AASP-MN Focuses Legislative Agenda on Three Bills
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota (AASP-MN) has three initiatives it intends to pursue during the 2008 legislative session. AASP-MN has developed a shop licensing proposal for collision repair shops. Before the bill is formally introduced, Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) will ask the Department of Public
AASP-MN Focuses Legislative Agenda on Three Bills
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota (AASP-MN) has three initiatives it intends to pursue during the 2008 legislative session. AASP-MN has developed a shop licensing proposal for collision repair shops. Before the bill is formally introduced, Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) will ask the Department of Public
Examining DRP Contracts
State Farm’s decision to move to a single Select Service direct-repair program has the collision world abuzz – so this is exactly the right time to talk about all DRPs and what a shop truly receives and incurs by joining an insurer’s repair network.
‘Managed” Repairs
“Freedom of choice just went down the toilet. Welcome to ‘managed care,’ collision-repair style,” says an Austin, Texas, shop owner about Texas Senate Bill 14 (which became law in ’03 and went into effect Dec. 2004). “The repair industry was blindsided. Nobody knew a bill like this was even being considered, let alone that it
The Fox and The Hens
Systems that have checks and balances.
Insurer-Owned Shops: Anomaly or Trend
er relationships?”– Johnny Reyes, operations specialist, Pacific Collision Center, Inc., Placentia, Calif. Question answered by: Charlie Barone Among the greatest concerns of body shop owners in the United States is the possibility of a developing trend toward insurance company ownership of body shops. While the advancement of the Sterling/Allstate venture appears to be rapid in
Making Things Happen on the Hill
While his breakfast may be unconventional, Bob Redding’s typical day usually follows a standard pattern – and it’s a busy one. When Congress is in session, you’ll likely find Redding – the Automotive Service Assocation’s Washington, D.C. representative for the past 10 years – at a hearing on the latest industry issue, catching up on
E-Commerce Has Arrived
Can e-commerce solutions truly improve dispatch, load leveling and cycle time to impact throughput and profits? In a word, yes.
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
Nature Vs. Nurture
Highly skilled technicians – Is it all in the genes or does training help?
