New Jersey Body Shop Owner Files Complaint with DOI over Dispute with Insurer
A body shop owner in New Jersey is in a stalemate with United Equitable Insurance over a difference in estimated costs of a repair. Frank Szwarc, co-owner of Hayward Place Auto Body, LLC, of Wallington, N.J., believes United Equitable is being unethical and unfair in refusing to negotiate with him over the repair of a
Ohio BMV Collision Repair Registration Executive Director Discusses Importance of Shop Licensing
This week, the Automotive Service Association of Ohio (ASA-Ohio), hosted meetings in Cleveland, Toledo and Cincinnati with Ohio Collision Repair Board Executive Director Mike Greene, where he addressed rooms full of collision shop owners as well as vendors from the collision industry. Greene said that over the last few years, the board has had more
AkzoNobel Hosts 17th Annual Sikkens Acoat selected Summer Conference
Members of the AkzoNobel Acoat selected National Performance Group gathered Aug. 25-27 at the Fairmont Chicago in Chicago, Ill., for its 17th annual Summer Conferece. The 2010 program drew around 200 attendees from collision repair centers throughout North America. The Acoat selected program is comprised of industry leaders representing the largest and most progressive collision
CARSTAR Message to Franchisees: ‘There Is Work to Be Done’
In past years, the message conveyed to CARSTAR franchisees at the annual CARSTAR conference was business-focused but fun and lighthearted. This year’s message, however, was delivered with a bit more urgency and seriousness. With 4,000 to 5,000 collision repair facilities closing within the last year, including some CARSTAR shops, CARSTAR CEO Dick Cross felt the
Estimating Essentials
Is there really a difference in preparing an estimate for a high-end vehicle versus a high-production vehicle? The answer is a resounding no! Both require education and training to ensure that proper and safe repairs are outlined in the estimate.
Web Presence Management: Optimize Your Website
Consumers who need collision repair services are now almost exclusively searching for body shops online. So does your shop rank high in their search results? If not, you need search engine optimization (SEO).
Negotiate Like a Pro
Improved negotiation skills can have a positive effect on virtually every aspect of your life, not the least of which is your shop’s profitability.
I-CAR Offering Two Courses at BodyShop Business Conference
I-CAR has announced that it will be offering two training courses at the BodyShop Business Conference – Succeeding Through Change to be held Sept. 17-18 at the Hilton Hotel & Suites in downtown Indianapolis. “With the rapid rate of change in vehicle technology and design, the need to stay current on repair processes is more
I-CAR Bringing Training and TechPro World Tour to SEMA Show
I-CAR will exhibit at the SEMA Show Nov. 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, as well as introduce the TechPro World Tour welding presentation and several collision repair training opportunities. The TechPro World Tour is a new live welding event that includes demonstrations on the show floor and provides attendees with the most current
AMI Announces 2010-2011 Board of Trustees Officers
The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) has announced the recently elected board of trustees officers for 2010-2011: Tony Passwater, Chair Tony Passwater, president of AEII, has worked in the collision industry since 1972. He comes from a third generation family in the collision repair business. During his involvement, he has worked and managed his family