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Midwestern News
Local news stories affecting the auto body industry in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
The Collision Associations Serving Ohio Shops
by David M. Brown
In Ohio collision-repair facilities and vendors are represented by two associations: the Choice Autobody Repair Association and ASA-Ohio.
In 2005, CARA, a nonprofit collision repair association, was formed in Cadiz in eastern Ohio. CARA represents approximately 50 body shops in various cities throughout the state. Members include former members from the disbanded Ohio Collision Repair Association and the Ohio Bodyshop Owners Association.
“There were five shop owners who felt it was necessary to help educate consumers on their rights concerning collision repairs, which led to the formation of CARA,” says Rick Finney, president of the association and owner of Finney Automotive Inc. and Finney Tire LLC, both in Cadiz.
Bloomington body shop begins work on new $1M facility
A longtime Bloomington, IL, auto body shop has broken ground on a new $1 million facility.
Bob Zook Auto Body expects to move into its new facility at 411 Detroit Drive, Bloomington, by April, said company President Bryan Caldwell. Business will continue at its current location, 413 E. Stewart St., Bloomington, until the new building is complete.
“We are excited by the growth and opportunities the new facility will bring,” said Caldwell, who has worked for the company for nearly three decades.
The new 12,750-square-foot building, next to the Palace Cinemas, will allow the shop to expand its services. A new mechanical department will handle suspension and wheel repairs and alignments related to collisions, said Caldwell.
Fire Destroys Firefighter's Auto Shop
A fire destroyed an auto shop in Maple, WI, owned by one of the city's fire fighters.
Maple Fire Chief Michael Lundeen says the fire fighters responded around 10:30 p.m. When they arrived on scene, they found half of the building engulfed in flames.
The chief says it took about 20 minutes to get the fire under control.
Nagy's Collision Specialists Adds 7th Ohio Shop
Nagy’s Collision Specialists has expanded to seven locations in Ohio with the addition of collision repair facility, Doug Chevrolet in Akron.
“We're very excited for this partnership with Doug Chevrolet and moving into the Summit County area,” said Ron Nagy, president of Nagy's.
BASF Hires New Distribution Services Manager for Automotive Refinish Business
BASF announced that Karen Broccardo has joined the Automotive Refinish Business group as Distribution Services Manager. She will be located in Southfield, MI.
According to Chuck Soeder, Vice President, Automotive Refinish and Industrial Coatings Solutions, Broccardo will be responsible for sales forecasting, sales compensation administration, ColorSource Distribution administration, Customer Relationship Management Tools, and sales history and data administration.
Prior to joining BASF, she was the Sales Operations Specialist for Ricardo in Van Buren Township, MI, where she was responsible for all sales forecasting in the U.S. and was part of the global SAP implementation team.
Broccardo has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.
ASA-Michigan Hosts Webinar
Members of ASA of Michigan are invited to participated in a "Back to School" Collision Industry Webinar called "WHERE'S THE WORK?: Identifying Market Changes from 2007 - 2011."
As summer heads into the final stretch, it is time to prepare by going "Back-to-School" and learn about how industry trends are affecting your business. The overview will provide you with business information and practices that may cause you to adjust your marketing efforts.
More...
Indiana Auto Body Association’s Parts Procurement and Insurer Interference Survey Results
In mid-July the IABA conducted a member survey they called a Parts Procurement and Insurer Interference Survey which was responded to by hundreds of shops.
Tony Passwater, Executive Director of IABA, wrote in summary: “There is no doubt the Parts Trader is attempting to transform our part procurement process into an ebay type environment, so the “cut-throating” can continue. This will only take away another piece of revenue/profit our businesses have relied upon for a sustainable future. Even though we have “ignorantly” agreed to so many concessions over the years, thinking we would get more work in our doors, isn’t it time to just say “No” ?
See pdf for survey questions and results HERE.
There are extensive comments on the survey available at the IABA website: www.iaba.info.
To contact IABA:
President Mike Hartman, Hartman Auto Body, (260) 837-2802
1st Vice President John Idzik
John’s CarStar, (219) 322-1841
2nd Vice President Debbie Moore
Diamond Collision, (317) 272-6820
Secretary/Treasurer Lora Hackleman-Ehrenberg, Hackleman Auto
(317) 272-2225
Executive Director Tony Passwater
AEII, (317) 290-0611
OE Reman Offers Remanufactured OEM Parts for the Best Possible Fit
In today’s collision industry, many shops and their customers would prefer not to use aftermarket parts, yet due to cost control by insurance companies, many are unable to spend the money to install original OEM parts on some vehicles. OE Reman Direct, based in Redford, MI, offers an alternative solution.
Ohio Collision Repair SkillsUSA Advisor Wins Trip to SEMA from SCRS
A SkillsUSA advisor, John Wilson of Ohio Hi-Point Career Center in Springfield, OH, won an all-expenses paid trip to SEMA, courtesy of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and the Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA).
ABRA Auto Body & Glass Enters Indiana Market
ABRA Auto Body & Glass, a leading national vehicle repair company, announced the opening of its 42nd franchise repair center and the first in the state of Indiana.
The new ABRA repair center is located on the site of McGonigal Buick GMC Cadillac at 1220 East Blvd. in Kokomo, about an hour north of Indianapolis.
The move is part of the company’s overall plan to accelerate growth in the months and years ahead and increases the total number of ABRA repair centers to 124 in 13 states.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for ABRA in a new market and represents our commitment to excellence and significant growth across the country,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Duane Rouse. “McGonigal has a rich history of auto body repair in the Kokomo area and is known for their guiding principles of dream, deliver, and drive. With this partnership in place and ABRA’s innovative service model we are confident both the vehicle owner and our business partners will be impressed.”