Salvaged Airbag Bill Withdrawn in Maryland
A Maryland bill (S.B. 209) that would have regulated the use of salvaged airbags has been withdrawn from the Senate. The bill was based on a model bill created by the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) that repairers opposed. At the time of the bill’s introduction, the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA) warned
Maryland Bill Regulating Salvaged Airbag Use Endangers Consumers, Repair Group Says
WMABA says it’s concerned bill would encourage insurers to call for salvaged airbags in repairs to cut costs.
Customer Told DRP Shop ‘Approved,’ Falls Victim to Steering
Body shop owner John Ticktin is fuming mad and is accusing Erie Insurance of steering after a customer decided to go to one of the insurer’s DRP shops because Erie said the shop was "approved." "Erie could give a s—. This is just ridiculous," said Ticktin, who owns JT Auto Service in Bethesda, Md. "I
SCRS Announces 2009-2010 Board of Directors and Officers
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announced its 2009-2010 board of directors and officers. The new leadership team was sworn in prior to the annual SCRS Corporate Awards Dinner on April 21 at the Marriott Hartford Downtown in Hartford, Conn. Barry Dorn (Virginia) was named the SCRS chairman after two terms as SCRS vice
SCRS Hires New Executive Director
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has hired Aaron Schulenburg as its executive director, filling the position left vacant by Dan Risley in August. The SCRS believes Schulenburg’s combined experience in collision repair businesses, associations and interindustry relations will be a great asset for the association and its affiliates. Schulenburg currently serves as the
Aluminum Repair Seminar Offered in Maryland
The Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA), BMW of North America and BMW of Fairfax are presenting an aluminum repair training seminar. Shawn Hart, training manager of BMW North America, will teach about the detailed processes, hazards and benefits of aluminum body and collision repair. BMW is considered a pioneering company in aluminum body repair.
Shame on the No-Shows
As publishers of this industry’s leading trade magazine, we’re often used as a sounding board for various opinions, thoughts and editorials on a variety of subjects by industry participants at every level. We’re always respectful to keep these commentaries in confidence when that is the intent of the sender, and we’re careful never to compromise
List of Auto Body Trade Associations
NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) Minneapolis, Minn. Tel: (612) 270-6696 www.autoserviceproviders.com Automotive Service Association (ASA) Bedford, Texas Tel: (800) 272-7467 www.asashop.org Coalition for Collision Repair Excellence (CCRE) Bainbridge Island, Wash. Tel: (877) 700-7743 www.theccre.com Collision Industry Relief Mechanicsville, Va. Tel: (888) 667-7433 www.collisionindustryrelief.com Independent Auto Body Association (IABA) Raleigh, N.C. Tel: (336)
DEG Announces 2008 Sponsors
Several key industry players are now sponsoring the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) project for 2008. CARSTAR Franchise Systems and ABRA Auto Body & Glass are Platinum sponsors, the highest level of sponsorship. Gold sponsors are Auto Body Hawaii, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) and the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association
Love (to Undercut) Thy Neighbor
“It seems like shops are more obsessed with competing than with working and sticking together, so how will we ever better the industry for ourselves?” – Dennis Terry, technician, Hilltop Auto, Cabot, Ariz. The fact that insurers work so hard to control the consumer explains one of the reasons why shops don’t “stick” together. Shops