VeriFacts Honors Collision Industry Vet With Coach of the Year Award
VeriFacts Automotive has presented its annual Coach of the Year Award to Don Peers, a 39-year veteran of the collision repair industry from Nebraska. Peers is an ASE Master Certified technician, has earned his AAM (Accredited Automotive Manager) from AMI, is a member of both the I-CAR and Nebraska Auto Body Associations Halls of Fame
USACP, NABA Join SCRS as Affiliates
The US Alliance of Collision Professionals (USACP), a collision repair association headquartered in Greater Cincinnati, is the latest affiliate to join the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). The USACP’s 25 charter members formed the alliance on Oct. 22, 2007, with a keen eye toward finding common ground with others. “To operate in today’s industry
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)
Troubled Times
Insurer profits are at record highs, and body shop profits are at record lows. Steering is rampant and labor rates are being suppressed. And repairers are supposed to get along with insurers?
It Takes a Body Shop
This shop owner discovered that part of being successful inside his shop means being active outside of it.
“I Can’t Make Money on Paint!” (a.k.a. Why Johnny Kicked the dog.)
Many shop owners think their problems would be solved if they could just get their paint cheaper. But paint materials profitability problems are often just a symptom of larger troubles – paint labor profitability issues, lack of standard operating procedures, sales shortcomings, etc.
Through the Looking Glass – Head First?
Considering the complex nature of collision repairs compared to those of glass, it’s debatable whether networking collision shops will be doable. It’s also debatable whether networks are in the best long-term interest of the collision industry, consumers or even insurers.
Legislative Lowdown:
Florida – Senate Bill 2692, which prohibits insurers from owning or acquiring interests in motor vehicle repair shops, has been filed in the Florida Senate and referred to the committees on Banking and Insurance; Transportation; Judiciary. If S.B. 2692 passes, it’ll become effective July 1. S.B. 2692 provides civil penalty for specified violations; prohibits insurers
State Steering Regulations
Alabama None Alaska A claimant may not be required to travel unreasonably either to inspect a replacement motor vehicle, obtain a repair estimate, or have the motor vehicle repaired at a specific facility. If a person adjusting or settling a claim elects to have repaired a claimant’s motor vehicle and chooses a specific facility for
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