With many companies utilizing more remote workforce strategies, recent months have exposed a variety of risks within workplaces that should be considered. Chris Jones, Cybersecurity Director at DELL Technologies discussed “Remote Threats:  Inside Risks and the Remote Work Paradigm” during ASA’s Bonus Webinar Wednesday on August 27th, sharing “strategies to protect your company, your employees, your customers and your bottom line.” Jones began by quoting Dr. Larry Poneman, Chairman of the Ponemon Institute: “We discovered in our research that insider threats are not viewed as seriously as external threats, like a cyberattack. But when companies had an insider threat, in general, they were much more costly than external incidents. This…

During Kukui’s 2020 Virtual Conference, Shane Bonno of 360 Payments discussed “Touch-less Payments” as it pertains to interaction points while accepting payments. In addition to fears related to the spread of COVID-19, modern customers prefer remote payment options such as Text-to-Pay. Bonno stressed, “It’s your responsibility to protect your employees and your customers. How will you adapt to the new normal? Right now, you need to do everything you can to ensure everyone’s safety. The world is an ever-evolving place, and it can be difficult to decipher what’s the latest and greatest technology, and what’s going to be right for your business. One thing we can always count on is…

When New York Governor Andre Cuomo closed schools on March 16th to prevent the continued spread of COVID-19 in one of the country’s hardest hit regions, Frog Hollow Collision in Bethpage, NY closed its doors for over six weeks. The decision was made by owner Anthony DeMieri whose goal was protecting his employees, his customers, and his own family from the virus. On May 4th, Frog Hollow Collision reopened to a whole new world. Prior to reopening, DeMieri shared his fears with Autobody News readers: “It’s terrifying to know that everything I’ve worked for could be gone when we reopen. I may not be reopening to what I had; I…

During the August 19th meeting of Women in Automotive and Collision (WAC), held via Zoom, Sally Difani, Administrator of Partnerships and Instructors, Special School District, North and South Tech, spoke about current enrollment numbers, automotive education instructors’ plans for remote learning this fall, and how the schools are promoting recruitment efforts virtually. According to Shelly Jones, President of WAC, “We learned how schools are promoting their programs in a virtual world and to learn more about a Collision national pilot program. The speakers were awesome, which led to really good conversations. The schools that spoke said enrollment is good this year, including more female students. Teachers shared ideas and resources…

On September 3rd, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Illinois (AASPI) held its annual golf outing, though this year’s event was “slightly modified,” according to AASPI Executive Director Brian Wojcicki. “While Illinois like most of the nation has certain requirements and recommendations for gatherings, the golf course was great to work with and members were understanding. Sponsors and suppliers were still able to exhibit and connect with golfers out on the course, and we were ultimately able to provide an opportunity for the industry to come together in a safe, enjoyable day.” The 18-hole golf outing was held at Old Orchard Country Club in Mt. Prospect, Ill. and attracted…

Kinderhook Industries, the private equity firm that owns asTech and ProCare Automotive & Collision, announced its purchase of Original One Parts, which “represents Kinderhook’s 86th acquisition in the automotive aftermarket,” according to Kinderhook’s June 4th release. Paul Cifelli, Managing Director at Kinderhook, stated, “We have followed Original One Parts’ story since its inception and are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Wade and Jerry as the Company embarks on its next stage of growth. Original One Parts has developed an innovative business model, with a proven track record of success, that has the potential to significantly ‘bend the cost curve’ of vehicle repair in the US. We are…

By Chasidy Rae Sisk Most automotive and collision repair events scheduled for 2020 were postponed or canceled, and although AASP-MO members have been unable to meet for six months, the association refuses to let COVID-19 ruin the holidays. Ron Reiling, Executive Director of AASP-MO, explained, “Due to coronavirus rules, we won’t be able to enjoy our annual Christmas social and toy collecting like we have in the past, but we can’t let a little thing like a global pandemic cancel Christmas and the annual AASP-Missouri U.S. Marines Toys for Tots toy drive!” “Our Toys for Tots Chairman Doug Slattery, President of ATI, is going above and beyond to make the…

By Chasidy Rae Sisk As schools gear up for the next year of learning in a brand-new world, Paulding County High School in Dallas, Georgia will be unveiling a brand-new program for collision repair education. According to Leroy Goodwin, automotive program instructor for the past six years, “This is the first time ever that we’ve been able to teach collision repair in Paulding County. Our students were graduating without any experience in auto body repair, and when we polled students, we found that there was plenty of interest. They can’t wait to get started!” Students at Paulding County High School will begin with one year of a basic introduction to…

By Chasidy Rae Sisk Rachael Bell, MS, MS, LPC, of Bell & Associates, LLC explored how shop owners and employees can cope with the depression and anxiety that may be exacerbated during distressing situations, such as the circumstances where many people have found themselves in 2020. During the June 18th Shop Owner Success webinar from Kukui, hosted by Jimmy Lea, Bell discussed maintaining mental health and how stressors can impact shop owners, their employees and their businesses. “These are very challenging times,” Bell began. “On top of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social unrest, being a shop owner adds to that anxiety. It’s important to learn how to cope in…

“The key to succeeding in this market is to deliver ‘contactless’ or ‘touchless’ service fast. The customer drops off the vehicle outside. The shop inspects the vehicle, sends a digital inspection report, gets approval, does the work, takes mobile payment, and returns the car. Contactless service delivered,” AutoServe1 Founder and President Jamie Cuthbert expressed in his “Contactless Service” presentation during Kukui’s 2020 Virtual Conference. Cuthbert began by explaining that increasing sales is the best way to drive up profits in a short amount of time. Citing the “Exceptional Company” research conducted by Deloitte Research, he shared the three rules that govern how exceptional companies think: Better before cheaper. Be known…

Most collision repair facilities utilize original, aftermarket, recycled and reconditioned parts, but with concerns about parts sourcing increasing in proportion to the influx of repair jobs needed, many industry professionals are concerned about the potential hazards of receiving counterfeit parts in lieu of what is requested. Counterfeit parts, which are willfully misrepresented by the supplier in terms of material, performance or other characteristics, are dangerous because they may not function as the OEM equivalent was intended, causing hard to the vehicle occupants as well as others on the road. Tracing the percentage of counterfeit parts is extremely difficult, according to the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council (A2C2) during a recent VeriFacts Guild…

July 2020 – To express gratitude to front-line healthcare workers who are risking their lives to care for patients of COVID-19 and other ailments, DCR Systems LLC joined the “Freshen Up the Front Lines” initiative. Since May 5th, DCR shops are offering complimentary clean-up for healthcare workers. The Collision Center in Rockland, Massachusetts recently explained the initiative in a Facebook post: “To show our appreciation [for healthcare workers], we want to clean up your ride, for nothing! For all you do, this one is for you… a complimentary clean up and sanitization of your vehicle. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!” On May 5th, DCR’s Arynne Giarrizzo joined…

By Chasidy Rae Sisk Identifying a general increase in the use of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), ATI’s Keith Manich proposed that there is great opportunity for collision and mechanical repair shop synergy during Kukui’s 2020 Virtual Conference. Exploring “The Opportunity for Mechanical & Collision Shop Synergy,” Manich stated, “In the case of mechanical repairs, requirements may include calibrations because of part removal and replacement without collision damage. With collision-damaged vehicles, scanning and calibrations are needed on minor impacts as identified by the OEMs.” “Dealership knowledge is currently limited,” Manich continued. “Insurers, the third-party payers, are reluctant to pay for scanning unless it can be proven to be ‘accident-related’ in…

After 15 years of serving as the Executive Director of the Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina (IGONC), industry veteran Bob Pulverenti has announced his retirement, effective August 1st. Although Pulverenti intends to continue with IGONC as a consultant on special projects, he’s ready for retirement: “After 50 years in the industry, I just felt it was the right time to leave. Many executive directors stay on too long and are ultimately fired. I wanted to leave the position on my own terms. After I take a few months off, I’d love to get involved with professional motorsports.” Tricia Sauls, formerly IGONC’s Associate Executive Director, will be stepping into the…

Nearly 50 collision repair professionals, along with jobbers and educators, gathered for the MV-TAP Golf Outing at Meramec Lakes Golf Course in St. Clair, MO, on July 8th, to support the collision repair training programs at several local vo-tech schools. According to MV-TAP Secretary Gene Slattery, “We had a good turnout, and although it was very hot and humid, we had a great time. This was our first get-together since January when the coronavirus took our lives over.” The 2020 MV-TAP Golf Outing generated nearly $3200, and proceeds benefit the collision repair programs at North Tech, South Tech, Lewis & Clark Career Center, and Ranken Technical College. “The golfers were great and…

As technology advances, cybercriminal attacks evolve, necessitating the creation of new cybersecurity methods. In May, David Willett, underwriting value creation executive at ProSight Specialty Insurance, alluded to his involvement with beta testing a new risk management tool, and he agreed to share more details: “ShadowNet measures beacons that are transmitted while using certain applications. I believe that everyone in the collision and automotive industries need this level of protection because they are exactly the type of people who are targeted by cybercriminals.” Willett was joined by his “favorite cyber security engineer,” Jeff Stull, founder and CEO of RiskAnalytics, which manufactures ShadowNet. “The cyber security landscape mirrors history – the bad…

Collision Edge announced the development of a new visual window cling in mid-May, designed to help shops document the processes completed on a vehicle as it pertains to cleaning and disinfecting for COVID-19. The company released a Facebook video on May 19, explaining the new product which was designed to help shop owners, their employees and their customers feel safe. Shops can be certain that all necessary processes related to COVID-19 sanitization have been completed by using the 6” by 6” window cling. According to the CDC, “Thorough cleaning is required before high-level disinfection and sterilization because inorganic and organic materials that remain on the surfaces of instruments interfere with…

On May 19, the Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina (IGONC) hosted a Zoom discussion on the topic of innovating vs. surviving with PJ Leslie of Tekmetric and Autoshop Solution’s Tony Mercury explaining “Don’t Panic, Pivot!” Nearly 30 automotive and collision repair industry professionals logged in to learn about marketing strategies for the rest of 2020 and ways to stay ahead of the curve. Mercury began by encouraging attendees to continue marketing. “Take advantage of less saturated marketplaces by being active and engaging on social media. Use videos to demonstrate your sanitization and social distancing processes. Make sure you keep your marketing budget; reallocating it to a different medium is…

Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC), located in Henderson and Transylvania counties in North Carolina, was recently awarded a transportation program grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), a regional economic development agency dedicated to innovating, partnering and investing to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia. According to Joe Shook, M.A. Ed., Dean of Advanced Technologies for BRCC, “We have a very robust transportation program, and collision repair is a large part of that.” The total ARC grant funding that BRCC will receive totals $589,000, and around half of that is specifically earmarked for the school’s collision repair program, but a large portion of the amount left over…

AASP-Missouri State President Mike Moehlenkamp (D), of Gary’s Auto Service in Florissant, MO, has announced that he will be running for the State House of Representatives for District 68, against incumbent Representative Jay Mosley (D). In a video announcing his candidacy, Moehlenkamp promised, “I am honored to announce my candidacy for the Missouri House of Representatives, 68th District. I will work hard every day to represent you and your interests. I’ll listen to understand the issues that are important to you and your neighbors, and I’ll take your input to Jefferson City and work to sponsor legislation that makes a difference.” “I want to stabilize the neighborhood by working to…

On April 21st, the Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina (IGONC) hosted a webinar featuring Rick White of 180BIZ who discussed “Dealing with the Virus Crisis.” Held virtually in order to respect the requirements of social distancing, the meeting provided tips and information for running a shop during this stressful time. Over two dozen industry professionals tuned in to share their thoughts and ideas with their peers. Associate Executive Director Tricia Sauls welcomed attendees and shared some association announcements before introducing White who began by stating, “Right now, we’re in a situation that has never before happened, and it can really rock your world. This has changed how folks feel…