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In the Federal Register this week, OSHA published its final rule aligning its Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard with the Global Harmonization System for Classifying and Labeling Chemicals (GHS). The rule, known as HazCom 2012 or the workers’ “Right-to-Understand” rule, substantially changes OSHA’s current standard and affects over 40 million employees at more than 5 million facilities nationwide. Employers must train all employees on the new HazCom standard before December 1, 2013.

Now that the final rule has been published, hazard communication procedures must change. Facilities must apply new chemical classification criteria, replace ALL MSDSs with new Safety Data Sheets, update or replace chemical labels, and train employees on the new standard. To help industry professionals understand the changes they must make, Lion Technology will offer the Preparing for OSHA’s New GHS Rule Web Seminar monthly through the end of the year.

The web seminar will be offered next on April 19, followed by sessions on May 15, June 21, July 17, August 16, September 25, October 23, November 15, and December 18.

Key topics include the new GHS hazard classification and chemical labeling system, an overview of new Safety Data Sheets, and meeting training and implementation deadlines. Attendees will learn strategies for preparing facilities and meeting relevant compliance requirements. More information about the live web seminar is available here: http://www.lion.com/Preparing-for-OSHAs-New-GHS-Rule.

OSHA introduced its first Hazard Communication standard in 1983, as the workers’ “right-to-know” rule. Before this, no requirement existed for employers to notify their workers of the dangers posed by the hazardous materials handled in their workplace. While the original standard was an important development, OSHA now believes it provided too much flexibility, leading to problems for both employees and employers. Hazard labels and Safety Data Sheets were formatted inconsistently and sometimes included inaccurate information, making it particularly difficult and burdensome for small employers to comply with the requirements.

Assured Performance Network announced March 28 that Nissan and Chrysler have been added to the 100% Write Rebate Rewards Program.  Now, members can earn 100% Write Rebates from three Auto Manufacturers: General Motors, Nissan and Chrysler.  The 100% Write Rebate Rewards Program provides a rebate to body shops when they repair a vehicle using 100% OEM collision repair parts as defined by the program.   The program is designed to provide an incentive for the shop to provide the highest level of fit, finish, durability, safety, and sustained vehicle value for the vehicle owner by using new OEM parts.

The Program also includes an exclusive “Certificate of Authenticity” for consumers verifying that 100% OEM parts were used to repair their vehicle.  As an option, if the vehicle damage is already reported to CARFAX, participating shops can report the repair information which will help restore the value of the vehicle.

General Motors and Assured Performance Co-Op Network launched the 100% Write Program in 2009.  Since then, thousands of repair facilities have participated in the Co-Op program earning millions of dollars in rebates.  The entire program is administered through Assured Performance Co-Op, allowing shops to gain a direct reward without changing dealers, altering their normal parts procurement process, or changing their local discounts.

Scott Biggs of Assured Performance Network said, “All elements of the 100% Write Program aim to provide an incentive and reward for shops to use collision repair parts that ensure the fit, finish, safety, and maintain the value of the vehicle.”  Biggs elaborated, “Adding Chrysler and Nissan to the 100% Write Rebate Program makes using OEM parts an even more rewarding choice.”

For more information go to: OEMRebates.com, or call Assured Performance at: 949-221-0010

I-CAR is hosting their third annual Atlanta Golf Tournament event; a fundraiser where proceeds support secondary and post-secondary collision students in the greater Atlanta area. I-CAR encourages you to learn more about this important fundraising event and participate and/or sponsor.

The Collision Repair Education Foundation Tournament will take place Wednesday, April 25th. Registration is from 10:00am - 12:00pm, Shotgun Start at 12:00pm at the Highlands Course at Lake Arrowhead in Waleska, GA. More information about the course can be found at www.lakearrowheadclub.net or by calling (770) 479-5500.

In 2011, the collision industry provided $4.1 million in support to secondary and post-secondary collision students and their school programs through the Collision Repair Education Foundation.

Through monetary and in-kind product donations, the 2011 Collision Repair Education Foundation donors helped to provide student scholarships, student tool grants, school equipment and supply grants, the 3rd annual Ultimate Collision Education Makeover school grant, and much more. Since 2008, when the Collision Repair Education Foundation became a purely philanthropic organization, the organization has provided $7 million in school and student support through industry donors.

Registration Forms & Fees are due no later than April 20, 2012.  Checks can be payable to: Collision Industry Foundation. Please email forms to David Kulkis at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please contact David to pay by credit card at (770) 714-6352. If you would like to mail your payment please contact Lee Sullivan at (678) 206-5214 for address. If you have any questions please contact David, Lee or Jerry Poirier at (404) 886-3487. To download a copy of the registration flyer please click HERE.

The Delaware Auto Service Professionals (DASP) will hold their March members meeting on March 29 at the DelCastle Inn in Wilmington at 7 p.m.

The group will discuss current legislative issues, group status and future initiatives along with a special guest; Delaware Insurance Commissioner, Karen Weldin Stewart will be in attendance to meet members and offer insight to current insurance issues within Delaware and the small business community.

For more information please visit deautoservicepros.com.

Mike Orso, President of Nick Orso’s Body Shop in Syracuse, NY, announced that his attorneys would file approximately $1,000,000 in “short pay” collection suits against various automobile insurance companies this month. The insurers are: Adirondack, Allstate, and State Farm. Additional causes of action, interest and penalties increase the various suit values to over $3,000,000.

Attorney Joseph R. Talarico, Esq. said, “Included in these suits are causes of action for violations of the NY State Insurance Regulation 64. Additionally a cause of action for violation of N.Y. GBS LAW § 349.” Section 349 specifically addresses deceptive acts and practices unlawful in NYS. The provisions of the law found on a NYS law website state; “a person who has been injured by reason of any violation of this section may bring an action in his own name to enjoin such unlawful act or practice, an action to recover his actual damages or fifty dollars, whichever is greater, or both such actions. The court may, in its discretion; increase the award of damages to an amount not to exceed three times the actual damages up to one thousand dollars, if the court finds the defendant willfully or knowingly violated this section. The court may award reasonable attorney's fees to a prevailing plaintiff.

Talarico added, “There is one common element of these cases that should lead to a resolve and when it finally hits them they settle. Any first year law student should be able to recognize it. In addition, the continued pattern of serious violations resulting in these “short pays” exposes carriers to some major costs. Some of these topics are simple one-item facts. Class Action attorneys love one-item venues. How long before they jump in? It should make for some interesting attorney-client conversations on the insurance company side.”

Class Auto Center in Long Beach, California is aptly named—truly a first class operation. This 15,000 square foot shop stands out like a beacon to L.A. traffic on the 405 Freeway. The facility was built from the ground up in 1990 by owner Ray Neveau.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

Neveau’s first shop was a very small two-bay shop in a dead end alley in Long Beach, however his impeccable reputation brought customers to his door. Erik Sumen was a ‘surfer’ kid who loved cars and knew of Neveau’s reputation, being very much in awe of him. Erik was fixing jet skis at home in his garage, when he found Ray Neveau in his little shop in the alley. Erik eagerly went to work for Ray as the ‘donut boy.’ Neveau then built Class Auto Center and their relationship has built this business to where it stands tall today.

This unique, upscale repair facility does all the estimating, bookkeeping and management of the operation upstairs. As you walk into the hi-tech waiting room, customers are welcomed by a customer service representative and seated in a quiet and clean environment, while the business of running this business is done up stairs. Even parts are managed upstairs and moved by a freight elevator that ascends to the parts room and descends into a corner of the production area.

There are no Direct Repair Relationships with insurance companies at Class Auto Center. They have strong relationships with their dealership partners and take excellent care of their mutual customers. This shop pays close attention to all details and they have a high customer return rate.

Spanning four family generations and in business for nearly 50 years, Rich’s Auto Body in Merced, Calif. has seen the automotive collision industry change and re-invent itself more than just a few times over the decades.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

Leonard Rich, Jr., who will turn 80 this year, is the founder and still the driving force behind this large operation. Rich, Jr.’s son, Leonard Rich III (age 55), is the shop’s general manager and his son Joseph (age 29) works by his side while they run a 50,000-square foot body shop that also includes a towing company, car museum, upholstery division, car restoration business and a vehicle detailing business.

Rich's Auto Body, Inc. was founded in the summer of 1964 by Leonard Rich, Jr. after learning the industry while working at his father's body shop in Ambridge, Pennsylvania for seven years. In 1962, Rich, Jr. moved to the west coast to join his father’s relocated shop.

“I drove one of my father’s old two trucks to California from Ambridge,” Rich, Jr. said. “My dream was to be a doctor and I wanted to pursue it, but then one day my mother told me, ‘One thing you can do is fix cars, so go do it! Plus, your grades aren’t good enough.’ That was the best advice I ever got. Two years later I decided to try and make it on my own, so I opened my own shop.”

PPG’s annual spring MVP Business Solutions Conference, to be held from March 25-27, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix, Arizona, has sold out, PPG announced March 1.

The conference has a notable lineup of well-known, motivational keynote speakers, relevant seminars, and interactive workshops all focused on aiding attendees in improving their collision center performance. The conference is structured to give participants exposure to fresh approaches for advancing their competitive capabilities.

Two prominent keynote speakers highlight the conference agenda: Vince Poscente and Joe Calloway.

“We are very pleased that our customers recognize the importance of these conferences,” said Jim Berkey, director of PPG MVP Business Solutions. “We put a lot of effort into providing pertinent information and processes that can make a real difference in a collision center’s business success. Apparently, our customers are finding genuine value in what we are offering because these conferences are gaining in popularity. We are delighted to have another sell-out event.”

These PPG conferences are biannual events; the next conference will be held in the fall.

For more information, visit ppgmvp.com.

Additional information about PPG MVP Business Solutions and future conferences may also be obtained by calling (866) 237-8178.

Although she was home ill, Linda Holcomb, Glendale/Foothill Chapter President, gave a report on the CAA’s first Quarter Board Meeting held in Sacramento. It was read by chapter board member, Mark D’Angelo, who conducted the evening meeting.  Linda said, “I have to tell you I am very excited about our new President, Dave Picton. He delivered one of the best president’s speeches I’ve heard in a long time. Dave would like to hear from any of our members about their ideas and directions of our Industry and the CAA. His phone number is (916) 731-8203. Please feel free to call him.”

D’Angelo said, “The focus of this meeting is a very important issue in our industry, total losses. They are affecting our body shops every day and taking away repairs from us. Not to mention that most of the customers really don’t want their cars totaled. The purpose of this meeting is to take a look inside the world of total losses and find out why they are happening, and where they are going.”

The principal speaker at the meeting was Herb Lieberman, who serves on LKQ’s Operating Committee, work with LKQ’s Govt Affairs Dept and represents LKQ Corp to many inter- and intra-industry national associations by speaking on “The Total Loss Dilemma.” With more than 430 facilities in five countries, LKQ provides its customers with the industry’s largest selection of replacement parts and services. LKQ specializes in recycled OE auto and truck parts, new aftermarket replacement parts, reconditioned OE replacement parts, remanufactured engines and transmissions, rebuilt OE replacement parts, heavy truck and equipment parts, paint and body shop supplies and equipment, and salvage vehicle disposal, with national part purchase programs and insurer services. The meeting included a tour of the LKQ facility to get a one-on-one look at their business behind the scenes.

The Orange County chapter of the California Autobody Association (CAA) held their monthly members meeting on February 28 at the Tustin Ranch Golf Club at 8 a.m. Speakers Chris Linford, Travis Ashby and Rob Thatcher of Oozle Media spoke about how shops can use social media outreach to bring in more first time customers.

Chapter Vice President Ben Mendoza of Kelly’s Body Shop in Santa Ana opened the meeting by announcing that the chapter’s board will remain the same for 2012. He also talked about the postponement of the AQMD’s Rule 1147 new NOx requirements for spray booth burners; shops have been given a 5 year extension on the rule thanks to efforts from CAA members and others. But he warned shops that part of the extension rule is that shops have to monitor and document their gas readings for their spray booths to maintain this extension. If the AQMD shows up requesting this readings log and a shop has not kept it, a hefty fine will be distributed to the shop.

Oozle Media’s presentation was driven by the work they have done with Shine Collision, a collision repair shop in Salt Lake City, UT. Thanks to their social media efforts, spearheaded by Oozle, Shine has been able to increase their gross income by $400,000 this year.

“The ROI of social media is you’ll still be in business in 5 years,” said Travis Ashby, Oozle’s CEO.

Maxon Hyundai-Mazda of Union, New Jersey is this month’s recommended wholesale dealer. This dealer services all of New Jersey, and parts of New York as well. This is another family store, a father-to-son dealership for over 60 years. A million dollar inventory provides same day service for most orders, and next day ordering is of course standard procedure. Open Monday through Friday, from 8 to 6 and Saturday from 8 to 5.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

All of us in the automotive industry have been aware of the constant improvements in the products, by every manufacturer. Warranty repairs have steadily decreased, scheduled maintenance has been reduced, and as a result, customer retail and wholesale business has gotten more important.

I talked to Rick Weber, the parts director, and was very impressed with his positive attitude. An experienced professional, this man knows the value of customer relationships, and wants your business.

I attended my second consecutive AASP/NJ Northeast Trade Show, officially show number 36, on March 9 and 10 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ. As I spend more time at these kinds of events I begin to appreciated how much there is to learn in this complicated business of collision repair. It is a very educational and useful event that collision repairers should make the effort to attend next year if possible.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

My focus this year was to cover the seminars which included waterborne technology, nitrogen welding, triage blueprinting, and managerial courses. I was especially curious on how they had been updated from last year. If you didn’t see my coverage of last year’s show it might be worth a quick review as several of the speakers drew upon their previous presentations. Check out my story at autobodynews.com, search ‘Northeast 2011’ (select exact phrase).

Parts and Service Manager Rob Cottle of Stadel Volvo in East Petersburg, PA, will again walk in an 18-mile walk in San Francisco, CA, on June 9 as part of the Out of the Darkness Overnight, an event that raises money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The goal of this journey, which will begin at dusk and finish at dawn, is to raise funds for suicide prevention, mitigate the stigma surrounding suicide and its causes, to encourage those suffering from mental illness to seek treatment, as well as to show support for the families and friends of the 30,000 Americans who die by suicide and the 20 million people that suffer from depression each year.

Cottle is asking for donations and support of this effort. Donations are tax-deductible and can be given at Cottle’s personal fundraising webpage, http://theovernight.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=501&participantID=3848

Cottle is walking as a part of the group called “Remembering Ryan”  and will be walking with his friend Debi, who lost her son by suicide four years ago.

“I hope that you’ll share this incredible journey with me—by supporting me in my fundraising efforts,” said Cottle.

The net donation proceeds will support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s programs and mission.

AFSP is a small foundation, and much of their funding comes from The Overnight.

According to AFSP, “Every dollar you raise will help you save the life of a child, a parent, a sibling or a close friend.”

For more information about AFSP, please visit www.afsp.org. For more information about the Out of the Darkness Overnight please visit www.theovernight.org.

Charley Hutton, custom painter extraordinaire, explains how to create a realistic, wood grain look with a few simple tools and PPG Envirobase® High Performance basecoat.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

A painted wood-grain effect is one way to add a distinctive look to your custom build. In this step-by-step article, Charley will show you how to paint a panel with one style of wood in the center, framed by another wood grain look.

Creating the wood grain effect is about having the right tools. You’ll want to have a variety of sponges, some with loose density for creating larger grain, and others more dense for tighter grain. Sea sponges are ideal. You’ll also need a choice of brushes, preferably inexpensive ones with stiff bristles. The brushes are used to create very tight grain lines, what we call the “dry brushing” technique. And finally, you’ll need an airbrush and compressor for shadowing and highlighting.

Of course, like learning any special effect technique, it will take some practice to get the technique down. “Some of the techniques I’ve learned actually came by accident,” said Hutton. “For example, Paul Stoll, PPG’s custom painter/trainer, and I discovered a cool trick while doing a ’49 tin woody. We didn’t like the look we were getting, so when we went to wipe the paint off, it smeared and created a really nice wood grain effect—and I’ve been using this technique ever since.”

W M Automotive Warehouse announced that they would hold their Home Run Celebration open house event on April 21 and 22 at their distribution center in South Fort Worth, Texas. The annual celebration will feature a vendor trade show with  an estimated 110 manufacturers showcasing their products at booths. Additionally, the event will include training, tours, and meals. An estimated 600 auto parts store and repair shop owners and managers are expected to attend.

“It has been over 25 years since we have done anything like this. I told my people that I wanted this to be the biggest thing to happen in the aftermarket in our region for years to come, and it’s shaping up to be better than I expected,” said CEO Wilson McMillion. “Our manufacturers have really stepped up to participate, and our people are going the extra mile to make this a super event.”

W M Automotive was established in 1976 and is headed by owner and CEO Wilson McMillion.

“We will be hosting our customers from all over Texas and Oklahoma, and we want them to have a great time,” McMillion continued. “This is going to be a real celebration!”

W M is the largest privately-owned aftermarket automotive wholesaler and store group in the South-Central region, serving over 200 Parts Plus and independent auto parts stores in Texas and Oklahoma. Parts Plus is an international group of independent distributors, retail stores, and Car Care Centers. W M Automotive is the supplier for over 100 Parts Plus Autostores in Texas & Oklahoma, as well as many other non-Parts Plus jobbers.

The Texas Independent Automotive Association (TIAA) held their March members meeting on March 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Pompei Italian Grill in San Antonio, TX.

The 35 or so in attendance heard from local channel KLRN. They spoke about how shops can donate a service for their upcoming 46th annual Blazing Gavels charitable auction. For more information about the auction please visit blazinggavels.com.

Jeff Franco from Elite Sales and marketing was also in attendance. Jeff has a lot of experience in the collision industry and has been in talks with Membership Director Hunter Hooge to start a collision-specific side of TIAA. This collision-specific subgroup would have industry-specific speakers and their own meetings. According to Hooge this subgroup will not officially start for another month or so.

Jeff’s website is elite-dealers.com.

The TIAA will hold their April monthly meeting on April 19 at the Barn Door, 8400 North New Braunfels Avenue, San Antonio. Sid Hurlbert will be the speaker. He will speak about how best to deal with customers. Sid is a motivational speaker who specializes in the art of communication. Sid generally teaches “what to say and how to say it.” Sid has also published several books and written many articles on communication skills.

Learn more about Sid at www.sidneychurlbert.com. For more information about the association please visit www.tiaa.net.

The Northwest Louisiana Collision Repair Association (NWLCRA) will hold their first day meeting of the year on April 3, 2012 at 12:00 PM. The group will meet at the Magnolia Room in Shreveport, LA. You don't need to RSVP for this meeting.

The association is currently having their Membership Drive and would like to have new members. For an application, please see www.nwlcra.org. Existing members, remember to renew.

On March 16, a group of 188 U.S. lawmakers led by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) urged President Obama to crack down on “predatory” Chinese pricing practices, which they said are threatening the U.S. auto parts industry and could cost the U.S. more than a million jobs.

“We cannot wait until further damage is done,” the nearly 200 members of the House and Senate— including all the Democratic members of the House Ways and Means Committee—said in a letter to President Obama. “Seventy-five percent of the jobs in the automotive sector are in auto parts, and these jobs are at risk in every state in the nation.”

The Congressional letter encourages Presidential action against Chinese predatory trade practices in this sector to be one of the “first and highest priorities” of his Administration’s recently created Interagency Trade Enforcement Center. The lawmakers praised the administration’s creation of the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center to promote a more coordinated effort, which they say will provide the United States additional resources to examine China’s and other nations’  trade violations. This effort, unlike any that have taken place in recent memory, asks the Administration to further investigate the barriers that China has adopted and initiate appropriate action to level the playing field.

The complaint is supported by the United Steel Workers. “Most trade cases are filed by the private sector after substantial injury has occurred. China’s practices in this sector have already caused harm, but the goal is also to alter its policies before the complete decimation of our domestic industry. In these critical economic times, we must take every appropriate action to address unfair trade practices by foreign countries,” said USW President, Leo Gerard.

The fourth annual Verifacts Automotive Fix it Right/Fix It Smart Symposium, was held February 23–24, at the spectacular Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort in Dana Point, California. This invitation-only symposium was attended by 350 collision professionals including shop owners, insurers, and related industry partners.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

Industry veteran Dale Delmege was Master of Ceremonies for theday and a half event. In opening the event Delmege asked if anyone remembered the name of Albert Einstein’s math teacher?” After the expected and silent answer of ‘no,’ Delmege answered his own question: “No one remembers his name, yet he unlocked the intellectual key that changed the world.”

This simple question set the tone as Delmege invited the attendees to challenge conventional thought and explore the future. The international line up of speakers and panelists came prepared to do that.

A most unusual and gratifying segment of the Symposium was Verifacts recognition of other industries who have a proven commitment of quality and excellence.

Dr. David Spong, who retired as President of Boeing Aerospace Support, is the only two-time recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the only formal recognition of the performance excellence of both the public and private U.S. organizations, receiving said awards from Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The Baldridge Award is  given by the President of the United States.

The Montana Collision Repair Specialists is an active association that is experiencing growth in membership this year. The association’s spring meeting is in Great Falls in April. Guest speakers will be Steve Bullock, Montana Attorney General, who recently announced his candidacy for Governor, and Jesse Laslovich, Chief Counsel for the Montana Securities and Insurance Division, who has announced his candidacy for Montana Attorney General.

This association has a strong legislative history. Their most recent legislative victory was in 2010 when a bill was passed that ‘prohibits insurers from disregarding a cost item identified by an estimating system.’

In October of 2011, Montana State Auditor, (Insurance Commissioner), sent an Advisory Memorandum to all Property and Casualty Insurers doing business in the State of Montana, advising them of the law and stating possible fines.

MCRS Past President, Max Yates, owner of Yates Body Shop in Butte, Montana has served region, HD 74, as State Representative for the last two years. Representative Yates has also announced his candidacy to continue his seat in the State Legislature in 2012/13. For a state as large as Montana, this association stays very connected through telephone calls and email and jobber support. Fall and Spring Meetings are well attended, hosting at least 80 people. Many shop owners will drive 7-8 hours to attend a meeting. Membership is almost at 100 shops out of about 225 in the state. Not bad for a state that has more cows than people!

Ask most people about CAFÉ standards and they would immediately think of food quality control. There is another meaning that you probably know and it will drastically impact your business, but you may not be aware why it will.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

CAFÉ stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy-- the average miles per gallon on an OEM’s passenger cars and trucks.  The standards for passenger vehicles will rise from the national current 27.5 mpg to 35.7 mpg by 2015, while light trucks will go from 23.5 mpg to 28.6 mpg.  My next question is how will the OEMs accomplish these figures?  Car and trucks will be lighter and smaller, with a greater use of aluminum, plastics, carbon fiber, magnesium and advanced high strength steels (60 percent of all steel in today’s vehicles is AHSS). These exotic materials are the reason that fuel economy will impact body shops.

Aluminum is being used on virtually all makes and models built today, not only on upscale import sports cars.  The hood on a Toyota Prius for example is made from aluminum.  You will need to invest in new tools and training to work with increasing use of this metal.

Even with an increase in the use of aluminum, the percent of usage is relatively small compared to the use of Advanced High Strength Steels.  Steels (AHSS) will pose the biggest problems for repairers and we need to look at the challenges for these steels.  The first area is we need to understand is the effect of heat on metal.

LeMans Body and Paint was started in 1959 by Lyman Beetley as a small used-car dealership and collision repair shop in Santa Monica. Tragically, he passed away in 1964 at the too-soon age of 54. When his sons, Richard and Robert, took over the business when they were just teenagers in 1964, they pushed the business more towards the collision repair work and slowly phased out the used car sales over the next few years.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

In 1974, the brothers purchased the building north of the original lot, and then the building south of it in 1980. This created a private office space for managers as well as an expanded paint area.

Richard’s children, Kim and Kirk, and Robert’s sons, Bill and Ed, took over the business in the late 1980s and still manage it today.

According to Kirk, in the early 70s his father and uncle were the first guys in the area to really take their shop to the next level, with a polished reception area and a strong emphasis on customer service—requiring all personnel to dress in a business professional attire. They also built in some achitectural flair to the new building which earned them a city of Santa Monica beautification award. Putting in the extra effort helped bring their business and the industry as a whole from the “local garage mentality” to an important service business in the community.

When the third generation took over the business DRP relationships were just starting to heat up, so the group took an aggressive approach towards insurance contracts and rapidly expanded the business. They added a second location in Los Angeles in 1999 and a third in El Segundo in 2007. The family also brought in long-time family friend Ross Kulkin to help manage the business. Ross had spent 10 years on the insurance company side and was able to add some great perspective to the group.

When Tom O’Mara, an Iowa shop owner, was told by an insurance company that they were only going to pay him $52 an hour, even though his labor rate is $56, he became “mad as heck and was not going to take it anymore.” He called the vehicle owner and read the state law to him. The law in Iowa says that if the insurer writes an estimate or has one written for them, and the repair costs more than the estimate, the insurer must pay the difference. The vehicle owner called the insurer and insisted they pay O’Mara’s bill. Then O’Mara called the Iowa Governor’s office repeatedly until he got a face to face meeting with Governor Terry Branstad. O’Mara had to convince the governor’s aide first before getting a meeting with the governor. He showed him estimates and letters he claims revealed insurer threats against him, the last three years’ worth of price increases he has had to endure, and a copy of the 1963 Consent Decree. “I highlighted everything in the Consent Decree that the insurers agreed not to do anymore,” O’Mara said. “I let them know this is the third time I’ve given a copy of the Consent Decree to the State of Iowa and asked, ‘What are you going to do about it? This is still enforceable.” As a result of this meeting, the Governor requested that the Iowa Department of Insurance research three business practices in Iowa: collision repair labor rates, steering, and non payment of storage. This was last September.

This story made national news in USA Today and may have helped open a line of communication between Iowa collision repairers and the governor’s office.

In only a few years, the ICRA has become an established and recognized state organization that supports education, training, and industry networking.

Attendance at the recent NORTHEAST trade show, at the Meadowlands in Secaucus, NJ, was up 20% from last year, which was up from the year before. Some seminars were overflow seating and organizers had to pull in extra chairs for people who were standing.

Heard and seen at the show  were some familiar figures in the industry. Several took the mike at the Northeast Leadership forum.

One person we all wanted to hear from was the owner of North State Custom, Greg Coccaro, who surprised a number of attendees with the revelation that he’s back to doing business with Progressive Insurance, despite the long and torturous legal battles between the two. Even though business is relatively slow for shops in the area, his Progressive work has actually picked up. Coccaro was told by a Progressive employee that “Progressive does not have a network of shops in New York any more, so the intense steering they practiced in this area has subsided.” Coccaro added, “I’m now repairing cars for Progressive’s customers once again.” Coccaro still  owes some $500,000 in legal fees to defend his shop’s reputation and his own name. He hopes to be able to recover his losses due to the causes of action in his pending lawsuit against Progressive.

Another engaging speaker at the forum was Tony Lombardozzi with Automotive Collision Repair Services in New Hampshire, who repeated his message of self-sufficiency for the industry and his advocacy of independence from insurers through his presidency of the Coalition for Collision Repair Excellence (CCRE). Lombardozzi put it plainly: “The insurer is not a third party to our contract with our customer and should not be involved in the repair process. What an insurer appraiser writes is meaningless. It serves no purpose in the repair process.”

County Line Auto Body in Howell, NJ, has been a successful shop for nearly thirty years, but recently they have made several major improvements to the business.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

Founding owner, Gary Gardella Sr. is putting his faith in his two sons: co-owners Rich Gardella and Gary Gardella Jr. His close connection with his sons has led to some major decisions in the business designed to benefit County Line Auto Body and their customers.

In 1982, Gary Gardella Sr., along with a partner, opened County Line Auto Body as a two-bay shop that literally had been converted from a chicken coop. From the very beginning, Gardella and his partner had high expectations, working hard to show local customers through their dedication and determination that they would provide quality auto body repairs, despite the shop’s chickenish appearance. Over time, the coop shop expanded, and new employees were hired as customers shared their experiences, leading to repeat customers and new clientele.

Some years later when Gardella and his partner split up, Gardella dedicated even more time and energy into his business; however, it was difficult to run a thirty-man operation with little management to draw upon. Luckily, his two sons decided to join the business in 2001. Rich Gardella, 24 at the time, was finishing college, while Gary Jr., at 21, was working in the shop. Both young men had spent years around the business, working for their father after school and during their summers. Between the paint and detail shops, they understood the basics of the business. Rich attended school in order to learn estimating, while Gary Jr. took on the role of production manager.

RBL Products has introduced its Pre-treatment system in the automotive aftermarket. The system is very simple. It consists of a water-based conversion coating that is applied by wiping onto a bare metal surface. The product protects against corrosion and promotes adhesion. The directions are simply, you just wipe the pre-treatment onto the bare metal. Then let it air dry. The average dry time is between 2–5 minutes. You can then apply primer surface directly over the pre-treatment. It can be used on Hot and cold rolled metal, galvanized, stainless steel, aluminum, and other exotic metals.

The pre-treatment system was developed as a substitute for wash, etch, and epoxy primer. Expensive primers and waiting for 24 hours, as well as adhesion and corrosion issues, are now a thing of the past.

The pre-treatment system chemistry was developed and patented by Henkel Corporation. RBL Products recently was granted exclusive rights to convert the technology into pre-saturated wipes and markers. Henkel is the largest pre-treatment company in the world. The same process is used on every car produced since World War ll. Every vehicle as soon as it enters the paint shop is processed by a multi-stage zinc phosphate dip and rinse system before it enters e-coat and primer.

RBL president, Ron Lipson stated “The pre-treatment product puts back what was removed from the metal when grinding and sanding occurs. Once the industry understands the product and how it works it will become standard on all bare metal repairs. Insurance companies are going to mandate this product where applicable.” For more information visit www.rblproducts.com.

Looking for tips, tools and resources to help your business, defend your positions or do your part for the industry? Here’s a collection of links to sites, documents and information you may find interesting and useful.

— Motor Information Systems has released a revised edition of its Guide to Estimating (http://tinyurl.com/7zhbvr3), its explanation of what is and is not included in its estimating labor times (the system used by CCC Information Services). Revisions made in the February 2012 version are highlighted in blue within the guide.

The new guide, for example, indicates that recalibration of the steering angle sensor is not included in Motor labor times. Bumper labor times are now shown to include lamps when mounted to the bumper but not include optional equipment lamps or those not mounted to the bumper. Labor times for fender inner panels are now shown to include grinding, filling and smoothing welded seams up to 150 grit sandpaper. The guide adds electrical wiring to the list of non-included items on frame labor, steering column overhaul, trunk lid, lift gate and quarter panel times. Hinge pillar glass and moldings are now listed as included in cowl, hinge pillar and dash panel times.

— I-CAR has actually lowered the cost of its online training (http://tinyurl.com/7rsb2sb) to make it comparable (on an hourly basis) to the fee for its live, classroom training. There are now more than four dozen online classes available, some vehicle-specific (such as “Ford F-150 Frame Replacement”) and others more general (such as “MIG Brazing”).

Atlanta Dent Company, the paintless dent removal company in Roswell, GA, has expanded and grown their business to include interior restoration, full detailing, and paint. They have expanded into these other services to become a complete source for automotive reconditioning for their 250 plus wholesale accounts, including collision centers, body-shops, and automobile dealers, plus thousands of retail customers.

Owners Troy Loupe and Roy Taylor incorporated Atlanta Dent Company in 2000. With more than 40 years combined industry experience they grew the company to 14 mobile technicians specializing in dings, dents and hail. They also added a management staff and an office team.

In March 2008, Troy and Roy acquired the local franchise for Interior Magic International Inc., a complete automotive interior reconditioning company. ADC was just chosen as co-franchise of the year for Interior Magic, which has more than 40 franchises in 17 states and is recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 500 franchises in the US for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. It was ranked as the number one “automotive reconditioning franchise” in Opportunity World Magazine in 2009. They currently have six certified technicians who service the metro Atlanta area providing highest quality work for cigarette burn repair, leather repair, stain removal, alloy wheel repair, windshield chip repair, carpet dying, vinyl repair, odor removal, headlight restoration and more. These additional services have exceeded their client’s expectations. Magic Finish, a division of Interior Magic,  offers full detailing services to new and used automotive dealerships.  With more than 30 employees, they have interior and exterior services that follow a comprehensive checklist to deliver a quality product.  “Quality First. Every Car, Every Time.” By streamlining the detail department, and providing extras like custom floor mats, they have satisfied a needed service in the automobile industry.

Airbrush artist JoAnn Bortles, who owns Crazy Horse Custom Painting, and lives in Waxhaw, NC, started airbrushing her art onto motorcycles as a teen in the seventies on a dare. A lifelong interest in art led her to Parson’s School of Design in New York City, but she eventually had to return to suburban Connecticut to help out her parents. She had taken welding classes in high school and became a certified welder after returning home. She worked various factory jobs for the next few years until the words “If you’re such a hotshot artist, why don’t you try and paint my bike tank?” jolted her into the world of custom painting.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

Her painting career really took off after the unexpected death of a friend in 1993. Her friend David had always pushed JoAnn to take her painting to the next level, saying she should be more serious about her talent. After he passed away unexpectedly JoAnn decided to honor his memory by taking a crack at becoming a professional custom painter. So she moved to Florida, which then, as now, was a hot spot for custom painting and honed her craft.

“Being around all these great painters made me really want to up my game,” said JoAnn. While in Florida JoAnn met and married her husband (now ex-) and they moved to Waxhaw in 1996. When she got to North Carolina, JoAnn realized it was a totally different game and since she was relatively unknown in the area she had a hard time finding people who would let her paint their cars.

Bobby Alloway loves the color black. Alloway, who has been building and painting hot rods for years, was named the 2011 Autorama Builder of the Year at the 59th Detroit Autorama earlier this year. The award was just the latest in a long series of coveted accolades for the painter, including Goodguys’ Street Rod and Street Machine of the Year, the Don Ridler Memorial Award, America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, plus countless others. He was inducted into the Rod & Custom Hall of Fame in 2004.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

“It s rich, classy and doesn’t ‘hurt’ any car,” says Bobby.  “No one ever says, ‘that s an ugly color’ when it s black.”

Some painters avoid black because of its reputation for being unforgiving in calling attention to even the tiniest of flaws. Alloway maintains that the prep and painting process should be the same, regardless of whether the car is red, blue, white or black. What is the secret to his flawless finishes? “The key is to not be in a hurry,” says Bobby. “Don’t take any shortcuts.”

Here are some tips from the master himself:

How much money are you losing each year by not charging for Feather, Sand and Fill (aka Feather, Prime and Block)? If you’re charging nothing, I can guarantee you $5,000 more in yearly profits if you follow this advice and start getting compensated for the necessary work you’ve always been doing.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

Feather, Sand and Fill is a non-included procedure that takes the surface from 150-grit level smoothness to the condition of a new, undamaged panel that can then begin the refinish process. The labor and supplies used with with feather, prime and block may fluctuate based on the nature of the repair area and should be considered when deciding which work needs to be performed. I will address the issues many shop owners have in getting insurance companies to pay for this procedure, the laws involved, and possible solutions to consider.

In 2006, the Collision Industry Conference Estimating Committee defined feather, prime and block as “non-included refinish operations that complete the process from 150 grit to the condition of a new, undamaged panel... The body/paint labor and materials necessary to prepare the repaired area from 150 grit to the condition of a new undamaged part is a valid and required step in the process. The labor and material allowances for these operations requires an on-the-spot evaluation of the specific vehicle and damage.”

OK, I really do fix cars for a living. I take a car that’s acting up, locate the problem, and make the appropriate repair. Sometimes I haven’t a clue where to look when I start, but with a few proper tools, a little ingenuity, and a whole lot of experience I’ll find the problem eventually.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

It’s like finding Waldo, that nerdy little guy dressed in red and white who travels a lot and specializes in challenging people to locate him. He sometimes hides in plain sight. You’ll usually have to look closely to find him. Except my “Waldo” doesn’t wear a red and white cap to give himself away. My Waldo is usually something to do with a component or part that has failed, or has decided to be difficult. I sometimes think that these weird repair jobs that end up at my shop are like an elaborate game of “who can find Waldo first?”

I’m not always the first guy to try and find Waldo. A lot of times a customer will take their car to a relative or next door neighbor, or they’ll find the cheapest shop or the closest garage in their area. I’ll hear a customer tell me they always go to a certain shop for all their repairs, so they think nothing of going to a specialist for repairs. But, when that doesn’t work it’s time to ask for a recommendation for a shop that can make the repairs. Now, of course, this isn’t true of everyone. A lot of people have a family mechanic they have used for years, while others believe the dealership is the only place to go for repairs. Whichever or whatever way works for each and everyone is just fine with me. One way or another somebody has to find Waldo.

A small motor oil spill incident at the I-CAR Tech Centre in Appleton, Wisconsin in the spring of 2011 has raised our awareness of the many considerations involved with a material spill into the environment. What started as an accidental collision between a snowplow and a 55-gallon drum of waste oil on an adjoining property resulted in an experience we would never want to repeat.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

There were several steps and decisions that had to be made to assure proper cleanup. What was more stressful than what we knew about the incident was what was unknown. How far had the spill traveled? Was the groundwater contaminated? What public agencies might have to be involved? How much was this all going to cost?

We thought we’d share our experience to perhaps benefit another facility that might encounter a similar incident.

The collision repair industry has too many body shops. I’m not sure anyone would seriously dispute that. The sooner we can rid ourselves of 15,000 body shops, the better all of us will be. Yes, it’s true, all of us will be far better off. This includes insurance companies, vendors, body shops themselves and consumers.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

How can we make this happen at a faster pace? That may be beyond the limited scope of this mastermind, but it wouldn’t be an Insider article without a recommendation or two, so buckle up and get ready.

The car manufacturers should further develop their certification programs and join together as one voice to educate consumers at the point of purchase. “If your car is in an accident, you must take it to an OEM Certified Repair Facility to guarantee a proper repair. Taking your vehicle to a body shop outside the Certified program could result in an improper repair and compromise your safety.”

Sadly, that statement isn’t some trumped-up idea to scare people. It’s a fact and the motoring public should know that while there are more than 35,000 body shops in the country, too small a percentage are prepared to repair aluminum, identify substrates, weld “exotic” metals and use proper-sectioning procedures.

Environmental legislation and increasing restrictions on VOC emissions continue to transform the coatings industry and collision repair business. Waterborne paint systems have become more prevalent as the best way to radically reduce greenhouse gasses. At BASF, this environmental breakthrough has also become an opportunity for product and service innovation to add superior value, helping increase shop safety, productivity, quality and, ultimately, customer satisfaction.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

Innovative BASF Products Leads
As a world leader in automotive refinishing products, BASF introduced one of the first waterborne systems with the launch of the Glasurit® 90-Line™ in 1992. Ahead of its time, the high-performing 90-Line began a revolution that has not only made many collision repair shops more environmentally friendly, but has improved quality and throughput — through ease-of-use, low material consumption, fast-drying formulas, better hiding and easier blending.

Moreover, the fact that approximately 70 percent of all new cars are finished with waterborne paint make 90-Line an ideal system for repair. And when it comes to quality, it’s reassuring to know that the world’s finest automobiles—including Mercedes-Benz and BMW—have waterborne paint. In addition, ultra-luxury cars such as Maybach and Rolls Royce are hand sprayed at the plant with 90-Line.

For collision repair centers that demand high productivity, superior quality and cost efficiency, BASF’s R-M® automotive finishes continue to be the right choice. R-M’s low-VOC waterborne basecoat—Onyx HD™ — has been used by many independent collision repair centers and car dealerships for almost two decades. The system brings next-generation processes into the shop, while offering excellent versatility, durability and cost effectiveness along with superb color matching with BASF’s proprietary COLOR-MAX® system. And, Onyx HD does all this while meeting today’s most stringent VOC regulations at local, regional and national levels.

The combination of R-M’s fast drying primers, high gloss “no-bake” clears and Onyx HD low-VOC waterborne basecoat reduce cycle time and energy consumption while helping preserve the environment. Being green with Onyx HD can actually save you some green, helping make the business case to switch to the waterborne system.

It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Yet, with today’s digital cameras in cell phones, even, pictures are worth less than a dime a dozen. Yesterday’s promotional pieces, flyers, brochures and even website pages, all may have nice photos, but people are less impressed with them these days. To really make an impact on a potential source of referral business, you need to get them to come to the shop and see the real thing. One live contact is easily worth more than a thousand pictures.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

With spring arriving, this could be a good time to spruce up the shop and push for some live visits by referral coordinators you’ve been chasing. Over the winter some aspects of your shop may have fallen into disrepair or worse. Getting an entire shop showcase-ready is generally not an easy task. Spare parts storage and the paint mixing room may have become major eyesores. Walk through the shop and imagine you have an insurance executive or dealership owner walking along with you. Try looking at your place from his or her eyes and take some notes. These could be the improvements that make the difference in how your shop is valued as a place to refer customers.

A few standard interior-decorating measures can make a major difference in how your shop is perceived. If you often have spare parts or some other eyesore in your office or waiting area, a useful device to hide that kind of thing is the room divider. These are generally just a couple of free-standing 2’x 6’ or 3’x 6’ panels hinged together, but depending on how they’re painted or covered with fabric or used to display promotional posters, they can be a significant visual asset in an otherwise drab room. If the office or waiting area is uncomfortably small, a mirrored wall gives an illusion of larger space and also reflects light to brighten a dimly lit room.

Although a body shop is in the automotive painting business, it’s surprising how many shops fail to adequately paint their buildings, driveways and equipment. Just painting the spray booth doors makes them look newer and better maintained at a glance. The same is true of the paint storage room. Older equipment like ancient frame machines and welding equipment can be spruced up quickly with a coat of the metallic paint you use on vehicles every day. Dealership shops are more likely to have identifying signs over bays indicating body work, frame work, welding, etc.

Dealership driveways also usually have painted lines to direct customers to various parts of the facility. But an independent shop can add a perspective of professionalism by adding a few signs around to designate how various bays are used and perhaps some painted lines on driveways. These simple cosmetic measures will make a major difference to visitors accustomed to well organized and generally very clean offices.

While these improvements might be made to impress  an insurance executive or dealership owner, other changes might be added for more specific visitors. Some shops have begun to take advantage of the “baby boom generation” achieving the status of “seniors,” and looking for ways to alleviate physical problems that can come with aging. Special handicap access elements around the shop can assist an older person taking a shop tour and the shop could profit from offering and installing handicap-assistance devices like power running boards. Driving schools have begun to multiply as public schools drop driver training classes. Some shops invite student drivers in to look at heavy hits to alert them to what can result from hazardous driving. A shop showcase might add a display to that effect. Also a shop that caters a bit to mothers and parents should consider adding some child-entertainment items that could be emphasized when showing a mother or parent around the shop. This kind of convenience can make a major difference when a prospect is comparing competitor shops in your area.

While all of these improvements would significantly help sell your shop to prospective referral source visitors, the impact on shop personnel shouldn’t be overlooked. Sprucing up a work bay and perhaps making some improvement in the appearance of standard worker clothing tells a technician his or her work is valued and especially appreciated at this time. This same technician is likely to also present a better P.R. image when people are coming through on a tour. Efficiency studies have shown that personnel in general perform better in well organized, attractive spaces. You may have started out to simply make improvements to impress anyone coming through on a shop tour, but you could also be pleasantly surprised to find that your improvements have reduced cycle time and made a major difference in your financial bottom line.

It’s like water and oil; church and state—the Democrats and the Republicans. For many decades, there have always been two disparate sources for collision and mechanical parts. But now, still mired in an economy that is improving but lagging, aftermarket parts distributors are starting to think outside the parts box and adding mechanical parts to their collision inventory and vice versa. When ancillary revenue becomes vital to the bottom line, every company starts looking harder for the “new, new thing”. By being a one-stop parts source and expanding their inventories, companies are increasing profits and building a larger, more loyal customer base.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

The Levan Group, Inc. has been in business for two decades and has five locations in California and Texas, so owner Kenny Levan has seen the collision parts industry change and re-invent itself on many levels. That’s why he began incorporating mechanical parts into his collision inventory within the last several years.

“We’re always looking for ways to increase our revenue, because once you rely totally on certain types of parts, you’re limiting yourself,” Levan said. “We discovered that our body shop customers want certain mechanical parts to supplement their crash parts. It’s a matter of convenience and if we can match the prices they’re finding elsewhere, it’s an easy decision for them.”

When it opened its doors more than eight decades ago, Pacific Coast Lacquer (PCL) Automotive was providing products for body shops painting automotives such as Ford Model A’s, Hudson Roadsters and Austin 7’s. Today, the brands and names have changed, but PCL still markets a wide range of paint-related products to the collision industry, including surface cleaners, pre-treatment coatings, primer surfacers, primer sealers, single stage topcoats, aerosols and solvents.

To view a PDF of this article please click HERE.

The body shop business has changed in a big way since 1929, back in the days before DRPs or labor rate surveys. But according to Ruben Laguna, PCL’s Director of Sales and Marketing, quality products backed by solid customer service is still a formula for success and longevity. Since being hired by the company in 1988, Laguna has seen PCL grow and change with the times and is proud of the company’s role by providing solutions for body shops that are 100% compliant and make financial sense as well.

“I tell my customers that our products offer all three things: Performance, quality and price,” Laguna stated. “That’s why they represent a great value across the board. You can save money, but are you sacrificing quality or performance as a result? And just because you pay more, does that necessarily mean you’re getting real value?”

Manufacturers of automotive refinishing products have come and gone over the years and PCL is proud to be the only manufacturer of its type still doing business in California. By developing new products through its extensive R&D efforts at its headquarters and factory in Los Angeles, PCL has developed a wide range of innovative products, including several that can be used with both solvent and waterborne paint systems,” Laguna explained.

As a result of overwhelming interest and questions from repairers and consultants across the nation, a Collision Industry Legal Seminar is being provided for collision repair professionals by Ray Gunder of Gunder’s Auto Center and Barrett Smith of Auto Damage Experts (ADE).

This event promises to provide a unique opportunity for many as there has been a great deal of interest regarding the success repairers across the country have had in their efforts to aid their customers in the recovery of the full costs required for a proper and thorough repair.

Together, Gunder and Smith are co-sponsoring  this legal seminar and the duo’s legal counsel, Brent Geohagan, Esquire, will provide an open forum to offer information and to answer questions as to how repairers may improve their businesses and service to their customers, while lessening unnecessary interference, encumbrances and potential liabilities.

“This will not be the standard training on “how to increase work flow”, “cycle times” or “KPI’s” and such,” said Smith, “However, the information gained during this meeting will likely enable attendees to work much more effectively and to better serve the needs of their customers and their businesses through more efficient administrative processes while avoiding unnecessary legal liabilities. This information, properly employed, will likely result in greater profits and reduce operational costs and frustrations.”

The intent of this seminar will be to provide information on legal basics including an overview of the much discussed processes involving the “Power of Attorney” and “Assignment of Proceeds” (aka Assignment of Benefits). Answers to attendee’s individual questions as to how it may benefit them, their business and their customers will be available along with other topics such as:

Christian Brothers Automotive opened their first franchise location in Florida last month, located at 23650 Venezia Drive in Land O’Lakes.

The location is equipped with nine service bays and encompasses nearly 5,000 square-feet. Land O’Lakes franchise owner Larry Giannone and his wife, Cindy, of Tampa decided to invest in the company “because of its values,” he said according to the Land O’Lakes Patch.

“It’s a faith-based franchise,” Giannone said. The honesty and integrity of the business is what drew Giannone, a 20-year industry veteran, in.

The franchise prides itself on taking time for repairs and getting them done right, the first time.

“We’re not a quick-service,” Giannone said. “An oil change will take about 40 minutes.”

Giannone is on site every day, and the business’ shuttle service will drop customers off back at home or a shopping center, then return to pick them up once their service is complete.

Ray Gunder of Gunder’s Auto Center has been pressing insurers to provide full compensation to his customers for “necessary processes and materials needed to properly and thoroughly repair his customer’s vehicles” through filing litigation against the insurer, specifically State Farm, on the customer’s behalf.

The first instance required a lawsuit to be levied against the insurer by Gunder brought the matter of unpaid procedures and paint and material invoicing to court and was settled during a court ordered mediation and actual litigation was avoided. State Farm agreed to pay all the procedural and material invoicing as well as Gunder’s legal fees and costs associated with that case against them. Shortly after that settlement, once again, on behalf of his customer, Ray found it necessary to file yet another lawsuit against the nation’s largest personal auto insurer to compel them to provide reasonable compensation for necessary processes and related paint and materials. Just moments before going before the judge for the first hearing on the matter, the insurer, through their legal team, agreed to pay the entire amount due plus Gunder’s legal fees and costs.

This month, another one of Gunder’s customers was denied consideration for the necessary paint related procedures (i.e. prime, block and feathering aka fill, sand and feather) and the labor called for to re-set electronics on a customer’s vehicle.

Upon the denial, as customary, Ray contacted his customer and explained the denials and short-pay and discussed possible activities to collect. Ray’s customer became extremely agitated and immediately contacted the State Farm claim representative and expressed his dismay, both by phone and in writing via e-mail.

After several calls and discussions, three days later State Farm called the customer to advise that they would pay the paint related “Prime Block and Feathering” and related materials as well as re-setting the vehicle’ electronics, including resetting the programmed stations in the radio which were noted by Gunder’s prior to performing the repair which required disconnecting the battery.

The customer, elated wrote the following to Ray; “I am, as always…. totally satisfied with the work Gunder’s did on my Nissan. they make it an art…. and that is precisely why I have been a loyal customer since about 1976. my largest claim with Gunders, has been over $48,000.00. I had a new silver CLK55 AMG Mercedes. a work truck turned in front of me and I hit him hard. Gunder’s did such a superb job, that when my lease was up, the Mercedes rep couldn’t even tell it had been wrecked. I most certainly hope i don’t have another, but if I do, it will go right back to ray Gunder’s body shop.”

When asked for a comment Ray stated: “The customer’s comments say it all for me. That’s what we’re here for and that’s all we want to do… serve our customers with the best possible service and quality workmanship we can…it appears we have met that goal and we’ll continue to do just that  and just keep pounding that rock!”

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. and Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes have announced the 2012 schedule for the annual Toyota Certified Collision Center estimating program, with Sherwin-Williams continuing as one of the facilitators for the program’s training workshops. Conducted through the University of Toyota, the workshops will be held in two locations across the United States, including:
•    Boston, MA on May 16
•    Houston, TX on August 8
"We are very pleased that Sherwin-Williams continues to support Toyota Training and our Certified Collision Centers,” says Brad Brahe, Toyota Body Shop Development Manager.

The workshop, “B005 Collision Repair Estimating,” comprises real-world estimating scenarios and industry-specific issues pertaining to body shop operations and insurance company relations. Attendees who participate in this estimating program will get hands-on experience with the techniques, skills and information necessary to write more accurate estimates.

“This is our 10th year providing the collision repair estimating workshop and they have proven to enhance estimators’ and shop managers’ skills in all areas of writing accurate and profitable repair estimates,” said Steve Feltovich, Manager of Business Consulting Services for Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes.

There is no workshop enrollment charge for Toyota Certified Collision Centers’ personnel. Non-Toyota Certified Collision Centers’ attendees will be charged an enrollment cost of $295. For information on Sherwin Williams training courses, visit
http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/en/Training/TrainingCourses.aspx

Pro-Spray® Automotive Finishes, a division of Alco Industries, has introduced an economical, quality alternative for meeting low basecoat/clearcoat VOC requirements – the new Pro-Spray® 3.5 VOC Solvent Basecoat System.

“This system is a viable option to waterborne basecoat in VOC-compliant markets, and is an affordable choice for walk-in and non-waterborne collision repair shops,” said Tom Gardner, director – business development. “It utilizes existing Pro-Spray products, so it doesn’t require a major investment.”

For example, the system uses Pro-Spray solvent toners, low-VOC binders and the new BCA-200™ Activator / Reducer. The compliant basecoats can be used over Pro-Spray 2.1 VOC sealers and 2.1 VOC primers, and topcoated with any Pro-Spray 2.1 VOC clearcoats, to meet the strictest air quality mandates.

These compliant basecoats also offer an improved formula featuring a new binder-to-color ratio for optimized coverage, sprayability and color quality. Painters can expect 25 to 50 percent improved coverage and truer color than what is offered by other compliant systems.

In addition, the system has more than 63,000 3.5 VOC basecoat color formulas, providing users with one of the most comprehensive color palettes in the industry.

Infiniti has launched a new nationwide Infiniti Certified Collision Repair Network, a comprehensive program designed to recognize and distinguish body shops that meet or exceed standards for repair work, training, equipment and delivery of Infiniti customer service. 
The new certification program is open to both Infiniti retailer-owned and independent collision shops.

“The purpose of the certification program is to provide the resources to help ensure consistency of the repair of Infiniti vehicles on a national basis,” said Carnie Colliver, senior manager, Parts and Service, Infiniti Americas.

“Each Infiniti owner that comes into these certified facilities presents additional face-to-face opportunities to reinforce the Infiniti Total Ownership Experience.”

The certification program will be conducted in conjunction with DuPont Performance Coatings (DPC), which will assist in the implementation of the program’s certification process, and I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, which will conduct technician training.

The U.S. Senate has passed Senate Bill 1813, a two-year transportation bill worth $109 billion to go toward highway construction and auto safety initiatives. The House of Representatives has not completed work on its highway bill and may take up the Senate bill.

The Senate legislation includes the following:

• revises highway safety improvement programs
• directs the secretary to establish requirements for regularly recurring updates and approval of state strategic highway safety plans
• requires the secretary to issue guidance to states on establishing performance measures and targets for state highway safety improvement programs to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on highways.

In addition, the bill authorizes highway safety research programs, including data collection, crash reduction projections, low-cost safety measures and safety policy studies.

The House version of a highway bill currently has no new auto safety provisions. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has said the House will not consider the five-year, $260 billion proposal to fund highways, but will consider a shorter-term bill.

To view S. 1813, the Senate Highway Safety Bill, visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.

Chrysler will join GM and Nissan in a certified collision shop program managed by Assured Performance Network which is designed to benefit OEM parts purchases and ensure customer satisfaction via Certificates of Authenticity.

Chrysler Group's Mopar Brand has announced that enrollment is now open for the newly launched Chrysler Recognized Certified Collision Repair Facility program. This program involves the services of Assured Performance Network and allows dealers and independent collision repair facilities to meet the qualifications necessary to be recognized by Chrysler as a collision repair facility of choice for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat and Ram vehicle owners.

Under the program, shops will become a "Chrysler Recognized Certified Collision Repair Facility," and receive official signage from Mopar with Chrysler Group logos. The certification opens the shop for approval for other programs, not yet specified.

Member shops will receive 5% rebates on 100% OEM Chrysler collision repair parts. When repairs are completed with OEM collision repair parts, a Write Certificate of Authenticity, to help the resale value of the customer's vehicle, will be created for the customer's records. Updates will be made to the CARFAX vehicle report showing 100-percent OEM parts were used in the repair, and that a Chrysler Recognized Certified Collision Repair Facility made the repairs.

Shops will also receive a business development report to help evaluate the business and identify key improvemments.

"We announced earlier this year that Mopar would be changing the entire ownership experience of our vehicles, and this program is another important step forward," said Tony Brenders, Vice President of Technical Service Operations, Mopar. "Working with Assured Performance Network, we will not only expand our repair capabilities across the U.S., we will also ensure that the work performed will be to the highest level of quality."

The new certification process requires key business standards including:

• Road to Gold: Attaining and maintaining I-CAR Gold Class Professional shop status
• Minimum welding standards: Owning and utilizing squeeze type resistance spot-welding equipment which duplicates the original assembly process
• Minimum measurement standards: Utilizing structural straightening equipment with three-dimensional measurements

The program launches on March 26, 2012. Shops interested in beginning the certification process can visit www.ChryslerCertifiedShop.com for more details and program registration.

Other OEM Rewards

Assured Performance Network also offers member benefits which earn 5% rebates from GM and Nissan. GM and Nissan are providing an incentive and reward for shops to use more genuine GM and Nissan parts and less aftermarket.

• Members can receive a rebate of 5% off list price on GM and Nissan parts when you repair using 100% GM and Nissan parts on ALL repairs using GM and Nissan collision parts.
• Members can print and present a "Certificate of Authenticity" to their customers illustrating that you have used 100% Genuine GM and Nissan parts to repair their vehicle.
• The posting and auditing process is automated with 100% Write ESP (enhanced settlement process).

For more information see www.assuredperformance.net

Fix Auto USA announced the appointment of Tim Clark, CPCU, as senior vice president of insurance services. As a key member of Fix Auto USA’s senior management team, Clark will be charged with strengthening Fix Auto’s existing insurance relationships and implementing new strategic partnerships. In addition, Clark will oversee the Fix Auto insurance services department, including the Fix Full Performance Claims Solution (FFPCS) program.

Before joining Fix Auto, Clark led Performance Claims where he was instrumental in launching the network management technology platform used by four of the top eight U.S. insurers. Prior to Performance Claims, Clark was the vice president of insurance services at Safelite Auto Glass, where he was responsible for developing Safelite’s claims outsourcing strategy for extending managed claims solutions to Property and Casualty insurers.

Clark began his insurance claims career at Safeco Insurance, holding a variety of field management and corporate positions before becoming an elected officer of the company. In this executive role, he led both the auto physical damage and claims operations, in addition to leading the integration of American States Insurance Claims with the Safeco Claims organization, an undertaking that involved over 3,500 employees.

Florida Senate Bill 540, the companion bill of Florida House Bill 885, has died in the senate. Florida H.B. 885 passed the House with language that eliminates the current 80 percent threshold for a total-loss vehicle to receive a certificate of destruction – which would allow potentially unsafe vehicles to be branded as “repairable” and put back on the roads.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) opposed this bill if it included language similar to H.B. 885. ASA appreciates the Florida collision repairers who took the time to contact their legislators to express opposition.

ASA is opposed to this amendment because it would:

• Allow unsafe vehicles to operate on Florida's highways. The amendment would require dangerous vehicles to be branded "repairable" when such vehicles should not be put back on the roads because they cannot be adequately repaired to operate safely.

• Allow insurance companies to determine whether or not a vehicle should obtain a certificate of destruction. Without the current 80 percent threshold that requires a total-loss vehicle to obtain a certificate of destruction, vehicles that should not be repaired can be returned to the roads.

• Create dangers for consumers who would be unable to identify the level of damage that a vehicle has sustained because the vehicle branding would not reflect the actual designation of the vehicle as "unrebuildable." This language would put drivers at risk by removing the only guarantee for consumers to ensure that their vehicles are safe to operate on Florida's roads.

• Increase the risk for criminal activity because vehicles that are badly damaged would be allowed to obtain a clean title and sold to unsuspecting purchasers.

To view the full text of these bills, visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.

PartsChannel Inc. a privately held distributor of automotive collision repair parts, announced in February that it has acquired certain assets of Total Auto Pros LLC, related to the wholesale distribution of aftermarket collision replacement parts. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Total Auto Pros is headquartered in Phoenix.

The acquisition enables PartsChannel to expand its distribution network in the Western United States, according to CEO John Palumbo.

"We are committed to offering quality parts at competitive prices with world-class customer service to the collision repair industry," Palumbo said. "We will continue to explore other expansion opportunities throughout the United States."

LKQ Corp. has announced results for its fourth quarter and full year ended Dec. 31, 2011. Income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter was $56.1 million and diluted earnings per share were 38 cents, a 36 percent increase over the 28 cents per share reported for 2010. For the full year 2011, income from continuing operations was $210.3 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.42, a 23 percent increase over the $1.15 reported for 2010.

"We completed a successful 2011 with a solid fourth quarter," said Robert Wagman, president and CEO of LKQ Corp. "In 2011, the company surpassed $3 billion in revenue for the first time, and achieved double digit total organic revenue growth and diluted EPS growth despite the headwinds of high fuel costs, the high cost of salvage vehicles and the reduction in miles driven that we faced throughout the year."

Wagman added, "We made 21 acquisitions in 2011 including the purchase of Euro Car Parts. The financial performance of these businesses and their integration into our existing operations is progressing as expected."

For the fourth quarter of 2011, revenue was $939.6 million compared with $674.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, an increase of 39.4 percent.

For the full year of 2011, revenue was $3.27 billion compared with $2.47 billion in 2010, an increase of 32.4 percent. Acquisition revenue growth for 2011 was 21.5 percent.

During the fourth quarter, LKQ acquired four businesses including the previously announced Euro Car Parts acquisition, the largest automotive aftermarket parts distributor in the United Kingdom. In North America, the company acquired a heavy-duty truck business in Colorado, a wholesale salvage business in Idaho and a classic vehicle restoration parts and accessories distribution business in Georgia.

Based on current conditions and excluding restructuring expenses and any gains or losses related to acquisitions or divestitures (including changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities), LKQ anticipates full year 2012 organic revenue growth from parts and services will be in the range of 5.5 percent to 7.5 percent, income from continuing operations will be in the range of $258 million to $278 million and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations will be in the range of $1.72 to $1.85.

In recent months, two of the most popular Mexican destinations for US and Canadian tourists have passed new laws requiring drivers to carry auto liability insurance at all times. Baja California Norte (home of destinations such as Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito, and San Felipe) and Jalisco (home of destinations such as Guadalajara, Lake Chapala, and Puerto Vallarta) have passed laws requiring that all drivers carry liability insurance. Other states have had similar mandatory auto liability insurance laws in place for some time.

Derek Kartchner, Vice President of Business Development for http://www.mexpro.com said, “We feel this is a good step towards solving a huge problem; whether in the US or in Mexico uninsured drivers create an unneeded burden at the time of an accident, and cost all drivers more. We applaud the states that have taken steps towards alleviating the number of uninsured drivers in Mexico, and encourage other states to do the same.”

Jim Labelle, CEO of IIG said, “While this is an important law, we would also urge our customers to ensure they are protecting their own interests. Not only should visitors to Mexico purchase Mexico Auto Liability coverage, but also Comprehensive and Collision coverage. We encourage all of our customers who drive to Mexico to obtain a similar level of coverage in Mexico that they carry in the USA or Canada."

Labelle's firm has insured over 1 million US and Canadian plated vehicles since launching its website a little over ten years ago. Visitors to Mexico can purchase and print their policies in real time on http://www.mexpro.com. All policies sold on the site meet the new state requirements, and many other optional coverages are available to ensure that consumers are properly covered when driving in Mexico.

For more information about these laws or to purchase a Mexico Auto Insurance policy visit http://www.mexpro.com or call 1- 888-467-4639.

Nissan opened up sales for their Leaf all-electric vehicle to all states in the US on March 1, 2012. After the EV's initial launch in limited markets at the end of 2010 and a piecemeal, state-by-state roll out throughout 2011, the Nissan Leaf will finally be available to order all around the U.S.

Nissan sent out a statement saying in part, "We are officially a 100% electric nation. Look out for an e-mail around 3/1/12 detailing when you can order your Nissan Leaf."

Nissan had told Autoblog in a previous interview about the EV that they had about 2,000 customers who had reserved a Leaf in the last states of the roll out months prior to the March 1 launch date.

Nissan points out that "Limited quantities will be available in launch markets through the Nissan Leaf online reservation system." Alaska and Wyoming residents are told to  call 1-877-NO GAS EV (664-2738) for help with their orders.

For more information please visit www.nissanusa.com.

The Women's Industry Network (WIN) Board gathered in Dallas, TX, in late January to review the group's activities in 2011 and plan for 2012 and early 2013.

"This Strategic Planning meeting is a yearly event that we rely on to help keep us focused and on-track to achieve the goals we have set out for our organization," said Board Chair, Victoria Jankowski.

WIN will focus on these primary areas this year: enhancing the value of WIN membership and sponsorship; improving WIN’s web and social media presence to provide a more robust communication and educational vehicle for members and sponsors; forming a Task Force to conduct a needs analysis on our website and social media presence and make recommendations to the Board; increasing industry visibility of WIN, our activities and our members; providing a WIN presence at strategically significant industry events; making WIN promotional materials available upon request to WIN members who are willing to represent the organization at events of importance to them; establishing a more robust operational and governance structure for the Board of Directors; refining standards for Board nominations and subsequent executive appointments; refining the WIN nomination process and put additional form around the executive appointments.

"This new executive appointment process will be implemented as the current term ends and the new one begins," said Jankowski.
The 7th Annual WIN Conference, "Be The Change!", will be held on May 6-8, 2012 in Atlanta, GA. For more details please visit www.womensindustrynetwork.com.

CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts is expanding its corporate leadership and service teams to add new levels of collision, insurance and franchising industry experience and expertise, naming David B. James as VP of Marketing and Sharon Mazanec as Regional Service Manager for the Midwest.

James, an award-winning marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading corporate strategy and marketing initiatives, brings his extensive expertise and background to North America’s largest collision repair company. James brings a broad background in traditional and online marketing, as well as quantitative and analytical focus in building business cases and measuring program performance to achieve business objectives.

James’ background includes extensive senior-level marketing expertise with Wolters Kluwer and H&R Block, as well as franchise ownership experience with Great Clips and insurance experience as a claims adjuster for Progressive Insurance.

American Auto Salvage & Recycling, a fourth-generation recycling company based in Cape May, N.J., held an official grand opening for its auto shredder in Millville, N.J. American Auto Salvage started a new company, called American Iron & Metal International, to operate the auto shredder.

Joe Silipena Jr., president of American Auto Salvage, says the new, 12-acre facility that is housing the auto shredder includes an American Pulverizer shredder with a Hustler conveyor and an Eriez eddy current downstream system. The downstream system will be totally enclosed in an 80,000-square-foot building. The company says that it is one of only a handful of companies that presently operate a shredder with a totally enclosed downstream system.

Silipena says that the auto shredder will be powered by two 2,000-horsepower motors. One news report says that American Auto invested around $6 million on the auto shredder.

Silipena adds that in addition to an auto shredder, American Iron & Metal will operate as a traditional scrap metal recycling facility and accept both ferrous and nonferrous metals. The facility, which American Auto purchased at auction three years ago, has concrete to prevent storm water runoff. Silipena also says that the facility has a rail spur on the property, which will allow the company to rail shredded material to end markets.

Plans call for the shredder to operate five days a week. American Auto’s other facility, located at its headquarters in May Landing, N.J., will be used as a feeder yard for the auto shredder.

Silipena adds that the company celebrated the 90th birthday of its founder, Joseph Silipena Sr., with a ribbon cutting dedication of the auto shredder.

Heartland Automotive Services, Inc., America's largest Jiffy Lube Franchisee, has announced its expansion in the New York market with its acquisition of 12 locations in the Long Island area. In February, the company completed the purchase of the locations from Suffolk Lube Centers, Inc., which owned and managed the Jiffy Lube locations.

"Last year at this time, New York became a powerful new market for us as we expanded into the area with our first Jiffy Lube locations," said Brett Ponton, Chief Executive Officer at Jiffy Lube Heartland. "Now, one year later, we're pleased to be expanding with a dozen new locations – doubling our footprint in the New York area."

The new Heartland Jiffy Lube locations in New York are located in: Selden, Riverhead, Port Jefferson Station, Huntington, Patchogue, Commack, Farmingdale, Saint James, Shirley, Huntington Station, Deer Park and Rocky Point.

Kia's West Point, GA, plant hit a milestone on Leap Day this year--500,000 vehicles produced.

The plant, which opened on Nov. 16, 2009, hit this accomplishment just over two years after production started, according to USA Today. The plant's milestone vehicle was a white pearl Optima SX, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Kia added two additional work shifts to the plant recently, boosting total employment to 3,000. Kia also invested $100 million in to the plant, expanding its total capacity to 360,000 units per year.

"Building 500,000 vehicles in just over two years is quite a milestone for our first U.S. manufacturing plant to accomplish," said Byung Mo Ahn, CEO for Kia Motors America. "Their {team members} dedication to building world-class, high-quality vehicles is apparent in each vehicle we produce."

A six-time DWI offender skipped out on his trial March 7 in Collin County District Court in Texas before a judge could sentence him to 40 years in prison.

Richard Davis Callaway, 48, is considered a fugitive from justice after disappearing from court during a lunch recess.

Callaway was pulled over for running a red light Feb. 21, 2010, at Preston Road and Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. He failed all three standardized field sobriety tests and admitted he had been drinking.

After running a background check and learning of Callaway's prior convictions for driving while intoxicated, the officer took Callaway for a mandatory blood draw under a Texas law for repeat DWI offenders. The blood sample showed Callaway's blood alcohol content to be 0.23, almost three times the legal limit.

He appeared in court for the start of the trial on March 7, and heard all of the evidence against him. The court took a recess for lunch and scheduled closing arguments for 1:30 p.m. But Callaway did not return. After the sentence was pronounced, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Callaway can call the Collin County Sheriff's Office Warrants and Records at 972-547-5134. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) will hold the group's 30th Anniversary Celebration Tuesday, April 24th in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the Renaissance Oklahoma City. SCRS will honor individuals who have supported the industry through their dedication and activism with SCRS at this celebration.

There is no charge to attend, although pre-registration is required and the registration deadline is April 13th. Please RSVP to Linda Atkins by phone at 877-841-0660 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The following is the schedule of events, and please note SCRS members and industry guests are welcome to attend and participate at the Board of Directors meeting. SCRS members will have a vote in the upcoming election held just prior to the evening festivities.

Without the benefit of reliable transportation, things have been difficult for National Guard veteran John Jones of Hurst, Texas, since he returned from two tours of Iraq. To help him out, GEICO partnered with Caliber Collision Centers to provide a refurbished vehicle for Jones and his wife and two children.

GEICO donated the vehicle while Caliber provided repair services. GEICO participated through the Recycled Rides program, an awareness project that encourages members of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) to refurbish and donate recycled vehicles to families in need in their communities. Reserve Aid, a nonprofit organization that provides support to the families of Reserve Service Members from all military branches selected the Jones family as the recipient.

The Lehigh Valley Collision Repair Association will hold a meeting for their members on April 4 at 6 p.m. at Daku Auto Body in North Catasauqua, PA.

Jeff Anton with CCC Information Services will be discussing the features of CCC’s latest estimating system, CCC One. He will also address questions regarding the product.

Two presentations on paint materials will also be given. They will focus on how you can track your usage to determine your profit margin and how to then establish a basis for billing out your jobs.

The meeting will also feature an update from I-CAR regarding their latest offerings in the association's market.

The group will also have a 50/50 drawing to benefit the Association. Pizza and refreshments will be served.

For questions or directions call Matt at 610-253-1528. Please RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Matt at the number above to secure your seat.
For more information please visit www.sites.google.com/site/lvcollision.

Daku Auto Body
1135 Howertown Rd. North Catasauqua, PA 18032

ASA asks Florida repair shop owners to contact their state senators in opposition

Florida Senate Bill 540, the companion bill to Florida House Bill 885, is set to be taken up in the Senate in the near future. Florida H.B. 885 passed the House with language that eliminates the current 80 percent threshold for a total-loss vehicle to receive a certificate of destruction – which would allow potentially unsafe vehicles to be branded as “repairable” and put back on the roads. The language in H.B. 885 could potentially be added to S.B. 540.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) opposes legislation that would eliminate the certificate of destruction for severely damaged vehicles and would oppose any possible related amendments to S.B. 540 that would include this language.

The Automotive Service Association asks Florida repair shop owners to go to ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com to send a letter to their senators opposing any amendment to S.B. 540 that includes language to eliminate the current 80 percent threshold for a total-loss vehicle.

CCC Information Services Inc. has released its 2012 annual Crash Course report, which explores key trends and business drivers impacting the automotive claims and collision repair industries. CCC compiles Crash Course by drawing upon its data warehouse of auto claims and repair information.

"'Disruption' is the central theme for the 2012 Crash Course report, because it, more than any other concept, defines how a broad range of factors impacted the automotive claims and collision repair industry," said Susanna Gotsch, Lead Analyst for CCC Information Services Inc.

"Some disruption is good, if you consider how technology has interrupted otherwise linear processes and made us more efficient. However, other disruptions such as the devastating tsunami in Japan, the flooding in Thailand, and the significant catastrophe activity in 2011, negatively impacted the entire parts supply chain, depleting inventory and driving up costs."

The 2012 Crash Course report examines these and other factors, including the continued impact of the global economic meltdown of 2008, and the many technology innovations changing consumer expectations, and provides insights as to how repairers and carriers can continue to compete in today's environment.

For a copy of the 2012 Crash Course report, please visit the CCCIS website News & Insight link.

For more information about CCC Information Services Inc. visit www.cccis.com.

There is a new tow-for-pay scam going around and several body shops have contacted ABN to alert us.

The invitation comes by FAX or from a deaf-services relay call* (see update below.) The relay call operator will call you and say a deaf person has need for your services. Calls have been reported in California, Florida and Georgia.

The scenario is that their car needs to be towed from another state to be fixed at your shop. But they need you to pay the tow bill before the car can be delivered. Several shops have received faxes from someone using the names "Evangelist Jerry Bratt" or "Jacqueline Harris"; relaying the same scenario saying they had an accident in a 2007 Cadillac Escalade on their way to Kansas or to visit their mother. And of course it asks that you only contact this person by email. And they’ll be paying cash. And of course the shop needs to pay the bill.

The fax asks for the address of your shop.

For example, Robert Toler, owner of Toler Paint and Body Shop in Warner Robins, GA, received a fax from "Evangelist Jerry Bratt" on February 20. The fax came from an Atlanta area code fax number and relayed the same scenario as other reported occurrences, requesting the shop send money for the damaged vehicle to be towed to their shop.

Sherry at California Auto Body in San Diego, CA, received a fax from Jacqueline Harris on March 13 stating the same set up as the Jerry Bratt scam. The fax she received came from a number with a Dallas, TX, area code, but the faxes have not all come from the same number, or area code.

The last time this went around shops were expected to pay a tow bill over a $1000 and they tell you the "wrecker" will only accept a moneygram. Maybe also a request for a credit card.

Don't fall prey but alert us if you receive this fax or are otherwise contacted. The reported sending fax numbers are/were 202-204-0669, 469-519-0414 and 678-250-9047.

AT&T Relay Call Version of the Scam

In the deaf or disabled version of the scam, Vivian from Chico, CA, reported that "I was reading about the tow for pay scam in the March 2012 issue. I have a new twist on this scam for you. I received a call from AT&T to assist with a phone conversation, this person was on a system that is used for people with disabilities, who can't speak on the phone so they use AT&T services to call.

This person had the same information, they were from my town traveling to Texas in a 2008 Escalade and had an accident. My shop came highly recommended so they wanted to have it towed back to California.  The tow company didn't take credit cards and wanted me to run their credit card for $2500 to pay the $1500 tow bill and keep the remaining $1000 for the deposit on their repairs. Of course they wanted me to moneygram the $1500 to the tow company, after keeping me on the phone for 20 minutes the AT&T operator said her responses were not answers to my questions, she just kept teletyping the same thing to me if I could please help her, she had a disability.

After I asked for the tow co. phone no so I could contact them directly. She disconnected from the call. When I called AT&T they said the call was generated from a COMPUTER and there was nothing they could do about it, such as trace etc... they could be in another country. This is not only a scam but a terrible way to use a disability as a means to rip people off. I just thought I would inform you."

---Vivian from Chico

The 2012 Ridler® Award winner announced at Detroit Autorama® February 26 was the 1955 Ford T-Bird, owned by Dwayne Peace of Tyler, Texas. The car was painted with BASF’s Glasurit® 90-Line™ Brilliant Red waterborne paint.

“BASF’s Glasurit paint has been on six of the last 11 Ridler award winners,” said Vitor Margaronis, Marketing Director, BASF Coatings Solutions, North America. “We’re very proud of this achievement and the quality of our products.”

The list of products used to paint the car included Glasurit’s Epoxy 801-72, Polyester Filler1006-26, 90-Line Waterborne Basecoat and HS Multi Clear 923-155.

A total of 64 vehicles competed for the coveted award at the Detroit Autorama. Vehicles are judged based on three criteria: creativity, engineering and workmanship. 

“The execution of the plan and the quality of the build were outstanding,” said Butch Patrico, Co-chairman of the Detroit Autorama and Ridler judging supervisor. Patrico also said the process for this build was similar to what a major manufacturer would do to build a prototype. "This was not a normal build. He didn’t follow a cookie cutter process.”

The car was painted by Jacob Edens and Jeff Greening of Greening Auto Company in Nashville, Tennessee. 

“The entire painting process took about six months,” said Jesse Greening. “The color helped it show very well.”

The Ridler award is named after Don Ridler, who started promoting Autorama in the 1950s. With his expertise, Autorama became one of the top hot rod shows in the country. Following Ridler’s passing in 1963, a decision was made to create an award to honor his memory. The Ridler award has been given out to the best new creations since 1964. Cars must be shown for the first time to be eligible for the award.

To learn more about BASF refinish products visit: www.basfrefinish.com.

The California Autobody Association (CAA) and the Automotive Service Councils of California (ASCCA) will host a Legislative Fly-In Day on April 18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the CA State Capitol in Sacramento.

This day offers an opportunity for association members to fly to Sacramento to talk with their local legislators about legislative issues they see in the collision industry. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet with local legislators and hear from various guest speakers.

Fill out the registration form available HERE and book your airfare. The associations will take care of the rest, including transportation from the airport, food, and the scheduling of legislative appointments. Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

Past speakers have included: Chief, Bureau of Automotive Repair; Governor’s Small Business Advocate, Governor’s Economic Adviser; Chair, Select Committee on Career Technical Education & Workforce Development; Author AB2289 (Smog Check), Chair Senate Transportation & Housing Committee.

Caliber Collision Centers announced March 1 that it has continued expansion into the Los Angeles area with the acquisition of Autocraft of Torrance, Calif.

Caliber Collision’s newly acquired 24,000 square feet collision repair facility opened today at 3032 Kashiwa Street, Torrance.

“Our most recent acquisition provides additional Caliber Collision market penetration around the Los Angeles market as we continue to grow both organically and through strategic acquisitions across California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada markets.  Our Torrance opening creates additional Los Angeles area capacity as we provide our insurance clients the cost management, operational consistency and customer focus they require in today’s competitive insurance market” said Steve Grimshaw, Caliber Collision Centers’ Chief Executive Officer.

“Our new Torrance opening represents our 101st center in the southwest and our 46th center in California.   This new center now brings our total number of Los Angeles area locations to 15 as we continue to grow into the greater Los Angeles collision repair provider of choice” added Mark Sanders, Chief Operating Officer for Caliber Collision Centers.