Local news stories affecting the auto body industry in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, Alaska and Wyoming
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced Jan. 4 that the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved amended regulations submitted by the California Department of Insurance (CDI) regarding the use of non–original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement crash parts, generally known as aftermarket parts. These regulations were sought by Commissioner Jones to further protect California consumers from physical and financial harm caused by defective or inferior aftermarket parts and to enhance insurer accountability in the claims process.
“The amendments build on existing protections by requiring insurers to settle automobile insurance claims using repair standards described by the Bureau of Automotive Repair, and not the insurer’s own standards of repair,” said Commissioner Jones. “This also places greater accountability on the insurer when they require use of an aftermarket replacement part so that damaged automobiles are repaired properly and safely.”
Caliber Collision Centers announced today that it has acquired Hi-Tech Collision and Glass Centers. Recognized as one of the premier collision repair companies in California, Hi-Tech Collision and Glass Centers has 10 locations in the Los Angeles and Orange County markets.
Jeanette Lorenzo with the Robert Bosch Corporation was recently appointed to CAWA's 2013 Manufacturers Advisory Council. She was appointed by the association's board chairman, Steve Sharp.
To view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes hosted its invitation-only A-Plus Network Vision Conference in Palm Springs at the beautiful La Quinta Resort Dec. 5–7. The theme of the conference was “Focus on Your Business.”
More than 100 leading A-Plus network collision repair owners and managers from the U.S. and Canada attended.
The event kicked-off with a round of golf at the TPC Stadium Course “PGA West” and was followed by an outdoor welcome reception at La Quinta’s “Hotel Waterfall.”
To view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
The Christmas season got a whole lot jollier for a handful of people in Contra Costa County, CA, when Mike’s Auto Body presented five refurbished vehicles to four families and one non-profit organization on Dec. 12 as part of the company’s annual benevolence program.
Since 2001, Mike’s Auto Body has presented a total of 40 automobiles to families and organizations in need, according to Sal Contreras, marketing director at Mike’s Auto Body, with 10 Bay Area locations.
To view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
The California Autobody Association’s East Bay chapter once again hosted its Model Truck Customizing Competition on Nov. 20 at the Blackhawk Auto Museum in Danville, CA. More than 200 CAA members and friends attended this hugely popular event consisting of a dinner, raffle, and spirited truck competition, which raised toys for Toys for Tots and money for four northern California Regional Occupational Programs.
Eight companies customized model trucks and entered them into the competition, including T.G.I.F Auto Body, Crockett’s Premier Auto Body, Jim’s Auto Body, FinishMaster, D & S Auto Body, National Auto Parts, Uptown Auto Body and NEO Autoworks. In addition, all four regional occupational schools entered trucks for the contest. Each competing organization took an identical plain white Nylint die-cast truck and turned it into a unique piece of art.
To view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
It was an exciting year for the California Autobody Association’s (CAA) northern California chapters. Here are year-end recaps from the East Bay and Santa Clara chapters reported by former Chapter President/State Board Member Gigi Walker and 2012 Chapter President Randy Greenblat, respectively.
East Bay Chapter Year in Review
The chapter began the year by appointing its new President Tiffany Silva from Accurate Autobody. “As a second-generation body shop owner, Tiffany has been an exceptional president,” Walker said. “She took the reins and hit the ground running. Her industry knowledge and leadership skills were apparent almost immediately and we’d like to thank her for her contributions to the chapter this year.”
To view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
Palomar College in San Marcos, CA, recently upgraded its collision repair program and other technical programs with a new Industrial Trades Center building. Space dedicated to auto body repair is approximately 4,700 square feet. Cost for the new ITC building, which also houses diesel technology and auto technology programs, cost $7.7 million paid for by Proposition M building funds, which was approved by voters in November, 2006, to maintain and modernize the 60-year-old campus and to create new educational opportunities.
Bodycraft Collision Centers and Golden State Collision Centers, announced this week that they have merged operations to form a new 19 location entity in the greater Sacramento area that will be called Golden State Collision Centers, a Bodycraft Company.
The two companies, which had a management agreement in place since earlier this year, formally merged their operations on December 15. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The combined company now has shops in Antelope, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Lincoln, Orangevale, Rocklin, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, Shingle Springs and Yuba City.
Golden State was founded in 1993 by Dave Finkelstein in a 2,400-square-foot facility on Roseville Road in Sacramento. The company added its fifth facility in Yuba City in 2009.
Bruce Mackie, owner of Bodycraft, will serve as the president of the merged operation and Finkelstein has taken the title of chief marketing officer.
In a letter addressed to customers and colleagues, Mackie and Finkelstein said, "Our decision to merge was a strategic one with the intent of creating a new entity whose shared vision and focus parallel one another. We are unwavering in our focus of unmatched service, distinction for excellence in collision repairs and re-investment in the communities where we operate.
The letter concluded, "Our merged entity, Golden State Collision Repair Centers, A Bodycraft Company, will continue to place a priority on our customers and our service to them. We will continue to work diligently with our insurance partners to ensure their objectives are achieved.
Golden State Collision Repair Centers, a Bodycraft Company, presented four rehabilitated vehicles to local families in need in Sacramento, CA. The vehicles were presented during their sixth annual “Community Benevolence Event” on Dec. 11, 2012, at the Golden State Collision Repair Center, 7407 Roseville Road, Sacramento, CA.
In an annual holiday-time event, the Golden State Collision Repair Centers’ community benevolence events have benefited 25 local families with restored vehicles over the past six years. This year’s event was held in partnership with Farmers Insurance Group, Allied/Nationwide Insurance, Safeco Insurance, Cottage Housing, Inc., and St. John’s Shelter for Women and Children.