Parts Substitution Causing Average Severity to Decline
Despite rising OEM parts prices, average severity is decreasing, according to Mitchell International’s latest quarterly Industry Trends Reports (ITR). Mitchell’s Greg Horn says that the decline in severity is surprising considering OEM parts prices, but the use of aftermarket and refurbished parts is likely the cause. Horn, vice president of industry relations, says that the
SUPER TECHNOLOGY ISSUE: Airbag Basics
Airbags, along with other components of safety restraint systems, are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and misinformation is spreading like wildfire. Here’s the real deal on what you need to know to restore them to OEM standards.
SUPER TECHNOLOGY ISSUE: Pedal to the Metal
Carmakers are introducing exotic metals to vehicle
structures at an alarming rate for the sake of fuel efficiency and passenger safety. Understanding their properties is key to quality repairs.
ALLDATA Donates to I-CAR Education Foundation
ALLDATA announced its support of the I-CAR Education Foundation by making a donation to the Collision Repair Education Campaign. The funds, which total over $7,400, will go toward grants and scholarships to be distributed to the schools across North America. ALLDATA contributes a portion of each ALLDATA Collision sale from facilities that have achieved the
Kansas-Missouri Repairers Learn Lean ‘Heijunka’ Concept at Meeting
‘Heijunka’ almost sounds like an alternative to what you would say to someone who sneezed, but in reality it’s a lean concept that’s nothing to sneeze at. The Kansas City Collision Group of the ASA Missouri/Kansas found that out at a recent presentation given by David McCreight of Collision Resources, Inc., who taught repairers how
ALLDATA to Provide Repair Information to Northwest Automotive Trades Association Members
ALLDATA LLC has entered into a national account agreement with the Northwest Automotive Trades Association (NATA). Under the agreement, ALLDATA will provide NATA members with pricing incentives to purchase a subscription for either ALLDATA Repair or ALLDATA Collision. Wayne Mitchell, ALLDATA director of national accounts, says, “It is gratifying to us that an organization such
PROFIT CENTER: Going for Broke
Some shops still find installing glass a profitable endeavor. But it’s not easy when you want to perform the highest quality job possible.
CARSTAR National Conference Slated for Denver
CARSTAR will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2009 CARSTAR National Conference, Sept. 19-22, in Denver. Most of the franchisees of the nation’s largest collision repair company are expected to attend the annual event, where they will have the opportunity to meet with CARSTAR’s senior leadership on the business operations and plans for the
SCRS Launches Educational Seminar Series
On Aug. 18, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) hosted close to 30 individuals at the first of three eight-hour, intensive training seminars targeted at different markets across the United States. The event was held in Atlanta, Ga., and co-hosted by the Georgia Collision Industry Association (GCIA). Steven J. Feltovich of Sherwin-Williams Automotive
CARSTAR President Elected Vice Chair of SCRS Board of Directors
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has elected Dan Bailey, president and chief operating officer of CARSTAR Collision Centers, as the vice chair of the SCRS national board of directors for the 2009 term. Bailey – who has more than 30 years experience in the collision repair industry as a repair professional, shop owner