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The California Autobody Association Board of Directors met on May 14th at the Holiday Inn on the Bay in San Diego, CA. This was the 2nd quarter board meeting for 2011, the first was held in Sacramento in February.

The CAA began the meeting by announcing their new endorsed insurance broker for CAA members, Owen-Dunn. Tim Dickison with Own-Dunn discussed the partnership with CAA and their commitment to providing CAA members with competitive pricing through approved carriers, along with superior risk and cost containment support services. CAA members can contact Owen-Dunn when their Workers Compensation and Liability Insurance comes up for renewal. Tim can be contacted at 916-993-2755 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tony Endres with Furnace Dynamics reported on the status of Rule 1147 which currently affects the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) but could be addressed by all the districts throughout California and would include body shops. Rule 1147 is a retrofit rule that is designed to lower NOx emissions on a wide variety of sources to specific ppm levels. These levels are determined by the type of equipment and the temperature of operation. The CAA has been working with various groups, including Tony, and will be working with others to make sure the industry conforms to reasonable emission limits.

Verifacts Automotive spoke about their new program for CAA members titled “Business Ethics and Integrity with Emphasis on BAR." The objective is to train and empower shops to have the highest level of ethics and integrity and to differentiate them in the eyes of consumers, government, and insurance companies. CAA and Verifacts will be sending out additional information about these programs.

The Valley Ventura chapter of the California Autobody Association (CAA) will hold their monthly members meeting on June 23 at the Junkyard Cafe in Simi Valley. The meeting will begin at 5:30 and will feature Michael Pellett, a Regional Training Center Manager for Sherwin-Williams from Dallas, Texas.

Michael specializes in collision shop management and regularly teaches classes on Estimating, Sales, Key Performance Indicators and Lean classes throughout the nation.

Michael will talk about how you can leverage KPIs to your advantage and help drive additional business to your shop. In addition, Michael will discuss how the Reduction of Refinish Hours negatively impacts your bottom line. Come and see Michael share a straight forward and logical argument against the practice of lowering your refinish time when performing a “Blend within Panel” or “Partial Refinishing” operation.

A 60-second clip of Michael can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-82O88dlbYE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Please RSVP to: Cindy Shillito at (714) 944-4028 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Garmat® USA, has recently been recognized as a Colorado Company to Watch. They join a select group of Colorado Companies acknowledged for their hard work, dedication and contribution as a growing company in the state of Colorado.

“Garmat USA is honored to receive this award. Although being located in Colorado has been integral to our success, it would not be possible without the dedication of the Garmat employees and distributors,” said Johan Huwaert, General Manager.

“We are pleased to recognize Garmat USA for their outstanding contribution to the fueling the economic fire of our wonderful state. Thank you Garmat USA,” said Stephanie Steffens, Colorado Companies to Watch Program Director.

The Colorado Companies to Watch Program honors Garmat USA for developing valuable products, creating quality jobs, enriching our community and being a part of Colorado’s Economy. The award not only acknowledges the company’s growth but also recognizes the critical differences Garmat USA has made in their industry through their innovative products.

Garmat USA manufacturers spray paint booths and finishing solutions for collision repair, aviation and industrial applications. Located in Englewood, Colorado, the company strives to provide the most technologically advanced products that enhance productivity and profitability while providing an environmentally safe atmosphere for the technician and community.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS), announced on June 1 that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall involving approximately 52,000 2001 through 2003 Prius vehicles sold in the U.S. to replace the electric power steering pinion shaft attachment nuts. This announcement is for U.S. vehicles included in Toyota Motor Corporation’s global recall of 106,000 vehicles.

If the steering wheel is repeatedly and strongly turned to the full-lock position, there is a possibility the nuts securing the pinion shaft in the steering gear box assembly may become loose. If the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, over time, the customer will gradually notice significant increased steering effort when making a left turn.

Toyota dealers will install improved nuts that secure the pinion shaft at no charge to the vehicle owner. The repair will take approximately 4 hours depending upon the dealer’s work schedule.

Owner notification letters by first class mail will begin in early July, 2011.

Edward Flak, the Temecula, CA, marine who had his '94 Mustang GT repaired for him secretly while he was on his third tour in the Middle East in April, received a donation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California to help cover some of the cars continued costs.

Precision Paint and Body Works, the body shop that did the body work on Flaks car, agreed to donate about half of the $7,800 it cost to repair the vehicle in April.

The Flaks were happy to have so much of the work on the car donated by Precision and the other businesses that agreed to donate some work, but this still left them with about a $3,000 repair bill after all was said and done.

When the Commander Donald Durnil, of the Temecula Valley VFW, found out that the Flaks still owed money for the car makeover he asked for the California VFW to donate money to help pay.

Durnil reached out to Jim Rowoldt, the State Adjutant/Quartermaster, to see if they could come up with more of a donation.
"They {the Flaks} don't make a lot, and that's a hefty bill," said Durnil.

The Temecula Valley VFW Post originally came up with a $200 donation for the Flaks back in April but knew this would not cover the last of their costs.