AASP-MN News April 2017

April 2017

AASP-MN Announces 2017-18 Board of Directors

PLUS: AASP-MN 23rd Annual Golf Outing Registration www.grecopublishing.com

CONTENTS 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. © 2017 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 2017 - 2018

Vol. 25 No. 4

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ........................................................................4 “All Hands on Deck” Needed in the Automotive Repair Industry!

by Wayne Watson, AASP-MN President LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ............................................................................5 Grassroots Effort Must Be Mobilized

by Kevin Walli, AASP-MN Lobbyist LOCAL NEWS ......................................................................................6

PRESIDENT Wayne Watson

NATIONAL NEWS ..................................................................................9

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Greg Kasel, AAM

SHOP HERE FIRST! AASP-MN ASSOCIATE MEMBER DIRECTORY ........................12

SECRETARY-TREASURER Will Latuff

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION ....................................................................13 Need a Loan?

COLLISION DIVISION DIRECTOR Bruce Tschida, AAM

INSURANCE I.Q. ..................................................................................15 Negligent Entrustment

MECHANICAL DIVISION DIRECTOR Carl Thomas

23RD ANNUAL AASP-MN GOLF OUTING REGISTRATION....................................17

ASSOCIATE DIVISION DIRECTOR Dave Bock

DEG ESTIMATING TIPS ..........................................................................19

COLLISION SEAT Matthew Feehan

MARKETING FEATURE ............................................................................20 Rethinking Your Shop’s Facebook Page

by Lee Emmons, Absolute Perfection Media

MECHANICAL SEATS Randy Notto, AAM Mars Overlee

CASH IN ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP!..............................................................22 CBIZ Payroll

STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Judell Anderson, CAE, AAM

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 20, 2017 23rd Annual AASP-MN Golf Outing Keller Golf Course Maplewood

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Jodi Pillsbury MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Tom Kluver 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 DIRECTOR Joel Gausten (joel@grecopublishing.com) CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lea Velocci (lea@grecopublishing.com) EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Nick Fernandes (nick@grecopublishing.com) OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco (donna@grecopublishing.com) www.grecopublishing.com

For more information, contact the AASP-MN office at 612-623-1110 or visit the Association’s website, www.aaspmn.org.

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX AmeriPride ................................................................16 Axalta Coating Systems..............................................IFC Buerkle Hyundai ........................................................21 Choice Auto Rentals ..................................................18 Dentsmart ..................................................................4 FinishMaster........................................................................10 Inver Grove Honda / Inver Grove Toyota ............................10 Jack McClard ............................................................18 Keystone ....................................................................16 Libson Twin City ........................................................14 Maplewood Toyota ....................................................19

AASP-MN News

Mills Parts Center ......................................................14 Morrie’s ....................................................................5 Motorwerks BMW ......................................................IBC MPA..................................................................................................11 PAM’s Auto......................................................................................10 Proven Force..............................................................8 Rosedale Chevrolet ....................................................8 Roseville Chrysler ......................................................14 Sherwin Williams ......................................................15 Straight & Square ......................................................21 Toyota Group..............................................................OBC

April 2017 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

“All Hands on Deck” Needed in the Automotive Repair Industry!

by Wayne Watson AASP-MN President

It's a good season for the automotive industry, with more vehicles on the road at a record-high average age of 11.5 years. If you're in the auto body or mechanical field, one thing we can agree on is the shortage of people in our industry. This shortage is going to get worse before it gets better. Many shops across the country have acted by creating some sort of apprentice program where they mentor and groom young people to be up-and-coming superstars in our industry. So, I have a question for you: What are you doing in your shop to overcome the shortage of people? If the answer is nothing, then this is a must-read article. It's not too late to turn the corner, but if you do nothing, you are risking the future of your business and the success of our industry. This issue of a shortage of people in our industry is going to take “all hands on deck” - from owners to employees, vendors, trade schools, high schools, junior high schools and possibly grade schools.

My journey started almost five years ago when I read an article in a trade magazine that basically said, “Stop complaining and start doing something about it.” Within a couple months of reading that article, we implemented an apprentice program of our own. Fast forward to today, and we have graduated three technicians that are currently working and producing at our shop.

When you grow your own, you get buy-in, respect, loyalty and [hopefully] a long-term employee. If we had not implemented this program, I'm not sure where the technicians would have come from. The good technicians are locked into their shops. The

4 April 2017

owners treat them well because they know if they leave it could be a long haul to find a replacement.

So where do you start? Good question! Maybe you're not able to start your own program for whatever reason. One thing every shop owner has is time. I know what you're thinking when I say every shop owner has time. But think of this: What if you lost a key producer in your shop tomorrow? How much time would you spend finding a replacement? Also, add in the time to train them in your systems and procedures. We always find time for important things. I'm here to tell you that you must take time for one of the following:

• MNCARS – get involved. We need help educating the younger generation about our industry and the great job opportunities that exist.

• AASP-MN – we need great industry leaders to get involved with both the collision and mechanical committees. You will rub elbows with some great people.

Don't worry about what you have to offer the association. If you own or run a business, you have a lot to offer.

• Apprentice program – start looking at what you can do within your own organization. Every shop is different and every employee is different. Take a bird's-eye view of your business, reflect and set some goals involving the shortage

AASP-MN News

continued on pg. 16

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Grassroots Effort Must Be Mobilized

by Kevin Walli, AASP-MN Lobbyist

As we pass the midway point of the 2017 Legislative Session, AASP-MN will be reaching out to members to connect with State Representatives and Senators to communicate industry priorities. Outnumbered and outgunned at the Capitol, we are turning our attention to a “strength-in-numbers” approach that the insurance industry can’t match.

We have AASP-MN members in most legislative districts in the state. Within these districts, there are multiple repair shops that are taking care of the legislator’s constituents, providing employment and paying taxes.

Our attention will be on legislators who serve on the House and Senate Commerce Committees. These are the Committees that have jurisdiction over the statutes which frame the insurance claims process. Success in the Commerce Committee is essential to moving forward with any initiative to change the insurance claims process. We need to make industry concerns real by putting a face on our issues.

Our goal is to have our proposals introduced in the 2017 Session with strong authors in both the House and Senate. We will spend the summer and fall expanding our network of connections with a plan to seek hearings in 2018 for our industry proposals.

In the meantime, we are also working on issues relating to the general levy on commercial and industrial properties. As I reported previously, there is strong interest in either removing the automatic escalator on the levy amount and/or providing an exemption for some portion of property value. Either or both of these proposals would be very beneficial to all businesses – including automotive repair shops.

Stay tuned for more information on our insurance initiatives and what we hope will be a positive outcome on the general levy provisions.

AASP-MN News

April 2017 5

LOCAL NEWS AASP-MN Announces 2017-2018 Board of Directors April marks the beginning of service for the 2017-2018 AASP-MN Board of Directors. The association is pleased to welcome Randy Notto, AAM, Lenfer Transmission, Lino Lakes and Matthew Feehan, American Auto Body, Brooklyn Park to the Board of Directors. They join other members of the Board, which include: • Wayne Watson, Autoworks Automotive Service Center, Woodbury – President • Greg Kasel, AAM, Downtown Tire & Auto, Hastings – Immediate Past President • Will Latuff, Latuff Bros., St. Paul – Secretary/Treasurer • Dave Bock, Auto Value Parts Stores/APH, St. Cloud – Associate Division Director • Bruce Tschida, AAM, Lake Marion Collision, Lakeville – Collision Division Director • Carl Thomas, Lancer Service Auto Care, St. Paul – Mechanical Division Director • Mars Overlee, Rick’s 36 Automotive Services, Stillwater – Mechanical Seat

MNCARS Gets Message Out at World of Wheels AASP-MN member volunteers were out in full force at the MNCARS display booth during the World of Wheels show March 17-19 at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis. Member volunteers were on hand to spread the MNCARS message about the rewarding careers in the auto service and collision repair industry and encourage attendees to pursue a two-year degree in the field at one of Minnesota’s technical colleges.

During the Student Day portion of the event, AASP-MN representatives also had the opportunity to present information to over 230 students that attended.

AASP-MN also extends a sincere thank you to this year’s outgoing board members: • Tom Gleason, Pro-Tech Auto Repair, Corcoran • Jim Siegfried, AAM, Crystal Lake Automotive, Lakeville Volunteers are the heart and soul of AASP-MN, and we appreciate the leadership and commitment of these dedicated members.

AASP-MN Announces 23rd Annual Golf Outing AASP-MN invites all collision and mechanical industry professionals and vendor suppliers to attend its 23rd Annual Golf Outing on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at Keller Golf Course in Maplewood. Over 150 AASP-MN members, employees, vendors, and insurance industry representatives are expected to enjoy the day of golf and socializing.

Play will begin at noon, followed by a social hour and awards presentation. The cost to participate is $100 per golfer or $400 per foursome. Golf holes are also available to sponsor for $350 each.

For additional information, see page 17 of this issue or contact the AASP-MN office at (612) 623-1110 / 800-852-9071 or visit www.aaspmn.org.

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AASP-MN News

Thank you to the following AASP-MN members for making this event a success:

Dave Bock, Auto Value Parts Stores/APH, St. Cloud Mike Harmsen, St. Cloud Collision, St. Cloud George Harvotich, Master Automotive, Burnsville Jesse Jacobson, Heppner’s Auto Body, Woodbury Greg Larsen, Phil’s Body Shop, Rosemount Tony Newman, Dale Feste Automotive, Hopkins Jeremy Nordgren, Norgren Automotive, Medina Brittany Reilly, Choice Auto Rental, Inver Grove Heights Steve Reinarts, Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis Dan Swenson, Alexander’s Import Auto Repair, Minneapolis Wayne Watson, Autoworks Automotive Service Center, Woodbury Chad Wyttenbach, Raymond Auto Body, St. Paul

Thank You to Our Sponsors Recently, AASP-MN sought sponsorship support from its Associate members and other industry vendors to help support the Association’s educational programming and other activities in 2017. Sponsorships help AASP-MN deliver the quality programs members expect, and keep registration fees affordable.

To date, the following companies have made sponsorship commitments:

GOLD SPONSORS AASP National Auto Value Parts Stores/APH Autoshop Solutions Axalta Coating Systems CBIZ AiA FinishMaster Meadowbrook Insurance PPG Automotive Finishes United Fire Group

SILVER SPONSORS aaa Auto Parts Enterprise Rent-A-Car LKQ/Keystone Automotive O'Reilly Auto Parts PAM’s Auto, Inc. Suburban Chevrolet

BRONZE SPONSORS Advance Auto Parts C.H.E.S.S.

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR Dent Impressions

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE VENDOR SPONSORS

MARCH 2017 1 Collision Network Milwaukee, WI

Monroe, Moxness, Berg, P.A. Minneapolis

JLH Enterprises Shakopee

Mr. Tire Brainerd

Lube-Tech Partners St. Paul

Safety-Kleen Blaine Steph’s Garage St. Louis Park

AASP-MN News

1 Collision Network 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division AmeriPride Services BASF Automotive Refinish Casualty Insurance of Chaska Choice Auto Rental Dentsmart PDR Heartman Insurance Hertz Corporation IDENTIFIX Insurance Brokers of MN MN Dept. of Labor & Industry Monroe, Moxness, Berg, PA Net Driven Rapid Refill Safety-Kleen Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes April 2017 7

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AASP-MN News

U. S. DRIVING MILES HIT RECORD HIGH IN 2016 Motorists drove more than 3.2 trillion miles last year in the United States, marking the second straight year that total driving miles have hit a record high.

Vehicle miles were up 2.8 percent in 2016, an increase of 87.5 billion miles over 2015, according to estimates from the Federal Highway Administration.

Last year was the fifth straight year of increased mileage on public roads, according to the agency.

The administration’s latest “Traffic Volume Trends” report – a monthly estimate of U.S. road travel – shows that more than 263.6 billion miles were driven in December 2016 alone, which is a 0.5 percent increase over the previous December.

At 2.9 percent, traffic in the West – a 13-state region stretching from California to Montana, and including Hawaii and Alaska – led the nation with the largest percentage increase in unadjusted vehicle miles travelled for December 2016, and continued an uninterrupted series of monthly increases that began in October 2013.

Mileage fell slightly in the Northeast and North Central states in December.

www.langmarketing.com

MORE VEHICLES AT LEAST 12 YEARS OLD 6 Major Takeaways: • Vehicles at least 12 years old on U.S. roads represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the light vehicle population.

• While the car and light truck vehicles in operation increased at a modest 0.8 percent average annual pace over the past 10 years (2006 to 2016), cars and light trucks at least 12 years old soared at a growth rate more than five times greater.

• Lang Marketing estimates that at mid-year 2016, there were more than 136 million cars and light trucks at least 12 years old on U.S. roads, 47 million more than 10 years earlier.

WWW.AASPMN.ORG

NATIONAL NEWS

• The older vehicle population is being bolstered by two factors: modest rates of scrappage in the U.S. over the past five years, and the extended life expectancy of cars and light trucks resulting from changes in component materials and manufacturing technologies.

• During 2006, foreign nameplates accounted for only about 24 percent of cars and light trucks at least 12 years old. At mid-year 2016, foreign nameplates held more than a 39 percent share of this vehicle age group.

• Lang Marketing estimates that foreign nameplate cars and light trucks will continue to increase their share of light vehicles at least 12 years old, reaching nearly a majority of this vehicle age group by 2020.

UBER AND THE AFTERMARKET 6 Major Takeaways: • In its ride-sharing stage, Uber intends to become a cheaper and more convenient alternative to vehicle ownership.

• Over one-quarter of Millennials who are frequent Uber users indicate they have delayed purchasing a vehicle because of the lower cost and greater convenience of using Uber compared to vehicle ownership (from their perspective).

• Uber is one of several factors causing a growing number of younger Americans to delay getting a drivers license.

• Uber is a leading player in the development of driverless cars and has a number of advantages over many of its competitors.

• Uber is having some impact on today’s aftermarket and it will likely have expanding consequences for the aftermarket in the future.

• Uber is a major player in the development of driverless cars, which could have significant consequences for the number of vehicles on the road, annual vehicle mileage, as well as how and where maintenance on driverless vehicles is performed.

HAVE YOU VISITED OUR WEBSITES LATELY?

WWW.CARCAREERS.ORG

Log on today for the latest news and updates from AASP-MN and MNCARS! AASP-MN News

April 2017 9

10 April 2017

AASP-MN News

Shop Here First!

AASP-MN Associate Member Directory 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division - St. Paul, MN aaa Auto Parts - East Bethel, MN aaa Auto Parts - Rosemount, MN AASP-MN BankCard Program - Minnetonka, MN Action Auto Parts of St. Paul, Inc. - St. Paul, MN Advance Auto Parts - Lakeville, MN AkzoNobel - Stillwater, MN AmeriPride Services - Minneapolis, MN Arcon Solutions, Inc. - Burnsville, MN Assessment Associates International - Minnetonka, MN Auto Body Specialties, Inc. - Mankato, MN Auto Color & Industrial Supply, Inc. - St. Joseph, MN Auto Data Labels, Inc. - Deer Park, NY Auto Nation Parts Department - White Bear Lake, MN Auto Plus Auto Parts - Brooklyn Park, MN Auto Plus Auto Parts - Hopkins, MN Auto Plus Auto Parts - Lexington, MN Auto Plus Auto Parts - Bloomington, MN Auto Value Parts Stores - St. Cloud, MN Automotive Parts Solutions, Inc. - St. Cloud, MN Automotive Recyclers of MN - Fridley, MN Automotive Training Institute - Linthicum, MD Autoshop Solutions - Apex, NC Axalta Coating Systems - Eden Prairie, MN BASF Corporation - Crystal, MN Blue Rock Refinishing Solutions, LLC - Roseville, MN Blue Tow Service Center - Blaine, MN Boulay Financial Advisors, LLC - Minneapolis, MN Brake & Equipment Warehouse - Minneapolis, MN Buerkle Honda - White Bear Lake, MN Buerkle Hyundai - White Bear Lake, MN C.H.E.S.S. - West St. Paul, MN Casualty Assurance of Chaska, LLC - Chaska, MN CBIZ AiA - Minneapolis, MN Choice Auto Rental - Inver Grove Heights, MN Christensen Auto Parts, LLC - Waseca, MN Cottens’ NAPA - Anoka, MN Dent Impressions - Rogers, MN Dentsmart - Isanti, MN Derson/Clean Burn - Watertown, MN Dorman Products - Colmar, PA Dynotec Industries, Inc. - Jordan, MN Eau Claire Auto Parts, Inc. - Eau Claire, WI Elite Worldwide, Inc. - Rancho Santa Fe, CA Enterprise Rent-A-Car - Eagan, MN Factory Motor Parts - Eagan, MN Finishmaster - St. Cloud, MN Finishmaster - Duluth, MN Finishmaster - Fridley, MN G & K Services, Inc. - Minneapolis, MN Heartman Insurance - Faribault, MN Hedahls Parts Plus - Detroit Lakes, MN Hedahls Parts Plus - Fergus Falls, MN 12 April 2017

Hertz Corporation - Richfield, MN IDENTIFIX - Roseville, MN Insurance Brokers of MN - Jensen Agency - Minneapolis, MN Johnson Supply Co., Duluth, MN Keystone Automotive/LKQ - Minneapolis, MN Kukui Corporation - San Jose, CA LKQ - Minnesota - Albert Lea, MN LKQ - Viking Auto Salvage - Northfield, MN Lube-Tech & Partners - St. Paul, MN Mark’s Towing, Inc. - Eagan, MN McClard & Associates - Hopkins, MN Meadowbrook Insurance - Overland Park, KS Metro Auto Salvage - Lakeville, MN Mighty Auto Parts - Burnsville, MN Mitchell International - Lakeville, MN Mitchell1 - Ellisville, MO Monroe, Moxness, Berg, PA - Minneapolis, MN Morrie’s Automotive Group - Brooklyn Park, MN Motor Parts & Equipment - Winona, MN NAPA Auto Parts/B & E Strandberg - Cambridge, MN NAPA Distribution Center - St. Louis Park, MN NAPA Distribution Center - Owatonna, MN National Coatings & Supplies - Maplewood, MN Net Driven - Scranton, PA Northland Parts/KS Investments (NAPA) - McGregor, MN Norton Automotive Aftermarket - No. St. Paul, MN O’Reilly Auto Parts - Brooklyn Park, MN P.P.G. Automotive Finishes - Naperville, IL P.P.G. Automotive Finishes - Mitchell, SD PAMs Auto, Inc. - St. Cloud, MN Parts Department of Faribault - Faribault, MN Parts Dept. of Northfield / NAPA Auto Parts - Northfield, MN Proven Force Clutch and U Joint/Midwest Trans. - Maple Grove, MN Rapid Refill - New Hope, MN Rudy Luther’s Hopkins Honda - Hopkins, MN Safety-Kleen - Blaine, MN SATA Spray Equipment/Dan Am Corp. - Spring Valley, MN Savage Parts Service - Burnsville, MN Scharf Auto Supply - Rochester, MN Schmelz Countryside - Maplewood, MN Sherwin Williams Automotive Finishes - Bloomington, MN Single Source Inc. - Baldwin, WI - Baldwin, WI Single Source Inc. - Roseville, MN - Roseville, MN Southern Minnesota Auto Supply Co. - Rochester, MN St. Paul/Mpls. Wholesale Parts - Anoka, MN Straight & Square Distributing, LLC - St. Cloud, MN Suburban Chevrolet - Eden Prairie, MN United Fire Group - Hugo, MN Valley Imports - Fargo, ND Valspar - Minneapolis, MN Wakeman Equipment Sales, Inc. - Brown Deer, WI Wipers & Wipes, Inc. - Hugo, MN Wirthco Engineering, Inc. - Edina, MN

AASP-MN News

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION

Need a Loan?

Are you fired up to do a project...if only you had the cash to do it? If the project has environmental benefits, you may qualify for a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) small business loan.

Current interest rates for these loans are at four percent and you can borrow up to $50,000. Plus, the MPCA offers a longer repayment time than other lenders – up to seven years.

The loan can be used for projects that will help you meet or exceed environmental regulations or to pay for investigation and cleanup of soil contamination. You could use the loan to switch to solvent-free parts washers so your shop will generate less hazardous waste. Or buy a new booth so you can switch to waterborne paint, resulting in fewer harmful pollutants coming from your shop. Both of these switches could decrease your regulatory fees, too. Looking to energy efficiency, you could use the loan to pay for a heat recovery system for your booth, saving on your heating bill.

Many MPCA small business loan projects lead to fewer regulatory requirements, smaller waste disposal bills and less exposure to harmful chemicals for your employees, your customers

and your shop’s neighbors.

Maybe there’s a grant available from your city or county, but you don’t have the matching dollars that most grants require. You could use an MPCA loan to supply your matching dollars, and qualify for the grant.

There is fine print, of course, but for small shops that shouldn’t be a problem: less than 50 employees, less than $500,000 annual profit after taxes and less than $1 million net worth.

There is no deadline, so apply when you’re ready. The application form has been updated recently and is easier to complete.

Applications are evaluated based on the project’s expected environmental benefits and your ability to repay the loan. You have to wait to start the project until you are approved for the loan.

When your loan has been repaid, the money will be loaned to other small businesses so they can make environmental improvements, too. It is a virtuous cycle and you can be part of it.

Need more information? You can email or call Eric David at the MPCA at eric.david@state.mn.us or 651-757-2218, or go to the MPCA’s loan webpage at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/loan.

AASP-MN News

April 2017 13

14 April 2017

AASP-MN News

INSURANCE I.Q.

NEGLIGENT ENTRUSTMENT Companies can be held liable if an employee has an accident in a personal or company vehicle, but a sound risk management strategy can help reduce million-dollar verdicts of negligent-entrustment lawsuits.

A company could be liable for damages if an employee has a collision while driving for work purposes in either their own or a company-supplied vehicle. A negligent entrustment claim could occur if a company has a weak program, regardless of who’s at fault in the accident.

The principle of negligent entrustment is not based on negligence of the at-fault driver, but on negligence of the company for supplying a vehicle to a driver who is not subject to any assessment, license record checks, motor vehicle record checks, driver safety training and ongoing activity/performance monitoring.

More and more companies are subject to negligent entrustment lawsuits, as the victims and their attorneys are often awarded large payouts. Negligent entrustment implies that an employer knew, or should have known, that they put an unsafe driver behind the wheel of a company vehicle.

NEGLIGENT ENTRUSTMENT

• Risk managers can mitigate the risk by instituting a clear, formal and consistent driver safety program.

NOTE: The information contained in this service bulletin was obtained from reliable sources. However, UFG accepts no legal responsibility for the correctness or completeness of this information.

Reprinted With Permission From United Fire Group 118 Second Avenue SE | Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401 | 1-800-332-7977 | ufgins.com

A sampling of past cases demonstrates what could be at stake with negligent entrustment.

In the 2004 case of Brooks v. Hancock, a 19-year-old student was turning left at an intersection when a pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction struck his car and killed him. The student’s mother sued the pickup truck driver and his employer, claiming that the driver was driving too fast. The suit alleged negligent entrustment of the vehicle to the driver, who had a history of motor-vehicle citations, and the claimant was awarded a very large verdict in this lawsuit.

EXPENSIVE PRECEDENTS

• Negligent entrustment is the negligence of employers in supplying vehicles to drivers without subjecting them to assessment, license record checks, motor vehicle record checks, driver safety training and ongoing activity/performance monitoring.

SUMMARY

• Negligent entrustment is fast becoming a milliondollar risk for employers.

AASP-MN News

April 2017 15

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE continued from pg. 4

of people in our industry.

• Community – look around your community. Go visit that local high school that has an automotive program. Knock on some doors at the junior high school and talk to some students. Educate them about our industry and what it has to offer.

So, my goal for you is to pick just one of the above and get involved. With nearly 800 members of AASP-MN, we could make an impact locally in a very short period of time if every shop put just one foot forward.

I'm looking forward to serving as the President of our association over the next year. If we have not met, please reach out to me. Every shop has a story and I love hearing about them.

16 April 2017

AASP-MN News

Registration Deadline June 10

23rd Annual

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 Keller Golf Course 2166 Maplewood Drive St Paul, MN 55109

AASP-MN Golf Outing Fees Include: • 18 Hole Green Fees • Golf Carts • Contests _Closest to the Pin _Longest Putt _Longest Drive _and MORE! • Prizes • Social Hour/Light Dinner

12:00 p.m. Shotgun Start Check-in 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Four person scramble $100 per golfer/$400 per team

AASP-MN 23rd Annual Golf Outing Registration June 20, 2017 – Keller Golf Course

Name: _____________________________________ Company: ______________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________________________________ Zip: __________________________________ Phone: ______________________ Fax: ______________________ Email: _____________________________________ 1st Player: 2nd Player: 3rd Player: 4th Player:

__________________________________________ Company: __________________________________________ Company: __________________________________________ Company: __________________________________________ Company:

____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Payment Options: _____ Check enclosed. Payable to AASP-MN _____ Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover & American Express accepted)

Credit card #: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Expires: ____________ CVC#: ______________ Signature: ________________________________________________ Return to:

AASP of Minnesota, 1970 Oakcrest Ave., Suite 102, Roseville, MN 55113 612- 623-1110 (ph) / 612-623-1122 (f) / aasp@aaspmn.org (e) AASP-MN News

April 2017 17

18 April 2017

AASP-MN News

ESTIMATING TIPS Shop Materials in Mitchell Estimating – Labor times in Mitchell estimating do not take into account the cost of any materials. This would include the cost of hazardous materials recycling or disposal. This can be found in the Mitchell Estimating Guide on page P3.

2-Stage Refinish in Audatex – Parts that show on an Audatex estimate with a refinish time of .2 or less will not calculate 2-stage refinish time. This means only “surface” will show on the refinish line and the estimator will need to manually calculate the 2-stage time. This can be found in DEG inquiry 10542.

A link to the most current copy of the Mitchell Estimating guide can be found on the DEG website.

Second Color in CCC One – Refinish time for the underside of hoods, lids or gates does not include mixing of a different color.

This is also true when selecting edging of a part. Both of these items can be found in the MOTOR Guide to Estimating on pages G37 and G38.

Setup and Duplication of Seam Sealer Appearance in Audatex – Any special processes required for the application of seam sealer to duplicate the appearance, masking or equipment setup would be a manual consideration and not included. This can be found in DEG inquiry 10505.

Window Tint in Mitchell – Replacing the aftermarket window tint is a not-included operation in Mitchell. This can be found in the Mitchell Estimating Guide under glass R&R and would require a manual line for the judgment time.

Note: The estimating databases are all intended to be used as a GUIDE ONLY - it is important to remember that the auto body professional performing the repair is in a position to thoroughly inspect, diagnose and identify the methodology and their unique cost of the vehicle damage repair.

You can view these tips and others on the DEG website,WWW.DEGWEB.ORG.

AASP-MN News

April 2017 19

MARKETING FEATURE

by Lee Emmons, Absolute Perfection Media

Rethinking Your Shop’s Facebook Page

For years, you’ve heard that your auto repair shop had to have a Facebook business page. Between the marketing consultants you’d run into at workshops, emails from vendors with marketing tips or the sales calls you’d receive several times a week, the message was clear – Internet marketing was going to make or break your business. And if you didn’t even have a Facebook page? You were in serious trouble. So, naturally, you set up a Facebook page for your shop. Now what?

Don’t Sell Like an Advertiser – Engage Like a Friend!

Before you begin brainstorming ideas for Facebook posts, make sure to start by thinking about the reasons your potential customers are using Facebook. Are they using Facebook to find the latest coupons? Did they join Facebook to see the best advertisements? No. People use Facebook because they want to connect with other people and find useful, interesting and fun content to interact with.

Think of Your Audience as a Community!

Facebook presents a great opportunity to engage with potential customers in your service area. Conventional wisdom dictates that the average collision customer is willing to travel between seven to 10 miles for auto repair. This hyper-local focus is an advantage that every regional shop has over every national chain.

What Should You Post?

Even if you have a strong feeling for your local market, it can be challenging to come up with new ideas for posts. Your primary goal on Facebook should be to engage like a friend, not sell. Think of yourself as a curator of interesting, useful and fun content. Once you open up your sources for posts beyond the immediate concerns and needs of your business, you’ll find that there are so many things you can post to your Facebook page.

Here are some ideas for Facebook posts:

Have Fun with Something Topical. It hopefully goes without saying that every business should be very careful about posting something “topical.” However, if the subject is light and relevant to the industry, take the opportunity to do something fun.

Be a Consumer Advocate. Many shop owners are familiar sharing content that proves that we are on the consumers’ side and we’d like them to get the safest, highest-quality repair possible. But there are many other ways to be a consumer advocate. For example, you can be an advocate to protect area consumers from drunk drivers, or you can campaign against driving while texting.

Take Part in Local Events. Social media is a great place to crosspromote local sponsorships or participation in local events.

Engage with Local Car Clubs/Car Enthusiasts. Attend a local Cars and Coffee meetup, or look for times when local car clubs are having events. These are great opportunities to build your relationships with local clubs and build your reputation as an authority in all things automotive.

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AASP-MN News

Post Behind-the-Scenes Photos. Your online presence (website, social media profiles, reviews) represents your digital storefront.

Most people make their buying decisions before they ever set foot in your store or even speak to someone at your organization.

The impression you make through platforms like Facebook may be the only impression your potential customer has to work with.

Share Reviews from Major Review Sources. One of the best things you can do is to re-share great reviews from platforms like Google and Yelp directly to your Facebook page or other social media platforms. You can make the best out of the positive word of mouth you receive by sharing those reviews rather than just waiting for people to find them.

Share Car Maintenance Tips. If you offer mechanical services as well as collision repair, you may feel like there’s a conflict of interest in sharing DIY content. However, there will always be an angle for sharing useful car care or car safety information that won’t keep people from hiring you for the services you offer.

Integrate Your Website Content Marketing Strategy with Social Media. Every month, you should evaluate your website for gaps in the content, and new pages should be written to fill those gaps.

For example, are there services that your shop provides that aren’t covered on the website? Are there questions your customers are asking on a regular basis that could be answered by a new page on the website? Social media should be a place to share these new pages (as well as important older pages from the website).

Use Geo-Targeted Facebook Ads. Facebook is a pay-to-play platform. To get decent exposure to your posts, it will require an investment for boosting ads and creating other paid campaigns.

The good news, though, is that Facebook offers the lowest costper-impression form of advertising available on the internet. A $5 boost can increase a post’s reach by a multiple of 10. Consider a small budget for increasing the likes to the Facebook page within your services area or for ads promoting your brand within that service area.

Post a Variety of Content. Last, and possibly most importantly, make sure you are varying and testing different types of posts.

When you’re coming up with things to post to your Facebook page, remember to mix it up and be creative. Have fun with your posts, because more people on Facebook will respond to you if you’re being fun. Think about what content would be seen as interesting and useful in your local community. Then, make sure you post things that help your community to get to know you better.

Lee Emmons is chief marketing officer of Absolute Perfection Media based in Sykesville, MD. He and his agency are certified Google Partners, with certifications in AdWords and in Google’s Video Advertising Advanced Certification.

To learn more, visit AbsolutePerfectionMedia.com or call them at (866) 390-6790.

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CASH IN ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

CBIZ Payroll

CBIZ Payroll is the recommended vendor for payroll, timekeeping, 401(k), COBRA, Flex and HR Solutions for members of AASP-Minnesota. CBIZ Payroll has designed a program specifically for members of the association, which includes:

20 percent discount off of standard services pricing. This discount applies for all CBIZ payroll products and services, except 401(k). The discount is effective as long as you’re a member of AASP-MN.

Payroll: CBIZ Payroll services are focused on providing you the highest-quality service at a fair price. CBIZ Payroll is competitive with all of the major processors and usually can find ways to create additional efficiencies by integrating with your current systems.

Timekeeping: CBIZ Payroll has a variety of web-based timekeeping options to choose from, which will save you time and ensure the accuracy of your hourly employees’ timecards. Its system also provides a time-off tracking and request system that helps you monitor and approve absences.

401(k): CBIZ Payroll’s most popular 401(k) platform is fully integrated with payroll and has no administrative fees. CBIZ Payroll also has a wide array of full-service offerings for larger plans.

COBRA and Flex: Reporting and pre-tax plans are very complicated. CBIZ Payroll has the knowledge and services to create programs that keep you compliant.

HR Solutions: CBIZ Payroll has a variety of options to meet your needs, including a robust web-based HR Resource Center that comes with 4 hours of HR Hotline to full-blown HR Consulting. CBIZ Payroll also has a comprehensive HR Management System, which is fully integrated with payroll.

For more information, please contact Carrie Hobrough, 612-436-4620 or chobrough@cbiz.com. .

AASP-MN MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAMS WORKERS’ COMP INSURANCE Meadowbrook Insurance Group Contact: Brad Schmid 763-549-2247 / bschmid@cbizaia.com Up-front scheduled credit makes Meadowbrook one of the most competitive programs around for Worker‘s Compensation insurance. In addition, members are eligible to receive an annual dividend based on the group’s loss ratio. For more information, log on to www.wcpolicy.com/aaspmn.

PROPERTY/LIABILITY INSURANCE CBIZ AIA Contact: Brad Schmid 763-549-2247 / bschmid@cbizaia.com CBIZ AIA will present AASP-MN members with quotes from multiple carriers for property/liability insurance and members can choose the program that best fits their situation. As an added bonus, CBIZ AIA will offer members an exclusive 10% discount on their property/liability insurance premiums. Ask about our program with United Fire Group!

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Business Planning Professionals Contact: Dennis Begley 612-308-6577 / dennis@begley-group.com Business Planning Professionals will provide AASP-MN member with quotes from multiple carriers for life insurance, health insurance, longterm care and disability insurance.

UNIFORM & LINEN SUPPLIES AmeriPride Services Contact: Jim Dillon 651-955-1398 / jim.dillon@ameripride.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 AmeriPride each year.

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CREDIT CARD PROCESSING Association BankCard Services Contact: Mac Hardin 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.

INDUSTRIAL & PAPER PRODUCTS Wipers & Wipes, Inc. Contact: Dennis Julson 651-486-4866 Discounts on industrial supplies and paper products. Free, next-day delivery is available in the metro area. Shipping free to outstate members with $100 purchase.

WEBSITE AND INTERNET MARKETING SOLUTIONS Autoshop Solutions Contact: Margaret Klemmer 888-991-3449 / margaret@autoshopsolutions.com AASP-MN members receive a $500 discount off the Website Marketing Success Package set-up fee and special pricing on template websites starting at just $59/month and $149/set-up (regularly $79/month and $250 set-up).

Net Driven Contact: Rich Mullen 877-860-2005, ext. 224 / rmullen@netdriven.com Net Driven is a market leader in website and internet marketing solutions designed exclusively for the automotive industry. AASP-MN members who choose Net Driven are eligible for a $500 discount off their 1st year setup fees.

Mitchell International Contact: Mitchell International Representative 800-238-9111 AASP members receive a 15% discount on any Mitchell RepairCenter TechAdvisor package. Visit http://repaircenter.mitchell.com/Catalog/OEM Repair.aspx for more information.

AUTO EMPLOYEE ASSESSMENT Assessment Associates International Contact: Ron Page (952) 854-6551 / ronald.page@aaiassessment.com www.auto.aai-live.com Designed to help facilitate and enhance hiring decisions. AASP-MN members receive 50 percent off retail price and starts as low as $15 per assessment.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION HOTLINE IDENTIFIX 800-288-6220 Members enjoy discounted prices on the industry’s #1 technical information hotline, Direct-Hit. BUSINESS FORMS/CALENDARS AASP-MN Contact: Jodi Pillsbury 612-623-1110 / jodi@aaspmn.org Discount rate on printed business forms and calendars.

SALES, MARKETING AND CUSTOMER SERVICE SOLUTIONS eMarketing Sherpas Contact: Frank Terlep 888-377-2661 / www.emarketingsherpas.com eMarketing Sherpas provides AASP members up to a 10-percent discount on its Demand Engine CRM Suite, Review Engine online review and reputation marketing system and its Digital Lobby point of sale digital signage, menu board and interactive kiosks solutions.

INFORMATION PROVIDERS Mitchell1 Contact: Mitchell1 Representative 888-724-6742 x 6986 Mitchell1 offers AASP members special savings on Mitchell 1’s ProDemand, Manager SE and Teamworks products. For more information, contact Customer Service at 888-724-6742, ext.

6986.

AASP-MN News

PAYROLL PROCESSING CBIZ Payroll Contact: Carrie Hobrough 612-436-4620 / chobrough@cbiz.com Members receive 20% discount off standard payroll products and services (excluding 401k).

Members who switch prior to June 30 will receive first month of payroll processing free.

CHECK GUARANTEE SERVICES Certegy Check Services Contact: Amy McKay 727-385-7812 / amy.mckay@fisglobal.com Discount rate of .75% to AASP-MN members. Use existing credit card terminal. Fast claim payments.

BUSINESS COACHING 180biz 540-833-2014 / info@180biz.com Website: www.180biz.com Members receive a 20-percent discount on oneon-one sales and management coaching programs (covering financial planning & analysis, strategic marketing, leadership and personnel development) without long-term commitments.

Members also receive a 25-percent discount on monthly sales & management webinars as well as a 20-percent discount on all 180BIZ advisor training programs.

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.

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