PLUS: • AASP-MN Meets with the Department of Commerce • MNCARS: On the Road Again September 2022 grecopublishing.com AnRoundtableInstructor
124 Osseo Ave. N. • St. Cloud, MN 56303 CALL US TODAY!! Toll Free: (855) 252-2102 Mike: (320) 267-2102 Randy: (320) 266-7239 www.straight-square.com For Fast & Easy Pulling and Measuring in Your Shop... MAKE IT STRAIGHT & SQUARE! AASP-MN News2 | September 2022
AASP of Minnesota is an association of independently-owned automotive service businesses and industry suppliers dedicated to improving the state’s automotive service industry and the success of its members. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ....................................................4 Spread the Word and Work Together by Jesse Jacobson, AASP-MN President LEGISLATIVE UPDATE .......................................................5 AASP-MN Meets with the Department of Commerce, Primary Results Finalize November Matchups by Sam Richie & Shannon K. Mitchell, AASP-MN Lobbyists LOCAL NEWS ....................................................................6 NATIONAL NEWS ..............................................................8 D.E.G. ESTIMATING TIPS ...................................................10 COVER STORY ..................................................................14 Filling the Tech Labor Pool: An Instructor Roundtable by Chasidy Rae Sisk INSURANCE I.Q. ................................................................18 COMPLETE HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL & SAFETY SERVICES (C.H.E.S.S) ........................................................20 Stay On Your Feet by Janet L. Keyes, CIH and Carol A. Keyes, CSP CASH IN ON YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS! ...........................22 AASP National Benefits Available to AASP-MN Members ADVERTISERS’ INDEX AAA Auto Parts 9 A-Con Recycling 8 Aramark 21 Dentsmart 20 Inver Grove Honda/Inver Grove Toyota 5 Jack McClard 7 Keystone 11 Maplewood Toyota 19 Mopar Group 11 Morrie’s 2 Proven Force OBC Reliable Automotive Equipment..............12-13 Spanesi 23 Straight & Square....................................... 2, 19 Thomas Greco Publishing 7 Toyota Group 19 WIN 18 Vol. 31 No. 9 CONTENTS AASP-MN News is the official publication of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota, Inc. 1970 Oakcrest Ave., Suite 102 Roseville, MN 55113 Phone: 612-623-1110 Fax: 612-623-1122 email: aasp@aaspmn.org website: aaspmn.org. To keep its readers better informed, AASP-MN News allows its columnists to fully express their opinions. All views expressed are not necessarily those of the publication. AASP-MN News is published by Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. ©2022 All rights reserved. Cover image www.istockphoto.com. AASP-MN 2022MEMBERSBOARD-2023 PRESIDENT Jesse Jacobson IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Tom Archambault SECRETARY-TREASURER Mike McLynn COLLISION DIVISION DIRECTOR Travis Doyle MECHANICAL DIVISION DIRECTOR Jeremy Nordgren ASSOCIATE DIVISION DIRECTOR Paul Yager COLLISION SEATS Lee AaronSchlosserSwanson MECHANICAL SEAT Dan Gleason STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Linden Wicklund OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Jodi Pillsbury PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 244 Chestnut St., Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110 PHONE: 973-667-6922 FAX: 973-235-1963 PUBLISHER Thomas Greco | thomas@grecopublishing.com SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli | alicia@grecopublishing.com SALES REPRESENTATIVE Bill Moore | bill@grecopublishing.com | (201) 209-1989 EDITORIAL & CREATIVE COORDINATOR Alana Bonillo | alana@grecopublishing.com MANAGING EDITOR Chasidy Rae Sisk | chasidy@grecopublishing.com OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco | donna@grecopublishing.com PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Joe Greco | joe@grecopublishing.com www.grecopublishing.com AASP-MN News September 2022 | 3
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I’m impressed by the Alliance staff and membership just about every day. The honor of being President makes you aware of most of the big issues the Alliance is facing. A couple of events this summer really triggered an organic push to work together to accomplish big tasks. Alliance member Brian Gerhart (Brownsdale Auto Body, Brownsdale, MN) organized a webinar outside of the Alliance about prevailing rates that was extremely informative and thought provoking. The Alliance needed more of that type of training, so we got Brian to hold another webinar and pushed it out to the membership with a huge turnout. That created a large amount of energy and momentum between Alliance staff, our lobbyists, and a bunch of members to create best practices to collect on insurance short-pays. It didn’t take long for Alliance staff to organize a meeting with the Department of Commerce and 10 members to provide detailed short-pay examples. We’ve met with Commerce before, but not with that many energized members from across the state. We feel we made good progress and opened some great avenues for communication in the future. This momentum started from one member who greatly cares about this industry and wanted to help educate other people. The second event was a large group of shops, vendors and educators in northern MN who wanted more training on vehicle technology, technical resources, employee development and state laws. Some were members, but many were not. They got together, and they continue to get together once a month to make each other more successful. We lend support to this monthly endeavor by building awareness of the Alliance and what resources it can offer. At one of the most recent meetings, AASP-MN Executive Director Linden Wicklund covered the applicable state laws. I’ve attended two of the meetings so far and the appreciation, collaboration, commitment, connection and focus of the group is amazing. These two examples are proof that a little effort by everyone can really make big steps to improve the industry as a whole. I encourage you, member or not, collision or mechanical, to join a group that already gets together or start your own with fellow shop owners on a regular basis. We understand that it isn’t always feasible to attend meetings in the metro, but the Alliance is here to support you with materials and resources to grow your business. As they say, a rising tide lifts all boats.
By Jesse AASP-MNJacobson,President the Word and Work Together
Spread
AASP-MN News4 | September 2022
AASP-MN recently met with officials from the Department of Commerce to discuss issues related to short-pays, clarify enforcement pathways and authority, as well as update the role shops can play in reporting insurance claim issues to the Department of Commerce.
AASP-MN Meets with the Department of Commerce, Results Finalize November Matchups
continued on pg. 10 AASP-MN News September 2022 | 5
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Primary
AASP-MN was represented by Executive Director Linden Wicklund, lobbyist Sam Richie and a terrific group of active and knowledgeable members including: Jesse Jacobson (Heppner’s Auto Body), Shannon Christian and Josh Shaw (Shannon’s Auto Body), Greg Melartin (Matt’s Body Shop and Tires), Brian Gerhart (Brownsdale Auto Body Inc.), Aaron Swanson and Darrell Amberson (LaMettry’s Auto Body), Scott Miller (Collision Specialists Inc.) and Wayne Nielsen (Adamson Motors Inc). The Department of Commerce was represented by Assistant Commissioner Matt Vatter, Director of Government Relations Jon Kelly and Audit Director T.J. AASP-MNPatton.hasmaintained a collaborative working relationship with the Department of Commerce and meetings like this are one way to continue and further that connection. Members have been submitting short-pay information to Linden at an increasing rate, which was one of our points of discussion with the department. One key takeaway from our discussion, which is much different from our previous understanding, is that the department is happy to receive information from shops without the need for the customer to be involved. We had previously been told that Commerce would only get involved or review information about an insurance claim if the customer by Sam Richie & Shannon K. Mitchell, AASP-MN Lobbyists
LOCAL NEWS Minnesota Careers in Auto Repair & Service (MNCARS) Platinum Sponsors LKQLube-TechMinnesota Gold Sponsors AASP National Auto Value /APH CBIZ Elite UnitedFinishMasterWorldwideFireGroup Silver Sponsors 3M Automotive Aftermarket aaa Auto AramarkParts Axalta Coating Systems Colonial EnterpriseDentsmartLifePDRRent-a-CarHeartmanInsuranceNCS/SingleSourceO’ReillyAutoPartsPAM’sAutoPPGSherwin-WilliamsShopMonkeySuburbanChevrolet Bronze Sponsor C.H.E.S.S Thank You 2022 Sponsors MNCARS is a non-profit organization established in 2016 by AASP-MN. Its sole purpose is to promote careers in the automotive industry, recruit young people into the state’s college-level automotive service and collision repair programs and, ultimately, into industry workplaces. To further those efforts, MNCARS recently participated in the following events: • August 2-4: Midwest Teachers of Transportation & Industrial Areas (MTTIA) Annual Conference Central Lakes College, Brainerd • August 8-12: Nitro-X, Northeast Metro 916 Career & Tech Center, White Bear Lake Take advantage of the resources in the MotorMouth toolbox at carcareers.org/ motor-mouth. Get out and get active in your local community promoting industry careers! AASP-MN Executive Director Linden Wicklund had a blast at the recent Nitro-X event for MNCARS, participating in activities like operating this drone! AASP-MN News6 | September 2022
MNCARS: On the Road Again MNCARS has been out on the road attending recent events to network with teachers, administrators, students and other non-profits working to bring more new talent into technical education programs around the state. Insights learned will help MNCARS continue to promote automotive careers in new ways. MNCARS is also gearing up to do more classroom and career fair visits after two years of this being limited. Please consider visiting a school in your area. We will walk you through the process and even come with you! We Need Your Input! Attention AASP-MN members! Be on the lookout for our membership survey in your email box midSeptember. The survey is designed for you to tell us if our benefits and services are keeping pace with your business’s needs as the industry and world continue to change. Your input will be used to help AASP-MN determine future objectives, programs and services for the next three to five years. However, you don’t have to wait for the survey to tell us what is working and what you need more support with. Please feel free to reach out at anytime at aasp@aaspmn.org or (612) 623-1110.
THOMAS GRECO PUBLISHING info@grecopublishing.com973-667-6922 Greco Publishing has successfully served the automotive repair industry for over 30 years in print, online and as an association liaison, handling all pre-press production in-house, from ad design to editorial layout. Greco Publishing also provides a variety of different services to cover the needs of our clients, helping to facilitate day-to-day business. We do all of the heavy lifting so you can focus on what’s most important: GETTING YOUR MESSAGE OUT THERE. CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN MORE! Phone 952-933-3666 128 Jackson Ave N Hopkins, MN 55343 SALES SERVICE INSTALLATION INSPECTION FINANCING Toll Free 800-328-2181 Fax 952-933-0265 www.jmc-autoequip.com Since 1972 BencoEquipment.com Proud to Partner with Jack McClard & Associates THE LARGEST HOFMANN & NUSSBAUM DEALER IN THE UPPER MIDWEST! Dave FischerTire Equipment Hoists & Lifts Compressors ARE YOU INTERESTED IN: Supporting future technicians? Bettering yourself through ongoing Increasingeducation?effortsto improve the automotive repair industry? Taking advantage of amazing benefits, many at a substantial discount? Call (612) 623-1110 or email aasp@aaspmn.org If so...JOIN US! AASP-MN News September 2022 | 7
The number of domestic nameplates on U.S. roads plunged by nearly 10 million between 2011 and 2021, as domestic new vehicle sales fell, and domestic nameplates suffered a large share of car and light truck scrappage.
The situation is even more acute when domestic nameplate electric vehicle (EV) volume is removed from new vehicle sales. For example, domestic nameplates represented 44 percent of new car and light truck volume in 2020 and However,2021.when their EV sales are removed (Tesla dominates EV sales in the U.S.), domestic nameplates averaged only approximately 42 percent of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales during these two years.
The unprecedented shift in the VIO mix of domestic and foreign nameplates has created significant consequences for aftermarket product volume. Foreign nameplate products topped five percent average annual growth between 2011 and 2021. At the same time, domestic nameplate car and light truck products fell at nearly a 0.5 percent annual rate.
Aftermarket Recovery Foreign nameplates accounted for a large portion of the historic rebound in 2021 car and light truck product volume across the U.S., generating more than 70 percent of the over $9 billion surge in aftermarket product volume at user-price.
Foreign VIO Surge Investigated in New Lang Annual
NATIONAL NEWS
Lower Annual Vehicle Sales
VIO Changes Over 10 Years
Among ICE vehicles, domestic nameplates represented less than 48 percent of the VIO during 2021.
Aftermarket Impact of the Changing VIO
Foreign Nameplate Top Half of VIO
www.langmarketing.com
Foreign Nameplate Surge Domestic nameplates fell both in population and VIO share between 2011 and 2016. At the same time, the foreign nameplate population (imports and transplants) surged.One million fewer domestic nameplates were on the road during 2016 than five years earlier. However, foreign nameplates surged by approximately 20 million, boosting their VIO share from 39 percent to 44 percent.
Car and light truck new sales will average less than 15 million between 2020 and 2022. This three-year sales pace will average nearly 20 percent lower than the annual new vehicle market of the previous five years.
Domestic Vehicle Death Spiral
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Differences in the domestic and foreign nameplate populations continued during the next five years. Foreign nameplates climbed by approximately 20 million between 2016 and 2021. In contrast, there were about 10 million fewer domestic nameplates in 2021 than in 2016.
The anemic new vehicle market (2020 to 2022) has undercut the nation’s vehicle population growth. Despite the ho-hum vehicle count, significant changes are occurring in the nameplate mix of cars and light trucks on U.S. roads. Domestic nameplates have been especially hard hit. They have continually fallen in their number and share of vehicles in operation (VIO) since 2011. At the same time, the foreign nameplate population has Thesurged.dramatic change in the country’s VIO nameplate mix has strong implications for the aftermarket’s product volume and brand share. See the all-new 2023 Lang Aftermarket Annual for a complete analysis of the changing mix of nameplates on U.S. roads and its impact on the U.S. aftermarket.
ICE Versus EV Vehicle Nameplate Mix
Domestic Nameplate ICE Demise
Domestic nameplates (particularly Tesla) have generated most of the increase in the EV population over the past 10 years. While EVs still represent a small portion of the VIO on U.S. roads, domestic nameplates, notably Tesla, account for most of the EV population growth.
VIO Changes: 2016 Through 2021
As domestic nameplates plunged, foreign nameplate light vehicles surged by nearly 50 million between 2011 and 2021. Consequently, foreign nameplates climbed from less than 40 percent to more than 51 percent of the VIO, over a 25 percent share surge.
Changes in the domestic and foreign nameplate population mix between 2011 and 2021 are striking. The population of domestic nameplate cars and light trucks plunged by over six million during these 10 years, dropping their VIO share from 61 percent to under 49 percent.
AASP-MN News September 2022 | 9
• Nearly 50 million foreign nameplates were added to the country's VIO between 2011 and 2021, generating all light vehicle population growth.
• Foreign nameplates, in contrast, increased their VIO share by more than one-quarter from 2011 to 2021, soaring from 39 percent to over 51 percent.
• This historic shift in the country’s VIO from domestic to foreign nameplates is changing the mix, volume and brand share of aftermarket products.
• The domestic nameplate population plunged by more than six million between 2011 and 2021, cutting their VIO share from just over 60 percent to less than 49 percent.
• Fueled by their surging numbers, foreign nameplate aftermarket product sales topped a five percent average annual growth pace between 2011 and 2021 compared to nearly a 0.5 percent average decline in the annual product use by domestic nameplates.Seetheall-new 2023 Lang Aftermarket Annual for a complete ten-year history of the surging foreign nameplate light vehicle aftermarket in the U.S.
Six Major Takeaways
• The foreign and domestic nameplate populations in the U.S. are moving in opposite directions. The foreign nameplate VIO has soared over the past ten years, while the number of domestic nameplates has been in a steep and steady decline.
Women’s Industry Network Opens 2023 Scholarship Applications Obtaining a collision repair education can be costly, but as part of its commitment to supporting women pursuing a career in this industry, the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) will be awarding up to 20 scholarships to provide tuition assistance, educational opportunities and enrichment activities to qualified applicants.Toensure that these awards remain relevant and beneficial to recipients, WIN has revitalized their scholarship program for the coming year and will be offering awards in two separate categories. Stars will receive a $500 scholarship, while Champions receive a $2,500 scholarship and access to monthly student engagement activities. All scholarship recipients will be given a free virtual pass to the 2023 WIN Educational Conference, plus they’ll be granted membership to WIN’s exclusive student Facebook group. Additionally, each young lady will be given the opportunity to be mentored by a WIN member. Applications for the 2023 program will be accepted from September 12 through October 28, 2022, with winners announced in January 2023. Access the application or obtain more information at bit.ly.com/WINsch23
“After review of the concern, ‘spectrophotometer reading’ or using a color match camera to get a color code formulation would not be included in refinish labor times. If the business should decide to charge for this step in their repair process, this would require an on-the-spot evaluation.”
Note: The estimating databases are all intended to be used as a GUIDE ONLY - it is important to remember that the auto body professional performing the repair is in a position to thoroughly inspect, diagnose and identify the methodology and their unique cost of the ve hicle damage repair. You can view these tips and others on the DEG website, DEGWEB.ORG. were the entity bringing the complaint. In our most recent meeting, we were told in no uncertain terms that that was a mistaken interpretation and that shops are free to provide information to the department on their own.While this meeting was productive and helpful, it was only the beginning of our work with the department. We next intend to set up Body Shop Sessions where Department of Commerce staff can present to members on the parameters of their authority and answer questions members may have. These sessions will then help AASP-MN craft legislation for the next session to help cover legislative gaps we mayAsidentify.forwhat the legislature might look like in 2023, we got one step closer in the process on August 9 when Minnesotans went to the polls to vote in their primary elections. Primaries are where candidates from the same party vie to be the sole Republican or Democrat on the general election ballot. For state legislative races, there were a number of challengers to incumbent legislators within both the DFL and Republican parties that represented more polarizing ends of the spectrum. While some races were close and others were not, the trend from this primary season is that incumbents, by and large, prevailed against more extreme challengers. We will continue watching this dynamic closely as it will impact whether or not legislation will be able to move during the 2023 legislative session.
Mitchell DEG Inquiry 14513 Measuring material thickness is not factored into the development of labor times.
• The cost of materials for any ultrasonic couplant gels would not be included.
ESTIMATING TIPS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE continued from pg. 5 ...as for what the legislature might look like in 2023, we got one step closer in the process on August 9 when Minnesotans went to the polls to vote in their primary elections. " " AASP-MN News10 | September 2022
“Thank you for your inquiry. ‘Spectrophotometer reading’ or using a COLOR CAMERA to get a color code formulation would not be included in refinish labor times.”
• The use of the Bed Lifting Device would be "Included," the set-up of the Bed Lifting Device would be "Not Included.”
• The labor time and cost of materials to measure and manufacture a radial template would not be included.
• The setting of the Pickup Box Assembly on a stand and the use of multiple techs is included in the estimated work time for the R&I/R&R of Pick Up Box Assembly.
CCC/MOTOR: Removing Truck Bed: DEG Inquiry 20436 response from MOTOR…
Audatex: DEG inquiry 20716 “We have reviewed the current Audatex Internal procedures regarding the paint manufacturer camera tool. The use of the paint manufacturer camera tool is not included in the refinish times. No change warranted at this time.”
Mitchell: Introduction to Mitchell Cloud Estimating (MCE): Users of Mitchell Cloud Estimating (MCE) can watch an introduction of the estimating system if you are a new user and/or are not familiar with the changes from Ultramate. Additional videos are available thru Mitchell's help files: Content/40670.htmhttps://www.mymitchell.com/tchs/helpfiles/RCW/1033/
• Measuring the MIL thickness of paint is not included in the estimated work time.
All Three Systems: Use of Spectrophotometer Camera NOT INCLUDEDCCC–DEG Inquiry 20714
Mitchell: DEG Inquiry 11770
CCC & Mitchell: Measuring Paint MIL Thickness Not IncludedCCC DEG Inquiry 19625:
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AASP-MN News: How do the current number of enrolled students compare to past numbers? Why aren’t more students interested in an automotive service or collision repair career?
COVER STORY
The well of talent has dried up to offer little more than a trickle, and although a multitude of reasons contribute to the lack of qualified technicians entering the automotive and collision industries, it’s difficult to imagine this dilemma being resolved without the assistance of the schools and instructors who are preparing the next generation of repairers with the skills and training needed to become an asset to their futureCuriousemployers.about their thoughts on the topic, AASP-MN News talked to three local vo-tech automotive and collision repair instructors: Amanda Evenson, automotive technology instructor (Minnesota State College Southeast; Winona); Robert Larkin, automotive service technology director (Dunwoody College of Technology; Minneapolis) and Tom Brandt, auto body instructor (Minnesota State College Southeast; Winona).
An
Amanda Evenson: Many trade programs have low enrollment, largely because of the number of high
AASP-MN News14 | September 2022
RoundtableInstructor As summer comes to an end, shops struggle to stay afloat amidst evolving technology, ever-changing requirements and higher-than-normal workloads, but at least they don’t need to worry about drowning in the current technician labor pool. Trying to find and retain qualified help in the current workforce pool remains a hot-button - and increasingly frustrating - issue for automotive repair employers.
AASP-MN News September 2022 | 15
Robert Larkin: Historically, the number of students in automotive programs has declined from years past, but at Dunwoody, we have started to see enrollment in these programs remain consistent or even start to increase slightly during the last couple of years. Enrolled students are attracted by the satisfaction of working through a problem, and the gratification of fixing that problem, as well as a love of cars in general. As for the declining enrollment, I believe several factors influence the overall interest in these fields. First, there remains a stigma about these types of hands-on careers or trades, and students are often encouraged by family, friends and guidance counselors to pursue more traditional paths, such as a four-year liberal arts degree. In addition, starting wages in automotive are sometimes not as competitive as those in other fields. Second, many middle and high schools don’t offer the traditional ‘shop’ classes anymore, which means students aren’t being exposed to these types of careers. Shop classes are often where a student first gains an interest in building and fixing something, not to mention where they acquire the practical skills that come along with it. Finally, there seems to be an overall decline in interest and enthusiasm around cars and driving for this new generation. Today, many young people don’t see cars as an integral part of their lives. And those who are interested in vehicles often see it as a hobby more than a career.
RL: One of the biggest challenges is acquiring vehicles to train with. We rely on manufacturers by Chasidy Rae Sisk continued on pg. 16
schools pushing students toward universities instead of vocational studies. At the same time, automotive technology careers tend to pay less than other hands-on fields – although technicians are expected to possess a lot of knowledge and learn many skills, their pay often does not reflect it. Enrollment in automotive technology classes is lower than it was around 10 years ago, but it’s been increasing and getting better. Many of the students who decide to pursue this field of study have a history of working on vehicles, either at their high school or with a family member, and they want to expand their knowledge.
AASP: What type of hurdles are you facing as an AE:instructor?
Fewer kids come from farm backgrounds where they’re used to working with their hands, and driveway car service is a thing of the past, so kids aren’t tinkering on the family car with their parents.Starting wages for students entering the workforce have increased so much as well. Kids from financially strained families don’t want to spend two years and $15,000 attending tech school when they can get a job for $15-18 an hour without any specific training. On top of that, the whole image of the industry still haunts it to some degree. The overall perception of auto body shops is that they’re dirty, present safety concerns and require hard work. We need to highlight how much technology has changed this field, efforts put into protecting workers, and paint a clearer picture of the true earning potential in this career path.
Tom Brandt: Enrollment is down across the region, and we’ve been experiencing this downward trend for several years. We’re all challenged to try to reach the needed quota to keep the programs open, but we can’t blame it on any one thing…unless it’s the changing times.
Budget, supplies, equipment, updated materials, updated courses, new vehicle technologies, especially related to hybrids and electric vehicles. These constraints impact us as instructors, but they also negatively affect the students. Often, students cannot afford the initial tool costs associated with an automotive career, and that scares them away from pursuing this industry.
TB: The automotive repair industry is competing against much bigger entities for workers, so shops have to get involved with the schools. Go to career fairs and bring the documentation to show students and their parents what they could earn in this career. Offer job shadowing opportunities, or sponsor students. The diesel industry has done well with sponsorships where an employer invests in a student by supplying them with tools for their new career in exchange for a work commitment.Wealsoneed to expose students at earlier ages, such as middle school or early high school, when they’re more readily influenced. Hollywood used to do a lot of our recruiting when shows like West Coast Choppers were popular, but now that they aren’t, visibility is a huge part of the problem. Fast-changing technology offers new opportunities to capitalize on as well. We need to promote the various options in this industry to connect with the students who are interested in different aspects of the process. I’d love to see shops collaboratively organize a career event, along with tech training, as a way of working together instead of competing against each other. Fill the funnel and the technicians will be there. Even if you don’t get one in the first round, you’ll benefit in the long run when we come together to fill the talent pool.
RL: Shops need to get involved with the tech schools through program advisory committees at both the high school and college levels, especially in their local area. Serving on these committees helps programs adapt to meet industry needs and demonstrates to students and their parents that employers are invested in their training. They also need to work with local school boards to get traditional shop classes back in schools, for all students.
RL: This question has been asked since the 1920s: AASP-MN
News16 | September 2022
AE: Start at the high schools by creating trade programs, instead of cutting these programs. Counselors should understand that, whether the student has a 4.0 or a 2.0 GPA, they should all be given the opportunity to explore the trades, yet counselors typically direct lower GPA students to the trades while pressuring students with higher GPAs to attend universities. We need to do a better job of educating young people on their options, and once we attract them to our program, we need to train them so well that they’re excited to diagnose and repair, instead of feeling intimidated. And then, once we have developed these passionate, skilled technicians, we need to pay them what they’re worth. Automotive technology can be a very rewarding profession…if we let it.
COVER STORY continued from pg. 15 to donate vehicles, factory service information, training materials and consumable supplies. They are an essential partner to educating the next generation of auto repair and collision technicians. Another hurdle is students who come in with little to no fine motor skills because they haven’t had that traditional shop class in high school.
Another challenge comes from the enrolled students and their attendance. We have to keep them engaged, but we also have to interact differently with them. When I started 35 years ago, someone who violated a safety protocol received a warning and would get kicked out of class for a few days if they repeated the violation. Now, if I verbally reprimand a student, they leave and never come back! We’re learning how to deal with a whole new generation, and it’s not just about the recruitment; the retention piece creates a huge challenge as well.
AASP: How can shops get involved with schools and students? Why should they?
TB: It’s worse now than before. Over the last couple years, many of our costs have doubled, making it a constant battle to find creative ways to get by with what we were able to acquire based on the budget. At the same time, instructors are seeking other funding through grants and sponsorships to fill in the gaps, and while there are some great programs out there, that’s time spent on top of our full-time teaching jobs.
AE: Industry involvement gets students excited for what’s ahead of them, so shops should absolutely reach out to their local vo-tech to identify the greatest need. It’s often as simple as visiting the programs, attending career nights and joining us for advisory meetings so we better understand the industry’s needs.
AASP: The million-dollar question…How do we fix it? How do we solve the tech shortage dilemma?
“Addressing work/life balance, ensuring that shops can offer a good living wage and explaining what that looks like are great ways to begin overcoming this problem.
News September 2022 | 17
AASP-MN celebrates the efforts of all the entities trying to attract new talent to the labor pool, and we want to champion everyone who’s trying to fix this. We have to work together to make a positive difference.”
Multiple AASP-MN members volunteer with SkillsUSA to connect locally. At the 2022 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, a Minnesota college student won the bronze medal in Collision Repair Technology – congratulations to Tanner Friessen (Ridgewater College-Willmar)!
Fortunately, a number of organizations have committed to resolving the tech shortage dilemma.
“This problem isn’t unique to our industry, and we need to be aware of what we’re competing against,” says AASP-MN Executive Director Linden Wicklund.
One of the ways AASP-MN works to effect change is through the Minnesota Careers in Auto Repair and Service (MNCARS), established in 2016 to promote careers in the automotive industry, recruit young people into the state’s college-level automotive service and collision repair programs and, ultimately, connect them with shops. (Learn more about MNCARS at CarCareers.org.) The association also partners with the Minnesota Transportation Center of Excellence and the state school system to engage students and help them, their parents and their counselors understand the unlimited opportunity available in the industry.
Additional organizations focus on specific subsets within the industry. The ASE Education Foundation supports the automotive service workforce (aseeducationfoundation.org), while the Collision Repair Education Foundation aids schools and students on the auto body side (collisioneducationfoundation. org). Scholarships are available for women pursuing a collision career through the Women’s Industry Network (womensindustrynetwork.com), and TechForce Foundation offers a variety of programs geared at increasing the technician workforce across all segments of the transportation industry (techforce.org).
AASP-MN
What are you doing to refill the automotive and collision talent pool? Email chasidy@grecopublishing. com to share your suggestions!
How do we get more people interested in tech (trade) schools? It’s going to take more than the industry just saying there is a shortage; they need to get involved with school boards, parents, and technical colleges. There needs to be as much emphasis on tech/trade/ shop classes as there is on STEM at an early stage. Supporting programs at all levels – with resources such as vehicles and consumable donations – also has to be part of the solution. Finally, we need to all work together to change the mindset of parents and other influencers, to realize that technicians can and do make those high salaries without incurring four to six years of college debt. TB: It starts by recognizing that the current generation of students are different from any past generations we’ve seen. They think differently, and they do things differently. Schools could consider breaking down the curriculum to provide certificates in different areas of auto body (refinishing, body work, etc.) to shorten the amount of time students spend in school before entering the workforce. This generation also values flexibility, and while shops cannot allow them to work from home, there may be ways to offer some flexibility by closing the shop later and allowing employees to select their own start time. We also need to realize that this industry isn’t just for guys anymore! The women entering the program are often better in the paint department, and they use finesse to straighten metal, instead of exerting brute force. They pay attention and do things correctly, so shops that aren’t actively recruiting these women are dismissing 50 percent of the possible people that could fill these positions. And once a shop hires an entry-level tech, set them up with mentors. Too often, repairers forget where they started and expect students to possess an unrealistic amount of knowledge and skills when they’re just starting out. No one should be finished learning just because they graduate school; new technicians are going to make mistakes, but a patient mentor will help correct those errors and set them straight going forward. That’s true of any skillbasedEssentially,career. the entire industry needs to change its mindset. We can’t keep doing things the same way we’ve done it for the last 40 years. We’ve got to think differently if we want to become more attractive as an industry.
Insurance? Employment practices liability (EPL) insurance is a policy used to cover your risks due to some of the most common employment-related lawsuits, including the following: • Wrongful termination: The discharge of an employee for invalid reasons.
Evidence of desirable employment practices and policies may be required for an EPL policy and will certainly help defend against a suit (even for a small, homebased business with only a few employees). The underwriter may require a copy of the following policies to show that you are taking steps to reduce your risks: harassment
above Additional Information
• Disability and accommodations • Equal opportunity • Employee discipline • Termination • Performance evaluations • Internet usage/employee privacy • Leaves of Absence • Internal job postings • Hiring and interviewing • Discrimination • Resolution/arbitration Avoid a Lawsuit
• Sexual harassment: Subjecting an employee to unwelcome sexual advances, obscene or offensive remarks or the failure to stop such behavior.
EPL works to provide the necessary resources to defend your company against a lawsuit or to pay for a claim. To best understand how to cover your EPL risks, it’s important to know the potential sources: documentation of the items listed
As costs for litigation and damage awards climb, experts predict that employment liability will only become more complex. As a result, it is critical for business owners to understand their exposures and options for managing risks. For more information, contact Brad Schmid at (763) 549-2247 or bschmid@cbiz.com.
• Discrimination: The denial of equal treatment to employees who are members of a protected class.
• Recruitment practices • Annual conduct reviews • Employment applications • Enforcing performance policies • Employment offers • Termination • Employee orientation process • Improper
Why Join WIN? WIN offers education, mentoring and leadership development opportunities to build critical skills for success in the collision repair market. • NetworkingLocal/RegionalEvents • Annual ConferenceEducation • Educational Webinars • OpportunitiesMentoring womensindustrynetwork.com • Scholarship Program • School ProgramOutreach • Most Influential Women (MIW) Award EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES LIABILITY INSURANCE AASP-MN News18 | September 2022
• Sexual
INSURANCE I.Q. Employment-related lawsuits are a growing concern for employers of all sizes, including home-based businesses. CBIZ Inc. can help you manage all your business risks, including employment practices liabilities.
What is Employment Practices Liability
AASP-MN News September 2022 | 19
COMPLETE HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY SERVICES (C.H.E.S.S.)
By Janet L. Keyes, CIH and Carol A. Keyes, CSP Has anyone slipped in your parking lot? Was it from last winter’s ice? Or did someone trip over a curb? Anyone trip on an air hose? Fallen in your shop? Did it happen to an employee? A customer? What did that costSlips,you? trips and falls are common – and expensive. According to Liberty Mutual, falls on the same level cost U.S. businesses over $10 billion a year. Slips and trips without falling add another $2.5 billion. What kinds of injuries are we talking about? If you’re lucky, just bruises and scrapes. But too often, it will be strains and sprains, broken bones and even brain injuries. No wonder your insurance carrier sends out advisories about slip/trip/fall hazards each year. Whether you slip or trip, the result is the same –you fall, or you stumble but manage to stay upright. But the mechanism is different. With a slip, your feet slide. In a trip, your foot strikes something and stops but your body continues forward. Or you could step and fall – your leading foot lands on something lower or higher than expected, throwing you forward or to the side. You’ve probably experienced that when a step is slightly higher or lower than others. Slips are caused by a lack of traction. In geek terms, the coefficient of friction between shoes and the walking surface is too low. Think of the slipperiness of detail areas, where soaps and water are used. To eliminate the slip, increase the coefficient of friction. Clean up water or oil spills right away. For chronically wet areas, install mats or nonslip flooring. Reduce foot traffic in the wet or oily areas. Don’t let employees use wash bays as walkways. Even if it’s the quickest route into the building, it’s a bad walking path. Maintain your floors so they stay non-slippery. A highly polished floor may look great, but it won’t look so good when you’re helping a customer back to his feet. Keep the floors clean. Fine dust on your shop floor changes your non-slip shoes into smooth soles, increasing the likelihood of slipping. Follow the advice of the floor manufacturer for cleaning products and use those products according to label directions, so you don’t end up with slippery buildup on the floor. Shoes make a big difference in preventing slips, but that’s harder for you to control. While you can dictate what footwear is allowed in the production areas, you can’t tell customers to wear sensible shoes. That makes paying attention to your floors and parking lots and walkways, in winter and in summer, even more important.Tripshappen when feet encounter obstacles. Prevent them by getting rid of the obstacles. Reward good housekeeping practices and don’t allow bad ones. Hang up air hoses and extension cords when they aren’t in use. Route those so they don’t run over walkways. Have designated spots for all equipment. Give employees time to clean up their areas, so “I was too busy to clean” never becomes a valid excuse. If housekeeping is a constant struggle, talk with your employees to find out why it’s a problem. Rearranging the work area might make a huge difference. An example: if all of air hoses are on the west wall, employees on the east side will need to run
Stay On Your Feet
AASP-MN News20 | September 2022
the hoses across walking paths. Running an airline to the east wall will cost you, but it’s less than the cost of an injury that sends an employee to the emergency room.Start mapping where people report tripping. Is there a threshold or a change in flooring that causes trips? If so, eliminate it if you can. If you can’t eliminate it, mark it to provide a highly visible reminder. Do floor drains or grates stick up, creating a tripping hazard? Or are they broken, creating uneven surfaces? Repair them. Is an area poorly lit? Add lights. Look at where parts are stored. If you require employees to carry bulky parts up and downstairs, you’re asking for an accident. Stairs are required to have handrails, because those have been shown to help control balance and prevent falls. If an employee is carrying a bumper downstairs, how can that person hold the handrail? If you’re so space-limited that you need to store things on a mezzanine, look at alternative ways to get it up and down. Whenever anyone reports a slip, trip or fall, investigate. Do that for the near misses, too. Where was it? What happened? What caused the problem? Don’t dismiss it as “well, it’s snowy out” or “he was rushing.” We can’t prevent snow, but why did this snowfall cause someone to slip? We can discourage rushing – but why did rushing cause the employee to trip this time but not last time? Slips, trips and falls cost you money. They can injure employees and customers. We won’t claim you can prevent them completely, but you can’t prevent them at all if you don’t try. For more information, contact C.H.E.S.S. at (651) 481-9787.
What's Wrong With poor housekeeping,ingeneral.Aspill thatisonlypartiallycleanedup, anairhosethatstretchesacross severalstalls.Andifyouwantto arguethatthetechnicianwasin themiddleofworkingonthecar, whydon'tweseeanytechnicians insight? AASP-MN
Thisproblems:Picture?Picture
News September 2022 | 21
WEBSITE AND INTERNET MARKETING SOLUTIONS
Aramark Contact: Rick Krenz 612-616-5290 / krenz-richard@aramark.com Discounted pricing to members on rental of uniforms, entrance mats, shop rags, etc. Purchases are also discounted. Members receive annual rebate equal to 10% of their business with AmeriPride/Aramark each year.
Contact: Carol Keyes 651-481-9787 / carkey@chess-safety.com AASP-MN members receive a 20% discount on Safety Data Sheet Management (SDSLinks), Right to Know(RTK)/ Hazard Communication program customized for your facility and monthly safety reminders, and other safety, OSHA or environmental assistance.
CASH IN ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS!
CREDIT CARD PROCESSING Association BankCard Services Contact: Mac Competitive952-933-2026Hardin/mach@retailfinancialservices.bizratesforAASP-MNmembers.Terminals and printers sold at cost. Monthly rental of equipment is also available.
Website and Internet Marketing Solutions
LEGAL CONSULTATION Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick Members800-496-6789receive free, over-the-phone legal assessment and consultation (some restrictions apply) with an attorney who specializes in the area of law that is the subject of the call.
RPM is an all-in-one program that bundles your website, pay-per-click, search engine optimization, social media and much more! For more information, contact Tony Mercury at (919) 267-1731 or (888) 991-3449 or email tony@ autoshopsolutions.com.
EMPLOYEE VOLUNTARY BENEFITS Colonial Life Contact: Deb Ferrao 612-600-4135 / deb.ferrao@coloniallifesales.com or Tracy Dedicated612-801-0139Bailey/tracy.coloniallife@gmail.comrepresentativescanhelpmembers transform their benefit package with competitive rates, value added services at no cost and complimentary legal document preparation service. Colonial Life has the tools and flexibility to create a plan to fit everyone’s needs.
AUTOMOTIVE SEMINARS
UNIFORM & LINEN SUPPLIES
Business Coaching 180BIZ offers members a 25% discount on Rick White's Pocket Business Genius subscription, offering independent auto shop owners fast access to actionable business advice from a leading industry expert. For more information, call (540) 833-2014 or email info@180biz.com.
AASP National Benefits Available to AASP-MN Members
Information Providers IDENTIFIX offers AASP members a 20% annual savings on Direct-Hit and Direct-Help subscriptions, the industry's most reliable source for experience-based repair information. Call 800-745-9649 for more information.
SHOP SOFTWARE Condition Now 888-868-5440 / conditionnow.com/body-shop A platform that allows shops to supplement the accident or damage information reported on Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports. Every AASP member receives a discounted inspection rate, allowing them to generate additional revenue from their retail and dealer customers.
AASP-MN MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAMS
News22 | September 2022
Shop Software Condition Now offers members a platform that allows shops to supplement the accident or damage information reported on Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports. Every AASP member receives a discounted inspection rate, allowing them to generate additional revenue from their retail and dealer customers.
AASP-MN Contact: Jodi Pillsbury 612-623-1110 / jodi@aaspmn.org Discounted rates on printed business forms and calendars.
Autoshop Solutions Contact: Tony Mercury 919-267-1731 / tony@autoshopsolutions.com
CBIZ Payroll Contact: Carrie Hobrough 612-436-4620 / chobrough@cbiz.com Members receive 20% discount off standard payroll products and services (excluding 401k).
TECHNICAL INFORMATION HOTLINE IDENTIFIX Members800-745-9649enjoy a 20% annual savings on Direct-Hit and Direct-Help subscriptions, the industry's most reliable source for experience-based repair information.
BUSINESS COACHING 180BIZ 540-833-2014 / info@180biz.com Members receive a 25% discount on Rick White's Pocket Business Genius subscription, offering independent auto shop owners fast access to actionable business advice from a leading industry expert.
LIVE-ONLINE & ON-DEMAND TECHNICAL TRAINING
Mitchell International Contact: Mitchell International Representative AASP800-238-9111members receive $350 off Mitchell's MD-500 allin-one solution for scanning, calibration, estimating, and blueprinting.
PROPERTY/LIABILITY AND WORKERS’ COMP INSURANCE CBIZ AIA Contact: Brad Schmid 763-549-2247 / bschmid@cbiz.com CBIZ AIA and United Fire Group (UFG) have created a program for members that includes a special premium discount, exclusive coverage and potential safety group dividend. CBIZ AIA can present quotes from multiple carriers and, as an added bonus, offer members an exclusive 10% discount on their property/liability insurance premiums.
Online Education Portal AASP members have access to free webinars designed to enhance management skills and help their business thrive. Visit elearning.autoserviceproviders.com to check it out. For more information about any of the AASP National programs above, contact the AASP-MN office at (612) 623-1110 or aasp@aaspmn.org.
AASP-MN
BUSINESS FORMS/CALENDARS
REPAIR SHOP PRODUCTS/SERVICES DISCOUNTS CARS COOPERATIVE Contact: Stephenie Sheppard 405-547-4077 / membersupport@cars.coop Members receive discounts on a variety of products and services they use every day! From discounts on paint and rental cars to office supplies and phone services. Over 50 programs available!
Mitchell International offers AASP members $350 off Mitchell's MD-500 all-in-one solution for scanning, calibration, estimating, and blueprinting. Call Customer Service at (800) 238-9111 or visit mitchell.com for more information.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Business Planning Professionals Contact: Dennis Begley 612-308-6577 / dennis@begley-group.com Business Planning Professionals will provide AASP-MN members with quotes from multiple carriers for life insurance, health insurance, long-term care and disability insurance.
Mitchell 1 offers AASP members a $10 per month discount on any eligible Mitchell 1 subscription. For more information, contact your Mitchell 1 Representative at 888-724-6742 ext. 6986.
Did you know that by being a member of AASP-MN you have access to many other AASP National benefits? Check them out here!
AUTO EMPLOYEE ASSESSMENT Assessment Associates International Contact: Nate Page 952-854-6551 / nate@aai-assessment.com Designed to help facilitate and enhance hiring decisions. AASP-MN members receive 50% off retail price, starting as low as $15 per assessment.
Autoshop Solutions, the leader in internet marketing for the automotive aftermarket, has developed and launched the most cutting-edge marketing platform for auto shops.
Contact: Tim Discounted920-866-9813Houghtaling/tim@automotiveseminars.compricingtoAASP-MNmembersonall liveonline events, as well as on-demand training videos. Automotive Seminars specializes in diagnostic training that provides automotive technicians with knowledge, testing techniques and data interpretation skills needed to diagnose today’s vehicles. The live-online events and ondemand training videos focus on automotive electronics and engine management systems and are written and created by some of the industry’s leading diagnostic technicians.
INFORMATION PROVIDERS Mitchell 1 Contact: Mitchell 1 Representative 888-724-6742 ext. 6986 Mitchell 1 offers AASP members a $10 per month discount on any eligible Mitchell 1 subscription.
SAFETY COMPLIANCE Complete, Health, Environmental & Safety Services
CHECK GUARANTEE SERVICES Certegy Check Services Discount877-520-2987rateof .75% to AASP-MN members. Use existing credit card terminal. Fast claim payments.
PAYROLL PROCESSING
Autoshop Solutions has developed the most cutting-edge marketing platform for AASP members. Really Powerful Marketing (RPM) is an all-in-one program that bundles your website, pay-per-click, search engine optimization, social media, and much more! With five levels of RPM to match your budget, goals, and competition, it’s built to drive your shop forward!
224-SPANESI (224-772-6374) www.spanesi-americas.com facebook.com/spanesiamericas Spanesi Americas, Inc. 123 Ambassador Dr. STE 107 Naperville, IL 60540 The Blueprint is Right in Front of You. The Spanesi® Touch Electronic Measuring System and Multibench Structural Repair Workstation are designed to work together seamlessly. The Multibench allows technicians to drive most vehicles directly onto its low-profile ramps. After the vehicle is disassembled to evaluate the damage, the Touch rolls right up, letting the technicians gather measurement data in no time. With its 10-ton pulling column, the Multibench also serves as a single-bay repair solution. Finally, technicians use Touch to check structural repairs and ensure proper OEM specifications are achieved. Touch Electronic Measuring System: Comparative Measurements Complete WheelVehicleUserSuspensionMechanicalDocumentationPartsMeasurementsPartsMeasurementsAddedPointswithPhotosFrameandStructuralItemsandTireAlignmentChecks Multibench Structural Repair Workstation: Loading Capacity 3,175kg (7,000lbs) Lifting Height 1.45m (4’ 9”) Lift Time (Ascension) 45 seconds Pulling Force 10 Tons MULTIBENCH Structural Repair Workstation TOUCH Electronic Measuring System Learn More Now 2022 - 08 TGP MNABA Spanesi Ad FP REV1.indd 1 8/18/22 10:58 AM AASP-MN News September 2022 | 23
