The newly resurrected Idaho Autobody Craftsman Association (IACA) officially joined the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) as an affiliate during a member meeting in Boise, Idaho, in late November.
A handful of repairers, including IACA President Matt Thornton, began discussing the prospects of revitalizing the association this summer after it remained dormant for nearly a decade. After an initial organizational meeting in August, which attracted more than 30 repairers and representatives of businesses that support repairers, a second, more formal meeting ensued in November with almost 60 in attendance.
The meeting featured a presentation by Bruce Halcro, chairman of the Montana Collision Repair Specialists (MCRS). Following Halcro, SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg covered a number of industry-related topics, including insurance-mandated parts procurement programs and collision repair resources.
"The turnout was great and showed the interest repairers in our state had regarding getting together and organizing to reinforce and protect the best interests of our industry," said Thornton. "We’re in Boise, which is in Southern Idaho, and people in the Eastern and Northern part of the state had to drive hours to get here, but they did. We also got a nice show of support from several members of the Montana Collision Repair Specialists, another SCRS affiliate, whose representatives drove close to nine hours to be there."
Gaining knowledge and expertise is one of the reasons IACA decided to become an SCRS affiliate. "[SCRS] has a lot to offer as an informational source because they are so active in so many different areas," said Thornton. "In addition, they will provide us a national presence that is very valuable. That being said, the biggest reason our members want to be part of SCRS is they are the only national organization that holds the interests of collision repairers at heart. That means a lot to us as collision repair business owners."
Added Schulenburg, "The re-emergence of IACA is indicative of a wave of collision repair activism rising in the face of mounting economic and market pressures. We wish them well and look forward to their contributions, now and in the future."
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