Southwestern March 2016 Issue by Autobody News

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NWLTC Shreveport Set to Host Louisiana SkillsUSA Conference in April The 33rd annual Louisiana SKillsUSA Postsecondary Leadership and Skills Conference will be held April 21–22, at Northwest Louisiana Technical College-Shreveport campus, (NWLTCShreveport) 2010 North Market Street, Shreveport. Community and technical college students from across the state will come to Northwest LTC-Shreveport to compete in a wide array of skill areas, including allied health, automotive service technology, welding, collision repair technology, practical nursing and other in-demand career fields. In an effort to provide ample equipment

and lab space, competitions will also be held at NWLTC – Minden campus. The event is considered a “Workforce Olympics” of career and technical education in Louisiana. During the competition, students will match abilities against their peers in various contests designed and judged by experts from the local industry. “With the statewide focus on workforce development, this is an excellent opportunity for students, business partners and colleges to share ideas, and advance to the next stage of workforce development,” said Dianne

National Autobody Research (NABR) launched VRS Labor Rate Surveys in two more states; Arkansas and New Mexico. The Arkansas and New Mexico VRS Labor Rate Surveys were both

lease, the VRS Labor Rate Survey will provide collision repairers in Arkansas and New Mexico with an independent, third-party, trusted survey of state-wide labor rate data. The VRS reports the

See SkillsUSA Conference, Page 10

National AutoBody Research Launches VRS Labor Rate Surveys in Arkansas and New Mexico

true, market-based rate ranges throughout the states of Arkansas and New Mexico, based on shops’ actual prices, not on one artificially defined, singleprevailing rate for all repairers. See Labor Rate Survey, Page 16

Change Service Requested

P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018

15 total shops in Arkansas responding to date

sponsored by anonymous collision repairers in their respective states. The online survey is free for all Arkansas collision repair shops and can be found on the NABR website. According to a NABR press re-

VOL. 34 ISSUE 3 MARCH 2016

The Parable of the Crippled Mare: Loss-Of-Use Now Recoverable in Texas Total Loss Auto Cases by Gary Wickert, Attorney-at-Law

Many years ago, a lawyer argued that the long-standing Texas rule prohibiting recovery of damages for loss of use of personal property, unless the property was a total loss or destroyed, was unfair. City of Canadian v. Guthrie, 87 S.W.2d 316 (Tex. Civ. App. 1932). His client’s one-eyed, underfed mare lived a simple life. One night, however, she was caught roaming the city streets in search of food and was placed in the city pound. Her Gary Wickert owner failed to pay her board bill. Thus, she was put out of her misery. As the Court of Appeals then put it, “when Panhandle Pete’s

pistol popped, she petered, for which the pound-keeper paid Pete a pair of pesos.” Her owner protested her death and sued for damages, including $350 for the loss of her services in his occupation of hauling. The Court rejected that claim, holding that although “damages occasioned by the loss of the use and hire of an animal are recoverable where the animal is injured, no such damages are recoverable for the total loss or death of an animal.” Rather, “the measure of damages in the case of a wrongful killing of an animal is its market value, if it has one, and if not, then its actual or intrinsic value, with interest.” That rule, the owner’s attorney argued, made it “cheaper to kill a mare in Texas than to cripple her.” On January 8, 2016, the Texas See The Parable, Page 18

Progressive Says Nearly 9,000 Hours of Productivity Lost in More Than 190 Crashes in Denver Each Day Nearly 70,000 car accidents happen in the Denver, CO metropolitan area each year; thats more than 1,340 a week and 190 a day. And, while 43 percent of all claims handled by Progressive in the area are considered minor in terms of repair cost (causing less than $2,000 in damage to each vehicle), the time wasted and inconvenience caused are anything but minor. About 40 percent of drivers involved in crashes report spending four or more days managing the process of getting their vehicles repaired. This means area drivers collectively lose nearly 9,000 hours of time; that’s more than three years managing the claims/repair process. To help save drivers time, The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, announced on January 30 the opening of its first Service Center in the Denver area. According to a company press release, drivers here can now receive a claims service that reduces the time each driver spends on the claims/re-

pair process from four days to about 15 minutes. And the service is not limited to just Progressive Direct or Drive Insurance customers. It’s also available to anyone involved in a claim with these customers. If drivers choose to use the new Denver Service Center, according to a company press release, they can drop off the damaged vehicle and, in about 15 minutes, can leave in a rental car assured that a claims representative will handle the process from beginning to end. This includes overseeing the work that the body shop does, and that the repairs will be guaranteed. Without this level of claims service, drivers have to spend several days doing everything themselves. “The Service Center approach is simple and it works,” said Franklin Duru, Denver Service Center manager for Progressive. The opening of the new Service Center at 6201 Broadway St. in Denver marks the 45th Progressive Service Center in the U.S. and the first in Colorado.

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COLUMNISTS Attanasio - Best Marketing Techniques to Recruit Top Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Attanasio - Iowa Shop Owner is 100 Percent All-in with Community Service . . . . . . . 46 Attanasio - Say Hello to Our Little Friend— El Niño! Strongest One Yet Expected this Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Chess - Kool Tools from SEMA 2015 . . . . 36 Luehr - Why Winners Win (Deliberate Practice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Phillips - Body Shop Owner & President of ABARI Shares Insight about Legislation the Association Helped Pass . . . . . . . . 50 Phillips - Collision Shop Benefits from Improved Cycle Time, CSI and Closing Ratio After Joining CARSTAR Network . 28 Phillips - General Manager of Jost Garage in New Jersey Says Running a Successful Shop Requires Staying Up With Latest in Training & Technology . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Yoswick - Attorney Presses Shops to Take the Steps They Can to Help Prevent Workplace Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Yoswick - Jeff Silver, GAO Report and NHTSA, Avery v State Farm, EPA at CIC . . . . . . 56 NATIONAL 3M Calendar Fundraiser Raises $100,000 in January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 AASP/NJ Releases Seminar Agenda for 39th Annual NORTHEAST™ Trade Show . . . 14 AkzoNobel Awards Sustainability Challenge Grant, Reveals 2016 Distributors Council, Receives Recognition for Sustainability Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 ALI Lowers Price of Online Lift Safety Training Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 ASA Announces Partnership With eMarketing Sherpas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Assured Performance Launches OEM Repair Procedure Compliance App . . . . . . . . . 26 AudaExplore and ABRA Extend Strategic Relationship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Auto Parts Dealer in ME Faces More Scam Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Axalta Develops Speed Light Hand-Held Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Bumpersmith 2.0 Combines Welder & Work Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 CAPA Elects 8 Leaders to Its Technical Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 CREF Announces New Designation Program to Help Students Prepare for Employment . 44 Darryl Hollenbeck Claims 2016 AMBR Award With His PPG-Painted Roadster. . 30 eMarketing Sherpas is CASPER’s Preferred Provider. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Exhibit Space Selling Out for NACE | CARS 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Fix Auto USA Announces 100th Franchise Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Google’s Autonomous Tech is Considered Driver Under Federal Law, NHTSA Says. . 4 Historic Meeting Planned to Discuss Proposed Senate Bill That Would Cap Labor Rates in Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . 12 New Name in Plastic Repair: Same Products, Same Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 NHTSA Hosts Vehicle Cybersecurity Roundtable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 PARTS ACT Patent Controversy Continues in Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Professional Parts Group’s Chris Northup Elected to CAPA’s Board of Directors . . 52 SCRS Notifies Members of Collision Repair Petition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Announces Annual Vendor Awards. . . . 43 Takata Air-Bag Recall Expanded as 10th Death Reported . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 The Equipment and Tool Institute Redesigns Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 U.K. Insurers Examining Autonomous Car Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Vibac Aims for An Even More Productive 2016 with the Release of New Automotive Tapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On January 23, the Colorado Automotive Recyclers Association (CAR) held their annual meeting in Denver. ARA President Mike Swift attended the meeting and said, “As always, this annual meeting proved to be a great place to network with others in the industry, share business ideas and information.” Swift addressed attendees in regards to ARA’s recent activities, including passage of a five-year highway reauthorization bill in December that includes a provision requiring manufacturers to provide OEM parts data for recalled components. He noted, “Securing this critical part number data for the automotive recycling industry has been a top priority for ARA for many years.” Norman Wright, chair of ARA’s Government Affairs Committee and CAR members, joined Swift in encouraging attendance at ARA’s Annual Hill Day and State Legislative Summit in Washington, D. C. in April. The annual meeting included an update on a new workers’ compensaPublisher & 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 Office Manager: Louise Tedesco Sales/Research Associate: Cass Heckel Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia

tion plan offered to CAR members, and the association also announced plans to introduce a new web-based communications tool. Attendees enjoyed presentations from automotive recycling industry favorites Robert Counts of Counts Business Consulting and Rian Garner of American Auto Salvage in Texas. CAR members also welcomed local legislators who met with recyclers throughout the day to reiterate the importance of involvement in policy discussions at the local and state levels. For more information, visit http: //www.coloradoautorecyclers.com/

Abaris Training Resources, Inc. . . . 34 Allen Samuels Chevrolet. . . . . . . . . 44 Audi South Austin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 63 Axalta Coating Systems . . . . . . . . . . 5 BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 55 Bob Howard PDC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Car-Part.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA). . . . . . . . . . . 41 Chevyland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Chief Automotive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Classic Auto Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Classic BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Dallas Dodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Dent Magic Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Diamond Standard Parts . . . . . . . . 13 Don Carlton Auto Group . . . . . . . . . 30 Eco Repair Systems of North America, LLC . . . . . . . . . . 37 EMM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Equalizer Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . . 42 Eurovac, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 FBS Distribution Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . 21 Finnegan Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge . . . . 2 Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 61 GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . 51 Herkules Equipment Corporation. . 18 Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-33 Huffines Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Lewisville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Huffines Hyundai Plano . . . . . . . . . 40 Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers. . 59 Kia Motors America, Inc.. . . . . . . . . 49 Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers. 57

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Serving Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, Colorado 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. ©2016 Adamantine Media LLC. Autobody News Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018; (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com Email: news@autobodynews.com

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REGIONAL A New Hope for Labor Rates: The Variable Rate System by National AutoBody Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Attorney General Files Vehicle Insurance Fraud Charge in OK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Auto Body Association of Texas Bringing Education to Collision Industry . . . . . . . . 8 Body Shop Employee Loses Job Over ‘Threat’ Against Oklahoma Police Vehicle . . . . . 11 Colorado Automotive Recyclers Association Holds Annual Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 CREF Hosts Dallas Collision Career Fair on March 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Dallas/Fort Worth-Area Dealerships Offer Financial Incentives to Entice Grads, Fill Entry-Level Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Denver’s Emily Griffith Technical College Moves to New Facility & Expands Collision Repair Program . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Gas Monkey Garage Selects Evercoat Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Gas Monkey Garage Show Renewed for 8th Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 National AutoBody Research Launches VRS Labor Rate Surveys in Arkansas and New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 NWLCRA Discusses Accessing Free Info on Web & Votes on New Officers . . . . . . 8 NWLTC Shreveport Set to Host Louisiana SkillsUSA Conference in April. . . . . . . . . 1 Progressive Says Nearly 9,000 Hours of Productivity Lost in More Than 190 Crashes in Denver Each Day . . . . . . . . . 1 Service King Continues Veteran Hiring Initiative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Service King Participates in San Antonio Job Shadow Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Spanesi Americas Distributors Across the Country Receive Awards and Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 The Parable of the Crippled Mare: Loss-Of-Use Now Recoverable in Texas Total Loss Auto Cases . . . . . . . . . 1 TX News Source Profiles Local Shop Owner in “Chandler Yesteryear” Column . . . . . . 6

Colorado Automotive Recyclers Association Holds Annual Meeting

Indexof Advertisers

Contents

Larson Electronics, LLC.. . . . . . . . . 12 LKQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Lusid Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 58 Mercedes-Benz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Mercedes-Benz of Houston Greenway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Mercedes-Benz Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Mike Calvert Toyota. . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Mirka USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Mitsubishi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Mobile Environmental Solutions, LLC. 23 MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 35 North Freeway Hyundai . . . . . . . . . 50 O’Reilly Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Orio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Polyvance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 PPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Ray Huffines Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . 43 Reliable Automotive Equipment . . . 15 SATA Spray Equipment . . . . . . . . . 39 South Pointe Chrysler-JeepDodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Toyota of Laredo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 52 U-POL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Valspar Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Vehicle Value Experts . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Vibac Tape Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Volvo Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 56 Wesch Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Young Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

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Google’s Autonomous Tech is Considered Driver Under Federal Law, NHTSA says

U.S. vehicle safety regulators have said the artificial intelligence system piloting a self-driving Google car could be considered the driver under federal law, a major step toward ultimately winning approval for autonomous vehicles on the roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told Google of its decision in a previously unreported Feb. 4 letter to the company posted on the agency’s website this week. Google’s self-driving car unit on Nov. 12 submitted a proposed design for a self-driving car that has “no need for a human driver,” the letter to Google from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Chief Counsel Paul Hemmersbaugh said. “NHTSA will interpret ‘driver’ in the context of Google’s described motor vehicle design as referring to the [self-driving system], and not to any of the vehicle occupants,” NHTSA’s letter said. “We agree with Google its [selfdriving car] will not have a ‘driver’ in the traditional sense that vehicles have had drivers during the last more than one hundred years.” Major automakers and technology companies such as Google are racing to develop and sell vehicles that can drive themselves at least part of the time. All participants in the autonomous driving race complain that state and federal safety rules are impeding testing and eventual deployment of such vehicles. California has proposed draft rules requiring steering wheels and a licensed driver in all self-driving cars. If the car’s artificial intelligence is the driver for legal purposes, then it clears the way for Google or automakers to design vehicle systems that communicate directly with the vehicle’s artificial pilot. In its response to Google, the federal agency offered its most comprehensive map yet of the legal obstacles to putting fully autonomous vehicles on the road. It noted existing regulations requiring some auto safety equipment cannot be waived immediately, including requirements for braking systems activated by foot control. “The next question is whether and how Google could certify that the [self-driving system] meets a standard

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developed and designed to apply to a vehicle with a human driver,” NHTSA said. Google is “still evaluating” NHTSA’s lengthy response, a company spokesperson said on Tuesday. Google executives have said they would likely partner with established automakers to build self-driving cars. Google told NHTSA that the real danger is having auto safety features that could tempt humans to try to take control. Google “expresses concern that providing human occupants of the vehicle with mechanisms to control things like steering, acceleration, braking... could be detrimental to safety because the human occupants could attempt to override the (self-driving system’s) decisions,” the NHTSA letter stated. NHTSA’s Hemmersbaugh said federal regulations requiring equipment like steering wheels and brake pedals would have to be formally rewritten before Google could offer cars without those features. For example, current federal rules require alerts on dashboards if tire pressure runs low. NHTSA said a test would need to be created that shows the vehicle computer is informed of the problem. NHTSA raised the question of whether humans in the vehicles should also be made aware. In January, NHTSA said it may waive some vehicle safety rules to allow more driverless cars to operate on U.S. roads as part of a broader effort to speed up development of selfdriving vehicles. NHTSA said then it would write guidelines for self-driving cars within six months. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the administration may seek new legal authority to allow deployment of autonomous vehicles “in large numbers,” when they are deemed safe, the department said. The process of rewriting federal regulations governing the design, placement and operation of vehicle controls could take months or years. The NHTSA counsel said Google could consider applying for exemptions for certain regulations, providing NHTSA with supporting documents.

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TX News Source Profiles Local Shop Owner in “Chandler Yesteryear” Column by Jim Powell, The Chandler & Brownsboro Statesman

In 1949, Spencer Montgomery, a Chandler resident, started working for Leo Jones Body Shop that was housed in the old Harris Davis Chevrolet dealership building located on Hwy. 31 East in Chandler. At the time Spencer was earning $25 per week assisting in the body shop. He said, “I stayed busy tearing down vehicles, patching them up and putting them back together.”

An old school tow truck used by the Chandler, Texas body shop

The Body Shop first opened in 1947 as Tyler Body and Motor Works in Tyler with Jim Warren as Leo Jones’ partner. It was located in the building that The Christmas Store presently occupies on West Erwin Street. Leo Jones moved his Body Shop to Chandler in a building where the Ellis Motor Com-

Service King Participates in San Antonio Job Shadow Day

Service King Collision Repair Centers® hosted nearly 30 high school students on February 2 inside its San Antonio, Texas repair center for a first-hand look at a career in the automotive repair industry. The behind-the-scenes access was part of San Antonio’s revival of the city’s official Job Shadow Day. Service King was one of 59 area employers participating in the event, sponsored by San Antonio Works and Junior Achievement. “The Service King team was honored to welcome the future of our industry inside one of our local repair centers,” said Jason Peel, Service King’s market vice president for San Antonio. “We’d like to thank the city of San Antonio for providing students the opportunity to gain a first-hand look at the collision repair industry and for being proactive in their professional development.” A majority of students scheduled to attend the event attend Holmes High School and are currently enrolled in an automotive course. As part of the job shadow experience, students met with and learned from Service King teammates across various roles of the repair center including technicians, service advisors and painters.

pany is presently located. The business was moved because his Tyler shop had to be closed several days a month for the East Texas Auto Auction, which was conducted on the parking lot and in the adjoining building. After several months the Body Shop moved to the Harris Davis location. The Leo Jones Body Shop had a wrecker service and also sold gas. During this period Jones sold cigarettes for 17 cents per package. He used this low price incentive to attract gas customers. In addition to Spencer Montgomery, the Leo Jones Body Shop employed Jake Jacobson as the body man and Jack Jones, Leo’s teenage brother, and a painter. Jack said, “I made $15 per week sanding, polishing chrome and cleaning windows.” Jack laughs when he tells the story that on one Friday he loaned the painter $10 of the $15 he earned that week. Over the weekend the painter was shot and killed at a nightclub, so Jack lost two thirds of his week’s salary! One Halloween night Leo told a group of teenage Chandler boys he would leave the keys in the ignition of his wrecker behind one of the downtown buildings, just in case they needed it for any reason. That was like saying, “sic ‘em” to a dog.

Without using the wrecker’s headlights, the guys eased the wrecker up to a 32-foot long flatbed trailer and attached the wrecker’s cable to it. After creating a little diversion in another area of town to keep Maudie Harrison, the town’s night watchman, occupied, they waited for Mr. Stone, the constable, to pass by on his routine check before they made their move. When the way was clear, they hastily towed the Leo Jones opened trailer to what is his first body shop now Broad Street in 1947. He sold and left it sitting gas, as well as across the street cigarettes for 17 blocking traffic in cents a pack front of the downtown stores. When their prank was successfully accomplished, they returned the wrecker and quickly disappeared into the darkness. Leo was successful with his Body Shop in Chandler. He later formed a partnership with Jerry Kidd to open the Kidd-Jones service stations/convenience stores. Thank you to the Chandler & Brownsboro Statesman for permission to reprint this article.

Attorney General Files Vehicle Insurance Fraud Charge in OK

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt announced on January 22 a vehicle insurance fraud charge in Love County, OK. Jimmy Elvis Morgan, 36, of Marietta, allegedly filed a false insurance claim stating his vehicle was stolen. Morgan told his insurance provider he had loaned his vehicle to a friend of a friend, but it had not been returned. Morgan filed a police report with the Marietta Police Department. After further investigation, it was apparent Morgan had agreed to sell his vehicle to the friend after falling behind on several payments. Morgan is charged with one felony count of false claim for insurance. If convicted, Morgan faces up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.

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CREF Hosts Dallas Collision Career Fair on March 24

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) will be hosting a high school and college collision career fair in Dallas, Texas on Thursday, March 24 at the Caliber Collision facility near Dallas Love Field Airport. The career fair will be a continuation of the organizations’efforts to support high school and college collision school programs through industry in-kind and monetary donations as well as connect students with industry employers. Over 200 Dallas area collision students are anticipated to attend the event, which will include opportunities for vendors to meet students, distribute resumes, product demonstrations and more. CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “These career fairs around the country provide us with an incredible opportunity to engage with the local collision students and showcase to them that there is an industry eagerly awaiting their graduation. As students approach spring graduation, I would highly encourage companies to join us in these events. After the Dallas career fair, we have Denver, Seattle, Phoenix, Chicago and Nashville up next this spring.” For information, contact 847-463-5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode @ed-foundation.org.

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Dallas/Fort Worth-Area Dealerships Offer Financial Incentives to Entice Grads, Fill Entry-Level Positions

As employers in the transportation industry seek highly-trained, skilled auto technicians for their service departments, many employers are choosing to offer financial incentives to recent graduates in order to woo them away from competitors. Across the nation, nine of the 10 largest national auto dealership groups are participating in Universal Technical Institute’s Tuition Reimbursement and Incentive Programs (TRIP) to attract qualified candidates while helping UTI graduates offset the cost of education. More than 400 employers in Texas—and many more nationwide—offer TRIP agreements for UTI graduates. With a campus in the D/FW area, many local students and employers are taking advantage of TRIP. The program helps UTI graduates offset the cost of their education while providing employers such as the Park Place Dealerships throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area with the qualified service technicians their dealerships need. By the year 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor projects there

will be more than 1.2 million jobs in the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine industries. To reach that total, the transportation industry will have to fill more than 37,000 technician job openings every year.[1] There are not enough trained people for these jobs to fill the pipeline and meet increased demand. Additionally, as Baby Boomers begin to retire in droves and the number of vehicles on the road continues to grow, the gap will only widen. Many leading employers realize that recruiting qualified technicians is critical to the sustained success in a competitive market, and by participating in tuition reimbursement and incentive programs, they can attract the top talent in the industry. To learn more about Universal Technical Institute Dallas/Fort Worth, visit www.uti.edu/campuslocations/dallas-tx

It states that: “Many auto insurance companies force customers to take cars to insurance preferred body shops for repairs. By cutting corners and safety standards to save money, the driving public is at risk and the value of the

by Janet Chaney

The beginning of 2016 has been busy for the Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT), which consistently works to bring education to the Texas collision industry. Two meetings in January brought industry speaker, Tim Ronak, AKZO Nobel, from California. Ronak’s presentations were tools for profitability and business management. They included ‘Getting Paid For Investing in Facility, Equipment and Training,’ ‘Spot Within A Panel’ and ‘How to Survive In a Changing Market.’ January 13, the afternoon meeting was in Tyler, Texas and the January 14 meeting was held in Arlington. ABAT reached out to more than 100 repairers for these meetings. ABAT President Burl Richard, Burl’s Paint and Body in Henderson, Texas, has been meeting with the

Texas Auto Dealers Association to discuss legislative initiatives affecting the automotive industry. ABAT’s board of directors has a monthly conference call to manage the association. They are an active board and are looking for rapid growth this year. ABAT is planning a trade show in September in the Dallas area. Stay tuned for details. In 2015, this association was one of the first to implement a survey, Prevailing Practices Survey, conducted by 10 Point Complete. ABAT said the survey was well done and had a positive impact in the Texas market. ABAT will be conducting another survey with National Auto Body Research. If you are in Texas and receive a call or an email, PLEASE participate in the survey. Don’t be part of the problem—be part of the solution!

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NWLCRA Discusses Accessing Free Info on Web & Votes on New Officers

On Tuesday, February 2, the Northwest Louisiana Collision Repair Association (NWLCRA) met at their usual spot, the Country Tavern Barbecure. The main topic of discussion was accessing free information through the Internet for both product and procedure information. NWLCRA board members reviewed several websites to give members more ability to find this information. NWLCRA also voted on officers for the 2016 year. For those who still need to renew their NWLCRA membership, you can do so online at: http://www .nwlcra.org/joinonline.html. Once you complete this application, it will be emailed to the account you listed. In other news, a petition has been started on a national level intending to “Enforce safe car repairs to save live.”

Auto Body Association of Texas Bringing Education to Collision Industry

customers' cars are diminished. Repair shops performing proper repairs are having a hard time staying in business. In 1963, US Attorney General Robert Kennedy sued the insurance industry to prevent them from forcing body shops to cut corners at the risk to public safety. The 1963 Consent Decree was signed stopping the auto insurance industry from controlling body shop labor rates, the parts used to repair cars, and returning the independence of auto body shops back to themselves. We plead with this Administration to enforce the 1963 Consent Decree for the safety of the American driving public.” The petition had to be signed by 100,000 and had 30 days in which to do so. The petition deadline was February 24 to get the signatures needed. For more information, visit http:// www.nwlcra.org/.

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Denver’s Emily Griffith Technical College Moves to New Facility & Expands Collision Repair Program In 2015, after nearly 100 years of training men and women how to fix cars on a city block in downtown Denver, Colorado, Emily Griffith Technical College (EGTC) moved to a new facility for its growing College of Trades and Industry. EGTC renovated a building, occupying 50,000 square feet of space, at 1205 Osage Street in the La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood in northwest Denver. The move enabled the college to expand its capacity in career-training programs, including its popular automotive collision program. The facility has modern classroom space and training labs and as well as equipment such as a frame rack, paint booth, prep decks and weld booths. The frame rack is a Chief Titan 360. It is complete with four pulling towers and a laser measuring system. This gives students the capability to measure, pull and fix any type of damage on vehicles. The paint booth is a Garmat down draft full vehicle size booth. The ventilation and air flow assist in the painting process. It is equipped with an Accele-cure fan system to accommodate the new Waterborne paint system. EGTC also has a fully-stocked paint

mix room with a full solvent paint bank and a full waterborne paint bank. The two prep decks are also from Garmat with a down draft. They are used in every learning situation from grinding on cars to sanding to a small

Emily Griffith Technical College has a new facility for its automotive collision program

amount of painting. They are toprated and offer a functional space for a variety of activities. The program’s weld booths are from Clean Air Tech and have their own ventilation system. When a student strikes an arc, the ventilation system starts to move the hazardous welding smoke away from the welder, a critical safety precaution. They each have their own welder and curtains that also offer the student a safe envi-

10 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

ronment. The gasses for the welding class are piped in so a student doesn’t runs out of gas. “The hands-on training facilities feature the most advanced training equipment with electrical diagnostic systems, new additions to the automotive program’s fleet of cars, new air filtration systems for the state-ofthe-art training labs, multi-functional classrooms, and maximized energy efficiency,” according to Jeff Barratt, EGTC’s executive director. The auto collision program at Emily Griffith Technical College places an emphasis on student success. The technical college said it offers offers some of the lowest tuition in the state, in addition to a large number of scholarships and full and part-time options. Additionally, the program’s completion rate is 89 percent and more than 80 percent of its graduates are working in the field within six months of completion. The faculty has enlisted industry specialists, most of whom are shop owners, to serve as advisory committee members. The group informs the faculty about industry needs and trends to ensure the programming is relevant to the current market.

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SkillsUSA Conference

Clark, Interim Director Northwest LTC. “We are very excited to provide the opportunity to showcase the skills of our SkillsUSA competitors.” Gold medal winners at the Louisiana competition will advance to the National Leadership Conference in Kansas City, MO, this summer. The competition will be free to the public for observation. Closing award ceremonies will be held April 22nd. Please contact NWLTC Shreveport Campus Dean David Rhodes at (318) 686-7811 for more information. For more information on SkillsUSA, visit http://www.skillsusa.org/

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Body Shop Employee Loses Job Over ‘Threat’ Against Oklahoma Police Vehicle by Lori Fullbright, NEWS ON 6

A Sand Springs, OK man is out of a job after a post he made on his Facebook page went viral and caught the eye of police. He said it was just a joke, but not everyone thinks it’s funny. On the night of Feb 8, Gene Stretch posted a picture of him inside a Sand Springs police car at the body shop he works for with the caption, “I don’t think they realize who’s actually working on their car. I should cut the brake lines,” followed by a smiley face. When Sand Springs police first started getting phone calls from citizens about the picture and post, initially, they were very concerned, but they decided to go straight to the source and realized there was more to the story. “All my friends know I’m an exfelon and I thought they’d get a laugh out of it. It’s not every day a person with my background gets to operate a police cruiser,” Stretch explained. He said it was just a joke and that he meant no harm, holds no grudge against police and would never do anything to a police car. He said he thought his Facebook settings were private, so only his friends who get his sense of humor would see

it, but it went viral. “I know it’s gone as far as Australia because I got a hate message from Australia,” Stretch said. He also got fired and apologized to his boss and the police chief. His boss, Wayne Moore with A-Plus Collision, is also getting hate messages, even though he’s operated a reputable business for 30 years, supports law enforcement and knew nothing about the post. “It’s really a stab in the back. But really, people who know who I am, they’ll know that’s not my views and belief,” Moore said. Sand Springs Police Chief Mike Carter said, “Nothing is local anymore.” Carter said he’s heard from people in New York and Indiana. He said both the business and Stretch apologized and considers the issue to be over. “We’re very accepting from he and his employer; this was nothing malicious, just a joke in poor taste that went viral,” he said. Everyone involved agrees there are two lessons we can learn—be smart about what you post, especially if you’re an employee. And, no matter how much you’d like to take something back, once it’s out there, it’s virtually impossible to do. Thank you to News On for permission to reprint this story.

Exhibit Space Selling Out for NACE | CARS 2016

The automotive collision and service repair industry is heading to Anaheim, CA this summer for NACE | CARS 2016, from August 9-13. More than 8,000 attended last year’s event and related industry week events in Detroit, MI. Decision-makers and shop owners came from throughout the U.S. and 39 additional countries to find the latest tools and technology for their shops. A great deal of excitement has surrounded this year’s move to Anaheim, and exhibit space is booking even more quickly than in years past. Two-thirds of the NACE | CARS 2016 show floor was already booked as of February. Exhibitors have contracted for more than 40,000 square feet of exhibit space for the 2016 Expo. This more than 30 percent ahead of last year’s early space draw. OEs such as Audi, BMW, Ford, GM, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, and Toyota have committed to record sponsorships, training, and large exhibit spaces. Much of the OE training and demonstrations will be held on the show floor at no additional cost to attendees. With the return of major suppliers including CCC, AutoZone,

PPG, Garmat, Celette, Enterprise, Car-O-Liner, NAPA, Akzo Nobel, Chief, AudaExplore, Global Finishing Solutions, LKQ, UniCure, ProSpot, and more, the vendor and supplier community is committing to the mission of ASA and its partners to grow an event for the industry, by the industry. For information on booking exhibit space or sponsorships, contact Robert Martin at robertm@stonefortgroup.com or 832-646-0176. Targeting business owners, management, and technicians, this conference and exposition brings together all market segments for the latest and repair solutions, services, education, products, and technology. NACE | CARS is a source of industry education, training, networking, and world-class exhibits for the automotive collision and service repair industry. More information about NACE | CARS 2016 can be found at www .NACEexpo.com or www.CARS event.com. Please note, hotels are booking fast; make your plans soon!

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Historic Meeting Planned to Discuss Proposed Senate Bill That Would Cap Labor Rates in Mississippi ernmental affairs and lobbying. “He [Carmichael] has agreed to work out a compromise with us. We think this is really positive.” When Autobody News went to print, the meeting was expected to take place in late February/early March. The ASA, which opposes House Bill 2187, also encouraged Mississippi shops to contact their state legislators

cluding glass repairs or replacements, must be made by a particular contracFor the first time in history, Mississippi tor or motor vehicle repair shop; probody shops will sit down with reprevided, however, the most an insurer sentatives from the insurance coalition shall be required to pay for the repair of in that state to discuss the issues surthe vehicle or repair or replacement of rounding labor rates. This is in rethe glass is the lowest amount that such sponse to Mississippi State Senator vehicle or glass could be properly and Videt Carmichael’s recent introducfairly repaired or replaced by a contraction of Senate Bill 2187. tor or repair shop within a reasonable If passed, the bill would geographical or trade area prohibit collision repair shops of the insured.” “When you get these calls to action, it’s so from charging labor rates The Senate bill would important for the local shops to particihigher than the national averadd the following: “In no pate and contact their local legislators,” age. It also stipulates that event shall a motor vehicle shops that seek to charge arepair shop charge labor — said John Morgan Hughes bove the average must have rates above the average nathe approval of the Commissioner of through the ASA’s website www.Tak- tional rate charged for like-kind work, Insurance. ingTheHill.com and voice their oppo- without the express approval of the John Morgan Hughes, the exec- sition to the bill. Commissioner of Insurance.” utive director of the Mississippi Colli“This bill is an obvious attempt by Hughes told Autobody News that sion Repair Association (MCRA), the insurance industry to suppress labor six representatives from the MCRA reached out to association members in rates and reduce their average severity,” and six representatives from the insurearly February requesting they contact said Dan Risley, ASA president and ex- ance coalition will attend the meeting. their legislators in opposition to the ecutive director. “Attempting to classify Each side will come to the table with bill. Within 72 hours of that call to ac- all collision shops as equal demon- eight or 10 issues and share their pertion, the MCRA met with Carmichael strates a lack of understanding of the spective on such issues as labor rates, who proposed setting up a meeting to collision repair industry and the cost of regionalism, emerging technologies discuss the issues and work out an eq- running an actual business.” and the cost of capital investment to uitable solution for both sides. Mississippi Code 83-11-501 cur- repair new vehicles. “This is the first time in Missis- rently states: “No insurer may require “It’s a very different industry than sippi that has ever happened,” said as a condition of payment of a claim it was 10 years ago or even 20-30 years Hughes, who has a background in gov- that repairs to a damaged vehicle, in- ago, said Hughes. “We just want them by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

Auto Parts Dealer in ME Faces More Scam Claims

by Tammy Wells, journaltribune.com

A Waterboro, ME, auto parts dealer arrested in January on charges that he scammed a buyer from Illinois on Craigslist may soon face more charges, as several people have since come forward to claim he scammed them as well. Scott Depeter, 43, owner of Airport Auto Body on Main Street, was arrested January 22 and charged with theft by deception, according to York County Sheriff Bill King. When the news broke, King asked that anyone who felt they’d been scammed by Depeter contact the sheriff ’s office. On Monday, January 25, King reported that eight people had contacted Sanford Regional Communications, which provides dispatch services for the sheriff ’s office. “All report they were defrauded in some way by Scott, also known as Thomas, Depeter,” said Deputy Shawn Sanborn, who is investigating the Illinois case. “Complaints were distributed (for investigation) between the York County Sheriff ’s Office and Sanford Police Department, depending on where the offense was alleged to have taken place.” Sanborn said additional complaints

were anticipated over the next few days. The initial investigation began when an Illinois man contacted the sheriff ’s office and reported that he wired $300 to Depeter after answering an ad on Craigslist, but never received the auto parts he ordered. The sheriff ’s office collected numerous text messages from the victim and confirmed that a wire transfer was made, King said. “Depeter came up with excuse after excuse after excuse,” and “finally stopped responding to calls or emails from the Illinois man,” he said. Depeter is free on $350 bail, and is scheduled to appear in court April 26 on the initial charge of theft by deception, a Class E misdemeanor. King cautions that folks should be wary about paying for merchandise by wiring money, as it is untraceable. As well, Craigslist advises users not to pay for items with money-wiring services, and to refrain from revealing bank account numbers and other financial information. The website states that “99 percent of scam attempts” can be avoided by dealing locally through face-to-face transactions. Thanks to The Journal Tribune for permission to reprint this article.

12 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

to see what the financials look like from our side of the table. We also want to be good faith initiators and look at what they are facing. We think this is going to be a super productive meeting and we are really excited about it.” Hughes said the problem with the national labor rate is who defines it. “Not all shops are created equal,” he said. “My cost of operation could be very different than your cost of operation because of the cost of employment, and the capital investments on type of vehicles that we work on. That’s very concerning for our members. From top to bottom it’s concerning for our small local guy and for some of our bigger metropolitan shops.” Hughes said he often hears from shops that the forces they go up against are much larger than they are and they don’t feel like they can make a difference. He commended Mississippi shops for taking the time to contact 100 legislators in such a short time period, which resulted in a meeting that will benefit the entire industry. “When you get these calls to action, it’s so important for the local shops to participate and contact their local legislators,” he said. For more information, contact John Morgan Hughes at jmhughes44@ gmail.com.

www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 13

AASP/NJ Releases Seminar Agenda for 39th Annual NORTHEAST™ Trade Show by Chasidy Rae Sisk

With the approach of the 39th Annual NORTHEAST Trade Show scheduled to take place March 18-20 at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ, AASP/NJ has released the agenda for the event which includes 18 seminars and demos as well as over 130 exhibitors on the trade show floor. While every year features a variety of informative seminars, this year’s lineup features several industry favorites, including Mike Anderson, Larry Montanez, Tony Nethery and Judy Gatchell. “There isn’t a show that can match the NORTHEAST show this side of the Mississippi,” said AASP/NJ President Jeff McDowell. “NORTHEAST is for repairers presented by repairers. The AASP/NJ Board works tirelessly to bring the best speakers and exhibitors to our region every year, and 2016 will surpass everything that has come before. We couldn’t be more excited.” Educational sessions at NORTHEAST 2016 will begin on Friday afternoon March 18 with “Building and Sustaining Standard Operating Procedures for Collision Repair,” presented

by Keith Manich of Automotive Training Institute at 1 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. This seminar will demonstrate the importance of keeping staff adequately informed of operational requirements, plus Manich will discuss the steps needed to create a structured production environment. From 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, “AASP/NJ Presents: Advanced Material Repair in 2016 and Beyond,” will be presented by Reliable Automotive Equipment’s Dave Gruskos, Larry Montanez III of P & L Consultants and Doug Richman from Kaiser Aluminum on behalf of the Aluminum Association. In covering everything repairers need to know when repairing advance materials, these three industry experts will discuss the properties of the materials, OEM-approved procedures, safety considerations, processes and equipment needed for these repairs, and more. “Maximize Your Estimates” is a fee-based course that will be taught by John Niechwiadowicz of QLC, Inc. and Jerry McNee of Ultimate Collision Repair on Friday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday at 3:305:30 p.m. In the second annual install-

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ment of this NORTHEAST estimating seminar, attendees will continue learning how to write complete and accurate estimates which capture all billable operations reasonably and realistically needed to repair a damaged vehicle. From 5:30-6:30 p.m., “Effective Training for Shops” will be presented by Tony Nethery of BlueCollar Collision Training who will define what type of body shop training is required and which optional training provides the best investment. Nethery will repeat this discussion on Sunday at 1 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., General Motors’ Jim Mickle will discuss three important areas to repairing and replacing structural components on a vehicle in “GM Structural Repair” which will be facilitated by Flemington Car & Truck Country. Mike Anderson of Collision Advice will present “Positioning Yourself in the Collision Repair Industry” from 7:30-9 p.m.; this seminar is sponsored by Axalta Coating Systems. Anderson will offer a unique look at how collision repair facilities can overcome challenges by focusing on sales and marketing, production, accounting, finances and human resources. Atten-

dees will learn how to increase sales, how to retain employees, and how to develop and implement a successful apprenticeship program. Anderson will also cover which KPIs shops should monitor, and he will discuss the management tools available to collision repair facility owners and managers. The last educational opportunity will be “Square One Systems,” presented by Sam and Richard Valenzuela of National AutoBody Research (NABR) at 8-9 p.m. with an encore performance on Saturday at 4 p.m. Through their demonstrations of the Variance Rate System (VRS), NABR will teach attendees how the VRS can help them make more informed labor rate decisions, collect on more not-included procedures, and to actively and confidently respond to insurer tactics designed to keep prices low and avoid paying for not-included procedures. On Saturday morning, March 19 at 8:30 a.m., there will be two feebased I-CAR training classes: “2015 Ford F-150 Structural Repair Training Course” (FOR06) will be taught by Peter Fryzel, and Mike Bonsanto will present “Vehicle Tech-

nology and Trends 2016” (NEW16). Both I-CAR courses will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Secaucus, located across the street from the Meadowlands Expo Center. Saturday morning will also begin with Larry Montanez’s “Increase Profits, Lower Cycle Time/Supplements with Triage Estimating” from 8:30-10 a.m. This seminar will be facilitated by Metropolitan Car-o-Liner who will aid Montanez in explaining how triage blueprinting can increase estimate accuracy and lower cycle time. Montanez will also demonstrate proper repair procedures on a 2016 Honda, focusing particularly in Honda metallurgy and MIG brazing. At 10AM-1:30 p.m., Aaron Clark of Assured Performance Network will moderate “Body Shop Certification and You: An OEM Panel Discussion.” During this two-session seminar, OEM representatives will be available to discuss getting started on an OEM certification program and what to do after being certified. Additional topics include equipment investments, training requirements, difference in aluminum and steel certifications, determining the right OEM program for your shop, and post-certification marketing.

On the trade show floor, Collision Hub’s Kristen Felder will moderate “Photo Estimating Comes to the Northeast” to explore the consequences of photo-only damage appraisals and how the insurance and collision repair industries feel about it. Also beginning at 10:30 a.m., “Competing with the Talking Car - Virtual Steering” will be presented by Steve Feltovich, manager of Business Consulting Services for Sherwin-Williams. Feltovich will explain the various emerging technologies and vehicle changes that will directly impact repairers and consumers, plus he will offer suggestions for using these technologies to maintain competitiveness within the collision repair industry. Gerry Bonanni of Ford Motor Company will present examples of the new 2015 F-150’s improved repair elements in “2015 Ford F-150 Aluminum Repair Information” at 11:45 a.m. with a repeat presentation at 10 a.m. on Sunday. In “OEM Collision Repair Procedures v. Industry Standards: A 2016 Update” at 1 p.m., Larry Montanez will lead a discussion on what has and hasn’t changed in OEM repair standards and procedures since he last discussed this topic at NORTHEAST 2012.

From 2-3:30 p.m., Axalta Coating Systems will sponsor Mike Anderson’s “Who Pays for What? Survey Results.” Using quarterly surveys conducted by Collision Advice and the CRASH Network, Anderson will discuss how often shops are reimbursed for not-included operations from the top 10 insurance companies. Attendees will receive an introduction to the four negotiation questions, learn about raising awareness of not-included labor operations and materials, and discover how to use these results to negotiate with insurers and much more in this seminar by one of the industry’s favorite speakers. At 2:30-3:30 p.m., Tony Nethery’s “Estimating Following OEM Guidelines” will explore the difference between “normal” repair processes and what is involved to follow OEMs’ methods for a “correct” repair. At 4 p.m., the final seminar at NORTHEAST 2016 will be “The Customer Encounter,” presented by Jody Gatchell of A & J Collision Repair. Gatchell will discuss the importance of being prepared for customer encounters in order to create a memorable beginning to the customer/business relationship. NORTHEAST 2016 will also fea-

ture its renowned trade show with over 130 vendors registered to exhibit on the 60,000 square feet of floor space. Some of this year’s exhibitors include: 3M, Access Commercial Capital, Accudraft Paint Booth, AkzoNobel, Albert Kemperle, ASE, Assured Performance Network, Auto Body Distributing, Axalta Coating Systems, BASF, CCC Information Services, Chief Automotive, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, FinishMaster, ICAR, Indasa Abrasives, LKQ Corporation, Lusid Technologies, Mitchell International, PPG Automotive Refinish, Refinish Distributors Alliance, Sherwin-Williams, Spanesi Americas, Val-spar Automotive, VeriFacts Automotive and the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) who will be making its debut appearance at NORTHEAST. “This is, by far, the best NORTHEAST show ever: more education, more equipment and technology, more of everything an automotive repairer needs to succeed in the 21st century,” says AASP/NJ Secretary Thomas Greco, whose company, Greco Publishing, manages the show. “If you’re an automotive repairer, you need to be here.” For the full NORTHEAST Educational Program schedule and to register, go to aaspnjnortheast.com.

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AkzoNobel Awards Sustainability Challenge Grant, Reveals 2016 Distributors Council, Receives Recognition for Sustainability Excellence AkzoNobel announced on January 26 the six outstanding students in its 2015 Sustainability Challenge Grant program. In its second year, the program awarded $50,000 in grant funding to selected high schools and colleges with collision repair programs to advance continuous improvement and sustainable business principles. The students were nominated by their instructors for exemplifying exceptional leadership, initiative and commitment. They led teams of students at their respective schools in developing a grant proposal based on an idea that would improve the school’s collision repair shop and how it interacts with the surrounding school, community, or environment. The following students were honored: ● Hunter Brakefield, Applied Technology Center, Rock Hill, South Carolina ● Cesar Mercado, WallaWalla Community College, Walla Walla, Washington ● Angel Myers, Norwalk High School, Norwalk, California ● Cole Woods, Freedom High School, Freedom, Wisconsin ● Nicholas Shah, Thomas A. Edison High School, Jamaica, New York ● Evan Vail, Applied Technology Center, Rock Hill, South Carolina

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Labor Rate Survey

“There is a significant problem with labor rates in the state of Arkansas,” said the state’s survey sponsor. “The rates insurers pay are not only below the market price but also not sufficiently profitable for shops, who must continually invest in training, tools, equipment and certifications to repair today’s increasingly advanced vehicles. Finally, we have a solution in the VRS, an independent survey and complete technology to help shops price their labor profitably and prove through documentation what the real market labor rate is for any area in our state.” Richard Valenzuela, CEO of NABR, added, “We’re very pleased to bring the VRS to Arkansas and to be working with a shop who cares enough to sponsor the survey for the good of all Arkansas shops, the collision repair industry, and for the ultimate care and safety of the consumer.” “For years, collision repairers around the country and here in New Mexico have struggled to get paid what they’re worth for the work they

“The goal of the Sustainability Challenge Grant is to inspire and challenge those who are preparing for a career in collision repair to seek out ways to improve the way our industry interacts with its community and environment,” said Doug Holmberg, business director for AkzoNobel’s Vehicle Refinishes business in North America. “These outstanding students represent the future of our industry and we are proud of their initiative to help find ways to improve processes, increase social capital and advance environmentally-friendly practices. We are pleased to recognize their achievement and leadership.” Mark Dellinger, instructor at Applied Technology Center added, “As an educator, the Sustainability Challenge Grant has provided me with an opportunity to talk with my students about how to improve practices in our collision repair shop and how that knowledge can be applied in the real world.” He continued, “By creating teams to develop an idea for a grant proposal and implement that idea, the students have had an opportunity to hone their leadership, planning, and presentation skills.” The grant is sponsored by AkzoNobel and administered by the Collision

do,” said the state’s survey sponsor. “The low rates insurers pay do not reflect real market prices, but we the shops have never been able to prove that. Now, with the VRS, we can. And the system also includes the pricing tools to help us set an educated, wellinformed labor rate, based on a variety of factors including our cost of doing business. Finally, we have a solution in the VRS, an independent survey and complete technology to help shops price their labor profitably and prove the real market rates.” Valenzuela added, “We’re excited to bring the VRS to New Mexico and help repairers in that state get paid not only true market rates but sufficiently profitable rates. Ultimately, it is the consumer who benefits, because the right labor rates enable shops to invest in the people, training, tools, equipment, and certifications necessary to repair modern vehicles, which in turn helps ensure vehicles are repaired right and consumers are kept safe.” New Mexico just began their Labor Rate Surveys and so a chart is not yet available. Other states currently running the See Labor Rate Survey, Page 52

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Repair Education Foundation (CREF). AkzoNobel’s Vehicle Refinishes also announced the members of its 2016 Distributor Council. The Distributor Council is a legacy activity of Vehicle Refinishes that spans its 30-year history in North America. Over this period of time, Vehicle Refinishes has looked to advisory bodies drawn from its distribution network to assist AkzoNobel in establishing frameworks for their business practices as well as provide inspiration for new polices, products and programs. Those advisory bodies have gone under various names; however, the purpose of the group remains to provide counsel. Council Members are: ● Paul Fus – PF# Paint Supply: Wixom, Michigan ● Robbie Brinkley – C&D Auto Paint & Body: Thomasville, Georgia ● Doug Richau – Auto Color and Industrial Supply: St. Joseph, Minnesota ● Peter Kilkenny – Providence Lacquer & Supply Centre: Cranston, Rhode Island ● Layla Maus – Gladwyn Paint: Austin, Texas ● Kim Snyder – Body Parts Store, Inc.: Des Moines, Iowa ● Peter DeLuca – Industrial Finishes

& Systems, Inc.: Salt Lake City, Utah ● Don Treschak – Treschak Enterprises, Ltd.: Welland, Ontario “The council, comprised of eight representatives throughout North America, is a visible and proactive sign that AkzoNobel’s Vehicle Refinishes business in North America is dedicated to distribution as our primary method of going to market,” said Dave Recknagel, North America cstomer services manager. “As a result, we are constantly striving to innovate. This includes Go-To-Market business models which ensure that we are engaging, evolving and advancing practices and processes that enhance current relationships as well enable growth and expansion to create new.” AkzoNobel's number one ranking on the 2015 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) has resulted in the award of an Industry Leader, Gold Class distinction for excellent sustainability performance. The recognition also includes a listing in the 2016 Sustainability Yearbook, which features the world’s most sustainable companies, as determined by their score in RobecoSAM’s annual Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). To learn more about AkzoNobel, visit www.akzonobel.com

www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 17

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The Parable

Supreme Court in J & D Towing, LLC v. American Alternative Insurance Corporation, 2016 WL 91201 (Tex. 2016), changed nearly a century of law and ruled for the first time that the owners of automobiles and other damaged personal property which are a total loss may recover loss-of-use damages. J & D Towing, LLC (J & D) owned only one tow truck, a 2002 Dodge 3500 purchased in April 2011 for $18,500. On December 29, 2011, the tow truck was rendered a total loss as a result of the negligence of the defendant. The defendant’s carrier offered to settle J & D’s property damage claim for $10,299.12 if J & D retained the truck or $16,715.61 if the carrier retained the truck. Believing the truck was worth between $19, 000 and $20,000 at the time of the accident, J & D refused to accept the settlement offer. On February 29, 2012, the defendant’s liability carrier settled with J & D for $25,000, the policy limits for property damage. Around March 8, 2012, J & D used that money to purchase another truck and resumed its business. J & D then filed an underinsured motorist (UIM) claim with its own carrier, American Alternative Insurance Corporation (AAIC), requesting compensation for the loss-of-use of the truck. It claimed that the funds from the settlement with the defendant were insufficient to compensate for these damages, rendering the defendant an “underinsured” motorist. AAIC denied the claim and cancelled the policy. J & D thereafter sued AAIC to recover “any and all loss-of-use damages to which [it] may be entitled.” J & D presented to a jury various calculations of the loss-of-use damages J & D claimed it incurred between December 29, 2011 and March 8, 2012. Aggregating the totals of those calculations, J & D asked the jury to award loss-of-use damages in the sum of either $27,866.25 or $29,416.25, with the difference being whether the jury awarded damages for a nine-week period or a ten-week period. AAIC challenged the availability of loss-of-use damages in its motion for summary judgment arguing that the UIM policy only covers damages that J & D is “legally entitled” to recover from the defendant. Because Texas law did not permit recovery of loss-of-use damages in total-loss cases, and because J & D’s vehicle was a total loss, J & D was not legally entitled to recover loss-of-

use damages. The Trial Court denied both motions. At trial, the only question submitted to the jury concerned the proper amount of loss-of-use damages. The jury awarded J & D $28,000. After the jury returned its verdict, the Trial Court held a brief hearing to determine the amount of the credit to which AAIC was entitled in light of the settlement with the defendant’s liability carrier. The Court concluded that J & D’s truck was worth $19,500 at the time of the accident and thus AAIC was entitled to a credit of $5,500 – the amount of the settlement that did not cover the value of the truck but instead partially compensated J & D for its loss-of-use damages. The Trial Court entered judgment for J & D in the amount of $22,500 plus interest and court costs. AAIC appealed with the issue being whether Texas law in total loss cases allowed recovery of loss-of-use damages. AAIC’s position was that Texas law has never allowed recovery of loss-of-use damages in total-loss cases. The Court of Appeals agreed, reversing the decision. The Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals, holding for the first time, that “the owner of personal property that has been totally destroyed may recover loss-of-use damages in addition to the fair market value of the property immediately before the injury.” Until this decision, a person whose vehicle was totally destroyed could only recover the market value of the lost vehicle, while a person whose vehicle was repaired could also recover the loss-ofuse of the vehicle. Hanna v. Lott, 888 S.W.2d 132 (Tex. App. ? Tyler 1994, no writ); Pasadena State Bank v. Isaac, 228 S.W.2d 127 (Tex. 1950); Mondragon v. Austin, 954 S.W.2d 191 (Tex. Civ. App. ? Austin 1997). One argument against recovering for loss-of-use when the vehicle is a total loss is if the owner rents a vehicle for two weeks before buying a replacement vehicle, the insured is not really out anything that would justify his recovery of the reasonable rental value for the time it took to buy a new vehicle. The insured can buy a car that has two weeks fewer miles on it, and potentially is two weeks newer and would have a higher resale value. Rental prices generally exceed the depreciation value, but once you’ve crossed that line, it blurs a bright line test. A defendant would argue that he would be paying more than actual damages if liable for loss-of-use, because the plaintiff is getting the free use of a vehicle for two weeks. The law didn’t even make an exception when the

18 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

owner could not secure financing and was therefore unable to replace the property. Hanna v. Lott, supra. The Supreme Court in J & D Towing, LLC noted that a majority of jurisdictions within the United States permit loss-of-use damages in partial-destruction cases, but prohibit them in totalloss cases. However, the Court noted that case law and treatises have shifted away from the distinction, because the owner of total-loss personal property may suffer loss-of-use damages to the same extent that the owner of repairable personal property, and that the distinction was “illogical.” The Supreme Court didn’t specify whether the change in the law was prospective or retroactive in nature. However, in Texas, the general rule is that you must read an opinion to see whether there is language in it that limits the applicability of the holding to subsequent cases. If you don’t see that sort of limitation, it is generally assumed that the case applies retroactively. For example, in Guillot v. Hix, a case involving when a cause of action for workers’ compensation subrogation accrues argued by Gary L. Wickert, the Supreme Court specifically stated: Our holding today may bar ac-

tions which have not been filed in reliance upon the rules established by our prior decisions. We therefore make our holding applicable only to injuries which occur today and hereafter. Injuries which occurred before today remain subject to the rules in Fidelity, Brandon, and Campbell. Guillot v. Hix, 838 S.W.2d 230 (Tex. 1992). The J & D Towing, LLC decision should apply retroactively to all pending losses or cases, not just prospectively, because this is not a change in prior law as declared by the Texas Supreme Court. Until now, only appellate courts have weighed in. This was the first time the Texas Supreme Court has ruled on the issue. Thank you to the Claims Journal for permission to reprint this article. Gary Wickert is an insurance trial lawyer and a partner with Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C., and is regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on insurance subrogation. He is the author of several subrogation books and legal treatises and is a national and international speaker and lecturer on subrogation and motivational topics. He can be reached at gwickert@mwl-law.com.

www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 19

20 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

New Name in Plastic Repair: Same Products, Same Company

There’s a new name in plastic repair – however, the company and the products have remained the same. Urethane Supply Company, a pioneer in the field of automotive plastic repair since 1981, announced that it has changed the name of its business to “Polyvance.” “The change in name reflects the progression that has occurred in automotive plastics since the company’s inception,” said Kurt Lammon, president of Polyvance. The Alabama-based company will continue to produce its complete line of plastic repair and refinishing products including the following most popular ones: ■ the 6059-C Nitro Fuzer nitrogen plastic welding system;

■ the 3601 and 3611 Bumper & Cladding Coat Adhesion Primer; and

■ the 5700HT Mini Weld Model 7 airless plastic welder. Established by Jim Sparks in 1981, the company was sold to Kurt and

Keith Lammon in 1995. After purchasing the company, the Lammons considered changing the name but soon realized the tremendous amount of work that it would require. “Back in 1981, most of the bumper covers were actually made from urethane plastic,” said Kurt, the company’s

president. “Sparks came up with the original name because he supplied products required to repair urethane bumper covers.” Since most bumper covers are now made from blends of polypropylene, Kurt said they decided to move forward with a name change. “Urethane Supply Company was never a very fitting name for the company,” said Kurt “After all, we don’t supply urethane – we advance polymer repair.” Almost daily people would call in asking to buy urethane foam, ure-

thane sheet stock or urethane to make skateboard wheels. “A name change was long overdue so we made the change to Polyvance because it really speaks to what we do.” They have spent the past six months working on logistics. This included hiring a branding consultant who reviewed what the company focuses on and the direction they plan to take in the future. The company’s official tagline is “Advancing Polymer Repair.” Kurt said Polyvance will still be devoted entirely to helping body shops profit from plastic repair and refinishing through its innovative products, which are all thoroughly tested, as well as training courses. Currently, Polyvance offers an I-CAR® Industry Training Alliance® course on nitrogen plastic welding and Kurt said there are plans to more courses in 2016. Polyvance products are available through paint, body and equipment distributors across North America. For more information, contact Kurt Lammon at 800-633-3047 or visit: www.polyvance.com.

Service King Continues Veteran Hiring Initiative

After launching its Mission 2 Hire initiative in May 2015, Service King Collision Repair Centers® dedicated a 30-second national radio spot during Westwood One’s coverage of Super Bowl 50 to its ongoing pledge of providing at least 500 jobs to the half million unemployed veterans in five years. The spot featured a first-person narrative told by U.S. Army Veteran Jeremiah Kuehl who was hired at Service King. Kuehl served 13 years in the Army, which included four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan as a military police officer and rocket system repairer. “Service King is both humbled and honored to be in a position to give back to the men and women that have courageously served our country,” said Chris Abraham, Service King CEO. The company, which operates more than 285 repair centers in 23 states across the U.S., is closing in on 100 successful hires. Veterans and family members looking for career opportunities are encouraged to visit www.Mission2Hire .careers or www.ServiceKing.com.

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www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 21

Vibac Aims for An Even More Productive 2016 with the Release of New Automotive Tapes Vibac Canada Inc., a global adhesive tape manufacturer, has all the backing necessary from both their products and the shops, to keep a strong hold on success for 2016. After proving the potential of Vibac’s masking tape 313 yellow in

Shop & Product showcase, to see if the walk matched the talk. “Everyone says their product is the best. I like to see for myself,” said co-owner John Sr. “As a shop owner I have to make sure everything works as perfectly as possible without redos, so it was a simple test to take a strip of tape along with the competitors and mask a van or trailer and just leave it outside in the summer weather. At 90 plus degrees, direct sunlight, rain, moisture, constant heating and cooling are going to destroy all but the very best tapes. The weak ones break, they sliver, and the glue The Vibac masking tape 313 yellow aiding in the collision transfers and creates a mess repair process that no shop wants to deal 2015, the Montreal-based company with.” introduced two new masking tapesAfter the “torture test,” he con204 orange and 314 blue - at the No- cluded that there was no glue or advember 2015 SEMA Show in Las hesive transfer, and because of the Vegas. Both will hit the market at the lack of issues, the shop’s production end of the first quarter of 2016. “stays high.” John Sr. added that he Autobody News reached out to was impressed with the way the Black Horse Body Shop in Plymouth masking tape 313 yellow stood up to Meeting, PA for the October 2015 the wet and dry cycles in the paint

22 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

booth, and that he was able to remove it without any problems. Rewind to the pre-NACE Shop & Product Showcase, published in June 2015. Autobody News reached out to Beyer Collision Center in

Alexandra, VA, to ask about their experience with Vibac products, and experienced a similar reaction. Allen Andre, 53, body shop manager, said he gets a lot of highend cars in his shop as he is located

near Washington, D.C. Andre and his painter, Donnie Stemetski, adhere to the theory that masking tape is something you should be able to rely on and then forget about. “If it works, it works and that’s the best review I can give you,” Andre said. “The masking tape 313 yellow holds the paper down. We haven’t had one single comeback or re-paint with this tape. Switching to this product about 18 months ago has definitely been a smart move.” With at least two prominent shops singing their praise of the masking tape 313 yellow, it’s safe to say the industry should be excited about the latest Vibac creations. Vibac Marketing Manager, Lion Sedov, characterizes the three masking tapes as “good, better, and best” in the following order: masking tape 207 orange, masking tape 313 yellow, and masking tape 314 blue. “Our yellow tape 313 is consid-

ered the best all-around tape for many different applications that the market demands” said Sedov. “The industry has a need for a variety of performance levels in masking tapes and Vibac is looking to fill the need by providing three different levels of product offerings with an extra punch in creating value to customers on all levels.” The VIBAC Group has been making a wide variety of pressure sensitive tapes since the 1970s, specifically catering to most all automotive applications. In summer 2015, Vibac opened yet another new production facility for high performance masking tapes in Europe with the latest technological advancements. For more information on Vibac products, visit www.vibacgroup.com or contact Marketing Manager Lion Sedov at (514) 640-0250, lion.sedov @vibac.com.

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Gas Monkey Garage Show Renewed for 8th Season

Valspar Automotive, a provider of auto refinishing products that offer color matching and performance, is pleased to announce the popular cable show featuring Gas Monkey Garage has been renewed for its eighth season. Star Richard Rawlings and his crew are using Valspar Automotive’s DeBeer Refinish products to help them turn run-down hot rods to fully restored, unique show pieces. Rawlings, the Richard Rawlings, owner of Gas owner of Gas Monkey Garage Monkey Garage and visionary behind the creations, said he is thrilled to continue using DeBeer Refinish products in the show’s work. “Valspar has always taken care of my shop and our paint needs, and they continue to do so as we roll into our eighth season,” Rawlings said. “It’s critical that any paint we choose is easy to use, particularly in the fast-paced environment of our show. That’s what we get from DeBeer.” Rawlings and the crew of Gas

Monkey Garage are using De Beer BeroBase 500, a high-quality basecoat system. “From Ferraris to Trans Ams, the team at Gas Monkey Garage uses Valspar’s DeBeer 500 System and coatings to bring these beauties to life,” said Gina Mahan, brand manager for House of Kolor, Valspar's custom refinish brand. “Although DeBeer is an OEM-approved refinish brand, Gas Monkey Garage showcases its versatility with the incredible builds they produce. We are proud to continue to support such talent and look forward to seeing where Season 8 takes Richard Rawlings and Gas Monkey.” For more information on Valspar, visit www.valsparauto.com and follow @ValsparCo on Twitter.

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www.mobileenvironmentalsolutions.com www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 23

PARTS ACT Patent Controversy Continues in Congress by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

During a legislative hearing on February 2, industry leaders testified on the PARTS Act, a controversial bill that would amend Title 35 of the U.S. Code to provide an exception from patent infringement for certain component parts of automobiles, including collision parts. Currently, a vehicle design patent lasts for 14 years. The PARTS Act would reduce that time to 30 months for repair parts. The hearing addressed the costs and benefits of the current time restrictions on design patents for collision car parts. Those in support of the act contend that the current law gives automakers a monopoly on the sale of repair parts and drives up prices for consumer. Opponents of the PARTS Act say it would stifle innovation and lead to lower quality repairs, which could lead to unsafe repairs for consumers. Subcommittee members listened to testimony from two witnesses in support of the PARTS Act: Pat Felder, owner of Felder’s Collision Parts in Baton Rouge, LA; and Jack Gillis, director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation of America. Other witnesses testifying against

the passing of the act, included Kelly Burris, intellectual property attorney, Burris Law PLLC; and Dan Risley, the Automotive Service Association’s president and executive director. Aaron Schulenburg, executive Director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), said the PARTS Act has been a recurring piece of legislation attempting to carve out exemptions in existing patent law and provide greater opportunity for offshore manufacturers to copy the design of manufacturer replacement parts. “This isn’t about fostering innovation or competition, and it isn’t about consumer options; Consumers simply want what they had prior to a loss,” said Schulenburg. “This bill is about protecting insurer and aftermarket corporate profits. The savings that are experienced from requiring consumers to accept alternative replacement parts do not represent significant savings to the consumer today, nor is there any assurance that further savings would be passed along by the insurers paying for the parts in at least 70 percent of repairs.” He reasoned that advocates rely on data released by supporters to highlight the overall savings the use of af-

U.K. Insurers Examining Autonomous Car Policies

The U.K.’s biggest auto insurers are mulling turning their industry upside down by shifting liability for accidents from drivers to automakers as a result of the arrival of driverless cars, according to reports by Wardsauto.com. Automated Driving Insurer Group, including 11 U.K. insurers and led by the Association of British Insurers and Thatcham Research, the insurance industry’s research arm, has formed a group to consider issues relating to automated driving, particularly concerning insurance and liability. Other issues include how to cope with vehicles at different levels of automation; how data from individual vehicles will be recorded and used to improve safety and clarify liability; whether changes to existing road-traffic laws are needed; and what those changes might be. ABI says with 94% of road accidents caused by human error, the development of increasingly automated vehicles has huge implications for road safety. ABI Director of General Insurance Policy James Dalton says the presence of driverless cars on U.K. roads would be lifechanging in many ways, and one of the business sectors likely to be most affected is insurance. “Contrary to what some people might expect, insurers are not standing in the way of this development but actively looking to support progress and innovation,” Dalton said in

a statement. “The developments we’ve seen towards increasingly autonomous vehicles are already reaping rewards—with autonomous emergency braking reducing collisions and injuries and helping to bring down insurance premiums.” Dalton said truly driverless cars have the potential to dramatically reduce deaths and injuries on the roads. “The role of motor insurance in such a future will be very different to what it is today, but insurance will be part of the picture,” he says. Thatcham Research CEO Peter Shaw says safety is paramount for both drivers and insurers. “Working with car manufacturers and insurers, we’ll be researching and testing systems, to provide insight and evaluation of the potential risks and benefits at each step of the way towards a world where cars can drive themselves,” Shaw said in a statement. Reports indicate driverless cars are expected to dramatically reduce accidents, cutting insurance premiums up to 80% in 25 years’ time. Insurers could also find themselves dealing with vehicle manufacturers, rather than drivers, as responsibility for accidents moves to those who have designed driverless-car technology, forcing them to re-evaluate their business models. The U.K. government says it will amend traffic laws by 2018 to account for the rise of driverless or semiautonomous cars.

24 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

termarket parts represent, but fail to mention that by the same studies’ calculations, the impact on the individual consumer is merely $19–$24 per policy, per year. “Furthermore, while the exemption would result in more nonoriginal parts being made available sooner in the life cycle of the vehicle, the individual parts costs savings being touted by supporters may not factor in other potentially increased costs,” said Schulenburg. “These include additional labor manipulating the part to fit like the original or reordering delays should the particular copy prove inadequate.” No decision was made during the hearing, which was held in Washington D.C. by the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. “It is our hope that the House Judiciary Committee will continue to recognize the negative impacts such special interest exemptions would have,” said Schulenburg. PARTS stands for Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales, and has been debated since 2012. It was re-introduced by Republicans Darrell Issa (R-CA), chairman of the subcommittee, and Zoe Lofgren (DCA) in February 2015. US. Senators

Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the act in the Senate. “The consumer has a reasonable expectation that there will be a competitive market for repair parts for their automobile. There certainly is for brake pads. Why wouldn’t there be for a bent fender?” Issa commented during the hearing. “A healthy aftermarket means more affordable parts for everyone.” Ed Salamy, executive director of the Quality Parts Coalition, said the hearing was an important step to spark consideration in Congress. “The Quality Parts Coalition’s sole mission is to get this pro-consumer legislation passed in Congress to protect consumers’ access to competitive replacement parts when repairing their cars after an accident,” according to a press release by the QPC. Following the hearing, Risley said, “A free and open marketplace does not entail enacting a law that states an aftermarket part is equal to an OEM part. This should be decided by the party making the purchase.”

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www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 25

Takata Air-Bag Recall Expanded as 10th Death Reported Millions more vehicles are being recalled to replace defective Takata Corp. air bags as another death was linked to the devices that have been found to spray metal pieces into vehicles, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. Reports in Automotive News and the Detroit Free Press have detailed the two most recent recalls cover 5 million air bag inflators in cars made by Ford, Volkswagen AG, Honda Motor Co., Daimler AG, Audi AG, Mazda Motor Corp., Saab AB and BMW AG. NHTSA has been coordinating the largest-ever U.S. automotive action, which previously covered 23 million inflators in 19 million vehicles with Takata air bags. The agency couldn’t immediately say how many additional vehicles would be recalled because some vehicles have multiple inflators and some may have been previously recalled. Owners can check on their vehicles at safercar.gov. The driver of a 2006 Ford Motor Co. Ranger pickup died in December after the truck swerved off a road in South Carolina and hit an obstruction, the agency said in a call with reporters Friday. Agency investigators said that the Takata air-bag exploded, and the coroner had previously determined the

rupture contributed to the death, NHTSA spokesman Gordon Trowbridge said. In addition to the 10 fatalities, nine of them in the U.S., about 100 people have been injured by Takata air bags. Safety ‘Crisis’ “This is a massive safety crisis,” Trowbridge said. Ford said it has “very limited information” about the latest incident and is working with NHTSA to review the circumstances of the South Carolina death. “We are saddened to hear about the driver’s death and offer our sincere condolences to the family of the driver,” Ford spokesman John Cavangany said in an e-mail. “We are working with the agency to review the available information, but we have very limited information at this point. If we find an issue with our vehicles, we take prompt action to address customer safety.” Takata said it’s continuing to conduct tests and ramp up replacement kit production, and trying to raise consumer awareness of recalled vehicles. The Japanese company also is in talks with rival air-bag maker Daicel Corp. on what a Daicel spokesman, Masahiko Hirokawa, described as “ways to ensure stable supply” of inflators. No decision has been made

Assured Performance Launches OEM Repair Procedure Compliance App

Assured Performance Network announced on January 20 they are launching an application program to document the use of OEM repair procedures for their network of certified shops. The Assured Performance OEM Repair Procedure Compliance App automatically transforms the shop’s estimate repair line information onto an interactive checklist and delivers it onto the technician’s hands via a smart phone, tablet or desktop. Then, the technician can use the simple touch screen functionality and commands to take photos and provide other documentation as they follow OEM repair procedures in the proper repair of a vehicle. According to a company press release, the program only takes technicians seconds to properly document the process followed for every repair. The application also allows management to review and approve the technician’s documentation and see alerts when no documentation is provided. All of the compliance documentation is linked to the original estimate and maintained electronically online in the shop’s dataSAFE as a permanent record. Documenting every repair

with visual proof of compliance provides critical documentation to limit liability exposure. Aaron Clark, former MSO shop owner and Assured Performance vice president of technical compliance said, “This technology-driven solution provides a shop with exactly what they need to manage quality and compliance efficiently. Third-party spot checks may be performed by an untested, untrained, or uncertified individual and can leave huge holes in the documentation, lead to questionable liability coverage, and can be very expensive.” Michael Quinn, executive VP of Assured Performance and also a former MSO shop owner, added, “Experts all agree that effective quality assurance and OEM procedure compliance must be built into the repair process. Now, our Certified shops have a cost effective tool to manage that.” The application will be provided exclusively to Assured Performance certified shops. Assured Performance will contact all of their certified shops and begin rolling out the program and providing instructions.

26 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

about whether they will invest in a production joint venture, Hirokawa said. The proposed tie-up was earlier reported by the Nikkei newspaper. The Nikkei also reported that Takata will separately seek aid from carmakers as recall costs mount, including getting them to cover some costs and easing pressure for discounts on parts. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the driver’s family,” said Robert Rendine, a U.S. spokesman for the Tokyo-based parts supplier. “We are cooperating fully with regulators and our automotive customers and continue to support all actions that advance vehicle safety.” One of the two recalls NHTSA is ordering — to replace driver’s side air bags with similar inflators to the one involved in the latest fatal crash — involves vehicles made by Ford, Mazda, Audi, VW, Daimler and Saab, the agency said. Approximately 1 million inflators are included in the action. The inflator had been involved in previous testing without experiencing a rupture, Trowbridge said. The agency isn’t sure why the pickup’s air bag exploded. The fatality means there’s a higher risk, meaning the agency “believes it’s appropriate to take aggressive

action,” he said.

Second Recall The second recall announced Friday, involving approximately 4 million inflators, involves vehicles made by Volkswagen, BMW, Honda and Mercedes-Benz, NHTSA said. This recall comes after testing on some similar inflators in already-recalled Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles showed additional ruptures. The agency has said it will take years to complete all of the recalls, and it is prioritizing repairs in areas with high humidity levels, like the states around the Gulf of Mexico and Puerto Rico. Older vehicles and those needing new drivers-side air bags are also higher risk, Trowbridge said. “The agency is using all the tools available to clean this mess up as quickly as possible,” Trowbridge said. In November, Takata was fined a record $200 million over its missteps in handling the air-bag crisis. NHTSA found that Takata had been slow to report the defect and hid critical information from regulators and its automaker partners. Takata agreed to appoint an independent monitor to oversee its recalls and operate under the terms of a fiveyear consent decree.

www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 27

Shop Strategies with Stacey Phillips - ASSISTANT EDITOR

Collision Shop Benefits from Improved Cycle Time, CSI and Closing Ratio After Joining CARSTAR Network Autobody News spoke to Steve Ranck at CARSTAR John Hine in California about the collision center’s decision to join the network in April 2015 and find out how it has benefited the business.

Steve Ranck, CARSTAR John Hine collision manager

John Hine Sr. established John Hine Pontiac in San Diego, CA in 1957 and the John Hine Mazda franchise in 1971. He received the Time Quality Dealer Award in 1991 and his son, John Hine Jr., accepted the same award in 1994. Two years later, Hine, Sr. passed away at 91 years of age. “He believed in

hard work, equality and fair treatment of both customers and employees,” said Ranck, CARSTAR John Hine’s collision service manager, who has worked there for 37 years. “His legacy is our dealership’s dedication to delivering complete customer satisfaction and employee goodwill. I know that the continued success of our dealership lies within every employee’s ability to deliver his/her personal best.” The collision repair shop is located at John Hines Mazda, which is in Mission Valley, CA and run by John Hine, Jr., who had worked with his father since 1971.

get involved. The way I used to get my business is that I’d meet an adjuster and their boss and then I’d join their program. Everything is done at the corporate level now. We have shops right next to each other that are in the same industry. Years ago, I never used to see that. It’s strange because what happens is that people will come in and shop you to see what you are going to do with their deductible. We currently have seven DRPs with different insurance companies. I didn’t lose any of those since joining CARSTAR.

way about a year and a half ago and we looked at it as an opportunity to

them have been here a long time. I have one employee who started with his dad

What prompted the decision Q: for John Hine Mazda to beWhat has the reaction been from come a CARSTAR franchise in 2015? Q: your employees and your customers? Most insurance companies are A: now going to MSOs to do their It’s an exciting new process. We business. I saw the trend moving that A: have 32 employees and a lot of

28 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

as a helper 42 years ago. You worry about people when it comes to change. Anytime you rock peoples’ world and change it around, it’s not always easy for them. When we took on this change, we started keeping our team involved in all of the processes. We let them know what CARSTAR is all about, and what they were going to bring to the table. They really got onboard with the change. Since the change, the moral has improved greatly. With our customers, we explain that we are still John Hine with the same employees we’ve had. Then we tell them why we took this opportunity. It has been a positive reaction. We give a lifetime warranty on our workmanship anyway. Now that they see that we’re part of a larger organization it gives them a little more security. And our customers our just wowed by the way our shop looks.

Can you tell us about the CARQ: STAR branding that you have

incorporated into your shop, which is part of the new look in shops across the country?

We’ve done a lot of CARSTAR A: branding and it was a fairly easy process. Our office was completely dif-

ferent before we joined CARSTAR. When an insurance company sends a client to a body shop, they want it to feel the same way, whether it’s in Texas or San Diego, so name recognition becomes important. In addition to the fresh new paint and CARSTAR graphics, we also rebranded our 60-foot-tall sign that sits right on Interstate 8, where more than 350,000 cars pass each day. The remodeled lobby has also had an impact on the customer experience. Just seeing the CARSTAR “Relax, We’ll Take it from Here” slogan in the office seems to have a calming effect when a customer, who has just been in an accident, sits down with the service writer to start talking about their repair. To add to the professional look, all of our employees wear CARSTAR uniforms. They have even gone so far as to take it upon themselves to coordinate their dress. One week will be black shirts, the next week red. The appear-

ance of the staff has added to the positive impact on the customer perception of the shop. Also, the uniforms are different from the dealerships’ uniforms. We decided to pull ourselves away a little from the dealership, just to let people know we’re not just a Mazda body shop but that we work on all makes and models of vehicles.

What are some of the changes Q: that have taken place since joining CARSTAR?

perceive the the shop when they go in the back. We also noticed about a day and a half improvement in our cycle time just by making that change. Another change was incorporating the DFR (dissemble for repair) process. We always called it tear down – you take the car apart and write your estimate. DFR is more than just taking the

We’ve taken advantage of CARA: STAR’s knowledge and experience to revamp our production area for

a better workflow. Going through CARSTAR’s tier process, our shop is a lot cleaner and more organized than what it used to be. For example, we purchased 25 parts carts, which have made a huge difference in shop efficiency. There are no longer parts scattered on the ground. They are able to clean the entire floor every night. The change has been a complete 180 from what the shop used to look like. Not only have the carts made for a much cleaner production area, the end result has also made an impact on the way customers

Mercedes-Benz of Houston Greenway

Kenny Bailey said the addition of parts carts has helped keep the dealership more organized

car apart. Now, instead of taking the bumper off, we take everything off that bumper, including the clips, side maker lights, etc. We do this because we want to know at the beginning of the repair process everything that is wrong with the car instead of at the end. This has helped us tremendously by being more organized and improving our cycle time.

OVER $500,000 IN HIGH-END TIRE INVENTORY MBUSA

After visiting other CARSTAR Q: locations, what new processes have been added?

After talking to two other CARA: STAR locations in San Diego and the corporate store in Kansas, we

decided to add a second computer monitor so customers can see the actual estimate being built. We also started mapping the car, which entails showing the damage on the windshield of cars with marker pens. The main advantage is that we bring it to the attention of everyone involved in the repair process so things aren’t being missed. Then the car is disassembled for repair. It is an efficient process because you are trying to catch it at the beginning instead of at the end. Our Area Director of Operations (ADO) manager, Mike Calens, comes in about once a month and helps us evaluate our shop. What CARSTAR does is help you put certain goals into place. If you want to be part of a DRP program, you have to be one of the top elite shops in the industry. They want you to reach a certain tier level. If an insurance company markets our shop to get more business,we need to have

Genuine Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Ben nz Parts The Right Part, Right Now, From Partner. m a Trusted dP artnerrr. O Wholesale Parts Department is Our i committed to getting you the genuine parts you need to repair Mercedes-Benz vehicles as fast as possible. Consider us your indispensable business partner!

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Wholesale Manager: Mike Ortiz ortizc1@autonation.com Parts Advisor: Luis Alvarez alvarez1@autonation.com

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Over $5 Million of genuine Mercedes-Benz parts in stock, including tires Highly competitive prices on maintenance items and Mobil 1TM oil We bid on all estimates including radiators, bumpers, headlights and more

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Parts Director: Margaret McNulty Mercedes-Benz of Houston Greenway - Parts 3900 Southwest Freeway // Houston, Texas 77027 Hours: M-F 7am - 7pm // Sat 8am - 5pm www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 29

our cycle time, CSI and closing ratio in the right spot.

What are the benefits you’ve Q: experienced as a result of joining CARSTAR?

ance companies. When you have been in the same shop for so long sometimes you can get tunnel vision. You don’t see the big picture. Being with

When working at the same shop A: for 37 years, there is a tendency to do things the same way. You don’t

see new ideas that much. By joining CARSTAR, getting involved in their Edge process and going through the three Cs – cycle time, CSI and closing ratio – it really fine tunes your store. Edge performance stands for Education, Development, Growth, and excellence. It starts with working on your shop’s foundation and culture and then moves in operations, and the CARSTAR Lean process. We did our research and talked to other CARSTAR locations. The first thing you do is ask ‘Did they bring you business?” I talked to two different CARSTARs and was told,’Steve, even if I don’t get one DRP, they are making me a better store.” They come in with their procedures and work with you to get your numbers in the right position so you become more appealing to the insur-

Darryl Hollenbeck’s AMBR-winning ‘32 Ford Roadster

The GNRS started in 1950 and is the longest running indoor car show in the world, and the AMBR, a towering eight-foot-tall trophy, is considered the ultimate recognition for a roadster-style hot rod. This year a field of thirteen outstanding cars—built by the elites of the custom car world—competed for the prestigious award. In the end, the judges

Q: Our upcoming goal is to bring A: more jobs into our shop. We are still a relatively new CARSTAR shop, What are your upcoming goals at CARSTAR John Hine?

Javier Zamora, head painter at John Hines

CARSTAR, they really looked at our procedures and said, ‘Steve, this is what we suggest.’ Then we tried them out and it works.

Have you encountered any challenges and how have you addressed them?

When you have any change in A: your shop, you’re going to have some challenges to address. First of all, you have to really look at the

Darryl Hollenbeck Claims 2016 AMBR Award With His PPG-Painted Roadster

Acclaimed custom car builder and painter Darryl Hollenbeck won the 2016 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) award at the Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) held at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, CA January 29–31. It was the third time Hollenbeck has painted an AMBR winner, and the first time he captured the prize with his own car—a PPG-painted 1932 Ford highboy roadster.

buy in from your employees. When CARSTAR came in, they focused on our foundation first. They looked at our employees. When our ADO Mike first came in, he took the time to get to know the employees. Now when we implement something new, we do it together. When you being to change and clean up your shop, your employees start to notice and say, ‘Wow, there is something going on here.”

named Darryl and Terri Hollenbeck’s classically-styled roadster the winner, giving Darryl another honor to add to his long list of accomplishments including AMBR wins in 2013 and 2005. Hollenbeck and his colleagues Dan Webb and Cory Taulbert built the car at Vintage Color Studio, the custom shop Hollenbeck owns and operates in Concord, CA, and where he has been using PPG products exclusively for more than 25 years. Hollenbeck then painted the car himself. He came up with the roadster’s unique color, dubbed “Rotten Avocado Green,” applying a custom mix created with the PPG ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne paint system along with Single-Stage DCC9300 from the DELTRON® refinish system. “Winning an AMBR is a dream; to win it with my own car, wow, I’m over the moon about that,” said Hollenbeck. “As for the color, it is different. My wife wanted brown, I wanted green. Depending on the light, you see one color or the other—or both. The great thing was that the PPG paint was easy to work with. It gave us the chance to experiment, to really stretch our imaginations and come up with something cool.” For information, visit www.ppg refinish.com or call (800) 647-6050.

30 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

but our goal is to be their flagship collision center in San Diego. We currently work on about 135-40 cars per month. We can handle a lot more than that. I set up a goal board and every week I post what needs to be done that month. Then we can see how we are doing and track it. We’ve incorporated that recently and we’re finding that it brings everyone together so they are focused on the main goal of the shop. We also have a production meeting twice a day. This is when all of our

Don Carlton ACURA OF TULSA

918-627-6457 Fax

888-550-7278

Member of the Tulsa Parts Connection

employees meet and talk about what they have planned for the day.We keep the meetings under 10 minutes and all the Metal men and Painters attend

What is your advice to other shops considering joining an Q: MSO?

I’ve noticed over the years inA: surance companies are putting a lot of emphasis on MSOs. It makes it

easier for insurance companies to deal with one contact person for a large qroup of shops. But the main reason for joining is that they are going to make you a better shop. With the Edge performance platform and there support with human resources, marketing, insurance contacts, legal, they will be a great partner in your business.

Your leading source for SOUTHWESTERN Collision Repair News! southwestern.autobodynews.com

Don Carlton

HONDA OF TULSA

918-392-9665 Fax

800-722-2379

Member of the Tulsa Parts Connection

Excellent service Competitive pricing

Knowledgeable staff First class service

4905 S. Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74145

4141 S Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74145

Parts Hours: Mon-Sat. 7:00am - 6pm

Parts Manager: Diane Finch acuraparts@doncarlton.com

Parts Manager: Nick Young hondaparts@doncarlton.com

www.doncarltonacura.com

www.doncarltonhonda.com

www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 31

32 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Please contact these dealers for your Honda or Acura Genuine parts needs. H O NDA T E X AS

TE XAS

LOU IS I AN A

TEXA S

Bankston Honda

Honda of San Marcos

Wholesale Parts Direct

Le w i svi lle

Sa n M a rco s

A us t i n

A l ex a n d r i a

800-344-8611 972-219-0021

866-392-1313 512-392-1313

800-234-4441 512-458-2910

318-448-8255 318-445-6677

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 www.bankstonhonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 9-5 csmith@hondasanmarcos.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6 sales@wholesalepartsdirect.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 hondaparts@walkerautomotive.com

Benson Honda

Howdy Honda

Sa n An to n i o

Au s t i n

800-727-8705 210-340-0831

877-941-6513 512-443-4300

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-12 hondaparts@bensonhonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-3 partsmgr@howdyhonda.com

Cleo Bay Honda

Kelly Grimsley Honda

K il le e n

O de s s a

877-253-6229 254-699-2478

844-453-5594 432-334-6632

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

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-12 april@kellygrimsley.com

Honda Cars of McKinney

Russell & Smith Honda

McK i nn e y

972-569-4276 972-569-4222 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-5 Gene.chenault@hendrickauto.com

Honda of Frisco F ri s co

866-442-2711 972-731-3176 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7:30-5:30 cedgar@mcdavid.com

H o us t o n

800-833-0180 713-663-4266 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 7-4 ggregory@russellsmith.com

Rusty Wallis Honda D a ll a s

OKLAHOM A

Walker Honda

N EW MEX I CO

Don Carlton Honda

Garcia Honda

Tu l s a

A l b u q u e rq u e

800-722-2379 918-622-9670

800-677-6632 505-260-5002

Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7-6 hondaparts@doncarlton.com

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

Fowler Honda N o r ma n

888-715-3197 405-573-5719 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-9; Sat 8-4 parts@fowlerhonda.com LOU IS IANA

Superior Honda H a r v ey

800-943-4227 504-368-5687 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-5:30 parts@superiorhonda.net

877-466-3272 214-328-3891 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 darryldotsy@rustywallis.com

ACU R A T E X AS

TE XAS

OKLAHOM A

LOU IS I AN A

Don Carlton Acura of Tulsa

Walker Acura

Tu l s a

800-359-8555 504-465-8555

Autonation Acura

Mac Churchill Acura

L e a gu e Ci ty

F o rt Wo r th

800-749-6227 713-371-4700

888-824-9634 817-806-0571

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-5 hoehns@autonation.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 6-7; Sat 8-5 jguin@macchurchill.com

David McDavid Acura

Sterling McCall Acura

A u stin

H o us t o n

800-575-3553 512-401-5976

713-596-2337 713-596-2338

Acura of Baton Rouge

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 jraygo@mcdavid.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-7; Sat 7:30-4 rkahl@sterlingmccallacura.com

866-733-2861 225-756-6166

David McDavid Acura Pl an o

888-550-7278 918-664-2300 Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7-6 acuraparts@doncarlton.com

M e t a ir ie

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-2 parts@walkeracura.com

LOU IS IANA

B at on Ro ug e

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

972-964-6044 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 dgrajczyk@mcdavid.com

www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 33

Shop Strategies with Stacey Phillips - ASSISTANT EDITOR

General Manager of Jost Garage in New Jersey Says Running a Successful Shop Requires Staying Up With Latest in Training & Technology 34eeeddfffffAutobody News talked to Barry Jost, Sr., general manager of Jost Garage in New Jersey, about the fourth-generation family business. Es-

tablished by Wesley Jost, Sr. in 1923, Jost Garage started as a Studebaker dealership in Long Island, New York. After several moves, the Jost family settled in Wall Township. Wesley Sr. and his sons, Wesley Jr. and Robert Jost Sr., constructed a new garage. Robert Sr. and his four sons, Bob, Billy, Barry and Bryan, have dedicated themselves to running the body shop and providing excellent service to customers. Now, the fourth-generation Barry Jr. is involved in the business as well.

advancements and driver assistance ad- vances. Metallurgy is a recent phenomenon in auto body repair. We now deal with all of the different strength steels, and of course aluminum. The last few years are all about lean processes, cycle times, parts correctness and complete disassembly. These are some of the new buzz words we hear today.

Can you tell us about Q: new technology that you have incorporated in your

shop and the benefit of staying up-to-date about new advancements in the industry?

We have always done wheel alignments in-house with our Hunter alignment machine. We have four Chief E-Z Liner frame machines, two resistance welders by Pro-Spot as well as three down-draft spray booths. Our latest addition has been the Matrix Wand. It’s a 3D measuring tool that was the bell of the ball at the SEMA show in Las Vegas this past year.

As a fourth-generation busiWhat are the benefits of using Q: ness, can you share some of the Q: the Matrix Wand in your shop? changes you have seen in the industry It provides us an accurate analyover the years? A: sis of any damage, either uniDirect repair relationships are body or full frame. It will also pinpoint A: one of the first changes I re- any suspension damage or engine cramember when I graduated college in dle movement. It’s the most innovative

the late 1980s. Jost Garage has a large DRP conglomerate. It’s about 50 percent of our business. Technology has come a long way as well with all of the Supplemental Restraint (SRS) systems, electronic

product we have seen in quite some time. You can now show proof of any type of structural damage to your insurance partners as well as speed up the tech in repairing a vehicle back to crash worthiness!

The Equipment and Tool Institute Redesigns Website

The Equipment and Tool Institute announced the launch of its updated website www.etools.org. The completely redesigned website provides members with easy access to essential information, ETI event details, ETI Member search, key documents and presentations, an industry events calendar, job postings, and important industry information. Founded in 1947, the Equipment

and Tool Institute is a trade association of automotive tool and equipment manufacturers and technical information providers. For details about ETI, contact Jessie Korosec, marketing and events manager, Equipment and Tool Institute, 37899 12 Mile Rd, Suite 220, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331. Phone: 248656-5085; e-mail: jessiek@etools.org.

34 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

How do you stay current with We use recycled anti-freeze and Q: A: training and how does it help recycle all of our fluids. We are with cycle time in your shop? 100 percent waterborne in our refinish

Our current partnership with Sherwin-Williams and the professional staff, such as Steve Feltovich, have really helped us stay up-to-speed in this industry, which constantly evolves. We have attended multiple classes and seminars on all of the hot topics. We are engaged in a 20 Group with Sherwin-Williams as well. We also stay active with I-CAR training for our own information as well as to stay in check with our insurance partners’ requirements. We have a state-of-theart mechanical facility that employees multiple ASE-certified techs. What are some of the ecoQ: friendly initiatives you have incorporated at Jost Garage?

department and are very proud of that. We exceed the industry average in recycled parts usage. We also recycle all metals and cardboard, plus we are 90 percent paperless in our office!

Are there other changes you Q: have noticed in the industry? CARFAX is changing the way A: repairs are being viewed. I’ve noticed that people are more concerned about the repair process since CARFAX has been put in place.

Barry Jost can be reached at (732) 681-0115. If you know of a shop that would like to share its “Shop Strategies,” contact Stacey Phillips at sphillips@ autobodynews.com.

www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 35

Hey Toby! Kool Tools from SEMA 2015 with Toby Chess

Three years ago, Kye Yeung and I walked the floors of the 2012 SEMA show looking for new products that most of us never get a chance to see. When we made a presentation at the Collision Industry Conference, the presentation became an instant hit among the audience. So, for the third year in a row, we walked the floor at SEMA 2015 looking for things that were unique and would make life in the body shop a little easier. The products we chose to test were made by Dent Fix, GL Enterprises, and Spray Max, Infratech, WRD Glass Tools, Steck, Reliable Automotive Engineering, Collision Edge, Whistler, Time Shaver Tools and Kent Automotive. It should be noted that we are not endorsing these products and there other manufactures that make similar items and you should take some time to search them out. We purchased all but two of the items and we checked them out before we presented at the

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

SCRS open board meeting and the Collision Industry Conference this January. There is also a video presentation which can be accessed at SCRS.com. Let’s look at our first item—Shunt Pliers from Dent Fix. See Fig 1.

freely through the copper/aluminum electrodes. When two or more pieces of steel are placed in the path of the electrons, the path is interrupted, resistance and pressure builds up and are released in the form of heat—a spot weld is formed. See Fig 2.

does not allow the electrons to pass through the metal. So, to create an electrical path, we use shunt pliers for the first weld. In the past, we used locking pliers to create the path but locking pliers were not designed to carry the current (amperage) that is being used today and it is possible to blow the pliers apart. I know this because it happened to both me and March Taylor. The shunt pliers have a large copper base and huge wire to handle the amps. The pliers allow the path of electricity and once the path is established, resistance forms at the

Fig 1

Over the years I have been looking for a set of shunt pliers, but these are the first ones that I found that I wanted to purchase. These pliers are a must for the weld-bonding process on today’s vehicles. During the spot welding process, the electrons flow

36 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Fig 2

The problem occurs when a barrier is placed between the pieces of metal such as E-coat or adhesive that

Fig 3

electrodes and produces a weld. When the second weld is performed the path travels through the first weld and resistance forms at the electrodes and the weld is created. See Fig 3.

be punched out. The smaller size allows for greater access in tight spaces.

8mm x 20mm Slot

Fig 4

Moving on to the next item, a finger sander from Dent Fix. Dent Fix has this small and easy to use finger sander. See Fig 4. This compact sander is ideal for removing squeeze type resistance spot welds and removing the heads of rivets, in order that they may Fig 5

Fig 6

8 mm Plug Hole

Fig 5. With MIG weld brazing, you need surface area and this punch creates an 8mm by 20mm slot. See Fig 6. Another tool from Dent Fix is a LED work light. Fig 6a.

Fig 7

Fig 6a

Another tool is a slot punch from Dent Fix for MIG weld brazing. See

Fig 8

It has a magnet on the bottom, it is rechargeable, it has variable intensity and the most amazing thing is its brightness. See it in action on the SCRS web site. The last item from Dent Fix is a safety product. Questionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; How many of your

techs use two air fitting for a blower? See Fig 7. This is a huge OSHA violation. Dent Fix has an OSHA compliant blower that will fit into a pocket and it works extremely well. See Fig 8.

Fig 9

The next item is from GL Enterprises and it is called the GOOP Scoop. See Fig 9.

Fig 10

www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 37

They come in two sizes and allow the tech and painter to get all of that expensive material out of the bottom of the container, reducing waste. See Fig 10. They can also be used to mix the plastic filler. Another item from GL Enterprises is the Shinners. See Fig 11.

a pot life about 12 hours. We found an epoxy primer in a spray can. It is made by Spray Max and it is extremely easy to use. See Fig 13. It is a 2K system, in other words the spray can has the hardener in the bottom and through an internal mechanical device the hardener is mixed into the primer when sprayed. When the can is shaken up it is ready to spray. It has a shelf life of 4 to 6 days depending on the weather. See Fig 14.

Fig 11

The kit comes with 50 pieces of plastic and there are two holes in the plastic that line up with pegs on the paddle. You apply the paint to the plastic and when the holes and black are covered, you take the sheet off the paddle and turn it over and now you have a clear coat/base coat panel that can be used to check for the correct color. Now you don’t need to add clear or wetting agent to the panel. One step instead of two. Fig 14

INFRATECH The next item is great tool to speed up the painting process, a short-wave infrared heater from Infratech. See Fig 15.

from the bottom to the top. Short wave can heat so quickly that it’s possible cure primer in 15 minutes. This unit is portable and the heating unit is 18 inches long. It’s priced at less than $300. The head can be moved up or down and rotated 360 degrees. It also has a timer. The next product that can be used in conjuncFig 16 tion with the heat lamp is a high-build primer in a spray can from Kent Automotive. See Fig 16. Kye uses this system in his shop for small body repairs. The body tech will spray the primer on (just for small areas) and heat it up with the short wave light. By the time the vehicle gets to the paint department, the primer is fully cured and ready for prep. Moving on to our next item, a glass removal system from WRD Glass Tools. See Fig. 17. This glass removal tool is unique in that it uses a special nylon rope and small battery-powered electric drill.

Fig 17

The rope is reusable and it does not chew up the rubber or damage the paint. See Fig 18. Kye purchased the unit and has

Fig 18

Young Chevrolet

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Fig 12

The closest primer that approaches the characteristics of OEM applied Ecoat is epoxy primer. It is a two component system, the primer and the hardener. See Fig 12. I tell shops to put the gallon can on the mixing machine and each day have the painter add the hardener and make a small amount. I apply the epoxy primer with a small foam paint brush ($.60 Fig 13 from Home Depot) to areas that need seam sealer. It is dry in about 30 minutes. The primer has

We want your business!

Fig 15

Let’s take a look at the benefits of a short-wave heater. Short-wave infrared heats the substrate, not the surface. In other words, the short-wave light goes through the paint and heats up the metal and now the paint cures

38 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Genuine GM Parts at Genuine GM Prices Toll Free: 800-451-0108 Main: 214-328-9111, Opt. 5

214-328-8381 Fax (main): 214-328-6675 Fax (wholesale): 214-328-0716 Direct:

parts@youngchevrolet.com

www.youngchevrolet.com 9301 E. R.L. Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX

www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 39

removed 3 rear glasses with the same rope. I put a video clip of the tool being used and this can be accessed from SCRS.com (see—Kool Tools from SEMA 2015). Next, we have a door skin tool for aluminum from Steck. See Fig 19.

Fig 22. The next two companies have

Fig 22

Fig 19

The new all aluminum Ford 150 has a replacement door skin. A special rope hem flange is used to install the door skin and this is different than a steel hem flange. See Fig 20.

items that are used for estimating and quality control. The first product is from Collision Edge. The Dent Viewer shows the amount of damage via a photograph. See Fig 23. It works in conjunction with the flash on the camera. Note the distor-

ing the extent of damage and panel blending tape. The next estimating tool is from Whistler. See Fig 24. This tool can be used in tear down stage of repairs to determine the amount of damage in an enclosed rail or a backside of a panel that cannot be seen such as rocker panel reinforcement. In the quality control department, welds, repair and corrosion protection items can be inspected. This unit has a 4-foot extension, cables to hook it up to a computer, internal video and single picture capabilities. I used it recently to prove to an insurance adjuster that the body shop had glued the quarter panel as per BMW instructions instead of welding it. The next item that both Kye and I thought really cool was from Time Shaver Tools. See Figs 25 & 26.

Fig 24 Fig 20

I folded the aluminum flat like the steel in the picture and then I applied a die check to a piece and the result was a crack along the entire radius. The “Skinner” which is attached to an air tool, is a two-step process. First you come in straight and then repeat the operation at a 45 degree angle and you will have a perfect rope hem flange. Follow the enclosed directions and you will not have a problem. In repairing today’s vehicles, panel gaps are extremely important factor for looks and safety. Reliable Automotive Equipment has a simple solution. See Fig 21.

tion on grid on the top picture. There are two sides, one for light colored vehicles and the other side for dark colored vehicles. The company also has magnetic measuring tapes for show-

The Worktop Kit has a table with an aluminum channel upright that atSee Kool Tools, Page 47

Fig 25

Fig 26

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• Wholesale Collision Specialist • One of the Largest Inventories in the State • Free Delivery to TX, OK, LA

Fig 21

The feeler gauges measure up to 6mm. Knowing the correct gap, the suction cup feeler gauges are set and mounted on steel or aluminum. See

Toll Free: Fig 23

40 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

800-955-5388 800 8 00-9 955 9 55-5 5388 5 388

909 Coit Rd., Plano,TX 75075

Local: 972-202-2200 Fax: 972-202-2195

www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 41

A New Hope for Labor Rates: The Variable Rate System by National AutoBody Research Autobody News interviewed Sam Valenzuela, president of National AutoBody Research, about the importance of conducting labor rate surveys and the company’s Variable Rate System technology.

Can you tell us about National Q: AutoBody Research and the Variable Rate System?

about not-included procedures that insurance companies pay for. By enabling repairers to keep up with the increasing training, certifications, and equipment demands of the new technologies and materials associated with modern vehicles, the VRS supports the growth of the collision repairer and helps ensure the proper care and safety of the consumer.

National AutoBody Research What is the process NABR uses A: Q: (NABR) is an independent, to collect data and how does it third-party research, technology and ensure accuracy?

consulting company serving the collision repair industry. It is not owned by insurance companies, body shops or outside investors. NABR is working to restore the free market to labor rate pricing and to level the playing field for payment of non-included procedures. NABR believes people should be paid what they are worth and be paid for the work they do. In response, NABR developed the Variable Rate System (VRS), an innovative and proven technology, to help collision repairers understand market-based labor rates and assist them to learn more

All VRS Labor Rate Surveys are A: conducted online, free and easily accessible and available 24/7 on the

National AutoBody Research website (www.nationalautobodyresearch.com/). The VRS survey is an accurate source available for market-based labor rates for several reasons, including the survey’s validity, measurement of market labor rates, data integrity, continuous measurement, and reporting of a range of rates. Among other criteria, a key component to a valid survey is that it is easily and equally accessible to all po-

42 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

tential survey respondents. This is true for the VRS survey but may not be true for other surveys. The VRS survey asks for collision repairers’ posted labor rates (sometimes called door rates, or walkin rates). The VRS survey measures the true, market-based range of labor rate prices, and then reports those rates through the Variable Rate System. Furthermore, as the industry’s only independent survey of labor rates nationwide, the VRS has no special interest in the survey resulting in a certain number. The survey is only interested in accurately representing the market prices for collision repair labor in any market. Therefore, the VRS uses a high standard for data integrity and does not leave out data, does not change data, and does not manipulate the survey results. The VRS produces a solid market report on labor rates that both repairers and insurers can agree on. In addition, the VRS measures market prices continuously, not just once a year or even once every three to five years. Any time a shop changes

their rates for any reason, they can immediately report their new rates to the VRS, as many times as they want, whenever they want, to ensure the VRS always has the most current market rates available. Lastly, the VRS reports a range of market labor rates in any geographic area, not just one rate. Just like different cars have different prices, and different insurance companies have different prices to insure those cars, shops are different too, and shops have different prices. In reality, in any market for products or services, there is an acceptable range of prices that make up the market, not one singular price for all products. The VRS reports this range, which is a truer, more accurate picture of market labor rate prices.

What is the importance of conQ: ducting labor rate surveys and how can my shop learn about market rates in our area of the country?

Revenue from labor can often A: represent about half of a shop’s total revenue; therefore, the labor rate

is critically important to the financial success and health of a collision repairer. Repairers have struggled to get paid what they’re worth, and current labor rates are often below true market prices, even lagging behind standard inflation rates. In the Variable Rate System, finally the collision repair industry has a real solution to the problem of inaccurate labor rate surveys, which have plagued the industry for years. To help both your shop and the industry, take five minutes to visit the NABR website and fill out the free VRS Labor Rate Survey for your state. Even though the survey is an important starting point, it is only one small piece of the entire Variable Rate System, which comprises a full suite of online tools to help you understand market prices in your area, understand your cost of doing business, calculate the rates for your individual shop, and receive more not-included procedures and operations. For more information on the VRS, visit the NABR website at: www.NationalAutoBodyResearch.com or contact Sam Valenzuela at sam@ nationalautobodyresearch.com.

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Announces Annual Vendor Awards

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes announced on February 3 its annual Associated Products Vendor Awards.

The announcement was made at a special reception for more than 300 suppliers, employees and V.I.P. guests at its national sales meeting held at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, FL. Associated Products suppliers honored at this year’s Vendor Awards included: ● DeVilbiss Automotive Refinishing – Sherwin-Williams Brand-of-the-Year ● Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc. – Sherwin-Williams Sales Excellence: U.S.

● SAS Safety Corp. – Sherwin-Williams Sales Excellence: Canada

● PPC, Inc. (Powers Paper Company) – Sherwin-Williams Operational Excellence “Our vendor partners are an intricate part in helping us demonstrate the

service excellence that our customers expect,” said Steve Spirko, director of Associated Products Marketing for Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes. “The goal at our almost 200 branches is to meet the needs of our collision repair customer base around the country and bring them greater value. “Our company-trained employees manage the entire supply chain from product development to delivery. A

Spirko noted how the SherwinWilliams controlled distribution strategy provides a real difference as it directly supplies its collision repair customers. “No matter how many locations a customer may have, our direct distribution provides important standardized services—innovative products, training, delivery, consulting and centralized billing—and this drives consistency and cost-effective results. We want to be the one-stop-shop for the automotive repair and refinish industry and our stores make it easy for customers to come in and find, or have immediately delivered, the exact products and services they need to be profitable and productive. “Our vendor partners are important to the ongoTop Row from left: Tim Schmidt - Adam Chafe - Scott ing service and attention to Minor - Rob Lynch - Steve Spirko - Jake Mussay. detail we provide all our Bottom Row: Andrea Perry – Dave Smith – Stephanie collision repair customers Drew – Jeff Bell – Roger Henry – Barry Holt whether they come straight Sherwin-Williams professional directly to the counter in one of our branches manages the collision repair shop and/or or through delivery to their shops.” MSO account, facilitates application For information, visit www.shertraining, and provides on-site consulta- win-automotive.com or call 1-800tive services as necessary.” SWULTRA (1-800-798-5872).

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Spanesi Americas Distributors Across the Country Receive Awards and Recognition

Spanesi Americas recently recognized individual distributors for their 2015 contributions and accomplishments during its distributor sales and training meeting. Among those recognized was Texas Distributor Chad Neal of Paint Works in Tyler, Texas.

Steve Smith (right) from Automotive Collision Equipment - Florida accepts the 2015 Spanesi Americas Distributor “Rookie” of the Year Award

“We were very happy to recognize Chad Neal for his contributions and accomplishments during 2015 to the Spanesi organization,” said Timothy Morgan, managing director of Spanesi Americas. “Chad and his organization earned the Spanesi 2015 Top Distributor of the Year award for their sales accomplishments. Not only did Chad earn the top sales award, but he also was recognized for top sales during the second quarter, top sales during the fourth quarter, and most

improved distributor 2014-2015.” In addition to these awards, Neal also won a sales contest for top sales during the sales period July 1 to December 31, 2015. As the winner of this sales contest, he was awarded a trip to Italy for two people. California distributor Tim Williams from Williams Collision Equipment was recognized for top sales during the third quarter. “We are very fortunate to have Tim on the Spanesi team,” said Morgan. “Obtaining the top sales award during the third quarter is an accomplishment that shows the tremendous experience that Tim brings to his local market and Spanesi.” During the meeting, Spanesi also recognized Florida distributor Steve Smith of Automotive Collision Equipment – Florida as “Distributor Rookie of the Year” and Great Lakes Sub-Distributor Karl Kirschenman of K2 Consulting Group as “Sub-Distributor Rookie of the Year.” “Spanesi has continued to grow in both sales and in customer support during 2015. That growth is not possible without having a sales team that includes talented individuals like Steve Smith and Karl Kirschenman,” Morgan said.

Gas Monkey Garage Selects Evercoat Products ITW Evercoat announced on January 26 that Gas Monkey Garage has selected Evercoat products to help them transform “ordinary cars into extraordinary rides.”

“Every day at Gas Monkey Garage we use innovative products from Evercoat to help with our amazing car transformations,” said Richard Rawlings, motor mastermind and owner of Gas

Monkey Garage. “From innovations like Rage Ultra body filler to Evercoat’s patented 4:1 Polyester Primers, Gas Monkey trusts Evercoat to deliver products that perform.” “We are excited that Gas Monkey Garage trusts Evercoat products on their restoration masterpieces,” added Marvin Gillfillan, vice president and general manager of ITW Evercoat. “Richard Rawlings and the team at Gas Monkey Garage are car restoration visionaries and we are thrilled that our products meet their demanding needs.”

From left, Richard Rawlings, owner of Gas Monkey Garage, and Mike Coy

CREF Announces New Designation Program to Help Students Prepare for Employment

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) has created a new designation program called the “Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark.” Under the new program developed by the foundation, schools will be classified into three tiers: Tier 1: Advanced, Tier 2: Proficient, or Tier 3: Developing. The designation will be determined by the foundation based upon information provided by schools about the capabilities of their program on the Collision Repair Education Makeover grant application, which is currently accepting applications. The criteria for each level will focus around the number of hours of instruction, curriculum in place, along with what tools, equipment, and supplies a school uses to prepare their students for employment in the collision industry. If there is something that is missing, the grant application will allow a school to request that particular item. The goal is to help every school acquire the resources to eventually achieve a Tier 1: Advanced school designation. School designations will be announced in July 2016, and the

Makeover grant recipients will be announced in November 2016. Clark Plucinski, CREF executive director, said, “In June 2015, the Foundation Board of Trustees made the decision to adjust the foundation’s mission to focus not only on grants and donations, but also on bridging the employment gap. The new focus will be on getting the right grants/donations into each school to better prepare the students for entering the collision industry. This new designation program ties into the new focus and will better determine what items each school is in need of that will be ultimately benefit the students.” If a school or business is interested in learning more about the Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark program or the Ultimate Collision Education Makeover grant, contact Melissa Marscin, director of grant programs, at Melissa.Marscin@edfoundation.org.

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Diminished Value (DV) is the loss in market value of a motor vehicle from its pre-wreck fair market value due to the vehicle being in a wreck and requiring cosmetic and/or mechanical repairs. Diminished value may be attributed and applied to various Motor Vehicle Claims. Who’s Entitled To Diminished Value? Should your damages be the result of another’s negligence, you may be eligible to collect your Diminished Loss in Vehicle Value from the at-fault party or their insurance carrier, if applicable. Diminished Value Claims are recognized by most states. “An insurer also may be obligated to pay a third party claimant for any loss of market value of the claimant’s automobile, regardless of the completeness of the repair, in a liability claim that the third party claimant may have against a policyholder. Further, an insurer may be obligated to pay first party claimant under the uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage provisions of the policy, for any loss of market value of the first party claimant’s automobile, regardless of the completeness of the repair.” April 6, 2000: Commissioner’s Bulletin # B-0027-00 by David Durden, Texas Department of Insurance “The difference between the value of the chattel (personal property) before the harm and the value after the harm or, at the plaintiff’s election, the reasonable cost of repair or restoration where feasible, with due allowance for any difference between the original value and the value after repairs, and the loss of use” November 4, 1997: Legal Memorandum by John R. Dunphy, Florida Department of Insurance “The difference in the dollar amount of what your car would have sold for without damage, and the amount it will likely sell for with the repaired damage.” “Fact Sheet” prepared by the Washington State Insurance Commissioner “Inherent Diminished Value” is based on public awareness that even if a damaged vehicle is repaired to the best of one’s human ability, it will still exhibit remaining deficiencies and inconsistencies from the pre-loss condition of the vehicle prior to the wreck. These deficiencies include, but are not limited to: • Weaker structural components that appear cosmetically sound • Impossible to duplicate factory seams, sealers, and finishes • Telltale signs of repair, such as paint missing off the heads of bolts, etc. • The unavailability of some factory decals, and markings (e.g. VIN labels) • Undiscovered kinetic damage throughout the vehicle • The increased likelihood of a mechanical failure due to direct and/or kinetic damage • The effect that the repair will have on the future deployment of the SRS (air-bag) systems • The infeasibility of duplicating immersion and/or robotic applied rust-proofing techniques • The loss of factory warranties & eligibility of Certified Pre-Owned vehicle warranty programs • Wreck Damage and/or Collision Damage noted on CarFax and Auto Check Reports

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Day Job/Night Job Iowa Shop Owner is 100 Percent All-in with Community Service with Ed Attanasio

Many body shop owners all over the country don’t hesitate to play important roles in their respective communities. Some are content to sponsor Little League teams and the local high schools, while others are willing to get even more involved. Steve Copeland, the owner of Copeland Auto Body in Hedrick, IA is one of the latter. They say that in any volunteerbased organization, 10 percent of the

Steve Copeland (with wife Holly) isn’t afraid to play an integral role as a public servant and fill several capacities in his hometown of Hedrick, IA

members do 80 percent of the work, whether it’s the Kiwanis or any form of local government. Many years ago, Steve Copeland decided to be that 10 percent. Today, he is Hedrick’s Fire Chief, the President of the District’s school board and also the former President of Hedrick’s flourishing Little League baseball program. Copeland had absolutely no training or experience when he started on this journey into public service, but he now realizes that it is in his DNA and something he was driven to do. “My wife Holly says I’m a good decision maker and that’s why people pick me to play these roles, Copeland said. “I never started doing this in order to help or promote my business, but in some ways it has helped. By being involved in the community, I am visible and accessible, which I believe the people of Hedrick appreciate.” 1.53 square miles in size, Hedrick has a population of approximately

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

As the town’s Fire Chief, Copeland is on 24/7 call, even in the snow as he directs Hedrick’s volunteer crew

800, so if you don’t know Steve Copeland, you probably just moved there. Copeland owns and operates two businesses—Copeland Auto Body and Copeland Towing & Recovery in nearby Sigourney, IA that also performs mechanical work, but it all started in a roundabout way. “I learned how to fix things on my

grandfather’s farm,” he said. “We grew corn and soybeans and had some cattle. When it comes to farm equipment, you can’t replace stuff, so you have to fix it. Later, I got into race cars and when I was 15, I restored an old Impala. So, cars were always a big interest of mine, but I never figured that I would own a shop.” Auto body repair wasn’t initially on Copeland’s radar. “I had a full-time job as a shift manager at at a large Iowabased grocery store,” he explained. “My need to become an independent business owner finally got the best of me along with my love to fix things. I had been working on peoples’ cars on my days off, along with rebuilding some wrecked vehicles to sell. In 1994, I hired a painter and began my education at the school of Hard Knocks. We have now grown from a two-man body shop to a full service eight employee collision repair shop.” Being a community leader can be either a plus or a minus when it comes to also being a business owner. “It can

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be good, but it can also cause conflicts with other people who may not agree with one of my decisions. There are folks in every community where they get into office because they have an agenda or an axe to grind over some issue. I don’t do it for those reasons; I truly want to help the community and make it a bet-

Chase (left) and Tyler Copeland are football and track stars in Hedrick and outstanding students as well

ter place to live and work.” By serving his town in several capacities, Copeland has learned some invaluable lessons. “I tell people that we’re not going to agree on everything, because I will never be a yes man. Can’t we agree to disagree and then make decisions that will help us all? If you want to make a difference, you need to jump in and get things done, because otherwise they won’t.”

Copeland’s competition in Hedrick isn’t exactly fierce, to say the least. “We’re the only body shop in town, but we get cars here from as far as 40 miles away, because we’re in a rural part of the state. With 800 people living here, we often see the same vehicles coming through the door twice, even three times.” Being Hedrick’s fire chief can occasionally impact Copeland’s cycle times, but most of his DRPs and customers don’t seem to mind. “We have 17 people on our 100 percent volunteer fire crew and when our pagers go off, we all need to respond. One of my employees is also a member, so sometimes we will end up being shorthanded at the shop. One day, a fire kept us out of the shop all day long, starting at around 10 am and we were busy at the time. I won’t lie to you—fighting some of these fires can take a toll on your body, but our attitude is whatever it takes, we’ll do it.” Copeland’s involvement in Hedrick’s school board has paid off in an indirect way, because both of his sons, Chase and Tyler have turned out pretty well, according to their proud father. “They both play football for the Pekin High School Panthers and they run track as well,” Copeland said. “They were part of a 4x2 relay team and they won the

state title. They’re good students and they are getting great educations, so that is very satisfying.” Will Steve’s sons enter the collision repair world when the time comes? “I don’t know, because it’s not an easy business to be in,” he explained. “My father tried to talk me out of getting into this industry, so I don’t want them to feel like they have to do this. One of them is into fixing the cars and the other one is good at the computer-side of things, so I think they will do a great job if they decide to take over.”

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Continued from Page 40

taches to a tool box. You can add custom hooks, trays, dispensers, can holders, etc. to meet your needs. The unit will organize your various departments and you will have a better control of your materials. Well there you have it. Our selection of Kool Tools from SEMA 2015. Kye and I would like to thank everyone that gave us the technical support we needed on the products and a special thanks to Aaron Schulenberg, the Executive Director of SCRS and Kristen Felder of Collision Hub.

3M Calendar Fundraiser Raises $100,000 in January

The Hire Our Heroes Calendar fundraiser, coordinated through 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division (AAD) and the Collision Repair Education Foundation, started off the year on a strong note with over $100,000 raised in January. The Hire Our Heroes program provides scholarships and tool grants to military veterans and their family members who are studying collision repair. Repair facilities that donated $200 to the Foundation’s 3M Hire Our Heroes program received a patriotic calendar that contains offers worth approximately $1,800 in nocost 3M products, as well as a decal to show their support. Donations were accepted through February, with the goal of raising over $250,000 for the 3M Hire Our Heroes fund at the Education Foundation. Since 2013, the Hire Our Heroes program has awarded scholarships and tool grants to over 150 military veterans and their family members who are studying collision repair. To learn more, visit http://3M Collision.com/Hire-Our-Heroes.

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Industry Insight with John Yoswick

—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.

Attorney Presses Shops to Take the Steps They Can to Help Prevent Workplace Violence The mass shooting in San Bernardino, CA, in December in which a health department employee (along with his wife) shot and killed 14 of his co-workers at a holiday party occurred just 80 miles from business attorney Cory King’s law firm. So a month later when he was scheduled to discuss human resource issues at the quarterly Collision Industry Conference (CIC), King knew workplace violence was a logical if unpleasant topic on which to focus. “It’s a new topic for CIC, but it’s an unfortunate reality of our society today,” King said. He offered a number of steps employers can take in order to help avoid violence in the workplace. The first, he said, is a good written policy that prohibits fighting, verbal threats, threatening conduct, horseplay (arm-wrestling, strength contests, etc.) or the possession of any weapon or ammunition on company property. “That has been a strict policy we have espoused even though I am a cardcarrying lifetime member of the NRA,” King said. “Typically, at least in the past, the best way to stay safe in a workplace has been to prohibit weapons in the workplace.” Even horseplay, he said – “slapfights” or someone pretending to drive toward another employee with a car to scare them – can start out as fun but can escalate quickly.

Written Policy Is Not Enough The next step is consistent strict enforcement of that policy, he said. Make it clear both in the policy and in your interactions with employees that anyone found to have been engaged in any of those activities is subject to discipline, up to and including termination. Such consistency includes not excusing the employee with a gun in his vehicle because you know he’s leaving for a hunting trip after work, King cited as an example. “Or don’t just think: ‘Oh, that’s Johnny; he has to blow off steam every once in a while. We’re just going to let that go,’” King said. “If you’re being inconsistent in these policies, you’re not going to have credibility.” Does that mean a no-weapons policy applies to company owners as well?

King said it does, but some companies have shifted to a policy that allows employees who are legally-authorized concealed-carry permit holders to carry firearms at work. The policy just needs to be consistent for owners and employees, and consistently-enforced. But as he does each time he speaks at CIC, King cautioned that his presentations are not Cory King legal advice and that it’s always important to understand your particular state’s laws. In terms of this topic, for instance, he said some states that allow concealed or even open-carry of firearms now have laws prohibiting employers from having noweapon policies at the workplace.

Take Every Threat Seriously Another key step to working to prevent workplace violence, King said, is treating every threat seriously. “It’s like being at the airport. You don’t joke about bombs when you’re going through the [security] line,” King said. “Same thing in your workplace. You take it seriously. You would rather make the mistake of embarrassing somebody than having someone end up dead on your watch.” He said businesses also should work to establish a good relationship with local law enforcement to help ensure they respond if you make a “keepthe-peace” request. “If you have a volatile employee, and you know that when you fire or discipline them, that they are going to have a problem with it, that they may get angry or violent, don’t wait for that to happen,” King counseled. “Call the police and say, ‘Look, we are terminating Johnny at 2 p.m. today. Johnny has a violent temper. We will take our appropriate precautions on our end to make sure we keep the situation calm, and we’re going to escort him from the premises, but just in case, can you have an officer onsite in case Johnny has a problem and it escalates?’ I’ve yet to hear of a local law enforcement agency that would not say, ‘Of course we will have someone there. Thank you for letting us know.’ They would

48 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

rather deal with that than have to deal with a really bad situation.” If warranted, King said, a restraining order also can be obtained against a potential violent employee. Certain conditions have to be met in order to get a court to do this, however, he said. There has to be an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or harm to an individual, and the person must have immediate access to a weapon of some kind. “You need to be willing to put that in a sworn declaration,” King said. “But if it’s bad enough that you are truly fearing for your life or the life of someone else, and that person has made threats directly or indirectly and has the ability to imminently carry out that threat, you can and should talk to a lawyer about your options for getting a restraining order.” Such restraining orders will be served on the person by the local sheriff, he said, and usual involve confiscation of firearms by law enforcement until a hearing can held 21 days later.

Remain Vigilant Lastly, King said, the other step shop owners can take to help prevent workplace violence is what he called “situational awareness” or “constant vigilance.” He said shop owners should think about, for example, how well they control access to the building or property. “Do you have 15 doors to the shop all of which are open all the time and anyone can just walk in from the back alley without you even knowing they are there,” King asked shop owners to consider. “Always be aware of what’s going on in your shop,” he said. “Know how your employees are getting along. Find out if someone is being a bully or threatening people. Don’t let the first time this type of situation comes up be the first time you’ve given some serious thought about what it is you are going to do. You have an obligation to do so in order to protect your employees.”

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Shop Strategies Body Shop Owner & President of ABARI Shares Insight about Legislation the Association Helped Pass with Stacey Phillips - ASSISTANT EDITOR

John Petrarca founded Providence Auto Body in Rhode Island in 1982. He has been a member of the Auto Body Association of Rhode Island for 45 years and is the current president. Autobody News asked Petrarca about some of the key legislation the association has been involved with as well as what it is like to work in a family business.

plish this, we have had to educate our association, consumers and legislators. As a result of our efforts, we have very consumer-friendly laws that are unique to Rhode Island.

has your primary focus been?

face notice to consumers of their ‘right to choose’ on all insurance id cards and appraisals, and it also must appear on auto body shop signage. We are the only state in the country that requires auto body technicians to be certified. We require every vehicle with more than $2,500 of damage be inspected by a licensed auto damage appraiser. A vehicle 30 months or newer in age must be repaired with OEM parts unless the owner agrees to aftermarket parts in writing. The actual cash value (ACV)

Can you tell us about the antiQ: steering law ABARI helped promote?

of all total loss vehicles must be determined by the NADA or Kelly Blue Book retail value, and no vehicle can be deemed a total if the damage does

based upon usage rather than per hour. Finally, Rhode Island has codified a labor rate survey requirement. Every insurer must conduct a labor rate sur-

How long have you been part We successfully lobbied for a Q: of the Auto Body Association A: very stringent anti-steering law, of Rhode Island (ABARI) and what which requires insurers to print a boldI have been a member of the A: Auto Body Association of Rhode Island for decades. I was origi-

nally a member in 1970. I am currently in my fifth term as president. Over the last 16 years, ABARI has worked tirelessly to professionalize our industry, protect consumers, support healthy competition, and advocate for fair and reasonable compensation from insurance companies. In order to accom-

MIKE CALVERT TOYOTA

Providence Auto Body’s owner, John Petrarca, still operates the family-run business he established more than 30 years ago in Rhode Island

not exceed 75 percent of the value without the owner’s written consent. Insurance companies must use one manual to appraise a vehicle in its entirety and must consider fair calculation of paint and material charges

vey and report its results to the Department of Business Regulation.

What is the other significant Q: piece of legislation that ABARI helped pass?

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Continuing with ABARI’s focus A: on consumer rights, last year our legislature passed law requiring

auto body repair shops be designated as Class A or Class B. Class A shops must be certified by at least one motor vehicle manufacturer in aluminum repair; must have all technicians certified; and must give a lifetime warranty on all repairs. The new law also requires that each insurer conduct a separate and distinct labor rate survey for each classification.

Q: ofWhatfocus?is ABARI’s current area Currently, ABARI’s focus is A: educating its membership on the new requirements and assisting

shops as they gear up for the classification process. I am very excited about this new development because as with all of the legislation ABARI supports, this law protects consumers by giving them the information they need to make a proper and informed decision about their vehicle repair. It also forces shops to face reality… aluminum is here, hi-tech state-of-the-art technology is in the average vehicle on the road, and if you don’t stay cur-

rent, you’ll be out of business soon.

After your extensive experiQ: ence with ABARI, what advice can you offer to other associations?

Our association has been sucA: cessful because we have been united as a group, and we have always

focused on promoting legislation that protects consumers and gives them information they need to exercise their rights. Information is priceless, and ABARI’s philosophy has always been that an informed consumer is a step in the right direction. Neither industry (insurance and collision repair) is always correct, and associations should put as much focus on how they can improve their own industry, as they do on improving insurance regulation. However, at the end of the day, just like in our own business, it comes down to our customers. Focusing on legislation that helps to ensure a safe and quality repair, and removes some of the obstacles and hassles encountered along the way have been a very successful strategy for ABARI over the years. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Associations need to stick together and be patient.

Can you tell us about your own Q: experience running Providence Auto Body? I started in the auto body repair A: business 50 years ago. I have been passionate about cars and customer

service since then. Vehicles have changed significantly, but customers haven’t. I believe the key to our success is that we treat our customers like family. If I would not allow my children or grandchildren to drive in a vehicle, I won’t let my customers either. I was the first in the state to offer a Lifetime Guarantee on all repairs, and I believe that a business can achieve perfect customer service. As a result, we have thousands of loyal customers who trust our service and appreciate the hassle-free experience we provide. There are 50 dedicated employees, many of whom I have been fortunate enough to employ for more than two decades, who work hard every day to ensure that our production can keep up with demand.

Is your shop certified in alurepair? Q: minum I have always believed in inA: vesting in state-of-the-art equip-

ment for the quality of the repair and for the speed of production. A year ago, we became the first auto body repair shop in Rhode Island to be certified in aluminum repair by Ford. We are in the process with other manufacturers who certify in aluminum and look forward to many exciting announcements in 2016.

What has your experience been like working in a family-owned Q: business?

We are a family business, which A: is as rewarding as it is challenging. My wife manages our office staff,

and our rental company, and we have been working together for over 30 years. My children grew up working in the business as young adults, and are now both attorneys with law offices next door. They continue on in the company as legal counsel. Taking legal advice from your children was not easy to handle at first, but I have learned to listen, and am grateful I am able to see my family everyday. Of course as with any family business, a unique set of challenges can be present when disagreements arise. However, See President of ABARI, Page 52

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Professional Parts Group’s Chris Northup Elected to CAPA’s Board of Directors

Chris Northup, CEO of Professional Parts Group, was elected to CAPA’s board of directors. CAPA said Northup is one of the most well-known aftermarket parts executives in the country and has been involved in automotive aftermarket since 1983. He began his career with Keystone Automotive in Pomona, CA where his responsibilities included operations, sales management, strategic planning, marketing and brand development. The company expanded from a familyowned business with $12 million in annual revenues to a company with over 4,000 employees and annual revenues of over $725 million. Northup was a leader in the country’s adoption and subsequent improvement of aftermarket crash parts. Northup regularly addresses various collision industry groups, legislative bodies and regulatory agencies on the future of the industry, the importance of quality products, and future distribution challenges. As a consultant, he has served a variety of insurance and industry clients. He is active in a number of automotive industry boards and committees and is past chairman of the Collision Industry Education Foundation. Northup is a 1981 graduate of the Continued from Page 51

President of ABARI

after working together so many years, you realize how rare it is, and how lucky we are.

Is there anything additional you would like to share about the inQ: dustry in general?

Aside from my role in ABARI, I have been fighting for conA: sumer rights through my business for

decades. We have exposed shops that engage in shoddy repair work, and in unacceptable business practices, and 20 years ago I embarked upon an advertising campaign that began the process of educating consumers about Continued from Page 16

Labor Rate Survey

VRS Labor Rate Survey include Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Utah. Any shop may request a free, no-

University of La Verne. “Chris brings an extraordinary amount of ‘hands-on’ knowledge and expertise to CAPA’s board. Few people know more about the aftermarket parts industry than Chris Northup and we’re thrilled to put that knowledge to work for CAPA. Chris is joining a board of outstanding industry leaders and will, no doubt, become an important part of CAPA’s efforts to protect the marketplace from poor quality parts. We’re honored to have him on board,” said Jack Gillis, CAPA’s executive director. CAPA’s board includes: Tim Adelmann, ABRA, Inc. Bill Daly, Allstate Insurance Bill DeGrocco, GEICO Jack Gillis, CAPA Ben Kelley, Center for Auto Safety Chris Northup, Professional Parts Group Clark Plucinski, Collision Repair Education Foundation (Chair man ) Mike Schoonover, Schoonover Bodyworks Inc. Ben Steinman, Ben’s Auto Body Carol Waldron, State Farm Insuranc For information, contact debbie@CAPAcertified.org

their right to choose their repair shop, the right to not use aftermarket parts on their new vehicle, etc … It is a wonderful feeling when you encounter people and they tell you, ‘Of course I know I have the right to choose, I listen to your commercials!’ An industry can be changed for the better one customer at a time, but patience and endurance are the keys to success. John Petrarca can be reached at (401) 861-2211 or john@providence autobody.com. For information about ABARI, call (401) 467-7575 or visit www .ABARI.net. If you know of a shop that would like to share its “Shop Strategies,” contact Stacey Phillips at sphillips@ autobodynews.com. obligation demo of the VRS. To inquire about the VRS System, or to sponsor a VRS Labor Rate Survey in your state, Contact Sam Valenzuela, President, National AutoBody Research: 913-226-6550 / Sam@National AutoBody Research.com or visit their website www.NationalAutoBody Research.com

52 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

CAPA Elects 8 Leaders to Its Technical Committee The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) announced on February 1 the election of Alan Bush – ALD and Associates; Jim Fisher – PBSI-DS; Bob Guzdziol – K.S.I. Trading; Don Hill – State Farm; Jim Horner – USAA; Jim Miras – Micro Rim Corporation; Mark Sanders – Caliber Collision Centers; and Chad Sulkala – Allstate to CAPA’s Technical Committee. “CAPA is absolutely privileged to have such a broad range of industry expertise represented on our Technical Committee,” said Debbie Klouser, director of operations for the non-profit association. “Their understanding of the issues facing the aftermarket parts industry and guidance with the program are extremely important to CAPA and those who depend on CAPA certification.” “CAPA’s Technical Committee is one of a number of unique program features that make the CAPA standards unique,” said Jack Gillis, executive director of the association. These new additions to the Technical Committee represent some of the most respected and important members of the collision industry and will enable CAPA to continue its position as the ‘gold standard’ when it comes

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CAPA’s Technical Committee: ● Randall Bollander – Empire Auto Parts ● Alan Bush –ALD and Associates, LLC - (Vice-Chair) ● Jeff Chen – T.Y.G. Products, L.P. ● Bill Dornon – LKQ-Keystone ● Rod Enlow – RENLOW Auto Technical Consulting, Inc. (Chairman) ● Don Feeley – City Body & Frame ● Jim Fisher – PBSI-DS ● Bob Guzdziol – K.S.I. Trading ● Don Hill – State Farm Mutual Insurance Co. ● Jim Horner – USAA Insurance ● Jared Humphrey – Service King Collision Repair Centers ● Bob Keith – CARSTAR ● Jim Miras – Micro Rim Corporation ● Dan Risley – Automotive Services Association (ASA) ● Mark Sanders – Caliber Collision Centers ● Nick Scheid, LNS & Associates ● Michael Smith – GEICO Insurance ● Chad Sulkala – Allstate Insurance ● Richard Wang – Gordon Auto Body Parts Co., Ltd.

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Lean Operations

Why Winners Win (Deliberate Practice) with David Luehr

There are two traits that I most commonly witness amongst the most successful collision business leaders I work with. First they tend to work with a coach or mentor and secondly they engage in what is called deliberate practice. I was first introduced to the concept of deliberate practice not on the shop floor as you might expect, but instead on the tennis court. When I began playing tennis regularly just a few years ago I was completely hooked and would play and practice a lot, but felt my progress was slower than I would have liked. I was introduced to a coach that was unlike many of the other tennis professionals I had previously met. I thought this guy hated me! There were times I hated him, but in just a few months got me out of my rut and soon I was beating players that had been playing tennis for twenty years or more! What was it that made me improve to the point that I was beating far more experienced players? It was the not the amount of practice that mattered, it was how I practiced that mattered! This may come as good news to many of you that scientific research has proven that your natural born talent has much less to do with your success in life than many think. The real secret to success at any endeavor whether sport, business, music, or whatever lies in a person’s dedication to practicing the specific skills they have not yet mastered in a deliberate manner. This was great news to me as a tennis player, because trust me, I have very little natural athletic talent! The bad news is that deliberate practice can be tough! I’ll come back to that in a minute. I am sure many of my readers can relate to what I am about to say. In past years I have been amazed how I would hire a person to work in my shop that says they have been in the business for twenty years or more and they have absolutely no more skill than the guy working next to them that has only been working in the trade for five years! What is up with that? For the most part, it is because in many trades it takes about 5 years to become proficient at your job, and then people take their foot off the gas and coast. It is like learning

David Luehr is the owner of Elite Body Shop Solutions, LLC, a collision business consulting firm based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a 30 year veteran of the collision repair industry. David is an expert in Body Shop Operations and specializes in Lean, and Theory of Constraints methods. Email him at dluehr@msn.com

to drive. A person first goes through a cognitive phase where they have to think about everything before they do it. “Okay now I have to press the gas pedal, and then turn on my turn signal etc.” You have to think about everything until it becomes a habit. Then a few years later you learn enough skills that you can drive the car all over town and without thinking about anything. The problem then is that people become complacent and quit learning new advanced driving skills. This same driver that has now become comfortably proficient at driving is still a very long ways away from the skills that would be required to professionally drive a race car. So back to the bad news. While my more experienced tennis opponents were still practicing the old skills they had already mastered because it’s fun, I was over on the next court over looking like an idiot and not having much fun trying to learn new skills that I was horrible at! But like the great Zig Ziglar famously said, “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly until you learn to do it well.” Well I was quickly becoming the master of sucking at tennis! At least that is how it felt. For anyone to become truly great at anything, I am convinced that we have to learn to be okay at sucking at the things we have yet to master. The lessons I have learned from the tennis coach has translated into my business and my life in many enriching ways and it will yours too if you are willing to challenge yourself. The journey to truly superior performance is neither for the faint of heart nor for the impatient. The development of genuine expertise requires struggle, sacrifice, and honest, often painful self-assessment. There are no shortcuts. In Malcolm Gladwell’s book titled, Outliers, he indicates that it takes as much as 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to be considered an expert in a particular field. So how does one engage in deliberate practice and how does it translate to the automotive repair business? It is easier to know how to engage in deliberate practice when we are talking about sports and music, but it is a

54 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

little bit different when advancing your business skills. I believe a great deal of the skills that I am considered an expert in was simply due to my own curiosity and drive to be the best. For example many of my clients consider me an expert in the use of CCC One’s estimating and management software. What many of my clients don’t know is that I have spent many late nights discovering how to adapt this and other management systems to many different shop environments. I have made every mistake there is to make, tested various methods to perform many tasks in CCC One and I believe I still have more to learn! While some shop managers perform their daily duties and tasks exactly the same way every day, I perform every task with the intention of trying to do it better than the last time. Even if I am just doing the dishes! When it comes to some skills, deliberate practice is simply performing the duties

you already have, but changing your mental approach to always want to perform it better. I have often said that the curious will rule the world, perhaps this is why. Here are a few business related skills that coaching combined with deliberate practice can greatly improve your chances of becoming the best in your field, or at least in your shop. ■ Holding crucial conversations and holding people accountable

■ How to sell a repair job to a stubborn client ■ How to sell an idea to a stubborn boss

■ How to speak with charisma in front of your staff or in front of crowd ■ Getting your people to buy into See Why Winners Win, Page 56

change initiatives ■ Analyzing financial statements and running a business by the numbers

■ Continuous improvement and the skills necessary to make people want to help you improve

■ How to get rich!

By developing new skills and working on those things that are sometimes uncomfortable, you can actually change your mental mapping for how you approach things in life. You could quickly find a new lease on life and begin to live a more fulfilling life or at least you may find yourself in a similar situation as me with my tennis game. Beating a lot of opponents, but still feeling like I suck! Perhaps I should change my mental approach and look at it in a more positive light?

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ALI Lowers Price of Online Lift Safety Training Course

The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) has lowered the price of its Lifting It Right online lift safety training course from $29 to $24 per person. The interactive course, hosted by NASCAR legends Richard and Kyle Petty, teaches vehicle lift operators how to properly use car and truck lifts in dealerships, independent shops, fleet maintenance garages, vocational schools and other facilities. ALI, the trade association focused on vehicle lift safety, introduced the online course in 2014 in cooperation with dealer services provider KPA. It is the latest evolution of Lifting It Right training ALI has offered in various formats for more than 25 years. “We have been very happy with the success of the Lifting It Right online course over the last two years,” says R.W. “Bob” O’Gorman, ALI president. “This course has helped us train nearly 12,000 lift operators on proper lift use and maintenance procedures for safer workplaces. We noticed a spike in sales when we ran promotions to lower the course price by $5, so in the interests of making the program as affordable as possible for everyone, we have decided to lower the price to $24 in 2016.” For information, visit www.auto lift.org or call (607) 756-7775.

NHTSA Hosts Vehicle Cybersecurity Roundtable

On January 19, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) brought together vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, technology companies, industry experts, security researchers and government agencies to discuss the industry’s development and adoption of vehicle cybersecurity standards. The majority of the panelists agreed on the necessity of an industrywide set of minimum, verifiable cybersecurity standards. However, due to the continually changing nature of emerging technology, they also suggested that these standards could only serve as a baseline. As capabilities and threats develop, the best practices would need to be able to evolve at the same pace. The Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) forthcoming cybersecurity standards were offered as a possible starting point, as well as contributions from the automakers Intelligence Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) that has been in operation since 2015. One of the primary points of discussion was the issue of data access. The general consensus of the panelists was that most cyber vulnerabilities are caused by the vehicle owner. Some pointed out that this was an argument for vehicle manufacturers to

have greater control over the vehicle software and hardware, as well as dictating who could access the data. Others contended that when a consumer purchases a car, this includes the right to access any and all data. This argument extended to vehicle repair, with several panelists making the case that aftermarket repairers be allowed to access and alter the vehicle’s data at the owner’s request. A number of members of Congress have introduced vehicle cybersecurity legislation. Vehicle cybersecurity has been an issue discussed in the past several NACE | CARS programs sponsored by the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and is a significant part of the NACE | CARS 2016 program. ASA has hosted several automotive industry meetings related to new vehicle technologies and cybersecurity. For more information, and to see the program’s full agenda, visit: http:// www.nhtsa.gov/Research/Crash+Avo idance/Agenda. For information about ASA, visit www.ASAshop.org, or ASA’s legislative website www.TakingTheHill.com.

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Historical Snapshot

Jeff Silver, GAO Report and NHTSA, Avery v State Farm, EPA at CIC with John Yoswick

20 years ago in the collision repair industry (March 1996) The name Jeff Silver is synonymous with I-CAR. As executive vice president, Jeff has spent the last 11 years of his life helping to build I-CAR into the premier technical training organization in the collision repair industry. On his watch, Jeff has guided I-CAR into the international arena, forming coalitions with groups in Canada and New Zealand and opening talks with groups in the Far East. He recently decided to leave I-CAR and start his own collision repair business, but will remain with I-CAR for six months to help make his successor’s transition as smooth as possible. Jeff leaves big shoes to fill. He has done much to improve the collision repair industry, and we wish him well. – From a March 1996 editorial in Auto Body Repair News (ABRN) by Tony Molla, at that time the editor-inchief of the magazine. Molla later spent 15 years with ASE, and last year became vice president on the Automotive Service Association national staff. Silver continues to operate his collision repair business, now a CARSTAR franchise in Mundelein, IL, with his wife Jeanne. This past November, he received the I-CAR Chairman’s Award, recognizing his decades of support for that organization.

15 years ago in the collision repair industry (March 2001) A report published by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) was a mixed bag for those hoping for more government oversight of non-OEM crash parts. While the report indicates that some non-OEM parts are “clearly different from their OEM counterparts,” it also said limited testing leaves it unclear whether such parts pose significant safety concerns. “Although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has the authority to regulate aftermarket crash parts, it has not determined that these parts pose a significant safety concern and therefore has not developed safety standards for them,” the report states. The report also says that NHTSA should have an oversight program to

detect defects in non-OEM parts, but that “NHTSA’s ability to identify and recall unsafe aftermarket parts is limited” by its “database [which] hampers it from identifying trends in defects.” The report clearly states, however, that the GAO “saw aftermarket crash parts that were clearly different from their OEM counterparts.” “Obviously there is a need for NHTSA to gather significantly more information in order to look at the safety implications of these crash parts,” Congressman John Tierney (D.-Mass.), said of the study. —As reported in The Golden Eagle. It’s unclear if NHTSA took further actions on the non-OEM parts issue, but the manufacturers, distributors and certifiers of non-OEM crash parts has subsequently stepped up tracking and other systems to assist in the recall of a non-OEM part, should one be deemed necessary.

10 years ago in the collision repair industry (March 2006) The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected the plaintiffs’ request to hear Avery v. State Farm. Michael Avery and the other plaintiffs filed a petition for the court to hear the case on the basis that Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier should not have participated in the decision since State Farm contributed to his election campaign. The U.S. Supreme Court said nothing about why it decided not to review the case. —As reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), March 12, 2006. In 1999, a court ruled in favor of Avery and other consumers in a class action lawsuit against State Farm over its use of non-OEM parts, awarding them more than $1 billion. In 2005, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned that verdict. Though a decade has past since that Illinois Supreme Court ruling, the decision is still making headlines. In 2011, Avery's lawyers petitioned the court to reconsider its Avery ruling given what they said was new evidence of the degree to which State Farm was involved in the 2004 election of Justice Karmeier to Illinois’ top court. Within a year of his election,

56 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Karmeier was among the Justices on the Court that voted to overturn the $1 billion judgment against State Farm. A lawsuit over that issue continues.

5 years ago in the collision repair industry (March 2011) An Environmental Protection Agency official, speaking at this month’s Collision Industry Conference (CIC), said that even though the deadline has passed for shops to comply with new federal refinish and paint stripping regulations (sometimes referred to as 6-H or NESHAP), any business that has not complied should not avoid doing so. “Some folks think if they hang back and don’t submit the paperwork that somehow EPA isn’t going to know about them,” Deborah Craig, an EPA compliance officer said. “They don’t want to shine a light on themselves by submitting something late. Our recommendation is that you just move forward as quickly as possibly to come

into compliance. Give the regional EPA folks a call. Ask for help in filling out the forms. Talk to folks in your trade group for assistance. A lot of the paint suppliers have really been offering such excellent customer service by helping you comply.” – As reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), March 28, 2011. The federal air quality regulation imposed a number of requirements on body shops, including mandatory training related to the regulation for painters every five years at a minimum. So painters that underwent that training five years ago as the regulation went into effect—but who haven’t gone through the training again since that time—are due to take it again this year. More information is available on the EPA website (http://www3.epa.gov/ collisionrepair/).

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Media and Publicity for Shops

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

Say Hello to Our Little Friend—El Niño! Strongest One Yet Expected this Year with Ed Attanasio

There are a handful of businesses out there that praise bad weather and celebrate when the big one hits, while most of us cower in fear and prefer staying home. Meteorologists, roofers, storm window companies, and, of course, body shops benefit when storms hit any part of the country. In the East there’s the snow; in the Midwest tornadoes and hail; and in the West there is El Niño—a predictable weather phenomenon that comes around every 10–15 years, affecting weather patterns across the globe. It’s best known in the west because it’s driven by varying water temperatures in in the Pacific. “El Niño” got its name in the 1800s from Peruvian fishermen, who noticed a mysterious warm current that would appear around Christmas. They called it the “little boy” or “Christ child,” but people in the collision industry call it “Our cash cow,” “El Dinero,” or “Overtime.” The strongest El Niño yet is expected to drench the southern half of United States this year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). The meteorological phenomenon will undoubtedly bring benefits for some industries, and setbacks for others. The big question is—how will it affect the collision industry and if so, to what degree? The last truly massive El Niño appeared in 1997–98 and was a major boom for body shops throughout the world. However it caused an estimated $35 billion in destruction and 23,000 deaths around the world. David Mello, the owner of Anderson Behel in Santa Clara, CA has a love/ hate relationship with bad weather. “Well, aside from the obvious glee that must be withheld for the sake of political correctness, El Niño is the best thing to happen to the collision repair industry,” Mello said. “There is nothing like unrelenting rainfall to bring our driving errors to the forefront! Limited visibility, fogged up windows, slippery roads and debris in the road all add up to increased accidents and texting while driving always helps, too!” Mello appreciates the added work that El Niño brings, but also realizes

that he will have to adapt to get it done, which isn’t always easy. “My thoughts are that with the onset of El Niño, customers will have to wait longer for repairs until shops can work them in, as we do not have the ability to increase capacity on such short notice. Ramping up staff takes time, and with nearly full employment for collision technicians, shops can’t absorb much of the increase in volume. At our shop, I don’t know how we will keep up with the anticipated demand, because adding a second shift is almost out of the question. In the old days, we could gear up for bad weather, but now it just means more cars in the queue. We can work some overtime, but in the end it’s just more work that we need to get done. But, work is work and this is what we do, so come on, El Niño, we’ll figure it out!” Sal Pannazzo is a veteran of the industry and has managed shops throughout southern California for more than two decades. He experienced the 1998 El Niño firsthand and saw the huge amount of work that resulted. But, things were a little different back then. “In the ‘90s, we could benefit more from bad weather and it wouldn’t impact our production like it does today, because the focus on performance and customer satisfaction wasn’t as crucial back then,” Pannazzo explained. “Now, with the insurance companies that are concentrating so much more on things like cycle times and which parts to use, things like El Niño are a little more difficult to accommodate.” The old days of cramming as many cars as you could into the shop and pushing them out are long gone, according to Pannazzo. “Today’s customers are more educated about our industry and that’s a big part of it. It’s actually made the industry better overall, because now we have both the insurance companies and the customers watching us, grading us and gauging our performance on every repair,” he added. Staffing can also lead to other issues during a weather event such as El Niño, or even the occasional earthquake that hits southern California, Pannazzo said.

58 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

“Good people are harder and harder to find today, so adding staff for El Niño for example, isn’t easy. When you step up your production to meet the need, you have to have the right people in place, or that can make it even tougher to fix the added vehicles,” he added. Pannazzo has developed some strategies to be ready when the weather changes for the worse. “We have had some success doing pre-orders,” he explained. “We assess the damage, write the estimate and order the parts upfront. That way, when they bring the car in for the repair, it doesn’t take as long. We tell some customers that because of the weather, it may take a few more days for their car to be completed and almost everyone is fine with it, because we inform them in advance.” Although El Niño can be challenging, Pannazzo also knows that it can bring added revenue to any shop if

it can handle the deluge of cars. “The types of damage we get from El Niño make for great repairs,” he said. “They normally involve hoods, roofs and trunks and come in at around $2,000 each, so if you can handle the volume, El Niño can end up being a good thing.” Joe Currin is the owner of Dings & Dents in Campbell, CA. He has been performing Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) and minor other types of repairs for car dealerships and body shops for 25 years. In 1998, Currin had so much work from El Niño that it kept him busy for literally six months, he said. “There was no much activity overall during that last El Niño that it was crazy and I did not get much sleep for quite awhile,” Currin said. “Falling tree branches that cause little fender benders and smaller dents are ideal for us obviously. My wife laughs at me when I cheer about the rain, because when I see it, it represents money for me and my business.”

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Fix Auto USA Announces 100th Franchise Location

Fix Auto USA announced its 100th franchise location, a milestone in the growth of the independent, owneroperated collision repair brand. Fix Auto said it launched its franchise model in 2011 in response to a collision repair landscape increasingly dominated by regional and national consolidators, and insurance carriers looking for a turnkey vehicle claims processing solution. “Reaching this moment in a wildly competitive market is cause for celebration,” said Fix Auto President and COO, Paul Gange. “The entire Fix Auto Family played a role in this accomplishment and should be acknowledged for delivering unmatched value every day.” “There’s no question that the brand continues to gain traction because we extend invitations only to operators who exhibit market-leading performance and are driven, passionate, and committed to their businesses,” stated Fix Auto Vice President of Network Development and Marketing, Armin Price. “Maintaining this philosophy as we move forward will reinforce our strong core of independent operators and position us for success in 2016 and beyond.”

AudaExplore and ABRA Extend Strategic Relationship

AudaExplore announced Feb. 2 it signed an agreement to extend its strategic relationship with ABRA Auto Body & Glass. Since 2010, ABRA has integrated AudaExplore’s Estimating, Central Review, and Consolidator Dispatch services into their operations. The company said it has experienced increased efficiency, decreased cycle times, and an overall improvement in customer satisfaction. The latest renewal comes more than a year before the current agreement’s expiration. “Repairing vehicles correctly and on-time is central to our mission of providing superior service to each of our clients,” said Ed Litman, ABRA’s vice president of procurement. “Securing our relationship with AudaExplore insures that our repair centers will have access to state-ofthe-art technology that supports that mission.” Gordon Henderson, vice president of Collision Repair Solutions, AudaExplore, said, “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 customers like ABRA.”

SCRS Notifies Members of Collision Repair Petition

In February, 2015 CNN’s Anderson Cooper aired an episode that spotlighted lawsuits addressing industry tactics to steer customers and pressure repair decisions relative to parts and operations in a way that produces unsafe and unsatisfactory repairs. This special became highly discussed in the industry, and stimulated many to reach out to SCRS. During the last week of January 2016, a new petition began circulating among repair facilities that addresses many similar allegations, highlighting an event from 1963 when “US Attorney General Robert Kennedy sued the [insurance] industry to prevent them from forcing body shops to cut corners at the risk to public safety.” The petition pleads for the federal government to “enforce the 1963 Consent Decree for the safety of the American driving public.” The petition was seeking 100,000 signatures by February 24 and can be found at https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/enforce-safe-car-repairs-save-lives. SCRS was not involved in the drafting. For information about SCRS, visit www.scrs.com, call 1-877-8410660 or email info@scrs.com.

ASA Announces Partnership With eMarketing Sherpas

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and eMarketing Sherpas announced on Feb. 3 that the Demand Engine, Review Engine and Digital Lobby systems are now available to all ASA members. eMarketing Sherpas provides digital-based sales, marketing and customer-service solutions to automotive businesses. The company offers a suite of software products and services for body shops. Dan Risley, ASA’s president and executive director, said, “We are excited to offer our members access to these powerful solutions.” The Demand Engine is a system that automates all aspects of a shop’s digital activity. Review Engine will manage shop’s online reputation, capture more online reviews, improve search-engine performance and increase online sales leads and referrals. The Digital Lobby is a system that includes digital signage, menu board, kiosks and mobile apps. For information, contact the ASA membership department at (817) 893-1109 or visit the ASA Marketplace at ASA.bizunite.com. The eMarketing Sherpas’ ASA member page is http://www.emarketingsherpas .com/ - !asa-members/obuez.

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Social Media for Shops

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

Best Marketing Techniques to Recruit Top Employees with Ed Attanasio

It’s safe to say that every shop owner Setup an Employee Referral Program in the country is well aware of the Human Resources departments at enormous need for qualified collision large corporations have extensive emrepair professionals—from body techployee referral systems in place that Ed Attanasio nicians, paintingwith technicians, estimaare their bread and butter when it tors and even front office personnel. comes to finding and hiring top peoWith fewer technical school programs ple. They offer generous bonuses, inin our high schools and colleges and a cluding all-expense paid vacations, lack of alternative training programs, tickets to concerts and sporting events, we’re not currently creating enough etc. for employees who refer their Ed Attanasio new employees with to accommodate the friends and associates. Instead of conneed. ducting “cattle calls” and interviewing With the continual efforts to shake hundreds of semi-qualified people, the old “grease monkey” stereotype, and why not find top candidates through with more young people gravitating tothe connections your existing employward attending four-year colleges as opees already have? You will quickly posed to technical or vocational schools, find out that good body techs hang out with Stacey Phillips SSISTANT EDITORbody techs, and it’s the collision repair industry is scramwith- Aother good bling to find and retain good people. the same with painters, estimators, etc. This shortage of qualified technicians, for example, has led lead to higher Train New Employees Yourself wages, benefits and signing bonuses. If you want to do it right, why not conAs a result, the market for good trol the process, including the trainemployees is turning ugly. Body shops ing? Big MSOs like Service King now are either stealing techs from each other have a fully compensated 52-week or bringing in green people and trying training course developed to prepare to train them from the ground up. Some incoming technicians for careers at MSOs and mini-chains are trying to do Service King. As part of this program, something about it now, and most contechnicians receive daily on-the-job sumers aren’t aware of this dilemma oversight and training, use a detailed yet. But, when they have to wait weeks curriculum and progress through a sefor repairs and prices go up because ries of competency assessments and there’s not enough people out there to succession benchmarks. Technicians fix cars, customers will suddenly be just are consistently awarded throughout as concerned as the body shop owners the program and tutored by an asabout the lack of good talent. signed apprentice supervisor, to make So, here are some suggestions outcertain that they’re ready for work lining marketing techniques you might when the training is complete. The want to consider as you pursue top emtheory is that if you train them your ployees for your shop (or shops): way, they will stay and be long-term happy employees. Connect to Your Local Schools For the larger MSOs that constantly Use Your Philanthropy and Community need new people to fill their pipeline, Service as a Recruiting Tool working with local high schools, trade Shops involved in charity work don’t organizations and trade technical do it with the idea of landing top emschools is almost essential. Concenployees, but if they can leverage these trate on the schools in your backyard efforts, why not? Top people will apand also pinpoint several outside of preciate a business that helps others, your immediate area. Certain states are and in many cases, it can lead to evencreating more collision professionals, tual employment. Everyone wants to such as Texas, Florida and California, have a purpose and make a decent livwhere there are more technical schools ing, but many people also respect a and more automotive repair students company that helps its community and who will soon be pursuing employdoes more than just fixing cars. ment. Participate in mentoring programs, career fairs and other activities Use Social Media and programs that schools offer. In this age of online social and pro-

SEMA Show Goes On

fessional networking, there is a very good chance that you and your employees are already connected to a wide range of potential candidates. Tap into this potential audience on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter to get the word out. By using as many online tools as you possibly can, you’ll be finding better job candidates at zero cost.

Media and Publicity for Shops Shop Strategies

60 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Make the Application Process Easy Some shops use software linked to their web sites, so that candidates can easily fill out online applications or submit resumes fast and drama-free while others use different sites to achieve the same results. If you can make the application and vetting process simple, logically more will apply. Top sites for recruiting and submitting applications and resumes include Simply Hired, Glassdoor and ZipRecruiter.

Always Be Recruiting (ABR)

Many shops fill a specific need and then put the recruiting efforts on the back burner, but that is a mistake for many reasons. Recruiting is ongoing and never slows down or stops. Just because you’re properly staffed today, what happens when another shop lures away a couple of your top techs? That’s why you have to be recruiting all the time, especially if you have more than one location.

Devise a Specific Message People don’t like ambiguity, especially when their livelihoods are involved. Applicants want the facts, not some fancy phrases like “We’re on the Cutting Edge” or “Ride Our Wave.” They want to know what the job’s requirements are, 6.41 the training required, the hours, the benefits and the pay. Remember that the inventory of good, qualified people out there is limited, so make sure your message is See Best Marketing Techniques, Page 63

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Best Marketing Techniques

clear, complete and specific about what you’re looking for. So, devise a message that will attract top people while gaiting unqualified wannabes. It will save you time and money in the long run.

Respect Every Job Candidate Never disregard an unqualified job candidate, because you never know when that person may reach the point of employment, based on schooling, training or accumulated experience. You also don’t know who this individual might know, so always treat job applicants with respect and leave them feeling good about themselves.

Do an Annual Hiring Open House Some ingenious marketing types at body shops have combined their customer appreciation event with an employment open house, thereby killing two birds with one stone. That way, it’s more affordable for you, and people can use the opportunity to submit resumes, meet with your managers, and even do an impromptu interview.

Bumpersmith 2.0 Combines Welder & Work Station

Polyvance’s (formerly Urethane Supply Company), new 6071 Bumpersmith 2.0 offers a nitrogen plastic welding system combined with a foldout bumper workstation. Created by bumper repair guru David Smith, the Bumpersmith 2.0 improves on his original design with a more compact and versatile design, according to a company press release. Polyvance has merged with Bum-persmith to sell and support this new welder. The nitrogen welder features a switch in the handle to help conserve bottled nitrogen gas; only flowing nitrogen gas when needed. The analog control system features outlet pressure gauges and a flowmeter. As a workstation, the Bumpersmith 2.0 folds out to hold any size bumper, from Chevy Sonic to Chevy Tahoe. The bumper pads are notched, allowing both bumpers and headlights to be held down with the included bungee cords. When finished, the bumper pads and supports affix to the sides of the welder for compact storage. The Bumpersmith 2.0 is available for shipment from auto body jobbers or equipment distributors across North America. The suggested user price is $4,395. For information, call Kurt Lammon at 800-633-3047.

Axalta Develops Speed Light Hand-Held Device

Axalta Coating Systems has harnessed the power of light by developing a light source that the company said may forever change the way body shops achieve refinish perfection. Known as Speed Light, this hand-held device allows even the finest imperfections to be seen, according to a company press release. The right lighting conditions are essential to every stage of the paint repair process. Speed Light’s diode bulbs, more commonly known as LEDs, save energy, last up to 60,000 hours and are cool to the touch. This technology offers clean, pure white light that is ideal for viewing and matching colors and helps body shop professionals detect imperfections, according to a company press release. Speed Light can be used throughout the refinish process to help identify pre-paint defects like pinholes and sand scratches, compare color samples, check color matches and identify flake coarseness. It can also help refinishers spot post-repair issues like coverage and hiding. To learn more about Axalta, visit www.axaltacoatingsystems.com

eMarketing Sherpas is CASPER’s Preferred Provider On January 26, the Coalition of Automotive Service Providers (CASPER) and eMarketing Sherpas announced that eMarketing Sherpas has been selected as the association’s preferred consumer marketing solution provider. According to CASPER, the selection of the Demand Engine, Review Engine and the Digital Lobby solutions will assist CASPER members implement and benefit from the widest range of digital based sales, marketing and customer service tools available to the auto service and auto body repair industries. John Vanderschaaf, president of CASPER, said, “We are very excited to offer our members access to these powerful sales, marketing and customer service solutions. Our members are always looking for more and better ways to improve how they market their businesses, increase their sales and improve the way they service their customers. The Demand Engine, Review Engine and Digital Lobby systems from eMarketing Sherpas offers more options and solutions than any other company we have researched.”

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www.autobodynews.com | MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 63

64 MARCH 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com