3 minute read
CAA Meeting Focuses on Inflation’s Impact on the Collision Ecosystem
Members of the Los Angeles/Orange County chapter of the California Autobody Association (CAA) recently met in Seal Beach, CA, to network, learn from one another and hear upto-date industry information. Part of the Sept. 20 event included a presentation from Tim Ronak, senior services business consultant for AkzoNobel, focused on inflation and its impact on the collision ecosystem.
“Tim spoke about the challenges in the economy and our industry that influence what we are charging our customers,” said CAA President Melanie Allan, vice president of Craftsman Collision USA. “As shop owners and managers, we need to take information like this into consideration when running our businesses so we can stay viable and competitive in what will be an interesting next couple of years.”
Allan said shops are experiencing increases in operational costs like never before and can’t wait until it’s too late to take action.
“We’ve survived the past two years through COVID and crazy inflation,” she said. “We’ll survive the next years as long as we are armed with knowledge.”
CAA is comprised of individual and independent businesses in the collision repair industry. Its mission is to enable the auto body industry to survive and prosper by helping members produce a quality repair for the consumer at a fair price for a fair profit.
“Today, the collision industry is facing unprecedented technological evolution,” said Ronak. “Repairers need to have a single voice as they look for training and insight that helps them in their businesses.”
Ronak said association involvement allows individual businesses to band together to have a larger voice and a bigger presence in the industry.
“Participation in CAA is something I feel should be essential for all repairers in California to stay current with repair procedures, methods and technology to keep consumers safe!” said Ronak.
“The camaraderie between the shops is reflected in these meetings,” said Cindy Shillito, CAA Southern California representative for the Glendale/Foothills, San Diego and Los Angeles/Orange County chapters, and meeting coordinator. “A lot of friends get together and talk about what is happening in the association and the industry.”
As CAA president, Allan encourages the California collision industry to join the association and attend local meetings. “Not only will you gain valuable information and insights in our business, you’ll meet and learn from other shop owners and key participants,” she said. “Shops that think they don’t need an association like CAA are going to get left behind.”
Allan has worked in body shops since she was 19. Craftsman Collision is owned by her father, Bill, who started the business in 1977 with
Pictured left to right are CAA President Melanie Allan, vice president of Craftsman Collision USA; Shane Anondson, Tom Lopez and Lucia Guevara from BASF
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Cindy Shillito, CAA Southern California representative for the Glendale/Foothills, San Diego and Los Angeles/Orange County chapters, and the meeting coordinator, with Jim Williams, NCS
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