John Yoswick (148)
John Yoswick is an automotive freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, who has been writing about the collision industry since 1988. He has a body shop in the family and is the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com).
He can be contacted by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
For shops or insurers looking to speed up cycle time, the types of parts used may make more difference than any other factor.
Third-party "desk auditors" faced some critics and tough questions during a panel discussion at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) held in Hollywood, Florida, in late July.
The issue of reuse of non-deployed airbags from salvaged vehicles returned to the spotlight at the Collision Industry Conference in Phoenix in April with a panel discussion that included information on a program being developed to certify such airbag modules.
NACE 02: Smaller but still the industrys meeting place
Written by John Yoswick"Working Small and Effective" was the title of a class at the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) in Dallas, Texas in early December, but it could have been an apt theme for the event. Many wondered whether NACE would "feel the impact" (the actual theme of the show) of the five major paint companies being absent from the trade show floor. Indeed, attendance by both shops and vendors was down. (For details, see "NACE by the numbers".)
Recycled parts issues take center stage at CIC meeting
Written by John YoswickUsed or "recyclable" parts were the focus of discussion during a number of other presentations at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) held in mid-March in Nashville, Tennessee.
35,000 pack LV convention center, ed programs overflow
Written by John YoswickThroughout the Las Vegas Convention Center the 35,000 attendees at last month's NACE seemed to be talking as much about the event itself as they did about the usual industry announcements, speakers and the "good deals" to be had on the trade show floor.
Looking back lends valuable insight to industry future
Written by John YoswickSometimes the best way to look forward is to spend a few minutes looking back.
That’s a concept that came to mind recently looking through a file of industry-related notes and articles from 15 years ago. What can the industry today learn from the ideas and topics being discussed then? What has changed – for better or worse – and are there areas in which virtually no progress has been made? And what should we be doing differently now to ensure we’re not just treading water 15 years from now in 2022?
Recycling yards change to meet challenge of consolidators, greater demand
Written by John Yoswick and Richard NeubauerIf you think the collision repair industry is changing rapidly, spend a little time talking with the owner of your nearby auto salvage yard:
Consolidation? Independent yards around the country are being gobbled up by larger corporations like LKQ Corporation and Ford Motor Company.
E-commerce and computer technology? Body shops can shop for used parts on-line at several websites, including iSalvage.com, NextPart.com, PlanetSalvage.com, and CarStation.com, and many yards are connected to each other by co-op networks such as United Recyclers Group.
ADP reverses position, says no encryption of data planned
Written by John YoswickSeemingly conceding that its previous position on estimating system data was untenable, ADP announced in April it was putting on hold its plan to encrypt that data and make it unusable by unlicensed third parties such as Internet claims management companies.
