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AkzoNobel to convene industry elite in Sarasota for Acoat selected® Winter Conference Feb 6-8
Written by AkzoNobelAkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas (A&AC) will host the 39th semi-annual gathering of the Acoat selected North American Performance Groups. This meeting is the first of two national Acoat selected gatherings held annually by AkzoNobel, one of the top coatings manufacturers in the world. The conference, scheduled for February 6th thru 8th at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, will provide information and insights for two groups critical for shaping the future of the collision repair industry.
“Acoat selected‘s record of success in helping businesses advance within the collision repair industry spans more than 25 years,” noted Barry Rinehart, North American Services Manager for AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas. ”The rapidly changing dynamics of the collision industry are redefining the roles or distributors and collision repair centers. Both groups are required to become more astute in their business practices to ensure mutual success. This conference, with programs designed for both their unique and combined needs, offers a format to raise awareness, share knowledge and craft solutions to industry issues that are critical for long term survival and sustainability.”
In addition, attendees will participate in an extensive offering of classes designed to promote practices intended to perpetuate sustainable business models. The curriculum will address industry trends, technology and leadership training.
OCT 31/NOV 1 (WED / THURS) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
LVH Hotel (Formerly the Las Vegas Hilton)
Reservations made through a SEMA housing block:
Wednesday, Oct. 31:
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM CIC Meeting
12:00 PM Collision Industry Awards Luncheon
6:30 PM CIC Reception**
Thursday, Nov. 1:
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM CIC Meeting
**Note: Attendance at CIC is required to attend the CIC Reception. Exception is for Gold Pin participants or spouses.
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes will be hosting its next A-Plus University Series of Advanced Business Management classes in Dallas, Texas in June and July. This is a collection of best practices and detailed course offerings specifically designed to help collision shop owners, managers, sales and estimating staff professionals increase productivity and profitability. Specific courses and dates include:
• Estimating Solutions for Profit – June 19, 2012
• The Road to Sales Success – June 20, 2012
• Key Performance Indicators – June 21, 2012
• Improving Workshop Efficiency – June 21, 2012
• Achieving Sales Excellence – July 11, 2012
According to Troy Neuerburg, manager of Marketing Business Services at Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes, these advanced business management classes are specifically designed for the collision repair industry and should provide a number of practical ideas, reduce internal costs and raise CSI levels. Details on each course include the following:
Estimating Solutions for Profit – June 19, 2012
The course is designed for Shop Owners, Managers, Estimators, and Production Managers to provide participants with the skills, information, and tools necessary to write and negotiate more profitable estimates. The course presentation will use written materials, group discussions, and hands-on exercises to develop skills necessary to be more profitable in today's highly competitive market. The course’s ultimate goal will be to maximize profitability by writing more complete estimates and effectively negotiating an agreed price for the repair.
The Road to Sales Success – June 20, 2012
The course is open to anyone wishing to improve their customer handling skills, but will be especially suited to estimators or office managers. Designed to improve the effectiveness of sales techniques during the estimating process, it will utilize proven sales techniques especially tailored to the collision repair industry. The course presentation will use written materials, group discussions, exercises and role playing to develop skills necessary to succeed in today's highly competitive market. The ultimate goal of the course will be to maximize profitability by increasing sales potential.
Key Performance Indicators – June 21, 2012
The course is designed for shop owners and office managers to help collision repair facilities discover ways to measure their performance and use those measurements to focus their efforts to improve their business results. While the course is structured to focus on paint shop issues, its concepts can be used successfully in other areas of most any collision repair facility.
Improving Workshop Efficiency – June 21, 2012
This workshop has been developed especially for collision facility owners and managers who are interested in leveraging the power of lean production as well as business solutions that help reduce environmental waste. Built by collision industry experts, this course will show the origins of lean production, how to run the workshop more efficiently, raise output quality while lowering operating costs and capture increased market share through continuous improvement.
Achieving Service Excellence – July 11, 2012
This workshop has been developed especially for collision facility owners, production managers, customer service representatives and estimators. It will provide the skills, knowledge and tools necessary to improve their collision center's quality, production and output…all by focusing on the right types of customer service. This includes becoming more profitable with a customer-focused strategy, establishing a proven method for providing customer value, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of customer service staff.
I-CAR recently announced the line-up of panelists who will speak during the general session of the 2012 I-CAR Industry Event, which is based on the theme “Driving Excellence.”
I-CAR said this year’s panelists will focus discussions on industry excellence. Speakers will discuss how to achieve industry-wide and business-specific excellence in repair methods, business performance and professionalism.
The panel discussion—which will be moderated by Vincent Romans, founding partner of the Romans Group—will include the following seven panelists who represent several segments of the collision repair industry:
• Tim O’Day, president and chief operating officer of Gerber Collision & Glass
• Will Johnston, co-owner and chief operating officer of AutoBody America
• Geralynn Kottschade, owner of Jerry's Body Shop
• James Roach, senior vice president of the Parts and Service Division for American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
• Darren Huggins, national collision director of Van Tuyl Auto Group
• Susanna Gotsch, director industry analyst for CCC Information Services Inc.
• George Avery, auto claim consultant—P&C Claims for State Farm Insurance
The 2012 I-CAR Industry Event will be held July 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in San Antonio, in conjunction with the next Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting. I-CAR said early bird registration for reduced pricing is available through May 31.
California Autobody Association San Diego Chapter Meeting May 22
Written by staffTuesday - May 22, 2012
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse
2150 Harbor Island Dr. - San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 291 - 9110
“How to Improve Some of Your Best Business Practices” Learn Key Standard Operating Procedures to Improve the Check in Process,
Increase CSI, Cycle Time, Customer Pay, and Lower Policy Adjustments
At our next chapter meeting, we will have special guest speaker Robert D. Rick. Robert is Vice-President of Sales & Consulting Services for Gates Business Solutions. Robert has more than 30 years in the automotive industry and has a vast wealth of experience in all aspects of consulting in collision repair.
For this meeting, Robert will discuss how Checking In a customer’s vehicle is one of the most critical procedures for setting the stage for increased sales, improved CSI, and improved cycle time. This would be a great opportunity to bring your estimators and CSRs to help them improve.
In addition to Robert speaking for us I would like to invite everyone again for our open discussion. We left off with Paul Amato sharing many ideas from his shop and we would like for there to be input from YOU! What are your thoughts and ideas? Maybe you can bring some props and share with the group.
Show up, Speak up, and be a part of an organization for YOUR industry!!!
Mail your check and reserve your seats now.
Check In and Dinner starts at 6:30pm. Meeting Starts Promptly at 7:00pm
Housing is open for attendees and exhibitors planning to participate in NACE-CARS (ASRW) 2012. Comprised of the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), ASRW is scheduled for Oct. 10-13 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La.
Housing reservations are made through ASRW Housing, powered by Travel Planners, which is the only official housing provider for ASRW. Show management has contracted with a variety of New Orleans properties to provide discounted hotel rooms for attendees and exhibitors within close proximity to the convention center and other points of interest in the city.
"As a city, New Orleans is a huge draw, and we're highly encouraging all participants to book their rooms early to ensure availability," said Lindsay Roberts, ASRW show director. "Because we're able to offer no-obligation hotel reservations, rooms are already starting to fill up quickly."
ASRW will provide complimentary shuttle service to and from the convention center to official housing properties not located within walking distance.
Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW), comprised of the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), has been named to the 2011 Trade Show News Network's (TSNN) U.S. Top 250 Trade Shows list. The list represents the top 250 trade shows held last year ranked by net square footage in the U.S.
ASRW 2010, held in Las Vegas, was also recognized on the inaugural TSNN Top 250 list last year. NACE was previously recognized in 2004 on Tradeshow Week's Fastest 50 list of the fastest growing trade shows in the U.S., and appeared on the magazine's Top 200 list each year through 2010.
"Continually being recognized on such a prestigious list is not only a great accomplishment, but a great reminder of what a large, relevant event ASRW continues to be," said Lindsay Roberts, ASRW show director. "We're thrilled to be included again this year."
Hanley Wood Exhibitions, which produces ASRW for the Automotive Service Association (ASA), ranked fourth among leading show management organizations of TSNN 250 shows with six shows included on the list.
The 2012 ASRW is scheduled for Oct. 10-13 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La.
Huntington Beach Body Works to Hold Christmas Party to Benefit America's Baby Cancer Foundation
Written by StaffHuntington Beach Body Works will host their fourth annual Christmas party, Saturday, December 17 from 1:00p.m. – 3:30p.m. The party will be hosted by Rich and Patricia Evans and will benefit America's Baby Cancer Foundation.
The party will include a special appearance from Santa with gifts, food, drinks, and special motor sports themed entertainment.
The event will be held at Huntington Beach Bodyworks, 18108 Redondo Circle Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
For more information please visit www.babycancer.org or www.huntingtonbchbodyworks.com.
Collision Repairer Wins Welder at SCRS SEMA Booth
Written by StaffSCRS and its Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series created plenty of excitement on their own from November 1-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. One of the many reasons the Society’s booth was crowded with enthusiastic collision repair professionals was a series of prize drawings made possible through the participation of SCRS and its sponsors.
One such prize was the CM253 MIG/MAG Welder donated by Car-O-Liner®, and the lucky winner of the raffle for it was Glen Caudle, Owner of Glendale Collision in Saskatoon, Canada. “I couldn’t believe it when I received the call,” Caudle shared. “I’ve been coming to the SEMA Show for the past four years, but I’ve never won anything like this. I’m so happy to have won this from SCRS, and what makes it great is I already use Car-O-Liner equipment in my shop. We can’t wait to put it to work!”
To become eligible for the drawing, visitors to the SCRS booth had to pick up a “report card” listing all RDE sponsors and their booth locations within the show. The participant then had to visit each RDE sponsor’s exhibit, have a company representative stamp the card, and return the completed card to the SCRS booth for entry into the drawing.
Women’s Board Car Care Council Holds Reception at AAPEX 2011, Awards Industry Leaders
Written by Staff
The Car Care Council Women’s Board held their14th Annual Car Care Council Women’s Board Reception on November 1 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada during the annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) tradeshow. The reception awards many companies and industry leaders.
Deborah Bjorklund was awarded the Aftermarket Woman of the Year Award. Bjorklund is president of The Main Resource (TMR), a manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket parts to repair shops. TMR also provides parts and accessories to the auto equipment industry. Since Bjorklund purchased the company in 2005, it has doubled in size. Prior to TMR, she worked at Will-Fix Automotive for 17 years.
Audra Fordin, owner of Great Bear Auto Shop Flushing, NY, was awarded the Best Shop Award.
“What an honor it was to just be nominated. Wow! But to actually win! It is a very profound feeling I am experiencing; I feel stronger in my stride and I am going to keep driving forward and resist obstacles that are always trying to push me off road from my ultimate destination... ‘women AUTO know!’ To be the first recipient of this award is pretty darn cool too!” said Fordin of her big win.
The council also awarded a $2,500 scholarship award to Michelle Perez, a collision repair student at Skyline College in CA.
“Our Women’s Board ‘Aftermarket Women of the Year’ awards are a way for us to applaud exceptional women in the aftermarket for their dedicated service, as well as to recognize women who are going above and beyond to make a difference in the industry,” said AAA’s Ruth Ehlinger, president of the Car Care Council Women’s Board.
