NORTHEAST NEWS (246)
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware
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Jiffy Lube Heartland Acquires 12 New Locations in the New York Market from Suffolk Lube Centers
Written by StaffHeartland 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.
Lehigh Valley Collision Repair Association to Hold April Meeting
Written by StaffThe 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
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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
NJ Shop Questions State Farm’s Denial of Cost Accounting Based Paint Allowances
Written by StaffIn a letter to State Farm CEO Edward Rust Jr., Don Harvey, of International Collision Service in Englewood, NJ, questions why State Farm does not acknowledge cost accounting programs and practices in setting paint allowance rates.
Harvey has previously contacted senior State Farm management to no avail. His letter follows:
Feb 15, 2012
State Farm Insurance Co.
Mr. Edward B. Rust Jr.
One State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61710
Dear Mr. Rust,
Please take a moment to look at an issue regarding customer satisfaction and a “Good Neighbor” responsible commitment to proper repairs.
Paint material has been an issue often questioned and not properly acknowledged.
H&V Collision Opens Fourth Location in Saratoga, NY
Written by StaffH&V Collision Centers will open a fourth location in Saratoga County at the former Allstar Chevrolet in Saratoga, NY. H&V purchased the property in February and a formal grand opening will be held this spring. The new Saratoga location joins H&V locations in Troy, Queensbury and Colonie, and provides H&V with a base of operations in Rensselaer, Warren, Albany and Saratoga counties.
“We are very excited to be readying a fourth H&V location and equally excited to be moving into Saratoga County in 2012,” said H&V’s Vartan Jerian Jr.
“H&V has been fortunate to have many customers and friends from Saratoga County. This new, fourth location will move us closer to our customers in Saratoga and expand a coverage area that will allow us to bring in new customers,” added Jerian.
The new location for H&V will include 11 acres and 30,000 square feet and over one dozen bays. When completed, the facility will be the largest for H&V Collision Centers, and have a capability of processing 75 vehicles at a time.
An existing collision repair shop at the facility now includes 15 employees. Those employees will be retained. An additional ten jobs will be created. After starting as a two-man operation in the early 1970s, H&V now includes over 100 employees and collision repair technicians throughout the Capital Region.
H&V has seen steady and continued growth in recent years that has established H&V as the largest independent collision repair company in the Capital Region. H&V started as a two-man shop in a small garage on Oakwood Avenue in Troy in the early 1970s.
In 2006, H&V completed a major expansion at the Oakwood Avenue facility that added 6,00 square feet to the facility and some of the most modern equipment available. In 2008, H&V opened a North Country location on Quaker Road in Queensbury. H&V undertook its largest expansion, opening a major facility on Central Avenue in Colonie.
As part of that commitment, H&V became the first collision facility in the region to partner with VeriFacts Automotive, to provide independent, third party verification and review of work and repairs at H&V locations.
New York State Collision Tech’s Association Writes to West Virginia AG Re ARA Complaint
Written by StaffMike Orso, President of the New York State Collision Tech’s Association (NYSCTA), has written a letter to W Va’s Attorney General Darrell McGraw expressing gratitude for his efforts in “protecting consumers relative to the sale and installation of, industry referred to; used, salvage, and junkyard-supplied parts.”
The letter is in response to the Automotive Recycler’s Association’s (ARA) complaint regarding McGraw’s use of the term “junkyard parts” to characterize general salvage parts. The comments and the lawsuit drew the attention of the Automotive Recyclers Association, which asked McGraw to stop using the term “junkyard parts” because the group feels it’s derogatory and misleading toward its members’ products.
The original reference was made by McGraw in a December 2011 press release announcing legal action against Liberty Mutual Insurance. In the memo the Attorney General’s office referred to recycled/salvage parts as “junkyard parts” and implied that recycled/salvaged parts are significantly inferior to new OE parts.
“We believe that this statement [implies] that salvaged, used and/or reconditioned parts are somehow unsafe and inferior to new OE parts,” says ARA CEO Michael E. Wilson. “This is simply false. Recycled/salvaged automobile parts are not “junkyard parts” nor are they classified as such under West Virginia statute. We have asked the Attorney General to clarify this statement,” said Wilson.
AASP/New Jersey to Kick Off 35th Annual NORTHEAST Trade Show March 9
Written by StaffThe Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) will hold their 35th annual NORTHEAST™ trade show March 9, 10 and 11 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center of Secaucus, NJ. The association announced the educational seminar schedule as well as a list of booth exhibitors.
The weekend will start on March 9, with a Leadership Forum held by SCRS and the AASP/NJ. The East Coast Resolution Forum welcomes representatives from national and local automotive repair associations on March 9 at 1 p.m. The forum will go until 5 p.m. and will invite association leaders to discuss updates on their organizations’ activities as well as share industry news with their peers. The meeting provides associations from across the country with a chance to network and learn from other associations.
Then at 6pm, Mark Olson of VeriFacts starts the NORTHEAST™ seminars with “Shop Differentiation: How to Make Your Shop Stand Out, followed by Future Cure’s Tom Beck presenting Drying Waterborne: What You Need to Know NOW.” Larry Montanez III of P&L Consultants / IACDA will also be on hand March 9 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., discussing OEM Repair Procedures vs. Repair Standards in the first of a two-part series. Kristen Felder and Elizabeth Blackman of CollisionHub will close out March 9’s seminars with SOS: A Social Media Intervention. For a full schedule of the weekend’s seminars please see below.
Then an after hours a Vendor Appreciation after party will be held from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.
“There isn’t anywhere within 500 miles where you can get education and information along with so much new equipment and products that specifically deal with our industry,” AASP/NJ President Jeff McDowell said. “I’ve been saying it for 35 years and God willing, I’ll be saying it for another 35. If you’re in the automotive repair industry, you need to be at NORTHEAST™.”
NJ Shop Questions State Farm’s Denial of Cost Accounting Based Paint Allowances
Written by staffIn a letter to State Farm CEO Edward Rust Jr., Don Harvey, of International Collision Service in Englewood, NJ, questions why State Farm does not acknowledge cost accounting programs and practices in setting paint allowance rates. Harvey has previously contacted senior State Farm management to no avail. His letter follows:
Feb 15, 2012
State Farm Insurance Co.
Mr. Edward B. Rust Jr.
One State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61710
Dear Mr. Rust,
Please take a moment to look at an issue regarding customer satisfaction and a “Good Neighbor” responsible commitment to proper repairs.
Paint material has been an issue often questioned and not properly acknowledged.
Several years ago the Department [of Banking and] Insurance Commissioner Steven M. Goldman issued a Bulletin #07-20 (copy enclosed for your review CLICK HERE encouraging insurers to utilize paint cost accounting software programs and manuals. Just after the issuance of this bulletin, State Farm (Northern NJ) changed their paint calculation from a multiplier of $23.00 per paint hour to $28.00 per paint hour. That was November 2007. Since that time, as we all know, all oil-derived product prices have dramatically increased, however State Farm has not acknowledged (NJ office: Mr. Charlie Holmes) any legitimate paint cost programs or software, holding [instead] to their antiquated $28.00 per hour calculation with no deviation.
Automotive paints used on today’s advanced vehicles require many different tints to achieve the look and appearance duplicating the original finish. Therefore all pricing cannot be properly and FAIRLY determined by one multiplier, this is why the paint cost accounting software programs are so important: FAIRLY compensating the repairer for materials used on the specific vehicle (color) being repaired.
Mr. Holmes has repeatedly stated that State Farm holds true to their survey studies. What is interesting about that is twofold:
1) State Farm (northern NJ) hasn’t sent anyone out to survey the shops in many, many years, leaving it to the shops to call State Farm and get an authorization # before being able to even get to the survey.
2) I find it interesting that if State Farm only uses their survey to change rates and materials, why after a short time and no apparent survey, did the multiplier change in late 2007 after the Bulletin issued by the State of New Jersey, from $23.00 per hour to the current rate of $28.00 per hour?
Most insurance companies are acknowledging the cost accounting software programs plus a mark-up as the programs use an average COST to the repair from the suppliers.
In closing I hope that you will review this letter and change the way State Farm, NJ, is conducting business and [have] The Good Neighbor do the right thing, properly and fairly returning vehicles to pre-accident condition.
Respectfully,
Don W. Harvey
International Collision Service
Englewood, NJ, 07631
(Copy of Mitchell Refinishing Calculator Notes enclosed for your review CLICK HERE)
If you have any relevant information submit it to Don Harvey at
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, or write:
Don W. Harvey
international collision service
328 South Van Brunt St.
Englewood, NJ 07631
Phone: 201.567.2124
Fax: 201.567.6644
New York State Auto Collision Technicians Association (NYSACTA) Releases Statement Regarding Aftermarket Parts Usage
Written by StaffThe New York State Auto Collision Technicians Association, (NYSACTA) announced February 2 it is alerting its members and the general public to the potential safety risks with the use of aftermarket crash parts, and is calling on all insurers in NY who specify the use of un-tested, unqualified, NON-OEM compliant crash parts to take corrective action immediately.
NYSACTA President, Mike Orso said, “I would think safety would be the most important element of any collision repair. Some insurers by their actions are putting their claimant or insured’s family in a vehicle that the [insurer] specified a repair with untested, at risk parts to save money. No one should be re-engineering a car after a wreck as it puts the consumer in damage as well as all highway users at risk. It creates un-due legal liability on the repair shop.” Orso went on to say, “the rules are: Repair or Replace the vehicle after a crash. Meaning; return the vehicle to pre-loss condition. One issue here is that; there is no recall system in place to warn consumers that their vehicle may be unsafe to drive or that their families safety is in unknown, unpredictable peril should a repaired car be involved in a another crash. Consumers should call their repair shop or check their collision invoice to identify what parts that may have been installed that are aftermarket. NY State Law requires shops to note the status of parts used in the repair, i.e. New, OEM, Used, Aftermarket, Reconditioned or Repaired.”
AASP/NJ’s First NORTHEAST™ Exhibitor Boot Camp A Success
Written by StaffIn preparation for the AASP/NJ's 35th annual NORTHEAST Automotive Services show, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) held their first-ever NORTHEAST exhibitor boot camp on January 12. The AASP/NJ hoped that this would help exhibitors be more successful at this year's show. The three-hour seminar was held by Susan Friedmann, the "Trade Show Coach." Friedmann is an author and expert in training exhibitors on how to improve and get the most out of their trade show experiences.
“We really didn’t know what to expect when we first found Susan,” said AASP/NJ President Jeff McDowell. “Her qualifications were outstanding so we didn’t doubt what she would bring to the table. We just weren’t sure how our exhibitors would respond.”
The AASP/NJ took surveys following the seminar; the outcome of these surveys encouraged them to continue to hold the bootcamp annually.
“Boot Camp was very informative,” one attendee replied. “It had lots of good information and addressed a lot of mistakes that everyone takes for granted.” Another added, “It covered all aspects of booth presentation at the show. Very comprehensive and well paced. I would recommend this boot camp to colleagues if they want to benefit their company as part of any trade show.”
NORTHEAST™ 2012 takes place March 9, 10 and 11, 2012 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center of Secaucus, NJ. For more information on the show and AASP/NJ, please visit www.aaspnjnortheast.com.
N.J. Dept of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Considine Leaves Post
Written by StaffBanking and Insurance Department Commissioner Tom Considine left his post effective Feb. 10, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced on January 30.
Considine plans to return to work in the private sector, according to Insurance Journal. He will become the new chief operating officer of MagnaCare in March, after leaving the NJ Banking and Insurance Department. MagnaCare is a health plan management company. At a news conference in Trenton, NJ, Gov. Christie also nominated Ken Kobylowski to succeed Commissioner Considine. Kobylowski has served as chief of staff to Considine since 2010, and acting director of banking since last October.
Considine served as a vice president with MetLife legal affairs for 17 years prior to serving as NJ commissioner. Considine also previously served as a litigation associate at Connell, Foley and Geiser, a New Jersey law firm.
Dealers’ success this year seems to be spurring economic recovery along, at least in the Empire State. According to the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, franchised dealers in the New York metro area sold 403,000 new and used cars.
And as a result, their businesses injected $24.9 billion into the economy, while also providing nearly 56,000 Americans with jobs. Not a surprising number, when the study also showed that the average dealership employs 79 people.
These very same dealers also generated $1.71 billion in tax revenue to state and local governments last year
Commenting on these numbers, Mark Schienberg, president of GNYADA, said, “Our area’s auto dealers are an enormously important part of the local and state economy because of the revenue they generate and the jobs they produce.
“Directly and indirectly, greater New York’s franchised auto dealers provide nearly 56,000 jobs to area residents and are a key part of the region’s economic growth and development,” he added.
Moreover, the average dealership paid more than $4.1 million in payroll expenses. Besides providing jobs and selling cars, dealerships also pump money into the economy through advertising.
“An average dealer employs 79 people of which more than a third are in high paying jobs in the service department. Dealers also purchase more advertising than any other sector, providing a lifeline to many local broadcast, print and online media companies. Last year, area dealership advertising totaled $385 million,” said Schienberg.
The local economy also received another $253.6 million during the New York International Automobile Show. And nearly $24 million of this pot was formed by city-wide special events and public relations activities by OEMs, the organization noted.
“It {the report} includes a review of direct and indirect employment, personal income, tax collections generated by area automobile dealers and a review of dealership financial statistics and operations,” they continued.
Headquartered in Whitestone, N.Y., the GNYADA represents nearly 600 franchised automobile dealerships in the metro area of New York.
