Albert Kemperle, Inc� Joins Wesco Group�������

sociations,” said Tuggle “We’re going to eat this elephant, but we need everyone to take a bite.”

Tuggle challenged shops to commit to filling out a couple of forms a week. “This would get us where we need to be,” she said. “It’s so very important that we’re taking this seriously, not only with TDI but with legislators as well; this is how we achieve that.”

Richards said many shops are scared to push the envelope. “A lot of you don’t want to make enemies with the insurance company but this has to do with running a profitable business—having a business where you can get technicians certified and the equipment you need,” he said.

Five or six years ago, Richards said only a few shops in Texas had specialized equipment, and technicians needed to travel to a different state to get certified. “You now have to look at your business in a different way,” he said. “Having consumers fill out these forms is a big step in doing that.”

Chad Kiffe with Berli’s Body and Fine Finishes in Pflugerville, TX, has found talking to customers about the forms on the front end has helped get them filled out. “We have a discussion with them when they drop off their vehicle and let them know about the possible challenges, whether that’s rates, procedures or parts,” he said. “Through the process, we’re very transparent with the consumers with emails and phone calls so they understand we are looking out for their best interests.”

As a result, he said, it’s an easy sell when they pick up their vehicle; in fact, customers often ask for the form when they come in.

Greg Luther with Helfman Collision in Houston, TX, has also had success using the forms. He said it may be hard to get started but it’s just as easy to continue to do it.

Luther has had insurance advisors contact him and ask what they can do to get the complaint forms to stop. His response is to pay the claim. “A lot of it has gotten better with people I have relationships within the insurance industry,” he said. “They are actually paying us to fix cars better.”

ABAT’s lobbyist, Jacob Smith from Longleaf Consultant, talked about the significant impact the forms are having after being sent to the legislators he talks to daily during the legislative session. “Getting the consumer complaints to the elected officials helps tremendously,” he said. “It shows that the issue is happening in the electeds’ district and gives them the incentive to help.”

Through this grassroots work and sticking to the game plan, Smith said it’s really working. “We have to stay on it,” he said. “I think if we do and shops all stand together and we do this across the state, we’re going to get some meaningful legislation passed and then we are going to have the tiger by the tail.”

AUTOBODY

Wesco Group, a leading paint, body and equipment distributor in the western U.S. and Canada, is pleased to announce Albert Kemperle, Inc. has joined the Wesco family of companies.

Kemperle Auto Paint, Body & Equipment was founded by Albert and Mary Kemperle, who opened its first store in Brooklyn, NY, in 1940. Over the decades, generations of founding family members continued to expand that single store into more than 50 locations in the eastern U.S.

Ronald Kemperle has joined Wesco as a principal partner and will continue to guide the group in the eastern U.S. The combined Wesco family of companies, which includes Wesco, Color Compass and Kemperle, is one of the largest privately-held PBE distributors in North America, servicing customers from more than 118 stores, 13 distribution centers, 12 equipment divisions and 11 training centers. Source: Wesco Group

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