Southeastern February 2015 Issue

Southeastern Edition Florida Georgia Alabama Mississippi

Virginia Tennessee North Carolina South Carolina

33

YEARS

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Recent Transfer of Auto Body Lawsuits to Florida Causes Concern in Industry

by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

(MDL) filed by auto body shops against insurers in 2014.

There is a growing concern in the colSee Concern in Industry, Page 14 lision repair industry about two key lawsuits States Part of MDL or About to File recently transferred to the Middle District of Florida. Some reports have indicated that the lawsuits have been consolidated, but that’s not the case. Courts have ruled they will be included in the pretrial hearings of the antitrust Blue States: Already Filed Red States: About to File multidistrict litigation

Top 2015 Body Shop Resolutions Suggested by 3M™

Resolution #1 – Make more money in the paint booth!

The paint booth is frequently the leading culprit when it comes to waste in the body shop. From solvent waste, See Top 2015 Resolutions, Page 12

P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018

New Year is the Ideal Time to Implement New Solutions and Systems to Drive Your Shop Success Many New Year’s resolutions involve your health, like getting in shape, eating healthier or reducing the stress in your life. But are you making New Year’s resolutions that improve the health of your body SHOP? Changes in the tools, solutions and systems that you are using in your body shop can have a significant impact on your shop’s performance in the year ahead – from productivity to

margin improvement, KPI performance and the ability to repair the advanced materials found on today’s new vehicles.

Here are the top five resolutions you might want to consider as you plan for 2015, courtesy of 3M Automotive Aftermarket, which work with thousands of body shops across the country to help improve performance and profitability.

Change Service Requested

Improve Profitability, Increase Productivity, Reduce Rework and Get Ready for Advanced Materials

VOL. 5 ISSUE 12 FEBRUARY 2015

Southeast Automakers, Including VW, are Gearing Up for Record Sales, Overall Strong Sales Nationwide In all, about 16.5 million cars were sold in the U.S. in 2014, the industry’s best year since 2006, according to Cars.com.

The Southeast manufacturing sector is ramping up to meet demand, as evidenced by recent expansions expected to bring thousands of new jobs and billions of dollars in new investment—including a deal that will bring production of a new SUV to the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TN. The company said last year that it will invest $600M and expand its workforce by 2,000 in auto assembly and an additional 200 engineers for its new National Research and Development and Planning Center, the first for any automaker in the South.

Dealers are also upbeat about continued sales growth. Dino Velazquez, who owns four dealerships in Dothan, Alabama, including a brand new Volkswagen dealership, told local business reporter Carly Omenhiser that last year was his best

year ever for sales.

“The market went to nothing in ’09 during the bankruptcies of the automobile companies and the pent up demand has been tremendous,” Velazquez said. “People are having to buy because they’ve been putting it off longer than they normally would, so that’s why the pent up demand has made such a big difference in our production last year, and the year before.”

Velazquez said that demand is going to continue for the next several years as people get caught up before the market levels off.

Sujit CanagaRetna, with the Atlanta office of the Council of State Governments and a leading expert on the South's auto industry, told The Tennessean in a 2014 interview that “this region has become a real magnet, not only for new plants, but also for expansions,” he said. “BMW in South Carolina is another great example. They've been there 20 years and See VW in the Southeast, Page 20

Collision Repair Industry Associations Make Their 2015 New Year’s Resolutions

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

For most people, New Year’s Eve is a time to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the incoming year. Collision repair industry associations have also started preparing for next years by setting their sights on what they can do to improve the industry for their members. Several association leaders shared their New Year’s Resolutions for 2015 with Autobody News.

In 2015, Howard Batchelor, Executive Director of the Georgia Collision Industry Association (GCIA), hopes to “have a better working relationship with insurance companies. Insurers are in the business to sell policies and settle claims. They should

allow the collision center that has the training and OE recommended repairer processes to repair these vehicles in a proper manner since the repairer has their name on the repair and should not be interfered with in making repair decisions.”

For the Independent Damage Appraisers Association (IADA), “our New Year’s resolution is to try and increase membership, making sure we recruit and approve only the most experienced firms with advanced technical skills. We also plan to hold repair seminars to make sure our members are properly trained to identify and appraise damages to the everincreasing high tech vehicles. We have selected Charlotte, NC as the site See New Year’s Resolutions, Page 18

Presorted Standard US Postage PAID San Bernardino, CA Permit #2244

2 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Contents

COLUMNISTS Attanasio - Accident App is Pushing All the Right Buttons for Ohio Shop Owner . . . 32 Attanasio - Does Being a Green Shop Improve the Bottom Line? . . . . . . . . . . 26 Franklin - Re-Structuring For Renewal . . . 36 Yoswick - Retro News: CA’s BAR Talks About Fraud, ‘Internet Body Shopping’ in OH, DiLisio on Getting Involved, Edelen on Skills Erosion. . . . . . . . . . . . 30 NATIONAL 2015 Vehicle Lifting Points Guide Now Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 A Father’s Dying Wish Coming True: Manteno, IL, Auto Body Man Steps up to Save a ‘Cuda’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

commensurate with the amount of money that was unlawfully collected from Mercury policyholders.”

The commissioner’s decision comes after an exhaustive process that included a full evidentiary hearing conducted by an administrative law judge. The hearing included 15 days of testimony, extensive exhibits and legal briefs. The administrative law judge found that there were at least 180,000 transactions in which Mercury auto policyholders were charged fees that had not been approved. After all of the evidence and legal arguments were considered, the independent administrative law judge recommended the commissioner impose the $27.5 million fine on Mercury.

Brokers are allowed to charge fees. But in this case, those who were identified as brokers were actually functioning as agents, and therefore, their fees had to be filed as part of Mercury’s rate filing and approved by the commissioner, which Mercury failed to do.

Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Assistant Editor: Stacey Phillips Online Editor: Victoria Antonelli Contributing Writers: Tom Franklin, John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, David Brown, Rich Evans, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Sean Hartman, Bill Doyle, Norman Morano (800) 699-8251 Sales Assistant: Louise Tedesco Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia

Allan Vigil Ford-Lincoln . . . . . . . . . . 31 Arrigo Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram . . 6 Assured Performance . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Axalta Coating Services . . . . . . . . . . 2 BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 43 Car-Part.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 CarcoonAmerica Airflow Systems . 19 Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA). . . . . . . . . . . 33 CCC Information Services . . . . . . . . 7 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Coggin Deland Honda . . . . . . . . . . 38 Crown Automotive Group . . . . . . . . 21 Dent Magic Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 DJS Fabrications, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . 48 Don Reid Ford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Equalizer Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . . 12 Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers FL, VA, GA, AL, MS. . . . . . . . . . . 39 GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . 41 Gus Machado Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Hendrick Automotive Group . . . . . . 13 Hendrick BMW/MINI . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Hendrick Honda Bradenton . . . . . . 26 Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 24-25 Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers. . 42

Serving Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina 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. ©2015 Adamantine Media LLC.

Autobody News

Southeast

A Lean Process Helps Shops Become More Efficient and Profitable . . . . . . . . 22 Aluminum Repair Tips & Techniques in Preparation for Ford F-150 . . . . . . . . . . 42 As Red-Light Cameras are Discontinued Due to Lawsuits, Speed Cameras get Green Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 AudaExplore Technology Driving Performance in Collision Repair Shops . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Axalta Launches ‘Color Block’ Blog . . . . . 43 Car-O-Liner® Approved by Bentley Motors Aftersales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Chief University’s New Aluminum Damage Analysis and Repair Technology Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Collision Repair Industry Associations Make Their 2015 New Year’s Resolutions . . . . 1 Diminished Value of GA Expanding; Hiring Inspectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Ed Foundation Taking Grant Applications for Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 ETI Nominations for Board Members until January 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Fake Drivers’ License ‘Ringleader’ Sentenced to 6 Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Fix Auto to Hold Annual Conference Sept. 20–23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Ford Executive: Aluminum Mostly for Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Forward Lift Redesigns Website to Help Users Find Vehicle Lifts and Accessories. 46 From Grandma’s Vacuum to Serious Spray Finishing Technology: Turbospray HVLP . 28 Mercury Insurance Ordered by California’s Insurance Commissioner to Pay $27.5 Million Fine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 New Chief Holding Equipment Upgrades Existing Frame Racks to Allow Aluminum and HSS Repairs . . . . . . . . . 40 OSHA Tops 3000 Whistleblower Cases for First Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 RUPES Brings Collision Repair Tools to U.S. Through Acquisition of Cyclo Toolmakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 State of the Art Collision Repair Community College Opens in NC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Thieves Go On Crime Spree in NC, Steal Car from Body Shop to Ram ATM . . . . 16 TN Students Refurbish 1967 Chevy for World of Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Top 2015 Body Shop Resolutions Suggested by 3M™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Top Honors from IIHS Have Nearly Doubled Since 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Usage of Abrasives in the Auto Industry Has Shifted to Suppliers. . . . . . . . . . . . 40 VeriFacts Celebrates 3 Million Coaching Observation Milestone . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Volkswagen to Add 100 Dealerships by 2018, 650 Current Dealerships are Fewest of Major Brands . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones ordered Mercury Insurance to pay a fine of $27,593,562 million because the company’s auto insurance consumers were charged unapproved “broker fees.” Mercury did not obtain the commissioner’s approval for the “broker fees” and so consumers paid more than the approved rates. Proposition 103, passed by the voters in 1988, prevents auto insurers from charging excessive rates and requires that rates be approved by the commissioner.

Despite being advised against doing so by the Department of Insurance, from 1999 through 2004, Mercury’s insurance agents charged and collected these unapproved fees on more than 180,000 transactions, improperly collecting $27,593,562 million from consumers.

“Mercury auto insurance consumers paid $27.5 million in unapproved fees,” said Commissioner Jones. “While the $27.5 million fine against Mercury is significant, it is

Indexof Advertisers

REGIONAL AeroColours Purchases Land in York, VA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Alabama Company Introduces New Nitrogen Plastic Welder for Collision Repair Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Boyd Group Acquires Craftmaster in FL . . 10 Caliber Collision Expands into Virginia and Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Century Automotive to Break Ground on BMW Facility in AL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Fire in Bessemer, AL, Leaves Body Shop a Total Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 FL Shop Gives Car to Mother of 3 . . . . . . 16 GCIA Met on DEG; Plans Golf Tournament October 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Jim Ellis Automotive Group Celebrates Grand Opening of Audi Atlanta . . . . . . . 10 Maaco President Goes “Under the Hood” to Inspect His Business on Award-Winning Reality Series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Mercedes to Move U.S. Headquarters From New Jersey to Georgia . . . . . . . . 20 Recent Transfer of Auto Body Lawsuits to Florida Causes Concern in Industry . . . . 1 Residents Support Ft. Lauderdale’s Sal’s Towing but City Chooses Westway Instead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Response Time Questioned in FL Main Break That Sunk Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Service King Acquires Jack’s Collision Center in FL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Southeast Automakers, Including VW, are Gearing Up for Record Sales, Overall Strong Sales Nationwide . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Studies Reveal Most Crash-Prone Intersections in Tampa, FL . . . . . . . . . . 20 Studies Show Florida Has the Most Vehicle Drownings in United States . . . . . . . . . . 6 Warehouse Used Improperly for Auto Body Work in AL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Woman Says Tampa Repair Shop has Kept Her Car for Past Year . . . . . . . . . . 19

Mercury Insurance Ordered by California’s Insurance Commissioner to Pay $27.5 Million Fine

Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018; (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com Email: news@autobodynews.com

Jon Hall Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Kernersville Chrysler-DodgeJeep-Ram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers. 37 Lexus Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 45 Martech Services Company . . . . . . 16 Mercedes-Benz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Mercedes-Benz Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 43 Mitsubishi Wholesale Parts Dealers . 44 MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 29 Nalley BMW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Performance Automall . . . . . . . . . . 27 Porsche Wholesale Parts Dealers . 45 Priority Honda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Radley Chevrolet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Replica Plastics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Rick Hendrick Dodge-ChryslerJeep-Ram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 SATA Spray Equipment . . . . . . . . . . 5 Stateline Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram . 8 Subaru of Gwinnett . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 35 Tameron Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Valspar Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 3

Alabama Company Introduces New Nitrogen Plastic Welder for Collision Repair Industry

by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

With 98 percent of vehicle bumpers now being made out of polypropylene, Urethane Supply Company recently launched its fourth generation 6059-C Nitro Fuzer nitrogen plastic welder to ease the repair of this “problem plastic.” One of the welder’s primary new features is the automatic switch between air and nitrogen.

“When the torch 60-59 C Nitro Fuzer is picked up for nitrogen plastic welding, it autowelder matically switches to nitrogen. This reduces the technician’s workload and saves nitrogen gas,” said Kurt Lammon, President of Urethane Supply Company. “The updated Nitro Fuzer is a vast improvement over the original. Many improvements, based on customer feedback, make this an easierto-use, more durable Nitrogen Plastic Welder.”

Lammon said the 6059-C Nitro Fuzer features a simple, all-analog interface including outlet pressure gauges,

flow gauge and temperature control.

The welder also has a 200W ceramic airless heating element for smoothing the weld and for repairing the “yellow plastic” (thermoset polyurethane).

“Welding with nitrogen gas creates the strongest welds possible because it eliminates oxidation of the plastic during the welding process,” said Lammon.

“The Nitro Fuzer has everything a body shop needs to make very strong repairs to bumpers, headlights, underhood and interior plastics.”

Based in Rainsville, Alabama, Urethane Supply Company develops, manufactures and distributes products related to the repair of urethane bumper covers. The company’s founder, Jim Sparks, recognized an increased demand for products to repair and refinish urethane bumpers in the 1980s, which were becoming more common at the time. In response, he opened Urethane Supply Company in 1981.

In May of 1995, Sparks retired and sold the business to the Lammon family. Soon after, they purchased a plastic extruder to help control the quality of their plastic welding rod and introduced the Uni-Weld Ribbon as an attempt to create a “universal” welding rod. Based on feedback from customers, they later replaced it with FiberFlex. “We modi-

Diminished Value of GA Expanding; Hiring Inspectors

Diminished Value of Georgia (DVGA), currently located in Atlanta, is now hiring field inspectors to help expand its operations throughout the state.

DVGA is an independent car appraisal company specializing in loss-in-value claims. DVGA’s clients range from individuals seeking appraisals for their personal vehicles to attorneys and insurance carriers.

“We’re on track to do 4,500 Diminished Value appraisals this calendar year” said Tony Rached, owner and senior appraiser. “We need quality inspectors to help with our expansion.”

Responsibilities include: inspecting customer vehicles after body shop repairs and confirming the quality of repair; communicating with clients and collecting documentation; photographing vehicles and analyzing repair estimates.

Applicants are required to have automotive experience in sales and/or repair. They should work well independently and meet deadlines consistently. Applicants should note that this position will not always have regular hours. Applicants must posses a clean driving record, pass a background check, and be able to legally work in the US.

As compensation, field inspectors will receive a flat fee per inspection and are reimbursed for expenses.

Territories and Positions: ● Atlanta, GA Diminished Value Inspector ● Atlanta, GA Total Loss Inspector ● Augusta, GA Diminished Value Inspector ● Brunswick, GA Diminished Value Inspector ● Columbus, GA Diminished Value Inspector ● Gainesville, GA Diminished Value Inspector ● Macon, GA Diminished Value Inspector ● Rome, GA Diminished Value Inspector ● Savannah, GA Diminished Value Inspector ● Valdosta, GA Diminished Value Inspector

To be considered for the field inspector position, apply online: http://diminishedvalueofgeorgia.com /diminished-value-of-georgia-nowhiring-field-inspectors/.

www.autobodynews.com

4 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

fied the formulation to make a stronger, stickier rod and renamed it ‘FiberFlex.’

It will even stick to a body spreader,” said Lammon.

The company created a comic character in 2007 called “Sticky Man” to help promote their Bumper and Cladding Coat line of products. Sticky Man has become the mascot for Urethane Supply’s plastic repair products and has been featured in its humorous advertisements ever since.

Over the past decade, the company has developed products such as PlastiFix rigid plastic repair kit, Flextex VT variable texture spray, and the 6070 Bumper Mate plastic repair workstation.

Urethane Supply Company developed its first Nitrogen Welding System in 2008, the Dual Fuzer, which was marketed to bumper recyclers. “We didn’t think body shops would be interested because it was not portable,” said Lammon. “We learned a lot from this one.

This is the one that started it all.” Three years later, they launched the 6056 Nitrogen Welding System, which was a “plug and play” version of the original machine. “Previously, the Dual Fuzer required that you purchase many different items to have a complete system.”

Due to the growth of their business, they added a 12,000 square foot

warehouse in 2013 to devote more manufacturing floor space to the nitrogen welders. That same year they found that their original plastic extruder wasn’t able to keep up with the demand of their plastic welding rod so they purchased one with a higher output. Lammon said Urethane Supply Company now manufactures the widest variety of plastic profiles for automotive repair in the world and exports its products to Europe and Asia.

“In the future, Urethane Supply Company plans to continue its exclusive focus on the collision repair market’s needs for plastic repair and refinishing products,” said Lammon. “In 2015, we plan to release several I-CAR Training Alliance courses in plastic repair to address the market’s need for this training.

We also have several new products in the works to make it easier and more profitable for shops to perform plastic repairs, because we know that shops are looking for every opportunity to keep labor dollars in-house.”

Read more about this new product at www.urethanesupply.com/Nitrogen-Welders-1/6059-C/

www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 5

Chief University’s New Aluminum Damage Analysis and Repair Technology Course

Chief University, the training arm of Chief Automotive Technologies and Elektron, introduced Aluminum Damage Analysis and Repair Technology.

This one-day class covers aluminum forming methods and metal characteristics, as well as damage analysis, repair decisions and techniques for working with vehicle components made of aluminum. It is designed specifically for insurance professionals and technicians who want to broaden their understanding of vehicles made with aluminum, and techniques for repairing these vehicles. A two-day aluminum welding course is in development.

“At Chief University, we are continuously updating our course offerings to help collision repair technicians and insurance professionals keep up with the vehicle structural changes that are

taking place at an increasingly rapid rate,” says Ken Boylan, global training manager. “With the launch of the aluminum-intensive Ford F-150 pickup truck and announcements from other OEMs that they will be using more aluminum in their new vehicles, it is important that industry professionals understand how to properly analyze and repair vehicles that include aluminum components.”

The fee for Chief University’s Aluminum Damage Analysis and Repair Technology course is $325, which includes a workbook and certificate of completion. The class is led by Chief University instructors, and includes both classroom and hands-training.

The course will be offered regularly across the United States in 2015.

Classes currently scheduled for the first half of 2015 are listed below.

Date Location Feb. 20 Charlottesville, VA April 16 Greenville, SC April 17 Greenville, SC April 24 Mesa, AZ May 14 Birmingham, AL May 15 Birmingham, AL May 21 Irvine, CA June 19 Mountlake Terrace, WA Chief University offers courses for

Studies Show Florida Has the Most Vehicle Drownings in United States

A news report stating that Florida has more motor vehicle drowning than any other state reinforces the fact that car accidents in the Sunshine State can have grave consequences, West Palm Beach car accident lawyer David J. Glatthorn of David Glatthorn Law said on December 30.

“Everyone knows that car accidents can result in serious injuries and fatalities, but it might come as a surprise to many Floridians that they run the risk of drowning in a car crash,” said Glatthorn, a lawyer with 34 years’ experience.

Reporters reviewed federal crash data from 2008 to 2012, which showed 49 people drowned inside their vehicles in Florida during that time period. By comparison, Texas reported 18 drownings and Indiana reported 14 during the same time period.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study in 2011 found an even higher number of drownings. There were an average of 57 deaths each year between 2004 and 2007, according to the NHTSA. The article stated that

the federal study reported higher numbers because researchers uncovered many vehicle drownings that law enforcement agencies had not recorded as drownings, among other factors.

The Tribune News Service found that the most drownings occur in South Florida. The NHTSA’s report finds that drownings in vehicles account for 2.1 percent of all Florida car crash fatalities, which is twice the national average.

An official with the Florida Department of Transportation in Tallahassee told reporters that car drowings occur so frequently because there are more miles of roads with water frontage than other state.

“As an attorney who has represented victims of car accidents and families who have lost loved ones, I am very familiar with the devastating impact of traffic accidents. That’s why I strongly encourage people to develop and maintain safe driving habits,” Glatthorn said. “Drowning is another potentially grave consequence of a car wreck in South Florida.”

6 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

collision repair technicians, estimators and insurance appraisers. Most are approved for I-CAR credit hours through the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance®

University courses across North America over the last three decades.

For more information about Chief University, including a schedule of up-

program. Chief training also has been certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for compliance with the Continuing Automotive Service Education (CASE) Standards.

More than 25,000 technicians and 15,000 estimators have attended Chief

coming classes, visit www.chiefautomotive.com/Chief-University/ or call (800) 445-9262.

Chief is active on Twitter, twitter.com/ChiefAutomotive, Facebook, www.facebook.com/ChiefAutomotive and YouTube www.youtube.com/Chief Automotive.

www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 7

State of the Art Collision Repair Community College Opens in NC On Feb. 4, top executives from the collision repair, tool and equipment manufacturing and auto insurance industries will gather to celebrate the opening of Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) in North Carolina. This community college strives to bring collision repair in line with manufacturing that increasingly relies on aluminum, high-strength steel, composites, carbon fiber and advanced computer engineering.

Over the next several years, it is estimated that up to 180,000 collision repair jobs will be available nationwide. The two-year curriculum gears graduates with technical training in non-structural cosmetic repairs, aluminum and steel welding, state-ofthe-art refinish procedures, and a new focus on body shop and insurance operations.

While tuition is $5,500, every graduate leaves the program with $10,000 worth of training and certification, plus guaranteed employment. Wages for graduates typically start at $40,000 and with several years’ experience can quickly grow to a six-figure salary.

FTCC is also an educational partner with Fort Bragg and its 60,000 base personnel. This program is pro-

viding an important avenue for troops transitioning from active duty to civilian careers. Sixty percent of currently enrolled students are veterans or members of the National Guard.

New semesters begin and end every eight weeks, offering a flexible course schedule for nontraditional students.

The curriculum is driven by ICAR (the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair and recognized leader in collision repair training), with support from major manufacturers and tool and equipment companies (PPG, 3M, ProSpot, LKQ, Car-o-Liner, to name a few); collision repair chains (Gerber, Caliber, ABRA and Van Tuyl Group), and insurance companies (Nationwide, Allstate, GEICO and State Farm).

National executives from all partners will be present at the Grand Opening on February 4, for a first look at the 25,000 square collision center.

Grand opening demonstrations will include: ● New F-150 in aluminum room with an immersion separator wet vacuum with water filtration system for explosive metals. ● BMW i3 or Corvette Z06 representing carbon fiber

● Honda/Acura uniside for a demo of MIG brazing, new for the repair of modern boron steel automotive panels ● Unitized structure (all sheet metal removed) on frame machine for measuring and presentation regarding squeeze-type resistance spot welding ● Vehicle set up on the Car-O-Liner Jig system, to demonstrate the stateof-the-art measuring system ● Paint spray booths (with water for demo) demonstrating latest waterborne refinish techniques and equipment ● Tablet estimating/manufacturer procedures ● Astech Scan tool to demonstrate the multiple on-board computer modules that control specific systems. ● Vacuum sanding demonstration ● Sun Gun paint matching demo to show color corrective paint match and mixing system.

To attend the Grand Opening, reply to margeeherring@gmail.com or call 910-233-2466.

www.autobodynews.com C

8 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Century Automotive to Break Ground on BMW Facility in AL

Century Automotive Group is preparing to break ground late summer on a new 40,000-square-foot ground-up BMW facility on 5.5 acres west of the dealership’s existing site where the old Holiday Inn Express was located in AL. It’s a big step for the luxury automotive company, which was named the Alabama Retail Association’s 2014 Gold Retailer of the Year in the annual sales of more than $20 million category.

Century Automotive President Tracy Jones said the new facility, with 33 state-of-the-art service bays will nearly double her company’s footprint, which currently has six luxury car franchises on 7.43 acres of land on University Drive in Huntsville.

“It made business sense for us because we like that location,” said Jones, who hopes to help revitalize that area of Huntsville. “From a business standpoint, we’re between Hampton Cove, South Huntsville and Madison.”

On target for a late summer 2016 opening, the BMW facility will be outfitted with modern furniture, digital signage, graphics and a contemporary layout.

Residents Support Ft. Lauderdale’s Sal’s Towing but City Chooses Westway Instead

by Michael d’Oliveira southfloridagaynews.com

Despite calls from residents and business owners to keep Sal’s Towing, commissioners voted 3-2 on Dec. 9 to hire Westway Towing to provide towing services for Fort Lauderdale.

Nick Berry, co-owner of Courtyard Café and Rumors, said it’s unusual “to have a whole community in favor of any towing company.”

Earlier in the year, the city advertised a bid for towing services. Westway and Sal’s were the two highest ranked firms with Westway chosen as the top respondent. Westway was chosen by a committee based on experience and qualifications, project approach and franchise fees. The committee consisted of David Archacki, emergency management/utilities director; Commander Gary Blocker, Wilton Manors Police Department, and Jim Kirchoff, Wilton Manors Police Department administrative manager.

Westway agreed to pay the city $30,500 a year for three years, $18,000 more than the current franchise fee offered by Sal’s.

Commissioner Tom Green criticized the city for picking Westway over an established and popular com-

munity partner, because “there’s more money in it.”

Residents expressed concern over previous complaints filed against Westway and the distance from the city to the company’s tow yard in Lauderdale Lakes—4.9 miles. The distance to Sal’s Towing in Oakland Park is 1.8 miles. “The distance alone would be reason enough to keep [Sal’s],” said Kip Wargo, owner of the Manor Inn. According to the Better Business Bureau’s website, Westway had 17 complaints filed in the last three years.

Sal’s had one. Craig Goldstein, owner of Westway, said the number of complaints were small compared to the 40,000 tows he does annually.

Those who spoke also repeatedly commended Sal’s community involvement in Wilton Manors and Oakland Park. In addition to sponsoring local events, Sal’s offers “Save A Life.” For no charge, inebriated drivers can call Sal’s and have their vehicle towed home anywhere in the county. Commissioner Julie Carson said the “Save A Life Program” is important to the city, with its large number of bars, but ultimately voted in favor of the recommendation because she trusts the judgment of the selection committee. “We

weighed all of the information and, while I really wanted Sal’s, the procurement committee selected Westway,” Carson said. “It was a vote on the process. I’m not comfortable usurping the process.”

Commissioner Justin Flippen acknowledged Sal’s service to the community but said he saw no reason to go against the staff recommendation to hire Westway. “[Sal’s contributions are] not the question before this commission,” he said.

Resident Kate Donohue said Sal’s was a “loyal friend” and “valuable asset” to the city and called for Mayor Gary Resnick to recuse himself from the vote because of a campaign donation he received from Westway. “I also received a campaign donation from Sal’s,” responded Resnick.

According to campaign reports from the November election, Resnick received $750 from Sal’s and $500 from Westway. He also received $500 from Broward Collision, an auto body repair shop located next to Westway that was previously owned by Goldstein, and $500 from Goldstein’s wife, Gina. The donation by Broward Collision to Resnick was made two months after Goldstein sold the business.

Vice Mayor Scott Newton, who voted against giving the contract to Westway, received a $500 contribution from Sal’s. He said he treats all parties equally, no matter who gives to his campaign. “It doesn’t get my vote by any means.”

All campaign donations to Resnick and Newton, by Sal’s and Westway, were made before the selection committee made its recommendation on Sept. 9.

Newton also called for the city to throw out the responses from Sal’s and Westway and start the process over because of a mistake. “Whoever made the bid had no idea what they were doing,” Newton said. The mistake entailed the city required bidders to have an immobilization license; something the county does not require for tow truck companies to operate.

Resnick said the mistake was not big enough to warrant a new process.

“It’s not a flaw, it’s a technical defect.

To some extent, it didn’t matter.”

Although unhappy with the decision, Newton said he will be satisfied with Westway and support them if they do a good job. “If they don’t I’ll be on them like stink on you know what.”

We thank southfloridagaynews.com for permission to reprint their article.

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Caliber Collision Expands into Virginia and Maryland Caliber Collision announced on Dec. 18 that they have entered into a definitive agreement with Craftsman Auto Body and Pohanka Collision Centers to form a strategic alliance with the two companies as Caliber continues to expand its eastern U.S. footprint.

Caliber currently operates 207 collision centers in nine states. Craftsman, a third generation, family-owned business, has 13 locations throughout Virginia. Pohanka, also family-owned, was founded in 1919, and has locations across Northern Virginia and Maryland including its recently opened 12th location in Stafford, Virginia.

Both Craftsman and Pohanka have worked cooperatively on various strategic initiatives for the past nine years.

“This transaction represents an important strategic opportunity that provides us a solid platform in Virginia and Maryland with two highquality, industry-leading teams,” said Steve Grimshaw, Caliber Collision Chief Executive Officer. “Like many others in the industry, we have admired Craftsman and Pohanka for many years. We are honored that they have agreed to partner with us as we work together to restore Virginia and

Maryland customers to the rhythm of their lives.”

“Our team is excited to be joining forces with Caliber Collision,” said Craftsman Auto Body CEO, Paul Krauss. “Caliber has done an exceptional job of building a solid reputation for delivering customer choice combined with industry-leading metrics. Just as important to us is the fact that they have a culture that is compatible with the values and standards that are the backbone of our business.”

Chris Pohanka, Owner/Vice President of Operations of Pohanka Collision Centers added, “We are thrilled to continue to work with Craftsman as we join together to help Caliber grow its network across the country. This is a great opportunity for all of us.”

“Our partnership with Craftsman Auto Body and Pohanka Collision Centers will increase Caliber’s network to 232 locations as we continue to grow into the collision repair provider of choice in every community we serve,” added Mark Sanders, Caliber Collision Centers’ President and Chief Operating Officer.

The transaction was expected to close December 31, 2014.

Boyd Group Acquires Craftmaster in FL

The Boyd Group, North America's largest multi-shop operator of collision repair centres in terms of number of locations, has added six new locations in Florida through the acquisition of a full-service auto collision repair service provider in the Melbourne area.

Boyd Group Income Fund announced on January 5 a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boyd Group (U.S.) Inc., acquired the assets of Craftmaster Auto Body Group, Inc. effective January 2. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to the Fund’s earnings and cash flow. Craftmaster was established in 1981 and generated sales of approximately $13.6 million for the trailing 12 months ended August 2014.

With the acquisition of the six Craftmaster shops, Boyd’s Florida operations have grown to 50 locations, and all will operate under the trade name of Gerber Collision & Glass once Craftmaster has been rebranded.

In total, Boyd will operate 323 collision repair locations across 17 states and five provinces.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Boyd, and for all collision repair customers in eastern Florida,” said Brock Bulbuck, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Boyd Group.

“Because of our scale, we can assure customers of the best possible service and the highest quality of repairs using the latest innovations in processes and technology. We know the people at Craftmaster aspire to those same goals, and we're thrilled to have them join our team.”

He added that the transaction reflects Boyd’s ongoing commitment to continuing its prudent expansion program, including the acquisition of multi-shop operations that are accretive to the business. “This is our expectation with Craftmaster through its multiple locations and track record of high-quality work.”

“Our locations are very proud to be joining the Boyd team,” said Craftmaster’s President Mark Klenck.

“This will allow them to better serve customers into the future by being part of a much larger team with locations across much of the country.”

The total purchase price consideration of approximately $7.4 million, subject to post closing adjustments, will be funded through a combination of seller financing and cash. This purchase price reflects a valuation multiple that is within the range of other recent multi-location acquisitions completed by Boyd.

10 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Jim Ellis Automotive Group Celebrates Grand Opening of Audi Atlanta

Jim Ellis Automotive Group celebrated the grand opening of Audi Atlanta with the store’s new location on Peachtree Boulevard in Atlanta, just a few doors south of their previous location.

A Grand Opening Celebration was held on December 9, following the actual opening of the store on November 3.

The new Audi Atlanta store is over 70,000 sq. feet, one of the largest Audi dealerships. The interior of the new Audi Atlanta building includes an in-house dining experience at the quattro café. The café serves Starbucks coffee, sandwiches and items hot off the grill.

In addition to the café, other amenities of the store include a family-friendly children’s play area, a four-lane indoor service drive, a giant video wall, a Customer Design Center, an indoor delivery center and a 14-car showroom.

The new Audi Atlanta also has the largest loaner fleet in the United States and the largest inventory of Audis in the State of Georgia.

“Jim Ellis has nearly a 35-year history with the Audi brand,” said

Audi Atlanta General Manager Tracie Maloney. “We are so thrilled with our new state-of-the-art facility and all the amenities that it offers, making the dealership appeal and experience match the high quality of the Audi brand. With our new facility we are now poised and ready to take it to the next level!”

Since opening Jim Ellis Audi Atlanta in 1983, the dealership received many achievements. Audi Atlanta is the number one Certified Pre-Owned Audi dealer in the United States and an Audi Magna Award Winner for nine consecutive years.

In addition to the accolades earned, Audi Atlanta has over 100 years of combined management experience within the current Audi Atlanta management team.

Jim Ellis Automotive was founded in 1971 with its first dealership: Volkswagen in Atlanta. That was just the start of many more brands and dealerships added over the past 43 years.

www.autobodynews.com CHECK IT OUT!

www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 11

Continued from Cover

Top 2015 Resolutions

paint waste and wasted time for cleaning and maintenance, it adds up quickly. But one simple change in the paint booth can contribute nearly $25,000 to the bottom line annually.

The family of 3M™ Accuspray™ System HVLP spray guns with replaceable atomizing heads and 3M™ PPS™ technology delivers premium performance at a fraction of the cost and effort, with improved productivity, reduced solvent use and minimized clean-up time. The system can provide excellent atomization, resulting in high transfer efficiency and a large, usable spray pattern with low overspray.

The 3M PPS technology with disposable lids, cups and liners deliver solvent reductions of up to 70 percent, which at $400 per 55 gallon barrel per week, translates to $14,560 in savings annually. And, by using the system to mix and filter internally, it reduces paint waste by one ounce per mix, adding thousands more to the bottom line. The system offers full diameter filters for improved fluid flow and, with five sizes to choose from, the right size cup for every application.

The 3M Accuspray spray guns, including HG18 for primer and HG14 for sealer and paint applications, provides painters premium performance on demand and reduces cleaning and maintenance needs.

Resolution #2 – Finally….A Solution for Texture Matching For automotive professionals, matching textures on rocker panels has always been a challenge. And the current technology for applying these textured coatings and undercoatings means painters not only struggle with coating thickness and overspray, but also product waste and cleanup.

The 3M Body Protection System is reinventing how repair technicians spray textured finishes found on today’s vehicles for rock protection and sound deadening. It leverages the 3M Accuspray spray gun to give painters the accuracy and control to match OEM textured finishes with fine, medium, coarse or splattered patterns.

The 3M Body Protection System gives automotive professionals a powerful tool for productivity, including: ● Ability to adjust pressures and spray pattern, allowing for a better

match to OEM textures. ● Ability to cut in half the application time of textured finishes to rocker panels, wheel wells and undercarriages in many cases. ● The pressurized version of the 3M Accuspray spray gun allows the product to be sprayed at any angle, making it easier to reach lower rocker sections and inside wheel wheels. ● The painter can easily adjust the spray pattern to reduce overspray and masking. ● Painters can easily achieve a perfect texture match, enabling improved repair quality and higher CSI scores.

Resolution #3 – Make tough jobs more efficient with the right tools The right tools from 3M can make tough jobs faster and more efficient.

Designed for ergonomic comfort, durability and performance, 3M has the right tool for the job from start to finish, including the: ► 3M™ File Belt tool is designed for heavy metalworking in tight areas and is ideal for aluminum repair. ► 3M™ Random Orbital Sander with self-generated vacuum is designed for cleaner workspaces at a lower investment. ► 3M™ Cut-Off Wheel tool for panel cutting and sectioning. ► 3M™ Disc Sander for weld grinding and paint removal.

The right tool needs the right abrasive, and for the best performance that means the 3M™ Cubitron™ II line of abrasive products for heavy metalworking. These cutting and grinding products deliver outstanding performance, speed, consistency and disc life for automotive body technicians. Compared to traditional abrasives, the 3M Cubitron II products cut through paint, welds and metals twice as fast, with double the life span. The offering includes: ● 3M™ Cubitron™ II Fibre Roloc™ Discs designed for weld grinding and paint removal ● 3M™ Cubitron™ II Abrasive Fibre Discs for door skin removal, paint stripping and weld grinding ● 3M™ Cubitron™ II Cut-Off Wheel for panel cutting and sectioning jobs ● 3M™ Cubitron™ II File Belt for spot weld removal and MIG weld finishing ● 3M™ Cubitron™ II Clean Sanding Hookit™ Discs designed for faster cutting for paint removal, the early

12 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

sanding stage in small or large area body repairs, body filler rough shaping and feather edging

Resolution #4 – Cut the leading reason for comebacks – swirl marks in paint finishes When it comes to paint refinishing, compounding is the most debated step in the process. For paint professionals, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division offers two excellent systems – one with a compounding step and one without. Are you using the right process for your paint finishing jobs to deliver the best finish and eliminate swirl marks? It all depends on the size of the job.

For small to medium-sized areas like a door panel or fender, 3M recommends using the 3M™ Trizact™ 5000 and 3M™ Perfect-It™ 1 solution. This allows the paint professional to spend more time sanding with a DA and less time buffing with a heavy buffer. This system doesn’t have a compounding step, so it eliminates the time and cleanup for compounding and allows the painter to complete the job more quickly.

But for large areas or dark-colored vehicles, 3M recommends its 3M Per-

fect-It Large Area Paint Finishing System and a traditional refinishing method. Technicians can achieve a perfect finish with the 3M Perfect-It large area paint finishing system featuring the 3M Perfect-It EX rubbing compound, which provides faster cutting, longer working time with less sling, ease of handling and easy clean-up.

3M offers standard operating procedures for both processes online at http://3mcollision.com/library/sops.

Resolution #5 – Get Ready to Repair Advanced Materials Preparing for aluminum and advanced materials is a big challenge. 3M has been working with OEMs for several years to validate the tools, products and processes for aluminum repair.

Now, shops can implement 3M’s proven portfolio of products, tools, SOPS and materials to expertly repair aluminum-body vehicles.

Key to aluminum repair is a dedicated clean room with separate tools for welding, bonding, riveting, sanding, grinding and structural procedures on aluminum components. Separate safety equipment is also important, as technicians will need dedicated respiSee Top 2015 Resolutions, Page 15

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Continued from Cover

Concern in Industry

After several reports published over the past year, Autobody News has found that shops across the country are paying close attention to the court’s developments to determine whether the decision will help or hinder the MDL case.

More than 500 auto body shops in 33 states are now part of the MDL against the nation’s top insurers. When Autobody News went to press last month, lead attorney John Eaves Jr. of Eaves Law Firm in Mississippi reported that lawsuits have already been filed by auto body shops in 17 states and 16 more were in the process of being filed. (See map on cover.)

These shops claim that more than 35 auto insurers have suppressed reimbursement rates to collision repair shops and direct repair programs violate antitrust laws. The first five antitrust actions were filed by shops in Florida, Mississippi, Indiana, Utah and Tennessee the beginning of 2014.

In April of 2014, a RICO class action lawsuit was filed in Illinois by Crawford’s Auto Center on behalf of

collision repair facilities nationwide with similar issues. It involves major auto insurance companies and the industry’s three data providers: CCC, Mitchell and Audatex. At the time, Crawford’s did not support the case being consolidated with the MDL. However in December, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation decided to transfer the case.

According to court documents, “…transfer is warranted for the reasons set out in our order directing centralization. In that order, we held that the Middle District of Florida was an appropriate… forum for actions stemming from an alleged industry-wide conspiracy to suppress the reimbursement rates applicable to automobile collision repair shops, including complex issues concerning the role of ‘direct repair programs’ in furtherance of the alleged scheme.”

Eaves said when the class action lawsuit was first transferred to Florida there was some concern that it might prolong the multidistrict litigation.

“We’ve been assured that the court will put down a different time track so our concerns are greatly relieved about the class action,” he said. Although the same court will be handling the case,

Eaves predicts it will take longer than the MDL. “We think this is different.

It includes not only insurance companies but also includes the data base providers and the MDL does not,” he said.

The other notable case transferred to the Middle District of Florida in December was State of Louisiana v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance.

Filed by Louisiana Attorney General James D. “Buddy” Caldwell against State Farm in August 2014, it alleges monopolization and deceptive trade practices by the insurance company.

Dick Luedke, spokesperson for State Farm, said, “State Farm requested that the lawsuit filed by the attorney-general (AG) in Louisiana be transferred to the multi-district litigation in Florida and so we are pleased the MDL panel has done that in spite of objections from the AG’s office in Louisiana. The Louisiana AG’s allegations do not describe the way State Farm does business as we fulfill our mission to serve the needs of our customers in keeping with our long, proud history of achievements in advancing vehicle safety.”

James Burns, co-leader of the antitrust practice at Dickinson Wright

PLLC, said the LA case is somewhat different than the previously transferred cases. “First, unlike the other previously transferred cases, the Louisiana case was originally filed in state court, and subsequently transferred to federal court,” said Burns, whose practice focuses on the application of the antitrust laws to the insurance industry, but is currently not involved in the MDL proceeding. “In addition, Louisiana contended that its case, which it characterized as an ‘enforcement action,’ was materially different in character than the private party actions currently before the transferee court, and thus the Louisiana case should not be transferred for this reason.”

That contention, however, was rejected by the Panel, Burns noted, which stated that it “often has transferred state enforcement actions to MDLs that involved cases brought by private litigants.”

“The issue of transfer to the MDL is really a secondary issue for our case,” said Stacie deBlieux, Louisiana’s Assistant Attorney General. “The primary issue is whether federal jurisdiction can be exercised over our case at all, which was filed in state court in Louisiana. We have filed a motion detailing the lack of federal jurisdiction over our claims.

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Once that motion is heard by the MDL court, our case should be remanded back to state court in Louisiana.”

Eaves said the attorney general’s action has a good chance of being returned to Louisiana. “It’s a fundamentally different case,” he said. “That case is representing the people of Louisiana and representing the consumers where our interest is the body shops who serve the consumers. As far as the perspective and the evidence, the attorney general of Louisiana will be focused on the consumer protection laws of Louisiana.”

He explained that the case is focused on antitrust issues and basic contract law in the United States. “The end result to the consumer is the same but it’s a different set of laws,” he said. “It will be interesting to see if the court actually keeps the case. I think there is a high probability that the court will return it to Louisiana.”

Presiding Judge Gregory Presnell will ultimately decide if the cases should be remanded to state court.

The MDL has a standing court date the first Friday of every month.

“I think the most exciting thing that we’re working on right now is we’re asking the court for an injunction to

stop them from the retaliatory practices against body shops, which is all forms of steering,” said Eaves. “We’re articulating about 24 tactics that the insurance companies use on a regular basis to get customers to go to shops that are willing to cut corners.” This includes representing evidence to the court gathered by the body shops.

Their hope is to have a certain amount of penalties occurring even before the litigation gets underway.

“We have hundreds of thousands of documents that will show how consumers are being shorted on their policy reimbursements that are owed to have correct repairs done on their vehicles,” said Ron Perretta, Owner of Professional Auto Body in PA. “We have documented the steering, improper repairs, substandard parts being used without regard to testing and safety, dialog that’s misleading and how the insurance companies have put their appraisers and other staff at risk of personal lawsuits.”

Perretta, who has been instrumental in spreading the word about the MDL case, said they expect injunction relief to be in effect soon. “This will virtually stop the steering and manipulation by insurers,” he said. “If they

don’t follow the judge’s orders there could be serious consequences; we expect they will test the judge.”

“The mission that we have been given is to stop the insurance company’s race to the bottom,” said Eaves.

He said the case has focused on “all insurance companies that reward those body shops that are willing to cut corners and punish the shops that are willing to stand up for the consumer.”

He said the practices used by some larger insurance carriers are uniform throughout the country. “They use the same types of policies from Maine to California,” said Eaves. “Ultimately it’s the consumers who are really the victims in all of this.”

When contacted by Autobody News, Allstate Insurance, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Nationwide and Progressive replied that they do not comment on pending litigation.

For information about the multidistrict lawsuit, contact John Eaves Jr. at johnjr@eaveslaw.com. Information about “The Movement” by auto body shops can be found online: www.TakingBackOur Industry.com. Autobody shops in Pennsylvania can contact Ron Perretta at ronperretta@aol.com or 814-931-7669.

Continued from Page 12

Top 2015 Resolutions

rators, eye protection and gloves for aluminum repairs.

3M makes many products that can be used on both aluminum and steel. Premium 3M AAD body fillers and glazes contain high-quality adhesion promoters and are approved for use on aluminum. For sanding, 3M AAD recommends its line of 3M Cubitron II abrasives that cut faster, run cooler and minimize substrate damage. In addition, 3M Panel Bonding Adhesive is compatible, OEM-approved for aluminum and is specifically recommended by Ford for the repairs to the 2015 Aluminum F-150.

3M Automotive Aftermarket Division now offers Standard Operating Procedures for aluminum repair. Visit 3MCollision.com/aluminum for more information.

To make these innovative solutions part of your shop’s process in 2015, contact your local 3M representative or distributor. For more information on these solutions, visit www.3MCollision.com and follow us at www.Facebook.com/3MCollision.

www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 15

TN Students Refurbish 1967 Chevy for World of Wheels

The annual World of Wheels, which was held at the Chattanooga Convention Center from January 9-11, featured a vehicle remodeled by the collision repair program at Chattanooga State Tennessee College of Applied Technology division.

Collision repair students painted and prepped a 1967 Chevy Nova for two weeks during the fall semester, according to Tim Chastain, associate instructor. Chattanoogan.com reported that students received thorough instructions and training, including auto construction: a program that progresses through repair techniques for all body parts. Each step focuses on hands-on activities essential to becoming a successful technician.

Automotive body repair technicians straighten bent frames, remove dents, replace parts, paint and refinish the car body as well as the interior and exterior parts attached to it, according to chattanoogan.com. Other important tasks include estimating the cost of repairs and diagnosing damages.

Call 423-697-4433 for information about the collision repair programs.

www.autobodynews.com

AeroColours Purchases Land in York, VA

AeroColours has nine acres along Route 17 with plans to relocate and expand. This area of York County is known for its rapid growth, making it a prime spot for the shop owner’s plans, reported Elias O’Neal, dailypress.com.

The shop will be located at 7700 and 7716 George Washington Memorial Highway once established.

The deal was closed on Dec. 16 for $200,000, but an opening date has not been set according to O’Neal. York County Principal Planner Tim Cross said the firm, Mid-Atlantic commercial, is planning to create a 16,800 squarefoot auto paint and collision repair facility. Documents submitted with the county stated that the new building will include 39 parking spots, two paint bays and 10 repair bays.

Cross told O’Neal the shop owner had to seek a special use permit since the site is zoned general business, and AeroColours is a collision repair shop. On Nov. 18, the York County Board of Supervisors approved AeroColours’ for the space, but prohibited it from selling cars on site. Cross added that a finalized site plan must be susubmitted before construction can begin.

Thieves Go On Crime Spree in NC, Steal Car from Body Shop to Ram ATM

Warehouse Used Improperly for Auto Body Work in AL

Fire in Bessemer, AL Leaves Body Shop a Total Loss

A fire that broke out at 1 pm on Jan. 10 left an AL body shop on 20th street and 6th avenue in complete disrepair. The fire is believed to have started in the office of the body shop and spread to an adjacent storage building, wiat.com reported. No one was in the building at the time of the fire. Streets around the building closed down while firefighters fought the blaze, but they were unable to prevent the roof from collapsing. It took several hours to get the fire under control. The cause is still under investigation, according to wiat.com.

After investigating a complaint, the Alabama Ethics Commission found the district’s Operations and Auxiliary Department director had been improperly using the system warehouse for auto body work, reported Margo Gray, waff.com. Director Dan Evans kept his daughter’s Corvette in the warehouse on school property while he used the system tech center spray booth to prime it.

Gray reported that state law prevents public employees from using their position for personal gain.

Another school official told Gray that Evans’ personal trailer, where he normally stores the car, was being used by warehouse workers to move school supplies, leaving the car in the warehouse.

The official also said Evans agreed to donate back to the school to cover the costs.

Gray reported that Evans worked there for over a decade, and was a candidate for superintendent two years ago.

Evans paid $150 dollars in restitution to the commission since the minor violation. However, John Carroll, acting commission director, confirmed that Evans requested an administrative ruling on the violation. Madison County District Attorney Rob Broussard needs to approve it. Gray reported it could result in a fine of up to $1,000.

FL Shops Gives Car to Mother of 3

Gabriela Subero’s birthday isn’t until March but she said she got an early gift in January. The single mother of three, who cleans houses for a living, received a refurbished 2006 Toyota Corolla from Master Auto Body in Boynton Beach. The car was donated by Allstate Insurance, and mechanics at the Master Auto repaired and repainted it. The free gift was made possible through Recycled Rides, which provides cars for recommended families that can use a car. Subero was nominated by the charity Family Promise, which helps families with children experiencing homelessness become independent.

C

by Ed Crump

When Cary police arrived at the scene after a business’s alarm went off on East Chatham Street, they discovered five buildings had been broken in to.

The alarm went off at Madsen Motors on January 11 at 2:30am.

Officials are searching for multiple suspects accountable for the robberies.

Allegedly, the crime spree started at J.M. Thompson contractors where the thieves stole a forklift and crashed through a gate at a repair shop next door, Ed Crump of abc11.com reported.

The criminals then vandalized the shop and stole a car. Police say the thieves continued to drive the forklift down Chatham Street, stop-

ping at Thrift 2 Gift store. Crump reported that a few hundred was stolen from the thrift store’s register and the surveillance camera was ripped out of the wall.

The group continued their binge by stealing a few dollars from a beauty store and piling tires and breaking windows at Madsen Motors. Police say they then used the stolen vehicle to ram an ATM machine, but their attempts were in vain. The ATM took a picture of one of the men, but he was wearing a ski mask, Crump reported.

Police will continue their search.

The business owners affected are looking forward to justice being served.

Please contact Cary, NC police department if you have information about possible suspects.

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www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 17

Continued from Cover

New Year’s Resolutions

for our 2016 National Conference (June 2016), and it is our goal to make this our most successful and memorable conference,” Executive Vice President John Williams states.

The Auto Body Association of Connecticut (ABAC) intends to continue doing exactly what they did in 2014; President Tony Ferraiolo elaborates, “we will continue to educate members and consumers. We want anyone that needs education from our association to be helped. We will strive to bring the best speakers and content from around the country to our membership meetings.”

“Our resolution will be to continue our focus on member benefits and membership growth by aligning the goals of our organization with the true needs of the membership at large. Special attention will be needed with regards to our new Collision members,” predicts Jason Brennan, Vice President and Chairman-Elect of ASA-IL. John Petrarca, President of the Auto Body Association of Rhode Island (ABARI), states that the association’s 2015 New Year’s resolution is “to successfully continue ABARI’s stated mission to protect consumers, preserve competition and professionalize our industry by promoting the highest standards for safety, quality and customer service. In doing so, ABARI will continue to work on many fronts.

First, we will continue our decadeslong fight to educate the Legislature and the public of the unfair practices that remain in the industry and to find fair, equitable solutions. Second, we are close to implementing a written ABARI Code of Ethics. The Code will require all ABARI shops to conform to the highest standards for safety, quality and environmental protection. We fully expect it to be in full force and effective in 2015. It is another step in the direction of our ultimate goal of a professionalized industry that is compensated fairly for its important role in protecting the motoring public.”

For many, if not all, associations, increasing membership is also a major priority for 2015. The Long Island Auto Body Repairmen’s Association (LIABRA) plans to “continue to expand our membership base and offer new and exciting training seminars for our shop owners and their employees.

On the legislative and regulatory

fronts, we expect to continue to address our members’ concerns and ensure the auto collision industry and the New York motorists have a voice on collision repair issues.”

Luz Rubio, Executive Director of ASA-AZ, also hopes to see an increase in membership next year; “I think this is an issue that is on top of every association’s list. I am very excited to include many more shop owners in our Automotive Roundtables. The few that were held in 2014 have been interactive and great. These are opportunities to discuss topics, challenges and share successes with other shop owners that will help elevate the professionalism of the industry here in Arizona.”

ASA-Colorado’s Chairman, Steve Horvath of Jeno’s Automotive in Littleton CO, says, “ASA-Colorado’s New Year’s resolution for 2015 is to get the local auto body shops more involved with ASA.” Executive Director Kari Foster elaborates, “in 2014, the ASA Colorado Board members met the new ASA National President with this idea in mind. Dan Risley, ASA President says, ‘ASA Colorado’s board of directors’ commitment to grow their membership base in 2015 parallels the movement within ASA National to recruit and retain members. The strength and leadership on their board has clearly positioned them for success. We have high expectations for them and believe they will have a significant positive impact in the market.’” ASA-Colorado also hopes to put together some collision educational meetings in 2015 on consolidation, estimating and the importance of networking, according to Collision President Dan Stander of Jerry Stander Collision Works in Littleton CO. “Our resolutions for 2015 are, first, to increase the visibility of the collision/repair professionals in Texas and help our members increase their business base/profitability,” says Chuck Space, Executive Director of the Texas Independent Automotive Association (TIAA). “We also want to make the 2015 Texas Tire & Automotive EXPO larger and even more responsive to those who attend. As an association, we need to be relevant to our members and successfully achieving these resolutions will help our members and make TIAA stronger.”

“ASA-Northwest’s wish list for 2015 is to get more qualified automotive technicians into the automotive industry,” the association’s Executive Director Jeff Lovell explains. “We are

18 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

currently working on apprenticeship programs with our ASA members and the automotive technical colleges throughout the state of Washington. We are also working with Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) to transition troops from military to civilian jobs in the automotive industry. We have a shortage of qualified technician in our industry and the average age of a technician is 45-47 years old.”

Nick Notte, President of the National Auto Body Council (NABC), believes their resolution for 2015 “would be to become more inclusive. That means finding ways to bring even more prospective members into the NABC to, unitedly, bring the good news about the Collision Repair Industry and our National Auto Body Council members to every community in this country.”

ASA-National “would resolve to add several new member benefits to our portfolio that provide significant value to the shop owner.” Executive Director Dan Risley continues by asking “why? Most shops that belong to ASA support the association because of its leadership position in the industry and our efforts to drive positive change collaboratively. I believe it’s our responsibility to find ways to make

it financially profitable to be a part of ASA through our member benefits.

Our Sponsored benefit programs with companies such as AutoZone (parts purchasing rebates), Chryslers Tech Authority ($120 annual subscription), Federated Insurance (property & casualty), Keystone Insurance (vision & dental), Meadowbrook Insurance (workman’s compensation), and Cintas are great examples of the additional value our members receive.”

Aaron Schulenburg, Executive Director of the Society of Collision Rep Specialists (SCRS), told us “to be honest, it is more of an ongoing resolution than one specifically designated for the new year, but we are internally committed that next year will bring renewed commitment to strengthening how we deliver upon our mission.

SCRS’ purpose is to educate, inform and represent the collision repair professional in all aspects of the industry.

We’ve spent a number of years working on really strengthening our role representing our membership, creating resources that strengthen their positions and operations, and delivering a resolute voice of the collision repair industry in rooms and at microphones where the industry needed to be.

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We’ve spent years growing our Repairer Driven Education series at the SEMA Show, holding local events in conjunction with our 44+ Affiliate Associations, and collaborating with organizations like the Collision Repair Education Foundation and SkillsUSA to embolden our efforts to educate. In 2015, our resolution is to find more frequent and more thorough ways to deliver on our promise to inform our membership. It is a priority for us, and we believe the industry is best served through accessibility to not just the most information, but the right information. I know that our board is all very committed and excited to deliver on our resolution.”

If these industry experts have anything to do with it, 2015 will be an even better year than 2014 for the collision repair industry. And my resolution for 2015? I hope to be able to attend more industry events, learn more and get to meet more of you amazing ladies and gentlemen who make it such a pleasure to write for this industry. I also encourage your feedback and suggestions so that we can make 2015 the best year ever!

Happy New Year’s everyone!

Woman Says Tampa Repair Shop has Kept Her Car for Past Year

by Shannon Behnken

Terry Bedford brought her car into TJ’s Auto Repair a year ago and still hasn’t gotten it back.

Last February, she took her 2004 Mazda Tribute into the repair shop on Busch Boulevard because it had been overheating. Since then, she has paid over $1,200 in repairs, according to Shannon Behnken, wfla.com.

Shop owner Trevor James allegedly wouldn’t give Bedford’s car back and stopped returning her calls, which is when she called a local news station.

Whenever local news station 8 On Your Side stops by the repair shop, James has an excuse as to why the vehicle hasn’t been fixed yet, reported Behnken.

When James was still returning Bedford’s phone calls, he would tell her he had fixed the car in a day, only for it to break down again.

The shop’s business license is in good standing according to state regulators, but they are looking into the issue. However, the T.J.’s has received an F rating from the Better

Business Bureau.

Tampa Police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said this is likely a civil mater, but she encouraged Bedford to call the police and report a theft if the car was not finished by January 12.

8 On Your Side revisited the shop on January 12, and James still had not finished with the car, Behnken reported. He promised it would be done once he obtained another Mazda part.

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Service King Acquires Jack’s Collision Center in FL

Service King Collision Repair Centers announced on Jan. 20 it acquired Jack’s Collision Center in Fort Myers, FL. The acquisition marks Service King’s first location in the Fort Myers area while Florida residents now have access to 11 locations in the state.

“The Fort Myers area is growing at a rapid pace and continues to be one of the leading destinations for retirees,” said Scott Ward, Service King Regional VP of Southeast Operations. “We are excited to be part of the Fort Myers community and are proud to welcome the Jack’s Collision Center team to the Service King family.”

Jack Lipscomb and his son Kevin opened Jack’s Collision Center in 1990. The 18,000 square foot facility employs 24 and has the capacity to repair over 160 vehicles each month.

“My team is extremely excited to join the Service King family,” said Kevin Lipscomb, current owner of Jack’s Collision Center. “They have an outstanding reputation and embody the same values my father and I instilled into Jack’s Collision Center during its 25 year history.”

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Studies Reveal Most Crash-Prone Intersections in Tampa, FL Both Hillsborough and Pinellas county officials have analyzed traffic accident data from recent years, revealing car accident trends and the most crash-prone intersections in the Tampa Bay area.

“Unfortunately, Tampa has a high rate of car accidents, which often lead to serious injury and death,” said Robert Joyce, a prominent Tampa car accident attorney with Joyce & Reyes.

“Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable.”

Officials in Hillsborough County performed an analysis of accidents occurring between 2006 and 2010, which included almost 11,000 severe accidents causing incapacitating injury or death. Bicyclists and pedestrians accounted for nearly a third of all traffic deaths in Hillsborough County.

Officials in Pinellas County also performed an analysis of traffic accidents, looking at 18,000 crashes from 2012. There were 106 traffic fatalities in 2012, and 58 percent of the deceased were bicyclists, pedestrians or motorcyclists.

Hillsborough County officials found that several of the most crashprone intersections in the county

Continued from Cover

VW in the Southeast

have gone through five or six expansions, with the latest in March for $1 billion.

Meanwhile, car companies are enjoying the uptick in sales and boasting record numbers of sales.

Jeep reported its best year in history for 2014, selling more than one million vehicles.

“The (Chrysler) Jeep Wrangler, for instance, is about 43 percent better than last year. It’s up the highest of any vehicle in the market,” Velazquez said.

“But the Jeep brand, itself, is up dramatically.”

With crude oil prices going down, it’s also helping alleviate hesitations to purchase larger-sized SUVs and trucks.

The top three selling vehicles were the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado and the Dodge Ram. According to Forbes.com, light truck sales were up 9.6 percent through November 2014 and large sport utilities were up 12 percent through November 2014.

However, sedans continue to be

were along Dale Mabry Highway.

Other dangerous roads included Fletcher and Hillsborough Avenues and Brandon and Bruce B. Downs Boulevards. In Pinellas County, most accidents occurred along Interstate 275 and U.S. 19, the county’s most heavily traveled roads.

In both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, officials found that while the majority of crashes occur during the day, most fatal crashes occur at night.

Hillsborough County officials found that 35 percent of accidents involved drivers making left turns, particularly along four-lane roads lacking a median. The next most frequent categories of accidents were rear-end collisions and lane-departure collisions.

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@autobodynews Accept no Substitutes! a majority among the top 10 best-selling cars. The Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla were all on the list. The Ford Fusion replaced the Ford Escape on the list, reducing the list’s number of SUVs. In 2013, the list included the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape.

Velazquez and his wife Ann said they are excited about the opening of their new dealership and hope to add to the increase of sales with Volkswagens.

Velazquez said they have been trying to bring a Volkswagen dealership to Dothan for more than 20 years, and they’ve finally been able to open the doors of their new location on Ross Clark Circle.

The dealership had a soft opening on Jan. 2 and intends to have a grand opening celebration on March 10.

The couple also owns Dothan Kia just down the road from the Volkswagen location, Dothan Chrysler on the north side of the circle and Enterprise Chevrolet.

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Mercedes to Move U.S. Headquarters From New Jersey to Georgia Mercedes-Benz USA confirmed the rumors on January 6 by officially announcing that the company’s headquarters will be moving from Montvale, NJ to Atlanta, GA. The German automaker is one of the largest employers in Bergen County and second largest in Montvale. The company told Patrick McGeehan, nytimes.com, that the move in July 2015 would affect about 1,000 jobs.

According to Assemblywoman Holly Schedpisi state officials attempted to deter executives of the automaker by offering considerable financial incentives to keep its headquarters in New Jersey. After turning down that undisclosed offer,

Mercedes will join other large companies closing operations in the Northeast and moving to Southern state with lower costs, reported McGeehan.

A billboard in Berger County on Route 80 begged Mercedes-Benz to change their minds.

According to legislative staff in Trenton, Chris Christie has promised other large companies a total of nearly $1 billion a year as incentive to stay and continue employing New Jersey residents.

Corporate-relocation experts say that the incentive package Georgia offered Mercedes was worth as much as $50 million, McGeehan reported.

Car-O-Liner® Approved by Bentley Motors Aftersales

Car-O-Liner®, a global provider of collision repair equipment, announced on January 8 that Bentley Motors Aftersales has approved the Car-O-Liner’s Benchrack frame alignment system, the Car-OTronic electronic measuring sys-

tem, and the EVO anchoring, holding and fixturing system. In North America, Bentley sales will be administered by Snap-on Business Solutions.

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A Lean Process Helps Shops Become More Efficient and Profitable

by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

Any collision repair shop can become more efficient and increase its profits by incorporating “Lean Processes” into their business, according to Steven Feltovich, Manager of Business Consulting Services for Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes. Feltovich shared his knowledge about the benefits of lean processes during a recent SCRS seminar at SEMA: Leaning on Process for Profit Improvement.

As a consultant for the past 15 years to top industry executives at collision centers across the U.S., Canada, Central America and the UK, Feltovich often observed a difference of perspective between what a shop owner “thinks their business is” versus “what it actually is.” He encourages shop owners to ask themselves how to improve their business and then create a strategy to move forward. “The ideal state is what we should be pursuing for the business,” he said.

Most shops have repaired cars the same way for years and when confronted with a problem, Feltovich said owners typically address it by adding people, space, equipment, inventory or data analysis. Instead, he said they should be addressing their process.

“Process is just eliminating the traditional models because the leaner the shops get, the better it is for customer value.”

He noted that Greg Horn, VP of Industry Relations for Mitchell International, recently discussed the growing trend toward lean process improvements. Horn observed, “There is continual market place pressure on collision repair centers for increased efficiency and enhanced customer service. As a result, many top shops have begun implementing what is referred to as ‘lean processes or lean management.’”

Feltovich couldn’t agree more and cited the UK as an example. The average cycle time in the UK is three days versus 10.4 days in the U.S. In addition, 10 cars are painted per day per single booth in the UK and they have a six-hour average touch time per car each day. In comparison, three to four cars are painted per day per single booth in the U.S. and the average touch time per car is two and a half hours.

Shop owners who do not embrace change, even the ones who consider themselves successful, are putting

themselves at risk in the future, said Feltovich. “Rely on that old success and tomorrow you will be obsolete, whether you want to be or not – you will be,” he said. “Businesses become obsolete every single day because they don’t progress forward, they don’t see the big picture.”

Steven Feltovich, Manager of Business Consulting Services for Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes

At the center of lean process is efficiency, which Feltovich defined as “achieving maximum productivity with the least amount of effort or expense.”

He recommended mapping out how the business operates and asking the fundamental question: how well does the process actually accomplish its intended purpose?

Some of the wasteful activities he mentioned that often take place at shops include: ● waiting for information, ● checking inventory levels, ● setup time, ● locating missing parts, ● repairing broken equipment, ● re-evaluating situations due to lack of communication, ● waiting for job assignments, ● unnecessary movement, and ● unused employee creativity.

Feltovich used the example of “dead” vehicles just sitting in the production area not being worked on, and encouraged shops to cut back on the amount of time any vehicle sits idle. One suggestion is to detect all of the damage and repair requirements prior to loading the vehicle into the workshop, so there is only one parts order, saving both time and money.

Other strategies he pointed out include bagging all vehicle parts for protection and staging parts for body repairs. “Parts carts” can also help by following the car throughout the repair process.

22 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

“Lean processes tie two critical components together – efficiency with effectiveness,” he said. “Now we’re not only doing things right, we’re doing the right thing.”

Throughout his 35-year career, Feltovich has worked with dealerships, independents, insurance companies, OEMs and automotive refinish companies. “Our industry is changing in a very dynamic way,” said Feltovich. “If you’re not getting better everyday, you’re falling behind.”

In order for shops to move forward, he stressed the importance of establishing a culture where all employees are actively engaged in improving the company. “Ninety percent is about culture and 10 percent is implementation,” said Feltovich.

Over the years he has found that middle managers often get in the way of lean process improvement. “The idea of giving up control to employees doing it better than you is a frightening position to be in.” However, in order to create change in a shop, he said it is important to get all employees on board. “Everyone from the detailer to the front office person to the

owner should have one common goal – create customer value.”

The lean process was pioneered

by Toyota. Feltovich recommends that shops read “The Toyota Way,” written

by Jeffrey K. Liker, for tips on management principles in order to get lean.

“Tables and numbers only show us the result,” said Feltovich. “What we want to do is get ahead of the results and create a process that drives the financial results that we need in order to grow and stay in business.”

He said customers want it “fast, free and perfect.” By delivering value from the customer’s perspective, continuously improving your process and eliminating waste, Feltovich said there are numerous benefits. These include reduced cycle times, higher quality at lower overall costs, better use of machine time and facility space, less internal stress and less inventory on hand.

“Lean process absolutely works.

It works in any business. Get it right, it’s incredibly sound. Get it wrong, it’s very disruptive.”

For more information about lean processes, contact Steve Feltovich at steven.j.feltovich@sherwin.com.

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Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4:30 parts@bramanhondapb.com

800-953-4402 386-252-2301

D a y to n a Be ach

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4 Hondadaytonaparts@hendrickauto.com

Honda Mall of Georgia

Un ion City

770-985-1444

866-362-8034 770-306-4646

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-6 gperkins@careypaul.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-7; Sat 8-5 hondawp@nalleycars.com

Ed Voyles Honda

Southern Motors Honda

M ar i e tta

Savann ah

800-334-3719 770-933-5870 Direct

888-785-8387 912-925-1444

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-6 hondaparts@edvoyles.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 angela@southern-motors.com

Gerald Jones Honda A ugus ta

800-733-2210 706-228-7040 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 tdunn@geraldjoneshonda.com

MI SS IS SI P P I

Patty Peck Honda Rid g elan d

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Gwinnett Place Honda Dul uth

N O. CAR O LI NA

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Apple Tree Honda

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Ash ev ille

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 appletreeparts@hotmail.com

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877-622-2871 678-259-9500

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

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 cecil.adams@duvalacura.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7:30-6 kmcmillan@jacksonacura.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-2 Tim.johnson@acuraofsavannah.com

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24 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Southern Motors Acura

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Crown Honda Southpoint Du r ha m

855-893-8866 919-425-4711 Dept. Hours: M-Thu 7-11; Fri 7-6 Sat 7-5; Sun 11-5 www.southpointhonda.com

Hendrick Honda Ch a r lo t t e

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Leith Honda Ra le ig h

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McKenney-Salinas Honda G as t on ia

888-703-7109 704-824-8844 x 624 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 parts@mshonda.com

Metro Honda I nd ian Trail

866-882-9542 704-220-1522 Dept. Hours: M-F 6:30-6:30; Sat 7-4 www.copytk.com

N O . CAR OL IN A

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Breakaway Honda G re e n vi l l e

800-849-5056 864-234-6481 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 fmarshall@breakawayhonda.com

Midlands Honda C o l u m bi a

877-273-4442 803-691-8585

Dept. Hours: M-Fri 7-6 Sat 8-5; Sun 10-4

Wolfchase Honda

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757-213-0539

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Hamp t on

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757-838-1672

C he ste r

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 jarmentrout@priorityauto.com

Piedmont Honda

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-7; Sat 8-4 rreese@i95honda.com

A n de r so n

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AutoNation Honda West Knoxville

Duncan’s Hokie Honda C hr is tia n burg

800-979-9110 540-381-3200 Dept. Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30 Sat 8:00-5:00 rthompson@duncanauto.net

Hall Honda Vi rgi ni a Bea ch

800-482-9606 757-431-4329 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-7; Sat 8-5 fox@hallauto.com

K n ox v i l l e

Valley Honda Stau n ton

800-277-0598 540-213-9016 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 9-5 bwimer@myvalleyhonda.com

West Broad Honda Rich m on d

800-446-0160 804-672-8811 Dept. Hours: M-Thu 7:30-6:30; Fri 7:30-6; Sat 8-3; Sun 11-3 wbhonda@aol.com

For more collision info, go to: collision.honda.com airbagaware.honda.com crashrepairinfo.com

800-824-1301 865-218-5461 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6 rossd1@autonation.com

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Priority Honda

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Woodb rid g e

703-690-7777

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-1 hondaparts@billgattonhonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-4 www.copytk.com

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Hendrick Honda Woodbridge

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800-550-5035 703-824-5785

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Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 thoover@crownauto.com

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Leith Acura

Radley Acura

Karen Radley Acura

Ca r y

Wo o db ri dg e

800-868-0082 919-657-0460

800-355-2818 703-550-0205

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-4:30 parts@leithacura.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-3 coreythompson@radleyautogroup.com

www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 25

Shop Showcase Does Being a Green Shop Improve the Bottom Line? with Ed Attanasio

Known as the Greenest Shop in the USA, Selecta Body Shop in San Francisco’s Mission District has received major praise, top reviews and now a prestigious award for running an environmentally responsible business.

But, the burning question that probably every body shop owner anywhere wants to know is does being green increase profits or in the end, or does it just help the owner to sleep better at night? Do customers care and maybe more importantly—do the insurance companies care?

Owners J.R Hubbard and his wife Jackie have watched as their business has grown without compromising their beliefs about running a business that is better for the environment

profit,” Hubbard said. “But, I also want to do be a fair employer and a responsible member of the business community. Part of being a green operator in a very environmentally-conscious city like San Francisco and maintaining the B-Corp certification means that I can hopefully make money, but also we want everyone to win—my customers, my family, my neighbors and my employees.”

It took two years of hard work to turn an old building into Selecta’s new 10,000-square-foot facility and it ate up just about all of Hubbard’s funds to make it a reality, he said. But since starting business in April 2013, the numbers have slowly edged up, to the point where he can say that November 2014 was his first profitable month after fixing 65 cars.

“We still want to do 100 cars monthly, because we can handle the volume and that’s been our goal,” Hubbard explained. “The numbers are improving every month and the future looks solid. We picked up two great DRPs during the last four months of 2014 and now we have a total of three.

We easily absorbed the increased workload during the fourth quarter and now we’re excited about 2015.”

Last November, Selecta Body Shop won a significant award at the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, when AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas (A&AC) announced that three North American

Being in it to win it when it comes to being 100% green from the first day he opened his doors, Jeremy “JR” Hubbard, the owner of Selecta Auto Body has now been in operation at his current location for almost two years.

Since opening, he’s refined his processes and further embraced the green way of doing things, while trying to be a fair employer in every aspect of his business. To this end, Selecta Auto Body is the only collision repairer in the country today that has achieved BCorp certification, by meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental perform- In operation since April 2013, Selecta Body Shop in San ance, accountability and trans- Francisco is called an “ultimate green shop”, featuring the newest, cutting-edge techniques for saving materials and parency. Sure, Hubbard wants energy, among other things to make money and fix cars right, but more than anything else he companies were selected as winners of the fifth annual FIT Sustainability wants to run his business “with a conAward, an industry recognition proscience.” gram honoring businesses and organi“I’m a father and an employer obviously and I want to be able to make a zations that are actively engaged in

26 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

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

practices that advance the concepts of sustainability. Selecta took one of the three coveted spots, which was a big deal for a lot of reasons.

“Being green is definitely a plus, especially when it comes to market-

Hubbard truly walks the walk when it comes to being green. Some of the more notable things he’s done to his shop include installing motion sensors in every room of the shop so the lights turn off when the room is not in use and uncovering the building’s skylights and front windows to use natural light whenever possible. He also mounted more than 350 pothos plants on the wall to bring fresh air to the shop. He purchased an oversized Global Finishing Solutions downdraft heated Later last year, Selecta Body Shop started turning a profit spray booth so that he can and being green has definitely played a pivotal role paint more cars and parts siing,” Hubbard said. “It all works hand multaneously, thereby saving time and in hand and awards like the FIT Sus- materials. The shop features two curtainability Award from AkzoNobel are tained-off areas, one dedicated for prep a huge deal. To be honored at a show and the other for detailing work.

Hubbard is also gearing up for the like SEMA and having other shops interested in what we’re doing, that’s collision industry’s rush to aluminum. beneficial for us and the industry as a “We know that aluminum is coming, but to what degree nobody really whole.”

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knows.” Hubbard said. “So, right now we have an area dedicated for aluminum work when we get it. We don’t have a ton of extra space here and we’re taking full advantage of what we currently have, but when aluminum becomes a significant amount of our volume, we’re ready.”

There was definitely an added cost to building what Hubbard describes as “the ultimate green shop,” but once it was up an and running, it was all worth it, he said. “Some shop owners may think it costs a lot more to be green, but it’s really not that more expensive overall, because we’ve cut our waste and it is definitely showing up in our bottom line now. We don’t waste anything and we’re coming from that mindset, so once you get into being green, the benefits start to become apparent.”

By using more natural light whenever possible and painting all of his floors with reflective paint, insulating his ceilings to retain heat and installing motion sensors on all his lights. Selecta’s utility bills are lower. And of course, by saving paint, clear coat and sealers with every car painted, it adds up to offset his original investment. “It starts to make more and more sense

after you’ve done it for a while,” Hubbard said. “We’re using fewer products to fix our customers’ cars without sacrificing quality and that’s the important thing.”

Do customers in San Francisco really care about the fact that Selecta Body Shop is a green shop and did it help him to land his most recent DRPs? “I would say yes to both questions,” Hubbard said. “I believe 100% that our customers care. If they don’t know it initially, we let them know and most of them say very positive things. If we do a good job on their car and on top of that we’re a green shop, yes—I believe they will come back.

And do the insurance companies see any value in the fact that we’re doing things with the environment in mind?

I definitely do—if they can align themselves with a forward-thinking, responsible company—why not?”

Check out our NEW website at: Autobodynews.com

As Red-Light Cameras are Discontinued Due to Lawsuits, Speed Cameras get Green Light

The number of red-light cameras nationwide is falling because of opposition from many sources, but the use of cameras to catch speeders is slowly rising, potentially signaling a new battleground, according to reports by the Associated Press.

The number of U.S. communities using red-light cameras has fallen 13 percent, to 469, since the end of 2012, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a nonprofit scientific and educational organization funded by the insurance industry. That includes the 24 towns in New Jersey that participated in a pilot program that ended this month with no pending legislation to revive it. Meanwhile, the institute estimates that 137 communities use speed cameras, up from 115 at the end of 2011.

Advocates for cameras that catch red-light runners point to data showing they reduce accidents, while critics note that they can’t employ judgment to distinguish between, say, a red-light run during rush hour in a school zone and a technically illegal right turn on a red light at 3 a.m. Speeding, however, is

a bit more black and white when it comes to cameras.

“The goal of these advocates for the red-light cameras was a one-two punch,” said New Jersey state Sen. Michael Doherty, an opponent.

“They’d come in with the red-light cameras and expand to speeding cameras.”

New Jersey’s red-light program was beset with problems: a yellowlight timing controversy that caused the cameras to be shut down temporarily; a computer glitch that voided thousands of tickets; and a federal lawsuit initiated by one resident that led to refunds for hundreds of thousands of motorists.

Traffic cameras have also been contentious in Ohio, where the governor signed a bill this month requiring a police officer to be present for traffic-camera citations, something camera proponents say negates the practicality of using them to stretch police resources.

“It makes no sense to me,” said Adam Loukx, city law director for Toledo. “It seems worse than whatever they thought they were curing.”

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www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 27

From Grandma’s Vacuum to Serious Spray Finishing Technology: Turbospray HVLP

by Bill Boxer

If you saw an ad in your trade magazine that said “SPRAY WITH LESS MESS AND OVERSPRAY,” How would you react and respond?

1. No way! Just another advertising “come-on.”

2. I saw it years ago and it had limitations.

3. Interesting!

4. Tell me more.

5. Show me.

Almost 35 years ago I saw a fullpage advertisement in a Piano Technicians Journal that headlined “SPRAY WITH LESS MESS AND OVERSPRAY.” My responses were numbers 3, 4 and 5: Interesting, Tell me more and Show me. At the time I was re-

building and refinishing pianos and had a significant need for a better way to spray-finish the pianos we were producing. I purchased the system, used it extensively and became passionate about the technology as it produced all the results promised from an excellent finish to dramatically reduced overspray along with many other benefits.

The Story If we turn the clock back 50+ years it was discovered that exhaust air produced by a vacuum cleaner had the ability to atomize fluid. Taking it to the next level, it became apparent that the fluid did not cloud the environment in which it was being used and also that the fluid being projected seemed to last much longer.

For many years no one took this concept seriously since environmental concerns were not yet upon us. The coatings and finishes we used were fairly inexpensive and industry was less concerned with the lost product and related costs.

The Real Beginning Jump to the early 1980s when turbospray technology found its way to the USA from its European roots; enter

environmental concerns and you have the true beginnings of what today is known as HVLP. Through the 1980s turbospray technology started to take root, having early exposure through many market segments.

At this point it is important to separate HVLP turbospray technology from HVLP spray guns that work with a standard air compressor. HVLP Turbospray Technology is the original product that achieved notoriety and where the HVLP name was established. HVLP spray guns that were developed to use with a standard air compressor were an offshoot of the original technology.

HVLP turbospray systems do not use compressed air. Air is generated from a high power impeller/blowertype motor that travels through the supplied air hose to a spray gun that is designed to effectively convert the high volume of air produced by the blower motor to efficient low pressure atomizing air to achieve the benefits that HVLP turbospray technology offers.

Those benefits are a continuous delivery of clean, warm, dry air, dramatically less overspray that interprets to a documented 38%–40% savings on coatings use and the ability to be either an easily portable system or set up for a fixed-base use.

Sound too good to be true? Well, it is true, and every day is being discovered by more and more finishers in the auto finishing and refinishing business: mobile or fixed-base.

Now, what more do you need to know to understand HVLP turbospray technology and if it’s so good why isn’t it being used universally instead of compressed air?

Early Hvlp Turbospray Systems OK, let’s backtrack again. Early HVLP turbospray systems offered technology that was limited to low to medium viscosity products. Most turbospray systems only provided one fixed atomizing pressure. Nozzle, needle and air cap technology was limited as well. A few HVLP manufacturers prematurely approached the automotive market back in the 1990s with technology that wasn’t yet ready for the market. While a few finishers experienced positive results if they were spraying very low viscosity single stage paints or very thinned automotive lacquers, most found the application slow and short of expectations.

28 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Today’s modern automotive coatings as well as the new waterborne products require far more pressure than these early systems offered.

Hvlp Turbospray Systems Today Jump back to today and now you have available the superb benefits of HVLP turbospray technology with equipment

designed to provide higher atomizing pressure to give you the desired results with base coats, metallics, clear coats, fleet coats, solvent or waterborne with

sophisticated HVLP turbospray gun design and specialized nozzles, needles and air caps along with variable pressure control and additional professional features.

So, what’s in it for the finisher? A cleaner work environment, less booth maintenance, the ability to add work stations and most of all the added money in your pocket from using less paints and I don’t need to tell you the cost of those products. Maybe I forgot to mention the great benefit of the clean, warm dry air not only for applying solvent finishes but the absolute need for clean dry air when applying waterborne finishes. Yes, no expensive driers needed.

Dare I say that you owe it to yourself to look at HVLP Turbospray?

Thirty-five years ago it worked for me.

The TURBOPRO HVLP Series for automotive finishing is manufactured by Apollo Sprayers International, Inc. in Vista, California and made in the USA. For more information, contact 760-727-8300 or visit www.TurboProHVLP.com. For additional information contact: Bill Boxer, bill@hvlp.com 760 201-4157

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www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 29

Historical Snapshot

—John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, who has a body shop in the family and has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988.

He is the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com). Contact him by email at jyoswick@SpiritOne.com.

Retro News: CA’s BAR Talks About Fraud, ‘Internet Body Shopping’ in OH, DiLisio on Getting Involved, Edelen on Skills Erosion with John Yoswick

20 years ago in the collision repair industry (February 1995) In the videotaped interview with an official of the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), BAR’s Allen Wood explained his agency’s concern with the fraud and lack of training it has found in the collision repair industry in California.

“It’s to the point where it’s so bad we have to do something about it,” Wood said. “We’re going to get more aggressive in the area of autobody in the next 12 months. You’re going to see it.”

Wood said the BAR’s field staff of about 200 people works closely with insurance and law enforcement agencies and uses a fleet of about 300 vehicles to conduct undercover investigations of suspected shop fraud.

“I would like to think that any autobody shop owner in the state of California, when any car drives to his front door, should think maybe that’s a Bureau of Automotive Repair car because it can happen to anybody, any time, any day,” Wood said. “We have done everything from suspending licenses to revoking licenses.”

Wood said one of the most common problems found are repair invoices that do not accurately reflect what was done to the vehicle.

“If an autobody repairer prepares an accurate estimate and an accurate invoice, and does what he says he’s done, he’s not going to have any problem at all with the Bureau of Automotive Repair,” Wood said.

– As reported in Autobody News.

Indeed, in the decade that followed, the California BAR cited or shut down a number of shops in that state for fraud, including several Caliber Collision shops. After retiring from the BAR, Wood later served as the executive director of another California autobody association. California lawmakers last year passed a law requiring the BAR to demonstrate to a legislative committee “a compelling public need for the continued existence of the bureau and its regulatory program.”

15 years ago in the collision repair industry (February 2000)

Bob Juniper is bent on enticing car owners to enter the illusion created by the Internet. They never have to see one of Juniper’s 12 Three-C Body Shops in cen-

“The reality is that there are exways disagree with those who question how much associations accomplish, but tenuating circumstances to every situation and it often requires patience he defends their importance and value. and compromise—which is mistaken “I will be the first to admit that associations do not provide all more often than not as passive behavthe answers, but there is no ior,” he said. “I feel it is important for question some of the finest those who stand on the sidelines to become involved. I completely unpeople in the industry get involved to make things better derstand that is difficult to do, but the for all the rest – albeit not as most important thing to remember is quickly or as completely as that no matter how little appears to be anyone would like,” DiLisio accomplished, at least something is said. “But [getting involved] is being done. With the participation, better than staying in the shop guidance, support and commitment complaining, with little if any from others, we would be able to acchance of changing things. I complish so much more.”

DiLisio hopes that shop owners can honestly say that I was like In 2005, industry consultant Lou DiLisio was in his second year as chairman of the Society of Collision Repair that years ago as well. It wasn’t will see the fact that there are multiple Specialists (SCRS), urging shops to get involved with one until I became involved that I associations as an opportunity and not or more of the industry’s associations a discouragement to participation. realized just how hard these ortral Ohio. With a few clicks of a computer ganizations work on our behalf.”

“We are collectively working tomouse and a phone call, they can arrange But, he said, too often people gether on a number of issues to proto have their vehicle fixed. In the near fuview industry issues too simplistically. mote a united front and remove ture, the phone call will be unnecessary.

Customers will know Juniper and his Nalley BMW shops without ever talking to him or setting foot insider one of his repair bays.

Three-C could be in central Ohio or cen(800) 622-2021 tral California. It could have clean, wellfurnished waiting rooms, or no waiting rooms at all. Customers won’t know or care. They will know Three-C only by what they see on their computer screens.

“We have a digital camera in our Our parts department is always ready to help you out spray booth,” Juniper says. “When a car with our original BMW parts & accessories. comes in, we call the owner and tell him to go to our website and take a look.

They really get a kick out of that.”

– From a column by Tom Slear published in Collision Expert on the role the Internet is likely in the collision repair industry. Three-C now has one primary repair facility with three satellite claims centers (and offers mobile and online estimating). But it also offers “The Pink Button,” a mobile phone app that it says allows customers with one click of a button at an Large original BMW parts inventory accident site to arrange for a loaner car Parts covered with BMW 2 Year Warranty and a tow of their vehicle to Three-C. www.nalleybmw.com

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30 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

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redundancy from specific tasks,” he said of the three associations. “There are only so many dedicated and involved individuals in the industry who have stepped up to serve at these levels, and we’ve all finally realized that with limited resources and even more limited time, we need to work together in order to be most efficient in achieving our goals.”

– From an article in Automotive Report on the three largest associations representing the collision repair industry. DiLisio, a former shop owner, has worked as a consultant in the industry since 1999.

5 years ago in the collision repair industry (February 2010) During a panel discussion at the recent Collision Industry Conference (CIC), I-CAR CEO John Edelen shared his opinions on the nation’s economy and some of the industry’s challenges.

About a year after he delivered a fairly bleak short-term assessment of the economy, Edelen said he continues to believe unemployment could remain high for as much as the next five years, with Americans slow to return to “pre-melt-down spending habits.”

He said what keeps him up at

night is the growing challenge Americans will face in finding skilled craftsman to repair their refrigerator, HVAC or car—or what he called the “erosion of careers for young people who want to work in a skill-based environment.”

Pressures on margins for shops and insurers, Edelen said, “suggests to me that there will continue to be an underinvestment by our industry in technical development. That combined with the workforce that we have access to, at the education level and the salary level that employment segment is willing to work at—it all doesn’t create a very pretty picture.” He said insurers and repairers have yet to identify and develop a win-win solution.

“Do I believe it’s there? I absolutely do,” Edelen said. “But in an industry that has always been a zerosum game, where for me to win you have to lose, I just don’t see us making the progress that really can be made.

It’s a mentality that needs to change.”

– As reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), February 22, 2010. Edelen, previously an executive with Allstate, retired from ICAR later in 2010 after leading the organization for about three years.

Volkswagen to Add 100 Dealerships by 2018, 650 Current Dealerships are Fewest of Major Brands After two years of sputtering sales in the U.S., Volkswagen is planning an aggressive expansion. The company has plans for major new products and its goal is to add 100 dealerships across the nation by 2018. The dealerships, to be opened in areas where there is a low VW presence, will complement new Volkswagen products arriving in the next few years.

A brand new crossover, made in Chattanooga, will debut in the first quarter of 2017, followed shortly by a long-wheelbase Tiguan. Big ticket items like the redesigned Jetta and Passat arrive in dealerships by late 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Volkswagen currently only has 650 dealerships in the U.S., a small footprint compared to other automakers, but those franchises are the most the brand has had in the U.S. since 1993.

According to a report from Automotive News, many VW dealers are struggling from slow sales after investing millions of dollars in their stores, all in preparation for helping VW achieve its 800,000 sales target by 2018.

“The U.S. market now is a key focus of the Volkswagen Group,” Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn told Automotive News. “It’s the

most important market for us to get our further growth.” Along with new dealerships, the new CEO has taken other steps to revive the VW brand in the U.S. Starting with the new Passat, the automaker has committed to redesigning its products every five years, instead of every seven years like it has in the past.

VW has also authorized a board committee to make key decisions locally, further strengthening VW’s reliance on the American market.

Volkswagen will build each of its four core models—the Jetta, Passat, Tiguan and the still-unnamed midsize crossover — in North America once the next generation Tiguan and new midsize crossover start production.

“There’s probably 25 to 30 percent, depending on which month you’re looking at, of our dealer body that is struggling to be profitable,” Alan Brown, chairman of Volkswagen’s national dealer council, told Automotive News in a Dec. interview. Brown also is general manager and partner in Hendrick Volkswagen Lewisville, a highvolume dealership in suburban Dallas.

Despite the challenges, Brown said dealers are encouraged by the steps VW has taken, since Horn became CEO, to turn its U.S. fortunes around.

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

Accident App is Pushing All the Right Buttons for Ohio Shop Owner with Ed Attanasio

By designing and developing a mobile app that can help people after getting into an accident, a body shop owner in Columbus, OH is pushing all the right buttons with his Pink Button app, available to his customers at no charge

The Pink Button is an accident-help app that was created by Bob Juniper, the owner of Three-C Body Shop in Columbus, OH with Leo Daugherty III, the owner of Rampart Hosting, Inc, also located in the Columbus, OH

In addition to all of its multiple functions, the Pink Button app provides common sense tips about what to do once you’ve been in an accident. A local law firm has also seen real value in this app and that’s why they’re paying to advertise on it

via Google Play or the App Store. Bob Juniper, the owner of Three-C Body Shop, Inc. in Columbus, OH has been thinking outside of the box for decades and now he’s happy to see that this innovative application is starting to gain momentum.

After 2.5 years of development, Juniper is beginning to see some traction with the Pink Button accident app and the numbers are promising, to say the least. “We know have roughly 5,000 downloads since rolling it out back in February, 2013,” Juniper explained. “In December, we got almost 20 new customers from the app. These people got in an accident and then used it to inform us. They were amazed by how well it worked and each repair was completed seamlessly.” Since every repair at Three-C averages $3,000, which means the Pink Button brought almost $60,000 into his shop—all from the power of the Pink Button app.

By working with Leo Daughtery III, the owner and CEO at Rampart Hosting LLC, a Columbus-based IT company to develop the app, Juniper believes that the Pink Button is achieving his main objective, which is con-

necting his customers with his shop.

“Auto accidents are no longer stressful and disruptive in the Columbus, OH area with the Pink Button,” he said. If you’re in an accident, Three-C Body Shops offers full accident-scene service at no charge, simply by pushing the button. We’ve eliminated the drama associated with standing on the side of the road searching for towing services, looking frantically for a garage to take the damaged vehicle to or waiting for a friend or relative to pick you up so you can carry on with your day. The Pink Button is a safe alternative, because by using it, you don’t have to even leave your vehicle, which makes it even safer for women.

If it’s dark or raining, women can have that peace of mind, because they know we’re on the way.”

In short, this app allows drivers to do the following, all by simply pushing the button: ■ Their GPS location is immediately sent to Three-C, so they can call within seconds and confirm that they’ve been in an accident and need help.

■ The app then launches a tow truck and provides for a loaner car (if needed) to their location.

■ By using Glimpse, the driver is able to see exactly where the tow truck is precisely how long it will be before it gets there to help them.

■ Once the tow truck arrives, the car is promptly delivered to Three-C while the customer can go about their day.

■ The repair process begins right away and the people at Three-C handle everything, by contacting their insurance company, fixing the vehicle and detailing it.

Daugherty and Juniper started talking about the Pink Button after the former got into an accident and took his car to Three-C. “A 30-lb. raccoon got in my way and is guess he won,” Daugherty said. “The service ay Three-C was great, but I noticed that the communication between me and the shop during the repair wasn’t exceptional. So, Bob and I started talking about how an app could play a role and that got the ball (or the button) rolling at that point.”

Juniper agreed to embark on the design and development of the app, even though it wasn’t cheap. “It cost

32 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

comes to acquiring direct customers, he said. “When I look at my competition, I’m not thinking about other body shops, I’m looking at the insurance companies. With this app, I’m able to get the customer long before the insurance company gets to them. I’ve already towed the car and gotten them a rental, so I’m controlling the relationship before they can steer me away to one of their ‘preferred’ shops. We have always been what we call a ‘Direct Repair Alternative,’ so the Pink Button nicely complements our business model.”

Now that Three-C has seen how well the app works, Juniper and Daugherty are going to offer the Pink Button to other body shops nationwide. “We now know that the app’s effectiveness is not a theory, it’s a fact,” Juniper said.

“We’ve identified approximately 250 independent shops that we think would be an ideal match for the app. These are forward-thinking shops that think outside of the box, just like us.”

me about $16,000 to build the app, debugging it and doing all of the testing, but now it’s obviously going to eventually pay for itself. We do a lot of radio advertising here in the Columbus market and in our ads, we constantly plug the app, so that has provided outstanding support for the app.”

To further support the Pink Button app, Juniper has his staff 100% on-board and ready to respond fast when the app calls, he said. “We’re four-deep when it comes to our responders. Our two truck driver gets the message first, but three others also get it, so that someone will respond it anyone else is busy. We’re getting back to these people within 90 seconds on average, because we want to placate their fears and concerns quickly.

The app is all about expediency and if the drivers don’t hear from us asap, we could lose that customer, so we make sure that a staff member is always there.”

As a shop that is DRP-free, Juniper knows that time is money when it

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Maaco President Goes “Under the Hood” to Inspect His Business on Award-Winning Reality Series

by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

When Maaco’s President Jose Costa recently went “under the hood” to inspect his company on the CBS television show Undercover Boss, he said nothing could have prepared him for the unexpected meaningful experience he gained.

“I went on this journey with an open mind, to learn as much as I could,” said Costa.

Relatively new to the company, Costa had only been hired a year earlier. “I felt that it was a good opportunity to go undercover and truly see the operation from a blank, unbiased perspective,” said Costa. “I wanted to see it uncensored—what truly goes on behind the scenes.

In January, Costa was featured on the Emmy Award-winning reality series that features corporate executives going undercover in their own businesses. In the episode, he experienced a day in the life of four MAACO employees, during which he sanded, prepped and painted vehicles. He said that he wasn’t expecting the work to be so physical and labor intensive.

“I think part of the premise of the show is to make the boss look like he doesn’t necessarily know or understand how hard it is,” said Costa. “The truth is that it is very hard to do the type of work that we do in our body shops day in and day out.”

He said the experience was very eye-opening to hear from the franchise owners and gave him a great impression of what a typical day is like at a franchise.

After going through this unique experience, Costa said he is more motivated than ever. “I got tremendous satisfaction from helping employees and franchisees realize their professional and personal dreams. While on the show, I came to realize that I could make a difference to employees on all levels of the Maaco Corporation.” He said his favorite part of the show was giving the rewards away to the employees.

Originally from Venezuela, Costa said a large part of his career has been in franchising, working with KFC, Yum Brands and Burger King. “My drive comes from my family’s values and upbringing,” said Costa. “My grandparents and parents were immigrants who came from Europe to Latin America with a dream to succeed by working hard.”

When Costa joined Maaco in 2013, his goals were clear. “The board gave us the challenge of doubling the size of the brand to close to 1,000 lo-

pany plans to change this perception through their marketing and advertising campaign. Costa said there are three main components.

Maaco President Jose Costa before receiving his makeover for Undercover Boss

Costa dressed for his undercover job as a Maaco technician

cations by 2020 and doubling sales from $500 million to $1 billion in five years,” said Costa.

He said there’s a roadmap to follow in order to reach these goals and it involves innovative thinking across the company.

“Part of the challenge was transforming a 43-year-old brand,” said Costa. “It was a market leader in many ways but it was also caught in the 1970s.”

Over the last two years Costa said the company’s advertising has changed dramatically. Approximately 20 percent of their budget is being invested in revamping their social, mobile and digital operations.

One of the company’s major goals is to bring more technology into the operation. Maaco began working with the company AudaExplore in 2013 to develop a production management system and customize an application they named One Maaco. (see accompanying article: AudaExplore Technology Driving Performance in Collision Repair Shops, p.38) Some of the features include mobile estimating, online appointments, electronic tracking of inventory and parts management and payroll. Costa said these additions have already improved efficiencies and franchise owners have noticed a huge increase in profitability.

“Historically, the brand was positioned more around paint and the truth is we do more than $100 million in collision work and not a lot of people know about it,” said Costa. The com-

34 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

First, the company introduced #MAACOver in 2013 to encourage social conversations through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Next, the wording “North America’s Bodyshop” will be incorporated on almost all of their buildings, signs and materials used in 2015.

Maaco also recently announced it is bringing back its “Uh-Oh, Better Get Maaco” slogan first used in 1981.

From unhappy neighbors to angry deer, Maaco commercials will follow a modern family and the “uh-ohs” that bring them to Maaco.

Another change at the company is in regard to education. Maaco University was shortened from four weeks to three weeks and fieldwork has been incorporated in the training process.

With more than 350 franchise owners operating nearly 500 locations, Costa said part of the challenge was how to get them I-CAR certified. A quarterly boot camp was implemented with the assistance of I-CAR. Now 20 to 30 owners are brought in for an accelerated course where they complete the hands-on training portion and then continue with online classes. Close to 65 centers have been certified through this program.

Costa said by certifying the owners and then having them train their own employees, it has benefited the franchises. “It improves retention and it improves the moral of the shop,” said Costa.

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One of the projects Costa said he is most excited about is the idea of a retail concierge service where the sales office is separated from the production facility. Over the last 18 months, Maaco has been testing this concept at 13 locations, including Chino Hills, CA and Marietta, GA. The idea is to set up a 1,000 square foot small Maaco

Costa and Maaco employee Christian Soto, who works at the Orlando, FL franchise on Orange Trail Blossom. Photo credit: CBS

office next door to a large retail chain like Target or Wal-Mart.

“We wanted to be more relevant to women,” said Costa. After conducting extensive research, Costa said they found “Women were skeptical to do business with us because we used to advertise $299 and $399 and the average repair order was around $1,000. It was that bait and switch mentality that

we wanted to very clearly and in a transparent way show the consumer why the price point goes up.”

To help accomplish this, Maaco incorporated 30-second videos that explain the repair process.

Costa said these changes have improved efficiencies but there have also been challenges. They found too many things were incorporated the first year and it was difficult to measure the impact. He said some of the programs worked and others did not.

One example is when the company decided to move away from using price advertising in April 2013.

“By early June we had to put it back on because it hurt us tremendously.

We’re really sensitive to price even if we like it or not, consumers react to our price point,” he said.

Although there were many challenges that year, the company still had positive sales of three to four percent growth. In 2014, Maaco ended the year with more than six percent growth. “For the first time in the history of the brand we crossed $20,000 average weekly sales,” said Costa.

The average center reaches $1 million a year and he said the goal is to con-

tinue having the franchise’s bottom line grow.

“The more profitable the franchises are the more they will invest back into the business,” said Costa. “If you bring innovation and other options for the franchise owners to grow and at the same time they’re making more money, it’s a win win for both the franchise owner and the franchisee.”

Maaco is part of Driven Brands, the Charlotte, NC-based corporate parent of automotive companies including Meineke Car Centers, Econo Lube & Tune and other automotive-related businesses.

The episode of Undercover Boss can be viewed online http://www.cbs. com/shows/undercover_boss/video/4 05E9026-1D3C-E5EC-B12B93BB9B4DFE03/undercover-bossmaaco/

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A car with two people inside sunk into a hole on a Tampa, FL road after a water main break on Jan. 18, WTSP’s Eric Glasser reported.

Christopher Atkinson and Ashley Guzman were the unlucky passengers who had a first-hand experience of the road caving in.

Atkinson recalled that the ground was cracking as they were backing up, and soon after they plunged into darkness, reported Glasser.

Guzman, who had been driving the vehicle, told Glasser she stopped at the stop sign, and before she knew it they had fallen into a ditch. Luckily, they were able to open their doors and get out fast.

The majority of the following day, work crews mended the pipe and streets. Tampa’s top utility official stated that the water main is an estimated 70 years old.

One witness said the situation could’ve been avoided if officials had reacted sooner. Luckily no one was seriously hurt, reported Glasser.

Another witness said the spewing pipe was left unattended for 30 minutes to an hour. Tampa’s public work administrator Brad Baird told Glasser that officials responded promptly.

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On Creative Marketing

Re-Structuring For Renewal with Thomas Franklin

Nature provides us with many wondrous examples of renewal. The snake sheds his skin and appears with a new one. The caterpillar metamorphasizes into a colorful butterfly. As we once again move into a New Year, perhaps it’s time to renew and re-create a powerful forward thrust to gain new, better, or more profitable business. I see the most successful shops in my area looking to a future of change. Technicians are being re-trained to repair new vehicles. Many shops are taking marketing into cyberspace and creating a presence on many social media sites. They also now ask customers and prospects foe their e-mail address.

This task of actually doing it is often left to office personnel, customer service representatives and estimators. In the rush to get a customer’s information so an estimate can be written and hopefully the job and the keys to the car obtained, asking for an e-mail address and other vital statistics is often omitted.

A book that’s been around a while called “The Path of Least Resistance,”

by Robert Fritz, tells us why this new task (and many others) are not carried out and put into practice by employees. Fritz says, “Structure determines behavior.” If behavior isn’t changing, the problem is often with the structure.

To illustrate this fact, he describes someone driving a car with a structural problem, out of alignment. If the car is pulling to the left, the driver steers

slightly to the right to keep the car moving straight ahead. Steering straight ahead will not improve the situation. Similarly, giving an employee a new or additional task to perform, without changing the structure to facilitate the task, will seldom result in the employee consistently carrying out the task. From his or her own point of view, the employee may feel the task is “out of alignment” with the structure of his or her job or workflow.

A vehicle’s structure must be corrected and aligned to fix the steering.

Fritz says to make a change that will be accepted, the change must be structural. In our industry, we are keenly aware of the importance of structural integrity. We’re all familiar with the structure of a vehicle, but what are the structural elements of an employee’s job? Time is an obvious element. If an employee’s day is fully scheduled and you add more time-consuming work without reducing something already being done, he or she will either reject the new task, or drop out some other task arbitrarily. Time must be restructured to accommodate the new task.

Another main structural element, from the point of the view of the employee, is compensation. A typical attitude is, “If I’m not being paid more to do this, why should I do it?” Adding a bonus or commission is a structural change that may motivate many employees to take on an added task (if it’s profitable enough for them). And, of course, if

Ford Executive: Aluminum Mostly for Trucks

ord Motor Co. isn’t planning to use much aluminum beyond trucks because the benefits for other vehicles aren’t as compelling, a top executive said at the 2015 Automotive News World Congress. Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of the Americas, said the company sees better, more cost-effective ways to improve the fuel economy of its cars.

Aluminum “has a place but not the same kind of place” in cars as on the newly introduced F-150, Hinrichs said.

“One of the big benefits you get from lightweighting on trucks is you give customers more capability that they want. You can tow more, you can haul more, you can do more of those things by taking the weight out,” Hinrichs said.

“You don’t get those same benefits to a consumer on a car side. So truck buyers will pay for more capability. Car buyers will pay for better fuel economy, but there’s other ways to get fuel economy in a car.”

On cars, Hinrichs said he expects Ford and other automakers to use aluminum only for limited applications such as doors and hoods, he said.

Ford began shipping aluminumbodied F-150s, which weigh up to 700 pounds less than the outgoing model, to dealerships in November. It has announced that the next generation of its Super Duty will go all-aluminum as well. But Hinrichs declined to say where the company might go with aluminum after that.

36 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Tom Franklin has been a sales and marketing consultant for fifty years. He has written numerous books and provides marketing solutions and services for many businesses.

He can be reached at (323) 871-6862 or at tbfranklin@aol.com.

See Tom’s columns at www.autobodynews.com under Columnists > Franklin

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Some re-structuring is similar to the “replacement principle” used to help smokers quit the habit of smoking. Cigarettes are replaced with gum, a patch or perhaps eCigarettes to bridge over the change. Some habits are so ingrained, we’re hardly aware they’re habits. For example a couple of shops have been trying to upgrade their images. Both shops have spray booths that are seriously out of date.

The problem is, both shops have been turning out good quality work for a long time with their existing spray booths. It’s hard to change a habitual activity when it seems to work well.

But insurance companies are becoming more demanding every day, pushing for faster and shorter cycle times.

If these shops are serious about growing and acquiring new insurance business, they will break the “old spray booth habit” and replace it sooner rather than later.

When we think of renewal, it’s natural to think of adding new equipment, new facilities, and new procedures, but first it may be necessary to engage in some subtraction. Even the snake that sheds his old skin to display a new one has to first get rid of the old skin. As noted earlier, old marketing habits have to change too. Many new marketing methods require costly personnel familiar with all of the social media strategies. What can a shop owner with a limited budget do to get marketing results? Perhaps the answer can be found in the concept of “structure.” The structure of a vehicle is a fixed base. It doesn’t change from day to day. Effective marketing must go on day after day. Contacting referral business monthly is a must. Communicating with prior customers on an on-going basis is a structural necessity. But a better structure may exist and finding it may be the key to profitable renewal.

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AudaExplore Technology Driving Performance in Collision Repair Shops

by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

With more collision repair shops adopting technology and becoming digitized, the result has been increased efficiency, higher productivity and greater customer satisfaction.

Brian Greenley, a Maaco franchise owner in Littleton, CO has found his business has become more streamlined since implementing software and a customized application called One Maaco from the company AudaExplore. He said this has increased his shop’s cycle time and improved the way they measure performance.

“Managers now have more control over day-to-day operations, allowing our technicians to work on more repairs per day, which increases the overall profitability of our shop,” said Greenley, who runs the most successful Maaco franchise in the chain. Growing from $400,000 in revenue in 1991 to over $5 million in 2014, he projects his franchise will break the $6 million mark this year.

For more than 40 years, AudaExplore, a U.S. business unit of Solera Holdings, has offered a variety of technology options to auto repair facilities for the various stages of the repair process.

The company offers five different technology platforms for the collision repair industry: Estimating, Parts Management, Repair Management, Driver Experience and Decision Sciences.

“Our goal in developing these platforms is to provide the tools that help repair shops and insurers run profitable and productive businesses as they move toward a more digitized environment, while providing top-notch customer service every step of the way,” said Gordon Henderson, Vice President of Collision Repair Solutions at AudaExplore.

Estimating & Parts Management Henderson said most collision repair shops are probably familiar with Audatex Estimating. This estimating solution provides repairers and insurers the ability to quickly access and visualize data in order to write a more accurate repair plan for a damaged vehicle.

“We collect information on thousands of parts that go into a car along with the associated labor time that it takes to remove, repair and re-install those parts and put it in one place, allowing for a quick calculation of what the cost of repair to be for that vehicle,” said Henderson. Used since the

1980s, he said that a recent enhancement to their estimating solution is the integration of APU, which allows shops to check for inventory on alternative parts. (Read more about APU and other parts ordering platforms in the next issue of Autobody News.)

In September 2014, the company launched a new version of estimate

check, which includes an advanced analytics model to provide enhanced decision support. Henderson said this allows shops to conduct a more robust check of the estimate to ensure compliance with insurance guidelines and identify any missed operations. With more sophisticated data and analytics, the technology provides analysis for guidance regarding repair or replacement of parts such as bumper covers, door panels, trunk lids and hoods.

“We’ve also done things a little different in terms of how our estimating software works,” said Henderson.

“We approach it not just as a computerized estimating tool but as a truly automated, intelligent tool that understands how a vehicle needs to be repaired and helps to ensure that the estimator and repairer make the best decisions possible while minimizing the need for manual intervention.”

When a part is selected for replacement, Henderson said the shop is able to view a 3D model that is linked to the database itself. “We understand that in order to replace any given part, there are other parts that may have to be removed or replaced and that additional labor operations may be required to ensure a proper repair,” he said.

“AudaExplore automatically includes required operations so the estimator doesn’t waste time digging through PPages in order to find out what they have to manually add to the estimate.

This eliminates errors and increases speed, accuracy and consistency.”

Henderson said this unique approach allows shops to spend less time researching the related operations and improves cycle time. “Fewer supplements means that you are more efficient and saves time,” he said.

Repair Management The company’s repair management platform includes the Autofocus manage-

38 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

mately try to get the keys to the vehicle on the spot.”

He said by streamlining the process and making it more consistent across the franchise, it allows Maaco to increase its ability to capture the keys to the vehicle.

“Obviously the more jobs captured means more revenue and more profit at the end of the day.”

Because Maaco has a very unique workflow, Henderson said, “…as a franchise model you want to have things work homogenously across the entire network. We’ve customized our solution to help support that goal.”

Greenley said this has lead to gains in efficiency and more consistency from location to location.

ment software installed at body shops. In the case of Maaco, AudaExplore undertook some fairly extensive customization.

Maaco had been using its own software program Polaris, which became outdated. Greenley said they sat down with AudaExplore to develop a management system that would help measure profitability through their performance.

“A successful business owner should measure every component of his business,” said Greenley, who was one of the first franchises to implement the software in January 2014. “This tool gives us the capability to measure performance within the business.”

Approximately 100 Maaco franchises are now using the software and the plan is for the entire chain to adopt it over the next two years.

The Autofocus management software is also integrated with AudaExplore’s estimating so customers are able to receive an immediate quote for all of the work they want completed.

“A customer’s attention span is short,” said Henderson. “You basically want to get the information to them quickly, help them make a decision and ulti-

Driver Experience In regards to AudaExplore’s driver experience technology platform, the company offers collision repair shops the Go Time Driver application.

Go Time Driver allows a vehicle owner to download an app capable of giving them a 3D representation of their vehicle and the ability to communicate with their auto body shop.

“They can request a specific day and

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time, select the shop and request an appointment,” said Henderson. “We’ve had tremendous success with this.”

Maaco adopted the Go Time Driver application and customized it for their franchises to better communicate with customers and make it easier for them to understand an estimate. “That’s not done easily through a standard estimate in the industry,” said Greenley.

Known as One Maaco, there have been nearly 12,000 downloads of the app since it was first launched during the summer of 2014.

Another component of Go Time Driver is the AutoWatch solution that allows a vehicle owner to view the progress of their vehicle and receive updated repair status information through an interactive website.

“What we’ve found is that it creates a level of transparency that consumers don’t always associate with repair shops,” said Henderson. “The key to that part of the platform is that by keeping consumers informed, they’re directly tied to a higher overall satisfaction on a claim.”

Decision Sciences The company’s Decision Sciences platform aims to improve a com-

pany’s performance by using visualization tools that make it easier to spot trends. Henderson said the company’s Visual Insight brings analytics to the claims process and allows insurers and repairers to visually represent the data collected to make more informed decisions.

“Our decision sciences is really all about creating a set of decision tools that allow the estimator or shop owner, and the insurance client, to make better business decisions moving forward,” said Henderson.

A Consultant Approach Henderson said that AudaExplore approaches each body shop in terms of their unique needs to determine the technology that will be most beneficial to their business.

In December 2014, AudaExplore announced it signed an agreement to extend its services to all ABRA Auto Body & Glass locations in the U.S. for two more years. Working with the company since 2010, AudaExplore provides its Estimating, Central Review and Consolidator Dispatch solutions.

“Our mission is to repair damaged vehicles right the first time, on time,”

said Tim Adelmann, ABRA’s Executive Vice President of Business Development. “As we grow, AudaExplore’s state-of-the-art technology will continue to help us provide superior service seamlessly to each of our clients through our extensive network of auto body repair shops across the nation.”

“Our goal is to make the complicated process of handling a claim much simpler for all parties involved,” said Henderson. “By providing a system that’s highly accurate and connected, we can greatly reduce waste in claims processing activities and help increase overall profitability for our customers such as ABRA.” Henderson said big and small shops, MSOs, insurance companies and independent appraisers are currently utilizing AudaExplore’s various technology solutions.

“I think this industry is realizing that consumers are having higher and higher expectations,” said Henderson.

“Study after study shows that better communication is directly tied to overall consumer satisfaction, which is directly tied to whether or not an insurance company retains a policy holder or a shop gets repeat referral business.”

VeriFacts Celebrates 3 Million Coaching Observation Milestone VeriFacts Automotive is celebrating the milestone of having surpassed three million collision repair facility coaching observations since the company began tracking the data in 2006.

A coaching observation is a physical inspection and onsite training by one of VeriFacts’ collision repair experts at the individual technician level of the repair process.

The coaching observations were conducted as part of the VeriFacts Verified Quality (VQ) Program designed to instill consumer confidence that vehicle repairs have been completed safely, efficiently and transparently.

Along with the milestone for coaching observations, VeriFacts has inspected over 118,000 vehicles and coached more than 14,000 technicians.

“Our goal is to help collision repair facility owners, managers, technicians and consumers sleep better at night with the peace of mind that vehicles have been repaired according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and safety standards,” explained Farzam Afshar, CEO of VeriFacts.

“We want to thank our team of coaches for their significant contribution in achieving this important milestone.”

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Usage of Abrasives in the Auto Industry Has Shifted to Suppliers Automotive manufacturers were once major users of abrasives, which were used in all stages of the vehicle manufacturing process. Now, with the advent of manufacturing robots and molded auto and engine bodies, extensive use of abrasives has shifted primarily to auto parts suppliers, and repair and mechanics shops.

The market is huge, especially as worldwide auto demand grows. From engine parts sizing, deburring, and cleaning to auto body, interior, and accessories repairs, abrasives are used to smooth welds, clean the insides of pipes, and roughen or smooth surfaces and edges for fitting, oiling, painting, or polishing.

Automobile Engine Abrasives There are thousands of specialized abrasive wheel formulations, sizes and shapes used in industrial applications for making auto, truck and aircraft engines and parts. New ones come out on

the market every year.

In 2012, The Hardinge Grinding Group developed new grinding wheels that remove metal 20% faster and last 30% longer than before. Their applications in the automotive industry are many, including cylindrical grinding of crankshafts and camshafts, gear grinding, and internal grinding of hydraulic components.

Nylon abrasive cross buffs are another fairly recent product. They are used in tight spots, like the insides of pipes. Motor manufacturers and mechanics use them to polish the insides of carburetor venturis, cylinder head exhaust ports, lifter bores, valve bodies, brake cylinders and exhaust pipes.

Body Interior and Exterior Use of Abrasives Coated and non-woven abrasives are both used to refinish auto bodies. Abrasive papers, sponges, pencils, emery cloths, steel wool, rubbing compound

and finishing pads are all abrasives used for prepping and polishing. The multi-perforated sanders that whisk away dust are especially useful to prevent dust from spoiling freshly-painted surfaces.

Cutting compound is an abrasive suspended in liquid paste or wax used to cut through oxidized paint or polish out scratches. An aluminum oxide emery cloth is used to polish auto body contours.

3M recently produced a new mini orbital sander for automotive paint repair. It uses a new gripping material cover, and has better ergonomics and a lighter aluminum body to increase ease and comfort in using the sander. An improved skirt attachment extends its durability.

Abrasives Used for Non-Engine Parts & Accessories Accessories like air conditioners and radios are made as complete entities intended to slip into a pre-engineered slot

in the dashboard with room for minor sizing errors. However, parts like steering wheels, brakes, axles and wheels need precision fits.

In 2013, Germany’s Wheelabrator Technology Center developed a new Robot Peener that allows axle gear parts to be processed three times quicker than conventional peeners. The part to be blasted is maintained at exactly defined distances by the robot.

Brakes have their own special abrasive with a non-directional scratch pattern that fits onto a collet tool. It’s used to eliminate brake squeal and reduce discoloration on heat sensitive metals. Aluminum oxide emery cloths are used for polishing brake spindles and crank shafts. A wheel hub cleaning tool uses abrasives in the shape of little round circles to remove corrosion around wheel studs.

All of these are bought and sold in bulk on the online B2B abrasives portal, www.iAbrasive.com.

New Chief Holding Equipment Upgrades Existing Frame Racks to Allow Aluminum and HSS Repairs Chief Automotive Technologies’ new Universal Structural Holding (USH) Clamp System lets shops upgrade existing frame racks from a variety of manufacturers to repair vehicles made with aluminum and high-strength steel. The USH Clamp System works with Chief’s Structural Holding Package to hold a collision-damaged vehicle at strategic locations along the body, so it does not shift out of place during the repair.

“Damaged aluminum body panels on modern vehicles often have to be sectioned and replaced, and highstrength steel frames should be carefully anchored before being pulled,” explained Richard Perry, OEM & strategic account manager for Chief parent company Vehicle Service Group (VSG). “Although many existing frame racks are not equipped for these tasks, our Universal Structural Holding Clamp System lets shop owners cost-effectively upgrade their existing racks instead of purchasing a new rack. The system comes with more than 50 components that can be combined in a variety of ways to secure a vehicle, and it can be used with any frame rack. This reduces the risk that a vehicle will be further damaged during the repair process.”

Chief introduced the Structural Holding Package earlier in 2014 for Chief frame racks, which feature rectangular mounting holes in their

decks. The new USH Clamp System makes it possible to use Structural Holding Package components on racks with any treadway design, including those with non-rectangular holes. Instead of traditional holding bases that fit into the deck holes, the USH Clamp System comes with bases that clamp onto the inner and outer edges of the deck’s treadways. This provides a universal fit that works with nearly any frame rack. The clamping bases are available to fit treadways as narrow as 16 inches and as wide as 34 inches. The bases can alternatively be mounted using long bolts threaded through the deck holes.

Once the USH Clamp System bases are secured in place around the vehicle’s perimeter, the technician can build a secure connection up to each strategic holding point. The Structural Holding Package includes long and short fixtures, extension tubes, vice clamps, plate attachments and other components that provide the technician with the ability to secure the vehicle at the frame, suspension mounting points or upper rails.

The USH Clamp Systemequipped Structural Holding Package (P/N 300021) comes with a dedicated tool board. Each tool is outlined on the board, and the entire board sits on four rolling casters so it can be moved around the shop.

40 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

To learn more about the Chief Structural Holding Package and USH Clamp System, contact your local Chief distributor, visit www.chiefautomotive.com or call (800) 445-9262.

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Fake Drivers’ License ‘Ringleader’ Sentenced to 6 Years A former northern NJ resident who authorities say ran a multi-state scheme that provided fake driver’s licenses and other documents to people in the country illegally has been sentenced to prison, according to Claims Journal. A federal judge in Newark sentenced Young-Kyu Park to six years in prison. The 58-yearold former resident of Fort Lee was one of nearly two dozen people charged in June 2012. Park was liv-

ing in Los Angeles at the time of his was a contract employee of the U.S. arrest. Suspects were arrested in New Citizenship and Immigration ServJersey, New York, California, Ne- ices who was convicted of stealing To advertise vada, Virginia and Georgia. The U.S. the forms used in the scheme.At the call Advertising Sales at: attorney’s office alleges Park ob- time of the arrests, the U.S. attorney’s tained blank immigration forms that office said as many as 700 transac800-699-8251 were then filled out with customers’ tions involving fraudulent documents e-mail: personal information and used to pro- had been identified, most by South advertising@autobodynews.com cure driver’s licenses and other forms Koreans who were in the United of identification. The ring also pro- States illegally and who each paid beduced counterfeit documents includ-www.autobodynews.com tween $3,000 and $4,500 for the ing passports. Among those arrested service.

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Aluminum Repair Tips & Techniques in Preparation for Ford F-150

by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

With Ford’s new F-150 soon to be on the road, collision repair shops across the country are preparing for its release. During an SCRS seminar at SEMA, Larry Montanez of P&L Consultants discussed some of the new procedures and techniques shops will need to learn in order to repair this aluminum-bodied truck.

Based in New York, P&L Consultants offers training programs for the collision and insurance industries.

“Our mission is to make sure that everybody in the collision repair industry can work together towards making sure the vehicle is prepared properly,” said the company’s coowner Montanez. “There’s truly only one standard, which is what the manufacturer puts out.”

He advised shops to learn about the new requirements that will be necessary to repair aluminum and to refer to the manuals provided by the dealer.

During the seminar Montanez discussed the training options available for those in the industry, including vocational technical schools, third-party vendors, OEM training and the highest level of training in the au-

Fix Auto to Hold Annual Conference Sept. 20–23.

Fix Auto announced that its 13th Annual National Conference will take place September 20–23, 2015 at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, a luxury resort with a rich history located in timeless Ojai, California. The invitation-only conference remains a signature event for Fix Auto, bringing together Fix Auto members, insurers, suppliers, OEMs, and an impressive line-up of industry leaders. Fix Auto is committed to making 2015’s conference the most memorable one yet.

It will feature the distinctive mix of speakers, breakout sessions, and activities for which the Fix Auto National Conference has become known, in a setting that fosters relaxation and inspires networking. “The conference is about collision repair professionals coming together for the free and open exchange of information, which is a core benefit of being part of our network,” stated Fix Auto President and COO Paul Gange.

“Because of the unique content we produce, last year’s event sold out and we anticipate doing the same this year,” added Gange. To request an invitation, please contact Jonathan Herrera at 858.764.0756, www.fix auto.com.

tomotive field – OEM welding certification.

In a room filled with collision repair shop owners and technicians, he gave an overview of the types of steel and aluminum currently being used to manufacture vehicles. As a Larry Montanez of certified collision P&L Consultants damage analyst and ISO certified aluminum welder, Montanez said, “It’s a different repair process with aluminum than it is with steel. Aluminum is not as forgiving.”

Aluminum melts at a much lower temperature than steel, 1,200 degree F versus 2,732 F, which he said changes the repair procedures with a vehicle.

He stressed the importance of keeping the aluminum heated at the proper range. “Not staying within the repair heating range will cause the properties of the aluminum alloys to be lost and can anneal the component,” said Montanez. “Annealing is the process of heating the aluminum to the point that it is permanently softened and cannot be returned to its original state.”

After teaching more than 40 classes over the past year, Montanez has found that most of the dents on a vehicle can be removed at a temperature of 200 to 300 degrees using MAP gas. He said that temperature-heating indicators, such as heat monitoring strips or a digital non-contact thermometer, should be used for measurement.

Aluminum doesn’t change color like steel; instead it will just disappear, he said. “You can’t heat shrink a panel like you can with steel.”

Due to aluminum softening at elevated temperatures, Montanez explained it allows the deformed areas to be straightened more easily. “Aluminum can be as strong as steel in a much thinner area.”

He highlighted some of the other advantages of aluminum, such as its durability, strength, corrosion resistance, weight, recyclability and availability.

Unlike steel, aluminum can be heated multiple times provided that the temperature remains within the heating range. He noted that quenching the panel with water or compressed air should be avoided and the panel should be allowed to cool naturally. Otherwise, there is a risk of crystallizing the

2015 Vehicle Lifting Points Guide Now Available

The Automotive Lift Institute, Inc. announced the availability of the 2015 edition of ALI’s “VEHICLE LIFTING POINTS for FRAME ENGAGING LIFTS.” This updated guide is a quickreference single-source manual for lifting point information as recommended by vehicle manufacturers. The 70-page Lifting Point Guide (LP-Gide) for domestic and imported cars and light trucks uses more than 200 undercarriage images to cover the most recent 25 model years. For this new edition, the 2015 model year vehicles were added, some older images were revised, and additional cautionary notes were provided in an effort to clarify pick-up point locations for shop owners, technicians and other LP-Guide users. The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) sponsors this guide annually as an industry service, utilizing data furnished exclusively for ALI by Chek-Chart Products, MOTOR Information Systems. Many proactive companies and franchises now incorporate ALI’s LP-Guide and other safety materials as an integral component of their overall employee safety and training program. Visit ALI’s website www.autolift.org to order this updated guide, to locate automotive lift inspectors certified by ALI.

42 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

panel, which can lead to cracking.

Regarding the heating equipment used on aluminum, Montanez said there are several options available, including a MAP torch, an oxyacetylene torch, an induction heater and a heat gun. He recommended the MAP torch due to its ease of use but advised against using propane gas.

“Propane gas can only be used on a panel that is painted,” said Montanez. “The problem with propane gas is it will apply moisture to bare aluminum and can cause corrosion.”

When working with aluminum, he recommended allocating a certain area or room to avoid cross contamination with steel. Ideally, shops should have a designated set of hand and power tools as well as separate equipment such as sandpaper and saw blades. In addition, shops will need vacuum extractors and a fan in the room that is explosion-proof.

More information about P&L’s aluminum repair workshop can be found by contacting Larry Montanez at P&L Consulting: 917-860-3588 or info@pnlestimology.com

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OSHA Tops 3000 Whistleblower Cases for First Time

A milestone has been reached in federal whistleblower cases, according to law firm Jackson Lewis PC. OSHA has investigated more than 3,000 cases in a fiscal year for the first time ever. It took on 3,060 cases during FY 2014, 91 (3%) more cases than during FY 2013.

OSHA administers the whistleblower provisions of 22 federal statutes. OSHA did not disclose the number of whistleblower complaints it received in 2014 that were rejected after the initial screening and not investigated. However, a study showed that in cases filed from 2011 through 2013 under the whistleblower provision of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, only 41% passed the initial screening.

While the reasons for the increase are not clear, one explanation could be the elevated media attention given to large monetary awards and settlements. A Washington-based attorney who represents whistleblowers told Bloomberg BNA that punitive damage awards of $100,000 and more in Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) cases and new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules have encouraged drivers to bring claims if they are told to exceed legal driving hour limits.

Ed Foundation Taking Grant Applications for Schools

The Collision Repair Education Foundation says the application for their Ultimate Collision Education Makeover school grant is now available for high school and post-secondary collision school programs to apply. The grant program is in its seventh year and new this year, the two annual grants will be in the names of Allstate Insurance and State Farm Insurance, honoring the companies for their continued support of the Foundation. Instructors are advised to begin the application early and industry professionals are encouraged to get involved with the Makeover grant by working with their local school’s collision instructors to help them apply. The Makeover grant is available to high school and college collision school programs nationwide, with priority going to not-forprofit/public schools. The winning schools will be announced during SEMA 2015. “Those collision school programs that complete the Makeover application are at the top of our priority list to assist as they have taken the time to complete the application and provide us with their itemized collision wish list,” noted Director of Grant Program Melissa Marscin.

Axalta Launches ‘Color Block’ Blog

ETI Nominations for Board Members until January 16

The Equipment and Tool Institute’s (ETI) Nominating Committee will be meeting to select a slate of nominees for the ETI Board of Directors, to be voted on electronically prior to the ETI Annual Membership Meeting. This meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 13 at ToolTech in Austin, TX. Three Board seats are up for election due to expiring terms.

These seats currently belong to David Rich, Dennis Keane and Kathy Kedzior. ETI will be accepting applications for consideration by the Nominating Committee. ETI has no term limits for board members, nor does it have an automatic term renewal policy. Existing board members and new candidates must both apply in order to be considered for the expired board seats.

If you wish to discuss possible candidates, contact the Chairman of the ETI Nominating Committee Ben Johnson by phone 858-391-5404 or by email ben.johnson@mitchell1. com. Please submit the completed application form no later than Friday, January 16, sooner would be better. You will be notified as to your application status in the latter part of January.

Axalta Coating Systems recently launched a new blog titled “Color Block” focusing on color. The manufacturer of liquid and powder coatings introduced the blog to highlight its Automotive Color of the Year campaign. Axalta executives, fourtime NASCAR® Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham, three-time NASCAR champion crew chief and host of Velocity’s television show, Americarna revealed Axalta’s 2015 color of the year, Radiant Red, at SEMA 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Radiant Red debuted on the No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet SS driven by Gordon.

The blog will feature posts from experts in a variety of industries including fashion, interior design, architecture and cosmetology. Axalta’s own color experts Nancy Lockhart and Dan Benton will post blog articles as well. “This is a great opportunity for Axalta to continue to share our automotive color expertise and invite experts from an array of fields to discuss the relevance of red in their industries,” said Nancy Lockhart, Axalta’s Color Marketing Manager. To read it visit www.axaltacs.com/us/color.

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RUPES Brings Collision Repair Tools to U.S. Through Acquisition of Cyclo Toolmakers

by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

Auto body shops will soon have easier access to purchase collision repair tools from Italian-based business RUPES. The company recently purchased Cyclo Toolmakers in Longmont, Colorado, and the U.S. facility will become the center of RUPES’s operations in North America.

“RUPES is absolutely committed to growing its presence in the North American market,” said Jonathan Kissov, the VP of Sales and Marketing for RUPES USA. “We see tremendous synergies between Cyclo and RUPES and are excited to have Cyclo’s engineering, manufacturing, distribution and support capabilities available to use.”

Cyclo Toolmakers first introduced the Cyclo in 1952. Cody and Carolyn Sutherland purchased the company in 2003 and re-located to Longmont, CO. They moved to Mead a year ago, where they manufacture the Cyclo onsite.

Originally designed as a metal polishing tool, the Cyclo is used as a final step buffer in a body shop environment.

It is also used for auto detailing and airplane polishing, including caring for the Air Force One fleet, as well as for industrial uses.

“It is an incredibly durable product,” said Sutherland. “It’s made the

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National Coatings & Supplies (NCS) donated over $500,000 in product to high school and post-secondary collision school programs across the country through the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). The products donated by NCS will allow students the opportunity to practice collision repair and refinishing skills.

“We are excited to invest into the industry and into our future. Supporting the CREF and the students will help to ensure future talent in the automotive aftermarket,” noted Wayne Lavrack, President, NCS. CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “This is a first-time donation from NCS to the Collision Repair Education Foundation and what an incredible donation it has been. These school instructors are being overwhelmed with the generosity of these donations and instead of worrying about not having enough material to provide a quality technical education for their students, instructors are faced with the issue of not having enough room to store all of the donations. I cannot thank NCS enough for their support and we look forward to a continued partnership in helping to support the future professionals of the industry.”

way power tools used to be made, constructed of metal and built to last.” Very few changes have been made to the Cyclo machine design over the years.

The business owner still receives products from the 1950s on a weekly basis that come in for repair. “If you look at a 1954 version and you look at today’s version, you would have to look pretty close to find the differences,” he said.

In January, the company announced an updated version of the Model 5 called the Mark II. Sutherland said it has an improved power switch and the shape of the tool has been modified for easier control.

Sutherland was approached by RUPES in 2014 about the possibility of acquiring Cyclo Toolmakers.

“As I learned more I was impressed,” said the business owner. “I thought they would be a benefit to Cyclo’s customers and our efforts to continue modernizing our products.”

Sutherland traveled to Italy to meet with the owners and executives of RUPES. Located in Vermezzo, Italy, a suburb of Milan, RUPES was established in 1947. RUPES is an acronym for Realizzazione Utensili Pneumatici Elettrici Speciali, which means Manufacturer of Special Pneumatic & Electric Tools in English.

The company entered the North

Top Honors from IIHS Have Nearly Doubled Since 2013

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently announced that 71 vehicles earned Top Safety Pick awards compared to 39 last year. The number of winners in the top tier— Top Safety Pick+—has increased by 11 for 2015, despite a tougher standard for front crash prevention. “This is the third year in a row that we are giving automakers a tougher challenge to meet,” says IIHS President Adrian Lund. “The quest for Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards is driving improvement in the small overlap front crash test and getting manufacturers to offer automatic braking technology on more and more vehicles.” While the bar has been raised for Top Safety Pick+, the criteria for Top Safety Pick are unchanged: a good or acceptable rating in the small overlap front test and a good rating in each of the Institute's four other crashworthiness evaluations— moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints (see “A higher standard: 39 vehicles meet new criteria for Top Safety Pick, Top Safety Pick+,” Dec. 19, 2013). The 2015 Top Safety Pick+ designation is awarded to vehicles that meet those criteria.

44 FEBRUARY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

American market nearly three years ago with their Bigfoot polishing system, which encompasses a line of electric and pneumatic car polishers along with foam pads and polishing compounds. Sutherland said the products allow a swirl-free finish on vehicles and other surfaces and are becoming popular in the industry.

Guido Valentini, President of RUPES, said the company also offers a wide range of products that cater to the auto body repair industry.

“During 2015 we will enforce the ‘gearing’ within the Italian and American companies improving logistics, customer service and repairs,” said Valentini. “Beginning in 2016 we will implement local R&D, and we will start the manufacturing activity of all new products. Definitely, we want to manufacture and assemble in the U.S. all of what we sell in North America.” He said they will also manage distribution in Canada and Mexico from the Longmont, CO location.

“RUPES has plans to serve all of its customers in North America better,” said Sutherland. “That was really the reason for the acquisition—to get an organic existing operation here with customer service, warehousing, manufacturing and engineering.” As the new VP of Operations, Sutherland is the general manager for the North

American operation of RUPES. “Part of our future role in the global operation is to manufacture products now made in Europe, here in the states.” These include polishers, grinders, sanders and dust extraction vacuums.

Sutherland said the dust collection systems offered by RUPES will benefit shops repairing the new aluminum-bodied Ford F-150. “With the introduction of more aluminum body parts, and the F-150 being a flagship of aluminum body parts, dust collection has become a far more important safety issue,” he said. “Aluminum dust can be explosive, so safe collection becomes an incumbent responsibility on body shops working with those materials.”

“We recognize the high-quality reputation that the Cyclo brand enjoys across several market segments and promise to work diligently to both honor and improve the status of the brand while leveraging Cyclo’s capabilities to improve RUPES’s service, support and technical levels in North America,” said Kissov. “We are also looking forward to embracing the international distribution network that Cyclo has developed and working with them to further promote the Cyclo brand internationally.”

The companies’ websites are: cyclotoolmakers.com and rupes.com.

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A Father’s Dying Wish Coming True: Manteno Auto Body Man Steps up to Save a ‘Cuda’

means more than transportation to a man he never met before a friend called Manteno, IL, auto body specialist Mike to ask a favor last year.

Dumas knows what he’s doing around Dumas, 55, couldn’t ignore the yesterday’s muscle cars. He lovingly story. Darren Evans, 51, of downstate restores them, with incredible attention El Paso, was the chief sheriff’s deputy of Woodford County. And he was just given a death sentence by his doctors. A persistent cough was diagnosed as lung cancer. He was given a year to live.

Of course he wanted to make the most of his time with his family, but there was this one other matter.

“I was a gun collector and I lost all interest in that. I could sell those,” he said.

“But I had this Barracuda out Darren Evans (center), his 19-year old son, Adam (left) and in a shed. I bought that car Michael Dumas of Platinum Auto in rural Manteno look at when I was 15. And I held on the 1971 Barracuda being restored for him as a gift from his to it, hoping that I could work family. Photo courtesy of The Daily Journal/Mike Voss on it some day with my son to every detail. He has done that for 12 [Adam, 18]. My dad [Jim] helped me years at Platinum Custom Cars. buy it back then. And I thought it was He also knows something about something I could leave for my son.” what cars can mean to people. And But there was never time or money that’s why he has devoted so much time for this sort of indulgence. And, with the to a project he’s doing off the books. clock ticking, the car looked like a He knows that the green 1971 Ply- dream that couldn’t come true. That is, mouth Barracuda convertible, which he until Darren’s friends stepped up. One has toiled over for the past nine months, friend rebuilt the engine. Another speby Dennis Yohnk, Daily-Journal.com

cialized in finding the best spare parts.

And another made that call to Dumas.

“I told them we weren’t going to cut corners: We were going to do it right. But if Darren could hold on, he could drive his car again. He could give his son a memory he’d never forget,” Dumas said, noting that the car is now being pieced back together after being completely stripped down for a full restoration.

“The plan is to get it done in time for the World of Wheels [car show ] at the Rosemont in March,” he said.

“Thousands of people will see it there, and then Darren can drive it off the floor and back to El Paso.”

That would be his first time behind the wheel since he parked the car in 1992. At that point it was only on the road briefly. He purchased it at 15,

and drove it from 1978 to 82. At that point it needed work, but he wasn’t willing to part with it.

“I bought it for $3,200, and I think I was offered something like $8,000, as it sat, but I always thought I could bring it back, and Adam could have some fun in it like I did.”

In fact, Darren admits he had a little too much fun, and has the speeding tickets to prove it. He matured, though, and found a place on the other side of the law—even though his love for this car never let up.

His commitment made sense, financially. This type of restored car can sell for more than $100,000. But Darren isn’t interested in that reward. He wants to see Adam behind the wheel, maybe tearing down some of the same roads he traveled.

First, though, Dumas has more work to do. The painting isn't complete. All of the parts have to come back together— perfectly, to suit his Detroit native.

“I still keep busy with my clients’ cars, but I put all of my personal projects on hold until this is done,” he said.

“I have a couple of trucks in pieces in storage while I put in all my nights and weekends getting this done.”

We thank Daily-Journal.com for permission to reprint their article.

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Forward Lift Redesigns Website to Help Users Find Vehicle Lifts and Accessories Forward Lift has redesigned its website with new features that benefit potential vehicle lift buyers and current owners alike.

The forwardlift.com updates include mod-

ern graphics, new product pages and additional information, all of which are better organized for easy navigation.

“In addition to improving the visuals of forwardlift.com, we’ve added

multiple channels of navigation to help guide users through the site” said David Fischmer, Marketing Director for Forward Lift parent company Vehicle Service Group (VSG). “All products are accessible from the homepage or the new category pages, so users can go directly to a specific vehicle lift or browse among a group. This helps make the site more intuitive for a variety of people.”

Forward Lift products are categorized on the redesigned site as car lifts, heavy-duty lifts, motorcycle lifts and accessories. Each category has a home page with links to individual lift models.

On the product pages, users can zoom in on photos, find detailed specifications and see which accessories work with which lifts.

An archive of Forward Lift manuals has been added to the site. The archive includes literature for current and discontinued lift models, so facility managers, technicians and lift service providers can find information for any Forward lifts that are installed in the shop. Current and potential Forward Lift users can also find guidance on hydraulic fluid needs, bay sizes, concrete requirements and other lift specifics on the new FAQ page.

Links across the bottom of each page direct users to Forward Lift’s social media pages, www.facebook.com /ForwardLift and twitter.com/ForwardLift, videos on vimeo.com/ groups /forwardlift and recent press releases.

Established in 1968, Forward Lift is a manufacturer of vehicle lifts for a wide

range of customers, including independent repair shops, car dealers, body shops, national accounts, vehicle enthusiasts, hobbyists and heavy-duty truck maintenance facilities. Its products are sold by dedicated distributors and national parts suppliers, including NAPA, Carquest and Pep Boys.

Forward Lift is a VSG brand, which comprises nine major vehicle lifting and collision repair brands: Forward® Lift, Rotary® Lift, Chief® Automotive Technologies, Direct-Lift®, Hanmecson®, Revolution® Lift, Elektron, Blitz® and nogra®. Based in Madison, IN., VSG has operations worldwide, including ISO-9001-certified manufacturing facilities on three continents. Visit www.forwardlift.com for more information.

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