PPG’s Aquabase Plus to be Used in Chrysler’s National Training Center
Chrysler Corporation announced it has installed an Aquabase Plus waterborne paint system in its Auburn Hills, Mich., national technical training center, bringing it into conformance with other Chrysler facilities. The majority of Chrysler assembly plants already use PPG waterborne coatings. “We have been using PPG systems for years. When we decided to go green, we
Insurance Association Disappointed in Court Ruling on Labor Rate Survey
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) expressed its disappointment with a ruling by a Rhode Island Superior Court judge that would require every insurance carrier authorized to sell motor vehicle liability insurance in the state to conduct a labor rate survey and use this information as the sole determinant of the prevailing auto
Zara’s Receives Russ Verona Memorial Award for Industry Achievement
Zara’s Collision Center of Springfield, Ill., recently was recognized for achievement in the collision repair industry with the Russ Verona Memorial Award. Brad Zara, owner of Zara’s Collision Center, accepted the award on behalf of the business at the I-CAR International Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz. Eligibility for the award is based on achieving the
URG Advisory Group Releases New Training Tool About Automotive Recycling
United Recyclers Group (URG) released a new PowerPoint training tool that explains the automotive recycling industry and features nearly 25 experts in several areas, including: automotive recycling, information providers (including parts location services and estimating software), auto insurance and the collision and repair industries. The presentation, “Green, Lean, and Sustainable: The New Era of Automotive
Industry Veteran Scott Shriber Named Publisher of BodyShop Business Magazine
Scott Shriber has been named publisher of BodyShop Business, a Babcox publication serving the collision repair industry. Shriber begins his new role as publisher on Monday, Aug. 25. “We look forward to the unique and in-depth industry insights Scott brings to his role as publisher of BodyShop Business,” said Bill Babcox, president of Babcox Publications.
Mentors at Work Seeking ‘Mentor of the Year’ Nominations
Mentors at Work is seeking nominations from the collision repair industry for consideration for the “Mentor of the Year” award. This award will be presented to a journeyman technician, currently working in a shop, who has shown exceptional skill in teaching and training new technicians for his or her employer. The award will be presented
SCRS Accepting Executive Director Applicants
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) is seeking applicants for its executive director position. The current executive director, Dan Risley, is resigning effective Aug. 25. In an effort to expedite the process of finding a replacement, SCRS has formed an executive director search committee that is now accepting resumes for the position. Candidates should
California Repairers and Insurers Try to Create Fair Labor Survey Regulations
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner’s legal counsel, Bill Gausewitz, told representatives of insurers and collision repair associations that the commissioner is looking at adopting new rules for the application of insurer labor rate surveys in rate disputes between insurers and repairers, the Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) announced. A group of insurers and repairers
CRA Announces New President and Board Members
The Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) has a new president and two new board members to help lead the trade group in its third year. Lee Amaradio, owner of Faith Quality Auto Body, Murrieta, Calif., is CRA’s new president, replacing Gene Crozat, one of the founding members of CRA and its president for
CARSTAR Opens 10th St. Louis-Area Location
A new CARSTAR franchise was recently opened in Columbia, Mo., at 431 N. Main St. The 5,000-square-foot shop will offer auto body repair, detailing, paint touch up and towing and will use waterborne paints. It is the 10th CARSTAR location to open around St. Louis, Mo. Columbia shop owner Charlie Eilers has also been running
Driving Declines for Eight Straight Months
New data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation show that, from November 2007 through June, Americans have driven 53.2 billion miles less than they did over the same period in 2007 – topping the 1970s’ total decline of 49.3 billion miles. Americans drove 4.7 percent less, or 12.2 billion miles fewer, in June 2008