Published in Autobody News Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just a vision for the future; it’s here now, and as it becomes more prevalent in the collision repair industry, body shops need to prepare to navigate its integration into various technologies… or risk being left behind. During the June CIECAST, “The Future of AI in the Collision Industry,” Driaan du Toit, Vice President of Business Development at Solera, and Evan Davies, Solera’s Chief Technology Officer, shared insights on the ways that AI is currently used in the collision repair industry, as well as its future uses. du Toit began by acknowledging, “We all know the world has changed significantly over the…

Published in Autobody News After skipping 2020’s annual event due to the worldwide pandemic, the Women’s Industry Network (WIN®) worked diligently to host the 2021 WIN Educational Conference virtually. Held on May 4th and 5th, this year’s conference theme was “Stronger Together.” Event emcee Chelley Canales, an inspirational author, coach and speaker, brought her brand of infectious energy to the 2021 WIN conference while introducing each session, and she kicked the event off by introducing Outgoing Chair Cheryl Boswell who welcomed attendees and noted that WIN had reached record membership with 562 members. Reiterating the organization’s vision to be “THE network driving the future of collision repair by attracting, developing…

Published October 1, 2019 in Autobody News Jeff Buckley, owner of My Father’s Shop in Midlothian, Texas, has partnered with ATEQ TPMS Tools & Solutions for the second year to give away three ATEQ VT36 tools to deserving automotive high schools, technical centers or colleges. Buckley stated, “I am so honored and excited to be involved with great companies that believe in giving back. It means a lot for the instructors to have the latest technology to teach on today’s vehicles. This is a great concept to support the schools; we are investing in the future of our industry.” ATEQ will donate two tools, while Buckley will contribute a third tool. Buckley explained, “My…

Published in Autobody News On May 13, House Bill 2534 passed the Texas House of Representatives by a vote of 91-50. If signed into law, the legislation requires insurers to include appraisal clauses on all automotive policies, but it also includes the untraditional stipulation that the loser refunds the winner’s appraiser’s fees and expenses. All other appraisal expenses, including umpire fees, are split evenly between the two parties. Representative Travis Clardy (R – Nacogdoches) sponsored the bill, and prior to the House’s vote, he explained, “House Bill 2534 has to do with the Right of Appraisal. This is a longstanding tradition in the Insurance Code, but this will make it…

Published September 23, 2014 in Autobody News Over the past two issues (see August and September Autobody News), industry attorney Erica Eversman has offered some insights into the various types of documentation that collision repair facilities can use to protect their interests and help them obtain proper compensation for work performed. In the final installment in this series on repair documentation, Eversman helps explain the purpose for and how to use the Parts Notice/Authorization and the Indemnification/Hold Harmless Letter, with a few additional documents. The Parts Notice/Authorization is an important form for repair shops to utilize since most states have statutes pertaining to the use of used or aftermarket parts which requires the…

Published in Autobody News When a customer dropped off her collision-damaged 2019 Subaru Ascent on January 20, John Baker, manager at Wallace Collision Center in Bristol, TN, had no clue that the vehicle would not be repairable, that it’d be at the shop for six weeks, or that the vehicle manufacturer would need to mediate with the insurer on the consumer’s behalf! Fortunately, by doing their due diligence and researching all OEM repair procedures on every vehicle, Wallace Collision Center ensured that the customer’s safety was at the forefront of every conversation, and the level of customer service provided by the dealer-owned, Subaru-certified shop inspired her to maintain brand loyalty…

Published August 22, 2014 in Autobody News Repair documentation plays an important role in your collision repair business, but many shop owners are not very familiar with what they need to protect their interests, so I’ve turned to an industry-leading attorney to provide crucial information on what you need to know about documentation in the collision repair industry. Last month, Erica Eversman, Chief Counsel for Vehicle Information Services, Inc. and founder of the Automotive Education and Policy Institute, a non-profit organization geared toward educating consumers, explained how collision repair facilities can use the Authorization to Repair and Repair Contract to receive proper compensation from insurers in legal battles. While those…

Published July 29, 2014 in Autobody News When I first started to write about the collision repair industry, I was astonished by the plethora of issues that can arise on any given day, but what surprised me the most was the difficulty that so many repair facilities face when trying to receive proper compensation for the work they have (already performed); after all, I fully expect to be paid for the work I do, and as a consumer, I would hope that the people who repair my vehicle receive the same consideration. Unfortunately, I now know that is not always the case, but I’ve also learned that there is a…

Published in Autobody News Baker’s Collision Repair Specialists in Mansfield, Ohio was recently recognized by the Ohio EPA for achieving its E3 (Encouraging Environmental Excellence) Achievement Level, obtained for “completing pollution preventing activities that decreased emissions from painting operations, initiating activities in management commitment, employee involvement, energy efficiency, continuous improvement and recycling.” DeLee Powell, president of Baker’s Collision, is proud of the accomplishment which she views as “acknowledgement that they recognize the efforts that we have put forth. We are honored to be recognized for doing something that is good for our business and, in turn, good for our community and the environment. At Baker’s, we’ve always benefitted from being…

Published in Autobody News John Truman, owner of Truman Muscle Car Parts in Egg Harbor Township,  NJ, has been fighting to save local collision repair education programs since 2014, when he learned that his alma mater, Atlantic County Institute of Technology, had discontinued its high school auto body program. “In the last seven years, auto body education programs closed in Atlantic and Cumberland counties. The collision repair industry is poising to shut down – we need new techs NOW; however, many of the vo-tech auto body programs are dying. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. It’s impossible to bring them back!” Truman stressed. Truman’s passion for the collision repair…

Published in Autobody News On June 8, the Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation (AWAF) hosted a Professional Development Workshop on Emotional Intelligence (EI) called “The Heart of Great Leadership” at the VisTaTech Center at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, MI.  Corinne M. Smereka, who is in charge of Workforce Training Solutions for the Schoolcraft Business Development Center and is also co-chair of AWAF’s Professional Development Committee, taught the session, which was attended by more than a dozen industry professionals.  Smereka explained, “Emotional intelligence is critical for enhancing leadership abilities. In fact, studies have found that 67 percent of all competencies deemed essential for high performance were related to EI. “Most people achieve technical and…

Published in Autobody News by Chasidy Rae Sisk The new year has arrived in full force, and though many of 2020’s challenges have not yet been completely eradicated, progress occurs daily. The National Auto Body Council® (NABC) saw progress last year, despite the many health and societal concerns that froze much of society, and their leaders are hopeful that this year will be even better. Newly elected Chairman Clint Marlow of Allstate joined NABC® President and CEO Bill Garoutte to share the organization’s “very positive” outlook for 2021 with Autobody News. For NABC, 2020 concluded with its annual meeting, which included executive committee and board elections. During that meeting, three…

Printed in Autobody News On November 19th, Carfix owner Mike Allen hosted the Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina’s (IGONC) monthly Tireside Chat, “Politics, Guns, Religion and Other Things You Should Never Talk About in Your Shop.” According to IGONC Executive Director Tricia Sauls, “The open forum discussion went very well, with about 20 individuals participating – both members and nonmembers. We covered many topics including shop talk, loaner cars, cyber security, and credit card processing fees. It was neat seeing how the conversation developed and touched on so many key issues that the participants were passionate about.” “The response to the November Tireside Chat was positive,” Sauls continued. “With…

Printed in Autobody News The Mississippi Collision Repair Association (MSCRA) and the Georgia Collision Industry Association (GCIA) recently hired the same new executive director: Josh Kent, Executive Director of the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) and the Tennessee Collision Repairers Association (TCRA). Kent promised, “I bring passion and drive to my new role, as well as my experience with CCA and TCRA.” Kent’s professional involvement with the position of executive director began in 2016 with the North Carolina Association of Collision and Automotive Repair (NCACAR), followed by 2018’s South Carolina Association of Collision and Automotive Repair (SCACAR); the two combined to form CCA in January 2020. Kent was hired by TCRA…