The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) will host the 2005 National Industry Issues Forum (NIIF) in conjunction with the Collision Industry Conference (CIC). The event is scheduled to take place at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2005, at the Westin Charlotte Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition, the SCRS Annual Meeting/Awards Luncheon and "Accepting the Challenge" (a fun-filled event pitting the industry's most knowledgeable professionals against each other in a battle of wits over meaningless topics) will complete the schedule of events. 

The National Industry Issues Forum, founded in 1992 and hosted by SCRS, is unique because it focuses exclusively on the concerns of collision repair professionals by offering the opportunity to exchange ideas and examine ways to resolve issues that affect many. The meeting is open to all SCRS members, as well as non-members, provided they are a shop owner or manager.

Speak your mind

"It's a place where repairers can meet and speak their mind openly amongst their peers," explains SCRS Industry Issues Chairman Chad Sulkala, who is co-moderating the forum. "This event provides direction to the SCRS Board of Directors as to what issues are impacting collision repairers' businesses today and in the future."

Resolutions discussed at this year's forum will be forwarded for further discussion and exposure to entities that can help initiate action, such as CIC and the SCRS Executive Committee. With a healthy representation of independent collision shop operators from across the greater United States, the National Industry Issues Forum continues to function as an important conduit for collision repairers. In fact, last year's event broke attendance records as repairers streamed in to express their views and discuss potential resolutions.

"This is a unique opportunity for shop owners to not only openly discuss their issues, but also gain a better understanding as to what is impacting other repairers across the U.S," says SCRS Treasurer Gary Wano who will assist Sulkala at the event.

"I've been a participant for years, and now I get to encourage the participation of others. It's important for repair professionals to come together and understand they aren't alone in their concerns," Wano adds.

The SCRS Awards Luncheon, and the induction of a new executive committee, will take place immediately after the NIIF, which in turn will be followed by the opening of CIC. Those interested in attending the NIIF and the SCRS Awards Luncheon must pre-register to attend.

2004 Aftermarket Parts Study

In other news, SCRS has completed its aftermarket parts study, which asked collision repairers (members and nonmembers alike) to complete a form when they ordered certified aftermarket parts. The form served as a tool to collect data about aftermarket parts and their usage, return rate and availability, among other things. A total of 343 forms encompassing 922 certified aftermarket parts were submitted to SCRS from repairers all across the country.

The study was conducted based on the desire to identify any issues around the use of aftermarket parts. "We realized that in addition to fit and finish, there were a number of other factors that stemmed from ordering, delivery, use, return and credit. The purpose of this study was to help identify any possible issues, and then to work with the appropriate parties to help rectify them," DiLisio further stated.

"Often times, the role the insurer, distributor, certifier and repairer play is overshadowed by the manufacturers and part quality. SCRS believes each of the aforementioned segments of the industry take part in the success and failure of certified aftermarket parts, and those segments will be the only ones that will be able to improve upon the service and quality of the parts we receive."

SCRS Executive Director Dan Risley said, "The results overall were very close to our initial findings that were released in a May 13, 2004 press release." To obtain a copy of that press release, you can go to www.scrs.com and click "In The News."

Risley continues, "Although the statistical data is important, we do not believe it should serve as the back drop for contentious claims of invalid data or challenge the process in which it was gathered. The fact remains that there are problems throughout the entire supply chain. Instead of disputing the percentage of aftermarket parts returned to the vendor, we are hoping we can all accept the fact that there are problems and work through how we are going to fix them now that we have helped to identify and substantiate them."