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Collision Repair’s Unsung Hero: How Does CREF Distribute In-Kind Donations to Vo-Tech Schools Around the U.S.?
Published in Autobody News Each year, the Collision Repair Education Foundation receives millions of dollars’ worth of in-kind donations from generous industry companies and professionals eager to support the next generation of collision repair professionals. Donations include tools, equipment and even car parts, which are distributed to the collision repair programs in need at vo-tech schools around the country. With so many large-scale donations and a limited staff, distribution seems an impossible task for CREF to manage alone – and it is! As the Foundation’s efforts to raise awareness of the challenges in collision repair education gained traction, the industry’s generosity caused CREF leaders to ask about schools offering warehouse…
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The Machine Behind the Women: Drive Safer and Smart by Knowing Your Vehicle’s Capabilities
Printed on AskPatty.com AskPatty CEO, Jody DeVere, recently joined the Ladies Offroad Network (LON) for an off-roading adventure through Moab, Utah’s challenging terrain. While most of us think that makes Jody a total badass, she largely credits the experience to ZACC, her 2017 Jeep Renegade Desert Trailhawk. “In the world of off-roading, ZACC is among the smallest vehicles, but he and I have developed a symbiotic relationship; understanding his capabilities and developing my skills around them enhances the driving experience, both off and on the road,” she shares. “Other off-roaders were astonished by some of the things ZACC did, but I wasn’t surprised – he’s a very capable vehicle.” ZACC…
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Be Prepared and Be Ready: Tips for Selling Your Business
Printed in Autobody News If you own a collision repair business, you will eventually have to ask: “Is it time to sell?” Rick Schwartz of Schwartz Advisors discussed this important decision during “Tips on Selling Your Business,” on October 21st as part of ASA’s Webinar Wednesday series. Tony Molla, ASA vice president of industry relations, introduced Schwartz and the presentation: “While it’s not uncommon to have a succession plan in place, changing circumstances can and often do require a different strategy. It’s an individual decision that can only be made by a business owner.” Beginning by looking at mergers and acquisitions (M&A) over the last decade, Schwartz pointed out the…
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How to Slay Car Monsters with Preventative Care
Published on AskPatty.com Your hands are shaking, you’re hyperventilating, and you’re terrified. No, it’s not a zombie shambling up behind you; your tremors are related to another type of monster – vehicle maintenance and repair – and that can seem way scarier! Car problems are frightening and can be dangerous, but vehicle owners don’t need to be spooked. In honor of Fall Car Care Month, here are some tips to help you arm yourself with the weapons you need to defeat all the car care monsters that Halloween can throw at you. Prevent Scary Monster Car Repairs When it comes to gearing up to protect your vehicle and yourself against…
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AASP/NJ: Citing Section 64 Could Backfire on Insurers
Printed in Autobody News Non-DRP shops in New Jersey often receive requests to match DRP pricing from insurers, who cite NJ 17:33B-36.1, commonly known as Section 64. AASP/NJ Executive Director Charles Bryant has voiced a plethora of concerns related to this statute and its impact on labor rates, but he recently pointed out that the “terms and conditions” phrase within Section 64 could require insurers to rethink their position on using it to force “prevailing” labor rates. Section 64 begins: If an insurer has a financial arrangement with one or more auto body repair shops or other repair facilities or a network of facilities for the purpose of repairing vehicles…
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Beth Rutter Shares Sneak Peek of Pilot Program
Printed in Autobody News Four guest speakers attended the St. Louis I-CAR Committee’s September virtual meeting, including collision repair industry professional Beth Rutter who spoke about the Pilot Program. Rutter graciously agreed to share some additional information with Autobody News. The Pilot Program originated three years ago at Ranken Tech, where Collision Director John Helterbrand designed an apprenticeship program to ensure that collision students are prepared to successfully enter their career after graduation. Students work with mentors at local shops, obtaining hands-on repair experience in conjunction with classroom education, as the taught tasks begin with the most mundane and progressively advance as the student’s knowledge and skill advances. “Students rotate…
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100-Year-Old Shop Enjoys State-of-the-Art Color Matching with Lusid GenRock
Published in Autobody News Longevity sets Runge’s Auto & Tire apart from the competition in Chicago, Ill. The 18,000 square foot facility has been home to automotive repair shops since 1920, before being purchased by the Runge family in 1963. The reputation the shop has built in the community over the past century has driven the success of the business, according to body shop manager Joe Sobczac, who began working for Ralph Runge shortly after the family acquired ownership. “Boasting a longevity of 100 years means that we serve third and fourth generation customers, and we’ve been able to retain that business because our focus is on treating people the…
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Modern Auto Body Triples Production with Accudraft Paint Booths and Prep Station
Published in Autobody News Founded in 1932, Modern Auto Body in South Orange, NJ, boasts a reputation for trustworthiness, superior quality, and customer service, but as word of the shop’s excellence spread to neighboring communities, owner Jack Haberman identified the need to expand his space to meet his client’s demands just three years after taking ownership of the business. In 2016, Modern Auto Body relocated to its current location, offering 14,000 square feet of production space. Knowing that he also needed to equip the shop with tools designed for high-volume operations, Haberman turned to Accudraft for all his paint hardware needs. In addition to installing two Accudraft XL downdraft paint…
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CREF Scholarships and Support Enable Body Shop Estimator to Move Up the Ladder Faster
Written for the Collision Repair Education Foundation, Printed in Autobody News Hoffman Estates, Ill. (September 16, 2020) – Justin Furman, an estimator at Bill Brown Ford on the fast track to becoming a manager, largely credits his career successes to the support he received from the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and PPG. “The scholarships I received from the industry enabled me to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree in Technology Management, virtually debt-free,” Furman said. “Unburdened by worries about college debt, I was able to focus my attention on my passion for the automotive industry,” Furman added. “Additionally, my relationship with CREF provided a solid foundation to show the…
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CARSTAR Owner Keeps Up with Industry Changes
Published in Autobody News David Ellis, owner of CARSTAR Ellis Brothers Collision in Milford, MI, joined the CARSTAR franchise network in 2019 “in order to keep up with the changes in the industry, to up my game, and to have access to the tools, technology, training, analytics, metrics and nationwide warranty that will set me up for success in this rapidly changing industry.” Although his shop has recently joined the CARSTAR network, Ellis has over two decades of automotive industry experience. In 1999, he founded Complete Automotive Restoration Inc. (CAR Inc.) and “grew the business to one of the largest mobile paint companies in the state. That growth required us…
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Dori Eppstein Brings Wealth of Experience to AskPatty as General Manager of Sales and Marketing
Published on AskPatty.com AskPatty.com, Inc. proudly announces and welcomes Dori Eppstein as its new General Manager of Sales and Marketing. “I’m very excited to join AskPatty.com,” she says. “I have extensive experience in a multitude of areas, from developing and delivering curriculum and training to top-level executive leadership roles. This position is a beautiful combination of my experiences and passions related to training, coaching, marketing, and the automotive industry.” She gained a solid reputation for being a leader who could turn a department or entire organization around. With a master’s degree from San Diego State University and more than a decade of teaching Psychology at the college level, she developed…
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Turn Eight Common Shop Owner Mistakes into Positive Life Lessons with Mike Anderson
Published in Autobody News Mike Anderson of Collision Advice recently explained how to turn eight common collision shop owner mistakes into life lessons to benefit their businesses. “When you look at mistakes you’ve made, you have to realize that they aren’t mistakes if you’ve learned from them, and when you learn from them, they become life lessons. I’ve got a lot of life lessons I’d like to share today,” Anderson began. While presenting “Life Lessons of Collision Shop Owners” on Sherwin-Williams’ Ecolean University, Anderson was joined by Mike Lanza, Manager of Business Consulting Services at Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes, as they discussed why shops struggle and how to fix it. Anderson’s…
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VersionEX Autobody Hooked on GenRock by Lusid Technologies
Printed in Autobody News Shop & Product Showcase Devin Hansen, owner of VersionEX Autobody in Eugene, OR, was raised in Okinawa, Japan and immigrated to the U.S. when he was 15 years old. “I always had a passion for cars because that was a big part of my culture,” he shared. “When I moved to America, I bought a 1996 Nissan in honor of my heritage. I started working on the car in my parents’ driveway, but the cold, rainy weather in Oregon wasn’t ideal, so a friend and I invested in a small, 300 square foot shop space where we could work on cars.” After tinting his own windows,…
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From Fender to Fashion: CRASH Jewelry Reveals Beauty in Discarded Vehicle Parts
Published on AskPatty.com Most people only see scrap metal when a fender is removed from a vehicle, but Christi Schimpke, Founder of CRASH Jewelry, sees something beautiful and worthy of rebirth. After moving her studio into her husband’s auto body shop in Los Angeles, her admiration of the aesthetic appeal of discarded automotive parts led her to imagine a way to re-purpose those materials. Goal in mind, she set out to create unique cuffs, earrings and other accessories from the metal of luxury vehicles. What is CRASH Jewelry? CRASH Jewelry specializes in creating sustainable uni-sex jewelry from the metal of luxury automobiles. My husband’s shop, Beverly Coachcraft, specializes in repairs…
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NORTHEAST Collision P.R.E.P. Kicks Off with Mark Olson’s Bulletproof File
Printed in Autobody News This year’s Collision P.R.E.P. program commenced on August 6th with “Documenting for Repair Process and Liability, and Building a Bulletproof File,” presented by Mark Olson of VECO Experts. Hosted by the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA), Collision P.R.E.P. is the educational portion of AASP/NJ’s Virtual 2020 NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show. “There’s a much bigger picture than what you’re probably already doing in your shop,” Olson began. “You’ve got to get it right the first time. You don’t have a second chance to get the right information. As soon as the car enters your shop, you need to start taking pictures of the vehicle and the…
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Hawaii Shop Increases Net Profit with AkzoNobel’s ACOAT Selected Performance Group
Since 1937, Island Fender has been providing high-quality collision repairs to Honolulu, Hawaii and the surrounding area. Utilizing the latest technology in collision repair, framework, alignment and painting, Island Fender offers superior workmanship and service. According to owner Van Takemoto, the key ingredient to his shop’s success is his involvement with AkzoNobel’s Acoat Selected Performance Group. He shares, “The Acoat Selected Performance Group helped me build my body shop from $50,000 monthly sales to $250,000 and increased our net profit. With the profit generated from the shop, we were able to invest in the real estate instead of paying rent. Over the years, the cash flow from the shop and…
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Bogi Lateiner Discusses Post Corona Customer Care and Communications
Printed in Autobody News Now that the world has been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for a couple months, things are slowly starting to reopen, leading people to talk about the new normal and what life will be like post-corona. Bogi Lateiner, of All Girls Garage, dove into the topic of “Post Corona Customer Care and Communication” during a recent installment of a collaborative series of technical and management classes focused on necessary topics for navigating business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The series is hosted by the Carquest Technical Institute and Worldpac Training Institute (CTI+WTI.) Charlie Sanville, most commonly known as the Humble Mechanic from YouTube, introduced Lateiner, who began by posing several questions: “How…
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NY Shop Owner Opts to Close Shop During COVID-19 to Protect Employees
Printed in Autobody News New York has been one of the areas hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 15,000 deaths from COVID-19. When the governor closed schools March 16, Anthony DeMieri, owner of Frog Hollow Collision in Bethpage, NY, made the business decision to close his shop doors, even though collision repair shops were deemed essential. “It was a health decision,” he said. “I’m in the middle of New York. It’s a war zone, and these guys just don’t get it. They think it’s a joke, but it’s not a joke.” Frog Hollow Collision is located just outside New York City, but the shop’s employees live in Brooklyn and Queens.…
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5th Annual Texas Trade Show Breaks Records, ABAT Announces Merger with HABA
Printed in Autobody News The Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) hosted its 5th Annual Texas Auto Body Trade Show at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sept. 20 and 21. Attracting hundreds of collision repair industry professionals from Texas and around the country, the show broke every previous year’s attendance record, with attendees excited to network with peers, engage in invaluable educational seminars, and learn about exhibitors’ latest products and services. ABAT also used the opportunity to publicly announce its decision to merge with the Houston Auto Body Association (HABA) to create a larger united front and better serve the industry at-large. ABAT and HABA have had a close relationship…
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Collision Repair Community Provides Aid Amidst Corona-Crisis
Printed in Autobody News COVID-19 has ravaged the U.S. for more than a month, but even as social distancing separates us physically, people around the world have come together to support and aid one another. In the collision repair industry, equipment suppliers, paint manufacturers and industry associations have been hosting free informative webinars related to the ongoing crisis and updates on legislation, as well as other important topics. Also, as essential personnel, collision repairers around the country have been hard at work, repairing ambulances, police vehicles and the vehicles of medical and other essential personnel. Greg Murphy of Murphy’s Auto Body Frame in Crossett, AR, reported his shop was repairing three police vehicles.…
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SCRS Offers Free 401(k) Plan Analysis to Collision Repair Industry Businesses Through Virginia Asset Management
Printed in Autobody News The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) reiterated it is offering free retirement savings plan consultations to collision repair industry businesses in partnership with Virginia Asset Management, during a Feb. 26 webinar entitled “SCRS 401(k) Plan: Everything You Need to Know about Switching from an Existing Plan.” “SCRS is really excited to share information about our Multiple Employer Retirement Plan (MEP), a customized 401(k) plan solution created specifically for SCRS members,” said SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg. “Our goal is to increase retirement savings for industry professionals.” Schulenburg encouraged collision repair industry businesses to take advantage of this opportunity. “There’s no fee for the one-on-one conversations with SCRS’s financial advisors to evaluate…
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Mike Anderson Discusses “Utilizing Technology to Thrive and Not Just Survive in 2020” during February CIECAst
Printed in Autobody News On Feb. 13, CIECA offered a CIECAst webinar entitled “Utilizing Technology to Thrive and Not Just Survive in 2020” with Mike Anderson of Collision Advice. Topics included eliminating human disruption, how AI will impact collision repair facilities, electronic quality control checklists, text reminders, customer updates using technology and much more. CIECA Executive Director Ed Weidmann began the webinar by welcoming attendees and introducing Anderson. After covering antitrust and competition guidelines, Anderson dove into a discussion about eliminating human disruption. “It is no secret that more and more admin tasks are being added to collision repair facilities,” Anderson said. “Due to this fact, we, as collision repairers, must find ways to utilize technology to…
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NJ Superior Court Denies NJM Insurance’s Motion to Dismiss Class-Action Steering Lawsuit
Printed in Autobody News The Superior Court in Union County, NJ, denied a Motion to Dismiss filed by New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance (NJM) in relation to a class-action lawsuit filed in June 2019 alleging steering-related violations against non-DRP collision repair facilities. The lawsuit is being led by Sam Mikhail on behalf of Quality Auto Painting Center d/b/a Prestige Auto Body (now dissolved) and BMR Automotive Service, Inc. d/b/a Robbie’s Automotive & Collision Specialists. The decision means the lawsuit will proceed with NJM facing accusations on a number of offenses, including injurious falsehood and tortious interference with prospective business advantage, as well as violations of the NJ Antitrust Act, NJ’s Consumer Fraud Act, and the state’s Civil RICO Act. Plaintiffs are…
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AASPI Introduces New Executive Director
Printed in Autobody News As of Jan. 1, 2020, Mike Lane stepped down from his role as executive director of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Illinois (AASPI) after nearly three decades. The position has been filled by Brian Wojcicki who has served as AAPI’s chief lobbyist since 2015. Wojcicki shared, “I have worked closely with AASPI’s executive director over the past several years regarding association programming and membership outreach.” “I am a practicing attorney with experience in election law and regulatory drafting as well as issues involving business and association liabilities,” Wojcicki continued. “Prior to law school, I worked on various state and local campaigns and was on staff with the governor’s office of…
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The Driving Force – Women in the Automotive Industry Presented by Kukui
Printed Autobody News On Oct. 18, Kukui Corporation’s Jimmy Lea hosted a webinar entitled “The Driving Force – Women in the Automotive Industry” where he was joined by six automotive industry experts who happen to be women as they discussed their careers and their vision of the future. Kukui’s description of the webinar pointed out, “Eighty percent of all automotive buying decisions are made by women. Every year, women spend over $200 billion on vehicle purchases and repair services. And yet, less than 20% of the total workforce in the automotive industry are women.” The panel consisted of Megan Dineff, customer service manager for Ervine’s Auto Repair; Jamie Carlson, owner of Ervine’s Auto Repair; Cindy Frasca, COO…
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Protect Your Shop From the Threat of Ransomware
Printed in Autobody News With an alarming increase of ransomware attacks plaguing the collision repair industry, cybersecurity has become an important topic for shop owners to educate themselves on for the safety of their businesses. A type of cybersecurity risk, ransomware attacks are when someone seizes control of an organization’s computer system or digital information, agreeing to release it only after a ransom has been paid. Ransomware is typically spread through phishing emails with malicious attachments or by visiting an infected website, but shops have also been hacked through open ports. After infecting the victim’s system, the ransomware virus encrypts every data file it finds and displays a demand for…
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Texas Watch Requests TDI’s Public Records on “Prevailing Rate”
Printed in Autobody News On July 17, Texas Watch, a non-profit consumer advocacy organization, contacted the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), asking for copies of all public documents and information related to “prevailing rate” policy language. When asked why the advocacy group got involved in this topic, Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell explained, “Prevailing rate is really, at base, a safety issue. If repair professionals can’t get paid enough to do the job the right way, consumers ultimately are the ones who suffer. They are under indemnified, their vehicles are devalued, and their lives are endangered. Insurers have been cherry-picking rates and forcing policy language on us that only benefits them. That…
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Femcanic Garage Podcast Highlights Women and Girls in the Automotive and Collision Repair Industry
Printed in Autobody News Although it’s 2019 and many people will claim that gender equality has been achieved, the fact remains that society identifies distinct differences between females and males. Yet, the reality is that many expectations for the “softer sex” are a construct that doesn’t quite jive with reality. This is evidenced in the automotive and collision repair industry by the constantly increasing membership levels of women-focused organizations, such as the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) and Women in Automotive (WIA), showing just how many women are actively involved in this unconventional career field. Earlier this year, Jayme Blasiman decided that these women should be highlighted so their contributions and impact to…
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LA Shop Owner Runs for State Senate
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VT Shop Owner Scores Big Short-Pay Win Against Nationwide
At the end of June, Mike Parker, owner of Parker’s Classic Autoworks in Rutland, VT received a phone call from his attorney Robert McClallen informing him that they’d finally won their short-pay lawsuit against Nationwide. “I was like, ‘Finally, hallelujah!” Parker shared. “There were definitely some useful points made in the case that could be used by shops suing for short-pays in the future, especially against Nationwide – since the Supreme Court hearing utilized a five-panel jury, this could set a precedent that shops’ attorneys would want to point out.” Initially filed in 2015, Parker’s case allowed him to stand in the shoes of 70 customers whose cars had been…
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Erica Eversman Seeks to Bring Vehicle Owners’ Perspective to NAIC as Consumer Liaison
Featured in Autobody News Monday, 08 July 2019 21:16 Written by Chasidy Rae Sisk Consumer Liaison Erica Eversman provides collision industry perspective during NAIC meetings.File photo Attorney Erica Eversman is well-known in the collision repair world for her work geared at educating shops about proper documentation as well as their responsibilities to the vehicle owners whose cars they repair. Earlier this year, Eversman was accepted as a consumer liaison for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and she graciously agreed to share her thoughts and goals with Autobody News readers. Q: How did you obtain the role of consumer liaison with the NAIC? A: I applied for the position. I’m not the only consumer liaison;…
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Mike Anderson and Impacted Shop Owner Warn Industry of Computer Ransom Scheme
Featured in Autobody News Monday, 08 July 2019 15:31 Written by Chasidy Rae Sisk Over the past few months, Collision Advice’s Mike Anderson has been contacted by over a dozen shops regarding a computer ransom scheme where body shops’ computers and IT systems are hijacked and held for ransom. Unable to access their programs and documents, victims are then contacted by the hackers with instructions on how to pay the ransom, usually in bitcoin. Ryan Cropper, owner of Able Body Shops in Anchorage, AK, stopped in his shop on the Saturday before going on vacation in November 2018. He recalls, “All of the icons looked like Christmas presents and clicking on them opened a message…
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GA Insurance Commissioner Suspended as Result of $2M Fraud Case
Featured in Autobody News Thursday, 06 June 2019 18:50 Written by Chasidy Rae Sisk Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck (R) was indicted in May on 38 counts of defrauding a former employer, the Georgia Underwriting Association (GUA), for a total of more than $2 million over a five-year period. In a statement, U. S. Attorney Byung J. Pak said, “Beck allegedly pocketed a substantial amount of money to which he was not entitled while he was the GUA General Manager for Operations. To be clear, the grand jury has charged Commissioner Beck with crimes that occurred before he was elected to his current public office.” Beck denied these allegations which include money laundering as well as…
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Texas Auto Body Insurance Accountability Bill Defeated by Clock, Supporters Optimistic About Progress Made
Featured In Autobody News Texas Auto Body Insurance Accountability Bill Defeated by Clock Written by Chasidy Rae Sisk The Texas Auto Body Insurance Accountability Bill, House Bill 1348, failed to receive a second reading by the end of this legislative session, simply running out of time rather than being defeated by the bill’s opponents. House Bill 1348 was only six bills away from being heard in the House Chamber when the clock signaled the end of the session, but proponents of the bill are still optimistic about the progress that was made. John Kopriva, president of the Houston Auto Body Association (HABA), said, “The 86th Legislative session is in the books. Looking back…
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CCRE President Tony Lombardozzi Shares Views on NH House Bill 664
Tuesday, 05 February 2019 18:44 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Tony Lombardozzi, president of the Coalition for Collision Repair Excellence (CCRE) ASA recently announced its support of NH House Bill 664. The bill states, “An insurer shall reimburse a repairer for all repairs if a repairer follows original equipment manufacturer-recommended collision repair procedures, recommendations or service bulletins while repairing a vehicle.” ASA Washington D.C. representative Bob Redding wrote in a letter to the committee: “House Bill 664 addresses an issue of concern for consumers and repairers. The Seebachan v. John Eagle Collision Center decision reminded collision repairers of the importance of having proper repair procedures. The original equipment manufacturers’ (OEM) repair procedures are the logical repair processes to…
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The Next Generation Speaks Out on Their Collision Repair Careers
Monday, 05 November 2018 19:33 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS v It is common knowledge in the collision repair industry that there is a shortage of incoming technicians. Over the past few years, many articles, educational seminars and programs have been dedicated to this dilemma. However, while many industry professionals have spoken about what shops can do to engage millennials and Generation Z (those born between 1995 and 2009), rarely does this information come with feedback from the young people in these age groups who have decided to join the industry’s workforce. Why did these young people pursue a career in the collision repair industry? What factors are most important when considering…
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Collision Career Institute Addresses Technician Shortage
Wednesday, 26 September 2018 18:17 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS As the technician shortage continues to plague the collision repair industry, the topic of attracting new blood to shops has become common at events and in facilities across the country. However, once someone new is sold on collision repair, the next concern is ensuring they receive the proper training to successfully begin a career in the industry. The Collision Career Institute (CCI) has developed a means of addressing this dilemma. According to Chief Operations Officer Amber Ritter, “CCI is an apprenticeship program that consists of 3,000 on-the-job training hours plus 250 related supplemental knowledge hours. Our role is to help recruit, manage and…
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MO Shop Owner Educates, Empowers With Wheels, Women & Wine Car Care Clinic
Friday, 13 July 2018 20:05 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS “I’ve often heard technicians say women don’t belong in a shop—what does that mean? Just do your job, and she’ll do hers!” stated Kim Barks, who co-ownsComplete Car and RV Repair in St. Charles, MO, with her father, Bob. In May, Barks hosted her first Wheels, Women and Wine Car Care Clinic at the shop in an effort to educate and empower women in their community when dealing with their vehicles. The class attracted 35 ladies, some of whom brought their daughters, inspiring Barks to teach both the current and future generations. She put a car on a lift to show the group how it works,…
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AASP/MA Welcomes Evangelos ‘Lucky’ Papageorg as Executive Director
Wednesday, 13 June 2018 22:07 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS On May 29, AASP/MA announced its recent decision to have Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg take over the role of executive director for the association. With previous experience as the executive director for the Massachusetts Auto Body Association and more recently running his own consulting business for the industry, Papageorg is excited to return to the role of executive director for a Massachusetts collision repair association. Papageorg shared, “I am especially pleased to be assisting the Board members as they strive to make AASP/MA the premiere collision repair association in Massachusetts. Together, we will work hard to advance the industry and benefit and assist its members as they work toward safe,…
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NJ’s Ultimate Collision Depends on Reliable Automotive Equipment for Everything Needed for Proper Repairs
Thursday, 10 May 2018 20:20 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS NOTE: This June SPS profile was originally published in print in June 2018 and online in May 2018. Ultimate Collision in Edison, NJ, opened its doors for business in 1988. Ultimate Collision Location: Edison, NJ (732) 494-1900 www.ultimatecollisioninc.com Company At A Glance… Type: Collision Repair Facility Employees: 28 In Business Since: 1988 DRP Programs: Six Number of Locations: One Combined Production Space: 10,000 square feet “I grew up in this industry, and there’s nothing I can’t do,” said shop owner Jerry McNee. “My focus is on correctly repairing cars. We stand up for our customers behind the scenes and make sure the work is done correctly as advertised.” The 10,000-square-foot facility employs…
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Colors on Parade Hosts Training for New Program
Monday, 19 June 2017 22:40 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Area Developers received demonstrations and hands-on training. On June 5 to 7, Colors on Parade hosted a training class in Denver, CO for their new CarLove Recon Advantage Program. Originally launched in January 2017, the program is now expanding into new markets led by Area Developers within the company who attended the training in order to acquire program certification. They will now bring the program to their home areas of Raleigh, NC; Orange County, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Southeastern Philadelphia, PA; and Denver, CO. The CarLove Recon Advantage Program is designed to simplify processes, eliminate risks, and fix costs for dealership groups, and it…
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The Importance of Attracting, Hiring and Retaining Female Employees
Friday, 16 June 2017 21:40 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Jody DeVere’s breakout session addressed the importance and value of employing females in the collision repair industry. Among the three breakout sessions offered on Tuesday afternoon during WIN’s 2017 Educational Conference was “Why Is It So Important to Attract, Hire and Retain Women Employees?” presented by Jody DeVere, CEO of AskPatty.com. DeVere began by observing that most women enter the collision repair industry by accident, but there is something special about the automotive industry, and it makes for a fun, challenging and interesting career. Starting with some statistics on female consumers, DeVere noted that women buy more than half of new cars, influence up…
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Mike Jones: Game Changers Take the Time to Clarify
Wednesday, 24 May 2017 18:28 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Mike Jones lectured on the importance of seeking clarity in order to improve communication at the 2017 WIN Educational Conference. On May 10, Discover Leadership Training’s PresidentMike Jones presented “Creating a Better Version of Yourself” during the last day of WIN’s 2017 Educational Conference. Drawing on his personal experiences flying police helicopters, creating programs for high school students to encourage their success, and as a cognitive scientist, Jones noted, “Words are not bad. People use words in bad ways. I urge you all to listen with the intent to be influenced, or you’ll miss the opportunity to be a better you.” Asking everyone to consider…
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Erica Eversman Discusses Shop Liability and Protection
Wednesday, 03 May 2017 20:49 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Erica Eversman On April 18, AASP-PA hosted a presentation during CIC Week in Pittsburgh, PA, featuring Vehicle Information Services Chief Counsel Erica Eversman. This presentation focused on the liabilities shops are open to currently, how shops can protect themselves and tips on getting paid for proper repairs. Eversman took time to discuss some of the key points of her presentation. According to Eversman, “The most important thing for shop owners to remember is that they are the professionals. They are responsible for making decisions, and they are subject to the burden of resolving issues with the consumer or insurance companies, whether it’s…
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Superare Marketing: “Stop Playing by the Appraiser’s Rules”
Tuesday, 11 April 2017 22:05 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Tony Lombardozzi teaches shops how to get paid properly. On the last day of AASP/NJ’s 40th Annual NORTHEAST Conference and Tradeshow, Superare Marketing’s Tony Lombardozzi and Peter Abdelmaseh hosted two sold-out sessions for shop owners: “Stop Playing by the Appraiser’s Rules” and “Set Your Own Prices and Make Them Stick.” In his introduction, Lombardozzi stated, “Twenty-five years ago, I made a commitment that I’d leave this industry better off. The word ‘superare’ is Italian for excellence, and we need to be more advanced than we are currently. We play by the insurer’s rules not because we have to but because we allow…
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An Introduction to WIN’s 2017 Most Influential Women Honorees
Wednesday, 05 April 2017 19:51 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS The Women’s Industry Network (WIN®) introduced its 2017 Most Influential Women (MIW) honorees on March 3. This award is designed to recognize women whose leadership, vision and commitment to excellence have enriched the collision repair industry. This year’s honorees, to be recognized at WIN’s MIW Gala and Awards ceremony during the association’s May conference in Denver, are Cristina Fronzaglia-Murray, Manager of Marketing Communications for PPG’s Automotive Refinish Division; Renee Ricciotti, Sales and Marketing Manager for 3M Automotive Aftermarket; and Elizabeth Stein, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for the Assured Performance Network. WIN Chair Petra Schroeder stated, “Having been with WIN…
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AASP/NJ’s 40th Annual NORTHEAST Bigger and Better Than Ever
Tuesday, 28 March 2017 21:17 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS With 2017 marking AASP/NJ’s 40th Annual NORTHEAST Conference and Tradeshow, it comes as no surprise that this year’s event, held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center on March 17-19, was bigger and better than ever with a handful of firsts. AASP/NJ hosted a four-part Path to Certification panel series and presented the first James Moy Memorial Award for Dedication to the Automotive Repair Industry. Additionally, this was the first agenda to include presentations from Superare Marketing, and Mike Anderson of Collision Advice presented a brand new seminar on the importance of disassembly. According to AASP/NJ Executive Director Charles Bryant, “The 2017 NORTHEAST Automotive…
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23-Year-Old Female Shop Owner Runs the Show at VA Maaco
Friday, 03 March 2017 21:45 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS The collision repair industry is known for being male-dominated, and with the increasing need for young professionals to enter the industry, it’s refreshing to meet Katie Inge, a 23-year-old shop owner in Chesapeake, VA. Inge’s passion for cars transcends any question of her place in this industry and proves that women have an important perspective to bring and role to play as we move into the future; it’s not just a man’s world anymore! Inge grew up in her father’s Maaco Collision and Repair Center, spending weekends in the shop where she learned about the entire process, from painting to sanding to…
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Larry Montanez Plays Devil’s Advocate for State Farm Labor Rate Decreases
Wednesday, 28 December 2016 00:07 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Many collision repair industry professionals have taken up arms in reaction to State Farm’s decision to lower labor rates in parts of NJ and NY, but amidst the outrage, a very recognizable voice is strangely absent. Industry advocate Larry Montanez of P & L Consultants has taken a different stance on this situation as he appeals to the industry to consider a logical approach. Montanez notes, “State Farm is lowering labor rates to what they consider to be a reasonable amount based on what they say is their market research. Conversely, they did originally claim that their extensive market rate survey is what placed their…
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What Does Photo Estimating Mean for the Collision Repair Industry?
Thursday, 07 July 2016 17:22 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Photo estimating is the newest hot topic in the collision repair industry, causing quite a stir after Pennsylvania, Virginia and Delaware passed laws allowing insurers to write estimates based on photos of vehicle damage submitted by the insured. Advocates of photo estimating praise its convenience while those in opposition are concerned about supplement increases and its impact on the reputation of collision repair facilities. So how does photo estimating impact shops, consumers and insurance companies? To find out what this new trend really entails, Autobody News spoke with CJ Przybyl, president of Snapsheet; Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS; Dan Risley, executive director of…
