AASP-MN News January 2024

AASP-MN Members!

Watch your mailboxe s for MEMBERSHIP

RENEWAL INFO! January 2024

BRIDGING

THE GAP in Promoting Automotive Service and Collision Repair Careers

AASP-MN Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference Announced The Legislative Year Ahead grecopublishing.com

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CREATING TOGETHER

CONTENTS Vol. 33 No. 1

AASP-MN News is the official publication of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota, Inc. 1970 Oakcrest Ave., Suite 102 Roseville, MN 55113 Phone: 612-623-1110 Fax: 612-623-1122 email: aasp@aaspmn.org website: aaspmn.org. To keep its readers better informed, AASP-MN News allows its columnists to fully express their opinions. All views expressed are not necessarily those of the publication. AASP-MN News is published by Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. ©2023 All rights reserved. Cover image www.istockphoto.com.

AASP of Minnesota is an association of independently-owned automotive service businesses and industry suppliers dedicated to improving the state’s automotive service industry and the success of its members.

AASP-MN BOARD MEMBERS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE..................................................... 4 New Year Renewal

by Linden Wicklund, AASP-MN Executive Directo LEGISLATIVE UPDATE......................................................................... 5 The Legislative Year Ahead

by Sam Richie & Shannon K. Mitchell, AASP-MN Lobbyists

2023 - 2024

LOCAL NEWS...................................................................................... 6

PRESIDENT Mike McLynn

NATIONAL NEWS ................................................................................ 8

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Jesse Jacobson

AASP-MN MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION ............................................... 10 RACE FOR AUTOMOTIVE EDUCATION REGISTRATION ...................... 11

SECRETARY-TREASURER Aaron Swanson

D.E.G. TIPS .......................................................................................... 12

COLLISION DIVISION DIRECTOR Travis Doyle

COVER STORY .................................................................................... 14 MNCARS: Bridging the Gap in Promoting Automotive Service and Collision Repair Careers

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

MECHANICAL DIVISION DIRECTOR Dan Gleason ASSOCIATE DIVISION DIRECTOR Paul Yager COLLISION SEAT Shannon Christian MECHANICAL SEATS Tim Kruse Randy Notto

COMPLETE HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY SERVICES (C.H.E.S.S.) ....................................................................................... . 18 Locked and Blocked

by Janet L. Keyes WOMEN’S INDUSTRY NETWORK UPDATE .......................................... 20 2024 WIN Conference Registration Now Open CASH IN ON YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS! ............................................. 22 Aramark Is Now Vestis

STAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Linden Wicklund

UPCOMING EVENTS

OFFICE MANAGER Jodi Pillsbury PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 244 Chestnut St., Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110 PHONE: 973-667-6922 FAX: 973-235-1963 PUBLISHER Thomas Greco | thomas@grecopublishing.com SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli | alicia@grecopublishing.com EDITORIAL & CREATIVE COORDINATOR Alana Quartuccio | alana@grecopublishing.com MANAGING EDITOR Chasidy Rae Sisk | chasidy@grecopublishing.com OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco | donna@grecopublishing.com PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Joe Greco | joe@grecopublishing.com www.grecopublishing.com

INSURANCE I.Q. .................................................................................. 16 Key Benefits of Return-to-Work Programs

@grecopublishing

First Wednesday Each Month, 8am – 9:30am Southern Metro Collision Shop Meeting Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount

Third Tuesday Each Month, 9:30am - 10:30am Mechanical Monthly Morning Zoom Meetup

Second Wednesday Each Month, 7:30am – 9:30am Third Thursday Each Month, 9:30am - 10:30am Central MN Area Collision Repair Alliance Meeting Collision Monthly Morning Zoom Meetup APH Headquarters, St. Cloud

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX AAA Parts....................................................... 7 AkzoNobel...................................................... 2 Aramark.......................................................... 21 Capital One.................................................... 19 Dentsmart....................................................... 9 Goliath.................................................................. 13 Inver Grove Honda........................................... 12 Inver Grove Toyota.......................................... 12 Keystone......................................................... 13

AASP-MN News

Maplewood Toyota...................................... 21 Mills Parts Center.......................................... 19 Mopar.............................................................. 20 Morrie’s .......................................................... 17 Proven Force........................................................ OBC Straight & Square......................................... 5, 22 Thomas Greco Publishing.......................... 19 Toyota Group................................................ 17 WIN.................................................................. 20

January 2024 | 3

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

New Year Renewal

By Linden Wicklund, AASP-MN Executive Director

Happy New Year! Hopefully you got some down time over the holidays that helped to open your brain space. Have you been reflecting on all that has happened over the past year and thinking about what you want to achieve in the next year? Are your business and personal goals intermingled or starkly separated? Are you gearing up, coasting in neutral or pausing to fully recalibrate?

Over the past year, there has been one emerging theme that has stood out to me: different shop owners/ managers thrive in different phases of the organizational life cycle. Not only do they excel in one area over another, but they can also be quick to be skeptical of others not striving for the same. The traditional organizational life cycle model includes five phases: start-up, growth, maturity, renewal and decline. It is tempting to focus on the life cycle of the organization itself, but step back and think about where you are in your own career and which segment of the cycle best fits where you are or want to be.

Now, what about the multi-shop organization? It is very interesting to watch the leaders who thrive in the start-up space and can harness this energy by bringing a shop to maturity and then take on another location to go through the process again. These leaders are very different from those in the revival stage, looking to reinvent and refocus the same shop in new ways. Both these stages are inherently entrepreneurial in nature.

Growth and maturity require steadier engagement and energy, and a leader who isn’t seeking radical new challenges, which is why everyday management is often shared with other team members as the top leader tweaks and adjusts for a smooth path forward. These two stages are uphill and can last for decades, as can the tenure of the employees that make them possible.

In my version of this infographic, both renewal and decline are downhill. Renewal often requires

Maturity Growth

Decline

Start-Up

Renewal 4 | January 2024

acknowledgment that major changes are needed to become something new, and this draws on the downward momentum to pop up ready to move into the growth phase, just as the start-up does. Decline is rarely sudden, which is why it can scare leaders. Think of it this way, a mature organization that has held the same gross revenue for over a decade, particularly the last one, hasn’t maintained alongside inflation and is thus actually slowly declining. However, if it doesn’t scare you, decline can look like a well-executed and deliberate engine breaking down a scenic mountainside.

So, what happens when organizations and their team members, including leadership, are best suited for different points of the life cycle? This is the root cause of much of the workforce anxiety I have seen over the past year. When the team and the organization need different things, it can be de-stabilizing. Shops that have been enjoying maturity along with their master technicians can’t suddenly replace them with entry level technicians and keep operating in the same way. Shops that have been in start-up or growth mode likely have become well versed in growing team members. Finding, onboarding and training talented people requires growth energy.

Retaining and rotating in strong talent requires mature stable energy. Renewal energy is disruptive, so it can come along with a shift in leadership and can cause staff turnover since those who thrive by maintaining rarely thrive in environments of change.

Which life cycle phase do you thrive in or strive for?

Are you jumping into reinvention and looking around critically at those who took the off-ramp to decline?

Have you found the best way to feed your start-up style is to open new locations instead of pulling the current ones through unnecessary renewal? Are you focused on elevating your team, so you aren’t left with a leadership gap just as you start to enjoy the benefits of running a mature shop?

While this dynamic plays out in individual shops, there certainly are other factors and overarching themes in the industry. There are lots of shops run by baby-boomers, so there is a big focus in the industry on the decline lifecycle phase in shops leading to the sale of independents to conglomerates as those shop owners look to retire. And lots of fear around the shortage of technicians as the baby-boomer master techs retire in large numbers. So yes, this is a time when we are witnessing major changes in the workforce and ownership models. Being able to recognize where your company is in its lifecycle and how that relates to your own leadership style can make a big difference in how you plan.

AASP-MN News

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The Legislative Year Ahead

by Sam Richie & Shannon K. Mitchell, AASP-MN Lobbyists

The legislative session is quickly approaching, set to start on February 12. During the extended off-season, organizations, municipalities and businesses have been fine tuning their legislative agendas, while legislators meet with constituents, organizations and host fundraisers.

The second year of the biennium traditionally focuses on assembling a bonding bill (capital improvement projects) and passing bills dealing with policy rather than finance bills, as the two-year budget was already set during the first year of the biennium. The second year of the biennium also means that the same lawmakers will be returning, in contrast to the previous year, which saw over 30 percent new legislators following the November 2022 elections. We will have the same committee structure, the same committee chairs and the same political dynamics as we dealt with in 2023.

The DFL will continue to control both chambers of the legislature along with the Governor’s office. The DFL passed significant legislation last year, including paid family leave, legal adult cannabis use and historic housing and education funding, to name a few. This year, it is likely that some of those larger pieces of legislation, such as legal cannabis and paid family leave, will see legislative changes to improve implementation. We will track these policy bills and provide

updates and opportunities for input as AASP-MN members are employers who need to know and understand these changes.

While the budget is already set, there will likely be a modest supplemental budget process because the November state forecast included a surplus. The forecast was $800 million higher than recent estimates, which results in a $2.4 billion surplus in the current biennium. As a traditional bonding year, the Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader, and Governor have already discussed a potential bonding/capital investment bill and how much funding will go to it. The bonding bill, if there is bipartisan support, could total up to $1.7 billion. If DFL lawmakers are not able to reach agreement with their Republican counterparts, then the DFL will likely move forward with a cash-only bill that would be smaller but would not require any Republican votes to pass.

While the budget forecast was optimistic about the current biennium, showing a healthy surplus, the forecast did reveal structural imbalances that could emerge starting in the 2026-27 biennium. The projected shortfalls would continued on pg. 21

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January 2024 | 5

LOCAL NEWS

From the AASP-MN Board of Directors & Staff!

We Need You! AASP-MN is looking for automotive industry professionals who are interested in advancing the industry by serving in leadership positions on the Alliance’s Board of Directors and Advisory Committees.

If you have a personal interest or would like to nominate someone else to fill one of these positions, nominations must be received by February 20. To be considered, an individual must be nominated by five or more Regular Members. The Nominating Committee may also nominate a person whose name was not submitted by the Regular Members.

If, by Feb 20, only one person has been nominated to fill the open seat(s) on the Board of Directors, the person so nominated shall be declared to have been elected to the Board without further action. If more than one person has been nominated to fill these positions, the Nominating Committee will prepare an electronic ballot setting forth the names of the persons who have been nominated and send it to the Regular Members by March 10.

There are also several positions open on the Collision, Mechanical and Associate Advisory Committees, as well as the Government/Regulatory Affairs Committee. If you are interested in serving on any of the committees above, please contact the Nominating Committee Chair, Jesse Jacobson, at (651) 403-9148 or jesse.jacobson@ heppnersautobody.com or the Alliance office at (612) 623-1110 or aasp@aaspmn.org by February 20.

Note: Only an individual representative of a member which performs collision work may be nominated to fill a Collision Division Seat, and only an individual representative of a member which performs auto service work may be nominated to fill a Mechanical Division Seat.

AASP-MN Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference Announced The Alliance is pleased to announce its Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference will be held March 27 – 28 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, Plymouth.

This year’s conference, with the theme “The Shop of Tomorrow,” will be filled with practical advice for today and insights into major factors that shape the future for shops. Topics will range from changes in the workforce to the impact of the economy to industry disruptions and innovations. Here’s what’s in store: March 27th Pre-conference Workshops • Skills-Based Hiring Practices & Retention Solutions, presented by Rework America Alliance • Estimates, Insurance Relationships & MN Insurance Law, panel discussion March 28th Full Day Conference • There will be peer-led round tables, panels of experts, and talented speakers.

• Keynote speaker Dr. Mellisa Furman will be presenting on how the critical differences between generations will alter the way shops manage both team and customer communications.

• Extended time will be provided for round tables and networking with peers and exhibitors.

• Breakouts designed for team members from across your organization, so take advantage of group discounts and get the most out of this dynamic event!

Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West (Plymouth) is conveniently located in an outer ring suburb, so no in-city driving required! Room rates are discounted and there is free parking!

AASP-MN’s Automotive Scholarships Up for Grabs The Alliance will be awarding scholarships to select students enrolled in post-secondary automotive (auto service or collision repair) programs. Scholarship awards will be $500 - $1,500 per student and can be applied toward tuition or tool purchases.

Applicants must be enrolled in a Minnesota-based ASE-accredited automotive program in the fall of 2024.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of industry

Minnesota Careers in Auto Repair & Service (MNCARS) MNCARS is a non-profit organization established in 2016

by AASP-MN. Its sole purpose is to promote careers in the automotive industry, recruit young people into the state’s college-level automotive service and collision repair programs and, ultimately, into industry workplaces.

Get out and get active in your local community promoting industry careers!

Take advantage of the resources in the MotorMouth toolbox at

carcareers.org/motor-mouth.

6 | January 2024

AASP-MN News

representatives, with consideration given to scholastic achievement, education, career goals, financial need and written recommendations.

Applications must be submitted electronically or postmarked no later than March 31, 2024.

Applications can be downloaded from the Alliance’s website, aaspmn.org/scholarships or submitted online at automotivescholarships.com/ scholarships/alliance. Online submissions give students the opportunity to compete for several different awards, including those offered by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation Scholarship Committee and over 40 other automotive aftermarket organizations and companies.

Specific requirements for each organization’s awards can be found at automotivescholarships.com.

The Automotive Education Fund was established in 2002 to provide financial resources to support automotive students, enhance automotive programs and raise awareness of career opportunities in the independent automotive service industry. Since that time, nearly $330,000 has been invested in student scholarships, SkillsUSA and automotive education programs throughout the state. In 2016, AASPMN’s efforts to attract a future workforce expanded significantly with the creation of Minnesota Careers in Automotive Repair and Service (MNCARS), a statewide marketing and outreach initiative to encourage high school students to pursue an education and career in the automotive service and collision repair industry. Visit carcareers.org to learn more.

Sponsors are rewarded by increased visibility and recognition within the Alliance membership and industry at-large. It’s a great way to stand out, expand marketing dollars and connect with the best shops in the industry.

If you are interested in sponsoring any events in 2024, sponsorship information can be found on the Alliance’s website, aaspmn.org or by calling the office at (612) 623-1110.

2024 Membership Dues Are Due!

Annual membership renewals were mailed January 1. Your timely payment will save the Alliance additional costs and time incurred with re-billing and other collection efforts. We would much rather be dedicating those resources to programs and initiatives to improve the automotive service industry – and your business. Thank you for your continued support!

Sponsorship Support Needed for AASP-MN’s Education & Events in 2024 Sponsorships are now available for AASP-MN education and events in 2024. Sponsorships help the Alliance deliver quality programs and keep registration fees affordable.

AASP-MN News

January 2024 | 7

NATIONAL NEWS

www.langmarketing.com

2024 Repair-Age Sweet-Spot Boosts ICE Aftermarket The repair-age sweet-spot (cars and light trucks six to 10 years old) contains vehicles averaging the highest annual replacement rates for many automotive products.

Many more vehicles will be in the repair-age sweet-spot during 2024 than five years earlier, and it will contain a different mix of nameplates and types of vehicles.

These changes will boost 2024 aftermarket product volume, especially Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles.

Record-High Vehicle Sales Impact 2024 Sweet-Spot The five vehicle years (2014 through 2018) that will represent the 2024 repair-age sweet-spot, set a recordhigh string of annual car and light truck sales.

Light vehicle sales in the U.S. reached 16.3 million during 2014 (up considerably from just a year earlier).

Sales continued to be strong, reaching 17.5 million in 2015 and 17.6 million by 2016. During 2017 and 2018, annual car and light truck sales topped 17 million for the fourth and fifth consecutive years, an unprecedented yearly sales string.

Accordingly, approximately 85 million cars and light trucks six to 10 years old will be on U.S. roads in 2024.

This will be a 20 million surge compared to 2019.

ICE Vehicles Dominate Repair-Age Sweet-Spot ICE cars and light trucks (including hybrids) captured over 98 percent of the new car and light truck market between 2014 and 2018. These record-high annual sales mean that ICE vehicles will account for virtually all cars and light trucks in the repair-age sweet-spot next year and will generate almost all their product growth.

2024 Sweet-Spot VIO Surge Vs 2019 In 2019, vehicles six to 10 years old were the product of car and light truck annual sales from 2009 through 2013, which were rock-bottom years for the new vehicle market following the 2008 Great Recession.

Accordingly, there will be an unprecedented surge in the number of cars and light trucks in the repair-age sweet-spot during 2024 compared to 2019, an estimated gain of nearly one-third.

Foreign & Domestic Nameplate Mix The foreign and domestic nameplate mix in 2024 repair-age sweet-spot will also differ from five years earlier.

Foreign nameplates climbed from approximately 45 percent of new car and light truck vehicle sales between

8 | January 2024

2009 and 2013 to over 54 percent during the five years comprising the 2024 repair-age sweet-spot.

As a result, foreign nameplates will increase their sweet-spot share by one-fifth between 2019 and 2024.

Since foreign nameplates average higher aftermarket product sales than domestic nameplates of the same age, this will boost 2024 product volume.

Cars Versus Light Trucks A third difference in the 2024 repair-age sweet-spot compared to five years earlier will be the larger share of light trucks. Lang Marketing estimates that light trucks will represent over 68 percent of the 2024 repair-age sweetspot, up by nearly one-sixth from five years earlier.

This will increase aftermarket product volume because light trucks generate greater annual sales per vehicle than passenger cars of the same age.

Aftermarket Impact of 2024 Sweet-Spot The larger VIO size of the 2024 repair-age sweetspot, compared to 2019, along with its different mix of nameplates and larger share of light trucks, will fuel aftermarket product growth during 2024 as it continues to rebound from the 2020 impact of COVID-19.

The surge of product sales within the repair-age sweet-spot will be generated almost entirely by ICE vehicles because they accounted for over 98 percent of the new car and light truck market from 2015 through 2019.

Beyond 2024 Developments within the repair-age sweet-spot will remain favorable for aftermarket product growth through 2025, as vehicles six to 10 years old will grow in number and share of the total VIO. The record-high share of foreign nameplates and light trucks within the repair-age sweet-spot (both types of vehicles have above-average rates of aftermarket product use) will be positive for aftermarket product growth through 2025.

Over the next several years, ICE cars and light trucks will generate virtually all aftermarket product growth among vehicles in the repair-age sweet-spot (six to 10 years old).

Six Major Takeaways • The five model years (2014 through 2018) comprising the 2024 repair-age sweet-spot averaged more than 17 million in annual sales and were part of a record-high

AASP-MN News

string of yearly vehicle volume. Approximately 85 million cars and light trucks six to 10 years old will be on U.S. roads during 2024, up 20 million from 2019.

• ICE cars and light trucks (including hybrids) captured over 98 percent of the new vehicle market between 2015 and 2019. Accordingly, next year, ICE vehicles will account for virtually all cars and light trucks in the repair-age sweet-spot and generate almost all product growth.

• Foreign nameplates will represent a larger share of the repair-age sweet-spot during 2024 compared to 2019. This will increase aftermarket product volume since foreign nameplates average greater annual product use than domestic nameplates in comparable age groups.

• Light trucks will represent over 68 percent of vehicles in the 2024 repair-age sweet-spot, up nearly one-sixth from five years earlier. This will boost aftermarket product volume in 2024 since light trucks average considerably higher aftermarket product use than passenger cars of the same age mix.

• The robust nature of the repair-age sweet-spot during 2024 will help to fuel product growth as the aftermarket continues to rebound from the impact of COVID-19 during 2020. Over the next several years, ICE cars and light trucks will generate virtually all product growth in the repair-age sweet-spot.

• See the all-new 2024 Lang Aftermarket Annual for a history of the dominant new vehicle market and VIO shares of ICE vehicles.

CREF’s 2024 School Benchmark Grants and Student Scholarship Applications Open Collision repair facilities around the country are in desperate need of new talent to address the ongoing workforce shortage, yet a lack of qualified young professionals are entering the industry for many reasons.

Many schools’ collision programs are underfunded, and post-secondary students seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge often struggle to afford tuition and tools.

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) addresses these needs through its Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants and Student Scholarship awards, thanks to support from many generous industry donors and sponsors.

In 2023, CREF awarded $678,500 in grants to over 100 schools. The Benchmark Grants recognize those programs that excel at educating students but which require additional financial assistance due to constrained school budgets, providing funds to purchase the tools, equipment and supplies necessary to enhance their students’ learning experience and elevate the caliber of their graduates.

The 2023 Student Scholarships benefitted nearly 90 students with over $130,000 awarded in financial assistance to ensure those students were able to continue their education, preparing them to pursue a successful career in body shops around the country.

Applications for CREF’s 2024 Student Scholarships are now open, with a deadline of March 8, 2024.

Applications for CREF’s 2024 School Benchmark Grants are open through June 28, 2024.

To apply for a Benchmark Grant or Student Scholarship, visit bit.ly/CREFapply. Learn more about supporting CREF’s efforts to promote the industry to future generations at CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

AASP-MN News

January 2024 | 9

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OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

As a member of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN), we will abide by the Association’s Code of Ethics, bylaws and other conditions of membership as established by the Board of Directors. We understand the AASP-MN logo must be used in accordance with the logo guidelines. It is understood membership in AASP-MN is subject to acceptance by the Association and is non-transferable. It is also understood that AASP-MN membership dues may be deductible as a business expense for federal income tax purposes, but are not deductible as a charitable contribution.

***PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE*** BUSINESS INFORMATION: Business Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Business Representative Name: _________________________________________Title: ____________________________ Street Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________ County:______________________ State:______ Zip: ______________________ Phone Number: ( ) __________________________ Fax: ( ) ________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________ Website: _______________________________________________________ Number of Full-Time Employees: _______________ Number of Part-Time Employees: ______________________________ PRIMARY DIVISION: (check one) Collision Mechanical/Transmission Associate Educational List other specialties: _________________________________ Date you started in business: __________________________ ANNUAL GROSS SALES: $2,000,000 - $2,500,000

$0 - $500,000 $2,500,000 - $5,000,000

$500,000 - $1,000,000 $5,000,000 - $10,000,000

$1,000,000 - $2,000,000 More than $10,000,000

WHAT BENEFITS MOTIVATED YOU TO JOIN AASP-MN? _______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ I hereby consent to allow AASP-MN to receive details on my participation in association-recommended benefit programs including, but not limited to, account information and pricing, insurance premium, dividend and claims information. I further agree that by providing my mailing and email addresses, telephone and fax numbers, I consent to receive communications sent by or on behalf of AASP-MN via regular mail, email, telephone or fax. I understand that the AASP-MN sign and logo policy authorizes businesses that are members in good standing to use the AASP-MN logo. Should my membership in AASP-MN expire, I agree, at that time, to discontinue all uses of the association’s logo and signs.

Name (Print): ________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature: ________________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________ DUES: Regular (Collision or Mechanical Repair Shop) 1-3 Employees: $295 4-10 Employees: $455 11 + Employees: $615 Out of State: $150 Addt’l locations: __ @ $50 ea.

Associate (Suppliers): $475 Educational (Schools): $100 PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Complete for Additional Location Only: Company name: ______________________________________ Representative: ______________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________ City: ________________________________ Zip: ____________ Phone: ______________________ Fax: ___________________ Email: ______________________________________________ Please attach list for additional locations if needed.

_____ Check enclosed, payable to AASP-MN _____ Credit Card (select type) Visa MC

DISC

AMEX

Note: AASP-MN adds a 3% surcharge to all credit card payments. This surcharge is not greater than our total cost of accepting credit cards. Surcharge does not apply to debit cards.

Credit Card #: ____________________________________________ Exp. Date: _______ /_______ CVV: _______________ Billing address: ________________________________________________________________________________________ RETURN TO: AASP of Minnesota, 1970 Oakcrest Ave., Suite 102, Roseville, MN 55113 Phone: (612) 623-1110 or (800) 852-9071 Fax: (612) 623-1122 Email: aasp@aaspmn.org Website: http://www.aaspmn.org

10 | January 2024

AASP-MN News

22nd ANNUALRACE RACEFOR FOR 21st 21st ANNUAL ANNUAL RACE FOR AUTOMOTIVE EDUCATION AUT AUTOMOTIVE OMOTIVE EDUCA EDUCATION TION

January January 23-26, 23-26, 2023 2023 January 22-25, 2024 6:00 6:00 -- 9:30pm 9:30pm ProKart Indoor Racing Pr ProKart oKart Indoor Indoor Racing Racing 14350 Rosemount Dr., Burnsville, MN 55306 14350 14350 Rosemount Rosemount Dr., Dr., Burnsville, Burnsville, MN MN 55306 55306 A fundraiser to support the AASP-MN Automotive Education Fund…

Enhancing Enhancing opportunities opportunities in in automotive automotive education education through through scholarships, scholarships, program program support support and and partnerships. partnerships.

Start Start your your engines! engines! Organize Organize your your team team today. today. (This (This event event would would make make aa great great employee employee outing!) outing!) The The competition competition will will consist consist of of up up to to 10 10 teams teams each each night night with with five five members members each each and and aa crew crew chief. chief.

These These ain’t ain’t your your daddy’s daddy’s go go karts! karts! ProKart’s ProKart’s fleet fleet of of RiMO RiMO EVO6 EVO6 Race Race Karts Karts are are run run on on power-boosting, power-boosting, lowlowemission, emission, renewable renewable methanol methanol for for consistency consistency and and performance. performance.

All All proceeds proceeds will will benefit benefit the the AASP-MN AASP-MN Automotive Automotive Education Education Fund Fund When When the the final final checkered checkered flag flag waves waves and and the the adrenaline adrenaline subsides, subsides, our our goal goal is is to to raise raise over over $15,000 $15,000 over over the the four four nights. nights. Most Most of of that that money money is is earmarked earmarked to to fund fund scholarships scholarships for for students students enrolled enrolled in in an an ASE-accredited ASE-accredited automotive automotive program program (collision (collision or or mechanical) mechanical) in in the the state state of of Minnesota.

Minnesota. Scholarship Scholarship awards awards are are $500 $500 -- $2,000 $2,000 per per student. student.

The The race race is is on! on! Registrations Registrations will will be be accepted accepted on on aa first-come, first-come, first-served first-served basis. basis. The The Race for Automotive Education is is sure sure to to be be aa sell-out sell-out event, event, so so don’t don’t delay delay –– register register today! today! _____ _____ Team Team Sponsor Sponsor -- $500 $500 (Includes (Includes admission admission for for 6, 6, including including team team captain captain and and 55 racers) racers) Team Team Name: Name: ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Contact: ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Address: Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ City: City: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Zip: Zip: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Phone:_____________________________________ Phone:_____________________________________ Email: Email: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ SOLD Preferred Preferred Race Race Night: Night: _____ _____ Monday Monday 1/22 1/22 _____ _____ Tuesday Tuesday 1/23 1/23 _____ _____ Wednesday Wednesday 1/24 1/24 _____ _____ Thursday 1/26 1/26 1/24 1/25 OUT! Thursday _____ _____ Race Race Sponsor Sponsor -- $250 $250 Racing Racing is is not not in in my my blood, blood, but but II would would like like to to support support automotive automotive students/ students/ programs programs in in MN MN (Includes (Includes admission for 2 spectators) Sponsor Sponsor Name: Name: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Contact: ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Address: Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ City: City: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Zip: Zip: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Phone:_____________________________________ Phone:_____________________________________ Email: Email: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ Return Return with with with check check check payment payment by by 1/15/2024 1/15/2024 to: Return to:

AASP-MN AASP-MN Automotive Automotive Education Education Fund Fund 1970 1970 Oakcrest Oakcrest Ave., Ave., Suite Suite 102, 102, Roseville, Roseville, MN MN 55113 55113 Phone: Phone: 612-623-1110 612-623-1110 // Email: Email: aasp@aaspmn.org aasp@aaspmn.org

Credit Credit cards cards are are accepted accepted with with 3% 3% surcharge. surcharge. This This surcharge surcharge is is not not greater greater than than our our total total cost cost of of accepting accepting credit credit cards. cards.

Surcharge Surcharge does does not not apply apply to to debit debit cards. cards.

The The AASP-MN AASP-MN Education Education Fund Fund provides provides financial financial resources resources to to support support automotive automotive students, students, enhance enhance automotive automotive programs programs and and raise raise awareness awareness of of career career opportunities opportunities in in the the independent independent automotive automotive service service industry. industry.

AASP-MN News

January 2024 | 11

ESTIMATING TIPS

Visit degweb.org to submit a Database Inquiry and contribute to database accuracy!

HELPING TO IMPROVE COLLISION REPAIR ESTIMATE INFO THROUGH REPAIRER FEEDBACK If you’re performing automotive repairs of ANY kind, you need to utilize the DEG! Check out some recent Database Inquiries - and their resolutions - below!

Mitchell: Rivian Estimating Database – An estimating database for Rivian R1T is currently available in Mitchell Cloud Estimating.

CCC and Audatex users can produce repair plans utilizing manual entries for both labor and part information.

Repairers should always consult OEM repair information and available documents for the most current part numbers, prices and procedures.

Audatex/Qapter: DBRM Blend Update – Solera Qapter has made recent updates (November 2023) to its Database Reference Manual (DBRM), specifically on page 140, section 4-4 Refinish Guidelines, regarding “Blending.” Access an updated version of the DBRM on the DEG website, available at degweb.org/audatex. Users can view the update below: “Audatex refinish labor is based on the use of new and undamaged panels. Audatex Estimating does not provide a standard labor allowance for blended panels as this requires the estimate preparer’s judgment, expertise, and consideration of the unique requirements for each repair.

Determination and assessment of labor and materials necessary in the blending process is best provided by the

estimate preparer during the estimate preparation process.

To assist the user, profile settings allow for customization to enter a specified blend percentage, as necessary.

• Audatex will now allow you to specify the Blend Refinish percentage to be used when calculating Blend Refinish labor at the profile level allowing insurers and shops to agree on a default blend refinish time. You may enter a value between 50 percent and 150 percent This value is used to determine the blend refinish labor by multiplying it against the full panel refinish time.

• When generating an estimate, the blend refinish will be calculated using the value specified at the profile level. If no value is specified, a default value of 50% blend refinish percentage will be used.

• As before, an estimator can manually override the Blend Refinish percentage specified at the profile level and it will be denoted with an asterisk (*) on the estimate.

• Additionally, a new note is now added to the bottom of all estimates showing the Blend Refinish percentage used.“

Note: The estimating databases are all intended to be used as a GUIDE ONLY. View these tips and others at DEGWEB.ORG

12 | January 2024

AASP-MN News

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AASP-MN News

January 2024 | 13

COVER STORY

MNCARS: MN CARS:

Bridging the Gap

“Why can’t I find any qualified help for my business?”

This question is asked repeatedly by both automotive service and collision repair shops all across the country, and fortunately, this conundrum is being tackled by multiple organizations: TechForce Foundation, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and Minnesota Careers in Auto Repair and Service (MNCARS) are just a few entities working to fill the void left in shops as the baby boomer generation finally starts to consider retirement. All three non-profits support future repair professionals through scholarships, in-person events and other resources.

Despite the synchronicity that exists between those working on alleviating the workforce shortage, there seems to be a wide chasm between their actions and their ability to reach the individual shop level, according to AASP-MN Executive Director Linden Wicklund.

14 | January 2024

“I kept learning about various entities trying to solve the same problem. They are all managing to connect with tech schools and get in front of students in exciting ways, but shops still complain that nothing is being done about the lack of new talent because all of this incredible work being done isn’t reaching them at the individual shop level.”

This dilemma hit close to home since MNCARS is such an important initiative for AASP-MN. And the association wondered if there could be an opportunity for collective action between those groups to make their efforts more effective.

“So many different groups are tackling the problem of attracting more technicians and other workers, yet I was shocked to find that many of the people leading this charge didn’t even know one another,” Wicklund explains the thought processes that led to MNCARS hosting its Automotive Workforce Summit last fall. “We wanted

AASP-MN News

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

in Promoting Automotive Service and Collision Repair Careers

to create a space for different leaders to come together, collaborate and compare and contrast the creative ways they’re getting folks into our industry. And we also wanted to identify ways that AASPMN and MNCARS could have the greatest impact without duplicating what’s already being done or leaving giant gaps that don’t connect down to the individual employer level.

“How can we open people’s eyes and expose them to different angles of this problem so we can change the conversation in a way that allows us to collaboratively build upon and strengthen these initiatives?” she asks.

The Automotive Workforce Summit provided a great start as industry professionals from shops, suppliers, dealerships and more, along with educators (administrators, teachers and continuing education trainers from organizations like I-CAR and ASE) and several workforce

AASP-MN News

organizations gathered together to raise awareness of the work that is already happening and identify new ways to collaborate and strengthen each group’s individual and collective efforts by learning from one another.

In her discussion on “Navigating the Future Landscape of Labor and Talent,” keynote presenter Dr. Melissa Furman addressed how the current generational composition of the workforce presents one of the biggest challenges, since baby boomers are not leaving shops at a predictable rate; although they should only comprise seven to 15 percent of today’s workforce, nearly a quarter of shop employees fall into this generation, creating a situation where the automotive industry is looking at needing to replace 20 to 40 percent of workers in the next five years.

“And we’re not just replacing this enormous percentage,” Wicklund recaps. continued on pg. 20

January 2024 | 15

INSURANCE I.Q.

Key Benefits of Return-to-Work Programs When an employee experiences an occupational illness or injury, their eventual return to the workplace can create numerous challenges. Fortunately, return-to-work programs can help alleviate these concerns by supporting staff as they reintegrate back into the workforce. These programs may entail having an employee return to work with shortened hours, lighter workloads or modified tasks as they continue to recover. Return-to-work programs offer several benefits to both employers and employees.

Benefits for Employers Increased retention -These programs help retain valued staff and reduce the risk of turnover by allowing employees to return to work as soon as they’re able.

Lower costs - Such programs can also cut workers’ compensation costs by having employees gradually start working again and collect less in disability.

Higher Productivity - Having experienced staff return to work, even with reduced hours or workloads, can boost productivity more than hiring replacements.

16 | January 2024

Improved morale - Implementing a return-to-work program shows employees that their employer values their recovery and well being.

Boosted skills - These programs can help employees maintain and enhance valuable job skills by having them return to work sooner rather than later.

Greater connections - Such programs can also keep staff more connected to the workplace by allowing them to continue the recovery process alongside their co-workers rather than at home.

Healthier mindset - These programs help foster a healthy mindset for recovering employees by giving them a sense of purpose within their daily work routine.

Reduced financial uncertainty - In many cases, employees earn more money by gradually returning to work as opposed to collecting disability benefits.

For more information, contact Brad Schmid at bschmid@cbiz.com or 763-549-2247.

AASP-MN News

WIN UPDATE

2024 WIN Conference Registration Now Open The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) has announced that registration is now open for one of the collision repair industry’s most anticipated leadership and management forums: the 2024 WIN Conference. This year’s conference, featuring the theme of “Dream Out Loud,” will be May 6-8, 2024, held at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, CA. “We had a record 236 in-person attendees and another 66 people joining us virtually at the 2023 WIN Conference in San Antonio, and we know that our 2024 conference will be the biggest and best yet,” said Blair Womble, WIN 2024 Conference Chair.

WIN members registering by the early bird deadline of March 1 will receive a discounted rate of $575; after that, the member cost increases to $680. The ticket rate for non-members is $725. Registration for in-person attendees closes on April 24. Anyone preferring to join virtually may do so for $250.

Interested attendees can join WIN as a professional member any time for just $95, and then take advantage of the discounted attendance if they join before March 1.

More details about speakers, breakouts and conference curriculum are coming soon. To register for the conference or to learn more about WIN, visit womensindustrynetwork.com.

AASP-MN News

Why Join WIN? WIN offers education, mentoring and leadership development opportunities to build critical skills for success in the collision repair market.

• Local/Regional Networking Events • Annual Education Conference • Educational Webinars

• Scholarship Program • School Outreach Program • Most Influential Women (MIW) Award

• Mentoring Opportunities womensindustrynetwork.com

January 2024 | 17

COMPLETE HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY SERVICES (C.H.E.S.S.)

Locked and Blocked

by Janet L. Keyes, CIH Have you ever been in a Dollar Tree or Family Dollar store? Good for bargains, but they haven’t been good places to be if a fire breaks out. Good luck on getting to a fire extinguisher. Hope you can get to the exit door – and maybe it will be unlocked so you can get outside.

In 1911, 146 garment workers died in the Triangle Shirtwaist fire in Manhattan, many jumping out of windows to their deaths on the sidewalk below. The workers couldn’t escape. Exits were blocked. Exit doors were locked. They had fire extinguishers of sorts – buckets of water – but there were too few. In the aftermath, rules were written to keep exits clear and to have fire extinguishers at hand. But some companies have ignored the lessons of Triangle Shirtwaist.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar ignored the lessons.

We don’t think their deliberate ignorance has killed anyone yet. But it has cost the company over $13 million since 2017. Last August, they agreed to a settlement agreement with OSHA, paying $1.35 million immediately and agreeing to pay much more if problems such as blocked exits or extinguishers recur. The company also agreed to develop an enhanced safety program, adding safety staff, changing how they manage inventory and putting in engineering controls such as extended shelving.

OSHA came down hard on these discount stores, not because anyone was injured or killed, but because history has shown, time and again, that people will be killed if they cannot escape.

What did the stores do wrong?

Materials were stored haphazardly, in unstable stacks higher than eight feet tall.

Products were stored in front of fire extinguishers and electrical panels. If you can’t get to the extinguisher within seconds, the fire will spread. If you can’t shut off electrical power quickly, someone could be electrocuted.

Back room exit routes and exit doors were blocked. Merchandise would be delivered and left where it was dropped, because the stores lacked the personnel or space to get the material out of the way.

Exits were locked, unable to be opened from the inside “without keys, tools or special knowledge.” The path to and away from the exits was less than 28-inches wide (that goes along with the blocked exit routes).

You wouldn’t violate any of these requirements, would you?

Parts delivery people prioritize

18 | January 2024

getting deliveries done. They aren’t going to check if they are blocking an exit or fire extinguisher. You need to have a place for those parts or need to make sure they are put away promptly.

Body shops often need to store old car parts until repair is complete. You need to find space to store those securely. And that space cannot be in front of your electrical panels, fire extinguishers or exits. We usually haven’t seen this as a problem if you use parts carts and have a designated place to put them. But especially in small shops, we have seen parts carts left higgledypiggledy, blocking exit routes and emergency equipment access.

Many facilities carefully stripe the floor below electrical panels and fire extinguishers. They may even put down yellow stripes to delineate exit paths. OSHA’s settlement agreement with Dollar Tree requires their stores to do that. But paint can wear off. And even if it doesn’t wear off, it can be ignored. It seems some folks think that the yellow stripes mean “store here!” We think marking the areas that need to be kept clear is wise, but only if employees know the purpose of the markings and the markings aren’t ignored.

The Dollar Tree settlement doesn’t cover Minnesota stores. But Minnesota hasn’t left Dollar Tree off the hook.

The most recent posted citation, the result of a complaint last April, incurred a penalty of $28,000. The standards the store violated aren’t complicated.

The main one, considered a willful violation (they knew it was wrong and did it anyway) was this: “Exit routes must be free and unobstructed. No materials or equipment may be placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route. The exit access must not go through a room that can be locked, such as a bathroom, to reach an exit or exit discharge, nor may it lead into a dead-end corridor. Stairs or a ramp must be provided where the exit route is not substantially level.”

Dollar Tree penalties were so high because they kept having the same violations, albeit in different stores.

OSHA quite reasonably thinks that management should correct problems brought to their attention. Once one Dollar Tree store was cited for blocked exits, Dollar Tree should have corrected the problem in all Dollar Tree stores. Because they didn’t, the citations became willful or repeat

AASP-MN News

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Earn up to a $2,400 cash bonus: $1,200 $30,000 and an additional $1,200 once you spend $500,000 in the rfirst iaonce n 3Gmonths, eyou ndspend reauand Relatioin nsthe hipfirst Man3amonths, ger 1 Earn up to a $2,400 cash bonus: $1,200 once you These spendspend $30,000 in may theBbe an additional once you spend $500,000 in the first year. These spend bonus first year. bonuses earned independently, meaning you may$1,200 earn one or both.

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AASP-MN News

January 2024 | 19

COVER STORY continued from pg. 15

“We’re also losing leaders and managers, so we’re going to need to jump those Gen X and Gen Y employees into leadership roles that they don’t necessarily have the training or experience for since the baby boomers have stuck around for so long.”

Recently, the Alliance has been exploring ways to help develop more leaders and encourage younger people to expand into owner-operator roles. “There’s a great opportunity to pair our efforts with things that MNCARS can do to work with the industry and students to fill this gap and attract the volume of people that’s needed.”

Real Time Talent shared data about the current workforce in Minnesota in general, in transportation careers, and specifically, in the automotive and collision space. Explaining that automotive careers are not projected to have the same level of shortfall as other careers throughout the state, they pointed out that the industries shops are competing against are being much louder since their need is so much greater. The data gathered also revealed that technicians across every level of experience are collecting median wages in the mid40-thousand-a-year range; although some technicians make significantly more money, they make up a small percentage of the workforce, so they have little impact on the statistical data.

Segueing from that topic, Goodwill-Easter Seals examined the state’s minimum sustaining wages. For an individual to survive, one needs a minimum of $37,000 per year; a family of four requires an income of $100,000.

“This was a great way to help shops look at what they should pay to be competitive,” Wicklund summarizes. “Because the figures they cited are the bare minimums – they don’t allow workers to buy tools, take vacations or save for retirement. That amount of money is enough to pay bills, hopefully, and make sure there’s food on the table. But we’ve got shop owners who believe paying a new technician $35,000 should make their employee grateful. Meanwhile, that man or woman cannot pay rent; their car payment is late.

“At the same time, we hear these complaints about the immaturity of new hires and how they’re not reliable.

But if you want to hire a grown-up, they’re going to have grown-up responsibilities. They have to earn enough to be able to live on their own. If you only want to pay enough that they can sustain themselves by living in their parents’ basement, the level of accountability they have is going to look much different than if you’re paying someone who lives on their own and is supporting a family.”

Attendees also had a chance to participate in workshop sessions and roundtable discussions which offered them an opportunity to learn more about various

20 | January 2024

ways they can support the organizations helping to drive talent to this industry. Many of those conversations reinforced Wicklund’s belief that individual shops are simply unaware of many of the initiatives taking place to help drive fresh talent in their doors.

“On a national scale, campaigns are often geared toward dealerships and MSOs,” Wicklund observes. “How do the individual and independent shops fit into the puzzle?”

Building on the momentum that the Automotive Workforce Summit generated, AASP-MN and MNCARS identified additional ways to bridge that existing gap.

AASP-MN and MNCARS recently teamed up with TechForce Foundation to help bring more technicians into the automotive service and collision repair industry and to help AASP-MN members connect with them. (Learn more about TechForce at techforce.org, and stay tuned to AASP-MN News for updates on this collaboration!)

Additionally, AASP-MN and MNCARS hosted their first Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) meeting in December, soliciting employers to join the project to uncover and address the top issues in the current pipeline for bringing new technicians into the industry. Wicklund hopes that these endeavors will make a difference, but that cannot happen unless more shops choose to get involved with projects like the TPM. “The problem with the talent shortage is that shops see it happening across the entire workforce and blame the automotive shortage on a number of things,” she acknowledges. “Meanwhile, individual shops that need employees are making adjustments to fill their needs, while others don’t anticipate needing anyone for two to five years, so they’re not ready to take action yet.

“The TPM model is based on looking at the specific needs of participating companies and finding innovative yet pragmatic solutions to filling job openings. Just like balance-billing for insurance or warranty work, it is hard to address a problem the industry hides by deleting the data,” she adds, making the plea for “10-20 employers who are willing to share real data on how many openings they anticipate having in the next few years, so the TPM can address those needs.” Email linden@aaspmn.org to learn more about how to participate in the TPM. According to Wicklund, AASP-MN and MNCARS will “continue to evaluate how we partner with other entities as we bring awareness of their efforts and continue our own work in a way that’s different from everything else being supplied. It’s really about determining how we can all work together without stepping on top of one another in a way that makes it practical and real for shops. We’ve definitely got our work cut out for us, but brick by brick, I’m confident that we can build a bridge to connect employers with the future workforce!”

Learn more about MNCARS and its efforts at carcareers.org.

AASP-MN News

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE continued from pg. 5 be in the education and health and human services areas of the budget, which comprise a significant portion of the state’s overall spending. DFL leadership responded by cautioning that any supplemental budgeting would be modest, and tax cuts for wealthy individuals will be off the table.

Shifting gears to AASP-MN’s legislative priorities, we are in a good position as we welcome back the same Commerce Committee Chairs, one of whom was the lead author on AASPMN’s proposed legislation last year.

AASP-MN is developing and refining additional proposed changes to Minn.

Statute 72A.201 that members feel would be impactful to their work, in addition to our three-day language proposal from the past. Storage fees, tuition reimbursements, corporate tax rates and other issues impacting your day-to-day operations as shop owners will all be in play when we get underway in February. Please keep an eye out for updates and opportunities to participate in the legislative process as the session progresses.

AASP-MN News

January 2024 | 21

CASH IN ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS!

Aramark Is Now Aramark recently announced that Vestis™ is the name of the new company created through the spin-off of its uniform services business.

“The new name, Vestis, connects us to our purpose as an organization – deliver uniforms and supplies that empower people to do good work and good things for others while at work,” said Kim Scott, President and CEO of Aramark Uniform Services and appointed CEO of Vestis.

“We are grateful to our customers for the opportunity to continue to deliver services and products that help their teammates work confidently, comfortably, and safely each day. We are also excited about our future as an independent, publicly traded company and we remain confident that great things are ahead for our teammates, customers, and shareholders.”

Vestis will continue to offer uniforms, as well as full-service rental programs and workplace supplies. Its comprehensive service offering includes floor mats, towels, linens, managed restroom services, cleanroom, and first aid supplies.

AASP-MN members receive: • Free emblems • Discounted pricing • No deposits • 10% annual rebate • No set-up charge • Free installation

With a uniform and facility care product program from Vestis you’ll save: • Time. Vestis will manage the details, so you don’t have to. A customer portal with online billing and payment adds convenience and ease.

• Space. Your Vestis representative will stock the exact quantities your business needs, leaving you with the extra shelf space.

• Money. Weekly inventory monitoring means you’ll only spend on what you need. And you will receive an annual 10% rebate for your purchases with Vestis.

For more information, visit www.vestis.com or call: Minneapolis Rick Krenz 612-616-5290 krenz-richard@aramark.com

St. Cloud Brian Hoeschen 320-828-3398 hoeschen-brian@aramark.com

Bemidji, Duluth & Hibbing Nick Schmitz 320-290-5011 schmitz-nicholas@aramark.com

Fargo Keith Hovelson 701-566-4310 hovelson-keith@aramark.com

Mankato Scott Voss 507-995-3610 voss-scott1@aramark.com

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AASP-MN MEMBER PREFERRED PROVIDER PROGRAMS PROPERTY/LIABILITY AND WORKERS’ COMP INSURANCE CBIZ Contact: Brad Schmid 763-549-2247 / bschmid@cbiz.com CBIZ AIA and United Fire Group (UFG) have created a program for members that includes a special premium discount, exclusive coverage and potential safety group dividend. CBIZ AIA can present quotes from multiple carriers and, as an added bonus, offer members an exclusive 10% discount on their property/liability insurance premiums.

WEBSITE AND INTERNET MARKETING SOLUTIONS Autoshop Solutions Contact: Tony Mercury 919-267-1731 / tony@autoshopsolutions.com Autoshop Solutions has developed the most cutting-edge marketing platform for AASP members. Really Powerful Marketing (RPM) is an all-in-one program that bundles your website, pay-per-click, search engine optimization, social media, and much more!

With five levels of RPM to match your budget, goals, and competition, it’s built to drive your shop forward!

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CBIZ Diego Campos 763-228-0259 / diegocampos@cbiz.com AASP and CBIZ are partnering to help make the process of purchasing employee benefits a lot less stressful for members.

The CBIZ platform provides increased transparency and more options for savings, the ability to predict rate increases early, and guidance from CBIZ benefits experts.

New Health Insurance Options Now Available!

REPAIR SHOP PRODUCTS/SERVICES DISCOUNTS CARS Cooperative Contact: Stephenie Sheppard 405-547-4077 / membersupport@cars.coop Members receive discounts on a variety of products and services they use every day!

From discounts on paint and rental cars to office supplies and phone services. Over 50 programs available!

EMPLOYEE VOLUNTARY BENEFITS Colonial Life Contact: Deb Ferrao 612-600-4135 / deb.ferrao@coloniallifesales.com

or Tracy Bailey 612-801-0139 / tracy.coloniallife@gmail.com Dedicated representatives can help members transform their benefit package with competitive rates, value added services at no cost and complimentary legal document preparation service. Colonial Life has the tools and flexibility to create a plan to fit everyone’s needs.

UNIFORM & LINEN SUPPLIES Vestis (formerly Aramark) Contact: Ryan Vick 612-269-2303 / vick-ryan2@aramark.com Discounted pricing to members on rental of uniforms, entrance mats, shop rags, etc.

Purchases are also discounted. Members receive annual rebate equal to 10% of their business with Vestis each year.

CREDIT CARD PROCESSING Association BankCard Services Contact: Mac Hardin

INFORMATION PROVIDERS Mitchell 1 Contact: Mitchell 1 Representative 888-724-6742 ext. 6986 Mitchell 1 offers AASP members a $10 per month discount on any eligible Mitchell 1 subscription.

Mitchell International Contact: Mitchell International Representative 800-238-9111 AASP members receive $350 off Mitchell's MD-500 all-in-one solution for scanning, calibration, estimating, and blueprinting.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION HOTLINE IDENTIFIX 800-745-9649 Members enjoy a 20% annual savings on Direct-Hit and Direct-Help subscriptions, the industry's most reliable source for experience-based repair information.

CHECK GUARANTEE SERVICES Certegy Check Services 877-520-2987 Discount rate of .75% to AASP-MN members. Use existing credit card terminal.

Fast claim payments.

952-933-2026 / mach@retailfinancialservices.biz

Competitive rates for AASP-MN members.

Terminals and printers sold at cost. Monthly rental of equipment is also available.

LEGAL CONSULTATION Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick 800-496-6789 Members receive free, over-the-phone legal assessment and consultation (some restrictions apply) with an attorney who specializes in the area of law that is the subject of the call.

SAFETY COMPLIANCE Complete, Health, Environmental & Safety Services (C.H.E.S.S.) Contact: Carol Keyes 651-481-9787 / carkey@chess-safety.com AASP-MN members receive a 20% discount on Safety Data Sheet Management (SDSLinks), Right to Know(RTK)/Hazard Communication program customized for your facility and monthly safety reminders, and other safety, OSHA or environmental assistance.

AASP-MN News

AUTO EMPLOYEE ASSESSMENT Assessment Associates International Contact: Nate Page 952-854-6551 / nate@aai-assessment.com Designed to help facilitate and enhance hiring decisions. AASP-MN members receive 50% off retail price, starting as low as $15 per assessment.

BUSINESS FORMS/CALENDARS AASP-MN Contact: Jodi Pillsbury 612-623-1110 / jodi@aaspmn.org Discounted rates on printed business forms and calendars.

PAYROLL PROCESSING CBIZ Payroll Contact: Carrie Hobrough 651-387-9168 / chobrough@cbiz.com Members receive 20% discount off standard payroll, time and attendance, and HRIS products and services.

LIVE-ONLINE & ON-DEMAND TECHNICAL TRAINING Automotive Seminars Contact: Tim Houghtaling 920-866-9813 / tim@automotiveseminars.com

Discounted pricing to AASP-MN members on all live-online events, as well as ondemand training videos. Automotive Seminars specializes in diagnostic training that provides automotive technicians with knowledge, testing techniques and data interpretation skills needed to diagnose today’s vehicles. The live-online events and on-demand training videos focus on automotive electronics and engine management systems and are written and created by some of the industry’s leading diagnostic technicians.

BUSINESS COACHING 180BIZ 540-833-2014 / info@180biz.com Members receive a 25% discount on Rick White's Pocket Business Genius subscription, offering independent auto shop owners fast access to actionable business advice from a leading industry expert.

SHOP SOFTWARE Condition Now 888-868-5440 / conditionnow.com/body-shop

A platform that allows shops to supplement the accident or damage information reported on Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports. Every AASP member receives a discounted inspection rate, allowing them to generate additional revenue from their retail and dealer customers.

January 2024 | 23

“From The Flywheel To The Drive Wheel” We Have What You Need - Delivered To You

Maple Grove • (763) 425-7474 Choose a Replacement that Performs Better than OE. Inventory, Compatibility, Warranty and Service

Automatic Transmissions Over 2,500 vehicle-specified units in stock Up to 3-Year/100,000 Mile Warranty

Differentials 2-Year/Unlimited Mile Warranty

Manual Transmissions 1-Year/Unlimited Mile Warranty

PTUs (Power Transfer Unit) 2-Year/Unlimited Mile Warranty

4WD Transfer Cases 2-Year/Unlimited Mile Warranty

Driveshafts Replacement, Custom Driveline

We offer a complete line of all driveline parts.

24 | January 2024

- Uncompromised Quality and Service AASP-MN News