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Industry Year in Review—A Month-by-Month Look at the Most Interesting Collision News of 2012 by John Yoswick
A lot happens in the collision repair industry, so trying to compile it all into a single year-end review is a challenge. But here’s our look at what we saw as among the most important or just plain interesting and memorable news item, event or quote from each of the last 12 months.
January State Farm’s George Avery announced that his company is testing the electronic parts ordering system “PartsTrader” with two collision repair businesses. He declined to identify the shops, saying that it is too early in the testing “to put those folks
under the microscope and ask, ‘What do you think of the new system?’” Lots of shops have since voiced what they think of the system. By the end of the year, the program was being rolled out to a fifth market (Chicago) George Avery for a total of about 600 Select Service shops.
February John Borek of Autocraft Bodywerks in Austin, TX, wasn’t accepting the explanation from American National Property and Casualty Company See Year in Review, Page 12
Northern Michigan Body Shop Association Looks Back at 2012
Anderson’s second topic, “Understanding Continuous Improvement” focused on the many issues a repair facility deals with on a daily basis and emphasized measures a shop can implement to reduce the root cause of those issues. Early in the year, the NMBSA also became an affiliate member of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) in support of its educational material such as “The SCRS Guide to Complete Repair Planning” and information specific to insurer activities such as parts procurement. In May, the association held its first trade show in Petoskey, MI. See Northern Michigan, Page 16
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The Northern Michigan Body Shop Association kicked-off 2012 with Mike Anderson of Collision Advice presenting two topics to collision industry professionals. The first topic, “Educate, Not Alienate” encouraged estimators and technicians to “have the facts ready” when communicating with an adjustor, insurer, and/or customer. He explained that too often in this industry, emotions run high which tends to negatively affect the situation at hand; it’s best to be prepared with the facts, data, and “bottom-line” to be knowledgeable regarding the issue when trying to make a point—you’ll get much further when you have facts to back you up.
ASA Michigan’s 2012 in Review The Automotive Service Association in Michigan began 2012 with roundtables held throughout the state for licensed repair facilities representing both collision and mechanical industries. The meetings focused on the proposed revisions and enforcement of Public Act 300 of 1974, the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act. “Relatively speaking, this law has not been updated since 1974 and is in desperate need of updating,” said Ray Fisher, President of ASA Michigan. “The law was created to protect consumers and repair facilities by providing ‘ground rules’ which helped to avoid frivolous lawsuits. And we are now seeing it abused during these challenging economic times with unlicensed shops advertising on Craigslist and circumventing the law.”
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“It provides an unfair advantage for those who have not ‘played by the rules’ and it provides false security to consumers; exactly the reason the law was created in the first place,” Fisher said, adding that not only are they advocating for a crackdown on abusers, but also for updating the law to make it more “user friendly” for repair facilities to use. “One of the elements of this law is validation that the consumer authorized the work requiring a signature or other verbal validation,” Fisher said. “Well, today we have facsimile machines, email, twitter, Facebook, and with future digital means probably forthcoming, we think that these options documented properly should be a part of the law. Currently, if a conSee ASA Michigan, Page 38
IABA Looks Back on 2012 and Forward to 2013
As 2012 comes to a close, the Indiana Auto Body Association reflects on its accomplishments over the past year. According to Tony Passwater, Executive Director, “Early in our organization, we realized that being a lone state association would not be in the best interest of our prospective members. In 2005, we affiliated with the SCRS and through this relationship, have reaped many benefits and national support. In 2012, we also became an associate member of the ASA and an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau to better position ourselves not only within the industry, but to the consumer as well.” Early in 2012, the IABA released an online members portal that includes many valuable features for its members, including hundreds of training programs, best practices, industry documents a benefits section, as well as a discussion forum. In addition, the IABA developed an online training program for the Indiana 326 IAC 8-10 regulation requirements which must be completed every year prior to May 1. This program is free to IABA members. In mid 2012, the IABA conducted a series of Town Hall meetings across the state as an industry out-
reach. The meetings were designed to update all industry members regarding the PartsTrader issue, reaching hundreds across the state. “Since early 2012, our association has been working on a better approach to distinguish our members from others in the eyes of the consumer and to better educate the vehicle owner of their rights when involved in an accident,” Passwater said. “This could lessen the effects of ‘steering’ that takes place daily, and work to ensure the vehicle is being repaired properly.” In early 2013, the IABA rolls out its new program, “A Shop You Can Trust.” The association expects the program to become a huge benefit to its members and vehicle owners. For more information, see www.aShopYouCanTrust.com. The 3rd Bi-Annual Convention and Technology Showcase is scheduled for February 22–23 at the Lincoln College of Technology and will include top industry presentations and technology exhibits and demonstrations. Go to: www.IABAconvention.com for more information. “2013 looks as promising as 2012 in which we saw our membership grow over 100%,” Passwater said.
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