Wisconsin Automotive News Spring 2016

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The Official Publication of the Wisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association Ltd.

Spring 2016

PLUS:

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WACTAL Spring Conference Brings Repairers Together Inspiring Technicians Through Restoration Work

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2016-2018 WACTAL BOARD of DIRECTORS President Larry Terrien MJ Collision Center larry@mjcollisioncenter.com

Spring 2016

Vice President Mark Williams Williams Auto Body mark@williamsautobody.com Secretary/Treasurer Ronnie Goss Goss Auto Body, Inc. ronnie@gossautobody.com Treasurer Sue Black Dean’s Auto Body suzieq@deansautobody.com Directors James Bryhan Bryhan's Body & Paint Specialists

Vol. 3 Number 3

CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ........................................................5 We Want to Hear From You!

by Larry Terrien

WACTAL “RECRUIT-A-MEMBER” PROGRAM ..................................5 LOCAL NEWS by Jacquelyn Bauman Inspiring Technicians Through Restoration Work ..........................7

Eileen Haberman Glen's Auto Body, Inc.

WACTAL Spring Conference Brings Repairers Together ....................8

Mike Miyagawa M & M Auto Body Inc.

Legislators Honored for Work on Behalf of Collision Repairers ..........9

Michael Taylor Zimbrick Chevrolet-Sun Prairie

WACTAL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ................................................11 Bob’s Auto Body, Boscobel, WI

Tracy Black Dean’s Auto Body, Inc. Association Administration Sue Peterson wactal@execpc.com / info@wactal.com (800) 366-9482 Lobbyist Jolene Plautz jplautz@aol.com

by Jacquelyn Bauman

TALKING TECHNICAL ................................................................12 Collision Repair: Where We’ve Been & Where We’re Going

by Larry Montanez III, CDA & Jeff Lange, PE

WACTAL BENEFIT PROGRAM ..................................................17 WACTAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION ........................................18

PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 244 Chestnut St., Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110 PHONE: 973-667-6922 • FAX: 973-235-1963 ADVERTISING: 973-667-6922 • alicia@grecopublishing.com PUBLISHER: Thomas Greco (thomas@grecopublishing.com) DIRECTOR OF SALES: Alicia Figurelli (alicia@grecopublishing.com) MANAGING EDITOR: Jacquelyn Bauman (jacquelyn@grecopublishing.com) EDITOR: Joel Gausten (tgpjoel@verizon.net) ART DIRECTOR: Lea Velocci (lea@grecopublishing.com) OFFICE MANAGER: Donna Greco (donna@grecopublishing.com) www.grecopublishing.com Wisconsin Automotive News is published quarterly by Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc., 244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110. Distributed free to qualified recipients; $48 to all others. Additional copies of Wisconsin Automotive News 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 Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. or of WACTAL. Copyright © 2016 by Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. Cover image © www.istock.com

Spring 2016

ADVERTISER’S INDEX Axalta Coatings........................................OBC LKQ..........................................................IBC Body Shop Supply Co. ............................4 Morrison’s Auto Parts ..............................6 Buerkle Hyundai ......................................15 P&L Consultants......................................13 Dent Clinic ..............................................10 Straight and Square ................................14 Dentsmart ................................................13 West Bend Mutual Insurance ..................IFC International Autos Waukesha..................15 Zorn Compressor & Equipment ..............18 3

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President’s MESSAGE

We Want to Hear From You!

The WACTAL Spring 2016 Conference and Trade Show was a big success! (See article on page 8 for more information.)

Feedback from those in attendance was very good. Between the seminars and speakers, the trade show vendors and discussions with other WACTAL members, there was a wealth of information available.

The Spring Conference and Trade Show is so important to attend because it is the premier networking and training opportunity for WACTAL members, local vendors and even non-member shops. There may be other educational events throughout the year, but this is where most of our members congregate – which gives you the most bang for your buck. Having the chance to hear successful industry pioneers like Aaron Schulenburg, Nick Hardesty, Bill Morrison and Gary Arndt, as well as the ability to get face-to-face with vendors and fellow shop owners is invaluable. We are all in the same fight and many of the problems you are facing are also being experienced by the shop down the street. Someone in your neighborhood might have the answer to one of your questions, and if you’re not coming out to this event or ones like it, you’re missing out on a valuable resource.

While we appreciate the participation of all of those who did make it out to this year’s annual convention, of course we are always looking to expand our attendance base for future events. At our last Board meeting, we discussed how we could possibly get more participation at these events. If you were not there, what would it take to get you involved? In what part of the state would you like to have the 2017 Conference and Trade Show? What topics and speakers would you be interested in?

What time of year/days of the week work best for you? Please contact any of the Board members or the WACTAL office with your thoughts and suggestions. Remember, this is your organization. You will get out of it what you put in!

Larry Terrien President

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Member Program

“Recruit-a-Member”

For each member an existing WACTAL member recruits, the sponsoring (existing) member will receive a one-time $50 credit toward their membership dues.

There is no limit on the number of members an existing member can recruit.

If the dollar amount of the credits exceeds the sponsoring member’s annual dues, the excess amount will carry forward to subsequent years.

No monies will be paid out and credits cannot be cashed out.

Credits cannot be split amongst multiple members.

The sponsoring member’s individual and business name must be listed on the new member’s Application for Membership as the sponsoring member.

If the new member had been a WACTAL member during the prior calendar year, no commission will be allowed.

This program can be rescinded or amended without prior notice. In the event the program is rescinded or amended, credits for applications received after the change will be processed under the new program. No credits will be issued if the program is rescinded.

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Inspiring Technicians Through Restoration Work

Local

NEWS

by Jacquelyn Bauman

for the most talented students in one of Charles’ capstone classAs the industry becomes more and more starved for new es, and the students took fervently to it, often working hours on technicians, creating a passion for this field of work in the young the job above and beyond what was asked of them. Charles estiis an amazing thing. In February, Lakeshore Technical College mates that about 1,000 hours of work collectively went into the (LTC) lit a spark for automotive repair students through a 1967 project.

Camaro restoration project, completed on behalf of the young students of Plymouth High School.

The car, which was used for racing in Sheboygan County in the ’60s and ’70s, was “pretty rusty and beat up” when it was donated to the Plymouth High School Auto Program, as noted by Lakeshore Technical College Auto Collision Instructor Jack Charles.

Although LTC had initially intended on only doing touch-up paint on the vehicle, the project quickly evolved into something much bigger.

“Automotive education is like a tree – if you give it water, it will grow,” Charles explains. “This project was just one part of a much bigger picture.

When I first came to LTC in 2009, the college had old equipment and didn’t seem to have a lot invested in it. I wanted to use this to raise the level of perception of auto body repair so that people understand that it's a clean, high-paying, highly Lakeshore Technical College students and instructors with skilled job – not just beating dents out of fenders. So Plymouth High School students around the restored 1967 Camaro. two years ago, LTC’s Executive Dean of Manufacturing, Trades and Agriculture, Richard On February 10, the finished vehicle was presented to the Hoerth, and I wrote a proposal for a grant to get state funding to students of Plymouth High School who were visiting LTC. improve our program. We wanted to extend our one-year pro“At the unveiling, the students were wild,” Charles says. gram to two years and train in the technology used today, such “They couldn’t believe it. It exceeded everything they thought. as aluminum. We were awarded a general purpose revenue We were given $1,500 by the school for the touch-up work; after grant of $263,000. That grew into expanding our facility and sponsorships for parts and paint, the whole job cost no more remodeling our education programs. This restoration project – than $3,000. The project spanned three groups of students and much like the renovations to the school – evolved very quickly kids from every group have reached out to me on Facebook from something small to something more intensive.”

The car restoration endeavor developed into the final project about the finished project. They’re very proud.”

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Plymouth High School plans to use the Camaro for instructional purposes at its Tech Club and will use it as a promotional piece at car shows – including racing it at events such as Northeast Wisconsin Beat the Heat (a race and car show event to promote traffic safety, drug and alcohol awareness and to build relationships between officers and kids of all ages).

“We expect that this project and this vehicle are going to get kids excited about taking automotive classes,” he expresses.

“Over the next 10 years, there are going to be so many people retiring; there’s going to be a huge need for technicians and I hope in a small way, this project has helped with that. This industry has been good to me. I’ve always been able to find work and it’s a field that will never be outsourced and requires a high level of skill, translating to a higher level of pay. The goal is to inspire these young people to have the desire to develop those skills so that they can achieve the same level of success.”

For more information on Lakeshore Technical College’s automotive repair program, visit gotoltc.edu.

LTC Automotive Collision Instructor Jack Charles (right) unveiling the Camaro.

WACTAL Spring Conference Brings Repairers Together Following another year of consistent participation and support from vendors and attendees alike, the Wisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association, LTD. (WACTAL) has reported their Spring 2016 Conference and Trade Show was a success.

At the WACTAL Membership Meeting on February 26, held during the association’s Spring 2016 Conference and Trade Show at Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells in Baraboo, WI, WACTAL President Larry Terrien, Vice President Mark WACTAL President Larry Williams and Secretary Ronnie Goss were all reTerrien (left) recognized longtime Board member Art elected to their respective Krolikowski (right) for his offices for another two-year term. WACTAL member Sue work on behalf of the Black was newly elected as

industry.

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treasurer for the association.

At the meeting, Terrien recognized Board member Art Krolikowski for his dedication to WACTAL and to the collision repair industry. Krolikowski was quintessential in the passing of Consumer Choice legislation that was signed into law on November 11. Through his consistent interaction with legislators and regular attendance to public hearings, the collision repair industry’s voice was heard and taken into account. Having previously served WACTAL as a director, vice president and president, the recognition was truly deserved.

Outside of the membership meeting, attendees of the convention enjoyed the many opportunities the event posed for the sharing of information.

“I felt like the classes were very valuable and that all of the speakers in the seminars had worthwhile knowledge,” says Ryan Carriveau of Merton Auto Body. “By the end of each of their presentations, I had gotten a lot of really great knowledge. They made a lot of valid points that I hadn’t thought about.”

It was Carriveau’s first time at the convention, and as he notes, the chance to meet with his fellow shop owners was one of his most appreciated parts of the weekend.

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“The ability to network and gain information is irreplaceable,” us very busy.” he adds. “I took two other people from my facility and we all got In addition to bringing knowledge and networking opportunisomething great from it.” ties to repairers in the area, the event raised a significant amount Steve Rainville of Fred Mueller Automotive shared similar of money for the WACTAL Scholarship Program. Auto Paint & sentiments about the Supply (Waukesha), Dean’s Conference.

Auto Body (Sheboygan), Goss “It was an awesome Auto Body (Menasha), Hoevent,” he shares. “It was such Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells a good learning experience.

(Baraboo), Kolosso Toyota When you go to these semi(Appleton), MJ Collision Center nars and the guys talking are (Green Bay) and Williams Auto so successful, you can do Body (Green Bay) all supplied nothing but benefit from being raffle buckets through which there. I brought back informamoney could be donated to tion to my guys. It taught me a such a worthy cause. lot and also reinforced a lot of WACTAL extends a big thank Repairers from around the state gathered for a series the things I’ve already been you to all of its event sponsors. of enlightening seminars. doing.”

Gold sponsors for the event One of the biggest things that Rainville took away from the were AkzoNobel Coatings, Body Shop Supply Co., Broadway event is that he needed to work with insurers and work on relaAutomotive and West Bend Mutual Insurance. Silver Sponsors tionships with them. were Auto Paint & Supply, BASF and Dentsmart. Bronze “You have to have a relationship with insurance companies; Sponsor was New Marketing Group. Hospitality Sponsors were it’s key to your business,” he expresses. “Almost 90 percent of AkzoNobel Coatings, Body Shop Supply Co., Morrison’s Auto the money that comes through here is from insurance compaParts, Motors Service & Supply and PPG Industries. nies. We currently have programs with 17 insurers, which keeps

Legislators Honored for Work on Behalf of Repairers

information on this legislation, see “Auto Body Shop Choice Bill Throughout the end of 2015, Representatives Ed Brooks Signed into Law” in the Winter 2016 issue of Wisconsin and Senator Howard Marklein fought to get Senate Bill 93 and Automotive News.)

Assembly Bill 119 – also known as the Auto Body Shop Choice In an act of appreciBill – signed into law. ation, on January 15, With the help of WACKrowlikowski presented TAL Director and owner Brooks and Marklein forof Reedsburg Auto mally with plaques Body, Art Krolikowski, acknowledging their these two lawmakers efforts in a ceremony at were able to draft legishis shop. lation that was germane “It took us nearly 10 to the collision repair Longtime Board member Art Krolikowski presented awards to years to pass this conindustry and its cusSenator Howard Marklein (above left) and Representative Ed sumer choice bill,” tomers; in November of Brooks (above right) for their work on legislation for repairers. Krowlikowski said. last year, the bills became Act 93. (For more “Consumers are now able Spring 2016

continued on page 16

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Bob’s Auto Body Boscobel, WI

Although dairy farming and automotive repair may not seem like they have a lot in common, for Bob Biba, owner of Bob’s Auto Body in Boscobel, WI, working on the farm created an almost unmatched foundation for his current career. Recently, Wisconsin Automotive News sat down with Biba to find out how he got his start and how he continues his shop’s success year after year.

Wisconsin Automotive News: Tell us a little bit about how you got involved with automotive repair.

Bob Biba: I grew up on a dairy farm where we did most of our own repairs on our big machinery; it was a big operation and it stood out pretty soon that I was mechanically inclined. I loved cars so after high school, I ended up at Southwest Technical College in Fennimore, WI. Once I graduated, I started working at a shop where the owner, Edward Krechmann, was semi-retiring, which pushed me into management really quickly. It was sooner than I wanted, but it did me a lot of good. I rapidly learned how to do estimates and parts ordering and everything. By 1989, I bought this shop and have been here ever since. I hired a guy to help me the first year, and then another guy to help me the second year, and we’ve been growing steadily for the past 27 years.

WAN: How do you manage to maintain steady growth in an often uncertain industry?

BB: We work to keep up with the times.

We currently have three full-time technicians, one part-time tech, my wife in the front office and myself, and with 13 bays and two spray booths, there really isn’t much we don’t do. When a change hits the industry, we’re the first to be ready for it. We were the first in our area to switch to waterborne paints. When airbags hit the market, we learned how to replace them – we never farmed out that work. When aluminum on the F-150 came out, we went out and got the equipment and the schooling Spring 2016

done to do those repairs. It’s so much easier to take it one step at a time with the changes rather than trying to do it all at once. If you get on the wrong side of the industry, it’s hard to catch up. I’m an advocate that if the manufacturers are going to make the car a certain way, we’re going to get the training to make sure that it’s repaired the way they want it done. I make sure my techs go out to I-CAR training so that they’re always up-to-date. If you’re trying to catch up to an industry that’s already miles ahead, it’s difficult.

WAN: When did you become a member of WACTAL, and why?

BB: We were members for a long time a while back. We rejoined because we saw how important it is for shops to stick together. Insurers are overpowering us all

Left to right: Luke Brown, Nate Hagemann, Mark Larson and Bob Biba

the time; they want to break the connection between us because it’s easier to fight a little opponent than it is to go up against a big one. When the southwest Wisconsin automotive association fizzled out, it allowed the insurers to take control.

We need to be careful of that. More shops should get involved so they can realize what’s happening. Trying to work by ourselves just isn’t the answer.

WAN: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the field?

WACTAL MEMBER

SPOTLIGHT

by Jacquelyn Bauman

BB: Easily the biggest challenge is the paint and material rates, as well as the Labor Rate. It’s difficult getting insurers to pay us correctly when prices go up. As the prices for things rise, the payment for our services should match, yet it always seems like the insurance industry is three to five years behind. I’m pretty headstrong and I fight them when what they’re doing is unfair. I don’t always win, but I never give up. If other shops would do the same, I don’t think we would be in this situation, but it’s hard to fight this by yourself. We need more shops to stand up for themselves. All of this is getting out of control.

WAN: Where do you see the industry going in the next 10 years?

BB: I’m not sure where it’s going, but I know it’s not going to get easier. They’re squeezing the little guys who aren’t keeping up with the times out of the market.

The only way to avoid it is to stop letting our industry be dictated. You’ve got to do a great job and get paid for what you’re doing. Who knows better how to fix the car than the expert who is doing the work? The adjusters come in and they don’t know one end of the car from the other – and that’s the problem! My technicians are all top notch and know what needs to be done to fix the car and make it safe.

WAN: What do you like to do in your spare time away from the shop?

BB: I have a big family so I like to spend time with them, of course. I also still have a farm – I’ve always been a farm boy at heart – so we raise cattle and do some cropping. Plus, I’m a tinkerer. I repair and restore machinery on the farm and I collect old cars that I’ve restored and rebuilt.

There’s a toy shed full of them on my property. I love my cars; they’re all nice muscle cars. I’m particularly proud of my Plymouth Prowler. I bought it brand new.

It’s an awesome car.

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Talking

TECHNICAL

By Larry Montanez III, CDA and Jeff Lange, PE

Collision Repair: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going About eight years ago, we said in our classes that within five to seven years, the industry would have both regular DRP facilities and OEM-certified shops that have work driven to them like a DRP. We predicted that this would be the result of OEMs following the example of the European OEM Certified Collision Repair Facility (CCRF) programs. Well, this has become a reality. Some of the OEM programs are fairly easy to get on, while others require dealer sponsorship and extensive investments in equipment and training. In the coming years, more and more OEMs will adopt CCRF programs. Many will have steel, aluminum and composite programs, while others may only be steel or aluminum. Some will have parts restrictions, but all will entail equipment upgrades and some sort of training requirements. Repair facilities will need to invest in equipment and training to be prepared for the near future or be faced with closing their doors. However, we feel the word “Certified” is being over-used and improperly used in many respects. Not all “Certified” programs are created equal.

Vehicle Advancements BMW was one of the first OEMs to offer a steel-aluminum hybrid construction monocoque (unibody) back in 2004 through 2010 with the 5 and 6 Series (E60/E63). Since then, the Audi TT (8J/8S), Porsche Panamera (970) and Carrera (991) and Mercedes-Benz SClass (222) (to name a few) have adopted that hybrid construction design. Well, the 2016 Audi Q7, 2016 Porsche Cayenne 12

and 2016 Cadillac CT6 are all hybrid-construction vehicles. It is rumored that others will follow this design construction in the next two to three years.

BMW also announced the 2016 7 Series, which is constructed from steel, aluminum and carbon fiber. Lamborghini and Audi R8 will produce similar designs.

We all need to think about how long it will be before we see this design in more popular vehicles.

We have all heard about the 2015 Ford F-150 with its aluminum body. Well, GM has announced that by 2017/2018, the 1500 Series will be an aluminum body as well, and two other OEMs have said they will also produce aluminum-body vehicles in the next two years. How long do you think it will be before vehicles like the Ford Taurus or Mustang, Chevy Impala or Camaro, Chrysler 200 or 300 or Dodge Challenger or Charger are constructed with aluminum? We are at a huge crossroads of advancement in vehicle design. Are you prepared?

Equipment Equipment upgrades and new purchases will become more and more prevalent in the next few years. Structural repairs will require anchoring from areas other than pinch weld flanges and multiple anchoring points, so apparatus upgrades will be required. Rivet guns will be necessary for not only aluminum-intensive vehicles, but also for steel vehicles. Aluminum and silicon bronze (MIG Brazing) MIG welders will be obligatory for numerous repairs on new models, and carbon fiber-

reinforced plastic (CFRP) repair equipment will be compulsory for many shops.

Investment costs of $75,000 to $200,000 per shop are projected to just be able to perform repairs. Many shops need to sit down and make a three- to five-year plan.

Training Training will become almost mandatory in the next few years. New materials such as advanced higher-strength steels, aluminum, carbon fiber and hybrid construction will require new techniques, equipment and materials. The new equipment, repair and replacement procedures will demand training on how to use the equipment to perform the repairs.

Technicians will need to learn the new procedures and how to utilize the equipment to perform the mandated repair processes.

Obviously, training will cost money and time. Facility owners will need to allocate the time and funds for the technicians’ education. Expect to see other training options than what is currently available.

Joining Methods MAG/GMAW will not be going away, as there are many vehicles that have repair procedures for sectioning that require fillet welds, open butt joint welds and butt joint with backing welds.

Conversely, we will see less and less plug welds and more STRSW requirements.

And expect to see more rivet-bonding procedures on steel vehicles, along with direct bonding to composite complements such as carbon fiber.

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Electronics Electronic components and computer-controlled systems will increase even more in the next few years. Repair facilities will need to learn how to diagnose damage to these systems and how to reinitiate, reset and/or aim them. Many vehicles will require dealership service due to the proprietary computer systems, but all shops should have some sort of a code reader or diagnostic computer to be able to determine what systems are not functioning. Remember, most systems will not set a Multifunction Indicator Light (MIL) for a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC).

“Commercially Acceptable” and “Industry Standard” Nobody is really sure who started these asinine phrases in the collision repair industry. Let’s look at their definitions:

Commercially Acceptable: Standard of work that is not perfect (as it has a reasonable amount of imperfections) but is acceptable in accordance with generally accepted commercial practices.

Industry Standard: Generally accepted requirements followed by the members of an industry.

In the coming years, OEMs will be setting a higher standard for repairs not only to their vehicles, but also for the vehicles repaired at their Certified Repair Facilities. Vehicle owners will no longer accept a reasonable amount of imperfections. As we have written before, there is

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no “industry standard” except what the OEM has set. We hear all the time that a vehicle cannot be repaired back to pre-loss condition and that even OEM repair procedures are not perfect. Well, that is just not true. Most of this negative attitude towards repairs and quality are generated from techs and facilities without the proper equipment, training and knowledge to know how to charge the right amount for the repairs. We have seen an explosion of Post-Repair Inspection failures, with every line in the book used to explain why the vehicle “had” to be repaired that way. These are just excuses because people are afraid of change.

Change is coming fast, and we all must be willing to adapt to it.

Training To become successful at anything, you will need to train and practice (and obviously fail a few times). Your experience in collision repair is extremely helpful, but you will also need to build your résumé, professionally called a CV (Curriculum Vitae). Here is a list of training you will need to assist in your goal of being a PRI technician: Experience as a technician Current and ongoing structural repair training/certification from multiple lines (Celette, Car-O-Liner, Chief, CarBench, Global-Jig) Current and ongoing welding certifications from companies like ISO and AWS Current and ongoing OEM training certifications Current and ongoing engineering education

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Current and ongoing professional association membership Peer-reviewed articles Speaking engagements Training engagements

This will not happen overnight. It takes time to build your knowledge, experience and recognition in this field. One thing to remember is not to make such a big mistake that it ruins your career. Everyone makes a mistake or two, but don’t be so off base that it could prevent you from ever being hired again. Always remember that we are a small community and news travels fast. If you want to get involved in becoming a PRI technician or rising up the ladder to a CDA, take it slow and study. Practice makes perfect.

You will need to be proficient at photography, documentation, measuring and note-taking. All of these things will be used in the expert report you will need to write.

PRIs will grow in prevalence as more and more vehicles with advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) or aluminum are produced.

This will all be due to many collision repairers’ refusal to invest in proper equipment and training, which is causing the current crop of incorrectly repaired vehicles. PRIs are exposing the main issues in our industry, but they cannot address the solutions to ensure safe and proper repairs. Training, education and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) are some things to start with to ensure that proper repairs are being performed. What you do today can destroy what you build tomorrow. continued on page 16

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Local

NEWS

continued from pg. 9

to use the auto body shop of their choice, rather than being forced to go somewhere unfamiliar to them because of an insurance company.”

“I am proud that Rep. Brooks and I were able to move this bill through the legislative process,” Marklein said. “Thanks to the hard work and persistence of individual shop owners who are members of the Auto Collision Technicians Association, people will be able to utilize local businesses they trust for repairs.”

“Across Wisconsin, auto body businesses work hard to build strong reputations and relationships with their customers,” Brooks said. “This law further enables these small businesses to continue providing quality service no matter the circumstances of the situation. I am honored to be recognized by WACTAL for helping them to make this law change a reality.”

In order to continue moving the collision repair industry in a positive direction, shop owners need to get involved in their local politics. Find out who your representative is and make sure that your voice is heard. Act 93 is a perfect example of the ways in which we can create a better situation in our field for our businesses and our consumers, simply through participation. If you have any questions on how to get involved, contact the WACTAL office or any of the WACTAL directors.

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Talking

TECHNICAL

continued from pg. 14

Larry Montanez III, CDA is co-owner of P&L Consultants with Peter Pratti, Jr. P&L Consultants works with collision repair shops on estimating, production and proper repair procedures. P&L conducts repair workshops on MIG & resistance welding, measuring for estimating and advanced estimating skills. P&L also conducts investigations for insurers and repair shops for improper repairs, collision repairability and estimating issues. P&L can be reached by contacting Larry at (718) 891-4018 (office), (917) 860–3588 (cell), (718) 646–2733 (fax) or via email at larrygoju@aol.com.

The P&L website is www.PnLEstimology.com.

Jeff Lange, PE is president of Lange Technical Services, Ltd. of Deer Park, NY (www.LangeTech. net). Jeff is a Licensed New York State Professional Engineer who specializes in investigating vehicle and component failures. Lange Technical Services, Ltd. is an investigative engineering firm performing forensic vehicle examinations and analysis for accident reconstruction, products liability and insurance issues. Jeff can be reached at (631) 6676128 or by email at Jeff.Lange@LangeTech.net.

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