Insurance Group Testifies Against Setting Labor Rates at Final Massachusetts Hearing
The special commission studying the logistics, benefits and cost of developing an auto body repair labor rate system in Massachusetts held its second and final public hearing Nov. 13. The American Insurance Association (AIA) testified at the hearing that setting labor rates would be “a major step backwards in the effort to reform the private
Wisconsin Automotive Parts Association Backs Repair Clause Legislation
The Wisconsin Automotive Parts Association (WAPA) has joined the Quality Parts Coalition’s (QPC) effort to enact “repair clause” legislation championed by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) in the 110th Congress, which the QPC claims will secure the future of the American independent repair industry. The legislation would create an exemption for design patent infringement liability for
OSHA Issues Final Rule on Personal Protective Equipment
The final rule on Clarification of Employers’ Duty to Provide Personal Protective Equipment and Train Each Employee was published Dec. 15. The rule revises OSHA standards to clarify that for employers to be in compliance, they must provide personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators, and hazards training for each employee covered by the standards.
Rhode Island Shop Owner Starts New Year with Jackpot
There could be a lucky streak running through the collision repair industry. For the second time in a two-month period, a shop owner has hit it big with a state lottery. This time, Anthony Broccoli of Brock’s Auto Collision Center & Auto Repair in Warwick, Rhode Island, won $1 million in his state’s New Year’s
AASP-MN Annual Meeting and Convention Announced
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota’s (AASP-MN) meeting and convention will be held February 27-28 at the Holiday Inn St. Paul East, St. Paul, Minn. The event’s line-up includes programs for mechanical and collision repair shop owners, managers and technicians, as well as industry suppliers. Friday’s schedule includes sessions on telephone skills, closing
CCRE Says CIC Committee’s DRP Criteria Would Further Promote Steering
The Coalition for Collision Repair Excellence (CCRE) recently voiced its opposition to the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) Fair Trade Practices committee’s proposed criteria for DRP reform, saying that DRPs “foster, support and promote insurer steering of repairable vehicles.” “Though the vast majority of collision repairers understand this, it seems that this simple concept remains lost
Accident Scene Advanced Training Hosted by 911 Collision and Partners
911 Collision Centers, Kent Automotive, Hertz Local Edition and Nationwide Insurance delivered emergency extrication training on modern vehicles to more than 150 emergency service personnel in Tucson and Scottsdale, Ariz., the week of December 15. With advancements in vehicle design, multiple air bags and passenger restraint systems, first responders need additional training to be
Metropolitan Car-O-Liner Joins AASP/NJ’s NORTHEAST 2009 Show
Metropolitan Car-O-Liner has signed on with the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey’s (AASP/NJ) NORTHEAST 2009 trade show at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, March 20-22. Car-O-Liner joins exhibitors who have committed to over 200 booths the show. “Metropolitan Car-O-Liner has been a supporter of the NORTHEAST show for over
Steering, Labor Rates Top Industry Concerns for ’09, Nebraska Study Says
The Nebraska Autobody Association (NABA) recently released results of a survey gauging the most critical issues facing collision repairers in 2009. The survey, taken during the last quarter of 2008, asked repairers to name those issues that would be most crucial in the new year, and 85 percent rated steering as the top concern. NABA’s
DCR Systems and Summit Software Solutions Extend Relationship to Proprietary Development
Mentor, Ohio-based DCR Systems has entered into a long-term business agreement with Summit Software Solutions, Inc. DCR Systems will utilize Summit Software’s shop and network management technologies in all existing and future DCR and DCR licensee locations, while Summit Software will develop proprietary software and technology solutions for DCR’s patent-pending collision repair operating model. “Summit
PPG Spring Confernece to Address Critical Industry Challenges
PPG’s MVP Business Solutions team will host a conference for collision center owners and managers from across North America, March 9-11 at the Hilton Resort at Squaw Peak in Phoenix, Ariz. PPG says the conference’s combination of management training, peer exchange and expert speakers will help shop owners improve shop performance and competitiveness despite the
Task Force Miffed by CCC’s Reversal on ‘Bumper Refinish Prompt’ Decision
The Collision Industry Conference Database Task Force (DTF) recently expressed its displeasure over CCC’s reintroduction of the "Bumper Refinish Prompt" in its Pathways 4.5 release, saying it was "shocked" and "disheartened," considering the many years it took to convince CCC that the bumper refinish prompt in its estimating system was in direct conflict with paint