Western January 2016 Issue

2 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Contents

COLUMNS Attanasio - 5 Smart Marketing Moves to Make in 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Attanasio - It’s a Doggone Good Life for a Body Tech and His Best Friend . . . . . . . . . . 36 Luehr - The Happy, Well Informed Customer . . 38 Phillips - Body Shop Vice President in GA Says Be Prepared for the Unexpected . . . . . . . . . 46 Phillips - Nebraska MSO Owner Says the Only Constant in Industry is Change . . . . . . . . . . 10 NATIONAL 2 Fiat Chrysler Dealerships, Closed After Years of Bankruptcy Litigation, Are Reopening . . . 65 3M™ Introduces Impact Resistant Structural Adhesive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 ALLDATA President Discusses Importance of Trade Shows, Future Plans . . . . . . . . . . . 28 American Honda is Among Industry Leaders with Eight Honda and Acura Vehicles Earning a 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK+ Rating from the IIIHS—New Crash Protection and Technology Requirements Factored into the Ratings . . . 61 ARA Works on Important Issues for 2016. . . . 26 Auto Safety Ratings to Include Collision Prevention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Axalta Enhances Nap-Guard®, Announces Role in North American International Auto Show Charity Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 BASF Hires Tim Dawe as New Sales Director . . 64 Behind-The-Scenes Tour of CAPA Parts Certification Vehicle Test Fit/VTF Process . . 30 Cadillac to Launch Aluminum Repair Network. . 65 Caliber Collision Teams Up With Insurance Partners to Donate Record 30 Recycled Rides™ in 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Chinese Carmaker Cowin Pioneers

legal activity and that the story was written by someone with no real knowledge of the industry. That, of course, we knew when we decided to print it.

Many years ago we had a regular column called “Mainstream Media,” which was designed to show our readers what was being said in non-trade publications about body shops. Many of these stories were naive about the industry and some were absolutely off base. We ran them under that headline in order to remind shop owners that they need to be vigilant about what consumers are reading about the industry. This makes sense to us given the rampant misinformation that is being distributed, regardless of the intent of the source.

Also, we’re well aware that regulaSee A Note, Page 6

Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Assistant Editor: Stacey Phillips Online Editor: Victoria Antonelli Contributing Writers: Tom Franklin, David Brown, John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Sean Hartman, Bill Doyle, Norman Morano (800) 699-8251 Office Manager: Louise Tedesco Sales/Research Associate: Cass Heckel Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia

Abaris Training Resources, Inc. . . . . .4 Alfred Matthews Buick-GMC-Cadillac .40 Allstate Insurance Company . . . . . .44 Audi Burlingame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . .56 Automotive ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 AutoNation Chrysler-Jeep-DodgeRam of North Phoenix . . . . . . . . .18 Axalta Coating Systems . . . . . . . . . . .2 BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . .59 Bob Smith BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Bob Smith MINI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Capitol Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Car-Part.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) . . . . . . . . . . .43 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Colortone Automotive Paints . . . . . .24 Completes Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Del Grande Dealer Group . . . . . .14-15 Dent Magic Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Downtown Motors of LA (Audi, VW, Porsche) . . . . . . . . . . .67 Earnhardt Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Eco Repair Systems of North America, LLC . . . . . . . . . . .19 Elk Grove Toyota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 EMM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Enterprise Rent-A-Car . . . . . . . . . . .22 Equalizer Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . . .8 Eurovac, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 First Auto Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . .47 G & C Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Galpin Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Glenn E. Thomas Dodge-ChryslerJeep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . .61 H & S Autoshot Mfg. Co. . . . . . . . . .13 Herkules Equipment Corporation . . .6

Serving California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry.

Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher. ©2016 Adamantine Media LLC. Autobody News P.O. Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com Email: news@autobodynews.com

Western

Crowdsourcing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 DOT Recommends Updated Safety Rating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Driven Brands Acquires CARSTAR Canada and Announces Senior Leadership Changes at CARSTAR US . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Electronic Paintless Dent Reduction Device introduced at SEMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 EMM’s Colad Optimus & Colad Advanced Cut Introduced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 First Autonomous Buses Will Hit the Road In Spring 2016, Swiss Company Says it Can Control Fleets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Freer Auto Body’s Cookies and Cocoa Event Held in IL to Help Others Have a Nice Holiday . . . 58 GFS Breaks Ground on $6M Center for Excellence in Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Google Compare Sells Insurance Comparisons Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Hyundai-Kia Involved in OIN Patent Non-Agression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 I-CAR® Announced 2015 Recipients of Jeff Silver and Russ Verona Awards at SEMA . . 60 ICBC Selects Mitchell International as Strategic Material Damage Solution Provider . . . . . . . 57 Integration Between PartsTrader and Axalta’s ProfitNet Said to Simplify Tasks for Body Shops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Kia Racing Champion Jason Wolfe Shares his Success Behind the Wheel . . . . . . . . . . 52 Melissa Miller, CARSTAR’s New VP of Operations, Discusses New Role and WIN Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Most Influential Women Award to Be Announced in May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 National Auto Body Council Elects 2016 Board & Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 New Battery Can Store 10 Times the Energy of The Next Best Device According to Science/AAAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 New Year Brings the Collision Industry Some ‘Unfinished Business’ from 2015 . . . . . . . . . 1 On Give Tuesday, Vietnam Vet and VA Volunteer Receives Recycled Ride . . . . . . . 49 Paint Booth Filtration Companies A.J. Dralle, Inc. and Volz Luftfilter Form Strategic Partnership . 42 PPG Announces Sponsorship of Women’s Industry Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 PPG Launches DITZLER® Satin Clear Kit . . . . . 56 Property Damage Appraisers’ Virtual Estimating Tool Earns High Marks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Quality Parts Coalition Says Consumers Have Saved $363M By Using Aftermarket Parts. . 65 Shops in Louisiana and Elsewhere See ‘Adjusted’ Labor Rates After State Farm Rezones Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Spanesi Benches & Jig System Approved for GM Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Steps to CAPA Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Strategies and Tips for Shops Interested in Becoming a DRP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Subaru to Develop $118 Million Headquarters in NJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Toyota, Honda Models Top Insurance Institute’s Safest-Car List; VW is 3rd . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Wind Storm Leaves WA Auto Body Shops Booked Through Mid-Jan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Zara’s Collision Center in Illinois Gives Away Olds Alero as Part of Benevolence Program. . 62

Indexof Advertisers

REGIONAL Attanasio - College of Alameda Wows the Crowd at EB-CAA’s Model Truck Event . . . . 40 CA Judge Throws Out Class Action Complaint Against Ford for Tailgate Windows . . . . . . . . 1 California to Sue Car Donation Charities . . . . . . 1 Collision Industry Leaders Sponsor National Auto Body Council’s Annual Golf Fundraiser. . 22 Da-Les Auto Body Hires More Expecting El Niño . 4 Fix Auto USA Adds 18 New Franchise Locations . 16 G&C Auto Body Gives Cars to Valley Fire’s Victims. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Hanford, CA Car Thefts and Arrests Up This Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 I-CAR® Recognizes AZ Shop for 25 Years of Continuous Training and Gold Class® Achievement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Kingman, AZ, Shop Certified by Assured Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Maricopa CCs Continue Automotive Industry Tradition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Martins Collision Repair in UT Blesses Needy Family with New Car. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 More Than 70 Inspectors Perform 833 Lift Inspections During ALI’s “Five Days to Victory” Event in NV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 November News for ASA-AZ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Service King Collision Repair Brightens Holiday for Arizona Cancer Survivor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Veteran’s Day Was a Benevolence Day at Mike’s Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

A Note about Stories Sourced from Mainstream Media

A number of readers called and/or wrote to us last month about a particular story we ran in our December issues featuring a detailer in Mesa, Arizona who—they complained, was spraying solvent in open air, and also talking disparagingly about the industry, body shops, and insurers. The story was written by a local media source who was kind enough to give us permission to reprint the story.

Whenever reprints like this occur in any publication, permission is obtained and given contingent on no edits or changes being made by us to the original story. Those are the circumstances under which we agree to reprint the article. In addition we agree that we will not ‘sidebar’ or editorialize on their content.

The readers pointed out that by publishing this article we were “promoting” il-

Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34-35 Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers . .63 Kearny Mesa Subaru-Hyundai . . . . .45 Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Larson Electronics, LLC. . . . . . . . . .20 Maita Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Mark Kia-Mitsubishi . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . .62 McPeek Dodge of Anaheim . . . . . . .26 Mercedes-Benz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . .58 Mitsubishi Wholesale Parts Dealers . .60 MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers . .39 Moss Bros. Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge . . .7 NACE/CARS Trade Show . . . . . . . .27 Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Orange Coast Chrysler-DodgeJeep-Ram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Puente Hills Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Riverside Kia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Riverside Metro VW-Honda-HyundaiNissan-Mazda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 SATA Spray Equipment . . . . . . . . . .11 Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22, 23 Shingle Springs Subaru . . . . . . . . . .36 Sierra Chevrolet-Honda-MazdaSubaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers . . .55 The Bay Area Automotive Group . . .29 Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . .64 U-POL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Urethane Supply Company . . . . . . .48 Valspar Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Volvo Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . .65

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 3

Da-Les Auto Body Hires More Expecting El Niño

In anticipation of the upcoming and powerful El Nino weather system, DaLes Auto Body in Sunnyvale, CA, has recently hired new employees. As a new blog on the company’s website noted, the auto body shop is anticipating that El Nino will cause a sharp increase in demand for their services.

According to their blog, El Nino and massive rainstorms go hand in hand, which can wreak havoc on vehicles.

“Hail, mud, high winds, excessive rain and other weather-related problems can cause damage ranging from cosmetic in the case of hailstones to severe, if the same hailstone shatters a windshield,” the blog noted. In order to be sure they have enough staff people to handle a surge in repairs, Da-Les Auto Body recently hired a new administrative assistant, insurance estimator, and a parts technician.

“Each one of these professionals will have a unique and profound role in helping ensure all our clients get the great customer service they’ve come to expect from Da-Les, no matter what the weather does, and we’re very excited to introduce them to you, our friends and neighbors,” the new blog noted, adding that they are proud to welcome them into the Da-Les family.

November News for ASA-AZ

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

ASA-AZ continued with their round of chapter meetings and events in November as the year wound down and the association began preparing for 2016.

On November 3, the Yuma Chapter held their monthly roundtable at Chretin’s Restaurant. The chapter’s roundtables are held on the first Tuesday of each month.

(l to r) Andreas Stylianous (We Fix It Auto Repair), Luz Rubio (ASA of AZ), Frank Leutz (Desert Car Care), Dave Riccio (TriCity Transmission), Lee Miller (Lee’s Auto Repair)

Luz Rubio, Executive Director of ASA-AZ, noted, “This roundtable is fairly new, and attendance is growing slowly, but we invite shops in the area to contact Jeff McCloud, Yuma Chapter President, at 928-305-0767.

Join us for dinner and open discussion on local industry issues. Come and discover the value of being a member

New Battery Can Store 10 Times the Energy of The Next Best Device According to Science/AAAS Industrial-scale batteries, known as flow batteries, could one day usher in widespread use of renewable energy—but only if the devices can store large amounts of energy cheaply and feed it to the grid when the sun isn’t shining and the winds are calm.

That’s something conventional flow batteries can’t do. Now, researchers report that they’ve created a novel type of flow battery that uses lithium ion technology—the sort used to power laptops—to store about 10 times as much energy as the most common flow batteries on the market.

With a few improvements, the new batteries could make a major impact on the way we store and deliver energy.

Flow batteries aren’t much different from the rechargeables we’re all used to, aside from their massive size. In conventional rechargeables, electrical charges are stored in an electrode called an anode. When discharged, electrons are pulled off the anode, fed through an external circuit where they do work, and returned to a second electrode called a cathode.

Liquid electrolytes between the electrodes ferry ions through the battery to balance the charges. The batteries

of an association!”

Continuing its roundtable rotation, the Phoenix Chapter met at Tech 1 Auto in Peoria on November 5. In attendance was Ian Bingham of the AZ Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) who invited shops to apply for the Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP). In addition to complementing existing programs

can be recharged by plugging them in, which forces the charges—and the ions—to flow in reverse.

But in flow batteries, the charges are stored in liquid electrolytes that sit in external tanks. The charge-carrying electrolytes are then pumped through an electrode assembly, known as a stack, containing two electrodes separated by an ion-conducting membrane. This setup allows large volumes of the electrolytes to be stored in the tanks. Because those tanks have no size limit, the storage capacity of a flow battery can be scaled up as needed. That makes them ideal for storing large amounts of power for the grid.

Today, the most advanced flow batteries are known as vanadium redox batteries (VRBs), which store charges in electrolytes that contain vanadium ions dissolved in a waterbased solution. Vanadium’s advantage is that its ions are stable and can be cycled through the battery over and over without undergoing unwanted side reactions. But vanadium is costly, and VRBs have a relatively low energy density. This means that the external tanks must be quite large to hold enough power to be useful.

4 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

with new tools and strategies to protect people and the environment, ADEQ strives to recognize opportunities for reducing cost and encouraging technological innovation. The VESP identifies and rewards organizations with a good history of compliance that go above and beyond legal requirements.

Rubio recounted, “Organizations

and businesses are invited to join VESP to work together on environmental quality issues and support ADEQ’s mission – to protect and enhance public health and the environment in AZ. Membership incentives for joining VESP include recognition, reduced inspection frequency, conferences, early notice of enforcement rulings, advance inspection notice, reduced reporting requirements, and coordination of multiple on-site inspections.

Members will be invited to participate in discussions about incentives that might be added to the program.”

For more information on VESP, visit www.azdeq.gov/vesp.html.

The Central Phoenix and East Valley Chapters also held open discussion roundtables in November, and both plan to host Bingham early in 2016 for members to learn about VESP. On November 11, the Tucson Chapter held their dinner meeting with guest speaker Frank Leutz, President of the Phoenix Chapter.

According to Rubio, “Frank shared the benefits he has received from being an active member of the association. He also facilitated a great discussion regarding benefits and participation in our affiliate. A great exchange of resources and information followed Frank’s presentation.”

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 5

G&C Auto Body Gives Cars to Valley Fire’s Victims

by Ed Attanasio

On Sunday November 15th G&C Auto Body, with the help of State Farm Insurance and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, teamed up to give away two cars to families who were victims of the recent Valley Fire in Lake County, the third most destructive fire in California’s history, leveling more than 2,000 buildings and killing four people.

(l to r) Enterprise Regional Vice President Michael Melville, Recipients Chris and Alyssa Collins and G&C Auto Body’s Outreach Program Director Govinda Crozat present a refurbished vehicle to the Collins family

When the people at G&C Auto Body found out about two families who needed help after the blaze, they stepped up to make it happen. “These two families have lost their homes and vehicles in the fire and were left with nothing,” G&C Auto Body’s Outreach Program Director Govinda Crozat said. “G&C Auto Body and the Crozat Family Foundation have Continued from Cover

No Tailgate Action

safety risks reduced the value of the cars by 15 percent across the board.

“Although Chamberlain is undeniably qualified to testify about glazing and glass installation, he does not possess the requisite experience, training, or education to offer opinions about the cracking applique, corrosion, or the rate of cracking in the appliqués,” writes the judge.

The judge further says that Phillips testimony lacks “reliability and credibility.”

Though the judge writes that Dr. Locke is “eminently qualified,” he calls into question the methodology used to support the conclusions.

As for Hixenbaugh’s conclusions, the judge says these are based on “ipse dixit,” which is a Latin term referring to an unsupported statement that rests solely on the authority of the individual who makes it, according to an online legal dictionary.

“Without the testimony of these three experts about the alleged safety risks caused by the cracked appliqué, no reasonable jury could find that

been giving away cars to needy families for over three years now, totaling 75 cars to-date. When we heard about these families we decided to partner up to in order to help them and provide them with reliable transportation during these trying times.”

State Farm Insurance and Enterprise Rent-A- Car each donated a vehicle for G&C to refurbish and repair for the families. Both the G&C locations in Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa prepared the cars to be given away at a large fundraising event hosted at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts on Nov. 15.

At the six-hour musical event, emceed by actor John O’Hurley of TVs “Seinfield” and featuring numerous famous rock and country musicians, the cars were presented to the families by Govinda Crozat, the Program Director of the Crozat Family Foundation, Mike Melville of Enterprise Rent-A-Car and State Farm agent Nanette Dutcher, a Lake Port agent whose agency had many clients effected by the wild fire. Additionally the Crozat Family Foundation gave each of the families $750 in gift certificates to get them started and G&C Auto Body donated $500 to the “Putting out the Fire” fundraising event.

While the embers were still hot, G&C Auto Body organized a companywide collection involving all 10 shops to raise money for the families affected by

Ford had a duty to disclose those risks to consumers or that the cracked appliqué poses safety risks at all,” writes the judge. “[W]ithout Hixenbaugh’s testimony, plaintiffs cannot establish that Florida plaintiff Dery suffered actual damages resulting from Ford’s alleged deceptive acts,” he writes.

In addition to granting Ford’s motion for summary judgement, the judge writes that the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification is denied as moot.

The Ford vehicles mentioned in the complaint included the model 2002 through 2005 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer, and model 2003 through 2005 Lincoln Aviator.

We would like to thank glassBYTES.com for reprint permission.

Your leading source for WESTERN Collision Repair News! western.autobodynews.com

6 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

the wild fire in Lake County. The employees and friends donated $3,364 which was matched by G&C to total $6,728 in contributions to the victims of the Valley Fire.

(l to r) State Farm Agent Nanette Dutcher, and G&C Auto Body’s COO Shawn Crozat (far right) give the keys of a van to Todd Fenk, who lost his home in California’s enormous Valley Fire

Gene Crozat, the owner of G&C Auto Body is never shy to help those in need and well-known for his on-going philanthropy. “How do you measure success? It is not something I see on a spreadsheet, it’s what you do with your success that matters,” Crozat said. “G&C has been lucky to grow and prosper in the towns in which it does business and it is our responsibility to give back to those in need where we can. This is why we created the Crozat Family Foundation, whose sole purpose is to seek out those in need and help them. We don’t live in a ‘you’ world or a ‘me’ world; we live in a ‘you and me world.’”

Continued from Page 3

A Note

tory authorities such as California’s BAR are not only featured in Autobody News, but that they’re active readers. Numerous actions have been taken as a result of articles like this in our publications. The individual featured in the story has been reported to the local authorities—not by us, but by local readers, who are the greatest stakeholders in the matter.

This is the reasoning that went into last month’s story, but in doing so we have a dilemna. Not only can our intent be misunderstood by some readers as happened here, but outside publications will be naturally wary of granting permission if they think we’re just criticizing their stories. That would quickly cause our sources to dry up.

The solution, we believe, is to mark such stories with a coded box (such as this one) and trust that our readers continue to understand that we do not editorialize except in columns by our regular editors and writers, and that we support all legitimate stakeholders by trying to report accurate and timely information whatever the source. There are plenty of opinions in this industry and we don’t feel the need to contribute our own.

In short, if there’s a story you don’t agree with, let us know, but first look outside the lines.

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 7

Continued from Cover

Unfinished Business

“That does not reflect well on plaintiffs’ council.”

Many observers say the outlook doesn’t appear promising for the other shops’ lawsuits. All of them were consolidated into Presnell’s court in Florida, and all have been dismissed at one point, although he has given them opportunity to refile amended complaints. But little in Presnell’s rulings indicate he has much sympathy for the arguments put forth by the shops’ attorneys.

In one dismissal, for example, Presnell addressed the shops’ argument that they were misled by insurers as to what the true “prevailing rate” is by pointing out that the lawsuit states the insurers named in the suit collectively make up 70 percent of the auto insurance market.

“One would expect to find that the rates paid by (at least) 70 percent of those in the market are, in fact, the prevailing rates,” Presnell wrote.

Whether any of the suits will remain in-process into 2017 will likely become clear fairly early in 2016.

“This doesn’t mean that the result that might come up at the end would be something that CIC would completely condone, but I think it behooves us to at least be involved in what might be something that we’re going to have to deal with.”

– Pat O’Neill of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) Insurer-Repairer Relations Committee.

O’Neill’s committee has over the last several years examined the challenges posed by the wide-ranging formulas some insurance companies use (or require direct repair shops to use) to determine length of rental, some of which set unrealistic expectations for consumers as to how quickly their vehicles will be repaired.

At the CIC meeting this past November, O’Neill some insurance companies were planning to work on a new formula, so the committee “felt it would be very important that as an industry we had input into that and were able to participate in whatever that outcome may be.”

O’Neill said the goal would be to develop an alternative formula by the end of 2016 that could be tried by some insurers.

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“We’re going to bounce up against some regulators.”

– Clint Marlow, one of two national auto claims directors at Allstate

As automaker shop certification programs proliferate, and as collision repair processes continue to become evermore vehicle-specific and complex, the days of every shop and technician being able to fix every car seem to fading.

Speaking at NACE last summer, Marlow and other insurer representatives were asked what they will do if they know that a customer’s chosen shop is not equipped or certified to properly repair the type of vehicle or damage involved in a claim.

Will they, for example, push that customer to choose Clint Marlow a different shop?

Marlow said he thinks they should though he admitted that may lead to some friction with regulators over antisteering regulations. Marlow said that type of situation, in which the chosen shop may not even have access to purchase the structural parts needed (because of automaker restrictions), becomes a

“moral dilemma” for insurers trying to honor customer choice and follow antisteering regulations.

“At the same time, you’re thinking, ‘I’m really not feeling great about this repair facility’s ability to fix this Cadillac CT6 or this Ford F-150,’” Marlow said.

He said Allstate hasn’t “worked the details out yet,” but will “take the high ground” by “educating the consumer” in such cases.

“So we’re not going to go as far as saying, ‘You need to take your car to [a particular shop],’ but we are going to have a discussion around the uniqueness of their vehicle, some special repair techniques that may apply, and some questions that we feel strongly they need to ask their repair facility,” he said.

How Allstate and other insurers respond to these situations will be something to watch in 2016.

“We can’t put our heads in the sand and say, ‘Gee, we wish this was 1965 again when we just had to have a good sound system and a convertible and everyone was happy,.’ We need to completely rethink our business model, really redefine ourselves from a car and truck company to a mobility company.”

– Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company

Okay, so Ford isn’t going to get out the business of selling cars in 2016, but the comment back in November by the great-grandson of Henry Ford is indicative of the shakeup that everyone in the industry – from car-makers to car-repairers – is going to be feeling in the coming months, years and decades. Accident Tim Nixon avoidance technology, car-sharing and autonomous vehicles appear poised to play havoc with a lot of business models.

“I think [the OEMs] are still looking at these trends and really trying to figure out how to participate in them,” Tim Nixon, former chief technology officer for OnStar, said at last fall’s

“Telematics West,” a 2-day conference focused on “connected car” technology and trends. “I think it’s going to take them a while to figure it out, but they can’t take too much time. These alternative disruptors are starting to accelerate. It’s not like [the automakers] can wait until 2025, because it will be game-over by then. A lot of this is going to happen before then.”

As Nixon suggests, savvy business-owners in any part of the automotive industry won’t let 2016 pass without starting to think about the future.

John Yoswick, a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, who has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988, is also the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com). He can be contacted by email at jyoswick@Spirit One.com.

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Service King Collision Repair Brightens Holiday for Arizona Cancer Survivor Service King Collision Repair Centers partnered with local community leaders, including Farmers Insurance in November 2015 to make the Thanksgiving holiday unforgettable for a Phoenix, AZ, area single mother and breast cancer survivor.

Technicians from Service King’s Scottsdale repair center presented keys to a fully-refurbished 2007 GMC Envoy to Theclia Holloway as part of the National Auto Body Recycled Rides (NABC) program. Holloway was nominated for the giveaway by Singleton Moms, an Arizona-based non-profit organization supporting single mothers with cancer.

“The holiday season is about giving back,” said Mark Turner, Service King vice president for the Phoenix market. “When we heard Theclia’s story, our teammates wasted no time in making this giveaway a reality. Service King is in the business of serving our community, and as a core value of our company, that is what projects like this are all about.”

Holloway is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree and with the help

of a new vehicle, the courageous mother will now be able to more easily attend classes while also freeing up time to schedule and attend her children’s doctor’s appointments.

She will also use the vehicle to assist Singleton Moms in delivering Christmas presents to children of fellow single mothers battling advanced stages of cancer across the Phoenix area.

Through its mission of nurturing single parents battling cancer, Singleton Moms helps meet the dayto-day needs of the entire family while providing hope for the future through a variety of support programs.

Meanwhile, the NABC Recycled Rides program provides an avenue through which insurance agencies, collision repair providers, local vendors and non-profit organizations join together to provide the gift of reliable transportation to a person or organization in need.

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 9

Shop Strategies Nebraska MSO Owner Says the Only Constant in Industry is Change with Stacey Phillips - ASSISTANT EDITOR

Doug Keller turned his childhood passion for cars into a thriving MSO in central Nebraska. He opened the Eustis Body Shop in Eustis in 1979 and has expanded to five other locations including: Lexington, Grand Island, Kearney and Cozad. The latest addition to the corporation is a mechanic shop in Eustis as well, which works hand-in-hand with the body shops.

Q:

With your experience running five shops with more than 50 employees, what is your advice to others who are thinking about opening more than one shop?

I think before you can consider taking on another location, you A: must have the people in place who can

run your current location, and the people in training to manage your new location. Your attention needs to be focused on making all of the pieces fit and work together.

Eustis Body Shop is one of five locations in Nebraska owned by Doug Keller, president

Another thing that most people do not consider, beyond the cost of the land, equipment and building, is working capital. That is the money needed to pay for all the inventory and labor to produce a finished product before you get paid for that job. This can amount to a considerable amount of money in the beginning until you are able to earn cash flow. The amount depends on your anticipated sales and your cycle time. The faster you can turn your inventory, the less you will need in working capital. You also need a very good bookkeeping system, and an accountant who can guide you through the process.

What are some of the benefits of an MSO? Q: running of multi-locations A: areThethebenefits economics of scale. With

more volume, you will be able to negotiate better discounts from paint and parts vendors. Also, most DRPs like to deal with MSOs because they have consistency in quality, cycle time and price. They also like dealing with one person that represents all of the locations.

Q:

As vehicles have become more complex, how have you addressed this in your shops in terms of training and equipment?

We have the equipment required A: to repair damage to most late model vehicles including 3D measur-

ing, welders, specialized aluminum tools, and down draft-bake paint booths. The key to making all of this equipment work is our technicians. We are constantly training our employees and always working on our I-CAR gold status.

Can you tell us about your emQ: ployees?

We are so blessed to live and A: work in an area that has such a great work ethic. Many of our techni-

cians have some farm background or have had other jobs that allowed them to become very good at figuring out how to repair things. Most of our technicians have gone to tech school but some we have hired and trained right out of high school. We are also fortunate in the fact we have very little turnover. Most of our employees have been with us for many years.

You’ve said in the past that you strive to have the most progressive auto body repair center in Nebraska. How are your shops progressive and what does that investment do for a body shop?

Q:

We offer free loaner vehicles and A: each shop has from five to eight loaner vans. Every shop has towing

equipment and are on 24-hour call. We are now “dealer certified” for GM, Chrysler, Nissan, Hyundai and are “aluminum certified” for the new Ford F150. We are involved with DRPs for State Farm, Farm Bureau, Shelter, and Progressive. We also have a strong

10 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

working relations with all the nonDRPs in our area.

What are some of the benefits of being part of a DRP and what Q: would you say to shops that are not part of one now?

A: The benefit of being involved with a DRP is consistency. It is more of a partnership. Normally, there is an operating agreement that works for both parties.

Terms are laid out for rates, mark-ups and, most importantly, payments are reliable. There have been a couple of DRPs that we backed away from because of the great working relationship we had established with the local adjusters, and the DRP requirements for that particular company were too restrictive.

Is there additional information Q: you would like to share with body shops?

I have been in business for 36 A: years and have found that the one thing that is a constant is change.

This is what keeps this business exciting as a challenge and sometimes frustrating. My involvement in Axalta’s group 20s has had a very positive impact on our overall strategic plan for growth. Since becoming involved six years ago we have increased our cycle time, our CSI and after a lack luster sale growth of only four percent have achieve seven percent growth over the last five years. Also, I have found that all my employees, who make our company so successful, want to win, and my job is to help them understand the rules and how to play the game to win!

Doug Keller can be reached at 308-486-5515.

If you know of a shop that would like to share shop strategies, contact Stacey Phillips at sphillips@autobody news.com.

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 11

Veteran’s Day Was a Benevolence Day at Mike’s Auto Body from Mike’s Auto Body. In addition, the Rose family gave the Dingle famMike’s Auto Body presented a 2013 Nis- ily one year of insurance coverage and san Versa to a staff sergeant from Travis a trunk full of gifts for the children.

Air Force Base and his family as part of The Mike’s Auto Body Benevotheir annual Benevolence presentation lence program is a “community give back on Veterans Day, November 11 at the program” whose mission is to present company’s Fairfield location in Califor- cars to deserving individuals or organizania. tions during the holiday season. EveryNow it will be much easier for thing is donated, including the cars, parts, Staff Sgt. Eugene Dingle of the 60th paint, mechanical inspections, tires and AMXS Squadron to commute to and one full year of insurance. The body and from his new assignment at Moffett paint technicians at Mike’s Auto Body donate their time and skills to turn these cars into “new” used vehicles.

This company, with 13 locations in the Bay Area, has been participating in the Benevolence Program for the last 15 years and has donated a total of 58 cars to the community during that time.

Mike’s Auto Body will be presenting six fully re-furbished vehicles to people and Mike’s Auto Body presented a 2013 Nissan Versa to Staff families in need this year, Sgt. Eugene Dingle and his family as part of their annual with a second presentation to Benevolence presentation on Veterans Day, November 11 take place at their Antioch loat the company’s Fairfield location cation in December.

Air Base as well as getting his three This year, Mike’s Auto Body partdaughters to and from school, thanks nered with the Vintage Valley Blue Star to his completely refurbished vehicle Moms of Solano County, Travis AFB and

by Ed Attanasio

12 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

GEICO Insurance during Veteran’s Day. Special recognition goes to the Travis AFB and Family; Readiness Center; Travis Regional Armed Forces Committee; Vanden

delighted to be able to get them a car that they can rely on. The Dingle family is amazing, because they want to be better people and help the community through Eugene’s ministry.

April and Eugene and the whole family is so grateful and so deserving and that’s why we’re honored to make them this year’s Veteran’s Day recipient.”

Owner Mike Rose said he he still gets a thrill when he sees a car going to a deserving family. “It has been so rewarding over the last 15 years presenting cars to deserving families who are The Rose family has now given away a grand total of 58 working to improve their vehicles in 15 years lives and become independSchool High School Jazz Band—Director ent,” said Rose. “We feel honored to be Nicholas Cagle and Pink Heals of Solano able to do this and we will continue to County—Natalie Zell. do this as long as I am still around.”

Life will be considerably easier Staff Sgt. Eugene Dingle couldn’t and safer now for the Dingle family stop smiling when he saw his 2013 Niswith their 2013 Nissan Versa. “Eu- san Versa for the first time. “This is so gene’s commute will be 1.5-2 hours to miraculous and I can’t believe it in Moffett Air Base to fulfill his National many ways,” Dingle said. “The people Guard duties, so the family is going to at Mike’s Auto Body and the Rose famneed a good, reliable car,” Director of ily are incredible, because they make Marketing at Mike’s Auto Body Sal their benevolence program a priority Contreras explained. “Their existing every year. After receiving these blessvehicle was not in great shape, so we’re ings, I feel as though I now have a re-

sponsibility to help others—to pay it forward somehow, and that’s exactly what I am going to do.”

Special thanks to Metal Technician Sheldon Ludlow, Paint Technician Thomas Wilson, Managers Missy Trolinder and Tony Castagnetto and the rest of the

Director of Marketing at Mike’s Auto Body Sal Contreras gets a big hug from recipient Staff Sgt. Eugene Dingle

crew at our Fairfield location for helping to refurbish the vehicle and also thanks to Dean’s Auto Body, Shiny Detail, Hertz, Napa Auto Parts, Enterprise, Keystone Automotive, Momentum Nissan, Fairfield Tire Center, FinishMaster, MAB Towing and The Smog King for donating parts and time to make the car just like new.

Kingman, AZ, Shop Certified

by Assured Performance

T&R Upholstery Bodyworks at 3880 E. Andy Devine Ave, Kingman, AZ, 86409. has been officially certified by Assured Performance, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization specializing in automotive collision repair.

To become certified, T&R Upholstery passed a rigorous process to ensure the right tools, equipment, training and facility are used to repair vehicles to manufacturer specifications.

Rodrigo Torres, owner of T&R Upholstery, said new car models use lightweight, high-strength materials and advanced technology. It’s more important than ever to make sure repairs meet vehicle specifications for passenger safety and proper performance, he said.

Less than 5 percent of body shops across the nation are certified

by Assured Performance. T&R is also certified by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, GM, Ford and Hyundai.

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www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 13

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CapitolFordParts@dgdg.com www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 15

Shops in Louisiana and Elsewhere See ‘Adjusted’ Labor Rates After State Farm Rezones Markets

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

In July 2015, State Farm announced that it would be making “market refinements to its repair facility survey,” which included “refining market boundaries used to determine prevailing competitive prices (PCP) to serve our customers and to better align with government defined market areas,” according to State Farm spokesman Justin Tomczak.

State Farm also warned that these updates could result in PCP adjustments and “periodic changes in PCP relating to updated repairer pricing and capacity information.”

Since then, both DRP and nonDRP shops in various markets have seen labor rate reductions by as much as $5 per hour. Shops in LA are among the first to voice their complaints, and Alysia Hanks, executive director of the Louisiana Collision Industry Association (LaCIA), noted, “Shops were already hurting, and now with even more decreases, shops are having to let employees go because they can’t afford it. The attorney general and the Department of Insurance in LA are aware of these issues, but we need to

give them an avenue to take. Shops have to take action and refuse this injustice. I’m afraid a lot of shops will be hurt if the insurer gets away with this.”

Hanks has received emails from multiple shop owners seeking advice.

One non-DRP shop owner in Lafayette, LA, said, “State Farm has decided to increase the geographical scope of our market area. The result of this change has allowed them to decrease our market area’s material rate. After having paid a higher rate since July, State Farm will now reduce material rates on each estimate and deny any subsequent supplemental increase requests. We told said appraiser this will result in out-ofpocket expenses for their policy holders to which he responded, rather unsympathetically, that this was State Farm’s new policy and nothing could be done about it.”

Another non-DRP shop owner, from Deridder, emailed Hanks that “State Farm lowered our [labor rate] last week from $55 to $50—and they have also stated they are not paying for any items that break during an R/I operation. Unbelievable that they can

Fix Auto USA Adds 18 New Franchise Locations

Fix Auto USA announced on December 8, 2015 its continued expansion with the addition of 18 new franchise locations.

Bringing the organizations franchise total to 90 locations, the 18 franchises considerably expand the geographical reach of the Fix Auto brand in Chicago, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, Northern California, Orange County, and San Diego, with inaugural entries into Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Reno. They are: ● Fix Auto Chino (Chino, CA), formerly Galaxy Auto Body, operated by Ashraf Jakvani ● Fix Auto Costa Mesa (Costa Mesa, CA), formerly Specialty Body Works, operated by Erick Bickett and Shelly Bickett ● Fix Auto Country Club Hills (Country Club Hills, IL), formerly Precise Auto Body, operated by George Yukich ● Fix Auto Downtown San Diego (San Diego, CA), formerly Eurotek Auto Collision, operated by Gary Leger ● Fix Auto Henderson (Henderson, NV), formerly Automall Autobody, operated

by Jim Edington and Jeff Bagley ● Fix Auto Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV), formerly American Auto Body, operated by Jim Edington and Jeff Bagley ● Fix Auto Lemon Grove (Lemon Grove, CA), formerly A & C Auto Body, operated by Gary Leger ● Fix Auto Mission Valley (San Diego,

CA), formerly Courtesy Chevrolet, operated by Mark Gruwell ● Fix Auto Montrose (Montrose, CA), formerly Baird’s Body Shop, operated

by Vatche Derderian ● Fix Auto Mundelein (Mundelein, IL), formerly CarMedix, operated by Alex Ulyanov ● Fix Auto National City (National City, CA), formerly Greenwald’s Autobody & Frameworks, operated by Daniel Greenwald ● Fix Auto Palo Alto (Palo Alto, CA), formerly Cavallino Collision Center, operated by Ric Donofrio ● Fix Auto Phoenix (Phoenix, AZ), formerly Coulter Cadillac, operated by Bill Coulter ● Fix Auto Reno (Reno, NV), formerly Top Gun Collision Center, operated by Randi Roedel ● Fix Auto Roselle (Roselle, IL), formerly Central Auto Body, operated by John Koonce ● Fix Auto Santa Clara (Santa Clara, CA), formerly El Camino Body Shop, operated by Sheldon Carter ● Fix Auto Signal Hill (Signal Hill, CA), formerly Expedite Collision Center, operated by Richard Fish ● Fix Auto Silverdale (Silverdale, WA), formerly Silverdale Collision Center, operated by Ken Miller Visit www.fixautousa.com.

16 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

do this...”

A DRP shop owner from Jennings, LA, also reached out to Hanks after receiving word from a State Farm representative that their rates had been lowered by $2 per hour.

“I was shocked to learn that rates could be lowered. Our rates had just risen at the beginning of the year by $1... This decrease in rates greatly affects my overall budget, especially my payroll budget. I fear the short-term effects of this will cause me to lose employees.” In contrast, Hanks has also heard from some shops that have not been impacted by State Farm’s market rezoning, and one shop even reported receiving a slight increase.

Unfortunately, this issue is not isolated to LA. Tony Ferraiolo, owner of A & R Body in CT and President of the Auto Body Association of CT (ABAC), has also seen decreases in his area. He noted, “There is no one to hold the insurance industry accountable, so why not get even more greedy and lower rates until someone stands up and forces them to establish shops’ true costs of labor rates?”

In her email to LaCIA members,

Hanks stated, “I wish there was a magic word I could give you all to make this problem go away; all I can tell you is we are working very hard to fight this, but we need your help. We need you to be proactive in your stance against these charges. We need you to share with us what is going on.”

Hanks encouraged LA shops to file complaints about this issue with the Department of Insurance at www .ldi.la.gov/contact-us or by emailing Assistant Attorney General Stacie deBlieux at deblieuxs@ag.state.la.us.

Hanks urged, “We need you to reach out to the other shops in your area and make a stand not only for your shop but the whole industry. But more importantly, call the other shops in your neighborhood. I’m very certain there is another owner/manager sitting there with the same problems as you have, wondering if they really are ‘the only ones.’ You are not the only one, and you are not alone in this!”

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 17

Continued from Cover

Donation Charities

proceeds that the charity receives when your car is sold.

For example, if the charity ends up selling your donated car, with a fair market value of $2,000, for $800 then $800 is what you can deduct from your income at tax time.

But how much is that going to mean at tax refund time? Not very much. Let's assume you are in the 28% tax bracket—an $800 deduction will give you $224 back. If you are in the 10% bracket, it only yields $80.

People's Choice Los Angeles-based People’s Choice Charities (PCC) claimed that 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of donated cars would go to the donors’ chosen charities. But Harris' lawsuit alleges that 97% of the donations were spent on administrative costs, such as towing, car repairs, and advertising.

PCC claimed that towing was free and that it employs experienced staff to repair and sell the cars at minimal cost. In reality, PCC charges the charities for towing expenses and has

no repair staff; instead they pay outside vendors hundreds of thousands of dollars to do this work, Harris charged. After PCC deducts its numerous and undisclosed expenses, only a tiny fraction of the vehicle’s sale price is forwarded to the donor’s chosen nonprofit, the suit alleges.

According to audits conducted by the attorney general’s office, from 2007 to 2012, PCC reported that it had donated over $700,000 to other nonprofits, while actually only donating $174,000. To increase their inventory, PCC also developed a “cash back” program whereby vehicle donors could receive money in return for their “donation,” effectively transforming a charitable organization into an unlicensed used car dealership in violation of state law, Harris said.

Cars 4 Causes Ventura-based Cars 4 Causes claimed it “worked smarter” to “get the most money for charity.” In reality, the state's lawsuit alleges, C4C used 87% of its donations to pay for items such as advertising and administrative costs, including staff salaries, while only 13% was directed to actual charities.

18 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

From 2009-2014, C4C reported that $15.9 million was donated to charity. In reality, C4C only gave $5.4 million to charity—and many of the charities designated by donors received nothing at all, the suit charged.

During this time, C4C denied many requests from individuals in need seeking a car, including single mothers, college students, and seniors, all while paying thousands towards staff salaries and millions to advertisers.

C4C took money from the very charities it promised donors that it would support, Harris said. According to C4C’s own accountings, it misappropriated about $2 million from thousands of charities, including over $600,000 that should have been given to charities serving the sick and providing medical research, $250,000 to children’s and education charities, $100,000 to veterans’ organizations, $230,000 to religious organizations, and $200,000 to charities serving the poor, among others.

We thank Consumer Affairs for reprint permission.

www.autobodynews.com

Maricopa CCs Continue Automotive Industry Tradition

A full-time student scholarship will be at stake when high school students from across Arizona test their automotive testing and diagnostic skills during the inaugural Maricopa Community Colleges’ Arizona High School Auto Challenge. Automotive instructors from three of the Maricopa Community Colleges that offer post-secondary degree and certificate automotive programs banded together to present the challenge, which replaces a similar competition co-hosted for 22 years by Ford Motor Company and AAA. The Auto Challenge will rotate between Mesa Community College (Southern and Dobson Friday, April 22, 2016), GateWay Community College (2017) and Glendale Community College (2018).

“In the past, automotive high school instructors relied on the Ford/AAA competition to showcase their top students in a hands-on experience,” said Mesa Automotive Instructor Bryce Bond. “As of Sept. 1, 2015, the Ford/AAA competition was sadly ended, leaving a huge void. “Historically Ford/AAA would offer employment,” he added. “We will offer education through scholarships.”

The high school and postsecondary Automotive Technology instructors see students getting excited about the latest advances in the technology field.

Electronic Paintless Dent Reduction Device introduced at SEMA

Eco Repair Systems of North America LLC and its importing partner, Robaina Direct LLC, recently introduced the 3650A T-Hotbox. The device made its debut at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada in November 2015 and Bryan Robaina, President of Robaina Direct, said it sold out in the first 1.5 days.

Electronic T-Hotbox Launched at SEMA

Q: Congratulations on the launch of the 3650A T-Hotbox Bryan. Can you tell us more about the device?

A: First, it’s described as an electronic soft dent reduction device. In the hands of an expert, one can reduce and or possibly eliminate the ‘soft dents’ on flat or

convex-shaped exterior steel body panels that exist on most vehicles. The second option, that’s either equally or more important to body shops and collision repair centers, is the ‘push to paint’ function. This is what shrinks and tightens metal in those ‘small medium sharp’ (stretch dents). These dents are classified as slightly more aggressive small door dings or dents, especially where the paint has been broken. This ‘push to paint’ method is commonly used when damage is included in the repair order.

As for the ‘dent reduction’ ability of the tool, it’s most commonly used in select paintless dent type repairs or to quickly reduce the size of the dent in blend areas. Either way, the body shop, repair center, dealership or PDR technician can, with practice, dramatically improve their repair cycle time on this type of ‘small dent repair.’ Most vehicles have a combination of small and medium dent damage when they arrive at the collision repair center.

Q: What are some of the other ways the product can be used?

A: The next way to increase and expand on the opportunity of use with this device is in combination with what’s known as a ‘tapping down’ technique of high spots (ridges), crowns or blending and ‘shal-

lowing out’ the slight impressions in the center of the dent. This technique requires using the included ‘plastic punch tool.’ In doing so, the technician has a good possi-

T-Hotbox VS pen

bility of achieving results in a matter of minutes that either would have taken much longer before or that you had to subcontract out (to PDR technicians). Like all other true professional panel repair tools, the 3650A T-Hotbox requires a basic working knowledge of panel repair metal working or PDR ‘know-how’ to reduce the learning curve. It doesn’t mean that an apprentice can’t learn though; after all it is a ‘push button’ tool.

Q: Can you describe the three main principals that the product utilizes?

A: The 3650A T-Hotbox works on 3 main principals: heat, magnetism and vibration. For clarification purposes, the magnetic component is not the primary characteristic and is only activated when the button is depressed. The elements of heat and vibration are the bigger players in the tool’s function. This is a unique one-of-a-kind, three-part technology that’s based on the original patented device that started as a 230 volt-only version back in 1999. Now the 3650A T-Hotbox, that’s exclusively sold here in the U.S., operates on 110-120 volt 60 hertz power. Its compact size and design make it easy to use in facility repairs as well as for mobile use in PDR services. The “kit” includes a main power unit with pre-attached power and second cable that comes assembled with the hand piece known as the “VS pen.”

Q: What are some of the functions on the unit?

A: The main unit has a rocker switch for the on and off functions. Next, it has a main dial that can be rotated to the left to limit the effective pulse time (of heat, vibration and magnetism). Turning the dial to the right allows the user to control the percentage and sets limits on the amount of power, while the VS pen controls the See Electronic Paintless, Page 22

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 19

More Than 70 Inspectors Perform 833 Lift Inspections During ALI’s “Five Days to Victory” Event in NV Nearly 100 people worked toward Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) Lift Inspector Certification during the “Five Days to Victory” event held on the Cheyenne Campus of the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, NV in November 2015. The event, sponsored

by ALI member manufacturers Challenger Lifts, Mohawk Lifts, Rotary

Automotive Lift Institute Certification event in Southern Nevada

Lift, and Stertil-Koni USA, was designed to help inspectors and inspection companies complete most of the steps required to achieve lift inspector certification in just five days instead of the five months or longer it can take when inspectors undertake the process on their own in their free time.

“There are currently 360 ALI Certified Lift Inspectors available across North America who have been proven qualified to inspect any vehicle

lift,” says R.W. “Bob” O’Gorman, ALI president. “But demand for ALI Certified Lift Inspectors continues to grow. Because it can be challenging for inspector candidates to find the time and resources to complete all of the requirements for certification on their own, several of our members agreed to work together for a second year in a row to provide this opportunity to get multiple steps done at once.

I’m really proud of these ALI members for temporarily setting aside their competitiveness to focus on creating an event that helps make the vehicle repair industry safer for everyone.”

The participating ALI member manufacturers provided lifts, factory designated trainers and other resources for the event. ALI associate member companies A & B Equipment, Atlantic Auto Suppliers, Current Systems, D & N Equipment, Garage Equipment Plus, Peterson Hydraulics and Weco Automotive Lifts & Equipment also provided trainers and support for the event.

Depending on where they were in the certification process, event participants could attend an orientation workshop, participate in an all-day study group, take the course examination and/or perform the required 12 practical inspections of seven different lift types. A total of 96 people partici-

I-CAR® Recognizes AZ Shop for 25 Years of Continuous Training and Gold Class® Achievement

I-CAR has recognized Eric’s Auto Center CARSTAR in Tucson, AZ, as the first collision repair facility to achieve 25 years of continuous Gold Class® recognition.

In addition to being the first business to achieve I-CAR’s Gold Class designation, Eric’s CARSTAR is one of only 10 percent of collision repair businesses that hold the Gold Class designation today. At a dinner this week Eric Grossman, the owner, was personally recognized by local Tucson I-CAR committee members and I-CAR staff and was presented with a new Gold Class plaque that prominently displays the 25-year milestone.

In 1979, Grossman became the next generation owner of the family repair business. Eager to build continuous learning into his business’s culture, Grossman began looking for technical training for his staff. Yet, at that time, very few options were available in his local area. To overcome the training shortage, Grossman found I-CAR, which also opened its doors in 1979. Seeing the value of training that I-CAR offered to the industry, particularly due to the introduction of the unibody design

the same year, Grossman not only introduced I-CAR training to his business, but also became an I-CAR collision repair instructor himself, a committee member and ultimately a mentor in his local community.

“I have been a supporter of ICAR and the training they have provided since the beginning,” said Grossman. “Technology has changed dramatically since then, and I-CAR has done a great job shifting with the industry. A few years ago technicians were resistant to training. Now, I commonly hear technicians remark on a new skill or technique that they learned from I-CAR. Training to Gold Class means my business has one more tool that gets cars back to customers on time and with a quality repair, done right.”

I-CAR CEO & President John Van Alstyne shared his thoughts: “I want to personally congratulate Eric Grossman and the team at Eric’s CARSTAR for its unwavering commitment to training, and their 25-year Gold Class milestone. A business that supports and commits to a culture of learning paves the way to continued excellence and complete, safe and quality repairs for its customers.”

20 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

pated over the week, with 72 performing 833 inspections of the lifts on-site.

New this year was a “meet and greet” cookout held with food prepared

by ALI Board of Directors Associate

Class Representative Gary Wainwright of Weco Automotive Lifts & Equipment and his family. During the dinner, O’Gorman presented John Ventura, program director, with a plaque recognizing the College of Southern Nevada Cheyenne Campus for the Transportation Technology Department’s support of the event. ALI also made a $5,000 donation to the Nevada Board of Regents on behalf of the school.

The ALI Lift Inspector Certification Program is the only program in North America that provides third-party qualification of vehicle lift inspectors and certifies those who demonstrate they are capable of properly inspecting any lift in accordance with the ANSI/ALI standard governing vehicle lift inspection. The program is open to anyone with a minimum 12 months experience as a lift inspector. To achieve certification, participants must sign and abide by a code of ethics, attend a six-hour orientation workshop, pass written pre-course and course exams, and properly complete 12 practical lift inspections on a range of vehicle lifts. Additional quality control requirements exist for the inspectors’ employers.

Annual lift inspections help protect technicians by ensuring that the lifts they work under are installed correctly, functioning properly and adequately maintained. The inspections are required

by ANSI/ALI ALOIM:2008 (R2013), the national standard covering vehicle lift operation, inspection and maintenance. Companies with at least one ALI Certified Lift Inspector on staff are listed in a searchable directory on the ALI website. For more information about the program or to find a local ALI Certified Lift Inspector, visit www .autolift.org/inspection

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 21

Continued from Page 19

Electronic Paintless

pulse time. This side of the dial is for ‘experts.’ In terms of where to first set the device, it is strongly recommended one begins by using the 0.5 setting. This limits the burst of power to half a second at the full 100% power. This is paint safe for paintless dent reduction repair processes. The 1.0 second setting is the upper limit of this “safe zone” but requires monitoring of the surface temperature. For ‘push to paint” type body shop repairs of small dents, the technician would select the 100 percent setting. With this function, one is able to dramatically tighten metal and lift small dents that will be later refinished. The key with both methods of use is to get familiar with the “footprint” of the affective zone on the “VS Pen” (the part that touches the vehicle). The VS Pen has a “V” type design groove at the bottom of it. That V is where the center of elliptical shape lift occurs and where you’ll want to have the center of the small soft dent aligned during the final dent reduction stages. On the “How To” page of www.hotboxPDR.com, you’ll find a diagram showing examples of patterns of use.

Q: What advice do you have for shops

learning how to use the 3650A T-Hotbox?

A: The old adage ‘practice makes perfect’ holds true. There are those who wield tools quickly, as if they have 75 years of experience, and there are those who have to go back to reading the manual again. But the tool never fails… it delivers a set amount of heat, magnetism and vibration. When used properly for the type of soft shallow dent it’s designed to reduce and or repair, the technician can cut repair times down by as much as 60 percent. As mentioned previously, we also include a plastic punch (knockdown tool) in the kit that is required to be used on medium sharp dents or dents that have a pronounced ring, crown or slight crease. Once the operator is proficient, dents can be reduced and or eliminated in just a few minutes for paintless repair operations.

In push to paint repairs, the cycle time is potentially faster in comparison.

Vehicle manufacturer part stamping divisions, body in white assembly areas, dealerships, body shops and select PDR technicians are avid users and owners of the 3650A T-Hotbox.

We’re changing the face of PDR with the touch of one button!

For more information and to see our how to videos, visit: www.hotbox PDR.com.

Collision Industry Leaders Sponsor National Auto Body Council’s Annual Golf Fundraiser

Nineteen collision industry leaders have signed up to date to sponsor and support the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Annual Golf Fundraiser, January 13, 2016 in Palm Springs, CA. A number of sponsor opportunities are still available for companies who wish to be represented in the industry-wide Golf Fundraiser which supports NABC’s community initiatives such as Recycled Rides™, First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE™), and the Distracted Driving Initiative.

Event organizers can also develop custom sponsorships to meet individual company budget and objectives, according to Keith Egan, Chair of NABC’s Fundraising Committee.

Hertz returns for the sixth year as Presenting Sponsor. Other industry leaders who have committed their support include: AkzoNobel AudaExplore, a Solera Company Auto Data Labels Axalta Coating Systems BASF Berkshire Hathaway Automotive Caliber Collision Carrillo & Sons Collision Center

The Collision Centers of New York DCI Solutions Enterprise Rent-A-Car I-CAR Insurance Auto Auctions Manchester Collision Center PPG Automotive Refinish R.W. Mallon Auto Paint & Equipment Sherwin Williams Valspar Automotive.

“As we enjoy a great day of fun and friendship on the golf course, it is gratifying to see throughout the venue signage with the names of many companies representing all facets of our collision industry,” said Egan. “We appreciate such loyal support from our sponsors and look forward to announcing even more companies as they sign up to join us in this this industry-wide effort.”

Player fees to participate in the Golf Fundraiser are $200 for an individual and $760 for a foursome. Each registered foursome can receive a hole sponsorship for an additional $100.

Deadline for registration is December 29. For information and to register, visit www.nationalautobodycouncil.org or contact Mike McManus at 888-6677433, ext 119.

Announces:

2016 First Quarter Training Schedule

All Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes training centers feature state-of-the-art teaching tools, such as iPads, to enhance the learning experience for today’s collision repair professionals. Explore our robust training programs in a variety of areas designed to improve productivity and profitability.

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Training Course Description

Color Adjustment and Blending AWX Performance Plus™ Waterborne Painter Certification Fleet CFR

For more information about Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes courses, visit its training section at: http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/collision-repair/training-support or call 1-800-SWULTRA (1-800-798-5872).

22 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Number of Days

3 3 3

Martins Collision Repair in UT Blesses Needy Family with New Car

by Kurt Hanson, Daily Herald

When Christmas is interrupted by medical expenses and a lack of transportation, it almost seems like Santa is not going to be making the rounds this year.

Russ Begay and Cherisse McDonald have been in a perpetual loop in and out of the hospital for more than a year. McDonald, who is 27 and has a heart condition that has baffled doctors, has had two heart attacks and open-heart surgery. Their youngest son, Cassius— named after Cassius Clay [Muhammad Ali’s birth name]— also recently had a kidney transplant. But just like his namesake, little Cassius is a fighter.

“And the doctor visits and appoint-

ments are just out of this world [financially],” Begay said. For some time, the family of five didn’t know how Christ-

Cherisse McDonald (right) is hugged after receiving her car at Martins Auto Shop in Orem on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015. The auto shop had been fixing up a 2004 Toyota Avalon for free for the family as a surprise Christmas present for their family. Credit: Sammy Jo Hester, The Daily Herald

mas was coming, considering the economic toll. Christmas came a couple weeks early on Thursday when the West Jordan family was presented with a completely restored 2004 Toyota Avalon, Christmas gifts for the four kids, a few thousand dollars for insurance and Christmas spending money.

The presentation took place in Orem, and was courtesy of Bear River Mutual Insurance, Martins Collision Repair and other area sponsors.

“When they came today [to Martins Collision Repair], they didn’t know they were getting a car,” said Don Edmunds with Bear River Mutual Insurance.

The insurance agency has been working with Martins Collision Repair

to give away cars for people in similar situations for about six years. The agency identifies a family in need in the area, and the repair shop fixes up a car for them. As far as Begay and McDonald knew, they were finalists in a contest for a few Christmas presents.

The two had no idea their new family car was awaiting them, all wrapped up in a neat little bow.

“All I could say was these guys got us right from the start,” Begay said with a laugh. “I couldn’t hold the tears back.”

“We just try to do things like this where we can make a difference,” Edmunds said. “All of our employees and fundraising projects go to helping a family.”

Sergio Martins, co-owner of Martins Collision Repair, said the car the family received was in a pretty nasty fender bender a while ago, but was still deemed safe enough to drive.

But the cars the shop repairs for donation are never in such poor condition that safety is compromised, he said.

“It was in pretty good condition,” Martins said. “A lot of times, we not only try to fix the damage that was on the car to begin with, but also a lot of the little cosmetics or things that we’ve seen … dents, scratches, stuff like that.”

The before and after pictures of the car the family received almost look like an advertisement for a too-good-to-betrue diet plan or beauty kit, but for cars, of course. Martins said a few dozen of his employees voluntarily logged more than 150 hours buffing scratches, replacing the tires, filling the car with proper fluids and making it shine like a star. When Begay saw the car, he was floored and speechless at the charity rendered to he and his family.

“I couldn’t believe it; I couldn’t believe that people do things like this,” he said.

Edmunds said he, Martins Collision Repair and the other donors were glad they could help a family have a happy holiday season when things felt the bleakest.

“This was just a great event where a lot of employees from a number of vendors and companies got a chance to say ‘Merry Christmas,” he said.

“These guys are probably some of the most beautiful people on the face of the earth,” Begay said.

“They’re our guardian angels,” McDonald added.

We thank Herald Media for reprint permission.

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 23

Strategies and Tips for Shops Interested in Becoming a DRP

by Victoria Antonelli, Online Editor

Becoming a Direct Repair Provider (DRP) is great way for auto body shops to grow their business. That’s the advice Michelle Nelson, founder and president of B2B Automotive, shared during her SCRS 2015 Repairer Driven Education seminar at this year’s SEMA Show.

“Auto repair shops can work toward becoming a Michelle Nelson, founder and DRP through marpresident of B2B keting their services Automotive to automotive insurance providers,” explained Nelson.

“This is a key marketing initiative to grow the volume and reputation of your business.”

Nelson said shops interested in becoming DRP certified should follow a step-by-step process: ■ Create unique marketing aimed at insurance companies ■ Gather applicable information, package the data/photography and submit the DRP application ■ Prepare for the coordinator visit ■ Deliver the application and discuss the contract ■ Review the contract and do the deal.

Building a DRP résumé is a great place to start, she notes. It will help your business stand out from the competition and make your shop an easily accessible, recognizable brand.

When creating an easily read DRP résumé, Nelson notes it’s important to include: ■ A cover that uses up-to-date, clear photos that best showcase every part of your shop, from paint booths to waiting room ■ Information about who are you and why your business should be on the insurance’s DRP list ■ Specific details about what offerings help you stand out from competitors, such as the latest equipment and certifications ■ A map to your location(s) or a link to Google Maps if your résumé is electronic to make your shop easy to find ■ The best means to contact you or a shop representative, along with a photos of staff that agents will be speaking with to personalize interactions, and links to your website and social media

avenues.

■ Branding representations such as your shop’s logo in a large, clear format and any taglines used You can provide a full-color printed DRP résumé or an electronic PDF version.

Follow up the creation of your DRP résumé by developing a DRP spreadsheet that lists the following: ■ Insurance provider ■ Contact name ■ Phone number ■ Email ■ DRP URLs to website applications on site ■ Notes

“When you do receive that phone call or email from the insurance company, be sure the shop is in its best presentable manner,” she said. “Next, coordinate a visit, where an insurance rep will tour your shop. Lastly, deliver the application and discuss a potential contract.”

Nelson stresses the importance of keeping your bathroom just as cleanly and as the rest of your shop. “Believe it or not, your bathroom has a huge impact on first impressions, not only with your customers but insurance agents too,” she explained.

To get other areas of your shop ready for agents’ visits, review each of the following items and ask yourself the questions that follow:

Waiting rooms ■ Is it comfortable?

■ Are their amenities (a variety of magazines, refreshments such as water and coffee, etc.)?

■ Do you offer Wi-Fi?

First appearances ■ Is your shop clean and orderly?

■ Are your employees prepared to welcome visitors and present a friendly, upbeat and professional atmosphere when someone goes through the shop?

■ Are certifications hung where customers and insurance agents can see them clearly? Are they up to date?

■ Are you following safety hazard procedures?

If your shop isn’t taking advantage of social media to market your business to insurance agents and customers, it should be. Nelson says it will be time well spent.

Social media allows shop owners

24 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

to ask people what they think and to reply to their experiences, to tap into consumers’ real needs by reading reviews and ratings, and to drive traffic to your shop. Available social media outlets continue to grow, but don’t let that scare you. Begin with a few of the established sites like Yelp, Facebook and Twitter and grow into others.

Yelp Businesses new to the world of social media should begin by establishing an account on Yelp. Insurance companies and the public use the site to see what others have to say about businesses and make purchase decisions based on what they learn. It is important, however, to monitor the site and respond to reviews.

Nothing will harm your business quicker than a host of negative reviews, particularly if they go unanswered.

According to Nelson, shops can use Yelp’s tools/enhanced portfolio galleria to drive page clicks and enrich viewer interest. Ultimately, a good Yelp site will generate revenue.

Facebook Most people use Facebook to connect

with friends and family. For a business, it is an excellent referral source and a good way for customers to contact you.

Using Facebook allows shops to build a “like” database; share upcoming events, stories and monthly news. It also allows a business to advertise and build a “like” database.

Twitter Business owners can share quick information about important dates & events.

They can connect with other industries and build a following by sharing quick business-related tips that aren’t directly connected to a sales pitch. That suggests you as a source expert when the consumer has a need. Join the #Hashtag craze!

Google+ This is another important site to track for reviews of a shop’s services. A business owner should claim their business.

Authorship keeps your unique and original content valuable and accredited to your business. It influences your search rankings.

■ Circles – Add circles with interest See Strategies and Tips, Page 42

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www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 25

Hanford, CA Car Thefts and Arrests Up This Year

by Seth Nidever, The Hanford Sentinel

Hanford automobile thefts are on the rise, according to officials at the Hanford Police Department.

Vehicles thefts are up 23 percent compared to last year, according to Chief Parker Sever. Sever said there have been three times more arrests in 2015 compared to 2014.

Approximately 180 vehicles were reported stolen in Hanford in 2015.

The number for 2015 (so far) is 221.

“It’s hard to say why,” said Lt. George Hernandez. “It’s something that just goes in cycles.”

Hernandez said that in many recent cases, thieves stole vehicles, drove them to another place in Kings County and just left the cars rather

than stripping them for parts.

“We don’t know why they’re not keeping the car,” he said.

Popular models for theft continue to be older-model Honda Civics and Accords.

Part of the reason for that is that there are so many older Hondas still on the road that share parts that are mostly interchangeable, according to Dave Damron, owner of Dave’s Radiator and Automotive Repair in Hanford.

“People are able to swap parts on those things pretty easily,” Damron said.

According to Damron, there’s another reason thieves target those Honda models: They’re easier to steal.

Damron said it's relatively easy

ARA Works on Important Issues for 2016

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

According to Mike Swift, president of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), ARA is jumping into the new year feet first as they explore some very important issues impacting their industry.

Because recalls are so prevalent with an estimated 100 million recalls in the last year and a half, ARA is putting a lot of research and effort into acquiring recall data, OEM data and bulk VIN data. Swift noted, “These are the keys that all automotive recyclers need in order to identify recalled parts in their inventories. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants 100% remedy rates with recalls since all recalls are related to safety, but NHTSA cannot achieve this goal without the help of professional automotive recyclers.”

The association will also be monitoring airbag litigation in 2016.

“With the Takata airbag recalls, we as auto recyclers can help with the remedy rate and make sure that these bags don’t get back into the repair steam, but if our inventories are diminished, who is going to compensate us for our loss? All automotive recyclers want to do the right thing, but even that comes at a cost.

Swift is also overseeing efforts to update ARA’s website set to launch early in 2016, and in so doing, he hopes to build on the association’s presence on social media. In 2016, ARA will also be adding more members to its committees so that “ARA is covering all that needs to be covered to become a better association and create better automotive recyclers around the country,” Swift stated.

26 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

for somebody to break into the vehicles and start them without a key.

But in many cases, simple carelessness gets cars stolen, according to Hernandez.

He said that unlocked cars, cars left running with the key in the ignition and spare keys left inside cars, have contributed to thefts.

Hernandez recommended antitheft devices — including a theft deterrent device that locks onto the steering wheel and makes it hard or impossible to turn.

“A lot of it is, just take precautions,” he said.

Some of the recent thefts have turned into chases. Kings County law enforcement authorities say there’s been a spike of incidents recently.

There were nine felony pursuit cases in a few weeks in October alone in Kings.

“Car chases can be very dangerous,” Sever said in an earlier Sentinel story.

We would like to thank The Handford Sentinel for reprint permission.

Your leading source for WESTERN Collision Repair News! western.autobodynews.com

Caliber Collision Teams Up With Insurance Partners to Donate Record 30 Recycled Rides™ in 2015

Caliber Collision’s continuing growth and expansion in the collision industry is also marked by increased community service efforts as the company wraps up 2015 by repairing and donating a record 30 vehicles through the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides™ program.

changing transportation to active duty service members and veterans, families transitioning from homelessness into independent living, single parents, and nonprofit support service organizations.

Caliber Collision’s insurance partners for its Recycled Rides program in 2015 include Allstate, Auto Club of Southern California, Esurance, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm and Travelers. The company also purchased vehicles through its Caliber Foundation to repair and donate.

“Recycled Rides reflects our highest purpose which is to restore our customers and the communities we serve to the rhythm of their lives,” said Steve Grimshaw, Caliber Collision Chief Executive Officer.

“As we continue to grow and Huntington Beach (CA) Police Officer John Baggs (far expand, our teammates across left) responded to what he thought was a routine car ac- the country are equally comcident. The driver, Candida Torres (3rd from left) was mitted to restoring hope to indistraught because her wrecked vehicle had belonged to dividuals and families by her son who had died in service in Iraq. Thanks to Offiremoving barriers due to a lack cer Baggs, Caliber Collision-Ladera Heights and the Auto of transportation.”

Club of southern California surprised Mrs. Torres with Some of Caliber Colliher son’s restored Nissan Rogue in a special Recycled sion’s recent Recycled Rides Rides presentation include: Caliber Collision teamed up with • A unique Recycled Rides in which its insurance partners to provide life- a Gold Star mother whose son died

while serving in Iraq, was presented with her son’s completely restored vehicle in a surprise presentation. A Huntington Beach, California police officer who had responded to the accident, initiated efforts to restore the vehicle with the help of AAA and Caliber Collision.

10-year-old boy, one of the youngest ALS patients in the country, on the set of the popular TV show.

• Caliber teamed up with Traveler’s Insurance to present a vehicle to a 24year career National Guardsman who lost everything – his home, all vehicles, family belongings – in the 2013 Austin, Texas floods, just months into his retirement.

Over the past 3-1/2 years, Caliber Collision has donated more than 75 vehicles across the U.S. amounting to more than $750,000 to in support of those in need. Of these vehicles, Caliber has gifted more than 7 out of every 10 vehicles to active military and veteran families in need.

Caliber Collision in Sterling, VA and GEICO jump start the “We thank our insurance holiday season gifting a vehicle to a wounded warrior partners and many others in recovering at Ft. Belvoir from injuries suffered while on our industry whose collaboraactive duty in Afghanistan tion enables us to collectively • Five vehicles to veterans in Sacra- make a positive impact in our commento, Dallas, Denver, Marietta and munities,” said Grimshaw. “We look Atlanta as part of Progressive’s nation- forward to setting even higher goals wide Keys To Progress vehicle give- for Recycled Rides donations in 2016 away on Veterans Day. and look forward to working with the • Auto Club of Southern Califor- National Auto Body Council and our nia, Caliber Collision and West Coast collision industry colleagues to give Customs collaborated to present a spe- back to our veterans and those in need cially equipped handicapped van to a of transportation.”

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 27

ALLDATA President Discusses Importance of Trade Shows, Future Plans

by Victoria Antonelli, Online Editor

Autobody News interviewed ALLDATA President Mitch Major at the 2015 SEMA Show to get the latest on the historically mechanical company’s recent advancement in the collision repair sector.

Q: A:

Since we last spoke at NACE, are there any updates to ALLDATA’s collision repair sector?

I wouldn’t say updates as much, in terms of the product itself. We continually add information and updates from the OEMs to the database on a makes/models perspective, so the product itself is stable at this point. I would say the biggest change, which I alluded to a little when we were in Detroit, is that we are having more the conversations with the marketplace about keeping shops up-to-date on OEM repair information. We communicated with insurance carriers and collision parts providers at SEMA about how we could pull it all together. We want to take the OEM information and tie it to the parts to create a higher likelihood that the repair is being done based on the OEM specs. The complexity of the vehicles is advancing so quickly that if shops are not using the OEM information, they risk making an incorrect repair, which could result in injury or death. I think the carriers have always been open to the notion of OEM information being available to the shops, and now it’s becoming something shops expect verses just a good idea for the future.

We had meetings all over Las Vegas during SEMA with carriers and parts providers, and with each passing the day, the conversations continue to evolve.

What are the most frequent Q: questions and/or concerns you encounter?

Everyone, from parts providers A: to collision repair technicians, is talking about the aluminum bodied

Ford F-150 and how much more complex it is. I was recently discussing the difference between dealing with a damaged quarter panel on a steel Ford versus an aluminum Ford, and I think the main question is, how do we merge this technology, the information, and the vehicles all at the same time? It’s something we need to figure

out soon, especially now that aluminum vehicles are becoming more predominant in the market place.

A lot of shops are seeing more aluminum vehicles come in, and when they start to take off the quarter panels, what they see underneath is not something they’re familiar with. So, in some cases, they’re even making phone calls to the carriers, saying, what do we do now?

Again, if the players in collision don’t pull all of this together quickly, we will continue to create an environment where technicians are encouraged to do the repair the wrong way, which introduces risk to all parties.

What is the status of ALLQ: We DATA’s Community database? are working with a lot of parties in the automotive space A: to try and populate it with more repair

information. There are many national players that have 20 year databases of repair orders, so we are working to partner with them. Ultimately, we see Community becoming just as viable as the OEM information. It’s a way to help technicians fix the car that’s on the lift or the collision repair that’s in process even faster.

when we can call to discuss the importance of the OEM repair information, the complexity of metals and adhesives, etc., we are going through someone who they feel is a trusted advisor, instead of cold calling. We are then viewed as more than just a person trying to sell something.

Q: A:

What is the most beneficial aspect of coming to these trade shows?

We love coming to the trade shows because we get to spend days talking to the customers and asking what they think about us; the good and the bad. We are all about putting customers first and being responsive to suggestions. The trade shows are where we build our product road map; we just come and try to take down as much information as we can. Once we’re back at the office, it takes 30 or so days to really go through everything and have strategic discussions about what we need to change and how this new information will affect our path. We are also working on bringing mobile and car connectivity to the collision repair space, so shops

for 2016?

Q: WeNewwantplansto continue developing A: strategic partnerships around collision, especially integrating with

partners on the software side. We have the largest OEM database of collision repair information, which is an asset for folks who don’t want to build one on their own. We’re spending as much time as we can with the top 10 carriers to talk about, strategically, how can we work together to market, using the OEM repair data, to shops and educate them on the importance of using this information. There are still a lot of shops out there that have been doing it the same way for the past 20 years. The problem with that is, if you start to cut through some of the sections in this day and age, you just can’t put it back together the way you could when it was just a steel frame.

Q: A:

What methods do you use when you communicate with the more “traditional” shops?

We partner with carriers who already have a preexisting relationship with these shops. That way,

28 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

can be more efficient with tackling issues that arise.

What is your opinion on driQ: Those verless cars? ideas, even when they A: stick, generally take 10–20 years to fully work through the mar-

ket place, so we are monitoring it, but we’re not too worried about it yet. Our main concern is the security risk; we’ve all seen the articles in the last year about someone taking a car over from two states away. The notion that cars can’t collide is awesome, but at the end of the day, cars just talking to each other will not ultimately solve that problem. That doesn’t account for things like snow and other volatile weather conditions. So even though we don’t think that driverless cars will make collisions go away, we certainly think they will impact the industry. We always want to be prepared to serve the market place as it changes, but I think that’s more long term than short term.

For more information on ALLDATA, visit their website at www.alldata.com.

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Behind-The-Scenes Tour of CAPA Parts Certification Vehicle Test Fit/VTF Process CAPA urges industry to visit CAPA test facilities and learn benefits of CAPA certified aftermarket parts

by Autobody News Staff

Autobody News recently had the opportunity to learn how the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) certifies parts. This included visiting the 14,000-square-foot facility in Irvine, CA where automotive technicians conduct Vehicle Test Fits, a key CAPA cer-

CAPA developed the Vehicle Test Fit (VTF) in the mid-1990s to confirm the fit quality of the parts it certifies

tification requirement aftermarket parts must pass before they are introduced to the market as CAPA certified. Referred to as a “Test Fit Center,” the laboratory is operated by Intertek, CAPA’s thirdparty validator.

“As CAPA’s validator, Intertek

evaluates the parts that manufacturers submit to CAPA for certification to confirm, or validate, that the parts comply with CAPA’s standards,” said Matt Philbin, Intertek Irvine’s department manager.

“CAPA developed the Vehicle Test Fit (VTF) in the mid-1990s to confirm the fit quality of the parts it certifies,” said Debbie Klouser, director of operations for CAPA, based in Washington D.C. “The VTF has played the single most critical role in the industry’s acceptance of CAPA certified parts.”

As a testing laboratory, Intertek is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). Philbin said it is the international standard by which a laboratory’s commitment to quality is evaluated. “Intertek achieved this accreditation by demonstrating technical competence for testing with the operation and effectiveness of its laboratories,” he said.

Three Intertek facilities currently perform CAPA program operations. In addition to the Irvine, CA location opened in June 2012, Intertek operates

a 22,000-square-foot Test Fit Center, located in Grand Rapids, MI. A third location, in Taipei, Taiwan, is primarily involved with factory and part inspections.

The VTF process is a key CAPA certification requirement aftermarket parts must pass before they are introduced to the market as CAPA certified

With its global headquarters in London, England, Intertek employs more than 38,000 people located in 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries. In addition to automotive testing and services, Intertek also serves other industries including aerospace & defense, marine, chemicals, construction & engineering, energy & commodities, food &

healthcare, government & trade, and products & retail industries.

Established in 1987, CAPA was the first and only independent certification program for replacement parts in the United States. Klouser said its formation was a result of collision repairers telling insurers that they were no longer satisfied with the quality of aftermarket parts that they had been using for insurance-based collision repairs.

“The insurance industry responded by creating CAPA to develop standards for aftermarket parts in 1987,” she said.

Currently, CAPA has standards for metal and plastic exterior crash parts, lighting, foam rubber, bumper parts, and radiators – CAPA’s latest standard issued in July 2015.

“The foundation of CAPA’s standards is demonstrated comparability to the OEM service counterparts,” explained Klouser. “If the materials and construction techniques used to produce a CAPA-candidate part can be demonstrated to be comparable to those of the OEM service part, then the CAPA-candidate part will perform in a comparable manner to the OEM service part.”

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CAPA has four main components to the certification process: 1) Manufacturer Approval: The process that a potential manufacturer must complete prior to submitting parts. It includes an audit of the factory

by Intertek to find out if the manufacturer has a system that meets CAPA’s requirements, and confirm that system is followed. If approval is granted, a participant may produce and submit parts for certification.

2) Parts Certification: This includes material testing, Vehicle Test Fit, (VTF), fixture approval and Dimensional Inspection. For lighting parts, photometric testing is a CAPA certification requirement (see sidebar article). While CAPA certification is based on demonstrated comparability to the OEM service counterpart, a lighting part must also meet the requirements identified in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108.

3) In-Factory Inspection: Once a part is certified, CAPA inspectors visit the manufacturers’ factories to confirm that they are complying with CAPA requirements.

See Behind-The-Scenes, Page 32

Steps to CAPA Certification

Material Testing Before an aftermarket manufacturer begins making a part, they have to buy the OEM service part and reverse engineer it, meaning they take it apart to see how it was made/how it works in order to produce it. “Automotive manufacturers don’t need or use CAPA to do this,” said Klouser. “However, if a manufacturer wants to CAPA certify a part, CAPA standards identify the requirements for comparability to the OEM service part.”

For material testing, this includes requirements for: ● Chemical Composition ● Thickness ● Mechanical Properties including tensile and yield strength ● Welds ● Adhesives ● Fasteners and Hardware

● Electrodeposition Primer (EDP) Performance – performance requirements include adhesion, brittleness, cure and humidity tests.

acceptance for the independent aftermarket – if the aftermarket part doesn’t fit properly, it won’t become CAPA certified until it does.”

Vehicle Test Fit CAPA made the Vehicle Test Fit (VTF) a certification requirement in 1999. First, the manufacturer sends CAPA-candidate parts to CAPA’s third party validator, Intertek. VTF technicians then test fit the aftermarket parts as well as the corresponding OEM service part to evaluate how well they fit on the car.

CAPA noted that this is the sole test where the aftermarket part can actually be better than the OEM service part. “If the OEM doesn’t fit the vehicle, the aftermarket part is still required to pass the test,” said Klouser. “While a body shop may accept a poor fitting OEM part, there is typically not the same amount of

Photometric Testing of Lighting Parts All applicable CAPA parts sold in the United States must be compliant with US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which requires that photometric testing must be performed with the lamp held in the in-vehicle position.

CAPA initiated the Vehicle Dimensional Inspection (VDI) requirement to obtain the proper orientation of the lamp in the vehicle to assist CAPA manufacturers.

When the VDI is completed by CAPA’s validator the manufacturer is provided with metrology data and CAD drawings so they can design and build their photometric fixture.

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 31

Continued from Page 31

Behind-The-Scenes

4) Marketplace Surveillance: This includes the CAPA Complaint Program and Marketplace Monitoring.

Process of Complaint Program CAPA encourages consumers, auto body shops, part distributors and insurers to provide input concerning the quality of CAPA parts. If a user of a CAPA part believes it may not meet CAPA’s standards, they may report it to CAPA online at www.CAPAcertified .org or by calling toll free 1-800-505CAPA(2272) 24/7.

Step 1 – Initiate Upon receipt of the complaint, CAPA contacts the complainant to review the complaint and potentially secure the part.

Step 2 – Investigate If the complaint part undergoes what is referred to as a “COM VTF,” the complainant is sent a letter advising them of the VTF outcome.

Step 3 – Resolve

After the COM VTF is performed, regardless of the outcome, CAPA provides the manufacturer of the complaint part with a full report. Klouser said if a defect were observed, the manufacturer must identify and correct the problem that caused the defect. Potential results of the investigation include decertification of the part or part lot.

Process of Marketplace Monitoring This entails a quality check of CAPA parts in the marketplace. Any CAPA certified part may be selected for a Marketplace Monitoring (MM) VTF. The CAPA validator purchases new CAPA parts from parts distributors.

The part then undergoes the MM VTF to confirm whether or not it passes, just as it had to when it originally achieved certification.

Future of CAPA Standards Klouser said since 1987, industry stakeholders have relied on CAPA’s standards and CAPA certification to identify high-quality alternatives to OEM service parts. “For many years, CAPA certification was only available for exterior sheet metal and plastic parts, but that began to change in 2002, when the CAPA lighting standard was released,”

Property Damage Appraisers’ Virtual Estimating Tool Earns High Marks

One year after the launch of Property Damage Appraisers’ (PDA) virtual estimating tool PDA Xpress, the results are in. Although nearly 50 percent of PDA Xpress estimates are completed in 45 minutes or less, the company said the tool is performing so well that PDA has committed to reducing the promised cycle time from three hours to two-and-a-half hours.

“We’re continuing to set the bar for the claims industry resulting in cycle time reduction, increased accuracy and improvement in satisfaction,” said Tom Slimak, chief business development Officer, PDA. “The fact that we’re able to beat industry norms for cycle time is great. When estimates are completed accurately, this translates into better results across the board.”

Low Supplement Ratio: 9 Percent In the insurance industry, a low supplement ratio is the result of accurate, quality estimates and expert appraisers. On a granular level, it’s an indicator of the percentage of estimates that require an additional review because the original estimate was not accurate or complete. PDA Xpress’ supplement ratio is extremely low at nine percent.

High Net Promoter Score: 94 Percent PDA also earned high marks on the Net Promoter Score® (NPS). NPS asks how likely a customer would be to recommend a company to a peer. PDA Xpress customers’ NPS is 94 percent. Extensive research has shown that an NPS acts as a leading indicator of growth.

One Source for the Entire Claims Process PDA Xpress is a Web-based tool instead of a downloadable app that would only be used occasionally, so it doesn’t take up valuable space on a customer’s phone. When photos aren’t sufficient to complete an estimate, or a supplement requires a field visit during the claims process, companies with virtual estimating tools that aren’t backed by a national network of appraisers have to turn the claim back over to the insurance company or adjuster to complete the process. With a network of more than 650 appraisers throughout the country PDA can handle claims all the way through to completion.

To learn more about PDA and PDA Xpress, visit www.pdacorporation .com/pdaversus.php.

32 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

she said.

Since that time, CAPA has responded to industry requests for quality standards for bumpers and radiators.

“In addition to developing standards for new part types, the CAPA Technical

Subaru to Develop $118 Million Headquarters in NJ

Subaru of America, Inc. broke ground on its future home in Camden, NJ. The company plans to develop a $118 million corporate headquarters in the city, and in doing so, maintain its corporate headquarters in New Jersey as it has for nearly 50 years.

The Subaru of America campus will be the first new corporate headquarters in Knights Crossing, a master plan urban town center community, being developed by Brandywine Realty Trust.

The ground-breaking ceremony featured a display of historic Subaru vehicles from the company’s 50 years in the Delaware Valley, as well as a unique earth moving/groundbreaking ceremony conducted by a specially-produced Subaru Outback with an attached plow.

Thomas J. Doll, president and COO of Subaru of America, said: “We are very excited to be moving this project forward as we seek to bring our family of employees together on one site.”

Subaru plans to complete the project by the end of 2017. Follow the Subaru Camden project at: www .subaru.com/camden.html.

Intertek's 14,000-square-foot facility in Irvine, CA where automotive technicians conduct ‘Vehicle Test Fits’

Committee is also charged with reviewing existing CAPA standards to assure the continued quality of CAPA certified parts,” said Klouser.

CAPA encourages body shops, insurers and distributors to reach out to them to tour the CAPA test labs facilities and learn more about CAPA certification.

All CAPA standards are available to the public on request via the CAPA website http://www.capacertified.org/ For more information about Intertek, visit www.intertek.com.

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H OND A C AL I FO RN I A

AutoNation Honda Roseville Ros ev ille

800-262-3201 916-783-5628 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5:30 autonationhondaparts@hotmail.com

Avery Greene Honda Vallejo

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Barber Honda Bakers field

661-396-4235 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5:30 bestchoice@barberhonda.com

First Honda Simi Valley

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Galpin Honda Miss ion Hills

800-GO GALPIN 818-778-2005 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-5 blemen@galpin.com

Honda Cars of Corona Corona

800-557-3652 951-734-9045 Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7-5 terry.love@pscauto.com AC U RA C AL I FO RN I A

Acura of Fremont Fremon t

888-435-0504 510-431-2560 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 mike.ohare@acuraoffremont.com

Acura of Pleasanton Pleas ant on

888-985-6342 925-251-7126 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-6 mitch.cash@hendrickauto.com

Acura of Riverside Riv ersid e

888-701-0725 951-688-1500 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-8; Sat 7-5 Ricardo.pena@hendrickauto.com Mark.reed@hendrickauto.com Jason.torres@hendrickauto.com 34 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Please contact these dealers for your Honda or Acura Genuine parts needs.

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Og den

800-371-3719 323-466-3205

831-464-1800

877-475-1142 408-324-7460

800-821-8797 801-627-6762

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5 parts@southbayhonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6 smiles@kengarff.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 parts@hondaofhollywood.com

Honda of Oakland

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4:30 mickw@oceanhondasantacruz.com

Robertson Honda N o rt h H o l ly wo o d

University Honda

510-547-8047

800-508-3894 818-301-3511

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-8; Sat 7-6

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-5

800-585-8648 530-758-8770

Honda of Pasadena

San Francisco Honda

Dept. Hours: M-Sat 8-6; Sun 8-5 dfortier@uhdavis.com

Oa k la nd

P as ad e n a

S a n F ra n ci sc o

800-433-0676 626-683-5880

415-913-5125

Davis

N EVAD A

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-4

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5:30 partsws@sfhonda.com

Findlay Honda

Kolbe Honda

Scott Robinson Honda

702-982-4260

R es ed a

800-735-1424 818-609-7441 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 7:30-5 carparts@kolbehonda.com

Larry Hopkins Honda Su n n y vale

408-720-0221 408-736-2608 Dept. Hours: M-Sat 8-5 parts1@hopkinsdirect.com

Metro Honda Mo n t c la ir

800-446-5697 909-625-8960 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 7:30-4 wholesaleparts@metrohonda.com

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AutoNation Acura of South Bay To r ra n c e

310-784-8680 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-5 iwashitas@autonation.com

Cerritos Acura Ce r r it o s

855-895-2678 562-207-0554 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-6 srandall@browningautogroup.com

Marin Acura C or t e M ad era

800-77-Acura 415-927-5350 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-4 parts@marinacura.com

To rran ce

310-371-8320

L a s Ve g as Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-5 fsanchez@findlayauto.com

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Findlay Honda Henderson

Selma Honda

888-234-4498 702-568-3531

Selma

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AR IZON A

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Acura of Tempe

NE VA DA

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H e nd e rs on

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Jody Wilkinson Acura S al t L a ke C ity

800-234-0875 801-323-0492 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 rick@jodywilkinson.com www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 35

Day Job/Night Job It’s a Doggone Good Life for a Body Tech and His Best Friend with Ed Attanasio

Chris Mashburn is a body technician at Dean’s Collision Center in Rome, GA. He does all of the vehicle restora-

The team has competed in 35 events since Mindy went professional in 2013 and were recently featured on ESPN. Credit: Beth Padgett Mitchell

tions for the shop, working primarily on muscle cars and trucks built in the ‘60s and ‘70s. He said that he loves restoring peoples’ dreams one car at a time, but he also has another passion that keeps him busy when he’s not on the clock. Her name is Mindy and she is not Mashburn’s significant other, but rather his three-and-a-half-year-old border collie who is a professionallytrained competitive Frisbee dog and currently ranked 14th in the world.

It all started when Mashburn bought a little 10-week-old bundle of fur and named it Mindy. “She is the first dog I’ve ever owned, because I was a cat person for many years, to be honest.

I knew I wanted to get a dog that could become a professional Frisbee dog, so that was my goal when I got her.”

Mindy comes to work at the shop with Mashburn every day, letting her chill in an area that is away from the shop floor. During lunch, they practice their routines and then it’s back to

Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.

work until closing time.

The competition season can take Mashburn out of the shop for extended periods, but fortunately, Mashburn has a very understanding boss, he explained. “Billy Dean is the owner and he likes dogs too and he knows that this is something I really enjoy, so he lets me go to all of the competitions.

We plan it all in advance, to make sure that it does not impact the production schedule here at Dean’s.”

The duo has developed a strong bond and that’s why Mashburn and Mindy are improving all the time and finishing high in all of their most recent competitions, he said. “Mindy picks up on my emotions and feeds off me when I’m excited or anxious; it’s pretty amazing. I get amped when the routine is going well and she can feel it too. When it comes off perfectly and we’re happy with the performance, it’s a rush for both of us.”

The Frisbee training process re-

quires that both dog and master be dedicated to becoming world-class performers together. At 14 weeks, Mindy went through a series of obedience classes and then slowly the

When he isn’t training Mindy or taking her to competitions. Mashburn restores classic muscle cars at Dean’s Collision Center in Rome, GA.

disc was introduced to the mix. At the age of 18 months, Mindy was ready to compete at the highest level, although not every Frisbee dog is ready at the same time, according to Mashburn.

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“You have to make sure that they’re mature enough physically to do the routines,” he said. “At 18 months, the plates in their backs and the muscles in the shoulders are probably developed enough to start entering competitions, so we made certain that Mindy was 100% ready before we did anything strenuous with her.

She was ready to go when the time came and her enthusiasm for this sport has grown tremendously. It’s like she was born to do this!”

When they entered their very first regional competition in 2013, both Mashburn and Mindy were nervous and at first a little overwhelmed. But once they got out there and started the routine, everything fell into place.

“There were 18 dogs entered and some of them were really good and since we had zero experience, we thought if we finished in the top 10 we’d be delighted,” Mashburn said.

“We over-trained actually and I guess it paid off, because we finished 5th overall. It was a pleasant surprise and at that moment I realized that Mindy could possibly become a world-class Frisbee dog.”

After competing in eight different events last year, Mindy and Mash-

burn were ready for the big time when they traveled to Tennessee for the Skyhoundz Classic World Canine Disc Championship in Chattanooga, TN.

Body Tech Chris Mashburn and Mindy, his Frisbee dog, are currently ranked #14 in the world after their performance at last year’s Skyhoundz Classic World Canine Disc Championship in Chattanooga, TN. Credit: Jackie Rodeffer Scheetz

“It’s definitely one of the largest competitions in the world, so both of us were pretty excited,” Mashburn said.

“There were teams there from China, Japan, Russia, Colombia and the Czech Republic and they were all good. It’s an international sport now.”

After fixing cars for many years, Mashburn now enjoys old classic vehicles. “I did insurance work for awhile and the money is better, but I love doing restorations. There are no cycle times or super-tight deadlines to worry about when it comes to doing restorations and I’m in this for the long-run, because I get a lot of satisfaction out of it.”

After competing in 35 events in seven states, Mashburn and Mindy are ready to hopefully break into the top 10, possibly even next year, but time is on their side, because Mindy hasn’t even entered her prime yet.

“She is getting better and so am I,” he said. “I’ll be working with Mindy until I’m 60 years old, so who knows what the future holds? But right now I am focusing on working with her every day and watching her as she becomes a better Frisbee dog.”

Does that mean Mashburn is now a dog guy? “Yes, I do still like cats, but Mindy has changed my mind, of course, and now dogs (especially one particular dog) have found a special place in my life.”

Most Influential Women Award to Be Announced in May

The Women’s Industry Network announced nominations for the prestigious Most Influential Women Awards opened on Monday, November 2, 2015.

The deadline for all nominations was Thursday, December 31, 2015. The winners will be recognized at a Most Influential Women gala held during the 2016 WIN Educational Conference, May 2-4, 2016 at the Hilton Tampa Downtown in Tampa, FL. Nominations of women working in any segment of the collision repair industry across the United States and Canada were welcomed, and WIN membership is not a requirement.

Established in 1999 by AkzoNobel, the Most Influential Women program has recognized 85 women who have enriched the collision repair industry with their leadership, vision, and commitment to excellence. WIN acquired stewardship of the Most Influential Women program in 2013.

The award recognizes women for their leadership in four areas: industry influence; professional accomplishments; mentoring and support for others in the collision repair industry; and for going beyond the requirements of their professional lives to give back to their communities.

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Lean Operations

The Happy, Well-Informed Customer with David Luehr

Even though most collision repair shops understand the importance of creating a positive customer experience, many continue to unknowingly place themselves and their customers in the uncomfortable situations that poor communication commonly creates. I don’t know how many times I have witnessed this scenario; a customer shows up on Friday afternoon to pick up their repaired vehicle and upon being presented with the bill, exclaims, “I didn’t know I had a $500 deductible!” Invariably, these awkward situations always seem to occur with an office full of other customers!

It’s far too easy and irresponsible in my eyes to blame the customers for these situations. I feel that since we deal with this stuff every day we have the right and responsibility to help our customers through the process. Many of the best in class collision repair shops have standardized processes in place to eliminate these unnecessary problems and make the experience for the shop, the customer, and the waiting room full of customers a pleasant and positively memorable one. Here are a few of my suggestions.

The Appointment Reminder Call The appointment reminder call serves several purposes besides just to remind the customer of their upcoming repair appointment. This is a wonderful opportunity to get great communication underway early and begin to cut-off some of the potential problems that commonly occur.

Discuss the following with the customer: * Verify drop-off date and time * Early bird drop-off procedures (if applicable) * Rental car or transportation needs (if applicable) * Remove all personal belongings from their vehicle (Trunk, interior, and box/cargo area) * Insurance check has been received

Free

David Luehr is the owner of Elite Body Shop Solutions, LLC, a collision business consulting firm based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a 30 year veteran of the collision repair industry.

David is an expert in Body Shop Operations and specializes in Lean, and Theory of Constraints methods. Email him at dluehr@msn.com

(if applicable) * That we will need the key fob for their vehicle * Provide us keys for wheel locks, ski or bike racks, toppers, or tool boxes * Removing sunglasses, garage door openers, parking permits etc.

The Vehicle Check-in Shops are often paying the price for not going over the vehicle during drop-off. I recommend using a standardized form with reminder check boxes. The vehicle check in process promotes both quality and great customer service.

Here are a few suggested topics to cover as you walk around the vehicle with the customer: * What is to be repaired? * What is prior damage? (do they want it fixed too?) * Malfunction indicator lights on dash (Was this check engine light on prior to the accident?) * Are there any freebies or special requests? (Touch-ups, wants an estimate for missing light etc.) * Do we have the keys, wheel locks, etc.? * Does the customer have their garage door opener, parking permits, baby seats etc.? * Do we have a signed authorization? * Is the customer fully informed and how much money they will be expected to pay and what forms of payment are acceptable when they come to pick up the vehicle? * What is the best way to reach the customer during the repair process?

(Cell phone, text, etc.) * What they can expect in terms of communication frequency from the shop.

In Process I recommend that customers be communicated with at least every two days, unless they have requested otherwise. There are also various points

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that customers should be informed: * Blueprint - After the vehicle has been blueprinted to establish the updated price, and delivery promise date expectations. * Supplements - Any other supplements along the way. (This shouldn’t happen if it was blueprinted correctly) * Paint - When the car goes to paint.

(Let them know if completion date is still on target) * Morning of expected delivery day.

(This will highly increase your chances they will pick it up that day!)

Completion Call the customer once repairs have been completed and a final quality control inspection has occurred. During this call you will want to go over: * When they can arrive to pick the vehicle up * Rental cars and transportation * What they will owe you and what forms of payment are acceptable (I

know we already discussed this earlier but it’s pretty important, right?)

If you are thinking that this looks like an excess of communication, you may be right to a certain extent. I have never seen a shop get a bad CSI Score for communicating too well, but I have seen far too many of the reverse. I would challenge you to consider the amount of time shops spend dealing with incoming calls from people checking on their repair status, dealing with missed damage and embarrassing unfulfilled promises with touch-ups, and much, much more. If you take back control of your time and invest it wisely in being a proactive communicator, everyone wins.

For more advice on how you can improve customer communication at your collision repair business, feel free to contact me directly at david.luehr @elitebodyshopsolutions.com or visit www.elitebodyshopsolitions.com

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Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.

College of Alameda Wows the Crowd at EB-CAA’s Model Truck Event with Ed Attanasio

If you’re a classic car, you want to be featured at SEMA or on the cover of a national automotive publication. But, if you’re a toy truck, your life’s dream would be competing in the East Bay CAA’s 17th annual Model Truck Customization Competition, which was held on Nov. 17 at the San Ramon Marriott in San Ramon, CA. This year, 10 East Bay body shops, local vendors and auto repair school programs entered the competition. Each was given an identical Nylint die-cast

truck to modify and customize for the contest. First place went to the College of Alameda again for the second year, also capturing the Peoples’ Choice Award and the Best-in-Class Award, beating out the other automotive repair programs that participated in the competition.

This year, both daytime and night time classes at College of Alameda entered their own model trucks, an unprecedented and surprising move.

The Educational Best-of-Class award, given to the top truck entered by an educational institution, also went to the College of Alameda, completing the sweep. By converting the model into a stunning logging truck, this attention-getting creation received major kudos for the school’s customized truck.

The CAA East Bay chapter The Alameda of College swept all of the awards with this beautifully designed logging truck also gives several educational

institutions money for their auto repair programs, derived from the sales of each customized truck. This year, Contra Costa College, Mission Valley R.O.P, and the College of Alameda all received grants from the CAA East Bay chapter.

TGIF Auto Body impressed everyone with this fully-equipped fire truck, capturing third place overall

Tiffany Silva, the president of the CAA East Bay Chapter was pleased about the evening’s turnout of approximately 160 people, doubled from last year. “Thank you to those who sup-

ported and attended the CAA East Bay Chapter’s 17th Annual Toys for Tots Model Truck Competition,” said. “The funds raised directly benefit the College of Alameda, Contra Costa College, Eden Area R.O.P., Mission Valley R.O.P. and Tri-Valley R.O.P.” Guests brought toys to be donated to Toys for Tots and several U.S. Marines were there to collect them.

The highlight of the evening is always seeing the students and networking with them, according to Silva. “It was a fun-filled night focused on the students who are our technicians of tomorrow. It is always exciting to see the energetic students filled with pride as their customized trucks are displayed. The students are also able to see all of the support and encouragement from our industry, which is important if they’re going to enter this field.”

Even though the competition attracted a nice crowd this year, Silva is

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concerned about the future of her chapter’s signature annual event. “The Model Truck Competition is our largest fundraiser of the year and the most at-

a real need for events such as this one.

“There’s always some great energy in the room at the Model Truck Competition, because of the students primarily,” Mello said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to network with body shop owners, techs and other collision professionals, because soon they will be integrating themselves into the industry. That’s the best part of the competition and why we have to keep it going.”

Contra Costa College went with a holiday theme with this fun entry

tended and that’s why we don’t want to see it go away. The metal trucks are no longer available, so we need a new product to customize. It is vital that we help fund and support our schools. As a shop owner who has employed many graduates from Contra Costa College, we need to focus on training new technicians. We all know there is a shortage of technicians and we must come together to find solutions. Hiring students and carrying on this event will help our industry’s future.”

EB-CAA Chapter Vice President Kathy Mello, the owner of TGIF Auto Body and a CAA Board member sees

Mission Valley R.O.P created this impressive low-riding truck

Sponsors of the Model Truck Competition were Dublin Chevrolet Cadillac GMC Buick Kia, National Auto Parts, PPG, CCC, Hertz, LKQ/ Keystone and AudaExplore. The first, second, and third place prizes were donated by 3M, Finishmaster, and Ned’s Auto Body Supply.

Auto Safety Ratings to Include Collision Prevention

On Dec. 8 the government announced plans to update its safety rating system for new cars and trucks to include whether the vehicle has technology to avoid crashes, in addition to how well it protects occupants in accidents, according to reports in the LA Times. The 5-star rating system now uses crash tests to assess how well people inside are shielded from injury or death in front, side and rollover crashes. While that will remain a big factor in the ratings, they also will take into account whether the vehicle has nine technologies that can help prevent or lessen the severity of crashes. Those technologies include sensors that can detect an imminent frontal collision and apply the brakes, or warn drivers about vehicles in their blind spots or that they’re drifting into another lane. Some technologies automatically switch headlight high beams to low beams when another vehicle is approaching, help prevent rollovers, and employ amber rear turn signal lights that drivers are quicker to identify as indicating a turn rather than braking.

In addition, the ratings will include a new type crash test designed to simulate cars that collide at an angle. Crash tests will also use improved crash-test dummies that better

represent how accidents impact the human body. And the rating system will reward cars designed to protect pedestrians who are struck by them.

One of the government’s aims in updating the rating system is to put pressure on automakers to include crash prevention technologies in all vehicles, not just more expensive luxury models, said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. In the past, automakers have voluntarily included more safety technology in vehicles in an effort to earn more stars, but many of the nine technologies proposed for the rating system are primarily available in a limited number of higher end vehicles.

“We’re going to raise the bar when it comes to protecting vehicle occupants,” Foxx said. The department’s goal, Foxx said, is to ultimately prevent crashes altogether. He said he’s hopeful that will happen in his lifetime. The rating system posts a rating of one to five stars on the window stickers of new cars to help shoppers identify the safest vehicles. The new system will also include half stars as well as full stars to get at nuances in safety features, said Mark Rosekind, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which administers the ratings system.

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Continued from Page 24

Strategies and Tips

in your company or with the same automotive interests ■ Reviews – Keep up to date on the good and bad ■ Share content or set up Google AdWords ■ Encourage coworkers to set up their own Google Plus pages and share content ■ Google Search enhancement with SEO

YouTube This is the second largest search engine and is linked with Google search results. Be sure to associate your YouTube with your shop name.

This site allows you to share videos of your shop, video review and industry videos on your page and throughout social media. Consumers will embed and share videos associated with your domain. An easy way to manage content marketing using this social media channel is to repurpose content you have already created as you can reach an audience that will love that particular type of content. YouTube also allows you to build an email list with subscriber software.

LinkedIn As the business owner, set up a personal account and add a business page to your account. Through this site, you’ll be able to post job openings at your shop; upload your resume, contact information and certifications; gain referrals, recommendations, and add other people or businesses to your groups; gain visibility with your shop and utilize advertisements; maintain relationships with other vendors, shops, and customers; and stay on top of news and notifications with groups and connections in the industry.

Pinterest Set up a portfolio of your shop and talk about it. Be creative. Make it personal because this is another way to brand your shop. You can gain thousands of followers in the industry. All you need to do is set up boards with industry tips, shop news, and events to make your business relevant. It allows you to drive traffic to your business by linking back to the source through PINS and that will help when it comes to search engines.

Foursquare This social media tool allows you to be easily found and see what people are saying about your shop so claim your listing. Stay in tune with reviews and respond to good and bad because cus-

Paint Booth Filtration Companies A.J. Dralle, Inc. and Volz Luftfilter Form Strategic Partnership

A.J. Dralle, Inc. and Volz Luftfilter Gmb announced their alliance to deliver the air filtration products to the U.S., Canada and Mexico. They have more than 80 years combined experience. As principal partners, A.J. Dralle and Volz merged American and European trends in air filtration manufacturing and product development. “This strategic alliance makes available world-class products to North America. As an agent and distributor of Volz automotive filter media and systems, we can provide products previously unavailable in North America. Additionally, by assembling A.J. Dralle automotive filtration systems in the U.S. with Volz ceiling diffusion media, we maintain excellent quality control,” said James Dralle, president and CEO of A.J. Dralle, Inc. Rainer Volz stated, “As one of Europe’s largest independent HVAC and Automotive Air Filter Manufacturers, Volz Luftfilter is delighted to have formed a strategic alliance with A.J. Dralle. Volz is a principal and preferred supplier to many of the world’s leading automo-

tive manufacturers. It was crucial for us to partner with a company capable of servicing and meeting the demands of such organisations.”

Founded in 1966 in Boblingen, Germany, Volz Luftfilter products and filter media are widely used throughout Europe for HVAC, automotive paint booth applications, and gas turbines. Volz employs more than 500 people and has manufacturing facilities in Germany, Slovakia and the U.K. Founded in 1976 in Lemont, Illinois, A.J. Dralle, Inc. manufactures and distributes air filters to a large customer base, including clientele in the aerospace, auto body, food service, health care, and manufacturing industries.

A.J. Dralle has an extensive distributor network serving the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Great Britain. For more information on the A.J.Dralle, Inc. and Volz Luftfilter partnership, contact James Dralle at 815-730-0505 or James1830@ajdralle.net. To explore the products our companies offer, please visit www.ajdrallefilters.com and www.volzfilters.com.

42 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

tomers and potential customers are watching. You can use Foursquare’s advertising solutions and offer specials too. That will help you grab local traffic to your shop, as will using local updates to engage with customers who’ve checked into your business. Let people know what you provide and use it to show people you’re invested in the local area.

According to Nelson, all social media should be linking back to your website, the most important aspect of your online presence. Insurance companies, customers and fellow industry members will be viewing your website on a regular basis.

What makes a good website?

■ Use of a prominent header with your shop’s phone number, logo and icons of your top 3 social media links ■ A consistent design throughout the site ■ Minimal copy with a good balance of imagery ■ Bullets and other features such as accordion style options to hide content for pages that are copy heavy ■ A balanced footer with social media links, ©copyright info, sitemap and possible RSS feeds from other so-

cial media sites.

■ FAQs on your page that give the user a quick answer ■ Google map and locations page ■ A lively blog.

According to a HubSpot survey, 60 percent of businesses that blog acquire more customers. It creates a twoway conversation and feedback. Blogs are cost-effective marketing investments. Every post you publish is a longterm asset that helps build brand awareness and promotes your expertise, products and services. A blog keeps you focused on your content marketing strategy. You must create a schedule and stick to it to continuously deliver purposeful content. A blog builds confidence, relationships and sales. Customers will look to you as a reliable resource for information on your industry; then come to you as a business consumer. It also enhances your rankings among search engines.

If you have marketing questions and an interest in seeing how B2B Automotive can help get your business into the fast lane, contact Michelle Nelson at 888-222-5128 or 314-920-1147.

You can also check out their website at btobautomotive.com.

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Media and Publicity for Shops 5 Smart Marketing Moves to Make in 2016 with Ed Attanasio

Last year around this same time, I wrote an article about 5 marketing-related things to do in 2015 and I stand by everything I listed there. In order, they were: 1. Get Closer to Your DRPS 2. Get Closer to Your Community 3. Get More Social 4. Update Your Web Site and 5. Get a Blog!

So, this year I’m offering you five new suggestions that you’ll hopefully be able to integrate into your existing marketing strategy.

When it comes to marketing, you don’t get to rest and take a deep breath, because marketing does not start and stop. Whether you’re in a small town or a huge city, it’s likely that your competitors are constantly looking for another way for getting your cars into their shops. If they could land a few of your better DRPs and possibly get a better foot hold in your market, I’m

sure they would not hesitate for a millisecond to do so.

So, here are my new five things to do to take you to the next level. For shops that are already “all in” when it comes to marketing, this is old news.

But, for those others who want to change the way they’re doing business and haven’t really made marketing a priority until now, this might be a great time to pursue a few of these.

1. Enter the Video Age Actually, the video age began in earnest more than a decade ago, but now it’s by far the most explosive media in the world and one of the most affordable and effective forms body shops can use.

Just look at the statistics—YouTube has over a billion users–almost a third of all the people on the Internet. The number of hours that people spend watching videos on YouTube has increased by 60% within the last two years.

People don’t read as much as they

44 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.

used to, because acquiring books (even e-books) can be clumsy when compared to just sitting down and watching a short video.

The word “short” is important, because studies show that videos longer than two minutes lose considerable viewership, so the suggested length of any video is no longer than 90 seconds.

To enter the video age, devise a video schedule so that you have a new one to show to your customers, employees, vendors or business partners every quarter. And remember, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to produce a series of attention-getting videos, because the technology is more affordable than ever and you don’t have to be Alfred Hitchcock to make brief, informative and even humorous videos.

2. SEO is More Important than Ever Last Year, shops all over the country learned that Search Engine Optimization (SEO) isn’t an “in house” or “do-it-

yourself” project. To move up Google’s rankings, you need an expert who can manipulate your keywords and stay on it 24/7, 365 days a year.

Many shops say, “Hey-I’m #1 in my area on Google, so why am I still paying for SEO?” The answer is because your competitors are probably also now in the SEO game in a big way and likely taking shots at your top position on search engines right now.

So, if you don’t have a good SEO person, ask around and no matter what, stay on the course when it comes to online rankings, because stats show us that more and more people find body shops by performing simple searches online.

3. Don’t Stop Believing in Blogging After Google’s re-working of their search algorithm, naming it Hummingbird and unveiling it two years ago, bloggers and web developers have been buzzing about it ever since, because it made blogs instantly relevant.

Hummingbird is all about “fresh content”, because it is now able to judge context - thereby determining the intent of a person carrying out a search, to establish what they are trying to find out.

What that means to you is that posting new things on your web site is a great way to help you on search engines and the best way to do that is by establishing a blog and vigilantly maintaining it. That’s the key, because too many shops started doing blogs, but then quickly abandoned them for whatever reason and now they’ve noticed that they are no longer #1 on Google.

If you have a blog but you aren’t posting articles, photos and/or videos on it regularly—my advice is pull it off-line, because there is nothing worse than a ghost blog and it makes you look well, behind the times.

4. Cable TV vs. Radio-Who Wins?

I used to say that radio was a viable way for shops to participate in the broadcast game, but now I am pulling that piece of knowledge off the table, because it no longer applies. Radio is not going away and it might be okay for a large MSO, but for smaller shops, radio does not have the targeting feature cable TV does.

Cable TV is trumping radio right now, because companies like Sirius and Pandora and taking some of terrestrial radio’s customer base. Also, if you purchase time on Comcast, for example, you can handpick what zip codes you want to reach. That way, you’re not wasting a lot of money advertising to people who are not in your region. For independent shops or small MSOs, cable TV is more precise and more affordable overall.

5. Yelp and Angie’s List are Losing Credibility More and more shops and their customers are beginning to see that Yelp and Angie’s List are not what they claim to be, because people can’t gauge the authenticity of the reviews.

One shop wrote me an email last year

saying that several members of a competing shop gave him 1-star reviews and of course, they never brought their cars there. He contacted Yelp at least a dozen times to get them removed without success. His business is negatively impacted, even though he does good, honest work and is known for being excessively fair.

Also, Angie’s List seems to work fine with home improvement companies and landscapers, but shops don’t seem to want to pay for a site that doesn’t bring cars into their shops.

There are a lot of review sites out there that will only post customer reviews that are verified, so gravitate toward those and don’t spend money with any site that can’t guarantee full transparency and complete accountability.

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Shop Strategies Body Shop Vice President in GA Says Be Prepared for the Unexpected with Stacey Phillips - ASSISTANT EDITOR

Cherokee Collision Center in Georgia celebrated the grand opening of its second shop in December. Gene Sweeney founded Cherokee Collision in Marietta in 1993. Gene’s son R.J. will be running the new Canton location. Autobody News asked R.J. about the new shop and growing up in a family business.

Our advice to anybody opening a new shop would be develop a business plan and make sure you have REALLY thought it through. Today’s ‘collision centers’ aren’t like the ‘body shops’ of the past and the cost to open a new facility (even in a modified ex-

What prompted you to open Q: the new collision center and what did it entail to set up?

Our decision to have a facility A: in Canton, GA was due to the demand of our customers and com-

munity members who wanted our services closer to their home.

We started looking for land back in January 2013 and struggled to find a good location for a couple of years.

In March of this year we stumbled across an abandoned mechanical shop that was located in the heart of downtown Canton that we felt would be a perfect location.

Our first efforts were directed to cleaning the facility shop and make the necessary reconfigurations and modifications for use as a collision repair facility. With permits and constant changes in requirements it became a significant, daunting and costly undertaking but we believe it will be well worth it in the years ahead. We had begun purchasing the needed equipment for the new location long before we found the location so we were ready when the time came.

What were some of the chalQ: lenges and what is your advice to others considering opening a new shop?

The challenges included findA: ing a location close to a high traffic area to have the exposure to

drivers as well as easy to find. Added challenges were dealing with zoning, the fire marshal and permitting to get the old facility compliant with current mandates and restrictions. These caused additional challenges and costs that we hadn’t fully anticipated and/or prepared for, which caused considerable delays.

Cherokee Collision Center in Georgia opened its second location in Canton

isting building) is costly. Be prepared for the unexpected and the costs that may follow. Be sure you have thought it out and are fully prepared for the task at hand and the frustrations that one may be faced with.

What are some of the things Q: you have incorporated into the new shop?

Our new location is approxiA: mately 8,900 square feet, including office and production space.

As in our existing facility in Marietta, we have designed this shop around “lean methodology.” Once the vehicle enters production, it does not leave production until the vehicle is finished. Our goal when designing this facility was to “do more production in the least amount of space” by maximizing efficiency and productivity.

We will have a state-of-the-art side loading GFS paint booth, two GFS prep decks, one in-ground Car-o-liner Bench repair rack, one drive on Caro-liner rack, and one lift. Our employees will consist of one global team that works together to get each vehicle repaired properly and thoroughly. We will be using Summit Management System and utilize their “scoreboard” so that our team of technicians can track the amount of labor hours they generate on a consistent basis. These efforts enable Cherokee Collision Center(s) to meet our mission statement and commitment to our customers. Our mission is to provide the most efficient, high-quality colli-

46 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

sion repairs while providing exceptional customer service.

sider expanding to new markets.

to our customer base within our market areas. Unless an insurer is motivated by high-quality repairs, which restores the consumer’s vehicle properly and thoroughly in fit, finish and function and not merely price alone, our business model may not fit their needs. We see the vehicle owner as our customer and while we work “with” all insurance companies, once our customer’s vehicle is placed in our trust, we work for them. This philosophy has served our company well over the years and provided us the success and profitability to enable us to con-

porter back when I was in the 9th grade working during the summer and have done everything from washing cars to body work to parts management, to estimating. After graduating with my major in business administration, I decided to join my dad and have been managing the shop since May 2007.

My dad has taught and encouraged me and several years ago he engaged the services of Barrett Smith of Auto Damage Experts (ADE) for coaching/consulting services, which

What have you learned over Q: the years growing up in a family business and how has that shaped

Q: your philosophies running the shop?

Our Marietta location particiA: pates in State Farm’s Select A: business I have been around our family Service program. We focus more on and the industry my branding and marketing our message whole life. I started off as a shop Are you part of a DRP program?

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www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 47

Melissa Miller, CARSTAR’s New VP of Operations, Discusses New Role and WIN Participation

by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

After Driven Brands acquired CARSTAR in November 2015, the company announced senior leadership changes at CARSTAR. Autobody News spoke to Melissa Miller who was promoted to CARSTAR’s vice president of operations.

In her new role, Miller will focus on leading the company’s field team “to ensure that we are meeting the KPIs necessary to lead our franchisees to greatness.” She will report to Dean Fisher, named chief operations officer.

Miller said, “I’m really looking forward to continuing this next chapter, gaining more resources for our field team, and figuring out what this looks like together, helping our franchisees become more successful.

“We may not always agree. I say if we have 80 percent Melissa Miller agreement and 100 percent commitment, then ultimately we’re going to reach our goal,” said Miller. “At the end of the day, we’re all in it to win and show that when you have an owner at the driver’s seat as our franchises do, we outperform other MSO groups in the country. I feel that we’ve

proven that, especially over the past few years.”

Miller got her start in the industry working for her own family business, Randy and Bob’s CARSTAR in Chicora, PA. Originally established by her grandfather, it is run by her father Randy and uncle Bob. This year, the CARSTAR location is celebrating its 40th anniversary and her cousin Nathan will soon be leading the family business. “It’s a complete representation of what CARSTAR is,” said Miller.

Miller worked as the company’s bookkeeper in a small office in the back of the shop. Over the years, she was the office manager, marketing manager and helped wherever she was needed while the business grew. In 1999, the shop expanded from 7,000 to 18,000 square feet.

She said that she learned a long time ago about working together as a family.

“I always really appreciated that you have this family you can count on no matter what, no matter what challenge you are faced with,” she said. “Whatever is the news of the day we figure out a way to talk about it and overcome adversity or challenges in order to really work together.

“I believe that is really why I was appointed to [my current] position because I focus on our current and next generation franchisees, continuing to

48 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

build our footprint, and try to figure out how we can continue the legacy that those before have built,” said Miller.

Miller joined CARSTAR in 2004 as integration manager, working with new stores and helping them navigate through the changes of becoming a CARSTAR store. Later, she was named regional service manager responsible for 35-40 stores and then transitioned to senior regional service manager. Two years ago, Miller became national director of operations before being recently promoted to VP of operations.

“What I appreciate most about CARSTAR in general is that we’re a family,” said Miller. “You know that within a family there are always these multifaceted personalities and how we accomplish our goals but at the end of the day we’re all related in some way as far as representing the brand.”

In addition to her role at CARSTAR, Miller sits on the board of the Women’s Industry Network as administrative vicechair. She is also the co-chair of the communications committee with Jessica Rob from AkzoNobel. “The career growth I have experienced as being part of WIN has been absolutely fantastic,” said Miller.

“I wouldn’t be in this position today without the mentorship and networking I have experienced through this inspiring, supportive organization.”

Continued from Page 46

Be Prepared

has allowed me, what I believe to be a different perspective than most shop managers/owners. This has enabled me to develop new and more effective ways to manage our customers and assist them. The systems taught

by Barrett differ from conventional “body shop” management philosophies and as such have allowed us greater profits and customer satisfaction, retention and their ongoing referrals. We will be using these same philosophies in our new location as well.

R.J. Sweeney can be reached at (678) 388-7000.

If you know of a shop that would like to share shop strategies, contact Stacey Phillips at sphillips@autobo dynews.com

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GFS Breaks Ground on $6M Center for Excellence in Wisconsin Global Finishing Solutions (GFS) broke ground on its new Center for Excellence. The company said the 80,000 square-foot facility will house a state-of-the-art training and product R&D center with additional space for expansion. Construction will be completed by August 2016.

“Our new building will truly showcase our latest advanced paint booth technologies, including our REVO Accelerated Curing Systems, in order to demonstrate for our distributors and customers how our newest products dramatically improve body shop repair efficiency and quality. The new R&D area accommodates our growing product line and faster pace for introducing revolutionary new products to the industry,” noted Global Finishing Solutions President Jim Faragher.

The Center for Excellence will allow GFS employees, distributors and customers to continuously improve support, service and understanding of the latest GFS products.

GFS designed the facility with full preparation and paint areas to closely mirror a working body shop. The comprehensive design gives GFS engineers new capabilities to develop, field test, modify and then re-test new technology to deliver products to

market faster.

Training will be offered in a dualbay downdraft GFS Ultra XR CTOF paint booth integrated with the REVO Rapid OR2 curing system. Configured for single stall repair, this new equipment combination will allow users to see how REVO Systems significantly reduce cycle time and allow shop technicians to complete each stage of an auto body repair in one spot, without having to move the vehicle. Additionally, GFS will install an Ultra XR downdraft paint booth integrated with the REVO Speed for hands-on practice. Two Ultra XD paint mix rooms will complete the Training Center floor plan.

Faragher added, “Creating the Center for Excellence with cuttingedge body shop processes and equipment fully aligns with our strategy of continuously improving our service to the market.” GFS is currently scheduling distributor training sessions to begin summer 2016.

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On Give Tuesday, Vietnam Vet and VA Volunteer Receives Recycled Ride Ever since his car broke down and couldn’t be repaired, Recycled Rides recipient Willie B. Pargo had been taking the bus over an hour each way to continue his volunteer work at the Minneapolis VA. Now he has a reliable vehicle thanks to LaMettry’s Collision, American Family Insurance, NABC’s Recycled Rides program, and local vendor partners.

Recycled Rides recipient Willie B Pargo inside his new 2012 Chevrolet Malibu

The military and volunteer service of Pargo was recognized in December at the Recycled Rides event on “Give Tuesday,” when he was presented the keys to a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu by LaMettry’s VP JR LaMettry.

Speakers at the event included LaMettry’s President of Operations Darrell Amberson, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the River Heights Chamber of Commerce Kelton Glewwe, and Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie. Sheriff Leslie reminded everyone, “This is give

Tuesday, [but] we can do something every day to help our veterans. Say ‘thank you’ to them, donate, fly the flag, visit a VA hospital or home, and when you talk to them, ask how they are doing and stop to listen.”

Last to speak at the ceremony was Commander Glenn Boche of The Military Order of the Purple Heart Minnesota Department. He shared background on the Purple Heart award with the crowd.

“Willie and I are both Vietnam Veterans.

Willie and I are the survivors. The Purple Heart is not an award that anyone who joins the service wants to achieve, for obvious reasons, because there are only two categories of people that get this award; those that are wounded and survive, which Willie and I were very lucky to, and those that were killed.”

Boche concluded, “I’ve known Willie for at least four or five years as a volunteer myself out at the VA Hospital. I can’t think of a more deserving person.

He is out there at the VA hospital every day of the week, Monday through Friday, doing his thing out there. Sometimes he’s hard to catch up to because he’s moving so fast. Thank you Willie for what you’ve done, thank you for your service, thank you for all you do out at the hospital!”

This is the sixth vehicle LaMettry’s has repaired and donated through the NABC’s Recycled Rides Program.

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www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 49

Driven Brands Acquires CARSTAR Canada and Announces Senior Leadership Changes at CARSTAR US

by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

When Autobody News spoke to Jose Costa, group president of Driven Brands, shortly after acquiring CARSTAR in November, he said growth is an important part of the company’s strategy.

“The company is committed to Jose Costa achieve its ‘Dream Big’ agenda, which is to double system sales and increase franchisee profitability through better innovation and increased purchasing power,” he said.

He added that significant acquisitions were planned.

One recent acquisition was of CARSTAR Canada, which has 23 locations in 10 provinces, this December.

“CARSTAR has a long and established history in Canada and I’m proud to have this iconic brand join the Driven Brands family,” said Jonathan Fitzpatrick, president and chief executive officer of Driven Brands. “CARSTAR not only strengthens our product offering and expertise, but builds upon our established footprint in Canada.”

With this acquisition, the combined CARSTAR business accounts for more than 450 locations and $700 million of annual system sales. He said this makes CARSTAR the largest brand in both system sales and locations in the automotive collision repair industry. CARSTAR Canada marks the third acquisition for Driven Brands since it was acquired by Roark Capital earlier in 2015, expanding the brands’ footprint to more than 2,200 franchise locations in the U.S. and Canada.

Driven Brands’ paint and collision division is comprised of CARSTAR in both the United States and Canada, Maaco and Drive N Style.

CARSTAR Leadership Changes in U.S. When CARSTAR employees learned about senior leadership changes being made at the company last November, Costa said it was bittersweet. “A lot of the management team had been there

Free

for a long time,” Costa told Autobody News. “Everyone was expecting changes as we assess the business. I think they were a little surprised and a little saddened because people were leaving.” He said there was also excitement for those who were promoted.

The changes included CARSTAR CEO David Byers leaving the organization and Dan Young, the SVP of Insurance, being promoted to brand president.

“David played a critical role in helping CARSTAR become the great company it is today and we are very thankful for all of his hard work and dedication,” said Costa, in an email that was distributed to employees.

After a month-long assessment looking at every aspect of the business, Costa said, “We felt that we had to change some positions in the leadership team and have someone like Dan Young with his experience in the insurance industry lead the brand.”

Dan Young Young will report directly to Costa. “Dan has been with the company for more than 12 years and has exponentially grown CARSTAR’s insurance business,” said Costa. “We are confident that Dan will continue to drive incremental profitability and growth for our franchisees, and that CARSTAR will continue with this great momentum under his leadership.”

Costa said the plan is to double the size of the company over the next few years. “One of the ways to do that is by securing more insurance business,” he explained.

Employees learned of the leadership changes through email and conference calls. He encouraged employees to reach out with any questions or concerns.

“I understand that change isn’t always easy but progress is impossible without it,” said Costa. “I am confident that these adjustments will ultimately benefit the brand and position us for growth.”

Other key changes at CARSTAR included: ● Dean Fisher, vice president of operations, was promoted to Chief Operations Officer and will report directly to Young. Fisher developed the EDGE Performance Platform, which is a five-stage process that trains, develops and coaches franchise owners.

Fisher will continue to spearhead Dean Fisher the evolution of the operational platform, to evaluate where shops are from a lean standpoint and a production standpoint. ● Scott Robertson, vice president of development, will report to Young. His main focus will be to continue growing unit count as well as to pursue new markets and acquisitions.

Scott Robertson

● Melissa Miller was promoted to vice president of operations, reporting to Fisher.

See next story.

● Cacey Lavin, recently promoted to controller, will report to Driven Brands’ VP of accounting and finance, Ed Moore. Lavin will lead CARSTAR’s accounting and finance departments. ● Kim Carrington was promoted to training and development manager and will report to Fisher.

“Independent body shop owners have few options when it comes to succession planning. It’s either selling to their manager, joining a network like CARSTAR or selling to the large consolidators,” said Costa. “[Joining CARSTAR] gives them a very good opportunity to leverage their Melissa Miller buying power, get access to more DRP business and the Edge platform and training. We see it as a win win both for the independent shop and for CARSTAR.” For more info. visit www.driven brands.com and www.carstar.com.

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www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 51

Kia Racing Champion Jason Wolfe Shares his Success Behind the Wheel

by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

The launch of the Kia Forte Koup in 2010 signaled a change at Kia Motors America. That same year the company partnered with Kinetic Motorsports’ racing organization in Georgia. “Kia got involved in racing with the Forte

the U.S., Kia Motors America and Kinetic Motorsports won seven championships. In 2014, every Kia model that raced won a national title, from the Rio five-door in SCCA B-Spec to the Forte Koup and Optima turbo in the Pirelli World Challenge (PWC).

“Kia is proud of our team and

support Kinetic’s championship-winning privateer program in the Touring Car A class. “With exciting, new, rearwheel drive product in our pipeline, we’re also looking forward to a return to the track in the near future,” the company added.

Autobody News asked racing champion Jason Wolfe about his involvement with the Kia racing team.

Wolfe has driven Kia’s Forte Koup in TCA for the past two years and brought home two championships.

Congratulations on your racing Q: successes. How did you get your start in racing?

Koup to help change the perception of the Kia brand in the United States and to showcase the Forte Koup’s durability, reliability and performance,” said Mike Ofiara, product communications, Motorsports, for Kia Motors America.

During six years of road racing in

drivers for their outstanding achievements and we thank them for their hard work and dedication to the brand,” said Kia Motors America. The company will be stepping back from the factory-supported PQC Grand Touring Sport effort in the United States in 2016 but will continue to

After watching the movie, A: “Catch That Kid,” based off of kids robbing a bank using go karts for

get-away vehicles, my dad and I decided to check out the local kart track.

From there we were totally hooked.

ing career is learning what it takes to be the best I can be. Whether it is from a driving perspective, set up perspective, physical perspective or just socializing, there is always so much to learn and there is always an area in which you can better yourself.

We’ve heard that that your racQ: ing hero is Tommy Byrne.

What do you admire most about him?

First off, he is the kind of guy A: who tells it like it is no matter what, and I think that is what has

helped me the most. Drivers who are coming up through the ranks need to know when they have made a mistake and when Tommy was my coach, I sure knew when I did something wrong, yet he was also one of the first to congratulate me when doing well.

Also, the fact he more or less hustled his way into Formula 1 and the story behind it is just more to be in awe over.

do you enjoy most about Q: theWhatsport?

You’ve said in the past that After watching the movie, What Q: Mid-Ohio is your favorite A: I have enjoyed most in my rac- track. Can you please tell us why?

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I chose Mid-Ohio as my faA: vorite track because of how technical it is and how hard it is to pass

because of that. It really separates the men from the boys. Also, it’s only 40 minutes from home – can’t beat that!

What are some of your past Q: achievements and what are your upcoming race plans?

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My most notable and recent past achievements have been with Kinetic Motorsport/ Kia Racing when we brought home two consecutive championships; Rookie of the Year; and the guys brought home Crew of the Year for those two years also. Best two years of my racing life.

We worked very well together and I definitely learned a lot while under their wing. Unfortunately my 2016 plans are still up in the air but we’re looking into a few different options, just trying to find the right fit!

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Is there anything else you would like to share with readers/ fans in the collision repair industry? up very close to your nearA: estSetrace track!

National Auto Body Council Elects 2016 Board & Officers The National Auto Body Council (NABC) announced new officers and board members for its 2016 Board of Directors. Executive Committee officers elected at NABC’s recent Annual Meeting in Las Vegas include: Domenic Brusco, NABC Chairman (PPG Automotive Refinish)

● Domenic Brusco, Chairman (PPG Automotive Refinish)

● Jeff Peevy, Vice Chair of Community Involvement (Automotive Management Institute)

● Elizabeth Clark, Vice Chair of Industry Relations (State Farm)

● Bill Mayer, Treasurer (Insurance Auto Auctions) ● Renee Ricciotti, Secretary (3M Automotive Aftermarket Division)

● Michael Jordan, Director-At-Large (Manchester Collision Center) ● Nick Notte, Past Chairman (I-CAR).

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New to the NABC Board are: ● Barry Barbee (The Doan Group)

● Brandon Eckenrode (Collision Repair Education Foundation)

● Darren Huggins (Berkshire Hathaway Automotive).

Returning NABC Board members include: ● Joe Amodei (The Collision Centers of New York)

● Taylor Bowes (PPG Automotive Refinish)

● Craig Camacho (3D Auto Body & Collision Centers) ● Greg Clark (Caliber Collision)

● Keith Egan (R.W. Mallon Auto Paint & Equipment) ● Denise Hepler (Hertz Corporation) ● Joe Lacy (GEICO)

● Jim Ocampo (Axalta Coating Systems) ● Elizabeth Stein (Assured Performance)

● Rick Tuuri (AudaExplore, a Solera Company)

● Dan Young (CARSTAR).

“This is an exciting time in our organization,” said Domenic Brusco, newly elected chairman of the National Auto Body Council. “We are experiencing strong membership growth and have had a record number of participants implementing our signature programs such as Recycled Rides™, First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE™) and Distracted Driving Initiative in local communities across the country. We also recently adopted a new vision and mission, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop, implement and promote community-based initiatives that exemplify the professionalism and integrity of the collision repair industry.”

“We are pleased and excited to welcome such a strong roster of industry leaders representing so many different facets of our collision industry,” added Chuck Sulkala, NABC Executive Director. “Each Board member brings passion and dedication to serving our industry which will be invaluable and we thank each for their commitment.”

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www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 53

PA Body Shop Owner Addresses Markup Fees with Insurance Companies

by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor

After resolving a lawsuit with Travelers Insurance in March, a Pennsylvania body shop owner said he could have never predicted he would be involved in a similar lawsuit with GEICO a few months later. Both cases involved the reimbursement of markup fees charged for the administration of ordering, receiving, warehousing and dispatching of parts used on vehicles.

“Far more people need to be proactive and stand up for themselves and not be afraid to ask for what they are owed,” said Tim Kilkeary, owner of Kilkeary’s Auto Body in Eighty Four, PA. “Nobody is getting rich in this business anyway and to do it and not make a profit, it’s just insane.”

In the first case, Kilkeary’s Auto Body repaired a 2006 Dodge Ram truck in February 2013. The body shop originally wrote the estimate using OEM parts; however, the Travelers’ estimate reflected using an aftermarket front bumper.

Kilkeary said the usual protocol at his shop is to contact the customer to let him or her know the cost difference between the parts. “We will install those parts if the customer gives us permission to, but at the same time we make it perfectly clear to the customer that it’s not our policy, it’s not our decision and it’s not what we would recommend,” he said.

After 35 years running his shop, Kilkeary has found that in most cases the customer will opt to pay the difference to install OEM parts on their vehicle, which can equate to approximately a 20 percent increase in cost.

Kilkeary called the owner of the vehicle and told him that he would use the aftermarket parts on the truck but if anything went awry, the customer would need to address it with the insurance company. “I’m not going to be held responsible for a decision that someone else made,” said Kilkeary.

His customer decided to go ahead and have the car repaired with the aftermarket part. After it was installed, the techs found it did not fit like the factory Dodge bumper. When Kilkeary told Travelers that his customer wouldn’t accept the aftermarket bumper, the insurance company sent an appraiser back to the body shop.

Kilkeary was told to put a factory bumper on the truck and he would be paid for the labor to replace the part as

well as the cost difference between the OEM part and the aftermarket part.

However, he said he was not reimbursed for the markup on the part, which was $156.88 including tax. He filed a civil case in March 2013 for the markup fee and received a favorable settlement in March 2015.

Tim Kilkeary, owner of Kilkeary Auto Body in Eighty Four, PA

“The bottom line is if you’re doing something that they insist you do, you have to be diligent about getting paid for whatever it is,” said Kilkeary. “I don’t think any collision repair shop owner should allow any insurance company to come in and dictate to them how to run their business.”

A few months later after receiving the settlement, Kilkeary’s shop was involved in a similar situation. GEICO wrote an estimate on a 2007 Mazda 6 that included aftermarket headlights.

The shop notified the customer and he decided not to use the OEM parts. Kilkeary said there were some internal issues with the headlight and it wouldn’t aim properly. After contacting the appraiser, Kilkeary was told to replace it with a used headlight. When the part arrived, the shop found it was damaged. “By this time the car was held up for four days so we put a factory headlight on the car,” he said.

GEICO paid the difference between the list price of the parts as well as the labor to repair the vehicle.

“The issue on the Mazda repair became who is going to pay us the markup money on the aftermarket light and the used light — both of which they insisted we use,” said Kilkeary. “We submitted a supplement to them with the markup money on it and they refused to pay it.”

Kilkeary sued GEICO for $266.06 plus court costs and was awarded the full amount.

“Moving forward, we’ll have the ability to pursue an insurance carrier who chooses not to pay the same money for bad faith. We’ve now set

54 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

precedence and it has been established that they in fact owe the money,” said Kilkeary. “That markup money is the body shop’s, regardless of whether the parts get put on the car or not.”

“Each of the cases is similar in the sense that they involve aftermarket parts,” said Tom Vreeland, Kilkeary’s lawyer.

“I think Tim wants other shops to know that the expenses they incur for these kinds of requests by the insurance company should be compensated,” he said. “When they say, ‘install an aftermarket part,’ and it doesn’t fit, why is the burden on the mechanic to absorb that overhead expense?”

Vreeland advises shops to document their personnel costs for doing inventory and office paperwork. “They need to be able to document what their expenses are,” said Vreeland. “Some people might think $100 doesn’t seem like much, but it adds up. Multiply that times the number of situations that you have on an annual basis and that could be substantial money for some shops.”

“With all of the money I spent to win these lawsuits the only saving grace will be that I can get some infor-

mation to the rest of the industry that says, ‘Listen, the insurance companies knew they owned me that money,” said Kilkeary. “If they paid me, they will pay anyone else. You have to ask for it.”

Travelers Insurance and GEICO both declined to be interviewed for this article. Autobody News talked to Michael Barry from the Insurance Information Institute about who bears the cost of markup fees.

“U.S. auto insurers cumulatively pay the nation’s auto body repair shops billions of dollars a year to repair their policyholders’ vehicles,” said Michael Barry, vice president, media relations, Insurance Information Institute. “Those monies are used to pay auto body repair shops for the parts they purchase as well as their legitimate labor costs. Auto body repair shop markup fees are not an expense auto insurers should be absorbing.”

www.autobodynews.com

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www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 55

Axalta Enhances Nap-Guard®, Announces Role in North American International Auto Show Charity Preview On November 30, Axalta Coating Systems announced the enrichment of its Nap-Gard® fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) powder coatings. In addition, Axalta announced a new series of product designations with the reorganization of its Nap-Gard FBE powder coatings product line under a newly designated 72500 series.

The Nap-Gard 7-2500 series brings industry recognized FBE powder coatings into one group and expands the benefits of its thermosetting epoxy powder for onshore and offshore oil and gas pipelines. Combining Nap-Gard FBE powder coating product numbers 72500, 7-2501, 7-2508FG, 7-2508, and 7-2508LG into one family allows customers to choose the product needed for their application in the color they desire.

Nap-Gard 7-2500 series powders are National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified and meet ISO 21809-1 and CSA Z245.20.14 requirements.

“Axalta’s Nap-Gard FBE powder coatings have been used for more than 50 years to provide corrosion protection on underground and subsea pipelines,” said Meghan Hodge, Axalta Functional Global Product Marketing Manager.

“During the past year, Axalta has stream-

lined the manufacturing processes at our Houston manufacturing center. Our facility conversions have enabled Axalta to efficiently and effectively support our customers’ needs and provide enhancements to the Nap-Gard line.”

According to an Axalta press release, Nap-Gard series powder coatings are suitable for even the most demanding performance requirements set by industry standards and can be used as a single anti-corrosive layer or as the primer in a dual layer or multilayer system. This family of powders is fast curing, damage resistant, thermosetting and hazardous air pollutant (HAP)-free, and has excellent adhesion to steel with good chemical resistance.

To learn more about Nap-Gard 72500 series or other Nap-Gard products, visit Axalta’s website at www.axalta.us /powder On December 14, the automotive paint company announced that it will be the Presenting Sponsor of the Charity Preview at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

The NAIAS Charity Preview, which will take place on January 15, 2016, is

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consistently the largest single night fundraiser in the United States.

“We are pleased to be a part of NAIAS’s Annual Charity Preview,” said Steven Markevich, Axalta’s Executive Vice President and President of Transportation Coatings and Greater China. “We take pride in being able to support such an exceptional, international event that provides so much to numerous local charities. As a trusted partner in helping automakers develop the appearance and character of their vehicle brands, the Axalta team looks forward to adding a little color to this black-tie affair.”

“The Charity Preview is truly a remarkable experience and we’re thrilled to have Axalta involved as our Presenting Sponsor,” said Paul Sabatini, 2016 NAIAS Chairman. “Axalta is worldrenowned for its color expertise and we look forward to seeing what flare they add to our charity celebration.”

Axalta will also participate in many festivities during the preview week including the annual EyesOn Design program that benefits the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology and Axalta will announce its North American Automotive Color of the Year 2016.

PPG Launches DITZLER® Satin Clear Kit

PPG’s lineup of VIBRANCE COLLECTION® custom paint finishes has been expanded with the launch of DSC5250 DITZLER® Satin Clear Kit. The new kit includes a quart of VC5250 Ditzler Satin Clear and a half pint of VH7250 Ditzler Satin

Clear Hardener. With the addition of the appropriate PPG urethane reducer—based on VOC compliance— and a simple mix, it’s ready for spraying. The company said Ditzler Satin Clear provides a smooth and silky low-gloss finish and gives custom car builders more choices and possibilities in their designs and paint schemes.

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ICBC Selects Mitchell International as Strategic Material Damage Solution Provider

Mitchell International announced on December 2 that it has entered into a long-term agreement with Insurance Company of British Columbia (ICBC) to serve as their new material damage solution provider. Due to Mitchell and Guidewire Software’s strategic partnership, ICBC will have the advantage of leveraging the pre-built, advanced integrations between the Mitchell WorkCenter™ solution and Guidewire ClaimCenter® designed to achieve quicker implementation and lower overall total cost of ownership.

“Mitchell is proud to partner with ICBC, one of the largest insurance providers in Canada,” said Alex Sun, president and CEO at Mitchell International. “Our industry leading estimating and workflow platform will enhance ICBC’s material damage solution, providing complete estimating tools built to streamline and optimize the claims process for insurers, collision repair shops, and other vendors.”

Mitchell’s suite of solutions enables ICBC certified Express Repair facilities and claims personnel to better manage their customers and expedite service with a system that includes: ● Single workspace environment for ad-

justers to manage key claim activities; ● Automated estimating with integrated alternate part search capabilities; ● Comprehensive shop communication solution that facilitates the seamless transfer of documents including estimates, invoices, photos and reports; ● Repair status module to enable repair facilities to communicate the repair status and provide email and text notifications to customers ● A Total Loss solution that delivers verifiable total loss values

“After a rigorous strategic sourcing process, ICBC selected Mitchell as result of Mitchell having a comprehensive suite of solutions and their strong commitment to being a leading provider in Canada,” said Brian Jarvis, VP of claims at ICBC. “ICBC and Mitchell are excited to deliver an improved experience to our customers, business partners and employees through the implementation of Mitchell’s material damage solution. We also look forward to the opportunities of further integration of Guidewire ClaimCenter and Mitchell’s expert solutions, which will drive more efficiency and better user experiences.”

For more information, visit http:// www.mitchell.com/WorkCenter

Wind Storm Leaves WA Auto Body Shops Booked Through Mid-Jan

by Kaitlin Loukides, KREM.com

The record-setting wind storm that knocked out power to thousands and downed hundreds of trees did significant damage to vehicles as well.

While roofers are backlogged with repairs, auto body shops are as well. River City Body Shop is just one of many in Spokane that are slammed with storm damage calls.

Brianne Rasmussen, the shop manager at River City, said they are booked through mid-January.

“Because of that windstorm auto body shops around town are what you could honestly consider to be the ER of cars,” Rasmussen said, “and now because of the slick roads and the snow, it’s only getting busier.”

Countless tow trucks, and hundreds of cars still in the pipeline, she said body shops are only getting busier.

“Trees are now just starting to get off cars, so they’re just starting to bring them in,” she said. “And then the slick roads we’ve gotten because of the freezing rain, we’re writing estimates nonstop.”

She said she is seeing a large number of cars that suffered damage from

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roof shingles. Trees have totaled more cars than Rasmussen said she has ever seen.

“We had a dodge come in that was completely caved in,” she said.

Rasmussen’s advice is if you car is still driveable to consider yourself lucky.

Auto body shops in Spokane are backlogged trying to fix cars damaged by Nov. 17 wind storm. Credit: KREM

“Just get the estimate, get the ball rolling, and wait till you get in because everybody’s busy.”

The November 17 wind storm was one of the worst the Inland Northwest had seen. Two people died from the storm and many were without power, internet and other services through the Thanksgiving holiday.

We would like to thank KREM .com for reprint permission.

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www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 57

Freer Auto Body’s Cookies and Cocoa Event Held in IL to Help Others Have a Nice Holiday Freer Auto Body’s 8th annual Cookies and Cocoa for Community Christmas event was held in December at their Godfrey location in Illinois.

“It was a wonderfully successful event,” said Margaret Freer. “We collected $2,800 in cash, a lot of gift cards, 38 bikes and tons and tons of toys, coats, boots, etc.”

Taylor and Lily Freer received awards for their volunteer efforts during Freer Auto Body’s Cookies and Cocoa event in December

Cookies and Cocoa was started in December 2008 in memory of Margaret’s son, David, who died in an automobile accident September 11, 2008.

Her granddaughters, Taylor and Lily, came up with the idea with their grandmother and were presented with the 2015 Outstanding Community Christmas Volunteer and Fundraiser Award at the event. The two girls raised $24,500

at their “Sloppy Joe Christmas in July Sale” held earlier in the year.

“Many many families will have a nice Christmas due to our efforts,” said Margaret. “We have supported Community Christmas since we opened in 1991 and it was our son David’s favorite community project.” She said he would go after Christmas to local stores finding bargains and save until the next Community Christmas.

The Freers and their friends bake homemade cookies and make cocoa for those who come by with donations. Freer Auto Body, run by Margaret’s son Tim, is the largest supporter of the event, which is sponsored by the United Way and the Telegraph.

The agencies benefitting from the event include: Boys and Girls Club of Alton, Catholic Charities of Madison County, Catholic Childrens Home, WellSpring Resources, Charity Works, Childrens Home and Aid, Crisis Food Center, Illinois Center for Autism, Lutheran Child and Family Services, Oasis Women’s Center, Operation Blessings, Riverbend Community Food Pantry, Riverbend Family Ministries, Riverbend HeadStart & Family Services, Salvation Army, Villlage of Royal Lakes Concerned Citizens and Chriastian Social Services.

Margaret said the United Way will

Google Compare Sells Insurance Comparisons Only

Nicolas Weng Kan, CEO of Google Compare, told an audience of insurance professionals that “Google Compare is not becoming an Auto insurance carrier,” as reported by Rosalie Donlon writing at PropertyCasualty 360.com.

Speaking at the Annual Insurance Executive Conference held in New York City, Weng Kan said that Google wants to partner with carriers to make the buying experience better for the consumer while delivering more qualified leads to carriers, agents and brokers.

Google’s strength is in its ability to quantify search and analyze data, and the company wants to put that strength to use in a broad array of financial services, from insurance to banking, including credit cards and mortgages. Weng Kan explained that in building Google Compare, his team met with carriers and agents to build question sets to gather basic information from consumers as they began their hunt for Auto insurance.

The company also used focus groups to determine what customers want and need. What they heard over and over was that consumers were looking for an easy way to compare prices. “Why isn’t there a Kayak for auto insurance?” one focus group

member said. Google used that same concept to build Compare. “With Compare, we want to give customers accurate prices—not just estimates,” Weng Kan said.

The Internet is now the most common channel to get insurance information, and the search is moving rapidly to mobile. “Customers do their research on mobile but actually buy on their computer,” Weng Kan noted. According to Google’s research, in the first quarter of 2014, 41% of people who queried vehicle insurance-related terms did so from their mobile devices (phones and tablet). In the third quarter of 2015 that number jumped 12 percentage points to 53%.

Google Compare sees itself as a lead generation program that takes all the marketing risk and transfers qualified leads to the carriers, Weng Kan explained. Consumers are assured that their personal contact info isn’t passed along to the carriers until the consumer initiates the contact. If the customer does contact the insurer, the carrier only pays when the customer converts. “You only pay a flat rate per customer,” he assured the audience.

“It’s a negotiated rate, not a pay-perclick structure.”

58 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

use the money her granddaughters raised in July to buy additional items and grocery gift cards. “We have seen tragedy in our lives but we realized

The Freers collected toys, coats, boots and other gifts during the Cookies and Cocoa event at Freer Auto Body

God has blessed us also,” she said. “We have the very best family, customers and friends….very best ever. Our community has made us what we are today and we try to give back and make it a better place. If everyone would keep the Christmas spirit of giving, love and kindness in their hearts all year it would be a wonderful world. When you are blessed you need to pay it forward.”

Spanesi Benches & Jig System Approved for GM Vehicles

General Motors has approved Spanesi’s Benches and the Superstar Universal Jig system for structural repairs for the new Cadillac CT6. In addition to GM’s approval for the CT6, GM has approved Spanesi Benches to repair all GM vehicle models throughout the U.S. and Canada. GM requires that all facilities to use an approved holding system, with an approved bench, to repair collision damage on the CT6. Structural repair parts for the CT6 are only being distributed to GM certified shops that have approved tools and equipment. In addition, technicians must attend approved training to qualify for the CT6 certification. “We are proud to be approved

by GM for not only the Cadillac CT6, but for use on all GM vehicles,” stated Tim Morgan, managing director of Spanesi-Americas. “Built with aluminum and high-strength steels, the Cadillac CT6 requires the vehicle to be anchored securely using structural or suspension locations instead of the traditional pinch weld locations. Spanesi’s Superstar Universal Jig system easily meets these requirements, without having to purchase new equipment or rent fixtures.” To learn more, contact Spanesi at 224-SPANESI (772-6374), or visit www.spanesi.com.

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www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 59

Toyota, Honda Models Top Insurance Institute's Safest-Car List; VW is 3rd Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG had the most models rated among the safest U.S. vehicles in a year-end review by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Toyota led the industry with nine models on the institute’s list, followed

by Honda with eight and VW with seven. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles had the only U.S.-made car on the list, the Chrysler 200 midsize sedan.

A total of 48 car and SUVs got the institute’s safest car designation of “top safety pick plus.” Toyota’s vehicles on the list ranged from the $16,000 Scion iA to the Lexus RC, a large luxury car which retails for more than $40,000.

Honda models included the Accord sedan and Acura RDX luxury SUV. Among Volkswagen vehicles were the Jetta, Passat and Audi A3.

Recommendations from the safety group, which is funded by the insurance industry, are followed by car shoppers and automakers alike. They also provide a glimpse of the future as the criteria include elements that U.S. safety regulators announced this week they want to add to their ratings.

To get the institute’s highest designation, vehicles have to perform well in a tough offset frontal crash test and also offer automatic braking technol-

ogy. Three years ago, the group shifted to the test, in which a small part of a vehicle’s front end strikes a fixed barrier at 40 miles per hour, in an effort to reduce fatalities and injuries in crashes like those involving a off-road tree or utility pole. Insurance industry data showed this was a particularly deadly type of crash.

“As vehicles continue to improve, we think it’s important to recognize that progress and encourage further advances by making our ratings more stringent,” said Adrian Lund, CEO of the insurance institute.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Tuesday it will introduce a similar frontal offset crash test in its New Car Assessment Program. The auto-safety regulator is also introducing a new crash-test dummy with more sensitive injury sensors and would adjust its star ratings to include credit for crash-avoidance technologies.

In the insurance-industry ratings, some models that got the IIHS top safety designation last year fell off the list with 2016 models, because the institute shifted its minimum criteria from “acceptable,” its second-highest rating, to “good,” its highest. The models also had to offer automatic braking,

I-CAR Announced 2015 Recipients of Jeff Silver and Russ Verona Awards at SEMA ®

I-CAR® has announced the 2015 recipients of two of its industry awards at the 2015 SEMA Show. Among those honored wereJames Losel, recipient of the Jeff Silver Award; and Mike Loy’s Collision, recipient of the Russ Verona Award. The recognized individual and business both respectively exemplify the I-CAR spirit of professionalism, integrity and excellence.

“I-CAR awards are a wonderful way to celebrate those industry leaders who have made a big difference in helping us better serve the industry with the critical information and knowledge that contributes to complete, safe and quality repairs for the ultimate benefit of the consumer,” said John Van Alstyne, I-CAR CEO and president. “The response to these awards has been overwhelmingly positive as the industry recognizes exemplary models of what I-CAR stands for—being fiercely committed to reaching every collision repair professional.” I-CAR recognized the significant contributions of the following individuals and businesses during the Collision Industry Conference: ● The Jeff Silver Award was pre-

sented to James Losel who, just like the award’s namesake, embodies a true passion for training and professional growth. Individuals must hold an I-CAR Platinum™ certification for at least five years, promote the Platinum certification and training and bolster the collision industry’s positive image through their work.

Losel is an estimator for State Farm® Insurance, holds an I-CAR Platinum designation and is an ASE Master Technician. He is training the next generation of collision repair professionals through his work instructing and serving on the Erie Community College Advisory board. ● Mike Loy’s Collision, recipient of the Russ Verona Award, has been an I-CAR Gold Class® designated shop for 20 years. Owner Mike Loy is an active participant in several charities and I-CAR committees across Ohio and promotes Gold Class through local marketing channels. The award, named in honor of the first business leader whose business earned the Gold Class designation, recognizes businesses that demonstrate dedication and professionalism in the collision repair industry.

60 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

a crash-avoidance technology that will slow or stop a vehicle if it senses an www.autobodynews.com impending collision, even without the CHECK driver taking actions.IT OUT! VW touted the appearance of the 2016 Passat sedan on the IIHS list, after the company redesigned the car with a fully reinforced structure. Driver-assistance features like automatic braking, forward-collision alerts and a lane-departure warning are standard, the company said in a statement today.

The top-pick designation “demonTo advertise strates callVolkswagen’s Advertising longstanding Sales at: commitment to vehicle safety and the 800-699-8251 development of innovative technologies,” Mark McNabb, COO of Volke-mail: swagen of America Inc., said in the advertising@autobodynews.com statement. The car’s technology is www.autobodynews.com “unique to the segment and not typically seen outside the luxury market,” McNabb said.

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3M™ Introduces Impact Resistant Structural Adhesive

3M Automotive Aftermarket Division introduced 3M™ Impact Resistant The source for timely Structural Adhesive 07333 57333. information that/ every It is a two-part epoxy adhesive bodyanshop needs! that provides extended work time, but can be rapidly cured with heat.

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The company said the adhesive Register Y can address several of the issues vehicles encounter during collision repairs.

“We worked closely with General Motors Service Engineers and Materials Engineering for about three www.autobo years to develop this adhesive—a solution engineered to meet OEMs performance demands but designed specifically for the collision repair inRegister dustry,” said Jason Scharton, OEM Yo Business Development Manager for 4 Times 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division. “We have a long history working with OEMs to develop repair www.autobo products based on their needs for repair in the aftermarket.”

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American Honda is Among Industry Leaders with Eight Honda and Acura Vehicles Earning a 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK+ Rating from the IIIHS—New Crash Protection and Technology Requirements Factored into the Ratings

A total of eight Honda and Acura models have received the highest possible safety rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) under its more challenging crash protection and technology requirements implemented for the 2016 model year.

For model year 2016, four Honda models have earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating: the Accord Sedan, Accord Coupe, the CR-V sport-utility vehicle and the recently redesigned Honda Pilot SUV. The Odyssey minivan was named a TOP SAFETY PICK. Additionally, four 2016 Acura models, the ILX and RLX sedans and the MDX and RDX luxury SUVs, each have earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating.

Further, Honda anticipates that the just released 2016 Honda Civic Sedan will also receive a top rating from the IIHS. “The fundamental notion of vehicle safety is evolving and with technologies like some of those in Honda Sensing and AcuraWatch, we are pursuing our vision to reduce and, ultimately, to eliminate vehicle collisions,” said John Mendel, executive vice president, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “This is one of our biggest challenges and an essential element of our commitment to making products that im-

prove the lives of people.”

The baseline requirements for both IIHS awards are GOOD ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as a standard or optional front crash prevention system.

The recipients of the “plus” award have a superior- or advanced-rated front crash prevention system with automatic braking capabilities. These vehicles must stop or slow down without driver intervention before hitting a target in tests at 12 mph, 25 mph or both. Models with a basic-rated front crash prevention system, which typically only issues a warning and doesn’t brake, qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK. Honda and Acura vehicles offer a broad range of active and passive safety features along with leading edge safetyand driver-assistive technologies that can take action to help avoid a collision or mitigate its severity. The AcuraWatch™ suite of technologies is now available across the full Acura lineup, while Honda Sensing™ is available on a growing list of Honda brand vehicles, now including the 2015 and 2016 CR-V, 2016 Pilot, 2016 Accord Sedan and Coupe, and all-new 2016 Civic Sedan. Core AcuraWatch™ and Honda Sensing™

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technologies include Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS).

Additionally, all new Honda and Acura models come with a multi-angle rearview camera as standard equipment.

Standard safety equipment on all Honda and Acura models includes the Advance Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); side curtain airbags (most vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor as well); dualstage, multiple-threshold front airbags; and front side airbags.

American Honda has a long history of leadership in the development and application of advanced technologies designed to enhance the safety of all road users, including automobile occupants, motorcycle riders and pedestrians. The company operates two of the world’s most sophisticated crash test facilities, in Ohio and Japan, and is responsible for numerous pioneering efforts in the areas of crashworthiness, airbag technology, collision compatibility and pedestrian safety.

Based in part on advancements to

Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, Honda is a leader in third-party crash test ratings within the industry. The company also is broadly applying advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies such as LaneWatch, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning to its product lineup. Also, all Honda and Acura vehicles have applied a rearview camera as standard equipment since the 2015 model year.

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Hyundai-Kia Involved in OIN Patent Non-Agression

Open Invention Network (OIN), the largest patent non-aggression community in history, announced today that Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation are joining OIN as community members. Recognized as leaders in quality and innovation, Hyundai and Kia are the first global automobile brands to join OIN. Their industry leadership and participation in OIN will pioneer open source innovation and patent non-aggression in the rapidly evolving automotive and Internet-of-Things platforms.

“The pace of adoption of Linux and open source technologies in the intelligent vehicle and Internet-of-Things industries is unprecedented. While automotive and consumer device manufacturers have historically designed and built proprietary platforms from the ground-up, these communities are benefiting from the innovation and collaboration inherent in open technologies that speed new features, drive quality, power interoperability and lower costs,” said Keith Bergelt, CEO of Open Invention Network. “We greatly appreciate Hyundai-Kia Motors’ automotive industry leadership in joining OIN and supporting patent non-aggression. Hyundai and Kia are demonstrating their commitment to

open source software and the associated development efforts that benefit the automotive market, consumer device industries and ultimately consumers.” “We believe Linux and open source technologies are increasingly important in today’s intelligent vehicles,” said Eon Youl Shin, Director of Intellectual Property Development Group at Hyundai Motor Company.

“Hyundai-Kia Motors are both committed to offering the highestquality, intelligent vehicle platforms that leverage Linux and open source technologies. By joining the Open Invention Network, we will use the opportunity to further develop its infotainment platform. Moreover, we will help to ensure the ongoing development of open solutions that stimulate growth in the automotive industry.” OIN’s community practices patent non-aggression in core Linux and adjacent open source technologies by cross-licensing Linux System patents to one another on a royalty-free basis. Patents owned by Open Invention Network are similarly licensed royalty-free to any organization that agrees not to assert its patents against the Linux System.

The OIN license can be signed online at http://www.j-oin.com/.

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 61

Zara’s Collision Center in Illinois Gives Away Olds Alero as Part of Benevolence Program Mahogony Wilson, a single mother trying to coordinate a work schedule and daycare without a vehicle, will now have one of her primary goals met thanks to Zara’s Collision Center’s Benevolence Program.

Wilson, a front desk clerk at Courtyard by Marriott, and her three-year-old daughter Aniya were presented a refur-

care without relying on cabs … and giving us more money because we won’t be paying for cab rides. It means I won’t need to depend on public transportation when I get off work at 11 at night. Next year, I plan to start my own business and return to school. Having a vehicle means that can really happen now. We’re so excited!”

Zara’s was originally alerted to Wilson’s need for a vehicle by the staff of Contact Ministries who were impressed by her self-direction, work ethic, and devotion to being a role model and building a stable environment for her daughter.

“The determination to make a better life for herself and her daughter was already part of who Mahogony is,” said Julie Zara, co-owner of Brad Zara, Mahogony Wilson, daughter Aniya, and Zara’s Collision Center.

Julie Zara “What’s truly exciting for us bished 1999 Olds Alero. The vehicle was at Zara’s is that something so taken for unwrapped on December 9 during a granted as a vehicle by most of us is such luncheon ceremony of 150 attendees at a tremendous springboard for the future Zara’s Collision Center in Springfield, dreams of Mahogony.”

IL. It is the 17th year that Zara’s has “I returned to Springfield this past purchased at least one vehicle, restored year from Ohio to give my daughter a it to pristine condition, and then donated better life,” said Wilson. “A vehicle the vehicle to an individual in need. means I can pick up Aniya from day- Over the course of those years, Zara’s

Integration Between PartsTrader and Axalta’s ProfitNet Said to Simplify Tasks for Body Shops

PartsTrader has announced an integration between the PartsTrader platform and the ProfitNet™ Management System. ProfitNet is a product from Axalta Coating Systems, the leading global manufacturer of liquid and powder coatings. The new ProfitNet™ Collision Shop Management System (CSMS) interface is a two-way electronic interface between the ProfitNet Management System and PartsTrader that helps eliminate redundant tasks between the two systems. Key information needed for parts procurement and order status can now seamlessly be transferred between parts vendors and collision shops using the ProfitNet Management System.

The ProfitNet CSMS is a software program is designed to measure and manage all aspects of the collision repair business. The program provides collision shop owners with detailed operational and financial information needed to make decisions regarding the productivity and profitability of their businesses.

“By partnering with Axalta, PartsTrader continues in its commitment to streamlining the parts procurement process with this integration between two industry leading platforms,” said Dale Sailer, PartsTrader’s Vice President

of Business Development. “Collision repairers who use both PartsTrader and the ProfitNet CSMS are positioned to achieve additional savings. The improved margins that PartsTrader can help collision repair shops achieve, combined with the reduced administration costs by using the ProfitNet CSMS, are designed to result in bottom line profits for our mutual customers.”

“Currently, PartsTrader software is widely used by Axalta customers via their estimating platforms,” stated Tom McGarry, Axalta’s North American Information Technology Services Manager.

“Now they can easily use much of the PartsTrader functionality from within the ProfitNet CSMS, thereby saving time and eliminating potential errors from double entries. Axalta is dedicated to enhancing the ProfitNet CSMS with the latest technology to help lower shops’ administrative costs by providing a management solution that is affordable, easy to use and communicates with all industry software partners including parts procurement software, Customer Satisfaction Index services, dealership management software, paint software, auto rental services and accounting software.”

62 JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

has given away nearly 30 vehicles. A comprehensive maintenance check is done to verify the vehicle’s safety and reliability.

Typically, a lot of time is spent searching for the vehicles, then purchasing them from the owners or salvage yards. Many times vehicles are provided by people in the commu-

Nearly 70 donors contributed to the program this year for items such as vehicle repair, paint material, mechanical work, gift cards, and monetary gifts exceeding $7,600. “Many of our team here at Zara’s have contributed everything from time and talents to purchasing toys and gifts for the family,” said Zara.

Zara’s Collision Center is one of the original Akzo Nobel Acoat® Selected shops refurbishing and then giving away vehicles to deserving individuals. That founding program has inspired other national organizations to start similar programs collectively donating nearly 200 vehicles in 2015.

“The focus of the program is individuals who are workMahogony Wilson and daughter Aniya in the totally ing to help themselves,” said refurbished 1999 Olds Alero Zara. “To be eligible, a pernity who have heard about Zara’s son must have a valid driver’s license, Benevolence Program. In the case of a good driving record, and a verified the Olds Alero refurbished for Wilson, need for a vehicle.”

The certifications that follow assure it was damaged in an accident and Zara’s purchased the vehicle from the that Zara’s possesses the proper tools, owner with the intent to refurbish it for equipment, facilities, and trained staff required to repair the vehicle brands to the the Benevolence Program.

Zara’s vendors, employees, precise specifications to ensure the fit, friends, family and insurance agents finish, durability, value, and safety of the also actively support the program. vehicles.

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BASF Hires Tim Dawe as New Sales Director

Timothy P. Dawe joined BASF Automotive Refinish as the new sales director for North America. Previously, Dawe was the managing director for Axalta in China.

“Tim’s extensive experience and knowledge of the automotive refinish industry will enable him to immediately start to drive growth for BASF and our distribution partners,” said Paul Whittleston, BASF VP for Automotive Refinish & Industrial Coating Solutions in North America. “This is a new position that will provide additional focus for our commercial team.”

Dawe has more than 30 years of experience in Automotive Refinish. He began his career at DuPont Performance Coatings in 1980. In 2011, he was named business director for Axalta in Greater China and managing director in 2013.

“Spending time in China emphasized the importance of listening to customers and developing relationships with them. My primary focus at BASF is to work with our sales team and key distribution partners to grow the business,” said Dawe.

For information, visit www .basfrefinish.com

Chinese Carmaker Cowin Pioneers Crowdsourcing

China has become the world's largest market for automobiles, with over 100 million vehicles currently registered. Major auto manufacturers worldwide regard the country as a key market and have been aggressively competing for market share through a combination of directly imported vehicles and those made by joint ventures locally in the country.

Models manufactured by joint ventures have led to further reductions in car prices, putting huge pressure on China's homegrown auto brands. As a result, the homegrown brands have been looking at transforming their businesses, in the hope of finding a new path for development. An illustration of that effort can be found at Cowin Auto, a Wuhu-based carmaker established in January 2014. This relatively new entrant into the field has tried out a new idea that is gaining traction: applying the crowdsourcing model to the design of an automobile by outsourcing the work of the design of the vehicle to the public via the Internet. The carmaker asks members of the general public to vote for the most popular model and then follows on the results of the poll to put the winning design into mass production.

PPG Announces Sponsorship of Women’s Industry Network

PPG has become a gold-level sponsor of the Women’s Industry Network (WIN®). WIN is dedicated to encouraging, developing and cultivating opportunities to attract women to the collision repair industry. The organization offers mentorship programs and educational conferences designed to provide members with the skills required for professional success. WIN also works to promote leadership, recognize excellence and foster a strong network among women who are actively shaping the industry.

“PPG is proud to support WIN,” said DeCamp. “WIN’s slogan is ‘She Knows Collision Repair,’ and we at PPG agree. The programs WIN provides help make its members valuable contributors to our industry. WIN, in its advocate role, is making a positive impact on our industry—making it more productive, more professional, more progressive. It is an honor to be a WIN sponsor.”

Established in 2006, WIN currently has a membership of more than 400 professionals. The next national WIN meeting will be May 2, 2016–May 4, 2016, at Hilton Tampa Downtown, Tampa, FL. See http:// thewomensindustrynetwork.ning.com

EMM’s Colad Optimus & Colad Advanced Cut Introduced

EMM recently introduced Colad Optimus and Colad Advanced Cut. The company said Colad Optimus offers a quick and safe abrasive solution to eliminate paint defects and achieve a prepared surface before polishing, resulting in a high-gloss finish and lower polishing times.

Using silicon carbide grain, Colad Optimus is an abrasive solution that can be used during wet as well as dry sanding. The pad can be rinsed and reused several times before losing its sanding properties. The velcro back indicates the abrasive grit and makes the pad suitable to use over and over again on velcro as well as hand support pads.

The open structure and knitted back of the pad prevent the risk of clogging and make it flexible and suitable for polishing angles and curved surfaces. This eliminates the risk of pressure marks in the paint, caused by uneven pressure during sanding.

The company said Colad Advanced Cut removes difficult scratches and paint defects. The solvent- and silicone-free cutting compound does not require masking before being applied.

For information, contact sales@ emm.com or your local Colad dealer or visit www.emm.com.

First Autonomous Buses Will Hit the Road In Spring 2016, Swiss Company Says it Can Control Fleets

As driverless cars continue to undergo testing on the streets, one company is applying the technology to public transportation. Swiss startup BestMile has developed a system to control fleets of autonomous vehicles, which the company compares to the functionality of an airport control tower. The company acquired its first commercial contract by teaming up with PostBus (known as CarPostal to the Swiss French), a major bus operator in Switzerland and France.

BestMile was founded in January 2014, and since then the new company and the research university have been working together to develop algorithms for autonomous public transportation.

These buses will face traffic, pedestrians, and other obstacles and must deal with them in a safe and efficient manner. The autonomous system must be reliable, flexible, and able to function alongside existing transport systems.

BestMile’s software will allow the operators of these vehicles to be able to monitor, control, and optimize their fleet remotely in real time as needed.

BestMile cofounder Anne Koymans cites a leading developer of autonomous vehicles as an influence that

led to the company’s first commercial project. “There is a lot of interest for driverless mobility solutions, partly thanks to Google,” Koymans said in an interview with The Local. “Cities are interested but also public transport operators and the interest is increasing.”

Koymans points out that while Google aims to put more driverless cars on the road, BestMile is focusing purely on public transportation.

There will also be development in what she calls “the last mile,” meaning the leg of a user’s journey between their stop and destination.

BestMile has been seeking funding to improve its developing technology. Previous successful projects include CityMobil2, a pilot platform for automated road transport systems.

Autonomous buses carrying up to nine passengers will be introduced to the city of Sion, Valais in spring 2016, and will undergo two years of testing. The electricity-powered buses themselves will be manufactured by French manufacturer Nayva.

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Quality Parts Coalition Says Consumers Have Saved $363M By Using Aftermarket Parts On Dec. 2 the Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) has released a new report which it says confirms the significant price gap between OEM and aftermarket collision repair parts. The report revealed that American consumers saved more than $363 million by using aftermarket parts rather than OE parts during the past five years.

The report, titled Competition Drives Real Consumer Savings in Collision Repair, examined 100 of the top most commonly sold certified collision repair parts from 2009-2014 using data from the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA). Research showed that the independently-produced certified parts were, on average, 27 percent

less expensive than their car company brand counterparts with a cost difference as large as 68 percent or $502.04.

“It’s clear that independent auto parts are driving competition in the auto repair parts market and that consumers are reaping the benefits,” said Ed Salamy, executive director of the QPC. “That’s why it’s important to ensure the industry stays competitive and continues to pass along savings to consumers.”

In recent years, the QPC says automakers have increasingly secured design patents on individual collision repair parts to limit the availability of independently-produced counterparts, forcing consumers to pay car compa-

nies more to fix their vehicles.

Bipartisan companion legislation which the QPC claims would fix design patent law to safeguard consumers against price gouging has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representative and the Senate. The QPC states that the Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales (PARTS) Act of 2015 (H.R. 1057 and S. 560) would preserve consumer choice for auto collision repair parts and protect more than 60 years of competition that has existed in the collision repair parts market. The QPC claims that if the competition for parts were eliminated, insured loss costs could increase by as much as $1.5 billion.

“Consumers save big when there’s a competitive marketplace,” said Jack Gillis, director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation of America.

“Major car companies are trying to disrupt the status quo by limiting competition in order to grow their profits at the expense of the average American.”

QPC hosted an informational briefing on Dec. 1st for House and Senate staff members on the importance of passing the PARTS Act. To learn more about the QPC and the PARTS Act, download the report at http://www.keepautopartsaffordable.org /sites/all/themes/framework/pdf_resouce/ price_analysis_research_report_11.19.155.pdf.

Two suburban Detroit dealerships have been quietly re-entering the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US network after more than six years away, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ended a long legal battle over their reinstatement. Colleen McDonald, president of Livonia Chrysler Jeep, said the dealership reopened about 2½ weeks ago and will host a formal grand opening in January. The location had operated for several years as Livonia Mitsubishi while the battle over her Chrysler dealer fran-

chise license lingered in court. McDonald said the company has finished a remodeling and returned to flying the Chrysler flag earlier this month. Also soon to reopen is Fox Hills Chrysler Jeep in Plymouth Township, which had fought alongside Livonia in litigation over the Chrysler dealer license terminations since 2010.

The Fox Hills dealership owned James Schebil has been undergoing its own remodeling and is expected to reopen in January, Township Supervisor Shan-

non Price said.

“Every day it gets better. Our neighbors in the area and the city of Livonia have been incredibly welcoming, and have been telling us, ‘We’re so glad you’re back,’” McDonald said of reopening the Livonia dealership.

“It’s good to be working with (FCA) again as well. Before now we were only dealing with each other through attorneys.

Now the attorneys are gone and we’re interacting again with the business office

again and the company’s been wonderful and very supportive. They just want to sell cars—and so do we.”

Some 32 dealers, including five in Michigan, won reinstatement via a federal arbitration process in 2010, but various lawsuits dragged on for years over what those victories actually meant.

Chrysler originally terminated 789 dealers as part of its 2009 bankruptcy reorganization, reducing its dealer count at the time to about 2,400.

2 Fiat Chrysler Dealerships, Closed After Years of Bankruptcy Litigation, Are Reopening

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Cadillac to Launch Aluminum Repair Network

Cadillac announced on December 2 the creation of the Cadillac Aluminum Repair Network in conjunction with the upcoming production of the Cadillac CT6 at the end of 2015. According to Cadillac, the Cadillac CT6 uses an advanced mixed material approach for its lightweight body structure. The aluminum intensive structure also includes 11 different materials to achieve strength, performance and efficiency thresholds virtually unmatched among the world’s elite luxury performance sedans.

The new architecture, materials and joining methods used to create the CT6 will require the collision repair industry to prepare accordingly.

The Cadillac Aluminum Repair Network will ensure that authorized collision repair facilities have the required tools, equipment, processing procedures, and training to properly repair the Cadillac CT6 using the new mixed material, aluminum intensive construction.

To ensure the authorized collision repair facilities in the network are qualified to repair the Cadillac CT6, all requirements (training, tools, facilities, etc.) will be audited through an extensive verification process.

To participate in the Cadillac Alu-

minum Repair Network, authorized dealers and independent body shops will undergo annual audits as part of their continuation in the program.

These audits will provide Cadillac with a process to verify the shop’s compliance with the network requirements. It also establishes a level of consistency between all participating shops that allows Cadillac to promote the Cadillac Aluminum Repair Network to Cadillac CT6 owners.

Training will be primarily web based and orchestrated through a combined effort between GM and I-CAR. In addition, GM will support the collision repair industry by offering the CT6 collision repair information at no charge.

Information on the Cadillac Aluminum Repair Network will be available on www.genuinegmparts.com in the first quarter of 2016 technical documents, service bulletins, paint information, warranty information, VIN, and other information will be available.

Axalta Coating Systems, LLC has been selected to provide implementation and ongoing support for the program. Axalta provides extensive industry expertise in the creation and support of collision repair networks.

www.autobodynews.com | JANUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 65

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