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CIECA's Repairer Advisory Panel sets agenda for electronic issues
In a gathering of about 11 attendees in Scottsdale, Arizona, the first Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) Repairer Advisory Panel (RAP) met to discuss a variety of electronic commerce topics affecting them and the collision repair industry. Among the topics discussed were Society of Collision Repair Specialists' (SCRS) two-way communications project, the CIECA Resource Center, incorrect expectations in the marketplace regarding what CIECA can do for repairers, and the proliferation of different Status Message systems (to report the repair status of the vehicle).
Jerry Burns, Automotive Impressions, said that "CIECA needs to communicate in (what he called) 'Shop-eze' and less in technical language." CIECA Board Chairman Paul Krauss of Craftsman Auto Body said that he hoped that this panel would "go a long way toward bridging the language gap between repairers and the standards developers." Work on developing an effective method of communication with the repairers will be the topic of future RAP meetings.
Status messages and systems
In a unanimous vote, the RAP recognized the importance of addressing the proliferation of Status Messages and systems. Barry Dorn, Dorn's Body and Paint, said that "a standardized method of reporting vehicle repair status is needed."
"Without a defined standard, the industry potentially will have a similar situation that we had before the EMS was developed by CIECA," Fred Iantorno, CIECA's executive director, added.
Repair questions answered
Iantorno reported that CIECA's Resource and Knowledge Center has been receiving many questions regarding the actual repair of vehicles. These types of questions were originally outside the scope of the Center. Burns announced that the Automotive Service Association (ASA) would provide CIECA with the answers to those questions.
Dan Risley, SCRS Executive Director, added that SCRS would also provide answers. The RAP decided to accept these offers and outlined a procedure where these repair questions would be forwarded to both ASA and SCRS with the answers posted on the Collision Industry Resource Center provided by CIECA: www.crclink.org.
"The concept of the Repairer Advisory Panel for CIECA is BIG! The open dialogue between all participants will prove to be a valuable tool as CIECA pushes toward a cleaner more concise manner for all parties to communicate and conduct business electronically. Our industry revolves around the exchange of information. I am excited to be a part of identifying "Repairer Friendly" initiatives and results," said Gary Wano, Jr., GW & Sons Auto Body, Oklahoma.
After the meeting, Wano accepted the on-going chairmanship of the RAP. The next meeting will be held on September 14 in San Francisco. Those repairers that would like to participate please contact Fred Iantorno at CIECA or any Panel member.
More information about CIECA and the Repairer Advisory Panel can be viewed at www.cieca.com.
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Hiring practices
Corey King, chair of the CIC Human Resources Committee emparted valuable insight into hiring practices. King encourages business owners to take the time to extensively interview new job applicants. "Don't just accept a pre-written resume. Make sure prospective employees completely fill out your job application," he states. As business owner, ask yourself if the applicant has the qualifications that meet your specific needs. King says never, never, hire an employee "on the spot." Take time to check references.
Gap between repair and refinish
Chad Sulkala, ACME Body and Paint, Boston, facilitated a spirited panel discussion for the Estimating Procedures Com-mittee. "The Gap Between Repair and Refinish" addressed a process that has been a subject of interpretation for many years. Herb Lieberman, LKQ Corporation, furnished five fenders in various stages of repair. A review of the repair steps clearly demonstrated the gap that exists between the 150 grit surface sanding where the estimating databases say body repair ends and the "new and undamaged panel" surface where they indicate that refinishing times begin.
The repair process that fills the gap is commonly called feather, fill and block - where considerable technician time and refinishing materials are consumed. No formula has ever been established to calculate an appropriate time allotment for this inescapable process. The two insurers on the panel, Roger Cada, State Farm Insurance, and Michael Lloyd, California Casualty, were asked by Gary Wano, G.W. & Sons, Oklahoma, "If in fact the industry was able to come up with a standard for the gap, would they accept it as a usual and common practice?" Both insurers agreed to look at that process.
Industry participation increases
The Collision Industry Conference Mar-keting Committee, chaired by Lisa Siem-bab, CARSTAR, Connecticut, reported 35 new participants at this conference, demonstrating that more and more collision industry participants want to stand up and take part in determining the industry's destiny.
Janet Chaney has served in many facets of the collision repair industry. She is now looking after the best interests of her clients from Cave Creek, Arizona. E-mail her at
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