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NACE | CARS Announces Detroit Destination & Technical Tours for July 22–25, 2015 NACE | CARS announced details for the destination tours in Detroit for 2015. These tours have been organized to provide attendees with the opportunity to visit some of Detroit’s historical venues, as well as gain first-hand insight into the original automotive plants through both docent guided and self-guided tours. The tours will take place throughout the week during NACE | CARS. Interested parties must pre-register through the NACE | CARS registration process. All are available, with limited capacity. Charter buses will be provided from the COBO Center to take attendees to and from the tours.
NACE | CARS Destination Tours feature nine unique oppotunities in 2015: Ford Rogue Factory Tour (F-150): This tour will put you in the center of the manufacturing of the new military grade aluminum-alloy bodied Ford F150, including an opportunity to view the final assembly process from an elevated walkway. You will view the latest Ford technology, their “living roof,” and experience the Manufacturing Innovation Theater. The tour includes admission and guided tour with a docent. ■ Wednesday, July 22: Board 12:45 pm - Depart 1:15 pm - Return 5:00 pm See NACE CARS Tours, Page 14
NACE | CARS Previews... p. 9, 29, 55, 58, 60
U.S. District Judge in FL Recommends Dismissing Complaints Without Prejudice in Multi-District Lawsuit
See MDL Recommends, Page 24
P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018
In the Multi-District Lawsuit involving more than 500 collision repair shops across the country, U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Smith recommended in June that the antirust complaints filed against the nation’s top insurers be dismissed without prejudice. Eaves Law Firm, the lead attorneys for the Plantiffs, is able to file amended complaints by June 30. Autobody News spoke to Allison Fry at Eaves Law Firm, based in Jack-
son, MS, to find out how this development will affect the case. Fry, the litigation director and designated plaintiffs’ liaison counsel, said that in certain instances a district court judge, the trial court judge in the federal system, is permitted to send certain motions to the magistrate judge for what is essentially a “first look.” After reviewing the motion, the judge will prepare a legal opinion on whether or not the motions have merit and whether they
Change Service Requested
by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor
VOL. 33 ISSUE 7 JULY 2015
Industry Veteran Creates “Body Shop of the Future” Using Overseas Technology by Victoria Antonelli, Online Editor
“If you could cycle 10 to 12 cars in eight hours through your booth, cure filler in one minute, and apply four coats of primer and have it cured 100 percent and sanded in 15 minutes, how would you run your business differently?” That’s the question Patrick O’Neill, co-owner of BodyShop Revolution and Body Shop Express, is asking body shop owners across the country. After spending over 30 years in the industry, where he owned eight body shops in Arizona and Nevada, managed others, and worked on running a market and a couple of acquisitions for Caliber Collision, O’Neill was “trying to figure out what to do next, other than retire and play golf.”
That was when fellow industry veteran, John Parker, introduced him to a new technology that had been transforming body shops overseas, and was ready to make its way to the United States.
Patrick O’Neill, co-owner of Body Shop Express and BodyShop Revolution, inside the shop’s paint booth
These gas catalytic infrared drying robots, created by Green Tech Italy, have been making waves in EuSee Shop of the Future, Page 12
CARSTAR Holds its Largest MSO Network Event CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts held its 26th annual conference in San Diego, CA, June 13–16. Themed “Gaining the Edge,” the collision repair industry’s largest MSO event was at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort.
management and technical education sessions, panel discussions, vendor partner networking events, motivational speakers and an insurance industry forum. CARSTAR CEO David Byers shared the company’s financial performance for the year, and detailed the corporate and store-level programs. The company previously announced that it finished the first quarter of 2015 with revenue of $195.6 million. Last year, CARSTAR delivered North American revenue of $712 million, up nearly 10 percent from $649 million in 2013, a record for the comKim Carrington, Vagabond Development for CARSTAR pany. It also reported same Auto Body Repair Experts, and Melissa Miller, National Director of Operations for CARSTAR Corporate, pose in store sales growth of 12.5 perfront of their booth cent for the first quarter, after It opened with an awards presen- ending 2014 up 11.3 percent over the tation on June 13 to recognize the top- previous year. performing franchisees, then shifted “We are on the right track for See CARSTAR, Page 20 gears to focus on strategic planning,
Presorted Standard US Postage PAID San Bernardino, CA Permit #2244
2 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Contents Website Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
ASA-AZ Tucson Chapter Hosts Student
CARS to Feature Expanded Mechanical
CAA Inland Empire Chapter Meeting on June 18
CCC Information Services and CREF Announce
Cal-West: Where Silicon Valley and the
CCC Introduces the CCC ONE® Appraisal
CARSTAR Holds its Largest MSO Network Event . 1
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is Now CARSTAR’s
Awards Banquet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Will Focus on Honda Repair Requirements. . 14 Collision Industry Meet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
CAWA Training Meeting June 18 to Cover
Specialty and Technical Training . . . . . . . . . 55 Winners of Annual Scholarship . . . . . . . . . . 56 Platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Preferred Provider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Digital Marketing & Distribution. . . . . . . . . . . 4
I-CAR Gold Class Shops and Platinum
Successful Year at LA Trade Tech . . . . . . . . . 8
Italian-based Company Symach Offers North
Collision Repair Students Wrap Up Another
Industry Veteran Creates “Body Shop of the
Future” Using Overseas Technology . . . . . . . 1
Mike Anderson Explains How Learning an
Employee’s “Love Language” Can Benefit
Techs Get 50% Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 American Body Shops New Products &
Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Major Paint Companies Will Color-up
NACE | CARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Your Business at CARSTAR Event in CA. . . 22
NACE | CARS Announces Detroit Destination
in CA With MIG Pulsed Aluminum Welders . . 6
NACE | CARS Makes 2014 TSNN Top 250
Mitchell—Some Startling Predictions
NACE | CARS to Support Breast Cancer
New I-CAR Weld Demo Held at Marina Auto Body Rick Leos of Toyota and Nathan Sellers of
for 2025. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
& Technical Tours for July 22–25, 2015 . . . . 1 Trade Show List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
WD-40 Products Given to UTI Students
New Instructors for Urethane Supply Company’s
Williams Collision Equipment Joins with
New Martin Senour’s PCC® 2.8 VOC Factory
Spanesi Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
COLUMNS
Attanasio - Get Old School Again with
Time-Proven Business Networking . . . . . . . 28
Attanasio - New System Helps Shops to Get
I-CAR® Nitrogen Plastic Welding Course . . . 10
Packaged Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
PPG Industries Foundation Awards Student
Scholarships through CREF . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Redesigned Automotive Lift Institute Website Houses Certified Lift and Inspector
Directories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Reimbursed for PLIOGRIP® Adhesive Usage . 46
Ron Perretta to Lead Innovative Coating
Advertising. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Takata Admits to Fault in Airbag Design,
Attanasio - The Do’s and Don’t’s of Body Shop Chess - A Closer Look at New Generation
of Pulsed Aluminum MIG Welders. . . . . . . . 48
Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 34 Million Vehicles, Largest Recall in
History Ensues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Franklin - How To Hire The Best Bodyshop
The Carlyle Group Closes Acquisition
Luehr - A Better Way to Measure Cycle Time . 38
U.S. District Judge in FL Recommends
Marketing People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Yoswick - Historical Snapshot: 1995 CIC Survey, CARA Files Chapter 11, 2005 Non-OEM
of NARS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Dismissing Complaints Without Prejudice
in Multi-District Lawsuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Crash Parts, Select Service . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
U.S. House Committee Addresses Auto
Share News and Views at Non-OEM Parts
U.S. House Subcommittee Addresses Aging
Yoswick - Insurers, PartsTrader and CAPA
Convention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 NATIONAL
ABRA Auto Body & Glass Awards 10 Students
with Tool Grants Through CREF . . . . . . . . . 44
ASA Congratulates AudaExplore on Feather,
Prime, Block Estimating Solution . . . . . . . . 56
ASA Survey Measures OEM Service Info
Indexof Advertisers
in AZ & CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Spanesi Americas, an Illinois-based company specializing in body shop technology, announced that it is expanding its team to better serve its customers and the collision industry. “We are extremely pleased to announce that Williams Collision Equipment, led by owner Tim Williams, has joined the Spanesi team. Williams Collision Equipment will be distributing the complete Spanesi product line in Northern and Central California and Northern Nevada,” said Timothy Morgan, Managing Director of Spanesi Americas. “I have previously worked with Tim for nearly 15 years and know that his experience in the collision repair industry will be extremely valuable as we continue to grow and provide exceptional products and service to our customers and the collision repair industry.” Williams brings more than 40 years of experience in the collision industry to Spanesi Americas. His experience includes all phases of collision repair beginning at the painter’s helper level and advancing over several years to a full structural repair technician. His experience then grew into equipment sales, where he also provided support, in-shop training and
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Postal Fleet and Efficiency of Government
Repair Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
U.S. Senate Committee Examines EPA’s
Proposed Air Quality Standards . . . . . . . . . 58
Valspar Plans to Strengthen Quest’s Brands After Acquiring Their Performance
Coatings Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
technical services to his customers. Since 2002, Williams has been instructing courses on various topics including vehicle design, collision theory, computerized measuring and damage analysis, full frame repair and the use of secondary anchoring and fixturing systems in accordance with many of the OEM certified collision repair programs and approved by the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance. Williams has also worked with several major insurance companies, conducting classes and seminars to help appraisers in the field gain a better understanding of the collision repair process. “I’m very excited and pleased to be joining forces with the Spanesi organization,” said Williams. “Those of us in the equipment segment of our industry recognize Spanesi for their passion, quality and innovation, which truly makes them a major influence in the industry. Spanesi's emphasis on creating systems with the technician in mind is a compelling argument for any body shop looking to invest in their future.” Tim Williams and Williams Collision Equipment can be reached at: 1-530-906-0546 or tim@prettysmart tools.com.
Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Assistant Editor: Stacey Phillips Online Editor: Victoria Antonelli Contributing Writers: Tom Franklin, David Brown, John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Sean Hartman, Bill Doyle, Norman Morano (800) 699-8251 Sales Assistant: Louise Tedesco Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia
AAPEX Trade Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Alfred Matthews Buick-GMC-Cadillac . .25 Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . .58 Automotive ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 AutoNation Chrysler-Jeep-DodgeRam of North Phoenix . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Axalta Coating Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 BASF Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . .57 Bob Smith BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Bob Smith MINI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Capitol Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Car-Part.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Colortone Automotive Paints . . . . . . . . .10 Completes Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Del Grande Dealer Group . . . . . . . . .16-17 Diamond Standard Parts, Inc . . . . . . . .15 Downtown Motors of LA (Audi, VW, Porsche) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Earnhardt Buick-GMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 East Bay BMW-MINI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Eco Repair Systems of North America, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Elk Grove Toyota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Enterprise Rent-A-Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Equalizer Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . .61 Galpin Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Glenn E. Thomas Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep . .7 GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . .51 H & S Autoshot Mfg. Co. . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32-33 Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . .45
Serving California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry. Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher. ©2015 Adamantine Media LLC. Autobody News P.O. Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com Email: news@autobodynews.com
Western
REGIONAL
Williams Collision Equipment Joins with Spanesi Americas
Kearny Mesa Subaru-Hyundai . . . . . . .39 Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers . . .49 Los Gatos Luxury Cars . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Maita Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Mark Kia-Mitsubishi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . .52 MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . .56 Mirka Abrasives, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Mitsubishi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . .50 MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . .37 Moss Bros. Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge . . . . .11 Nicolosi Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Prime Supply, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Puente Hills Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Riverside Kia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Riverside Metro VW-Honda-HyundaiNissan-Mazda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 San Bernardino Mitsubishi . . . . . . . . . .30 SATA Spray Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28, 29 Shingle Springs Nissan-Subaru . . . . . .43 Sierra Chevrolet-Honda-MazdaSubaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Sonnen BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Subaru of San Bernardino . . . . . . . . . . .30 Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . .53 The Bay Area Automotive Group . . . . . .23 Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . .60 Urethane Supply Company . . . . . . . . . . .8 Valspar Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . .59 Volvo Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . .54 Wedge Clamp Systems, Inc . . . . . . . . .12
www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 3
ASA-AZ Tucson Chapter Hosts Student Awards Banquet by Chasidy Rae Sisk
On May 6, the Tucson Chapter of the ASA-AZ hosted the 55th Annual Student Awards Banquet at Santa Rita
ASA-AZ Chair Julee Baxley presents $1000 scholarship to Esteban Medina of Sunnyside High School
High School in Tucson, AZ. Over 120 guests attended the event, which is designed to recognize the top senior from each Southern AZ high school with an automotive and collision repair training program. Originally founded and coordinated by the Automotive Wholesales of Arizona (AWOA), the Student Awards Banquet has been organized and facilitated by ASA-AZ’s Tucson Chapter since 2006. Luz Rubio, Executive Director of ASA-AZ, believes this event is important because “these
ents were Anthony Salvias from JTED at Baboquivari, Frank Moreno from Flowing Wells High School, David Bailey from Marana High School, Sebastian Woelfle from Sahuaro High School, and Esteban Medina from Sunnyside High School. Association members contribute to sponsor the Annual Student Awards Cere- Kim Sooter was the business sponsor for Adrian Carrillo mony with funds paying for of Tucson High School tools as well as dinner for the tive, as well as our Tucson Chapter and students, their parents and their instruc- the ASA-AZ State Office.” tor. The benefits of reaching out to Rubio states, “This event can only the next generation of industry profesbe possible due to support re- sionals are innumerable. Rubio beceived from our members lieves, “This is a great event for and vendors who sponsor the everyone that attends. The students get event, and this year, we had to interact with independent business 30 sponsors contribute. In owners and learn more about the busiaddition to their student ness, while the parents are proud to sponsorship, several of our have their child recognized in the inmembers also stepped up to dustry, and they get to see that this can contribute to the $5000 be a lifelong career.” awarded in scholarships, and those included NAPA Auto ASA-AZ Parts, Western Tire and Re- PO Box 81517 pair, Merle’s Auto Supply, Phoenix, AZ 85069 Javier Avalos was the business sponsor for Marshal Exhaust Works, Cutting Edge 602-544-2600 Beulk of Tucson High School. Collision, and Borst Automo- www.asaaz.org
students are our future employees and business owners.” High school instructors select students who excel in the classroom and who are motivated to pursue an automotive career. In 2015, the 16 students recognized for outstanding achievements were awarded with a certificate and a starter set of tools valued at $500. Many of these students plan to continue their education through Pima Community College’s automotive program. In addition to being recognized at the Awards Ceremony, these 16 students were encouraged to apply for one of the five $1000 scholarships given this year. The 2015 scholarship recipi-
CAWA Training Meeting June 18 to Cover Digital Marketing & Distribution CAWA Training Meeting is a oneday educational event for those with a general membership, industry partners and guests. During the session, attendees will hear industry experts provide insight and critical thinking on topics that affect the automotive parts industry.
Agenda: Thursday, June 18, 2015 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m – General Session with Industry Experts & Lunch
“SEMA and the Future of the Specialty Automotive Segment” presented by: Chris Kersting-President & CEO, Specialty Equipment Market Association
“Preparing for Digital Distribution in the Aftermarket” presented by: Scott Luckett, Vice President, Industry Strategy, GCommerce, Inc.
“Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG) Program” presented by:
Michael Rukov, Products and Marketing Manager, One Stop Parts Source
“Digital Marketing in an Attention Economy” presented by: Arfa Syed, Digital Media Manager, Auto Care Association “CAWA Association Business” presented by Rodney Pierini, President & CEO, CAWA-Representing the Automotive Parts Industry
Where: Hilton Pasadena Hotel 168 S Los Robles Avenue Pasadena, CA 91101
Room Reservations: $179.00 single/double occupancy
Contact: Janet Waldie CAWA-Representing the Automotive Parts Industry programs@cawa.org 916-284-5094
4 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
A Name You Can Trust. And that ain’t no bull!
Have you been searching for Genuine OEM Parts for a Buick or GMC car? Earnhardt’s Buick GMC parts department can help you out! • Free Delivery to Entire State • Knowledgeable & Courteous Parts Specialists • Genuine GM Parts Parts Dept. Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm / Sat: 8am-6pm Parts Phone:
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Wes Sherwin 480-353-2109 John McNally 480-218-3320 John Lucki 480-218-3307
6315 E. Auto Park Dr., Mesa, AZ 85206
www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 5
New I-CAR Weld Demo Held at Marina Auto Body in CA With MIG Pulsed Aluminum Welders by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor
Six weeks after opening a new 27,500square-foot facility in Inglewood, CA Marina Auto Body hosted I-CAR instructor Toby Chess and seven welding manufacturer representatives on June 3. The goal was to demonstrate the latest models of MIG Pulsed Aluminum Welders and test a new I-CAR weld. (see accompanying article on page 48) Participants first explained the highlights of the welders they brought and then Ara Guekguezian, a certified welder from Pride Auto Body in Van Nuys, CA welded a butte weld with backing on 1 mm with each one. “It’s a brand new I-CAR weld that is starting July 1 and the machine has to be able to do it,” said Chess. The aluminum MIG welding comparison was held in the aluminum prep area at Marina Auto Body’s new location. Tom Williamson, the owner of the shop, said they fix a high volume of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and the prep area is expected to be certified over the next couple of months. Williamson has operated a collision repair business in the Marina area of Los Angeles, CA for the past 16 years. He decided to expand and re-locate in 2012.
“I looked for a year and a half all over LAX proper area,” said Williamson. “You’re really limited in the City of Los Angeles today where you can build a body shop.” The business owner said it was very challenging in terms of permitting.
Ralph Bribibsca, Senior Body Tech at Marina Auto Body, with his sons Cesar (middle) who started in 2004 and Jesse (left) who has worked there since 2010
“Inglewood welcomed me,” said Williamson. “They said, ‘if you’re not in 50 feet of a residence, let’s do this.’ It was actually kind of exciting when we went to City Hall, when we brought them the plans and said this is what we want to do.” The shop’s long-time manager Jeff Lawson, who had recently retired, agreed to help open the shop, which
6 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
took six months to complete once the building was located. Williamson said Al Ortiz from Rely On Technologies, a Garmat spray booth distributor for Southern California, was instrumental in helping him find a location. As a general contractor, Ortiz would lay out plans for the shop at every building they visited. They eventually chose the Inglewood location because of the quality of the building. The two have worked together on various projects over the last 20 years. Currently, there are 11 body techs and a mechanic at the facility. Williamson brought over four body techs to open his new location, including Ralph Bribibsca and his two sons. Williamson said they already understand the culture of the business and will help get things running smoothly. He expects to eventually have 11 or 12 body techs plus a full-time mechanic. New equipment was purchased for the shop including a double downdraft heated prep station, the latest in Garmat spraybooth technologies, Hunter 4 wheel alignment and Car-O-Liner Bench Rack and EVO equipment. “It’s all about faster and better. You can’t expect people to deliver if you don’t give them a good environment, equipment and training,” said
Williamson. “A body shop is limited by the number of cars they can paint in an eight-hour day.” Marina Auto Body can paint 15 in an eight-hour shift. Plans are also in place to bring over equipment from the Marina del Rey location over the next several months. That shop will be demolished after it closes in February 2017 and apartment buildings are expected to be built. Williamson operates a second location in Huntington Beach, CA which is 10 minutes from his home. He said it is a small, efficient shop that has a dedicated staff of employees who have worked there many years. Williamson started working in body shops when he was 12 years old. He worked as a body technician for 10 years before running an independent shop in Huntington Beach. He bought his own shop there in 1995. Marina Auto Body has received multiple awards, including the Top Shop Award for Customer Service for the last three years in its market area from the Automobile Club of Southern California. “Our vision is to continue to deliver quality repairs, provide great customer service and create an environment where our team members want to deliver on the promise to the customer,” said Williamson.
www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 7
Collision Repair Students Wrap Up Another Successful Year at LA Trade Tech by Victoria Antonelli, Online Editor
On June 3, Autobody News headed to Los Angeles Trade— Technical College (LA Trade Tech) in downtown Los Angeles, CA to tour the collision repair instructional facilities and speak with the staff, as well as meet students finishing up their first year of courses. Auto collision instructor Brian Ferre started off the tour acknowledging that the technical school was celebrating its 99th year of operation. He has taught collision repair for 30 years total; 10 of those
(l to r) Collision repair student, Jordan Lopez; Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce, Leticia Barajas; Department Chair of Advanced Transportation and Manufacturing, Jess Guerra; auto collision instructor, Brian Ferre; collision repair student, Alexander Meeks pose for a photo inside the LA Trade Tech collision repair instructional facilities
The group of collision repair students we spoke with at LA Trade Tech all agreed that working on this Cadillac was their favorite project of the year
years at LA Trade Tech. “I’ve seen an increase in the number of students enrolling in collision repair courses,” said Ferre. “A big part of that comes from the students promoting the program.” According to Ferre, there were 100 students enrolled in collision repair courses this past year, and a total of 200 students participating in the automotive program. LA Trade Tech offers Saturday courses, as well as daytime and night classes throughout the week. “A lot of the students we get are
8 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
trying to start a new life,” said Leticia segments that make up the final project Barajas, Vice President of Academic are based on the I-CAR certification Affairs and Workforce. She added that program. the average age of enrollment is 28. “Most of the students have older She went on to discuss funding, cars with parts that aren’t available and the impact donations have on pro- new anymore. It would be nice if we gram capabilities. could work on 2015 BMWs and Hon“Our faculty has been really good about trying to get donations, from paint to parts and so forth,” Barajas said. “Recently we’ve been making some investments and improvements, but since we are a public institution, it takes forever to contract that. There are always a lot of challenges, but we’re getting there.” Apart from vehicles and parts donated by Hot Rod magazine, Robaina Industries Inc., (l to r) Auto collision instructor, Fred Morago, collision Celette, and the California Auto repair student Alexander Meeks, collision repair stuBody Association (CAA), stu- dent, Jose Mendoza; collision repair student, Elizabeth dents work on their own cars Lopez; collision repair student, Jovanie Gutierrez; and buy what they need to re- collision repair student Aaron Vasquez Ramirez; and pair them. auto collision instructor, Brian Ferre pose in the paint “The ability for students booth to work on their own cars is part of the draw,” explained Ferre. das, but we have to be realistic.” “For safety reasons, we look at the Barajas added that there has been state their car is in and make sure it’s an increase in female students, which not too over their head.” has allowed LA Trade Tech to take a The bumper repair and welding more “innovative” approach, by in-
corporating an all-female course into the curriculum. Autobody News was able to speak with a few of the students who had just finished up their final projects. Elizabeth Lopez had just finished her first year of classes on the path to become an estimator; a career shared by other members of her family. “I’ve always loved cars, so I fig-
ured, why not do something I love to do?” said Alexander Meeks. “It’s hard work, but at the end of the day when you see the finished product, it’s worth it. The best part is getting to do your hobby for a living.” Meeks and fellow collision repair student, Jose Mendoza, discussed the challenges they faced when they started taking classes, as well as (l to r) Collision repair student, Jose Mendoza; collision their favorite projrepair student, Aaron Vasquez Ramirez; auto collision ects. instructor, Brian Ferre; and collision repair student, “You got to Jovanie Gutierrez pose in front of a Cadillac that will make sure you’re be on display during The SEMA Show in November at keeping everything the Las Vegas Convention Center straight, sanding it right, bumping out the dings vice versa.” All of the students agreed that perfectly, and not taking off too much metal,” said Men- working on a Cadillac, which had doza. “It takes a lot of prac- been donated to the program, was tice, but once you get it right, their favorite project of the year. The finished product will be featured at you can do anything.” “When it comes to paint- the SEMA show held in Las Vegas, ing and refinishing, you have NV in November, which the students to make sure you’re keeping and faculty will be attending. “I teach the same way I was temperature in mind,” said (l to r) Department Chair of Advanced Transportation Meeks. “We use different taught – with a hands-on approach. and Manufacturing, Jess Guerra; collision repair stumaterials based on the tem- The students tend to get discouraged dent, Jordan Lopez; collision repair student, Alexander perature – if it’s hot in here when there is too much paperwork inMeeks; Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce, Leticia Barajas; and auto collision instructor, but cold outside, we might volved. It’s all about what happens in Brian Ferre pose under a sign made by the students still use low temperature and the shop,” concluded Brian.
Major Paint Companies Will Color-up NACE
AkzoNobel, Axalta, BASF, Matrix, PPG Automotive Refinish, and Valspar-House of Kolor have committed to NACE | CARS 2015 with exhibit space and sponsorships. Companies closely related to the paint market actively participating, as well, including 3M, DeVilbiss, Pro-Spray Finishes, Painters Supply & Equipment Co., Anest Iwata, UniCure Spraybooths, DHI Equipment, Shop-Pro Equipment, Inc., and more. “Having the support of the paint companies is significant to the success of NACE,” stated Dan Risley, ASA President and Executive Director. “Historically, the paint companies have represented some of the biggest supporters of the show and the industry. Attendees routinely seek the paint manufacturers while walking the show floor, and this years lineup of demonstrations and displays will not disappoint.” In addition to exhibits and sponsorships, spray demonstrations will also take place on the show floor highlighting new paint technologies, colors, color matching, and more.
www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 9
WD-40 Products Given to UTI Students in AZ & CA
New Instructors for Urethane Supply Company’s I-CAR® Nitrogen Plastic Welding Course Urethane Supply Company announced new instructors in Southern California and Seattle, WA who are able to de-
liver the company’s new I-CAR® Industry Training Alliance® course on plastic repair. “Introduction to Nitrogen Plastic Welding” is a three-hour course delivered in the customer’s shop for up to three technicians. Each technician gets hands-on training with five common bumper repair scenarios, including on thermoset polyurethane, a.k.a. the “yellow plastic.” Peter Vann is an Orange County native with over 30 years of experience in the collision repair industry as a metal technician, shop manager, estimator, insurance adjuster, consultant and equipment salesman. Vann received factory training on Urethane Supply’s I-CAR Industry Training Alliance course in April 2015 and will be able to deliver training to shops all over southern California at their request.
Bob Bryant is an independent sales representative and distributor for Urethane Supply Company’s nitrogen plastic welding equipment in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to Urethane Supply’s equipment, Bryant also distributes a full range of other body shop equipment including measuring equipment, metal welders and aluminum repair products. His automotive experience matured at Bridgestone Corporation as a national manager followed by several international marketing positions with plastic Peter Vann, manufacturers over 30 years of and a stint with experience in the Chief Automocollision repair tive, all providing industry as a metal a wide knowledge technician, shop base for automomanager, estimator, tive plastic appliinsurance adjuster, cations. Bryant consultant and recently received equipment factory training salesman on Urethane Supply’s I-CAR Industry Training Al-
WD-40 Company and Universal Technical Institute (UTI) have entered into a three-year agreement to support UTI students and technical education by supplying UTI campuses with WD-40 Company’s multi-purpose lubricant and newest line of professional grade specialty maintenance products under the WD-40® Specialist® line. Through the partnership, UTI students will receive WD-40 Specialist product samples at orientation and will also have the opportunity to work with the best-in-class products in the classroom. “We’re committed to giving the next generation of mechanics and technicians the tools they need to get the job done,” said Tim Lesmeister Vice President of Marketing at WD-40 Company. “One of our values as a company is to make it better than it is today, so we’re proud to partner with an established organization like Universal Technical Institute that trains mechanics and technicians so they can get top jobs in the industry.” WD-40 Company has been a supporter of UTI for more than 10 years.
liance course and will be able to deliver training to shops. In business since 1981, Urethane Supply Company has focused exclusively on plastic repair and refinishing products. Kurt Lammon, President of the company, said their airless and hotnitrogen welders are the industry standards for automotive plastic Bob Bryant, repair across independent sales North America. representative and Lammon said distributor for technician training Urethane Supply on the nitrogen Company’s plastic welding nitrogen plastic system has been a welding equipment recent challenge for the company and this I-CAR Industry Training Alliance initiative is a big part of the company’s efforts to meet the demand. The company is actively seeking other instructors across the country to deliver this new course in shops.
Contact Kurt Lammon at 800-6333047 with any questions or inquiries.
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Continued from Cover
Shop of the Future
rope, Australia, and the Middle East for the past eight years. “Europe is like 15 years ahead of the U.S. when it comes to meeting the demands insurers can put on a company, not to mention competing with insurance-owned collision networks. Body shops were forced to be as efficient as they could be,” said O’Neill. “The average shop in England makes one percent net, and a number of the networks are owned by insurance companies.” He added that shops that operate with the technology and process Bodyshop Revolution offers in the European market make 10 percent plus in comparison. O’Neill acknowledged that because the U.S. is 10 times bigger than, say, England, it’s going to take a lot longer for the U.S. market to get to the demands and constraints of the European market, if ever. O’Neill feels there is a window of opportunity in our market; with the proper technology and process, shops can exceed the current metrics and produce more products in a clean, stress-free environment.
A handful of shops in the U.S. have taken advantage of this new technology since O’Neill and Parker obtained equal shares of North America distribution rights one year ago. When paired with the duo’s “Theory of Constraints” process for body shops, it becomes BodyShop Revolution. “We were able to easily integrate the Green Tech (Robotica EXICO 6000) curing technology into our process,” stated Dan Sjolseth of Superior Service Center in Apple Valley and Eagan, MN. “It has allowed us to work more continuously during the repair and priming process, and we can begin reassembling the vehicle for same day delivery immediately upon exit from the paint booth. The equipment has not only impacted our throughput, but has actually removed quality concerns commonly associated with high production processes.” The Rydell Collision Group, which has 60 dealerships in 15 states, is another example of shops that have implemented BodyShop Revolution. “With repair facilities facing pressure from insurance companies to repair vehicles faster, better and cheaper, the Bodyshop Revolution process and equipment has given us that realistic opportunity,” said Randy Sattler, body
12 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
shop manager for the collision group. “Like many shops, over the years we have tried different estimating, repair planning, and scheduling processes, as well as different types of equipment. Most of what we tried helped, but because they were not tied together as a complete system, we never felt like we were able to truly capitalize on the investment or capture what we anticipated or expected. The Bodyshop Revolution process and equipment ties everything together. It truly is a complete repair process from estimating to delivery of a repair, with every step linked to each other. Because the repair system is linked together, it has made all of our employees’ lives easier; from the administrative staff to all of the technicians on the floor. It has been a game changer for us.” So, how exactly does BodyShop Revolution work? “We have taken a holistic approach based around the Theory of Constraints in revamping the way that we process cars in the collision repair process,” said O’Neill. “We aren’t any smarter than many in the collision business, but simply that we have some new technology that we never had available before. As with any new technology, you would say, ‘what can we do with it and how
can we build a process that gives us the biggest benefit?’”
Key questions when looking to create better than average estimates: ● Cars that are drivable, how can we get pre estimates that give us 100% parts orders? ● Cars that are dropped, how do we get 100% estimates and 100% parts orders first time? ● Tow in’s, How do we improve the “Blue Print Process,” so that it is 100% estimate and 100% parts first time.
Solutions that lead to non-stop production: ● One technician – one car ● Technicians become combo-technicians ● Teams of technicians work together, including the painter ● Elimination of departments and lines ● Paint line has a maximum time frame of two hours until car is back in the technicians stall (car is taken from the technician stall to paint and back in two hours or less if two cars are in line) ● Then back on the car nonstop until it is delivered “The equipment works exactly as
advertised,” said Aaron Marshall, president of Marshall’s Auto Body in Waukesha, WI. “We are saving half the time on drying fillers and paint.”
Benefits: ● Typically half cycle time = Goal, four days or less heavies and lights combined. Drivable model 2.2 days or less ● 30-40% more production same footprint same workforce ● New brownfield, greenfields build shops 40 percent smaller and get similar production of shops 40 percent larger ● Technicians produce 25-35 percent additional production in typical eighthour day ● 95% prediction of delivery date to four-hour windows ● Four to five points additional bottom line profits on all production ● WIP reduction of 60% ● Average 12,000 square foot shop will be able to produce $350,000-$450,000 per month to four-day average cycle ● An environment of calm, clean and the elimination of chaos, built around team work and getting one more car out, not one more car in ● An environment that gets extraordinary results out of ordinary people
● 70% energy savings in booth and prep-deck gas and electric ● Energy company incentives of up to $100,000
“The Theory of Constraints process requires a lot of discipline to implement, but it works,” said Darrell Amberson, president of operations at LaMettry’s Collision, with eight locations in Minnesota. “The trainers are competent and effective, which helped make the transition easier.” O’Neill stressed that the technology itself is not enough to ensure profit. “It doesn’t make a difference if I can dry 100 cars super fast if I’m just throwing them into a chaotic environment,” he said. “I’m an advocate for the Theory of Constraints, which can be applied to any business. Essentially, it’s about taking a holistic approach to new technology – how can we process cars so we have no lines and we are able to work nonstop?” O’Neill went on to explain, “If there are eight technicians in the shop, then there are eight cars being worked on. When the technician’s vehicle is in the paint booth, we won’t give that technician a new car because it would disturb the process. While the car is
being painted, the technician can take that time to check repair procedures, identify a welder, figure out what type of high-strength steal will be used, and check the estimate. If there is still time left after all that, they can help another technician get one more car out.” As O’Neill and Parker travelled throughout the country, making multiple trips to each shop to spread the word about BodyShop Revolution, they began to realize there had to be a more effective way to really show the owners how the process works. That’s when O’Neill decided to build a model shop—Body Shop Express in San Diego, CA—so shop owners can see first-hand how BodyShop Revolution can enhance their business. A built-in camera system will allow O’Neill and Parker to access the facilities remotely while giving presentations. Body Shop Express is scheduled to open the week of June 29, and is located at 3777 Gaines Ave, San Diego, CA, 92111. O’Neill said the shop will be on the road to I-CAR Gold certification when they open and will also be certified to work on the new Ford F-150. He is also working with a handful of OEMs toward certifications, as well as
Assured Performance. O’Neill disclosed that Body Shop Express will have a couple DRPs to start, and several other are interested. “Bodyshop Revolution gives insurance partners metrics they have never seen before, and in the process, it not only gives employees their sanity back, but ultimately their lives back,” said O’Neill. “We give our team members the ability, once and for all, to make our insurance partners
Body Shop Express, based in San Diego, CA, will utilize BodyShop Revolution technology. It is scheduled to open at the end of June
say, ‘we want more of this.’ O’Neill said one of the hardest parts about owning a shop in the past was not seeing his family enough. He hopes that BodyShop Revolution can prevent the shop owners and technicians of today and tomorrow from having that problem.
www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 13
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NACE CARS Tours
■ Thursday, July 23: Board 8:45 am - Depart 9:15 am - Return 12:30 pm The Ford Piquette Plant Museum: This is the oldest auto plant open to the public in the world and is the birthplace of the Model T. This tour provides you with a one-of-a-kind experience at a truly historical plant, almost unchanged since Henry Ford and his team developed the car that led to an automotive and social revolution. The tour includes admission to the museum as well as a guided tour. ■ Wednesday, July 22: Board 1:00 pm - Depart 1:30 pm - Return 4:00 pm ■ Saturday, July 25: Board 11:00 am - Depart 11:30 am - Return 2:00 pm The Henry Ford Museum: This museum is a destination that showcases American ideas and inventions, past and present, bringing them to life across an expansive space. The display of classic cars, trains, planes, and inventions sweeps across the museum’s nine acres. The tour includes admission to the museum for a selfguided tour. ■ Wednesday, July 22: Board 12:00
pm - Depart 12:30 pm - Return 5:30 pm ■ Saturday, July 25: Board 8:30 am - Depart 9:00 am - Return 3:30 pm General Motors Heritage Center: The GM North American Heritage Collection is made up of approximately 600 cars and trucks, reflecting industry firsts, technological experiments, concept cars, and significant race cars, as well as milestone production vehicles. The Center also houses a massive collection of archived documents and auto artifacts. The tour includes admission and an introduction by staff. ■ Friday, July 24: Board 9:00 am Depart 9:30 am - Return 12:30 pm Walter P. Chrysler Museum: Sponsored in part by Mopar, this can’t miss tour is guided and includes a lunch at the Viper Cafe on site. The museum covers 55,000-square-feet, featuring three floors of over 65 antique, custom, and concept vehicles interspersed with interactive displays and historical exhibits about Chrysler’s contributions to automotive design, technology and innovation, as well as their impact on American culture. ■ Wednesday, July 22: Board 11:30 am - Depart 12:00 pm - Return 4:00 pm General Motors Detroit-Ham-
CAA Inland Empire Chapter Meeting on June 18 Will Focus on Honda Repair Requirements
The California Auto Body Association (CAA) Inland Empire Chapter Meeting will be held at The Royal Cut in Ontario, CA on Thursday, June 18. Vehicle construction and technology is changing almost too fast to keep up with it. That Odyssey that looks just like the one in the shop last week might be greatly different in construction and repair methodology. Managers, estimators, production managers and technicians are encouraged to attend this seminar to learn more about how to approach the rapid technological advancements in this industry. Invite an insurance estimator and/or a Votech teacher as well. Chris Tobie, Diagnostic Developer – Collision for American Honda Motor Co., will share the latest information from Honda about High Strength (HSS) and ultra-high strength (UHSS) steel repair. Also reviewed will be Honda’s updated game plan requirements on sectioning, welding, mig brazing, collision industry support, plus more. Tobie joined American Honda in 2004 as an Instructional Designer and Diagnostic Developer and in 2013 his
duties expanded and changed to include research and development on collision repair technical training and collision service publications for Honda and Acura vehicles. Honda’s Body Repair News collision repair publications were his invention to benefit the body repair industry. Tobie also developed the online Honda collision repair training modules, now available through I-CAR. He works closely with the Honda Motor Co., LTD Body-Paint Team in Japan to develop and improve body repair manuals and procedures.
WHERE: The Royal Cut 2345 S Grove Ave, Ontario, CA 91761 WHEN: Check-in begins @ 6:00pm Dinner and Speaker to follow 6:30pm COST: Members:$45 Non-Members: $45 RSVP: Cindy Shillito cell – 714-944-4028 or radiatorgirl @socal.rr.com
14 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
tramck (Chevy Volt) Assembly Plant: This tour will begin with an introductory video and presentation, then guests will board motorized carts, which will transport everyone through the assembly area in a guided tour of the facility. The plant is home to every Chevrolet Volt ever manufactured, as well as many other models, including those from throughout the world, and the Cadillac ELR. ■ Friday, July 24: Board 7:30 am Depart 8:00 am - Return 11:00 am The Conner Avenue (Dodge Viper) Assembly Plant: This plant, originally opened to produce Champion spark plugs in 1966, has been used for small-scale specialty production since 1996, producing vehicles such as the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler. The tour of this plant includes admission and a docent guide. ■ Wednesday, July 22: Board 12:00 pm - Depart 12:30 pm - Return 3:00 pm ■ Friday, July 24: Board 7:00 am Depart 7:30 am - Return 10:00 am The Yankee Air Museum: With admission and guided tour included, this museum allows you to experience military aviation history and view sky giants such as the B-17 Flying Fortress,
the B-25 Mitchell, the C-47 Skytrain, and others. This aircraft manufacturing complex, which opened in 1941, was an innovation of its time—the first to use Ford’s automotive mass production technique. ■ Saturday, July 25: Board 8:45am - Depart 9:15pm - Return 1:00pm Diamond Jack River Boat Cruise: This narrated cruise will allow you to see Detroit from a whole new perspective. This tour will allow you to learn about the city’s rich history from the Belle Isle on the Detroit River, the world’s busiest international waterway. ■ Saturday, July 25: Board 11:45 am - Depart 12:15 pm - Return 3:30 pm Name badges are required to participate in the tours. Transportation will depart from (and return to) the COBO Center Atrium/Riverside entrance on Atwater Street. Please check in no later than 15 minutes prior each tour’s scheduled departure time. Attendees and exhibitors at NACE | CARS are encouraged to participate in the destination tours to experience the Motor City at its finest. Further information can be found on the NACE | CARS website.
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Cal-West: Where Silicon Valley and the Collision Industry Meet were ready to get a new facility.” In 1980, Cal-West moved into a Cal-West Specialty Coatings, Inc. is in 22,000 sq. ft. building and the business Sunnyvale, CA; right smack in the grew rapidly as Silicon Valley exmiddle of Silicon Valley. Facebook, ploded. By now, Woodhall was incorGoogle, Intel and many of the world’s porating new production processes into leading high-tech companies are all his shop and started working primarily within a 5-10 minute drive from Cal- on Porsches, Mercedes-Benzes and West’s facility—encountering a BMWs, because when the money startGoogle self-driving car in the neighing flowing in the valley, German vehiborhood is an everyday occurrence. cles became more prevalent. In Silicon Start-ups crop up faster than new comValley’s heyday, Woodhall was fixing mercial buildings can be built in time cars for many of the top names in the to house them and if you’re not workhigh-tech game, including Apple coing for stock options or anticipating a founder Steve Jobs and Robert Noyce, looming IPO, you’re likely looking for who co-founded Fairchild Semiconthe next new thing. ductor and Intel and invented the integrated circuit. In 1982, Cal-West became just the second shop in the country to spray Sikkens paint and was also the first to use a production line process to improve efficiency and quality. The shop was also the first to use a computer management system to manage a repair facility. Later, Woodhall developed his own cutting-edge shop management system that Founder Ed Woodhall (left) and Vice-President Brian was ultimately sold to 3M. Wong have taken a Silicon Valley approach to creating cutting-edge products at Cal-West Specialty Coatings, There were many other Inc. is in Sunnyvale, CA. The company is probably bestfirsts in Woodhall’s career in known for the invention of Slime, the collision industry’s collision, but he is best known first liquid overspray mask for is the invention of Slime, Cal-West is a Silicon Valley suc- the industry’s first liquid overspray cess story that began when a body mask. Although he has invented a wide shop owner had a problem and was range of other body shop products seeking a solution, which eventually over the years, Slime is still his comled to the invention of several prod- pany’s most widely-used product. ucts that today are used in body shops For over twenty-five years, Calall over the planet. Owner and Inven- West Specialty Coatings has been the tor Ed Woodhall, 69, opened his col- leader in innovative products that prelision repair shop in 1970 in pare and protect high-value surfaces Sunnyvale, CA and named it Cal- during construction, refinish, and inWest. He was just 24, but already had transit operations. Cal-West’s cusbig ideas that would eventually tomers include some of the world’s change the collision industry forever. largest, most respected companies Today, he’s known as a pioneer in who distribute its products globally, more ways than one—as an innovator, serving a broad range of markets ininventor and the creator of state-of- cluding automotive, marine, manufacthe-art products, processes and sys- turing, construction and aerospace. tems. But in the beginning, Woodhall’s The genesis of Slime goes back to 1989 main concern was getting enough cars “We were running into overspray isto fix and keeping his doors open. sues primarily with Porsches and even “NASA laid off a lot of engineers though we were masking the cars the shortly after opening the shop, so we old way (with tape, plastic and paper) lost those customers,” he said. “But, we we still had overspray,” he said. “To did whatever we could to stay afloat, satisfy these demanding customers, we which meant buying used cars, repairstarted experimenting with a protective ing them and re-selling them. The busicoating we could spray that wouldn’t ness grew steadily and by 1979, we damage the finish when the time came by Ed Attanasio
18 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
to remove it. Slime was ideal, because all you have to do is rinse it off when you’re done.” After arduous testing, Woodhall went out and got Slime patented. Body techs using the product began calling it Slime from Ghostbusters, a popular movie of the time and the rest is collision history. Since hitting the market, Cal-West has sold millions of gallons of Slime and today there are more than 40 million cars that have been protected by the product. When Woodhall’s Slime took off and gained traction worldwide, CalWest stopped being a body shop and became Cal-West Specialty Coatings, Inc. “At the time, I was thrilled—kind of,” Woodhall said. “The product was becoming popular fast, but I still had a whole new company to manage in addition to a flourishing shop. So, I sold the body shop and embarked on a whole new adventure.” Every product that Cal-West designs and sells either through wellknown private labels or under its Like90 brand is designed to be easyto-use, so that people can be adept at
using it rather quickly. “We make products that are designed to improve the lives of body shop techs and painters and we achieve that by making things that are new and unique,” Woodhall said. “We are always looking for something that can enable them to be better and more efficient at their jobs. For example, having a clean booth is critical and our new clean booth products can reduce contaminants by 50% and make an old booth look new in just two hours.” Cal-West products are designed to be as green as possible without sacrificing quality and performance, according to the company’s VP, Brian Wong. Wong is a Silicon Valley veteran, who worked for Atari during its glory years and was one of the founders of Worlds of Wonder, a $400 million toy manufacturer that’s best known for the Teddy Ruxpin Bear. “One of the biggest sources of solid waste in a collision repair facility is the plastic film used to protect vehicles from paint overspray,” Wong said. “This plastic invariably ends up in landfills, where it lingers for a few thousand years. A typical vehicle re-
www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 19
quires 125 to 150 square feet of plastic to mask against overspray. This means a single body shop repairing 300 cars per month is disposing as much as 45,000 square feet of plastic in that same timeframe, or over half a million square feet annually. By using Slime, shops don’t have to create all that waste.” Less than a quart of Cal-West’s liquid mask effectively protects a vehicle against overspray. After the water has evaporated from the coating, less than 3 oz. of dry film remains on the vehicle. This dry film, similar in chemistry to single-use laundry detergent bags, dissolves in water and biodegrades in municipal water-treatment facilities, according to the company’s web site. In 1989, Woodhall was inducted into the Hall of Eagles, the collision industry’s Hall of Fame whose members include a who’s who list of every pioneering inventor and innovator that this industry has ever seen. He was also named “Man of the Year” by Automotive Repair Management Systems and from 1984 to 1990, he served as a representative for 3M conducting body shop management seminars and advising body shops na-
tionwide. The collision industry has been good to Woodhall and vice versa, but it’s only just a small part of his busy life of philanthropy and outreach. To this end, Cal-West provides regular ongoing financial support to a school in Uganda through his church and he also works with addicts and alcoholics in the Bay Area. In 1985, one of Woodhall’s employees who had substance problems committed suicide and killed his girlfriend—a pivotal moment that changed his life forever. “I knew that God was telling me something there,” Woodhall said. “He was telling me that I need to help people with addictions and fill that role. We were losing staff and the quality of our work fell off, so it became apparent that there was a substance problem right here and that it wasn’t going away anytime soon, unless we did something about it.” Today, Woodhall holds Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at his church, as well as hiring and mentoring addicts and alcoholics at Cal-West. “We want to help them, but they need to be accountable too. They sign a contract when they get hired and they know we can drug test them at
any time. We will gladly help them to get clean and stay clean, but they have to prove to us that they have the desire to get sober and change their lives.” With a company mission of unveiling two groundbreaking new products every year, Cal-West is looking toward a future of developing body shop products that will make the collision industry better overall. “We’re currently developing products that will hopefully become as widely used as Slime,” Wong said. “We want to make unique, special products that can change the industry and that’s why we never make ‘me too’ products. We want to use the technology and create tools for body techs and painters, so they can do a better job while making their lives easier.”
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CARSTAR Event
continued strong performance, and confident that our key growth initiatives for 2015, combined with a positive market trends and an improving economy, will deliver another year of exceptional performance for our organization and our store owners,” said Byers. “We’ve had a long-term plan for improving our KPIs, helping our store owners improve their operations through our CARSTAR EDGE Performance Platform and CARSTAR Operating Procedures, and building our network with the best operators in the industry. We’re seeing this pay off, and expect to reap additional benefits in the years ahead.” Byers detailed several key initiatives for the year ahead that will drive the company’s performance and enhance its ability to serve customers, including a new partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car (see article on page 59), an expanded CARSTAR EDGE Performance Group platform, further expansion into aluminum repair, and a continued national branding program.
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The keynote speaker at the event was Clifton Lambreth, a motivational speaker and former Ford Motor Company executive. Mike Anderson, founder of CollisionAdvice.com, spoke about the Five Love Languges (see article on page 22). Other guests included Michael Macaluso, President of CARSTAR Canada; Marcy Tieger, Managing Director of Symphony Advisors; Doug Schlueter, National MSO Manager at I-CAR and Vince Romans, founding partner of The Romans Group. Attendees had the opportunity to visit a vendor’s expo with more than 50 industry suppliers and participate in classes and training programs.
CARSTAR Awards During the event, Dean Fisher, VP of Operations for CARSTAR, presented four awards to stores for their achievements. The winners included: ● Franchisee of the Year: CARSTAR Jungerman in St. Peters, MO, owned by Kerry Woodson and Toni Donius ● Rookie of the Year: CARSTAR Friendly of Roselle in Roselle, IL, which is run by Body Shop Director, Eric Schmit ● Business Group of the Year: CARSTAR
Puget Sound Business Group, which represents 22 stores throughout the region ● Next Generation Award: to husband and wife, Tony and Sharon Kempen, who run CARSTAR Pat’s Auto Body in Plover, WI, and CARSTAR Eau Claire South, in Eau Claire, WI. Three CARSTAR facilities were honored as CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Expert Shop of the Year by Esurance, the direct-to-consumer insurance company. Byers, Dan Young, Senior Vice President of Insurance for CARSTAR, and Earl Richardson, Senior MateriaDamage Manager – Network, for Esurance, honored representatives from each winning store The winning facilities were: ● Esurance Best Capture Rate – CARSTAR Ballard Collision, Seattle, WA Esurance Best Cycle Time – CARSTAR Cornforth-Campbell, Puyallup, WA Esurance Best Net Promoter Score – CARSTAR Jungerman, St. Peters, MO 10 CARSTAR stores were recognized by Mitchell, a provider of technology, connectivity and information See CARSTAR Event, Page 26
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Mike Anderson Explains How Learning an Employee’s “Love Language” Can Benefit Your Business at CARSTAR Event in CA by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor
Mike Anderson recently spoke to a room full of 150 people about the “Five Love Languages” during a CARSTAR event in Carlsbad, CA on June 13. One might be curious why this dynamic, inspirational speaker chose to talk about love at an auto body conference. Anderson explained that feeling loved or appreciated motivates us. By finding out how your employees feel most appreciated, it can ultimately benefit your business. Mike Anderson Based Dr. Gary Chapman’s book “The Five Love Languages for Couples,” Anderson taught attendees how to understand and speak the five love languages, not only to their spouse and children, but also how to apply it to coworkers, teammates and employees. “People speak many different languages of love. If someone does not understand what you’re saying, then what you mean to say is lost,” said Anderson, founder of CollisionAdvice.com. “People are motivated by different things. You can find out what makes them feel appreciated.” During the presentation, Anderson discussed how he used this technique at his own body shop with much success. When hiring employees he always tested their “love language.” Some of the benefits he found include improved cycle time, an enhanced work climate, less turnover, more productivity, better customer service and improved profitability and teamwork. Anderson said your “love language” is established when you are a child, although it can temporarily change during a crisis. He invited CARSTAR employees and owners to participate in a survey to find their own love language. Afterwards, he explained how love languages can apply to the workplace. He referred to it as the five languages of appreciation and recommended the book, “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace” written by Gary Chapman and Paul White. He also said there is a difference between appreciation and recognition. Some companies that adopt recognition programs can still have low moral. “People don’t want to be recognized. They want to feel appreciation,” he said. Studies show that more than 80 percent of employees say they are motivated to work harder when their boss shows them appreciation. Fifty percent said they would stay longer if they felt appreciated. According to the U.S. De-
partment of Labor, 64 percent of employees who leave their jobs say they did so because they didn’t feel appreciated. Anderson stressed the importance of building a culture where employees feel appreciated. “If the only time we interact with people is when they make a mistake, they don’t feel appreciated,” said Anderson. According to a Gallup Poll he cited, 70 percent of people say they receive no praise in the workplace. He said this can lead to a lack of connectedness with others, the organization and
so the giver actually knows what is important and valued by the recipient. Movie tickets, gift cards and tickets to sporting events are just some of the examples he used. He also suggests finding out your employees’ birthdays and anniversaries.
In the workplace this translates into praising an employee’s personality and complimenting their character, whether it is your company’s bookkeeper or body tech. “Character is what a person will do when no one is looking,” said Anderson.
Quality Time – For some people nothing says more than undivided attention. This includes quality conversation and activities. Whether it is participating in an office activity together or community service, Anderson said it doesn’t have to take a long period of time. “Some people desire shared experiences,” he
Acts of Service – For these people, actions speak louder than words. In the workplace, Anderson reminded attendees to be sure that the person wants assistance and find out the way he or she wants it done. This might mean staying late to help them get the job done or be their helper for the day. “The single driver of engagement is whether or not workers feel their managers are genuinely interested in their well being,” said Anderson.
“The number one reason people stay at a company is that they feel valued and appreciated,” said Mike Anderson
its goals. Team members who feel discouraged and complain about their jobs ultimately end up looking for other employment. “Only 12 percent leave their job to earn more money,” said Anderson. “Nine out of 10 look for a new job because they don’t feel appreciated.” Typically, the most qualified and best trained employees leave and when they do it can be costly to hire and train someone new. A decline in productivity and overall low moral can also result. He pointed out the old school mentality among managers that no longer applies—“I pay them so they should be thankful for a job.” He said this no longer applies. The number one reason people stay at a company is that they feel valued and appreciated,” said Anderson. “Employees desire to feel safe and secure. Showing appreciation provides security!” And he said improved employee satisfaction leads to higher CSI scores. Although he said there are always roadblocks to implementing new ideas, “If our employees feel appreciated and satisfied with their jobs, they will look forward to coming to work. This is a huge competitive advantage.” He encouraged participants to take the time to learn their employees’ languages of appreciation and consider purchasing the books for more details. “A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected.”
The Five Languages of Love Words of Affirmation – Unsolicited comments and encouragement mean the world to this person. They should be encouraging, humble and kind. He said women like to hear people praise them for who they are and men like to hear people praise them for what they do.
22 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Physical Touch – For this person nothing speaks more than physical touch. It is the lowest language of appreciation for most people in the workplace. Displays of fist bumps, high five’s, a pat on the back and even a two-handed hand shake are most common. For information, contact Mike Anderson at mike@collisionadvice.com, call 301-535-3333 or visit www.collisionadvice.com.
said. The key is to remember if someone does not participate, do not take it personally. It is just not their language of appreciation.
Receiving Gifts – This does not always have to be monetary but can be the gift of time. Anderson suggests finding out your employees’ interests and hobbies
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MDL Recommends
should be granted or denied. U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell asked Magistrate Judge Smith to prepare what is known as a “Report and Recommendations.” Fry explained that the report and recommendations are not orders. Presnell will have the option to accept the recommendations in whole or in part or completely reject it. “In this instance, Magistrate Judge Smith did issue a number of reports and recommendations on the cases that have been gathered in the MDL,” she explained. In his report, Magistrate Judge Smith wrote, “After due consideration, I respectfully recommend that the motions be granted in part and denied in part, that the complaints in the Pending Cases be dismissed, that the dismissals be without prejudice and with leave to amend except as otherwise stated in this report and recommendations, and that Plaintiffs be afforded 21 days’ leave to file amended complaints.” The recommendations are twotiered and include the federal Sherman
Anti-trust claims for price fixing and boycotting as well as the state law causes of action—tortious interference and unjust enrichment—which are unique to each individual state. She said that state law is mainly consistent on these types of claims, but it does vary in regards to the evidence you need to bring forward to succeed.
dence.” According to the court report, “Defendants argue that the Court should dismiss all of the complaints because Plaintiffs engaged in impermissible group pleading by making collective allegations against ‘Defendants.’ In response, Plaintiffs argue that group pleading is perfectly ac-
In regards to the claim of quasi estoppel, the judge recommended dismissing it with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled. “The court has taken the position that quasi estoppel while it is a legal doctrine is not a cause of action in and of itself,” said Fry. “However, it does not preclude us from using this evi-
ceptable, and that when they refer to ‘Defendants’ collectively, they are only alleging that all Defendants engaged in the same conduct.” In each of the cases, the defendants have filed motions to dismiss, the plaintiffs have filed a consolidated response, and the defendants have filed replies. Originally filed in 2014, the Multi
After due consideration, I respectfully recommend that the motions be granted in part and denied in part, that the complaints in the Pending Cases be dismissed, that the dismissals be without prejudice and with leave to amend except as otherwise stated in this report and recommendations, and that Plaintiffs be afforded 21 days’ leave to file amended complaints.”
24 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
District Lawsuit in Florida now involves 18 cases already filed by Eaves Law Firm. Fry said they anticipate filing approximately 17 more after the court has made a final determination regarding the factual detail it requires of a case. “The reports and recommendations that Judge Smith entered were not a surprise to us,” said Fry. “They are extremely consistent with the prior recommendations that were made to Judge Presnell in the six originally filed cases.” These include FL, IN, LA, MS, TN and UT. She said the court’s work with the report and recommendations was very thoughtful. “I actually find them rather encouraging because it gives us an idea of the path the court wants us to follow,” she said. Eaves Law Firm has until June 30 to enter an objection to any part of the report and recommendation and Fry said they plan to file several on specific points. They entered a number of objections to the previous report and recommendations as well. Fry said that shops should not lose heart about the case. “It is actually moving toward positive ends. There is pretty good movement here and we’re very optimistic.”
Italian-based Company Symach Offers North American Body Shops New Products & Technology by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor
Symach, an Italian-based company known for its fast-drying paint methods, is bringing its products to North America as well as setting up body shops with its patented technology. The company will be hosting a booth at the NACE show in Detroit, MI being held July 23-25. Established in Bologna, Italy in 2001, Symach began as part of a research project for drying paint in a few seconds. The company holds numerous patents, including one for Drytronic technology, which allows for the drying of a clear lacquer in 50 seconds. Osvaldo Bergaglio, CEO of Symach, said Drytronic technology generates various infrared wavelengths, which penetrate directly into the paint molecule, instantly drying it. It can be used to dry various paints, materials and thicknesses. Bergaglio said Symach has sold more than 2,400 drying robots to body shops. The company’s Symach Paint Application Process (SPAP) integrates the use of both Drytronic technology and a robot. “Since it dries the paint in just a few seconds, the Drytronic technology en-
abled us to develop a painting process that significantly reduces flash-off times, as the robot performs the process even faster,” said Bergaglio. “When combined with the SPAP process, in fact, Drytronic technology reduces application and sanding time by 60 percent.”
panels that represent nearly 85 percent of total repair jobs.” He said the company’s FixLine formula uses three different repair and layout processes, based on the number of panels to be repaired. “In this manner, the system is capable of optimizing repair times and reducing labor costs by as much as four or five hours for each repair,” said Bergaglio. “FixLine is a new layout and repair process which, when combined with Drytronic technology and the SPAP painting cycle, provides for a 50 percent to 60 percent increase in productivity, as well as an increase of 1.5-2 repairs per week per technician.” Since 2011, Symach has Symach, known for its fast-drying paint methods, constructed new body shops opened its first body shop in North America around the world, with its FixBergaglio said repair activities Line formula. These include indehave changed in recent years, with the pendent shops as well as MSOs. majority of repairs shifting from larger Over the last year, the company has and more structure-related issues, to focused its efforts on the North Amerismaller issues of a more aesthetic na- can market. ture. “Today, most body shops employ Symach sold its first body shop in a single repair process, which, while Burlington (Toronto), Ontario to CARS certainly suitable for more extensive ac- of Nick DiLuca, partner of CSN, a tivities, in our opinion is poorly suited group with more than 330 body shops for activities involving the one to three in Canada.
The new body shop is scheduled to be operational in November and will be built entirely with the Symach equipment and with the FixLine formula. “The process of preparation, painting and drying are automated with Symach robots,” said Bergaglio. He said the new body shop will be able to repair 50 cars a week, reducing the cost of repair around 25 percent and reducing the key-to-key time to 1.5 days on average for more than 80 percent of the repairs. “We are very excited about being the first shop in Canada to install the Symach system in our shop. The product is light years ahead of its competitors,” said DiLuca. “We at CSN Cars are confident it will reduce our key-tokey time drastically, and enhance our customers experience.” Others are scheduled to follow in December and January. In addition, Symach is organizing its own network of stores in North America to sell its products, which include: drying robots, spray booths, preparation bays, a sanding a vacuum system, a car mover system, a lighting system specific to the body shop, and a line of body shop furniture. For more information, contact info @symach.com or visit symach.com
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Rick Leos of Toyota and Nathan Sellers of Mitchell—Some Startling Predictions for 2025 by Tom Franklin
The California Autobody Association Glendale-Foothill Chapter met Thursday, May 28, 2015, at Gene’s Paint & Body in Montrose, CA. Chapter President Daniel Panduro opened the meeting and introduced the two speakers, Rick Leos, from Toyota, and Nathan Sellers from Mitchell. The topic for the evening was Toyota’s new Predictive Estimating software that is set to be released in the very near future, and the increased technology being built into today’s vehicles and what that means for us repairers trying to “fix cars correctly and safely.” Leos opened with a video on hydrogen-powered vehicles. He made the startling prediction that by 2025, all vehicles will be hydrogen-powered! The next video showed a massive manure pile and the steps needed to turn it into hydrogen. A combination of steam and heat turns this inexpensive crap into highly profitable energy—a process cheaper than oil, corn, solar, and electricity combined. Leos also said that these vehicles would be nearly unrepairable! Vehicle manufacturers will develop such complete collision avoidance technology, that the few accidents that do occur will require vehicles to be completely replaced, (effectively eliminating the collision repair industry)! Although 2025 is a long way off, in November this year, 60,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles will be put on the road. Shops hoping to repair any of these vehicles will have to have x-ray Continued from Page 21
CARSTAR Event
solutions to the Property & Casualty (P&C) claims and Collision Repair industries, as recipients of the 2014 AutocheX™ Solution Premier Achiever Award. “Mitchell is honored to recognize repair shop owners who are committed to customer satisfaction.” said Frankie Costa, Client Program Manager for AutocheX. “These elite shop owners not only embrace their commitment to their customers, but find ways to consistently exceed their expectations.” The CARSTAR shops honored this year include: · CARSTAR Champion Collision
equipment capable of finding cracks in the many carbon fiber panels and parts that will make up much of these vehicles. Leos also predicted the OEMs will seek to put the liability for faulty repairs and subsequent problems
Rick Leos, from Toyota, and Nathan Sellers from Mitchell covered Toyota’s new Predictive Estimating software at the May 28 CAA Glendale/Foothill Chapter meeting
squarely onto the repairer, to protect the manufacturer’s brand name as the top priority. With this startling part of the presentation finished, Leos and Sellers turned to Toyota’s new Predictive Estimating software, already available on Mitchell’s Ultramate and being shipped on all user’s next update. The essence of the system is the reversal of current estimating systems where parts to be repaired or replaced must be added line-by-line. With this system all parts - Hightstown, NJ · CARSTAR Gullotta’s Autobody - Englewood, FL · CARSTAR Hawken Collision Repair - Osage Beach, MO · CARSTAR John’s Collision Center - Schererville, IN · CARSTAR Kurt’s Collision Center - Maryville, IL · CARSTAR Liss Auto Body Crown Point, IN · CARSTAR Murray’s Collision Des Moines, WA · CARSTAR Red Bud Collision Center–Red Bud, IL · CARSTAR Arnold–Arnold, MO · CARSTAR Utzig Collision Service - Janesville, WI Performance and Marketing Award Winners were also handed See CARSTAR Event, Page 54
26 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
are displayed on the estimate and those not affected must be deleted. In the demos presented by Leos and Sellers, most repairs that would run to 10 or 12 lines on a usual estimate would suddenly jump to 16 or 20 lines. Small parts often missed, like clips, are added automatically. Even usual add-ons like color sand and buff or seam sealer are displayed in detail. The estimator can still delete parts on the estimate with no visible asterisk or other mark, but the deletion, change or omission is time stamped in the computer. If an adjuster chooses to delete a line, the time stamp can indicate the deletion if a problem occurs later as a result of that deletion. Ultramate was chosen for the first test run because of insurer DRP relationships. Also the Ultramate could be converted to a CCC or ADP estimate by using Estify. Leos said he was surprised at a meeting with insurers where the new software was well received even though it could be more costly for insurers. The reason most said was the desirability of having a standard base rather than the arbitrary negotiated estimates common today. Perhaps the most stabilizing feature is the instant
availability of parts documents and technical and CRIB bulletins. A simple click of a black dot and all of the supporting information jumps up. Documentation to resolve a dispute with an adjuster is readily at hand. Also technicians can be saved from costly errors like one-time-use parts. A few of Leos’ examples showed how a tech might miss a one-time-use part if the documentation hadn’t been consulted. Leos showed how the system can quickly pay for itself and increase shop profitability. Most remarkable is the willingness of Toyota to make the templates for the system available to other vehicle manufacturers. All they have to do is plug in their own parts and related documents and the system is ready to go. Certification training is also now much simpler. It is no longer necessary to have a dealer recommendation. Leos also talked about the way scanners are getting better all the time at creating instant estimates. iPad and smartphone scans will soon create an accurate estimate. Like most other aspects of life now, technology is driving the future of collision repair. Original BMW Parts
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Media and Publicity for Shops Get Old School Again with Time-Proven Business Networking with Ed Attanasio
There are two ways to promote your shop: 1.) Advertising and 2.) Marketing. Advertising is when you buy space or time or impressions and you pay a fee for the exposure. Marketing is an enormous category that includes product marketing, branding, re-branding and a whole list of other things that are used to hopefully bring you new business while strengthening your position in your market. I tell shop owners that advertising is the easy way out Nancy Friedman and marketing is the (aka the Telephone workhorse and the Doctor) said that elbow grease of the business-to-business networking is promotional world. where the smaller Advertising is like independent shops Babe Ruth and marcan shine and comketing is like Pete pete on a level field Rose. If you’re not with the bigger MSOs in their area a baseball fan, let’s
put it another way—advertising is ideal for large corporations and for big MSOs, primarily because they have larger budgets to do it. Marketing is for smaller, independent shops that do great work but have less money to tell people about it. So, I’m not trashing print media or broadcast media, I’m just saying for the average body shop out there with a limited budget, marketing is the smarter way to go. You can get a lot more mileage out of your marketing dollar by doing things as opposed to buying things–such as calling on dealerships for business, keeping in touch with the insurance agents in your area and maybe most importantly—doing some business-to-business networking. Many shop owners don’t like the idea of getting out there in the community, meeting people and shaking hands. They feel comfortable working in their shops and fixing cars; as soon
Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.
as they’re outside of that environment, they feel like fish out of water. If they stick their heads out and see their shadows, they’re likely to retreat and wait for spring. But the shops that understand the value of networking know that it works and that is brings them a ton of business if they continually get out there and meet other people in their community. This can be achieved in many ways, but the core concept is the same—meet as many folks as you can and become an integral part of your business community. Nancy Friedman is known as the Telephone Doctor and she speaks at SEMA and other automotive-related events year-round about customer service, best practices and yes—B2B networking. The doctor was in recently when we discussed networking and its value, especially for smaller shops. “Networking is where the smaller independent shops can shine,” Fried-
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man explained. “They can be a big fish in a small pond in a chamber of commerce or with the Elks, Rotary or even through a networking group, such as the Business Networking Institute (BNI). No one really cares how big you are or how many locations you have, as long as the work is good and your rates are fair.” Be active and involved in any networking group and you’ll reap the benefits over time, Friedman said. “Become an integral part of the group, which means attend the meetings and other events and take on some responsibility. That’s the only way you’ll ever get anything from a networking group. I tell people sponsor events within the organization and be very proactive in getting out there. Most of these associations sponsor charity events and those are a great way to connect with the members of the group and the community as a whole. Great friendships—both personal and professional—start there and
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3 3 3
then build over time.” Some body shop owners say— hey, I work 10-12 hour days ... how do I find the time to get to these meetings and events? Well, the doctor has the answer. “Many businesses have 2-3 people who go to the meetings and share that responsibility,” she explained. “Maybe one of your techs or estimators is the social type and not afraid to meet new people? As the owner you should still get out there periodically and wave your flag, but delegate the rest to the right people and let them shine.” Collision repair shops all over the country are members of the Business Networking Institute (BNI) — the world’s largest referral organization with more than 150,000 members in
58 countries worldwide. BNI was founded in 1985 by Dr. Ivan Misner for the primary purpose of building powerful referral networks. BNI works by creating a group of people from various industries and encouraging the regular distribution of referrals. Each chapter allows one person per occupational classification, and prospective members must be approved via an application process. BNI’s philosophy is “Givers Gain” members are expected to focus on giving referrals to other members to build relationships and receive referrals in return. Chapters have specific rules regarding required attendance in order to cultivate the relationships needed to create a comfort level in referring business. Chapters carefully track the mon-
etary amount of passed business in order to prove the value of the money and time commitment. By joining a BNI chapter and working it hard, body shops all over the country have made this organization a big part of their marketing plan. One owner has used it to foster a young, small shop by joining his local chapter and getting out there into the promising world of networking. Kendall Glines is the owner of Lone Peak Collision Repair in Midvale, Utah, a small shop with five employees that fixes 5-7 cars weekly. One year after opening the shop in late 2012, Glines joined his local chapter (the Boom Chapter in West Jordan, UT) by paying $420 in annual fees after a $150 one-time registration fee,
but those have been paid back many times over, he explained. “I love the fact that I am the only collision repairer in the chapter, which means I don’t have to compete with other shops within the group for referrals,” Glines said. “We had to go through an interview process to qualify for membership and they checked out all of our references, because they want only top businesses that are honest and do quality work. Everyone knows 250 people in their community if they’ve lived there for any period of time, so the concept is to connect to those people and then indirectly connect to their group of 250 people.” (I did the math and if 250 people have 250 friends/associates/colleagues, that equals 62,500 people and if every one of them gets into an accident every nine years, that’s a grand total of almost 7,000 cars annually.) Glines knows exactly down to the penny how much business he’s received through his BNI chapter and the numbers make him smile. “We’ve brought in $212,000 through BNI referrals and I also get work from a local car dealership who is a fellow member of our chapter. The referrals reach a point where they take off exponentially and as more members get to know you, it gets even get better. We’re going to do at least $1 million this year and BNI has been a big part of that. It has allowed us to avoid the DRPs and retain more control on all of our repairs.” But, don’t apply for membership his chapter, Glines said, because he’s already that little fish in a big pond and happy about it. “Revenues are getting better every month and BNI has become an integral part of our business model now. We’ve become a part of the BNI family and proud of it.”
I-CAR Gold Class Shops and Platinum Techs Get 50% Off
NACE | CARS will offer a 50% discount for I-CAR Gold Class Shops & Platinum Designated individuals, as well as ASE Blue Seal Shops & Master Tech individuals, to attend the conference and exposition July 21-25th in Detroit, MI. This program encourages the top performing shops and individuals to attend the trade show, cutting edge training, and conference sessions at the best price. Shops and individuals who have attained these designations from ICAR and ASE are highly trained and are some of the most skilled in their respective industry.
www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 29
Takata Admits to Fault in Airbag Design, 34 Million Vehicles, Largest Recall in History Ensues by Victoria Antonelli, Online Editor
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced on May 19 that the air bag manufacturer Takata has acknowledged that a defect exists in its air bag inflators, leading to a national recall of nearly 34 million vehicles. The action, which was initially limited to states with high humidity, has increased the recall to more than 16 million defective passenger-side inflators and more than 17 million driver-side inflators. “Vehicles are increasingly bought and sold across state lines and may move long distances across the country … it is in the best interest of consumers to expand this recall to all states,” AAA President Marshall Doney said in a company press release. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) press release, over time, moisture causes changes in the structure of the chemical propellant that ignites when the Takata air bag deploys. The degraded propellant, based on ammonia nitrate — commonly used in fertilizer — ignites too quickly, producing excess pressure that causes the inflator to rupture and sends metal shards into the passenger cabin that can lead to serious injury or death. There have been over 100 injuries linked to faulty Takata airbags. Secretary Foxx announced that the NHTSA issued a Consent Order to Takata.
Photo Credit: www.baronandbudd.com
The Japanese manufacturer stated in a May 19 press release, “Under the Consent Order, Takata also has agreed to continue to cooperate with all future regulatory actions and proceedings that are part of NHTSA’s ongoing investigation and oversight of
the Takata airbag inflators and accompanying remedial actions, continue to respond to all NHTSA information requests in a complete and timely fashion, and continue to provide NHTSA with all test results and data related to Takata inflators, among other provisions. While the Consent Order does
Photo Credit: 5newsonline.com
not release Takata from potential civil penalties, NHTSA will not seek any civil penalties demanded under its letter dated February 20, 2015, beyond those that may be applicable before May 18, 2015. Under the Consent Order, NHTSA will take into account Takata’s cooperation in seeking any civil penalties against Takata in the future. Takata will work with its automotive customers to develop plans for reaching out to vehicle owners in order to maximize recall completion rates.” In addition, NHTSA announced its intent to begin a formal legal process to prioritize the replacement of defective Takata inflators under the agency’s legal authority. “Today is a major step forward for public safety,” Secretary Foxx said. “The Department of Transportation is taking the proactive steps necessary to ensure that defective inflators are replaced with safe ones as quickly as possible, and that the highest risks are addressed first. We will not stop our work until every air bag is replaced.” According to a May 19 New York Times article, prior to recent investigations, the NHTSA had been criticized by lawmakers and safety advocates as being “too lax” on the industry. Back in 2009, the agency opened an investigation on Takata airbags that lasted for only six months due to “insufficient evidence.” The New York Times article credited the NHTSA’s new found vigilance with the appointment of administrator Mark R. Rosekind. “The steps we’re taking today represent significant progress toward
30 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
that goal. We all know that there is more work to do, for NHTSA, for the auto makers, for parts suppliers, and for consumers,” said Rosekind. “But we are determined to get to our goal as rapidly as possible.” It is expected that the service order of the vehicles will be based on which airbags hold the greatest risk of unsafe deployment, based on age and geographic location. In the New York Times article, Rosekind stated that consumers could still drive their cars in the meantime, considering it could take several years until all repairs are completed. “Although Takata has devoted tremendous resources to these efforts with some of the leading researchers in this field worldwide, including Fraunhofer ICT, it is clear that this is a complex issue which takes time to fully evaluate,” Takata stated in a May 19 press release. “The analysis to date suggests that the potential for this long-term phenomenon to occur was not within the scope of the testing specifications prescribed by the vehicle manufacturers for the validation and production of the subject inflators
Subaru of San Bernardino
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as original equipment.” The Department has established a new website, www.SaferCar.gov /RecallsSpotlight, to provide regular updates on the status of this and other recalls and of NHTSA’s investigation. “With the summer season approaching, we are reminded that 33 million Americans will be hitting the roads in their vehicles for Memorial Day travel and as time passes more motorists remain at risk from the faulty air bags that have been linked to at least 6 deaths [worldwide],” stated Doney in a May 19 press release. “Motorists’ safety is a national issue that is not confined by regional boundaries and should take precedence over profits.”
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H OND A C ALI F O RNI A
AutoNation Honda Roseville Ros ev ille
800-262-3201 916-783-5628 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5:30 autonationhondaparts@hotmail.com
Avery Greene Honda Vallejo
800-834-8886 707-551-3202 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 7:30-5 parts@averygreenemotors.com
Barber Honda Bakers field
661-396-4235 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5:30 bestchoice@barberhonda.com
First Honda Simi Valley
888-523-0698 805-584-6646 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7:30-5 hondaparts@firstautogroup.com
Galpin Honda Miss ion Hills
800-GO GALPIN 818-778-2005 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-5 blemen@galpin.com
Honda Cars of Corona Corona
800-557-3652 951-734-9045 Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7-5 terry.love@pscauto.com AC U RA C ALI F O RNI A
Acura of Fremont Fremon t
888-435-0504 510-431-2560 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 mike.ohare@acuraoffremont.com
Acura of Pleasanton Pleas ant on
888-985-6342 925-251-7126 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-6 mitch.cash@hendrickauto.com
Acura of Riverside Riv ersid e
888-701-0725 951-688-1500 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-8; Sat 7-5 Ricardo.pena@hendrickauto.com Mark.reed@hendrickauto.com Jason.torres@hendrickauto.com 32 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Please contact these dealers for your Honda or Acura Genuine parts needs. CA LIF OR N I A
CALI FO RNI A
C ALIF OR N IA
AR IZ O NA
Honda of Hollywood
Ocean Honda
South Bay Honda
Ho lly wo o d
S a nt a C r uz
M il pi ta s
Tem pe
800-371-3719 323-466-3205
831-464-1800
877-475-1142 408-324-7460
800-571-7019 480-421-4860
Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5 parts@southbayhonda.com
Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7-6 Jdodge@penskeautomotive.com
Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 parts@hondaofhollywood.com
Honda of Oakland
Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4:30 mickw@oceanhondasantacruz.com
Robertson Honda N o rt h H o l ly wo o d
University Honda
510-547-8047
800-508-3894 818-301-3511
Dept. Hours: M-F 7-8; Sat 7-6
Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-5
800-585-8648 530-758-8770
Honda of Pasadena
San Francisco Honda
Dept. Hours: M-Sat 8-6; Sun 8-5 dfortier@uhdavis.com
Oa k la nd
P as ad e n a
S a n Fra nc i sco
800-433-0676 626-683-5880
415-913-5125
Davis
N EVAD A
Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-4
Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5:30 partsws@sfhonda.com
Findlay Honda
Kolbe Honda
Scott Robinson Honda
702-982-4260
R es ed a
800-735-1424 818-609-7441 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 7:30-5 carparts@kolbehonda.com
Larry Hopkins Honda Su n n y vale
408-720-0221 408-736-2608 Dept. Hours: M-Sat 8-5 parts1@hopkinsdirect.com
Metro Honda Mo n t c la ir
800-446-5697 909-625-8960 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 7:30-4 wholesaleparts@metrohonda.com
CA LIF OR N I A
AutoNation Acura of South Bay
To rra nc e
310-371-8320
Selma Honda
888-234-4498 702-568-3531
Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7:30-4:30 hondapartsmgr@selmaautomall.com
Sierra Honda Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4 parts@sierracars.com
CALI FO RNI A
AR IZON A
Chapman Honda Tuc so n
800-461-6744 520-202-5770 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4 robertevenson@chapmantucson.com
AR IZ ON A
U TAH
Acura of Peoria
M o nt cl a ir
Pe o r i a
800-446-5697 909-625-8960
866-347-4507 623-792-2559
Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-5 iwashitas@autonation.com
Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 wholesaleparts@metrohonda.com
Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-5 dcavanaugh@vtaig.com
Cerritos Acura
Santa Monica Acura
Acura of Tempe
310-784-8680
Ce r r it o s
855-895-2678 562-207-0554 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-6 srandall@browningautogroup.com
Marin Acura C or t e Mad e ra
Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-6 Scott.p@santamonicaacura.com NE VAD A
Mike Hale Acura Murray
800-292-4595 801-263-0202 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 7:30-5 pgoold@mikehale.com
Te mpe
866-455-6601 480-344-6703
S a nt a M oni c a
866-332-4950 310-449-0064
Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6 smiles@kengarff.com
Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-5 fhhparts@findlayauto.com
Metro Acura
To r ra n c e
Og den
800-821-8797 801-627-6762
He nde r s on
M o n rov i a
800-322-8540 626-932-5614
Ken Garff Honda Ogden
Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-5 fsanchez@findlayauto.com
Findlay Honda Henderson
Selma
U TAH
L a s Ve g as
Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6:30; Sat 7-5 mluna@scottrobinson.com
800-717-3562 559-891-5111
Tempe Honda
Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-5 acuraparts@acuraoftempe.com U TAH
Jody Wilkinson Acura
800-77-Acura 415-927-5350
Findlay Acura
Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-4 parts@marinacura.com
877-770-5873 702-982-4160
H e nd e rs on
Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4 jmoore@findlayauto.com
S al t L a ke C it y
800-234-0875 801-323-0492 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 rick@jodywilkinson.com www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 33
Industry Insight
—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.
Insurers, PartsTrader and CAPA share news and views at non-OEM parts convention with John Yoswick
Although non-OEM parts were, not surprisingly, the focus at the recent Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) convention in Chicago, there were plenty of other topics of interest to collision repairers. PartsTrader, for example, announced that vendors can now designate in the system which parts a shop returned and why. A year earlier, parts distributors at the ABPA conference told a PartsTrader speaker that because the monthly fees they pay PartsTrader are based on their total sales through the system, they should be able to indicate in PartsTrader if a part was returned (and thus potentially lower their fees) even if the shop doesn’t indicate the return in the system. “I understand what you’re saying, but I think there’s a little bit of concern if you start returning [in the system] your own orders,” Ken Weiss of PartsTrader responded last spring.
Apparently those concerns have been addressed, because at this year’s ABPA conference, Weiss said suppliers now can do just that. Weiss showed how a shop can designate within PartsTrader that a part has been returned and cite a reason for the return; then he showed parts vendors how they can do that even if the shop hasn’t. “You can open up the order and select the part and select the explanation and hit return,” Weiss told parts vendors. “At that point, it’s a return from the shop on their side as well as on your side. It would be nice if [the shop] did it first, but you have the ability.” Another speaker whose comments may have raised some eyebrows among collision repairers was Allstate’s Randy Hanson who discussed his company’s belief in customer choice in terms of parts. “So if a customer says they want a particular part on their vehicle, ‘I want OEM parts,’ we allow that,” Hanson
said. “We absolutely accommodate the customer’s request associated with that. We do. We always will.” (Several shops that participate in Allstate’s direct repair program later confirmed this was the case, but a number of shops who aren’t part of Allstate’s DRP said this was the first they’d heard about Allstate’s willingness to honor a customer’s preference for OEM parts.) Hanson also discussed the company’s long-standing support (financial and otherwise) of the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA). “We believe that certification allows us to tell a very powerful story in terms of the consumer,” Hanson said. “We only use CAPA-certified crash parts on our estimates.” (Even a shop on the Allstate direct repair program subsequently questioned Hanson’s CAPA-only claim. “I believe the adjusters write the lowestpriced part available,” even if those are
non-certified aftermarket parts or lowquality used parts, he said. “They will allow us to change the estimate to the appropriate part,” but that’s not what is always on the initial estimate, he said.) Hanson also weighed in on the future of published list prices for OEM parts. General Motors is launching MyPriceLink in some market this summer. As described by GM last fall, the new system will mean that parts prices would no longer be available within the estimating systems. Instead, shops would need to upload all estimates requiring prices for GM parts to MyPriceLink, which would then return the estimate back with current, competitive prices. (GM has more recently said it has worked with the three estimating system providers to ensure that shops will be able to use the program “with minimal disruption to their existing workflow,” but has provided little in the way of detail.)
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34 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
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NACE heading to California
The complete details about when and where NACE will be held next year won’t be announced formally until the event takes place in Detroit this month. But at the recent Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) convention, Automotive Service Association Executive Director Dan Risley offered a few clues. He said moving forward at least in the short-term NACE will return to Detroit every other year, rotating the other years between a West Coast location and an East Coast location. Though he declined to name any other specific cities that will host NACE in the future, he did say NACE 2016 would be held in California, the first time in the event’s 33-year history it will have been held in that state. The system is expected to give the automaker more flexibility in parts pricing to compete with non-OEM parts. Allstate’s Hanson said he thinks other automakers will eventually follow General Motor’s lead and stop publishing list prices for crash parts. “All of the OEMs are probably going to go down that path,” he predicted. “I think most of them are watching GM to see how it goes.”
Hanson and several other speakers at the ABPA event made reference to the February 11 “Anderson Cooper 360” segment on CNN examining insurer involvement in the collision repair industry. Hanson told the non-OEM parts suppliers at the event that the message of the segment was damaging to their industry. “It rang pretty loud and clear to me. I heard ‘cheap’ and I heard ‘junk,’”
Hanson said. “And I know that’s not the case, but that was the message they wanted to send. Those things are damaging. They take time to recover from. That’s not the case, but how do you find the right outlet to continue to tell your story? I can tell you that I tell your story every day, and I will continue to do that.” Bob Passmore of the Property-Casualty Insurance Association of America (PCI) said his organization also is watching to see if Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) follows through on references he’s made in the CNN piece and elsewhere to “wanting to do something about direct repair programs” at a federal level. “We have no idea what that is but we continue to try to engage him to see what he’s up to,” Passmore said. Sen. Blumenthal has not made any public comments about any legislation he might introduce related to DRPs, but earlier this year he did urge the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate whether insurers are directing consumers to collision repair shops that have agreed “to charge below-market labor rates and to use cheaper, salvaged, used or even counterfeit parts of questionable quality and safety.”
Speaker Jack Gillis, executive director of CAPA, also said his organization has been working with Sen. Blumenthal and his staff. “I’m relatively optimistic that the Senator is going to be a strong supporter of quality aftermarket parts,” Gillis said. “He knows about the CAPA program. He believes in certification, and he also believes that competition for the car companies is very important. So I’m pretty confident that we can work closely with the Senator’s office and turn him around in terms of aftermarket parts.” Gillis also offered a brief update on his organization, noting that when CAPA was founded it was funded virtually entirely by the insurance industry. “When I started 26 years ago, almost 100 percent of our funding was from the insurers,” Gillis said. “Today we’re down to about 11 percent. We now have the ability as a much more independent organization to work solely in the best interests of consumers and the industry. And that’s our goal.” Gillis said CAPA also is in the process of developing standards to certify non-OEM radiators, condensers, fan assemblies and external mirrors.
www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 35
On Creative Marketing
Tom Franklin has been a sales and marketing consultant for fifty years. He has written numerous books and provides marketing solutions and services for many businesses. He can be reached at (323) 871-6862 or at tbfranklin@aol.com. See Tom’s columns at www.autobodynews.com under Columnists > Franklin
How to Hire the Best Body Shop Marketing People with Thomas Franklin
Collision repair shop owners are mainly in the people business. The days of one-man shops are long gone. Every shop has employees, and most have technicians specialized in body, paint, structural and more. The typical shop owner came up through these ranks and is sufficiently knowledgeable about the details to hire competent workers. But marketing is different. Few shop owners come from a background in sales or marketing, and only fairly affluent shops can afford to hire personnel solely for marketing and sales. But that doesn't mean the need isn't there. To survive today every shop needs to bring in new customers and that means reaching out with sales and marketing. And it may mean that some employees have to do double duty. Generally that means estimators and front desk people, but it could include the parts guy and even some unusually communicative technicians. It could also mean hiring from a different point of view. For example, a shop may generally hire an attractive lady for the front desk who is friendly and can handle the paperwork. A recent article entitled “Build a Killer Team” in the June issue of Inc Magazine quoted a co-founder of a company that requires every employee to “work reception once a month.” Many businesses have found that rotating employees through public contact jobs on a regular basis keep them in touch with prospective customers' real priorities. Ideally a shop owner or manager might want to simply rotate the estimators through the front desk po-
sition regularly, but if there aren't enough estimators to do that, the front desk person should be treated as a key new business developer for the shop and paid accordingly. While hiring practices vary greatly by industry, methods of interviewing and evaluating prospective employees are relatively consistent. Some frequent suggestions include giving all your candidates the same interview with a standard set of questions that you ask all candidates. They say using the same questions in each interview gives you greater control of the situation by preventing a clever interviewee from hiding pertinent information. Questions should also test an applicant's ability to think quickly. For example a good salesperson should be able to handle the unanticipated and to meet challenges with confidence. Although an applicant knows you will check references, you should ask, “When I call your references, what will he or she tell me about your past performance?” This emphasis on reference checks might help avoid prospect exaggeration. If you have a trusted employee already performing similar tasks, you might consider having him or her sit in on the interview to help you determine if the candidate truly has what it takes to mesh with the existing team. Dealerships hire new people much more frequently than body shops, and sales people are their most frequent new hires. DealerRefresh.com specifies how most dealerships look for new prospects and evaluate prospective hires. They
CCC Introduces the CCC ONE® Appraisal Platform
CCC Information Services Inc. (“CCC”) announced the availability of its CCC ONE® Appraisal Platform, offering independent appraisers (“IAs”) a single, cloud-based solution to manage the appraisal process and connect with the auto physical damage industry’s most extensive network of auto insurers and collision repairers. CCC ONE Appraisal Platform combines estimating and audit capabilities in an updated user interface and offers additional functionality in a modular solution. “We have been working with independent appraisers across the country to understand their current
and future needs for efficiently managing their business and relationships,” said Mark Fincher, VP, Market Solutions for CCC. “What we heard was that flexibility, scale, access and connectivity were all critically important. Based on these needs, we got busy developing our new IA-specific cloud-based and modular platform. CCC ONE Appraisal Platform delivers automation and efficiency to everyday tasks, while offering optional functionality to support the growing and changing needs of IAs into the future.” Call 877-208-6155 for more information.
36 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
say 50% of the most successful companies have given up on job boards. Social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are cheaper and more effective. They also say people hired by referral are 47% more likely to stick around after three years, compared to 14% for job-board applicants. They say cash bonuses are the best way to get current employees to refer others. Start by notifying current employees. If the job pays well, employees will often brag about how much they love their work and attract others to your business. You could also offer a bonus to customers who refer others. Everybody knows somebody looking for a job. Suppliers are another possible source of prospects. There could be someone good they know of who's burned out at their present job and needs a change. This is an especially wise method for finding good help because your suppliers won't recommend a dud. Their reputation with you
would be ruined and they might lose your business. So what are the qualities and skills a collision shop applicant should possess? The Inc Magazine article again reported several bosses that watched for a job applicant's tendency to mainly talk and self-promote, as opposed to asking questions and carefully listening with follow-up questions. Another tactic suggested is to have prospective employees do some “homework.” For a collision repair shop this could be having them write a list of the questions they think would most effectively get a prospective customer to reveal what they value most in a body shop. And would most likely get them to come back and refer the shop to a friend. Any position dealing with the public requires the ability to ask questions and get key answers. This can take time, but the cost of hiring another person to ask and listen may be far less than losing prospective customers.
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www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 37
Lean Operations
A Better Way to Measure Cycle Time with David Luehr
For those of you that are using your management system to measure your cycle time, congratulations! Too often, collision repair shops don’t measure their shop’s cycle time performance, instead allowing our insurance partners to measure it for us with questionable reliability. Much of the cycle time information that insurers use to measure & judge you by, is derived from rental car length of rental “LOR.” While this outside information can be useful, you are much better off using detailed cycle time measurements that will contribute to your shop’s continuous improvement. Cycle time is usually measured in terms of days from vehicle drop off to vehicle pick-up. What has come to be known as “keys to keys.” As I said, knowing your keys to keys cycle time and comparing it against a known standard is helpful to know, but it doesn’t really help you identify specif-
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
ically where in your system improvement opportunities lie. I offer a better way! In every computerized management system, there are three separate
completed, full approval from the customer and insurance companies has been obtained and all critical parts are on hand. Once this criteria has been met and there is an available technician
time segments that you should use in addition to looking at your keys to keys cycle time performance.
to work on it, enter the start date. For most shops this time segment averages 1 day (same day) for jobs under $1500, 2 days for $1500-$4000, and 5 days for the heavy hit $4000+ jobs. The overall goal is 3 days on average for all jobs.
• Vehicle In to Start ■ Use this segment to measure how long it takes to get a vehicle from drop-off to production ready. “Production ready” is your shop’s definition of when the vehicle is ready to flow seamlessly through the body work and refinish stages of production. For most shops that means blueprinting has been
• Repairs Started to Repairs Completed ■ This is the most important segment of time because it is the only segment where anybody makes any money! For that reason, you clearly
want to measure this segment of time. You can measure this segment in either days or in hours per day. Things that have the biggest effect on your success or failure while vehicles are in production are things like blueprint accuracy, parts correctness etc. Top shops will typically produce between 4.0 to 6.0 Hours per day while the vehicle is in the Started to Completed segment.
• Repairs Completed to Vehicle Out ■ This time segment is probably the most overlooked area of cycle time opportunity. How long does it take you to get rid of the cars when you get them finished? Your management system cycle time reports will also show you how you are performing in this time segment, assuming you are diligent about your date management. Take control of your cycle time performance by taking a deeper look
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PPG Industries Foundation Awards Student Scholarships through CREF
into the individual areas that affect the overall cycle time performance. As you have heard, you cannot improve what you don’t measure. By viewing your computerized management system’s cycle time report, you can analyze this information, but you have to
first be diligent with your date management. If you would like more information about how you can apply this date management strategy at your shop, please contact me at david.luehr@elite bodyshopsolutions.com
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The PPG Industries Foundation, working with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), recently awarded scholarships to four students who have demonstrated a career interest in automotive repair and refinish. The scholarships, $5,000 each, are awarded annually to fulltime students attending a post-secondary school with a focus or degree program in collision repair. The funds may be used to assist the students with educational expenses such as tuition, books, tools and equipment. The winners of the 2015 PPG Foundation Scholarships are Chris Cranford (Pulaski Tech, Little Rock, AK.); Marly Luna (Lincoln College of Technology, Denver, CO.); Eric Piper (Highland Community College, Freeport, IL.); and Aaron Rollins (Universal Technical Institute, Houston, TX). In addition, money was raised for the PPG MVP Industry Student Scholarship Fund during PPG’s 2014 Fall MVP Business Solutions Conference in Nashville, TN. The fund was able to award a $990 scholarship to Jessica Hedgecock (Manhattan Area Tech College,
Manhattan, KS.). “Through PPG Automotive Refinish and the PPG Foundation, we continue to work closely with the Collision Repair Education Foundation to support future professionals and develop the educational facilities the collision industry requires,” said Domenic Brusco, PPG senior manager, industry relations and treasurer of CREF. “By taking an active role in the education of collision repair and refinish students across the country, we help grow a workforce to meet the demand for highly competent technicians amid ever-evolving technology. We congratulate our 2015 scholarship recipients.” Industry members interested in working with CREF to support secondary and post-secondary collision repair students, instructors and school programs should contact Brandon Eckenrode, director of development, at (847) 463-5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.
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Media and Publicity for Shops The Do’s and Don’ts of Body Shop Advertising with Ed Attanasio
You’ve decided to do some advertising—in your local newspaper, radio station, TV or cable station, but are wondering what can you say in your ads without getting into trouble? If your ad is effective, consumers will hopefully see it and/or hear it, but also remember—your competitors will too! Even though you have the best of intentions, if your advertisement is deemed false and misleading, it could become your worst nightmare. Unlawful advertising is one of the most frequently ways why California auto repair shops get into trouble with the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), leading to civil and criminal penalties, disciplinary action and revocation of your BAR license. The fact that you didn’t know the information in your advertisement was misleading or deceiving is irrelevant. Recently, we sat down with Jack Molodanof, an attorney and lobbyist who has been specializing in automotive legislative, administrative and regulatory law for the last 30 years. He’s considered an expert in California for the automotive repair industry Jack Molodanof is and represents sevan attorney and eral of the largest lobbyist who has been specializing in state-wide automoautomotive legislative repair associative, administrative tions, including the and regulatory law California Autofor the last 30 body Association years and represents body shops and the Automoin numerous cases tive Service Councils of California. Molodanof also serves on the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Advisory Group, which provides input on BAR programs. Below are some of Molodanof's Do’s and Don’ts with regard to automotive repair dealer advertising and how to comply and stay out of trouble. If you don’t dot your I’s and cross your T’s, the penalties for getting caught surely aren’t petty. In fact, the BAR disciplinary guidelines for getting busted for misleading advertising are a minimum penalty of 180 days suspension, two years probation and
the maximum penalty also means that your license is revoked.
Do’s Perform all Services as Advertised. “This seems so obvious but you would be surprised how often it is violated,” Molodanof explained. “You must perform/sell the services/parts in the advertisement as advertised. If you advertise a free service, without charge or at specified price you must perform the service as advertised, otherwise you can be accused of using “bait and switch” tactics. Be sure there are no unstated terms or conditions that qualify the offer. If there are limits, state them clearly and conspicuously. What is important is the overall impression created by the advertisement, not the technical truthfulness of the individual parts. Taken as a whole, the advertisement must fairly inform the ordinary consumer.” Clear and Conspicuous Disclosures. “All ads must accurately, clearly and conspicuously disclose all pertinent information about the services. This includes all conditions and disclaimer statements,” Molodanof said. “If you advertise specific credit terms, you must provide all relevant details, including down payment, terms of repayment, and the annual interest rate. See BAR regulations section 3372.1 (d).Disclosure Statements. “If you know or should have known that the advertised service cannot usually be performed in a good and workmanlike manner without additional parts, services or labor, you must disclose that additional labor, parts or services are often needed, to that extent.” According to BAR guidelines, any such disclosure statement shall indicate that many instances of performance of the service involve extra cost and, if the automotive dealer reasonably expects that the extra cost will be more than 25% of the advertised costs, that the extra cost may be substantial. The type size shall be at least ½ the type size used in the advertised price and the statement shall either be shown near the price or shall prominently footnoted through use of an asterisk or similar reference. See BAR regulations section 3372.1 (d)Include Name & Ad-
40 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.
dress. The advertisement must include the auto repair dealer’s name and address as they appear on the BAR registration certificate. See BAR regulations section 3371 (a)Telephone Numbers. If a telephone number appears in an advertisement or on an advertising sign, this number shall be the same number as that listed for the dealer’s firm name and address in the telephone directory or in telephone company records. See BAR regulations section 3371 (b)
Don’ts False & Misleading Advertisements. “Failing to perform, as advertised will get you in trouble,” Molodanof said. “An advertisement that is false or misleading is illegal. An advertisement that fails to disclose information or is unclear may be unlawful if the public is likely to be deceived” Bus & Prof section 17500 Not intending to sell as Advertised: Bait and Switch. “Advertising
goods and services with the intent not to sell them as advertised and then switching them for other goods or services that are at a higher price or on terms more advantageous to the automotive repair shop is unlawful,” Molodanof said. Civil Code 1770 (a) (9). Examples include using a photo that misrepresents the advertised item; showing an item that is not suited for the purposes represented in the advertisement; advertising claims based on flawed research; disparagement of products or services of others; false testimonials or endorsements and false offers for free products, rebates or contests. Mislead the extent of anticipated services. According to BAR, It is unlawful if the advertisement has the capacity to mislead the public as to the extent that anticipated parts; labor or other services are included in the advertised price. See BAR regulations section 3372.1 (b)Mislead as to additional related repairs and services. It is
www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 41
also unlawful if the advertisement for service or repair has the capacity to mislead the public as to the need for additional related parts, labor or other services; See BAR regulations section 3372.1 (c). Offering services that cannot be performed at advertised price. It is considered false and misleading if you know or should have known that the advertised service cannot usually be performed in a good and workmanlike manner without additional parts, services or labor. See BAR regulations section 3372.1 (d)Many shops see other shops advertising the claim that they can pay their customers’ deductibles and the main question is— can they do that? “The law about advertising that a shop will cover the customer’s deductible is OK as long as the shop does not deviate from the insurance company accepted estimate,” according to Molodanof. California’s penal code is clear on this topic. A shop may not waive or discount a customer’s deductible if it means the shop will deviate from the insurer company accepted estimate. Except in cases in which the amount of repair has been determined by the insurer and the repair services are per-
formed in accordance with that determination, it is unlawful for a shop to offer or give any discount intended to offset a deductible required by a policy of insurance covering repairs. The law does not prohibit an advertisement for repair at a discount as long as the amount of the repair has been determined by the insurer and the repair is performed in accordance with that determination. See Penal Code section 551 (b).
Be careful when making any promotional offer, Molodanof warns. “With any free give away, the old adage applies: If it's too good to be true, it usually is. Also the BAR regulators I speak with confirm that one way they investigate shops is to review their auto shop ads, websites, social media, etc. Remember the ads not only attract customers, but they also attract regulators too! The shop could become a target and have a big bull’s eye if the ad falls into one of the don’t categories. Also competitors turn in shops (forward ads to BAR) if they feel the ad is too effective and is taking business from them, so make sure if you offer something free or at a discount, you can back it up.”
What is the Standard to test Advertising Compliance? In determining whether any advertisement, statement, or representation is false or misleading, it shall be considered in its entirety as it would be read or heard by persons to whom it is designed to appeal. An advertisement, statement, or representation shall be considered to be false or misleading if it tends to deceive the public or impose upon credulous or ignorant persons. See BAR regulations section 3372. If the answer is yes, or if you are in doubt, you better go back to the drawing board and make sure it’s compliant.
Bar regulations refers to California Code of Regulations If you ever have any questions regarding BAR compliance and California automotive repair laws, feel free to contact Jack Molodanof at: 2200 L Street Sacramento, CA 95816; Phone 916-447-0313; e-mail address: jack@ mgrco.org; website www.mgrco.org
The Carlyle Group Closes Acquisition of NARS
Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group announced on June 4 that it has completed the acquisition of Nationwide Accident Repair Services PLC (NARS), a provider of automotive crash repair and accident administration services to the UK automotive insurance industry. Following approval by the High Court of Justice of England and Wales, NARS has made an application to the London Stock Exchange for the cancellation of the admission to trading on AIM of, and cessation of dealings in, NARS Shares. Equity for the investment will come from Carlyle Strategic Partners III, a global special situations and corporate opportunities fund. With accident repair centres located throughout the United Kingdom, NARS is the largest dedicated provider of accident repair services in the UK and has relationships with a number of motor insurers. It also provides its services to fleet operators. Ian Jackson, Managing Director and Co-Head of Carlyle Strategic Partners, said, “Our extensive experience in working with businesses in this sector, including the Service King repair business in the US, means we are well placed to support management.”
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Historical Snapshot
—John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, who has a body shop in the family and has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988. He is the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com). Contact him by email at jyoswick@SpiritOne.com.
1995 CIC Survey, CARA Files Chapter 11, 2005 Non-OEM Crash Parts, Select Service with John Yoswick
20 years ago in the collision repair industry (July 1995) A [1995] Collision Industry Conference (CIC) survey… found that 70 percent of shop owners, and 83 percent of insurers, are dissatisfied with the way business is practiced between the two industries. The survey results are among the first steps taken by a CIC committee focusing on the “invoicing methods and practices” used within the industry. The committee’s long-range goal is to try to help the repair and insurance industries develop a new method of doing business. At the CIC meeting in San Antonio, committee chairman Scott Biggs described the results of some inter-industry brain-storming about various other methods by which collision repair shops could be compensated for their work by insurers. Biggs pointed out, however, that each of the methods described had potential pitfalls and
that no one was proposing them as the “perfect solution.” Among the ideas discussed were: • A “cost-plus” method in which shops are paid for their actual costs in labor and materials plus an agreedupon “mark-up.” This would require the two sides to agree upon what true costs are and what is an appropriate “plus,” Biggs pointed out, and some insurers say this method offers no incentives to shops to keep costs down. • A “real time, real dollars” method, but again, this requires that “real time” be determined, and agreed-upon “real dollar rates” be established. • An “incentive method” in which shops that meet certain requirements (regarding training, equipment, customer satisfaction, etc.) would have their labor rate multiplied by an agreed-upon modifier. Establishing the requirements to receive the incentive could be tricky, CIC participants
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pointed out; should a shop, for example, receive extra compensation just because they purchased a certain piece of equipment? • A “matrix method” in which a set of flat-rate repair prices are determined and each damaged vehicle is assigned one of these rates based on the type of vehicle, the severity of the damage, the quality of the repair work, etc. Scott Biggs in 1995 “This one actually got more raised eyebrows than any others because of its simplicity,” Biggs said. But, he said, it would require the industries to work closely to develop the categories, repair standards, etc. – As reported in Bodyshop Connection. Obviously, 20 years later, there’s been little long-term shift toward any of these alternative systems.
15 years ago in the collision repair industry (July 2000) CARA Collision & Glass’ lender…has frozen CARA’s bank accounts, leaving CARA with no cash to operate its business. CARA will be filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. – From a sign posted on the locked doors of 13 shops operated by Minnesota-based CARA Collision & Glass, prior to the liquidation of its assets by its bank, as reported in The Golden Eagle, July 2000. At its peak in the late 1990s, CARA had 26 locations in five states and $40 million in annual revenues. After losing $2 million in 1999, in mid-2000, it locked the doors on its remaining 13 shops – leaving customers’ cars inside and 150 employees without their final paychecks – and filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy. CARA founder Randy McPherson (a founding partner of ABRA Auto Body & Glass prior to
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leaving that company in 1996) blamed the collapse on CARA’s rapid and far-flung growth. His goal, he readily admits, was to capitalize on the late-1990s Wall Street appetite for industry “roll-ups” or consolidators. “I’m not going to spend a nickel on TV (advertising for CARA),” McPherson had said in a 1997 interview. “I’m going to put all that money into value-added services for insurance companies and their customers.” To that end, CARA offered free rental cars, free pick-up and delivery, and free towing.
10 years ago in the collision repair industry (July 2005) “Digging through my files one day recently, I came across a fascinating, though discolored document. Right in the beginning of its 62-page report (in 1989), Canada’s Automobile Protection Association (APA) questions the insurance industry’s stated motive for supporting aftermarket crash parts. The idea was that once the OEMs had competition, the price of crash parts would come down, thereby lowering the cost of repairs and, hopefully, what car owners paid for insurance premiums. APA asked the insurance indus-
try for data to support this notion, and got nothing. I asked Jack Gillis, executive director of the Certified Automotive Parts Associaiton, if any data had surfaced since. He concedes he knows of no numbers that make the connection between non-OEM crash parts and consumer savings… Gillis grants the market penetration by non-OEM parts remains so small, even after all of these years, as to have little or no effect on overall repair costs. APA cited data from the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) that claimed that non-OEM crash parts comprised 10 percent of the market in Canada in 1989. APA’s own research indicated 14 percent. The figure commonly cited today for the United State is 15 percent. If that number sounds familiar, Gillis has been putting it out for years based on the best information he can collect. He admits that it is “accepted by the industry in large part because there is no better data.” – From a column by Tom Slear published in Autobody News, July 2005. The ABPA percentage for the market share of non-OEM parts was probably more correct than either the
ABRA Auto Body & Glass Awards 10 Students with Tool Grants Through CREF
ABRA Auto Body & Glass awarded 10 collision students each with $2,000 in tools through a tool grant opportunity with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). The tool grant was made available to select high school seniors and post-secondary students studying in collision repair programs. The winning students were able to select $2,000 (retail value) in tools and equipment from a list of entrylevel body tools. The student winners of the 2015 ABRA Auto Body & Glass spring tool grant include:
● Alfonza Cooper – Chattahoochee Technical College (Marietta, GA) ● Jonathon Groom – Southwest Technical College (Fennimore, WI) ● Derek Holzknecht – Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (Rice Lake, WI) ● Antonio Huizar – Pickens Technical College (Aurora, CO) ● Jamari Linder – WyoTech (Blairsville, PA) ● Cesar Mercado – Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, WA) ● Anthony Pung – Dunwoody College of Technology (Minneapolis, MN)
● Cory Seal – Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Morristown, TN) ● Victor Vuchetich – Chippewa Valley Technical College (Eau Claire, WI) ● Jacob Will – Hennepin Technical College (Brooklyn Park, MN)
“One of the long-term goals of ABRA is to foster and support high school seniors and post-secondary students with their training and education in collision repair programs,” said Michelle DeMarais, ABRA’s recruiting manager. “With these grants and our partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, this goal can be a reality for students all across the country.” For additional information about ABRA Auto Body & Glass, visit www .abraauto.com. Industry members interested in working together with the Collision Repair Education Foundation in supporting secondary and post-secondary collision repair students, instructors, and their school programs should contact Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode @ed-foundation.org.
44 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
APA’s or Gillis’ number. The market share for non-OEM parts cited by Mitchell International for 2007 (two years after Slear’s column was written) was 10.5 percent. That has climbed slowly but steadily to 16.5 percent last year, according to Mitchell. The battle over whether this has resulted in lower insurance premiums for consumers continues. Doubters point to a statement by Neal Menefee, CEO of Rockingham Mutual Insurance, who acknowledged at a 2012 Congressional hearing that he “would not expect premiums to go down as a result” of passage of legislation that would reduce the length of time automakers’ could patent the design of crash parts and stave off nonOEM competition for those parts. But backers of such patent change say Menefee went on to say that while not reducing costs, competition from nonOEM parts helps “avoid a significant increase in the cost of parts and insurance premiums.”
5 years ago in the collision repair industry (July 2010) State Farm “Select Service” shops will now receive a 3-digit number – similar to a credit score—from the insurer based on its measurement of the
shop’s performance. The number, on a scale of 1 to 1,000, will be updated monthly and is established using a proprietary formula that takes into account the key performance indicators (KPIs) State Farm uses to track each shop’s performance. Specific KPI data will still also be shared with the shop, according to State Farm’s George Avery, but the new score offers a quick way for a shop to understand how it is doing in terms of State Farm’s measurements. The report also indicates how the shop’s number compares with other shops in the program (even taking into account, Avery said, such things as differences in the types of vehicles repaired), and lists three areas that the shop could focus on to improve its score. Avery said implementing the new score does not signal any new planned reduction in the number of Select Service shops, though the company continues to change the number of shops on the program in some markets based on its capacity needs. – As reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), July 26, 2010.
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New Product Showcase
Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.
New System Helps Shops to Get Reimbursed for PLIOGRIP® Adhesive Usage with Ed Attanasio
For many years, body shops have not been able to precisely quantify how much adhesive they are using on each particular repair. By basically guessing and operating in the dark when it comes to figuring out the volume used to perform plastic repair and related procedures, shops have not been getting properly reimbursed from the insurance companies, in many cases. Well, according to the people at PLIOGRIP and Bonding Solutions, there is now an app that will allow body techs to report exact numbers when it comes to their adhesive usage on every repair. It’s called the PLIOGRIP Material Cost Recovery System —the brainchild of Jeff Miller, PLIOGRIP’s technical sales manager and developed by Shaun Worthen, a former body tech who now works as an independent insurance adjustor and moonlights as an app developer. Miller believes that this app is a breakthrough that will benefit both
This screen shot from the new PLIOGRIP Material Cost Recovery System shows that techs can easily create an invoice showing exactly how much adhesive they’re using on each repair, thereby increasing their chances of getting reimbursed by the insurance company
46 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
body shops and insurance companies. “We wanted to come up with a system that would be fair for the shops and the insurance companies and I am confident that we’ve achieved both,” Miller explained. ”In the past, collision repairers were using a method that wasn’t providing them with definitive numbers that everyone could really count on. They were relying on a visual inspection and getting close, but now they don’t have to settle for just a ballpark figure. With this app, we’re eliminating the guesswork and making the process for reimbursement easier for the shops by using the latest technology available.” It all comes down to documentation and an accurate way
to quantify the use of a product that has been traditionally hard to get a bead on, according to Shaun Worthen, the developer of the PLIOGRIP Material Cost Recovery System. “Most insurance companies don’t ask questions when it comes to reimbursement about paint and paint-related materials, but when it comes to adhesives, they will sometimes be a little reluctant. But, if they can get accurate numbers that are well-supported, we’re confident that the insurers will be comfortable with our system, which means that the shops will be compensated.” The system will allow users to measure how much adhesive they’re using on every repair by picking a bead size and then accurately measuring the amount used in linear feet. With dropdown boxes and intuitive navigation throughout, the PLIOGRIP Material Cost Recovery System also contains a calculator and an area where the user
can make notes about the repair. At the end of the process, they now have a concise invoice that can be submitted electronically to the insurance company. Developing the app wasn’t an easy process, but after eight months of hard work and after looking at 10 different interface designs, the system was ready to stick. “We knew it had to be easy-touse and we also wanted it to be simple for techs to accurately gauge how much adhesive they’re using. We made it as straightforward as it can be, with fewer steps, so that techs can use it and then move on to the next job without inputting a bunch of information that isn’t crucial.” Josh Lofrano from F. Lofrano & Son in San Francisco and Marin County, CA manages one of his family’s shops in San Rafael, CA and has had an opportunity to look at the recovery system prior to hitting the market. He definitely sees a need for the system and anticipates using it on a daily basis. “Finding a system that can help us to get compensated for the PLIOGRIP adhesives that we use is important” Lofrano said. “With four locations, we do a lot of plastic work and in many
ways, measuring the usage of any product is an iffy proposition. Now with this system, we’ll be able to capture more revenue on each plastic repair we do, which will help the bottom line and make us more effective overall.” For shops that are interested in incorporating the PLIOGRIP Material Cost Recovery System into their production, Miller explained how to get it. “It’s free to use, but you have to be either a jobber or a shop customer of PLIOGRIP,” he said. “All of our 75 reps nationwide will have the system on their iPads after June 1st and they can show you how to use it. They’ll set you up with a username and a password and then you can try it out.” Miller thinks it will quickly become the go-to system for body techs from the Big Apple all the way to the City by the Bay, he said. “The PLIOGRIP Material Cost Recovery System will enable shops to make a profit on every plastic repair they perform, which means more money stays in the shop. Every shop owner in the country will appreciate the accuracy, accountability and timesaving qualities of this system.”
U.S. House Subcommittee Addresses Aging Postal Fleet and Efficiency of Government Repair Facilities The U.S. House Subcommittee on Government Operations under the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing May 21 on “Issues Facing Civilian and Postal Service Vehicle Fleet Procurement.” During the hearing, the subcommittee heard from representatives from the General Services Administration, U.S. Government Accountability Office, United States Postal Service (USPS) and NAFA Fleet Management Association. During the hearing, members addressed the issues of vehicle maintenance and repairs. U.S. Postal Service Chief Financial Officer Joseph Corbett responded to the subcommittee that of the $700 million vehicle repair costs per year at the USPS, $200 million is outsourced to private facilities and $500 million in repairs are made by the USPS. Corbett estimated that there are approximately 500 USPS vehicle maintenance facilities in the United States. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) suggested that the USPS consider the potential cost savings of closing hundreds of federal government vehicle maintenance facili-
ties and outsourcing vehicle repairs to the private sector. Carter said, “I was a mayor at one time, and I had to manage fleets of vehicles similar to the postal fleet. We used best practices and found that sometimes it was more cost-efficient to go to the private sector to have maintenance and repairs done on our vehicles. The USPS, especially in their current fiscal situation, must also be responsible stewards of the dollar and ensure the repairs on their fleet are done in the most cost-efficient way.” The USPS was asked to report back to the committee with a response to concerns about federal government vehicle maintenance facilities. Donny Seyfer, ASA Chairman, said, “We appreciate Rep. Carter’s willingness to speak out on behalf of automotive repair shop owners across the country. Small businesses should not have to compete with the federal government. There are thousands of privately owned vehicle repair facilities across America that can make these repairs in a competitive, cost-efficient, professional environment.”
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Hey Toby!
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
A Closer Look at New Generation of Pulsed Aluminum MIG Welders with Toby Chess
The 2015 All Aluminum Ford F150 has brought a whole new interest in aluminum repair to the main stream of collision repair. One area of that has exploded in the welding process on aluminum. I-CAR has changed its WCA 03 test to reflect this change. There are a whole new generation of Aluminum MIG welders on the market today. What I would like to discuss is what is new about these welders and take a closer look at them, but first, I think we need to have a little better understanding of the aluminum and the welding process. Before moving to the welding process, lets look at some of the important properties of aluminum as compared with steel. The typical weld characteristics of steel or stainless don’t apply when mig welding aluminum. Aluminum has higher thermal conductivity and lower melting temperatures, both factors will influence weld solidification, weld burn through potential and warpage problems. Aluminum is three times lighter than steel and yet can offer 30 percent higher strength when alloyed. Aluminum can conduct electricity six times better than steel. Aluminum has a thermal conductivity rate five times higher than steel. The high thermal conductivity creates a great heat sink which can create insufficient weld fusion on parts over 4 mm and weld burn through issues on parts less than 3 mm. Aluminum has a low melting point 1,200 degrees F, this is more than half that of steel. Aluminum provides excellent corrosion resistance due to the formation of aluminum oxide. Bare aluminum will oxidize when oxygen and moisture are present and acts like a sponge can readily trap moisture, oil, grease and other materials. The aluminum oxide layer provides excellent corrosion resistance, however this is a layer that must be removed for optimum weld quality. Due to its higher melting point (3700 degrees F) the oxide layer if not removed can decrease the weld fusion. The oxide layer is removed during the weld with the fore hand (push) technique (See Fig. 1). During the forehand weld travel, the gas molecules in the arc plasma collide with the oxide surface
moving the oxides. The oxides are also disrupted through mechanical cleaning (80 grit DA at low speeds or finer), wire brushing (needs to be a stainless steel brush to prevent galvanic corrosion), solvents and chemical etching.
Fig. 1. Push MIG welding
minum. The aluminum is liquefied and poured into a mold and when it has cooled, it is machined. All OEM that use cast aluminum on their vehicles, state if damaged or cracked, that the part is replaced. In series 7 aluminum, the major alloying element is zinc and this material is used for bumper reinforcements. Aluminum bumper reinforcements, when damaged are replaced and not repaired. The aluminum that is found on vehicles that can be repaired and welded, will be either series 5 or series 6 aluminum. The next item that we need
to look at is the welding wire. There are three major filler wires, 4043, 5356 and 5554 (recommended wire for the Ford F150 (See Figs. 4 & 5) used to weld aluminum. Some manufacturers, such Tesla, use a different 5 series wire that was mentioned earlier. Series 4 wire compared to Series 5 wire are as follows: Softer material, melts at a lower temperature, smoother weld surface, less shear strength, cleaner and prone to
It should be noted that the gun angle is 5-15 degrees from vertical (See Fig. 2).
(l to r) Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.
Fig. 2
Aluminum in its purest form is very soft. To add strength to the aluminum, elements are added to change the physical properties of the Aluminum. All aluminum is designated by a 4 digit number and the first digit (Series 1-9) will represent what series of aluminum that is being mentioned. In the automobile construction, 4 different series of aluminum can be used, which are Series 4,Series 5, Series 6 and Series 7. The major alloying element in series 4, is silicon, 5 is magnesium, 6 is a combination of silicon and magnesium and 7 is zinc. Series 4 aluminum is cast (See Fig. 3) Alu-
Fig. 6
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Testing Aluminum Welding Capabilities
I spoke with Kye Yeung from European Motor Car Works, Ken Boylan from Chief Automotive about the idea of bringing all the Pulsed MIG Welder together. Both agreed with the idea and I sent out invites to seven of the welder manufacturers. Tom Williamson, the owner of Marina Autobody furnished his aluminum bay for the demo, along with a great lunch. I contacted Steve Morris, Director of Operations for Pride Autobody about sending one of his certified aluminum technicians and he sent Ara Guekguezian. Casey Breeden, Southern California Region Manager for Miller Electric furnished all the welding gear. Craig Oliveira, Regional Manager of Kent Automotive, sponsored the rest of the event.
less cracking. Look at the next 2 pictures (Figs. 6 & 7).
Fig. 7
quired on the updated I-CAR Aluminum Certification Test, which is a butt weld with backer using 1MM coupons. Being a real this material, really put these welders to the test. I will mentioned that all the machines were able to perform the weld within the parameters for a successful pass.
Casey Breeden from Miller Electric
(Fig. 6) looks like an excellant weld, but when I did a destructive test, you will notice that the upper coupon has no tear out or no penetration. In other words, no fusion between the wire and base metal. A rule of thumb- ‘the welding wire needs the same the same major alloying element as the base metal’. In the above example series 5 aluminum (major alloying element in Magnesium) and 4043 wire (major alloying element is Silicon) do not mix. You will note the black soot around the weld which is a combination of aluminum and magnesium alloys. These alloys combine with oxygen to form aluminum oxide, which is black in color. Expect more soot from higher
magnesium alloys. For example the common 5356 filler metal can provide more soot than E4043 filler metal and excess soot is usually an indication of weld porosity issues. One way to control the formation of aluminum oxide in the weld, is to increase the CFH (cubic feet per hour) of the gas. When welding aluminum, we will use 100 percent Argon with a purity factor of 4.6. This is the recommended shielding gas for the Ford F150. There are other shielding gases that can be used on aluminum such as a mixture of Argon and Helium or 100 percent Helium, but these shielding gases are for welding thicker aluminum that is not found on the Ford F150. The flow rate for welding aluminum is 25 CFH to 50 CFH. When pushing the puddle, the shielding gas acts like a snow plow to push out the oxides that are forming in the weld. A couple of other important items when welding aluminum are as follows: a longer stick out when compared to steel, slower travel speed and no weaving of the gun. There are a few other terms that need to be discussed, which are Pulsed Welders, synergic, hot start and crater fill. Let’s look at pulsed welding. Miller Electric describes pulsed
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The welders from left to right are Car-OLiner, Elecktron, GYS, Fronius, Miller, Prospot International (3 models) and Wielander & Schill
Each manufacturer went through the set up, features and controls for the respective machines with Ara prior to him starting the welds.
Front of the weld with Elecktron Welder ARIZONA
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The welding test that Ara performed was the new weld that is re-
The backside of the weld with Prospot SP5 Welder. Pictured with Ara, Ashley Olsson and Bob Pluth
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welding as follows” Pulsed MIG works well with both thin and thick sections because it is a modified spray transfer process. The welder switches between a high peak
too low for metal transfer to occur. The peak current pulse ensures good fusion, overcoming concerns related to cold lap, a common issue with short circuit MIG on aluminum. It also
Fig. 8. The welding circuit consists essentially of the following elements: Taken from www.mechanicalinfo.wordpress.com
current and a low background current 30 to 400 times per second (see Fig. 2).The peak current pinches off a spray transfer droplet and propels it toward the weldment. The background current maintains the arc, but the heat input is
provides faster travel speeds, which improves productivity. The background current lowers overall heat input (See Fig. 3), addressing the burn-through and warping issues commonly associated with spray transfer MIG.
To understand pulsed welding look at (Fig. 8). When you are using a standard MIG welder, the process is known as short arc transfer. What happens is the electrode wire which is positive, touches the metal surface, which is negative, causing a shorting of the circuit which inturn produces heat that melts the electrode wire. In simple terms, pulsed MIG is a non-contact transfer method between the electrode and the weld puddle. This means that at no time does the electrode ever touch the puddle, which happened is short transfer welding. This is done through ahigh-speed manipulation of the electrical output of the welding machine. It is designed to be a spatterless process that will run at a lower heat input than spray or globular transfer methods. “The pulsed works by forming one droplet of molten metal at the end of the electrode per pulse. Then, just the right amount of current is added to push that one droplet across the arc and into the puddle. The transfer of these droplets occurs through the arc, one droplet per pulse” (Quote is from Lincoln Electrics web site). The next term you will hear and read about is “synergic” I started to do research on syneric pulsed welding, and I immediately re-
alized that I needed an advanced degree in engineering, which ain’t going to happen at my age. So here it goes. There are four parameters that need to be set to perform form a good weld. They are voltage, wire speed, pulse frequency and background current (The background current maintains the arc, but the heat input is too low for metal transfer to occur). Engineers were able to determine the optimum size of the droplet for a particular wire size. Furthermore, they could determine the peak current to dislodge the droplet from the wire. Next, add in a computer with a program that can change the frequency of the electricity, and you get a synergic pulsed welder. What does that mean? In layman terms, all you need is to set the metal thickness and tell the computer what wire size and diameter that is being used and welder will produce a steady and consistent droplet size that will be transferred to the base metal. In other words, the welding technician does not have to set any of the critical parameters to obtain a good weld. The next item that I want to discuss is a cold start when welding aluminum. Please look at (Fig. 9) before proceeding on.
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Model
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Origin
1) Car-O-Liner CMI273 800-521-9696 Denmark 2) Car-O-Liner CMI3000 Same Denmark 3) GYS-Advanced Collision Repair NeoPulse270t2 415-497-4515 France 4) Prospot International SP-1 USA/Italy 5) SP-2 USA/Italy 6) SP-5 USA/Italy 7) Miller Electric 350p automotive Contact Local Dealer USA 8) Wiedlander & Shill IP 6-2 ACT 732-495-7900 Germany 9) Fronius 2700 Austria 10) CMT2700 USA/Austria 11) Chief Automotive-Elektron 522 Italy
On line Training
Repairs Done By
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1) No
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ADVCRS
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Local Distributors & Factory
6) Yes
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8) No 9) No
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When welding aluminum the base metal needs to be hot for the welding wire to fuse to it. If you look at the blow up of the beginning of the
Fig. 9
Consumable
weld, you will notice that wire is sitting on top of the base metal. A cold start is a weak point in the weld. In the past to prevent a cold start, you could hold the gun a little longer at the start before proceeding on with you weld. Another way to prevent a cold start is known as tailing in. The weld in started off the joint (usually perpendicular to weld joint) and by the time is gets to the joint, there is sufficient heat to proceed up the joint with the weld. The welding machines that I will be looking at all have a hot start feature,
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AMPs Needed 20 AMPS 30 AMPs 25 AMPs 30 30 30 30-60 30 30 30 20
Single 3 Phase In House Cost of Additional Video Phase 440 Volts Training Training Training Yes
Yes
No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes
Yes No No No Yes No Yes Yes No
Set Up Hot Start Crater Shipping Offer Lease Fee Fill Included Financing Program No
Yes
Yes
Varies
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No No No No No
No
No
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes
In other words, the machines throw a higher amount of amperage at the beginning of the weld to heat up the aluminum quickly. Moving on, we will look at craters. (See Fig. 10). A characteristic of aluminum as I previously mentioned is its high expansion and contraction rate. When the weld is finished, the weld bead will shrink, which intun leads to a crater forming at the end of the weld. Furthermore, the crater being a weak spot can lead to crack formation in the crater. One method to eliminate the crater is backfill it before stopping the weld. Again all the
Yes Yes
Yes Yes
Yes
Varies No No No
Yes No
No
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Local Distributor
Yes
Yes
Ford, GM
Yes
Ford, GM
Yes
Yes
Features CMI 273: Progamable updates, 4 roller drive system, easy to set up NeoPuse-270: Color Display, easy to set up, 220-440 Volts auto SP-1: Least Expensive Welder, portable, programable SP-2: 2 guns, easy to set up, works on single phase
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www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 53
Redesigned Automotive Lift Institute Website Houses Certified Lift and Inspector Directories
The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) launched a completely redesigned website on June 1 at www.autolift.org. The new site brings together information lift buyers, owners and users need, including: ● The official directory of every ALI certified car, truck and vehicle lift, including certified accessories. ● An exclusive directory of ALI Certified Lift Inspectors searchable by ZIP or postal code. ● A list of leading North American lift manufacturers with contact information and website links. ● Access to lift safety standards and materials, including online training. ● Information on purchasing a lift, including FAQs, explanations of lift types and facts about codes and regulations affecting the purchase and installation of vehicle lifts across North America. ● Buyer beware warnings about false or misleading lift claims.
“As the trade association for the North American vehicle lift industry, it is our mission to promote the safe design, construction, installation, service, inspection and use of automotive lifts,” said R.W. “Bob” O’Gorman, ALI President. “Our new website was built from scratch to further that mission. By
redesigning the site to be more modern and user-friendly, we have made it as easy as possible for anyone with an interest in vehicle lifts to find the information they need to make smart choices. The website features all-new copy, photographs and navigation.”
The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) website, www.autolift.org, has been redesigned to serve as a user-friendly resource for all important vehicle lift information
As part of the redesign, ALI brought control of its Directory of Certified Lifts in-house and redeveloped it at the same time as the rest of the site. The Directory of Certified Lifts lists every automotive/truck/vehicle lift that is certified to meet the
· 2nd Place – CARSTAR Highland Denver North, Denver, CO · 3rd Place – CARSTAR Ideal Arvada Auto Body, Arvada, CO out. 2014 Top Cycle Time · 1st Place – CARSTAR Kurt’s Marketer of the Year—Individual Tom Martin, owner of CARSTAR Collision Center, Maryville, IL Sidney Body in Sidney, OH, and · 2nd Place – CARSTAR Ace CARSTAR Troy in Troy, OH. Sullins, Miramar, FL Marketer of the Year—Business · 3rd Place – CARSTAR 76 ColliGroup sion, Grand Rapids, MI CARSTAR Colorado Business Group The company also recognized comprised of 11 stores more than 40 anniversaries and accomplishments of some of its longesttenured storeowners. Spirit of CARSTAR Award National Director of Operations, “We just completed our 25th anMelissa Miller niversary year with record sales of This year’s performance award $712 million, thanks to the collective winners included: efforts of our store owners and corpo2014 Overall 3Cs rate team,” said Byers. “At this year’s · CARSTAR Kurt’s Collision Cen-YourCARSTAR we set our Register Email forConference, Our ter, Maryville, IL roadmap for the next 25 years as we 2014 Top Closing Ratio continue to lead the industry with in· 1st Place – CARSTAR of Ray- novation, entrepreneurial spirit and town, Raytown, MO stategic growth.” Continued from Page 26
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ANSI/ALI ALCTV (current edition) “Safety Requirements for the Construction, Testing and Validation of Automotive Lifts” standard. If a lift is not listed, it’s not certified. Because lift testing and certification is generally voluntary for manufacturers, lift customers
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must take charge of their own safety by tbuying only lifts that have been thirdparty tested and ALI certified. The new Directory of Certified Lifts can be browsed by lift type or searched by lift type, manufacturer, brand, model number and/or load rat-
ing. Each listing includes the lift’s specifications, certification date and manufacturer’s contact information. For lifts with certified accessories, the accessories are defined in the listing, including model number, description and rated capacity (if applicable). Listings may also include notes and a picture of the lift. One new feature of the ALI website is the ALI History section. Set up in a timeline format, the page takes readers from the Institute’s founding in 1945 through its near demise in the mid-1970s, its rejuvenation in the 1980s, and its lift-safety-focused activities in the 1990s through present. The timeline also calls out notable events in the Institute’s past, such as the extension of membership to Canadian manufacturers in 1983 and Aug. 5, 2012, when ALI was the primary partner on the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 Ford Fusion driven by Aric Almirola in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400. To learn more about ALI, visit www .autolift.org or call (607) 7567775. You can also connect with ALI on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LiftInstitute, on Twitter at www.twitter.com /LiftInstitute, and on YouTube at www .youtube.com/LiftInstitute.
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CARS to Feature Expanded Mechanical Specialty and Technical Training CARS is proud to announce its expanded agenda at the NACE | CARS 2015 conference and exposition, taking place at the COBO Center in Detroit, Michigan on July 21–25. The CARS program will feature more mechanical specialty and technical training than ever before, with additional sessions focused on leadership from all segments of the automotive service repair industry. “ASA has listened to the industry and we’ve made significant updates to CARS and the programming. The CARS content was and will continue to be driven by the very best in the service repair industry. Our industry is changing at an accelerated rate. Staying ahead of the latest advancements in technology isn’t something you can ignore,” said Donny Seyfer, Co-Owner of Seyfer Automotive, Inc. and Chairman of ASA. Some highlighted opportunities include: ● The Service Repair Leadership Forum (SRLF)—Inaugural event led by Bob Greenwood & Maylan Newton ● The Technology & Telematics Forum— Sponsored by Auto Alliance and ASA ● Service Ready Sessions—by Volkswagen and Honda ● Evaporative System Diagnosis Training—With trainer Kevin McCartney from NAPA Autotech
● Young Technicians Symposium— Powered by Bosch The inaugural Service Repair Leadership Forum will provide an opportunity for the industry to discuss issues, share
knowledge, network with decision-makers and gain insight into the future of the industry. SRLF will take place on Friday, July 24 and is open to all individuals and companies interested in advancing the automotive industry. The event will include a private reception the day preceding the event (July 23 from 4–6pm), a continental breakfast on the day of (7:30–8am), a half day program (8am–noon), and a keynote luncheon immediately following (noon–1pm). Newton and Greenwood will partner for the first time in their instruction of two programs at the Forum on the topics of marketing in the industry and shop profitability & efficiency, in addition to acting as Co-Masters of Ceremony. Other topics will include the state of the industry, parts quality, motor vehicle inspections, multi shop operators, and emissions programs.
The Technology & Telematics Forum, sponsored by Auto Alliance and ASA, will provide a look into the future of shops and an overview of emerging technology for the industry. In its second year, the 2015 program will feature an expanded agenda with 5 key discussion areas—a telematics update and overview, a connected car technology panel discussion, driver assistance communication and electronic stability control, telematics innovation with aftermarket software, and Serial Edge Nibble Transmission (SENT). The event will take place in the afternoon of Thursday, July 23 from 2pm–4pm, and a reception will follow immediately after, concluding at 6pm. Service Ready sessions will also be offered by Honda and Volkswagen. Valerie Sullivan will speak on behalf of American Honda to give a manufacturer’s point-ofview on what it takes to be ready when a Honda product is in your shop. The Honda Service Ready session will take place on July 22 from 1:30–3:30pm. Volkswagen is bringing in Service Publications Regulatory Specialist Kurt Immekus to share knowledge on what it takes to be ready when a VW or Audi product is brought into your shop. This will take place July 22 from 11am–12:30pm. Presented by the manufacturer, these sessions will focus on service information, tooling (scan and oth-
erwise) and tips from the OEM on understanding their culture and successfully servicing their brand. The Young Technicians Symposium will be back, as well, on July 24 from 8am–5pm. Powered by Bosch, this Symposium will offer a two-part program to evaluate electrical system knowledge, and diagnostic approach to help you improve your skills. Part one of the program will cover pertinent topics in automotive electronics, and part two will focus on engine management fundamentals. A live training simulator will be used to demonstrate real world diagnostic examples and student response buttons will provide instant feedback on progress. Saturday will offer training for Journeyman Technicians with topics ranging from Evaporative System Diagnosis to Electrical Diagnosis. Dan Risley, President and Executive Director of ASA, stated, “CARS is committed to ensuring that you have the information and knowledge you need to today and the future. We look forward to seeing the leaders in the industry in Detroit and sharing information that you can’t get anywhere else.” Visit the full conference program to view all available sessions: www .NACEexpo.com or www.CARSevent .com.
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www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 55
ASA Congratulates AudaExplore on Feather, Prime, Block Estimating Solution The Automotive Service Association (ASA) applauded AudaExplore on its creation of the industry’s first estimating software solution for Feather, Prime and Block (FP&B). Whenever a panel is repaired and a user-judgment time is entered, the new feature will allow an estimator the option of allocating some of the repair
ing industry issue. They are truly pioneers and committed to helping repairers and insurers accurately document and estimate the necessary steps, as well as cost, to properly repair a vehicle,” said Dan Risley, ASA President/Executive Director. “We appreciate AudaExplore’s willingness to tackle this issue and provide tools to better assist every-
time to a new labor operation—Feather, Prime and Block—that will calculate as Refinish Labor (Rate Code 4). AudaExplore has also created a new material calculation to address Feather, Prime and Block. This will operate in much the same way as Paint and Materials, as it will be a user-entered dollar value that will act as a multiplier for all FP&B hours in the estimate. “AudaExplore has taken a significant step to help address a long-stand-
one who prepares or negotiates an estimate. An industry with less friction is a more efficient one. Today, there is a little less friction.” According to AudaExplore, all of this information will be clearly displayed on the estimate as line items, as well as in the summary at the bottom of the estimate. The use of the Feather, Prime and Block feature is configurable at the discretion of the user. The industry has recognized Feather, Prime and Block as a refin-
“We appreciate AudaExplore’s willingness to tackle this issue and provide tools to better assist everyone who prepares or negotiates an estimate. An industry with less friction is a more efficient one,” said Dan Risley
CCC Information Services and CREF Announce Winners of Annual Scholarship
The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and CCC Information Services Inc., announced four student winners of the CCC Michael Salvatore Memorial Student Repair Technician Scholarship. The CCC scholarship program has been in place since 2006. The CCC Michael Salvatore Memorial Student Repair Technician
● Silky Wheeler (Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, NC) “CCC congratulates these students on their academic achievements and we’re proud to support them in their collision repair education and training,” said Joseph Allen, GM of CCC’s Automotive Services Group. “As new technologies continue to drive vehicle design and repairability,
Scholarship awards scholarships to students currently enrolled in a repair program and who have demonstrated superior academic achievement.
hands-on education has become even more critical. We wish these students well and look forward to having them in the industry in the years to come.” For additional information about CCC Information Services visit www .cccis.com. Industry members interested in working together with the Collision Repair Education Foundation in supporting secondary and post-secondary collision repair students, instructors, and their school programs should contact Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation .org.
“CCC congratulates these students on their academic achievements and we’re proud to support them in their collision repair education and training,” said Joseph Allen
The 2015 winners include:
Top Scholarship Recipient ● Sylvanah Wolff (Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA)
Additional Scholarship Recipients ● Chris Kelly (Hawaii Community College, Hilo, HI)
● Matthew Miller (Lake Technical College, Eustis, FL)
56 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
ish operation necessary to perform quality repairs through the Collision Industry Conference. However, two collision repair summits and multiple shop-user focus groups held by AudaExplore within the past 14 months have clearly indicated that FP&B remains an industry concern. This feature will help repairers to properly allocate labor resources within their shops and the materials need to be clearly addressed. In some states, regulations stipulate that FP&B labor has to be delineated as a refinish operation. “We are very pleased that AudaExplore is the first provider to address this important issue and has created a software solution for the industry,” said Risley. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingThe Hill.com
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ASA Survey Measures OEM Service Info Website Usage
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is conducting a survey on the usage of OEM service information websites by independent automotive service and repair shops. “On behalf of NASTF, ASA is conducting this survey to help the industry understand better how the industry utilizes and finds service information,” said Donny Seyfer, ASA chairman and co-owner of Seyfer Automotive in Wheat Ridge, Colo. “We hope that everyone who repairs cars will take two minutes and complete the survey.” The survey asks 11 simple questions and is available at https:// www.surveymonkey.com/s/JNZSGCV. Survey results will be shared at a later date in AutoInc. magazine, ASA’s official publication. ASA hopes to gather all results by July 1. To become a member of ASA, visit www.ASAshop.org or call (817) 514-2900. For additional information about ASA, including past media releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingThe Hill.com.
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www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 57
U.S. Senate Committee Examines EPA’s Proposed Air Quality Standards
Ron Perretta to Lead Innovative Coating Training
On June 3, the Senate Environment and air quality standards (NAAQS) until at to be addressed, the EPA is required to Public Works Committee (EPW) held a least 85 percent of counties that are in review the standards every five years to hearing titled, “Challenges and Implica- nonattainment areas have attained the make sure they are up to date. Despite tions of EPA’s Proposed National Ambient standard. what some of my Republican colleagues Air Quality Standard for Ground-Level Although the committee as a whole may try to claim today, scientists overOzone and Legislative Hearing on S. 638, agreed on the importance of cleaner air, whelmingly agree that EPA needs to S. 751, and S. 640.” the members took a more partisan stance adopt a stricter standard to protect the Currently, the ozone standard rests when it came to the proposal of changing health of the American people, espeat 75 parts per billion (ppb). Under the the standard. cially our children and the elderly. We EPA’s proposed change, the standard Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), have known since 2008 that the current would be between 65 and 70 ozone standard does not proppb. The EPA is now taking vide the necessary health “EPA’s ozone proposal is the most expencomment on an even more agsafeguards.” sive regulation in history with projected gressive standard of 60 ppb. The EPA is expected to During the hearing, commake a final decision on the costs of $1.7 trillion and 1.4 million lost mittee members heard from proposal to update the air jobs,” said Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), quality standards for groundsponsor of S. 638, the Comlevel ozone by November monsense Legislative Exceptional Events committee chairman, said, “EPA’s ozone 2015. For more information, visit Reforms Act (CLEER), and S. 640, the proposal is the most expensive regula- https://www.federalregister.gov/artiOzone Regulatory Delay and Extension tion in history with projected costs of cles/2014/12/ 17/2014-28674/nationalof Assessment Length Act (ORDEAL). $1.7 trillion and 1.4 million lost jobs. Up ambient-air-quality-standards-for-ozone If implemented, the CLEER Act to 67 percent of counties fail to meet the ASA has held meetings with the would amend the Clean Air Act with re- proposed lower standards, which means U.S. EPA at its National Vehicle and spect to an Exceptional Events rule, if this rule goes forward, they will face a Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann while the ORDEAL Act would delay the legacy of EPA regulatory oversight, stiff Arbor, MI, and on Capitol Hill regardreview and revision of the national am- federal penalties, lost highway dollars, ing the proposed new standard. In adbient air quality standards for ozone. restrictions on infrastructure investment dition, ASA has discussed the proposal Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) also ad- and increased costs to businesses.” with state air quality representatives dressed the committee to defend his bill, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), concerning the impact these new stanS. 751, the Clean Air, Strong Economies ranking member, disagreed with the dards could have on state implementaAct (CASE). This bill would prohibit the chairman, and stated, “To ensure the tion plans and vehicle emissions and EPA from lowering its national ambient health impacts of air pollution continue inspection programs.
NACE | CARS Makes 2014 TSNN Top 250 Trade Show List The NACE | CARS conference and exposition made the Trade Show News Network (TSNN) Top 250 US Trade Show list of 2014. The list was released last month, compiled from show management and data supplied to TSNN. It represents the top 250 trade shows in the United States last year, ranked by net square footage. The 2014 show broke previous records with 180 exhibitors and 8,497 attendees with the event spanning over 61,190 net square feet. NACE | CARS, now in its 33rd year, is the largest, longest-running North American event serving the automotive service and repair industries. NACE | CARS 2015 will take place at the same location July 21 -25. The show is expected to expand even further this year, featuring an Expo double the size of 2014. Training and education opportunities have expanded, as well, with a level of OEM training that is unmatched by any other event. Additionally, Industry Week is back with over a dozen colocated events. No other event brings all facets of the automotive industry together like NACE | CARS. Targeting business owners, management and technicians, this conference & exposition
58 JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS |
brings together all market segments for the latest and most comprehensive repair solutions, services, education, products and technology. NACE | CARS is the best source of industry education & training, networking and world-class exhibits for all segments of the automotive service and repair industry. The full Top 250 Trade Show list can be found on the TSNN website at http://www.tsnn.com/toplists-us.
More information about NACE | CARS 2015 can be found at www.NACE expo.com or www.CARSevent.com. For those interested in exhibiting, space is still available but moving fast. Contact Robert Martin at robertm www.autobodynews.com @stonefortgroup.com, Jason Anawaty at jason@stonefortgroup .com, or Joe CHECK IT OUT! Warring at joew@stonefortgroup.com.
Ron Perretta teamed up with icoat (Innovative Coatings), which has launched Street Smart, a new series of training modules designed to benefit collision repair professionals. The first training instructed by Perretta was held at icoat’s training facility in Windsor, Ontario, June 16-17. The objective of the two-day course was to provide a comprehensive knowledge of how to use KPIs to establish a culture of continuous improvement in a simple form. Perretta said, “I will show by keeping it simple and knowing what buttons to push, which will allow attendees to only have to watch certain KPIs that will affect the entire process. Keeping it simple causes it to stick.” “We believe our street smart approach of working interdependently with our customers is key to our mutual success,” said Wayne Brady, President of icoat. For more information, contact Wayne Brady at 519-791-6383 or via email to wayne@icoat.ca, or contact Charlie Bathurst at 519-330-2439. Perretta has been operating collision repair facilities for 35 years, and has been training and consulting for the last 16. In-store, classroom or phone coaching are available. To schedule, contact RonPerretta@aol.com.
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Enterprise Rent-A-Car is Now CARSTAR’s Preferred Provider CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts, North America’s largest Multi-Shop Operator (MSO) network, selected Enterprise Rent-A-Car as its preferred car rental partner throughout the United States. The Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand is part of the world’s largest car rental
tioned to provide replacement rentals to consumers throughout the country. Through the partnership, CARSTAR is able to leverage Enterprise’s extensive network of neighborhood car rental locations, its low-mileage, well-maintained vehicles and Enterprise’s Automated Rental Management System (ARMS®) applications for customers in need of transportation while their vehicles are being repaired. “Enterprise has partnered with collision repair centers and insurance companies for more than 50 years to help customers whose cars have been damaged or stolen,” said Mary Mahoney, Vice President, Insurance Replacement for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. “Partnerships with organizations like CARSTAR are important to Enterprise’s (l to r) David Byers, CEO of CARSTAR Auto Body Repair success in the replacement rental Experts, Frank LaViola, AVP of Enterprise Holdings, segment and further compleInc., Dan Young, SVP of Insurance Relations, CARSTAR ment our collaborations with inAuto Body Repair Experts, David James, VP of Marketsurance companies. We look ing, CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts, Ernie Laky, forward to strengthening our role VP of Purchasing, CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts within the collision repair indusprovider, and with more than 5,500 try as the preferred car rental partner to the fully staffed airport and neighborhood CARSTAR network and its customers.” CARSTAR, which just celebrated offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population, the En- its 25th anniversary, has repaired more terprise Rent-A-Car network is posi- than 4,000,000 vehicles and delivers a
repaired vehicle every 30 seconds. With more than 430 independently owned and operated stores across the United States and Canada, it offers a nationwide warranty and 24/7 accident assistance. When an accident occurs, CARSTAR sends the tow truck, contacts the consumer’s insurance company, arranges their rental car and repairs their vehicle. “We are focused on providing the highest level of customer service, and one critical element of that is getting them back on the road to work and their families in a quality rental car,” said David Byers, CEO of CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts. “Partnering with Enterprise Rent-A-Car allows us to provide world-class rental car service to our customers and our store owners.” In addition, CARSTAR will have access to Enterprise’s ARMS® technology, a free online platform that allows collision repair centers to book rental reservations and send vehicle status updates to insurance partners and customers in real-time. ARMS data helps collision repair centers increase operating efficiencies, enhance customer service and streamline communications with insurance companies and customers. Through ARMS, repair centers also can track, measure and forecast labor needs, and generate monthly reports.
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U.S. House Committee Addresses Auto Cybersecurity
On May 28, a bipartisan group from the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce sent letters to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and 17 automakers requesting information on automotive cybersecurity. The letters inquired about how the industry plans to address the challenges associated with expanding technologies such as in-vehicle Wi-Fi, infotainment systems and smartphone connectivity. They also asked how automakers are working with the federal government to identify and resolve cyber vulnerabilities. The letters expressed optimism about the benefits of emerging technologies, but were realistic about the potential risks. In an excerpt from the letter to NHTSA, committee members stated, “While threats to vehicle technology currently appear isolated and disparate, as the technology becomes more prevalent, so too will the risks associated with it. Threats and vulnerabilities in vehicle systems may be inevitable, but we cannot allow this to undermine the potential benefits of these technologies. The industry and NHTSA have an opportunity to prepare for challenges that advanced vehicle technologies present and to develop strategies to mitigate the risks.”
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www.autobodynews.com | JULY 2015 AUTOBODY NEWS 59
Valspar Plans to Strengthen Quest’s Brands After Acquiring Their Performance Coatings Businesses by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor
Soon after The Valspar Corporation announced in May that it had reached an agreement to acquire the performance coatings businesses of Quest Specialty Chemicals, the company began discussing plans to integrate the auto-
motive product line within the Valspar automotive division. When Autobody News spoke to Florian Girthofer, Valspar’s VP of Channel Strategy, he had just participated in a global town hall meeting with employees about the recent announcement. He said the news has been received extremely well. “We are not planning on any immediate changes. Naturally, it’s a bit of an evolutionary process that we want to take here,” said Girthofer. “What will very clearly remain, however, are the quality brands that we have acquired. You can fully expect to see them more prominent in the future
than today in their form.” Quest’s performance coatings businesses include automotive refinish and industrial coatings. In 2014, com-
under three brands: Matrix, Prospray and USC. Quest Industrial Products serves the professional and consumer markets with
bined sales of the two were approximately $190 million. Quest Automotive Products formulates, manufactures and distributes advanced technology paints, coatings systems and accessories to refinishers, primarily in North America and Europe
aerosol spray products and highly-specified coatings for industrial applications under the Patriot, Raabe and Precision Color brands, mainly in North America. In the fall of 2014, Valspar learned that Quest was going to be sold. “It was a fantastic opportunity for us,” said
Girthofer, who has worked for Valspar since November 2013. “We’re at the point where we can bring both companies together and really look forward to being a much stronger market participant.” Girthofer said the organizations will work side by side until he and his team have had time to really understand Quest’s businesses and its products, and have developed a clear plan to communicate to customers. “I think we have everything that independent body shops and MSOs are requiring in today’s environment to be a top supplier of automotive refinish coatings.” “The acquisition strengthens Valspar’s value proposition in automotive refinish,” said Gary Hendrickson, Valspar’s Chairman and CEO, in a statement. “Our customers will benefit from expanded distribution of a portfolio of preferred brands they know and trust, a broader range of high-performance products and a stronger service network. We are pleased to welcome the Quest team to the Valspar family to help deliver these benefits to our customers.” Valspar’s brands include DeBeer Refinish, Octoral, Valspar Refinish and House of Kolor. The transaction closed on June 1. Financial terms were not disclosed.
NACE | CARS to Support Breast Cancer Programs
The NACE | CARS conference is proud to announce its involvement in fundraising to support local breast cancer programs in Detroit and national research. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the local and global breast cancer movement. Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure representatives will be in attendance in the afternoon on Friday, July 24th to provide breast health education and accept a donation on behalf of NACE | CARS and the automotive industry. The program will be addressed during the opening session, and special NACE | CARS commemorative pins are being produced for the show to help raise awareness. The Automotive Service Association (ASA), the owner and host organization of NACE | CARS, has committed to match up to $5,000 based upon the number of pins sold. Some companies are already planning to incorporate the color pink in the show attire for their booth staff, while others have committed to financial support through matching gift programs. As those companies come forth, ASA will issue press releases to acknowledge their support and contribution.
The cause hits close to home for many involved in NACE | CARS. With so many companies and people coming together for industry training, education, and networking, it creates an opportunity to raise awareness and support. Dan Risley, ASA president and executive director, explained, “Virtually everyone in the automotive industry has a friend or family member that has been negatively impacted by this disease. My family is no different, having lost one family member (JK) and another (KL) is courageously battling. Immediately preceding our decision to support local breast cancer awareness efforts, a friend of mine (TC) in the industry was diagnosed. It’s times like these that many of us don’t know how to help. This is one way I know that we can.” If you or your company is interested in making a large donation and/or in purchasing pins for your staff or customers, you can contact Dan Risley directly at danr@asashop .org. Pins will be sold throughout the show at the convention center.
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New Martin Senour’s PCC® 2.8 VOC Factory Packaged Colors
The Martin Senour Company has launched its new PCC® Premium Commercial Coatings 2.8 VOC Factory Packaged Colors (FPC). The urethane single stage products are designed for overall refinishing on a variety of fleet, commercial equipment and industrial applications. Martin Senour representatives said that the PCC285 series delivers notable dry times and gloss content while meeting 2.8 VOC regulations. Available in 10 popular factory
packaged colors, Martin Senour reps added that they are easy to apply, easy to mix, and feature a simple 4:1 reduction ratio. The PCC285 series can also be used for multiple types of industrial and commercial applications such as construction machinery, farm equipment and fleet vehicles. For more information regarding Martin Senour or its paint products, visit the new website at www.martinsenour-autopaint.com or call 1-800-526-6704.
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