WIN Updates 2022-23 Scholarship Program

employees are earning at least 15% more than they did two years ago.”

Ronak advised shops to recognize the difference between retail and wholesale rates as they navigate the pricing market. “To avoid complicity in anti-competitive behavior and avoid the resulting financial liability, contracted or negotiated rates should never be used as part of the information that will be disseminated to assess a market rate,” he said.

Data Sharing and the Unintended Consequences

Pete Tagliapietra, managing director of DataTouch, said the conference was very well attended and organized. “The vendor display was one of the best that I have seen at a state trade show,” he said.

In his presentation about “Data Sharing and the Unintended Consequences,” Tagaliapietra talked about the mystery of how repair information—correct or not—ends up on public VIN searching sites. He also spoke about the importance of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and repair data privacy along with security trends in the collision industry. The discussion included the impact of data pumps on industry stakeholders.

“It is clear that most shops have no idea what is going on with their repair estimate data other than repair information showing up on CARFAX,” noted Tagliapietra.

During his presentation, he told body shops their repair estimates are being stolen off their shop computer systems and, for the most part, don’t even know it’s happening. “Your repair estimate and repair order (RO) information are being sold and profited by third-party providers without your knowledge and consent,” he said.

In response, state and federal governments are taking control. “California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah and Virginia have already enacted comprehensive consumer data privacy laws,” said Tagliapietra. “Many other states are in the process or soon to follow implementing similar legislation.”

For shops looking to prevent this from happening, Tagliapietra advised owners and managers to ask each vendor for a copy of their information privacy policy, ask if estimate information is shared with any third parties, and watch for new software offerings that will provide complete control over who and what can be accessed from the shop’s estimates.

Conventional vs. PDR: The Great Debate

Chris White, president of Keco Body Repair Products, said the ABAT event was a well-done regional show. The KECO team worked closely with show organizers to help plan the ‘Big Shot’ skills competitions for technicians. “Technicians love to compete and it was great fun being part of those competitions,” White said.

ABAT asked White to help bring collision and paintless dent repair (PDR) technicians together to discuss the differences in the process and technique of both repair methods.

In his presentation, “Conventional vs. PDR: The Great Debate,” White discussed the pain points of both groups over the years.

“Traditionally, both sides have accused the other of inferior repairs,” said White. “We discussed that those accusations are likely born more of fear and uncertainty about what changes might occur if the segments worked more closely together.”

White defined this uncertainty and fear as a “scarcity mindset.”

“Scarcity says that there is a very limited amount of work being pursued by both groups and this creates a fiercely competitive environment where each side is trying to take work from the other,” he explained.

He also shared information about “the mindset of abundance.”

“Abundance says that if two traditionally competitive sides collaborate openly, there is a multiplier that happens and more is created,” said White. “Abundance thinking fosters creativity and real growth takes place.”

In an age of rapidly evolving vehicle technology, White said less invasive repair techniques are required as well as a greater connection with OEMs and their repair procedures. “Collision and PDR techs face these same challenges,” he noted.

White said technology like glue pull repair (GPR) is a common ground for both sides looking for less invasive techniques. He shared the origins of GPR and explained that it is not PDR.

“Our glue pull repair system is uniquely suited to serve both segments as a tool collision technicians can use for pull to paint and PDR technicians can use for full paintless repairs. “We have seen our technology begin to foster collaboration between the two groups that have long been a bit adversarial,” he said.

PDR and conventional repair technicians were then encouraged to participate in a conversation about dent repair and what it takes to repair a vehicle properly. They also talked about ways the two groups could collaborate to ensure OEM procedures are followed so quality and safe repairs are executed for the benefit of all parties, especially vehicle owners.

WIN Updates 2022-23 Scholarship Program

WIN (Women’s Industry Network) announced an expansion of its signature scholarship program in the 2022-23 academic school year. Applications will be accepted Sept. 12 through Oct. 28. WIN scholarships provide tuition assistance, educational opportunities and enrichment events to selected applicants.The restructuring is designed to attract more students and increase the number of awards every year, starting with doubling the award rate in the next year and enabling a variety of students to grow in their collision repair career journey. As part of the application process, each WIN scholarship applicant registers for a complementary WIN student membership.

Additionally, WIN supports collision repair instructors with access to free WIN memberships through the Pay It Forward campaign. To learn more, go to https://thewomensindustrynetwork.site-ym.com/page/Scholarship.