New England Automotive Report June 2016

Serving the New England Collision and Mechanical Repair Industry June 2016 U.S.A. $5.95

www.grecopublishing.com

MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

2 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

June 2016 • Volume 14, No. 6

CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Adam Ioakim 8 | Never Be out of the Loop Again

LOCAL NEWS by Joel Gausten 22 | New England Automotive Report Publisher Receives SCRS Regional Lifetime Achievement Award

27 | TURI Grant Applications Now Open

30 | AASP/MA, Insurer Reps Call for Revised ADALB Regulations

39 | The Best of the Best: SkillsUSA Showcases Students’ Strength

MEMBER SHOP SPOTLIGHT 46 | The Customer Comes First at Repairs Unlimited

ALSO THIS ISSUE 7 | TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES: I-CAR CALENDAR OF EVENTS 10 | A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 14 | AASP/MA PLANNED YEAR 15 | AASP/MA SPONSORS 18 | 2016 AASP/MA ANNUAL GOLF OUTING ANNOUNCEMENT 21 | IN MEMORIAM 50 | AASP/MA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 54 | INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

COVER STORY 34 | AASP/MA 101: HOW BEING A MEMBER HELPS YOU In our May 2016 issue, we regret to inform our readers that portions of the “Tooling & Equipment” feature were printed in error. We at Greco Publishing apologize for this misprint.

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

5

N

E

W

E

N

G

L

A

N

D

AUT M TIVE STAFF PUBLISHER

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Thomas Greco (thomas@grecopublishing.com)

Joel Gausten (tgpjoel@verizon.net)

DIRECTOR OF SALES

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Alicia Figurelli (alicia@grecopublishing.com)

Lea Velocci (lea@grecopublishing.com)

in Massachusetts

PRODUCTION Donna Greco (donna@grecopublishing.com)

PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202, Nutley, NJ 07110 Corporate: (973) 667-6922 / FAX: (973) 235-1963

June 8, 2016

Corrosion Protection

Knights of Columbus, Pembroke, MA Vehicle Technology & Trends 2016

www.grecopublishing.com New England Automotive Report is published monthly by TGP, Inc., 244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110. Distributed free to qualified recipients; $48 to all others. Additional copies of New England Automotive Report are available at $5 per copy. Reproduction of any portions of this publication is specifically prohibited without written permission of the publisher. The opinions and ideas appearing in this magazine are not necessarily representations of TGP Inc. or of AASP/MA. Copyright © 2016 by Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. Images courtesy of www.istockphoto.com

MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

AASP/MA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

June 14, 2016

Suspension Systems

June 16, 2016

Adhesive Bonding

PRESIDENT Molly Brodeur

June 22, 2016

VICE PRESIDENT Adam Ioakim

Rack & Pinion & Parallelogram Steering Systems

SECRETARY Gary Cloutier TREASURER Kevin Gallerani IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Paul Hendricks

June 23, 2016

Hazardous Materials, Personal Safety & Refinish Safety

AASP/MA STATEWIDE DIRECTORS COLLISION DIRECTOR

June 28, 2016

Rick Starbard

AASP/MA DIRECTORS

Squeeze-Type Resistance Spot Welding

Alex Falzone Kevin Kyes

June 30, 2016

Michael Penacho Darlene Andrade

Aluminum Exterior Panel Repair & Replacement

Tom Ricci

Assabet Valley Technical High School,

Ray Belsito, Jr.

Marlborough, MA

Peter Langone

AASP/MA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jillian M. Zywien 12 Post Office Square, 6th Floor • Boston, MA 02109 Phone: (617) 574-0741 Fax: (617) 695-0173 Email: jzywien@aaspma.org

All classes held at Fuller Auto Body (Auburn, MA) except where noted.

For more information, visit i-car.com

WWW.AASPMA.ORG New England Automotive Report

June 2016

7

VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

NEVER BE OUT OF THE LOOP AGAIN ADAM IOAKIM

I’m worried for Massachusetts repair shops that aren’t members of AASP/MA. There has always been a lot going on with regulations and legislation in our industry, but at no other point in history have we dealt with changes of this scale. Between advanced materials, the ADALB, CMR, AIB and more, I’m concerned that non-members don’t have the same access to facts and figures that members do, and they may be receiving inaccurate information that could potentially harm their businesses. I’m a member of the Board, and appraisers still come into my shop and try to pull the wool over my eyes. I can’t imagine what a non-member shop who doesn’t have the same knowledge that I do does in that situation. You need the right ammo to operate in this industry on a daily basis.

Last week, I talked to more than a few shop owners who didn’t know that the Automobile Insurers Bureau’s standard auto policy had been retracted. It’s important to be well-informed so that these tools can’t be used against you when trying to do business. If you feel like you’re “out of the loop,” AASP/MA can help.

8 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

Not only should non-member shops join the association because they need to get the right information, but they should also join because we honestly do need their help. We are your sounding board. If there is something that you think needs to be changed in the field that we’re not addressing, come to us and let us know so we can strategize and create a plan of action. Help make the change. Plus, 2016 is a voting year for us. If you want to get started by jumping headfirst into the pool, become a member of the Board. Get on the front lines of making this industry better for yourself and everyone around you. There is so much happening right now; you should be a part of it.

To get involved, go to aaspma.org, find our schedule and attend one of our events. Members in good standing are even invited to attend a Board meeting. I look forward to meeting you there.

MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

ADAM IOAKIM is the co-owner of Hogan & Van Auto Body in Medford, MA. He can be reached at (781) 436-0366 or adam@hoganandvan.com.

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

9

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JILLIAN ZYWIEN

BUILD THE FUTURE WITH US

Dear Members, Each month, I encourage you to get more involved in AASP/MA. There are a variety of ways to participate: You can attend an event, encourage a non-member to join us or come to a function, contribute to AASP/MA’s Political Action Committee (PAC), etc. Most importantly, you can support the association just by being a member.

If you’re interested in volunteering your time, commitment and industry expertise, you should consider joining our Board of Directors. As you may be aware, 2016 is an election year for AASP/MA. The Board is looking for members who are willing to bring their industry knowledge and unique experiences to help advance our mission, goals and visions. The Board meets a total of 12 times annually – six in person and six via video conference. This year, we have been visiting each area of the state and hosting our Board of Directors meetings prior to our Statewide Meetings. All members in good standing are welcome to attend our Board meetings.

AASP/MA is also looking for individuals who would be willing to serve on our six committees: Vocational Assessment, Legislative/Legal, Communications, Membership, Insurer Relations and Vendor Relations. Our Vocational Assessment Committee has been very active in visiting the Commonwealth’s vocational schools and understanding their needs and challenges. Our Legislative/Legal Committee is constantly working with our professional legislative team to pursue our priority matters. They also work closely with the ADALB, DOI and the Attorney General to advance our regulatory efforts.

Our Communications Committee is in charge of our online presence, including social media, and all of our printed publications. If AASP/MA is in the news, you bet our Communications Committee was behind that effort.

AASP/MA’s Membership Committee continues to develop relationships with shops that are not members of the association. Our goal is to have all Massachusetts shops working together to make this association stronger than ever. Our Insurer Relations Committee frequently surveys the membership to understand the challenges shops face every day and seek solutions once trends are

10 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

identified. Additionally, the Committee meets with insurers to find common ground where we can work together on matters of mutual interest. The Vendor Relations Committee works with our valued partners who help support the association. Last year, this Committee was responsible for our first Vendor Appreciation Night.

All of these committees meet monthly via conference call prior to our Board meetings. It’s simple to participate, and we want your input. Our committees and Board leadership have their finger on the pulse of everything going on in the industry. Your elected Board of Directors is driving real changes that are currently taking place. They are building the success of the auto repair industry, and we need your support in these efforts. I encourage you to step outside your shop and offer the expertise you have been building throughout your career to advance our industry.

If you are interested in joining either the Board of Directors or one of our committees, please contact the office today. We are eager to hear from you! If you are not a member of our association, why are you letting these unique opportunities pass you by? Pick up the phone and call AASP/MA today and get involved. Be a part of the changes occurring in the industry. We need you to take action today and strengthen the voice building the success of the auto repair industry.

Sincerely,

Jillian Zywien MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

AASP/MA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JILLIAN ZYWIEN has been a senior account executive at Lynch Associates for over seven years. She can be reached at (617) 574-0741 or via email at jzywien@aaspma.org.

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

11

12 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

13

MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

PLANNED YEAR

JANUARY

MARCH

January 6 Board of Directors Meeting Statewide Meeting

March 22 Board of Directors Meeting Statewide Meeting

MAY

JULY

May 24 Board of Directors Meeting Statewide Meeting

SEPTEMBER September 23 AASP/MA Clambake

September 27 Board of Directors Meeting Statewide Meeting

July 20 AASP/MA Golf Outing Blackstone National Golf Course

July 26 Board of Directors Meeting

NOVEMBER November 12

November 15

AASP/MA Casino Night & Annual Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

For more information, visit aaspma.org or contact Executive Director Jillian Zywien at jzywien@aaspma.org or (617) 574-0741.

Check New England Automotive Report for updated event information throughout the year.

14 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

15

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER WAY TO BUY THE WORLD’S BEST ENGINEERED PARTS. For Original BMW Parts, contact one of these authorized BMW centers: BMW of West Springfield 1712 Riverdale St. West Springfield, MA 01089 PH: 413-746-1722 FAX: 413-304-9009 www.bmwwestspringfield.com

16 June 2016

BMW of Darien 140 Ledge Road Darien, CT 06820 PH: 203-656-1804 FAX: 203-656-1802 www.bmwdarien.com

New England Automotive Report

New Country BMW 1 Weston Park Ave. Hartford, CT 06120 PH: 860-240-7881 FAX: 860-240-7873 www.newcountrybmw.com

BMW of Stratham 71 Portsmouth Avenue Stratham, NH 03885 PH: 603-772-0000 FAX: 603-772-9436 www.bmwofstratham.com

Original BMW Parts

www.bmwusa.com

The Ultimate Driving Machine®

They’re called “Original BMW Parts” for good reason. For uncompromising precision and incomparable quality, your BMW center is your One-Stop shop for everything BMW.

BMW of Warwick 1515 Bald Hill Rd. Warwick, RI 02886 PH: 401-821-1510 FAX: 401-823-0530 www.bmwofwarwick.com

BMW of Sudbury Wholesale Parts 68 Old County Road Sudbury, Ma. 01776 PH: 800-338-3198 FAX: 508-881-7578 www.bmwofsudbury.com

BMW of Cape Cod 500 Yarmouth Road Hyannis, MA 02601 PH: 508-815-5500 FAX: 508-790-3551 www.bmwofcapecod.com

Wagner BMW of Shrewsbury 770 Boston Turnpike Shrewsbury, MA 01545-3202 PH: 866-438-3997 FAX: 508-925-2291 www.wagnerbmwofshrewsbury.com

New England Automotive Report

June 2016 17

18 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

19

20 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

John F. Salemme

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Massachusetts (AASP/MA) and its Board of Directors would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the Salemme family for their loss of John F. Salemme. John, who was co-owner of Autobody Solvent Recovery Corporation in Newton and former member of the Massachusetts Auto Body Association (MABA), passed away on April 23 at the age of 63.

Born in Winchester and raised in Somerville, John was a lifelong car and motorcycle enthusiast who also developed an interest in hazardous waste materials and their disposal. After much research, he developed his own company, Autobody Solvent Recovery, and became an expert in this field while assisting in hazardous waste removal for several decades. In addition to being one of the founders of MABA, he also served on the Board of Directors of the Woburn Rod and Gun Club.

Little did John know that one of his little friends in the neighborhood who he played with would later become his wife! He and Ruthann (Taylor) Salemme were childhood chums and became sweethearts after high school. They married in August of 1971 and brought two wonderful children into the world.

John truly enjoyed life — from the serenity of the New Hampshire mountains to car and motorcycle races. He and his family loved to travel, and being with his wife and family was always the best part of anything and everything he did. A very hard-working, charismatic and funny man, John had endless boundaries and did anything he could for his family and friends.

John was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Marjorie, and survived by his wife, Ruthann; his son, John L. Salemme; his daughter, Corinne L. Bishop, his daughterin-law, Cindy Salemme; his son-in-law, Richard Bishop; and several grandchildren.

James Moy

James Moy (second from right) accepted the 2015 NABC Award of Distinction on behalf of Mid Island Collision (NY) at last year's SEMA.

On April 24, the collision repair industry lost a dear friend and supporter with the passing of James Moy at the age of 44.

James began his automotive career over 20 years ago as a tow truck operator for a collision repair facility. During that time, he realized the importance of customer service and performing professional repairs. After receiving formal mechanical training at the NYS ATTP (New York State Auto Technician Training Program), he then turned his attention to learning structural repair, refinishing and damage analysis. He attained the prestigious I-CAR Individual Platinum status in Adjusting, Estimating, Structural and Non-Structural Repair and Refinishing. He also passed the I-CAR Welding Qualification Test in Steel, Aluminum and Structural Steel. He was an ASE-certified Master Collision Repair/Refinish Technician and Damage Estimator and was a licensed and bonded adjuster in at least 10 states.

A former I-CAR instructor, he was qualified to teach 42 instructor-led classes in all categories. He specialized in “Right to Appraisal” negotiations, triage/blueprinting processes and SOPs. His extensive industry history also included work as a consultant for Precision Auto Group (among others) and a coach for VeriFacts Automotive.

James also assisted in training courses and shop evaluations offered by P&L Consultants and New England Automotive Report Technical Writer Larry Montanez.

The James Moy Memorial Scholarship has been created to “provide students, teachers, technicians and shop owners the support, training and opportunities needed to advance our industry.” More information on the endeavor (and how industry members can donate) is available at gofundme. com/jamesmoy.

AASP/MA and New England Automotive Report offer James’ friends, family and colleagues our deepest condolences.

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

21

[LOCAL] NEWS

New England Automotive Report Publisher Receives SCRS Regional Lifetime Achievement Award

At its 2016 Corporate Member Recognition & Awards Luncheon in Seattle on April 20, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) honored New England Automotive Report Publisher Thomas Greco (Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc.) with the association’s Regional Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his efforts on behalf of the regional and national automotive repair communities.

During his introduction speech, SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg praised the industry veteran for providing news and information to repairers for decades.

“This individual has spent a career giving a printed voice to states in need of a way to communicate with their members [and] a way to project what happens within a meeting room or within a Board room or things along those lines,” he said. “The individual has provided that opportunity to more than five state associations – Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, DC, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Jersey. That’s a lot of people within this

industry who are touched because of the passion and the tireless dedication exhibited by this individual. Their career in this field has spanned over three decades of serving the industry, putting the message of repairers in front of other repairers and the industry that need to see it.”

In addition to his work overseeing TGP, Inc.’s various publications, Greco has served as event manager for AASP/New Jersey’s NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show since 2008. Schulenburg credited Greco for “developing shows and places where professionals can come together and exchange ideas and thoughts and information – not only informing the industry, but helping it to grow internally and externally.”

With Greco unable to attend the ceremony, New England Automotive Report Editor Joel Gausten accepted the award on his behalf.

“Very much like SCRS, we’re nothing without the support of the industry,” he said. “We happen to work with some of the finest people this industry produces, especially the volunteers.”

“Honestly, at first it was a shock,” says Greco from TGP, Inc.’s corporate headquarters in Nutley, NJ. “I had no idea that this was happening.

Once Aaron informed me, I had to take a few minutes to process it. I am the kind of person who likes to stay in the background. But to be acknowledged for this award, especially by an organization as influential as SCRS, is a truly amazing honor.

“I have been working with SCRS for almost three decades,” he adds.

“When I first started Greco Publishing in 1989, I had already known thenSCRS Executive Director John Loftus through my work on various publications. Around 1990, we began publishing a monthly publication for them called Collision Repair Specialist. Since that time, we have worked with SCRS continually on all of our publications. SCRS has grown incredibly since the early days. They are now looked upon as the standard for a collision repair industry association - not only in the United States, but internationally as well.”

For over 25 years, Thomas Greco Publishing has served the automotive repair industry with regional, trade association-specific magazine publishing, advertising, trade show management and administrative services. Current TGP, Inc. titles include New England Automotive Report, New Jersey Automotive, Hammer & Dolly, AASP-MN News, Wisconsin Automotive News and the NORTHEAST Conference Journal.

When asked to identify the best thing about being an automotive magazine publisher, Greco immediately pointed to the people who make the repair trade move forward.

“I would never have been able to accomplish what I have without the greatest help from associations like AASP/MA, AASP/NJ, WMABA, AASP-MN, SCRS and WACTAL,” he says. “Just as importantly, the people I have had work for me over the years have been incredible. It may be my name on the door, but they are the ones who are the heart and soul of the company. I accept this award as much for them as I do myself.”

For more information on TGP, Inc., please visit grecopublishing.com.

More information on SCRS is available at scrs.com.

MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

22 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

23

24 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

25

26 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

TURI

GRANT

Applications

Now

oPEN

If you’re looking to kick-start your shop’s transition to becoming a “green” business but need financial assistance along the way, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) has the solution.

[LOCAL] NEWS Now through June 17, TURI is accepting applications from shop owners for a Small Business Grant between $100 and $10,000 to help them upgrade to a more environmentally sound facility. (For example, this could mean a shop replacing solvent-based paint gun washers with water-based alternatives.)

Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) is about preventing pollution at the source rather than controlling it once generated.

Examples of TUR include replacing a toxic chemical with a safer substance or changing the manufacturing process so that the toxic substance is no longer necessary. (More examples are available at tinyurl.com/jhlce2e).

Applying for a Small Business Grant is intended to be a competitive yet simple process for Massachusetts small businesses. The application process begins with the submission of the application form. Following receipt of the application, TURI will reach out to the company’s primary contact directly to gather additional information needed to make a decision. This typically includes an on-site visit to better understand the proposed project and its potential benefits. Program funding is limited and submitting an application is no guarantee that a grant will be awarded.

Should you be awarded this grant, you will be supplied with a contract to sign.

To read more details and download the application, visit tinyurl.com/hz5aang. For more information, please contact Joy Onash at (978) 934-4343 or joy@turi.org.

MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

27

28 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

29

[LOCAL] NEWS

by Joel Gausten

AASP/MA, Insurer Reps Call for Revised ADALB Regulations

F

or months now (and for the first time in eight years), the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB) has been considering changes to 212 CMR 2.00 - the rules and regulations governing the licensing, registration and conduct of Massachusetts motor vehicle damage appraisers. On May 4 at the Division of Insurance in Boston, it was the public’s turn to chime in on this critical endeavor.

In advance of considering draft changes and implementing the formal regulatory amendment process, the Board welcomed interested members of the public to attend the special meeting to provide input with regards to topics and possible changes they would like the Board to consider addressing in the next regulation review. The May 4 meeting drew participation from both insurance industry representatives and collision repair industry advocates.

As noted by Rachel Davison, general counsel for the DOI, the Board has already held a number of “lively discussions” at their regular meetings regarding these potential changes. If the variety of revisions proposed during the May 4 session were any indication, these discussions are likely to continue for some time.

Identifying itself in its submitted statement as “the leading advocate for the property/casualty industry in Massachusetts,” the Mass Insurance Federation made its presence known at the hearing, with Executive Director John P. Murphy suggesting two critical changes to state regulations. The first suggested change would increase the threshold at which an appraiser must be assigned from $1,500 to $5,000. According to the Federation, this suggested threshold is supported by the amendment made to section 57A of Chapter 6C of the General Laws in OUTSIDE SECTION 14 of the FY 2016 Budget, which increases the threshold for what constitutes a “minor”

30 June 2016

accident (excluding deductible) to $5,000.

“This would bring some consistency within the statute to what the definition of a ‘minor accident’ is,” Murphy argued.

Addressing one of the most controversial ADALB actions in recent memory, Murphy urged the Board to reinstate their previously rescinded Advisory Ruling on the use of video and digital photographs as “personal inspections” in the appraisal process. “[The video/photo process] is very consumer-friendly and helps speed the time up for the appraisal,” he said. “It acknowledges that there have been technological improvements over the years, and this is a valid and useful way to go.”

Collision repairer Robert Susi (Susi Auto Body, Dorchester), later testified in support of revising the threshold amount.

“I think $5,000 would be a great place to be, just because of the price of parts nowadays and what it takes to fix a vehicle,” he said. “It’s very easy to get over that $1,500 threshold; I don’t think that’s helping speed up vehicle repairs as a whole.”

Additionally, Susi suggested that overturning the rescinded Advisory Ruling on video and photo estimating could have a positive impact on shops’ efforts to expedite the repair process.

“There’s a great amount of people with very high-quality camera phones and other sources set up that can really help with that in the future,” he said.

Board member Rick Starbard, a body shop owner in Revere, disagreed with Susi’s sentiments.

“We just recently had a vehicle come in our shop written off a photo with an appraisal for $600; the repair wound up at $6,000,” he revealed. “The car should never have been on the road; [it had] severe structural damage…I think that the video and photo system is

New England Automotive Report

extremely flawed and unsafe.”

Fellow Board member and shop owner Bill Johnson echoed these concerns.

“If your wife or mother called you up and said, ‘Hey, I just hit a big pothole; I went over a curb and went off the road,’ would you tell her to bring the car to the shop so you could check it out, or say, “Hey, send me a photo and keep on driving’?” he asked.

“I feel like there are times when the photographs will work, and there are times that they [won’t work],” Susi replied.

“So you are willing to forgo public safety for photographs?” countered Johnson.

“I’m willing to listen to having the option of a system that may work in some cases but possibly won’t be necessary in certain situations,” answered Susi.

AASP/MA Executive Director Jillian Zywien appeared before the Board to detail a variety of proposed changes offered by the association, including revising the regulations pertaining to the determination of damage and the cost of repair to establish that the costs associated with the shipping and handling of parts, including cores, shall not be considered part of the shop’s overhead expenses and shall be listed on the appraisal.

“According to the regulations, insurers must recommend aftermarket part usage,” she offered. “If the part is determined to not be fit, the burden to return the part is on the shop…The part was required by the insurer; the shipping and handling should be covered by the insurer listed on the appraisal.”

Another key proposed change would add language establishing that the utilization of “used suspension and steering parts that contain wearable components may affect the operational safety of the vehicle.”

AASP/MA has also recommended a revised sentence (in bold for emphasis) in the following regulation: The registered repair shop must prepare an appraisal for the purpose of negotiation.

No appraiser shall modify any published manual (i.e., Motors, Mitchell or any automated appraisal system) without prior

ADALB member Bill Johnson supported collision repair-focused revisions to the regulations.

Rachel Davison, attorney for the Massachusetts Division of Insurance, attended the hearing.

negotiation between the parties. Manufacturers-recommended repair procedures, I-CAR, Tec Cor and paint manufacturer procedures shall also apply. Further, no appraiser shall use more than one manual or system for the sole purpose of gaining an advantage in the negotiation process.

“The current regulation states that the aforementioned procedures ‘may’ apply in determining the damage and costs of repairs,” she explained. “The fact remains that these procedures listed do apply [when determining damages and costs]. To better protect consumers, the determination of repair procedures, for purposes of computing the repairs necessary and cost [therein], should be [as] uniform as possible.”

The Board will take the May 4 testimony into consideration when they continue their discussion on the regulations at their next regular meeting, scheduled at press time for May 25 at the Division of Insurance. Videos of past ADALB meetings are posted in the Members Only section of the AASP/MA website continued on pg. 54

ADALB Executive Director Jillian Zywien (joined by executive team member Peter D'Agostino) testified on behalf of the association’s proposed regulatory changes.

32 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

33

England Automotive Report touches base with AASP/MA Executive Director Jillian Zywien for an overview of some of the ways the association is working on your behalf – and why there is no better time than the present to be a member.

by Joel Gausten

Membership has its privileges.

Under the leadership of its Board of Directors, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Massachusetts (AASP/MA) is committed to enhancing the experience of its members. More than just the Commonwealth’s only collision repair industry association, AASP/MA is Massachusetts body shops’ liaison to the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB), the Division of Insurance, 34 June 2016

Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR), the Attorney General’s Office, the Division of Standards and a host of other state agencies.

When not working to effect change in the legislative and regulatory arenas, the association works diligently to provide useful content to member shops throughout the state – with March’s Statewide Meeting on the controversial AIB auto insurance policy just one recent example (“Stopping the AIB: Repairers and Towers Join Forces to Protect Consumers,” NEAR, May 2016). This month, New

New England Automotive Report

Alive at the ADALB As anyone who has followed NEAR or AASP/MA’s other regular communications over the years knows, the association maintains a steady – and often quite participatory – presence at meetings held by the ADALB. If you’re a body shop owner in this state, you need to be paying very close attention to what this Board is up to – and that’s one of many reasons why AASP/MA membership matters.

“The purpose of this Board is to license individuals who appraise damage to motor vehicles,” Zywien explains. “The licensed appraiser serves an important role for both the insurer and the consumer – ensuring that the damage to a motor vehicle is fairly and accurately recorded. Currently, the Board is comprised of four individuals selected by the Governor, plus a chairman who is appointed by the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. Two members of the Board represent insurer appraisers, and two members of the Board represent the auto repair appraisers. The Board issues Advisory Rulings on regulations they govern, investigates complaints and potential law violations, licenses appraisers and, most importantly, serves the general public. AASP/MA works with the Board and the Division to represent the industry on matters before them.

The association records each meeting and they can be reviewed by any member on our website [aaspma.org].

Additionally, the association assists members on filing complaints that affect the industry as a whole.”

Strong at the State House Away from meeting with state agencies to address industry concerns, AASP/MA serves as a collision repair advocate on Beacon Hill, regularly filing critical legislation to strengthen the professional lives of its members.

Not surprisingly, Zywien tells NEAR that this particular member benefit receives the most positive feedback from new and longtime association members alike.

“The collision repair industry is one of the most highly regulated industries; keeping a watch on both legislative and regulatory proposals is imperative to our members,” she offers. “Our representation before regulators and legislators is creating significant changes in the industry. For example, the association filed an Open Meeting Law complaint against the former ADALB for their failure to provide proper notifications of meetings and properly entering executive sessions. After careful review by the Attorney General, it was determined that the ADALB must provide written notice to individuals prior to entering into executive session to discuss them relative to a complaint filed against those individuals, even during preliminary discussions. This is a win on behalf of all appraisers in the Commonwealth. The transparency afforded by this ruling will give appraisers the opportunity to represent their interests before the Board and better understand violations of the law.”

AASP/MA’s dedication to focusing on the political side of things has resulted in some intriguing developments for the industry. For the first time in its history, the association’s Legislative Committee has filed five matters before the Legislature.

“For the last several sessions, the Labor Rate was our only filed matter,” Zywien says. “While it is still a priority piece of legislation, the Committee has diversified its efforts to address other matters of importance to include the ADALB, steering and aftermarket

parts. We work with a number of legislators on these matters, including members of leadership. If any shop has a relationship with their legislator or a member of leadership, contact the association and let us know. Often, we bring shops to our legislative meetings to offer their real-life experience and expertise.”

In addition to the Legislative Committee, the association features committees devoted to Vocational Assessment, Legislative/Legal, Communications, Membership, Insurer Relations and Vendor Relations. More information on what each group does (and how members can get involved) is available in this month’s Message from the Executive Director on page 10.

Ensuring Members’ Success If you’re already a member of AASP/MA, it’s very likely that you’ve used your membership to strengthen your bottom line through special vendor discounts and other associationexclusive incentives. If you’re still on the fence about joining and are asking yourself, “What’s in for me?” here is a list of just some of the programs that AASP/MA currently offers members in good standing: A discounted dues program through 1-800-Radiator purchases

A NEW discounted parts program through Sarat Ford Lincoln

Discounted uniform product needs and services from G&K Services

Access to Mitchell International’s RepairCenter TechAdvisor

Access to AASP National benefits (webinar events, for example)

Search Engine Optimization, website design and social media assistance with Gonnello SEO

Members Only section of the AASP/MA website, with exclusive content including our Member Manual, monthly Damage Report newsletter AND MUCH MORE!

Unforgettable Fun When not pursuing its usual variety of educational and legislative initiatives, AASP/MA provides members a number of opportunities to simply have fun.

“In order to create a strong community, we have created several opportunities for our members to network and connect with fellow shop owners,” offers Zywien. “This July, the association will host its annual Golf Outing event at the Blackstone National Golf Club (Sutton). Our most popular event is our Casino Night, which we have hosted for the past two years at Gillette Stadium. Not many people can say they have had a private tour of the stadium and walked on the field, visited the locker rooms and dined in the private Putnam Club, but our members can! We want our members to be proud of their association, and we think our events showcase that effort. Please check out our website for a complete list of upcoming events.”

As you can see, being a member of AASP/MA provides a host of advantages and experiences that you simply can’t get anywhere else in this industry. For membership information and more insight into these and other AASP/MA benefits, please contact the association offices at (617) 574-0741.

Join us in building the success of the auto repair industry!

MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

35

36 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

37

38 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

[LOCAL] NEWS

by Joel Gausten

Left to right: SkillsUSA volunteers Ken Robbins, Jim Marshall, Bob Levy, Ashley Scott, Tom Ricci and Rachel Fonseca

ThE BEST oF ThE BEST:

ShowCASES

STUDENTS’ STRENGTh

On April 29, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton opened its doors to student competitors throughout Massachusetts for the 2016 SkillsUSA State Conference.

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

39

Frederick Teed, a student at Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, earned a First Place win in the Collision Repair Technology area, followed in that category by Second Place winner Devon Doiron (Westfield Vocational High School) and Third Place competitor Wayne Boone (Tri-County Regional Technical High School). The top spot in the Automotive Refinishing Technology area went to Maren Williams of Shawsheen Valley Regional Technical High School, followed by Amber Duby (Pathfinder Regional Technical High School) in Second Place and Brian Miller II (Upper Cape Code Regional Technical High School) in Third Place. Teed and Williams will move on to compete in the 52nd annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), held June 20-24 in Louisville, KY. More than 16,000 people - including students, teachers and business partners - are expected to participate in the weeklong event.

Chaired by AASP/MA Board member Tom Ricci (Body & Paint Center, Hudson), the Collision Repair Technology competition was judged by a group of volunteers including Bob Levy (Don Kennett, Inc., Lawrence), Jim Marshall (Marshall Autobody Experts, Billerica), Mike Spaan (Thomas Waldron Auto Body CARSTAR, Worcester), Ashley Scott (USAA Insurance Co.), George Fournier (Herb Chambers), Seth Elie (Acme Body & Paint, Jamaica Plain), Joe Costa (Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fall River) and Nelson Torres (MAPFRE Insurance). Led by Chairman Ken Robbins of BASF, the Automotive Refinishing Technology competition was overseen by fellow BASF representatives Ashley Golden, Scott Onanian, Ben Swain and Steve Vanderbeek. In addition to Robbins and Ricci sponsoring their respective areas, the competition thrived this year thanks to additional sponsorship from 3M Products, Keystone and Universal Technical Institute.

This year’s SkillsUSA saw the return of 2008 State Champion Rachel Fonseca, who

40 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

traveled to Blackstone Valley to volunteer her time at the event and help out any way she could. Still a very active member of the auto body field, she has worked in the front office at Carl’s Collision Center in Fall River for the past several years and recently earned a law degree.

“I’m looking for any job that will allow me to combine my law degree and my love for this industry,” she says. “Personally, I would like to pursue some legislative work within the automotive industry.”

Looking back at her experience as a SkillsUSA competitor, Fonseca credits the event for building a foundation for her current and future work in the automotive field.

“SkillsUSA gave me most of the opportunities that I’ve had,” she shares. “Participating in the competition not only taught me discipline and respect, but it showed me that if there’s something out there that you want and you put the work into it, good things can come from it. I really appreciate what it did for me at such a young age, and I’ve seen what it can do for kids currently participating…I love going back and being able to pay it forward.”

Founded in 1965, SkillsUSA is a nationwide partnership of students, instructors and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The nationwide career and technical education student organization annually serves more than 300,000 high school, college and postsecondary students and instructors in technical, skilled and service occupation instructional programs. SkillsUSA has the active support of more than 600 corporations, trade associations, business and labor unions at the national level. SkillsUSA programs teach leadership, citizenship and character development to complement technical skill training. The organization emphasizes respect for the dignity of work, ethics, workmanship, scholarship and safety. For more information, go to skills usa.org.

MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

41

42 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

43

44 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

45

[MEMBER SHOP] SPOTLIGHT Repairs Unlimited looks forward to building a strong future with AASP/MA.

For some, choosing a career in the collision repair field is a savvy business decision.

For others, it’s a way of life.

“I guess you could say it’s in my blood,” chuckles Edward “J.R.” Force, Jr., the owner of Repairs Unlimited in Georgetown. “I represent the third generation of body men in my family; from a young age, I was always in a shop with family members and hanging around cars as I grew up. I never really had the desire to go to college, but I was always interested and skilled at working with my hands. At the age of 21, I decided it was time to start out on my own in the industry.”

In 1985, J.R. rented a small facility and opened Repairs Unlimited for business.

“At first, it was just me running the place,” he says.

“We started from nothing - just opening the doors, saying we did body work and mainly working for family and friends. But it blossomed from there.”

In 1990, he was able to bring his father in to help run the business; in 1996, J.R. purchased property to build the shop’s current location.

“Today, we’ve grown to where you can work on nine cars in the shop,” he notes. “I have three employees - two full time and one part-time - with my father running the office and me running the shop.”

As J.R. explains, Repairs Unlimited specializes in “anything related to collision repair,” with a specific focus on customer service.

46 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

“In over 30 years, our main source of marketing has been word of mouth,” he says. “We stay very busy all year round, and I’d like to think it’s because of the quality of work we do, as well as the way we work with our customers. I was always brought up that you should treat people the way you’d like to be treated. That philosophy has definitely carried over into our business.

Nobody’s walking in my door happy that they got into an accident. But when they leave, they’re extremely happy with the repair they got, and how they were treated.”

At Repairs Unlimited, a large part of providing topnotch customer service involves staying up to date on constantly changing technology.

“This industry is still a hands-on craft, but the processes have changed dramatically in the 30 years I’ve been in business, and the cars are becoming more and more complex every day,” he says. “You need to tap into as many resources as possible to stay ahead. We are an ICAR-certified shop, and we regularly attend training to make sure we’re getting all the information we need.”

The most recent tool J.R. has utilized to stay connected to the industry is AASP/MA membership.

“We’ve only been a member for a couple of months,” he explains. “It’s one of those things that I always considered, but I’m just so busy that I really hadn’t had the chance to [do it]. And I sat back one day and said, ‘Well, why haven’t I?’ There are shops in this area

who are members, who are very respected business people and who run their shops the same way I do…I thought of my peers in the area, and realized that I needed to be involved as well.

“Someone I talk to quite frequently is [former AASP/MA President] Tom Ricci,” J.R. adds. “Any questions, I give him a call and pick his brain. He’s done well for himself in the association and the industry, and I respect him and his opinions.”

After more than three decades in the collision repair field, J.R. notes that his facility’s success — and the success of any shop — should all boil down to the people who walk in the door.

“Repairing cars, as difficult as it can be, can almost become somewhat easy if you follow the proper manufacturer specifications and processes,” he says.

“But it’s dealing with the customers, making sure they understand what they get at the end of the day and how their car has been repaired, that can set a shop apart from the rest. I try to take away that stigma that the car’s never going to be the same after an accident, and offer the same level of support to the customer with the $200 bumper job as we do the customer with the $10,000 overhaul. We make sure that every customer knows how important they are to us, and put that same focus into the jobs we do. I tell my employees that if we give people nothing to complain about, they will come back and bring others.

It’s worked out very well.”

For more information on Repairs Unlimited, please visit repairsunlimited.net.

MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

47

48 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

49

2016 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

As a member of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Massachusetts (AASP/MA), I will abide by the association’s bylaws and code of ethics. I understand that membership in AASP of Massachusetts is non-transferable, and I must remain current with my dues in order to be a member in good standing. I understand that if I discontinue my membership that I must immediately cease using any association promotions, logos or materials. Additionally, I understand that as part of my AASP of Massachusetts membership, I will receive New England Automotive Report, the official publication of AASP of Massachusetts, faxes, emails and other mailings.

*** PLEASE TYPE oR PRINT LEGIBLY *** Primary Contact Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Business Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street

City

State

Zip

Mailing Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ City

Street

Phone Number ( E-mail Address

)____________________________________ Fax Number (

State

Zip

) __________________________________________

________________________________________ Web Site Address ____________________________________________

MEMBERSHIP TYPE (check one) Collision Repair Shop

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CONTACT: Name: __________________________________________________

Mechanical Repair Shop

Phone Number: __________________________________________

Both, Collision & Mechanical Repair Shops Vendor

Email:____________________________________________________

RS Number (if applicable) ________________________________ ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES

AASP/MA CHAPTER (check one) MidState Southeastern Northeastern Western

(The AASP membership year is from January 1 to December 31, 2016)

$40/month

$115/quarter

$425/year - BEST VALUE!

Monthly & Quarterly Dues are Automatic Credit Card Transactions ONLY*

NEW! Political Action Committee (PAC) Donation ...............$_____ Personal Contributions Only

ADDITIONAL CONTACT FOR NEWSLETTERS AND LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Name: ____________________________________________________ Email: ____________________________________________________ Name: ____________________________________________________ Email: ____________________________________________________ Name: ____________________________________________________

Check or Cash

Credit Card:

Visa

MasterCard

Amex

Card Number: __________________________________________ CID Number: ____________ (3#s on back for Visa, 4 on front for AMEX) Expiration Date: ________________________________________ Name on Card: __________________________________________ Billing Address of Credit Card: ____________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________________

Name: ____________________________________________________

Date: __________________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________

PLEASE CoMPLETE ThIS MEMBERShIP APPLICATIoN AND RETURN IT wITh PAYMENT To AASP-MA oFFICE. 12 Post office Square, 6th Floor • Boston, MA 02109 Phone: (617) 574-0741 | Fax: (617) 695-0173|jzywien@aaspma.org As required by the U.S. Tax Code, AASP of Massachusetts, Inc. informs its members that 75% of the dues paid to the association are tax deductible. The remaining 25% is allocated to legislative activities and is not tax deductible.

50 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

Prompt &  Dependable Delivery

Experienced and Professional Parts Team

Ask about our Competitive Prices

Fax Line: 508.699.4761 Parts Hours: Mon-Sat: 7:30-5:00

Fax Line: 508.673.6338 Parts Hours: Mon-Sat: 7:30-5:00

Fax Line: 508.316.8397 Parts Hours: Mon-Sat: 7:30-5:00

www.firsthyundai.com

www.firstfordma.com

www.firstchryslerma.com

Parts Line:

508.699.4700 270 East Washington St. North Attleboro, MA 02760

Parts Line:

774.888.6666

292 William S. Canning Blvd.

Fall River, MA 02721

Parts Line:

508.316.8410 280 East Washington St. North Attleboro, MA 02760

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

51

52 June 2016

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

June 2016

53

[LOCAL] NEWS continued from pg. 31

N

(aaspma.org). The current version of 212 CMR 2.00 is available at tinyurl.com/p7g6klz.

In other ADALB news, the Board’s regular session on April 26 addressed the concept of a Board member filing his or her own complaint against an appraiser. Starbard introduced the topic after recently discovering that an insurance appraiser who was writing at his shop was unlicensed (after failing the state exam twice) and using his supervisor’s license number on appraisals.

After much discussion, the ADALB determined that a complaint in this matter could only be filed against the supervisor, as the Board currently does not have jurisdiction over unlicensed appraisers. Additionally, Starbard (or any other Board member who files a complaint) would need to recuse himself from the Board’s subsequent work on the issue.

MASSACHUSETTS

E

W

E

N

G

L

A

N

D

AUT M TIVE AD INDEX Allen Mello Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram ........23 Audi Group ....................................................25 Audi Shrewsbury ..........................................26 Axalta Coating Systems ..................................4 Bald Hill Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram..............8 Balise Wholesale Parts Express ....................11

BUILDING THE SUCCESS OF THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY

Baystate Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge ..................51 Best Chevrolet/Best CDJR..........................IFC BMW Group ..............................................16-17 BMW/Mini of Warwick ................................20 Clay Subaru ....................................................43 Collision Equipment Company ....................9 Colonial Auto Group ......................................6 Empire Auto Parts..........................................47 Enterprise ........................................................43 First Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram ..................51 First Ford ........................................................51 First Hyundai..................................................51 Ford Group ....................................................32 Honda Group..................................................38 Hyundai Group ..............................................42 Imperial Ford ..................................................40 Infiniti of Norwood........................................24 Ira Group....................................................12-13 Kelly Automotive Group............................IBC Kia Group........................................................36 Linder’s, Inc. ..................................................54 Long Automotive Group ..........................OBC Mazda Group..................................................52 Mercedes-Benz of Shrewsbury ....................26 Mopar Group..................................................33 Nissan Group..................................................48 PPG ....................................................................3 Robertsons GMC Truck ................................53 Sarat Ford Lincoln..........................................53 Sentry Group ..................................................37 Subaru Group............................................28-29 Tasca Group ....................................................45 Toyota Group..................................................49 Village Auto Group........................................19 VW Group ......................................................44 Wagner BMW of Shrewsbury ......................26 Wagner Kia of Shrewsbury ..........................26 Wellesley Toyota/Scion ................................27 Wheel Collision Center ................................47

54 June 2016

New England Automotive Report