA booth in the North Hall saw new product releases, demonstrations, and worldclass painters from all over the planet to create original art all within a German-themed booth.

Painter Connie Manjavinos from Girls Behind the Gun (left) and Painter Ron Coan were greeting fans at SATA’s SEMA booth. Credit: Ed Attanasio

Fifty years ago, in 1969, “Peace, Love and Music” was the cool motto of the “Summer of Love,” when hippies adorned with flowers and tiedyed garb danced and celebrated at the fabled Woodstock Music Festival. Commemorating the 50th an-

niversary of this iconic concert, SATA recognized the cultural impact of the era all within a special edition spray gun. This special edition gun can be ordered with sample RPS multipurpose cups. The Hippie spray gun is available in “I” and “O” versions with nozzle sizes ranging from 1.2 to 1.4, both RP and HVLP technology versions come in Standard only, according to SATA. This year the theme was Oktoberfest, and Tony Larimer wore lederhosen himself to get into the Bavarian mood. “Since our company is based in Germany, the goal was to essentially bring a little Germany here, so we brought all of the various Bavarian aspects of Germany here, and we’re delighted with the results,” he said. “We always want to feature a booth with a lot of things going on that will engage and entertain people. I think we hit a home run with this one based on the feedback we’ve received.” At the show, SATA also offered discounts on www.satausagear.com — strictly devoted to SATA gear and promotional items for sale. “We offer something for everyone,” Coordinator of the SATA USA gear Katrina

Jorgensen said. “Now that we have the clothing website, every style and size is always available, and if an item is on backorder, it doesn’t take long to get the product delivered to the customer’s door.”

coming by and checking out what I am painting is great. I have been using SATA guns for many years because they give me the freedom to be more creative.” SATAUSAGear.com now has free shipping in the USA only on purchases of $75 or more, and soon will be introducing new adult clothing styles, so be sure to check in regularly, according to Jorgenson.

Airbrush Artist Ray Hill paints Jim Morrison, the late lead singer of The Doors, to promote SATA’s new Hippie spray gun. Credit: Ed Attanasio

Airbrush artist Franny Drummond was invited from his PaintZoo Studios in Langhorne, PA, to create portraits of classic rock stars such as Bob Dylan, Jim Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin, to name a few. Drummond is a nationally renowned artist who is well-known for painting NHL goalie helmets. “I love this,” Drummond said. “Normally, I create art in my studio with no one around, but with people

Painter Franny Drummond was creating images of 1960 rockers to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music Festival. Credit: Ed Attanasio

In addition to the assortment of clothing, browsers will also find that there are many promotional items available from drinkware, banners, PopSockets, all the way to a spray gun key chain.

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Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 8-3 www.njparts.com autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

The Future of DRP: Is There One? by Autobody News Contributor

With an estimated 22,000 collision repair shops across the country dependent on Direct Repair Programs (DRPs), Pete Tagliapietra of NuGen IT said businesses need to pay close attention to the paradigm shift occurring in the industry related to these programs. Tagliapietra explored the current status and future outlook of DRPs in his recent SEMA presentation, “The Future of DRP: Is There One?” His talk was part of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) Repairer Driven Education (RDE) Series. Tagliapietra discussed four main reasons that the number of DRPs have been shrinking for top insurers. They include high administrative costs to run DRP programs, the growth of MSOs, alternative appraisal methods now being deployed and new technologies that are changing shops’ business relationships with insurers. “Insurance companies are selling a commodity product—it’s all about price,” explained Tagliapietra. During his presentation, he pointed out that both GEICO and Progressive have had rapid growth in market share over the last several years because both have focused on

ing action a number of ways to reduce costs. One of which is striving to reduce Loss Adjustment Expense (LAE). This is the amount that it costs an insurance company to adjust a claim. Tagliapietra said insurance companies are working to reduce their infrastructure by eliminating field and independent ap-

(l to r) Stacey Phillips and Pete Tagliapietra

praisers and relying on inside desk appraisers and third-party administrators, such as Snapsheet. They are also reducing management and administrative support and raising prices. In addition, he said companies are increasingly deploying what he referred to as the “self-service model.” This is when a vehicle owner takes photos of the damage, forwards them to the insurer through an app with the license plate and VIN number, the es-

“Over the next five years, you will see OEM certified repair networks have a big influence on how cars get repaired and where they get repaired.” — Pete Tagliapietra “price,” while other companies, such as Allstate, Farmers Insurance Group, State Farm and Travelers Insurance have typically sold “service” and as a result, lost market share. “While these companies focused on service over the years, they lost market share and GEICO and Progressive took it,” he explained. “This is relevant because as those companies shifted and they had their own claims processing models, the number of DRP shops in this country continued to shrink and will continue to shrink.” In response to changes in the industry and the diminishing number of DRPs, he said top insurers are tak62

timate is written and then sent to the repair shop of choice. “Five years ago, this model didn’t represent even 3 percent of the claims processed,” said Tagliapietra. “We now have companies that have reached over 30 percent of self-serve photo estimates sent in by the vehicle owner … and they love it.” Insurance companies are also embracing technology to analyze and audit claims. Tagliapietra highlighted several of these technologies in his presentation, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), image recognition, machine learning, predictive analytics and robotics automation.

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Options for Collision Repairers For many collision repair businesses, particularly those located in rural areas with one or two DRPs, the changes with DRP programs has caused a significant impact on their companies. Tagliapietra suggested several options independent repairers can consider incorporating into their businesses to meet these challenges. Currently, there are opportunities for collision facilities to seek DRP relationships with second-tier insurers, according to Tagliapietra. For the most part, these companies don’t have the same infrastructure challenges as the top 20 insurers. He suggested shops reach out to local companies and demonstrate they are willing to meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). “Learn more about the regional carriers in your local and state market area and how you want to promote business to them,” said Tagliapietra. “Then, call and find out who the local DRP coordinator is and let him

or her know how you can differentiate yourself in performance.” He stressed the importance of understanding that insurance companies are focused on cycle time, alternative parts, customer service and indemnity management. “If shops can promote and support those KPIs for insurance companies, they may be selected to participate in a DRP,” he added. Another option for shops, especially for those that aren’t part of a DRP, is registering and participating in a non-network services program such as Customer Shop of Choice and Open Shop, which send assignments to shops via the Internet. Ameriprise’s Shop of Choice Program is an example of online claims handling for nonDRP shops. Tagliapietra recommended getting aligned with one or two of the 18 OEM certified repair networks available based on the most popular vehicles in a shop’s geographic area. Although these programs are often costly, he said it’s worth considering. See The Future of DRP, Page 66

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autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

Sherwin-Williams Leads With Art at SEMA 2019 by Ed Attanasio

Major celebrity painters appeared at the Sherwin-Williams® Automotive Finishes booth at SEMA 2019 to display their artwork and meet fans from all over the world. More than 35 custom painted panels created by some of the industry’s most celebrated painters were on display, including Steve Gibson, Joe Martin, Ryan “Ryno” Templeton, Darren Wenzel, and many others. The panels were sold through a silent auction with all proceeds going to the Blazing Trails Scholarship Fund. This non-profit organization was established in a partnership between Larsen Motorsports with Sherwin-Williams to address the talent shortage facing the automotive industry, specifically collision repair. “We’re honored to be able to work with these painters throughout the year, and we’re even more honored to share some of their best work with the world on the industry’s biggest stage,” Vice President, Marketing, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Division Rob Mowson said. “We’re committed to providing industry-best automotive finishes, but we know that nothing happens

without the painter. The individuals we are spotlighting in our gallery are this generation’s absolute best, and with the proceeds from the auction, we are thrilled and honored to make an investment in the next generation as well.”

Sherwin-Williams celebrated the industry’s top artists by displaying 35 panels in its booth at SEMA 2019. Credit: Ed Attanasio

Sherwin-Williams paid much respect to the painters, refinishers, pinstripe artists and air brushers of the world at SEMA 2019. The company created a gallery-inspired space that included several impressive builds, as well as a showcase with cutting-edge new refinish systems and custom paint products. Attendees were able to find out more about Sherwin-Williams’s Ultra 9K™ Waterborne Basecoat Sys-

Final Day of SEMA Features Thought Leaders & Top Build Winner by Stacey Phillips

As the SEMA Show wraps up on Friday, Nov. 8, attendees had one last chance to view over one million square feet of automotive products and equipment in the SEMA Show Halls. Meanwhile, some special events were held throughout the day. The IDEAS Collide Showcase brought together thought leaders from inside and outside the collision repair industry to address innovative ideas to potentially resolve business challenges. The second annual event is part of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) Repairer Driven Education (RDE) Series. Mario Dimovski from Tradiebot Industries talked about augmented reality technology and how it might change the collision repair industry; Judy Folk from Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes presented about the benefits of a process-driven design; and Fred Iantorno of VeriFacts Automotive discussed collision shops in the connected age. Autobody News contributor John Yoswick will share a 64

detailed account of the presentations in an upcoming article for the magazine. Other training held during SEMA included classes by the InterIndustry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR). Some of the offerings included coordinating the repair process, the art and science of estimator interactions, and understanding cycle time. Those who completed an I-CAR course and successfully passed the post-test can earn credits toward the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designation or ICAR Platinum Individual designation. The day ended with SEMA’s popular Battle of the Builders competition where 12 top builders had the opportunity to judge all of the finalists’ vehicles and vote on their favorite. Then, more than 1,500 vehicles exited the Las Vegas Convention Center in a “parade” of unique and customized cars as part of the SEMA Cruise. The dates for the 2020 SEMA Show are scheduled for Nov. 3-6. More information about the SEMA show can be found online: https:/ /www.semashow.com/.

DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

tem, Ultra 7000®, DeBeer®, House of Kolor® and Matrix Edge™. Throw in a full schedule of celebrity appearances, a silent art auction, and other surprises, and you end up with a booth that was buzzing with activity during all four days of the show. Templeton appears at a lot of shows as a reality show star and renowned airbrush artist, but he never gets tired of it. “SEMA is the Super Bowl and everyone wants to be here,” he said. “Sherwin-Williams is a premier brand, so being associated with them in any way is outstanding. I love meeting people at this show, because many of them are very knowledgeable about the products and the process.” Featured vehicles by Jesse James’ Westcoast Choppers and Las Vegas’ Count’s Kustoms were unveiled during Sherwin-Williams’s press conference held on the first day of the show. In addition, Detroit’s TPN Color Lab showcased a stunning ‘67 Mustang Fastback finished in DeBeer’s BeroBase 500 Solvent System, to sit alongside a number of custom bikes built especially for the show. There was a 2016 Harley-Davidson Fatboy built by Adam Garley, Garley’s Garage (Haslet, Texas) and

painted by Jace Hudson, Fast Life Garage (Waxahachie, Texas) in Matrix Automotive Finishes; 2016 Custom Chopper built by Tim Smith, Denver’s Choppers (Reno, NV) and painted by Travis Hess, Bucky’s LTD Auto Body (Martinsburg, WV) in House of Kolor; 1976 HarleyDavidson Shovelhead built by Joe Marshall, Marshall Customs LLC (Purcellville, VA) and painted by Cory Mroz, Mr. OZ Designs (Lake Havasu City, AZ) in House of Kolor and 2017 Harley-Davidson Softail built and painted by Tim McNamer, Ballistic Cycles (Blue Mounts, WI) in House of Kolor. Celebrity appearances for the Sherwin-Williams booth included Ryan Evans, Lonny Speer and Mike Henry from Count’s Kustoms and TV’s Counting Cars; Amanda and Joe Martin from Martin Bros. and TV’s Iron Resurrection; Elaine Larsen, Jet Car Driver from Larsen Motorsports, James from West Coast Choppers, Justin Nichols and team from Nichols Paint & Fab and TV’s Wrench’d John D’Agostino, WorldRenowned Kustomizer, Jon Kosmoski, the founder of House of Kolor, and Templeton from Ryno Blasted.

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autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2019 AUTOBODY NEWS

SEMA Show Focuses on Advanced Vehicle Technology by Stacey Phillips

Day three of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 7, was filled with new product demonstrations, high-tech equipment and technology, and educational opportunities. One of the anticipated events for collision repairers during the show is the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, which is part of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) Repairer Driven Education (RDE) Series. During the three sessions held this year, attendees had the opportunity to hear innovators in automotive structural design and technology first-hand. The summit included information about preparing for emerging trends in automotive technology, a comprehensive discussion about accessibility to OEM procedures and technical support, and the importance of meeting the OEM’s expectations in welding. The presentations and panel discussions catered to those who realize the importance of embracing the necessary investments in equip-

ment and training to be successful in the future. An Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Forum also took place, highlighting some of the challenges associated with these technologies and potential resources and approaches required to develop solutions. In addition, a discussion was held on Computers, Cars and Cybersecurity, which focused on the direction of autonomous vehicles and potential security threats found by California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) students and security researchers. There were more than 100 automotive celebrity appearances throughout the day. From autograph sessions to product announcements, showgoers were able to meet stars such as Dave Ankin, CEO and star of the History Channel’s “ToyMakerz;” award-winning builder Charley Hutton at the PPG booth; and KC Mathieu of “Fast N’Loud” at the BASF booth. Check the Autobody News Facebook page for updates. More information about the SEMA show can be found online: https://www .semashow.com/.

information about the importance of participating in social media and digital marketing. Tagliapietra invited a media consultant, Stacey “OEMs are becoming increas- Phillips, to explain why it is relevant ingly concerned about protecting and how it can help grow a collision their brands,” said Tagliapietra. “Over repair business. Phillips shared some of the benthe next five years, you will see OEM certified repair networks have a big efits of digital marketing, in particular social media, with attendees. They included more accessibility to customers; the ability to interact with customers and find out what their needs are; and the opportunity to build relationships with insurance companies. She also said it can be very cost-effective for businesses and is measurable. “The bottom-line is that Pete Tagliapietra spoke on “The Future of DRP: Is There your competitors are online One?” during SEMA 2019 and it’s becoming vital to influence on how cars get repaired survival,” said Phillips. “As DRP programs continue to shrink, it’s and where they get repaired.” In addition, Tagliapietra men- important for businesses to look at tioned that shops can seek to be a new ways of marketing. This will preferred dealer repair service and/or not only help publicize their busia third-party administrator (TPA) nesses in their local market, but it will also help contribute to their funetwork shop. The presentation also included ture success moving forward.” Continued from Page 62

The Future of DRP

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