Don’t Wait for Waterborne
I recently asked a shop owner if he had switched over to waterborne or low-VOC basecoats yet, and his response took me by surprise. “Tailpipe’s this big,” he said, making a circle with his thumb and index finger. “A spray gun nozzle is this big,” he then said, making a much smaller circle. “EPA’s always
Revamped NABC Board of Directors Ready for 2009
The National Auto Body Council (NABC) board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, in Hartford, Conn., marks the first opportunity for the new board to move ahead on its 2009 agenda. This agenda includes the initial acceptance of shops desiring to be a part of this year’s Recycled Rides program, which has larger than anticipated
AMI Accepting Applications for NACE and CARS Scholarships
The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) is offering several scholarships for collision and mechanical technicians. Scholarship money will be put toward attending the 2009 International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) or the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS) in Las Vegas Nov. 4-9. To request an application for any of the following scholarships, call AMI
Legislative Lowdown
Federal – Federal oversight of the insurance industry appears to be more likely as President Barack Obama and members of Congress roll out plans to address the country’s economic woes in what experts say is the largest regulatory overhaul since the Great Depression. House Financial Services Chair Barney Frank (D-Mass.) said in early February that
CREW Webcast to Spotlight Success in a Challenging Economy
The Collision Repair Executive Webcast (CREW) announced that its upcoming Web presentation will host a panel of leading media experts, including BodyShop Business Editor Jason Stahl, presenting information on “Positioning Your Business to Succeed in a Challenging Economic Environment.” The Feb. 12 presentation will focus on the latest industry statistics, trends, issues and opportunities related
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
Claims Process is Next CREW Webcast Topic
The guest speakers for the upcoming Collision Repair Executive Webcast (CREW) will be J.D. Power and Associates Senior Director of Insurance Practice Jeremy Bowler and Senior Research Manager of Insurance Practice Mark Garrett. Bowler and Garrett will present a summary overview of the results of their annual insurance industry customer satisfaction study, “Improving Customer Satisfaction
I-CAR to Adjust, Possibly Eliminate, Canadian Operations
Decreasing participation in training courses and losses in 2007 have prompted I-CAR to consider changing the way I-CAR Canada is operated or pulling out of the country altogether. I-CAR President and CEO John Edelen told a group of repairers at its annual meeting in Canada that it’s “not realistic” to continue operating I-CAR Canada the
Is a Body Shop Classification System Reality?
Hotels have a star classification system, so why can’t collision repair facilities? This kind of system would allow top shops to be compensated properly and would give consumers something to measure all shops by.
Legislative Lowdown
Federal – The Insurance Information Act of 2008, HR 5840, was recommended for passage by a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee on July 9. The bill, introduced in April, would create a federal-level Office of Insurance Information within the Department of the Treasury that would provide legislators with expertise and guidance on insurance issues and