Letters to the Editor
The New DRP I was confused by your January 2009 cover story [“The New DRP,” pg. 22]. There are so many reasons why DRPs should be banned, and even though the article touches on the fact that many people in the collision repair industry feel that way, it takes on a defeated tone. Rather than
Legislative Lowdown
Federal – The U.S. Department of Justice recently released the final rules for the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), created by a 1992 law to prevent title washing. The rules, which were effective April 1, require insurers to report vehicles that have been declared total losses under state law and by their own
Keystone Announces Winners of 2009 Calendar Competition
Keystone Automotive Industries has announced the winners of its 2009 Calendar Competition. Over 300 entries were submitted over the past four months. A vast array of photos ranging from rods and sports cars to trucks and classic vehicles were received, with the top 13 winning spots in the 2009 Keystone calendar. “While it was difficult
Resists Burns Up to 1,800
The Heat Guard Welding Blanket is lightweight, soft and flexible. It resists burns up to 1,800° F (982° C) and stands up to heat, flame, molten metal and the harshest conditions. It was also developed from NASA technologies and is extremely fire and heat resistant. It comes available in 18” x 18”, 4’ x 6’,
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)
Would Your Work Pass an Auto Safety Expert’s Test?
Many post-repair inspectors are finding that collision repair shops’ work isn’t up to snuff. And that can lead to a liability nightmare, not to mention the end of their businesses.
Build a Better Mousetrap, and the World Will Beat a Path to Your Door
7 strategies for quality-driven shops to maintain profitability in a marketplace fixated on “fast” and “cheap.”
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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