Tuesday, 05 February 2019 18:44 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Tony Lombardozzi, president of the Coalition for Collision Repair Excellence (CCRE) ASA recently announced its support of NH House Bill 664. The bill states, “An insurer shall reimburse a repairer for all repairs if a repairer follows original equipment manufacturer-recommended collision repair procedures, recommendations or service bulletins while repairing a vehicle.” ASA Washington D.C. representative Bob Redding wrote in a letter to the committee: “House Bill 664 addresses an issue of concern for consumers and repairers. The Seebachan v. John Eagle Collision Center decision reminded collision repairers of the importance of having proper repair procedures. The original equipment manufacturers’ (OEM) repair procedures are the logical repair processes to…

Friday, 25 January 2019 23:04 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Toward the end of 2018, several industry professionals in New York City identified the need for a trade association dedicated to helping automotive repair businesses and professionals in the five boroughs. Board member and founding member Paul Stern Jr. explained, “For a long time, we’ve seen a need and desire for community and education in this industry, but no one has really stepped up for the five boroughs. The creation of the New York City Auto Repair Association (NYCARA) comes from a place of wanting to help auto repairers run their businesses better, and when we ran it past some of the shops in the areas, we…

Monday, 10 December 2018 21:50 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Since the Babylonians began the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions over 4,000 years ago, people around the world have kicked off each new year by making a promise to improve some aspect of their lives. The collision repair industry is no different, and associations around the country have begun thinking about what they can do to improve their organizations in 2019. Fortunately, some of these industry leaders were willing to share their 2019 New Year’s resolutions with Autobody News. Increasing membership, expanding educational offerings and pursuing legislative initiatives were all largely important to associations and the industry in 2018. Collision repair professionals can…

Wednesday, 21 November 2018 20:25 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS From President Trump’s meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un to the many tragic shootings and storms that have ravaged the United States in 2018, this year has been one of metamorphosis, altering reality and perception for many individuals. The same holds true for the collision repair industry and its associations, which have faced a variety of organizational changes and never-ending updates in technology and requirements. As 2018 draws to a close, several association leaders were willing to share some feedback about their associations’ best and most memorable changes this past year. Changes in leadership were a recurring theme that many associations saw in 2018.…

Monday, 05 November 2018 19:33 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS v It is common knowledge in the collision repair industry that there is a shortage of incoming technicians. Over the past few years, many articles, educational seminars and programs have been dedicated to this dilemma. However, while many industry professionals have spoken about what shops can do to engage millennials and Generation Z (those born between 1995 and 2009), rarely does this information come with feedback from the young people in these age groups who have decided to join the industry’s workforce. Why did these young people pursue a career in the collision repair industry? What factors are most important when considering…

Friday, 19 October 2018 21:04 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Dave Luehr of Elite Body Shop Solutions On Wednesday, Oct. 10, the Women’s Industry Network(WIN®) hosted a webinar featuring Dave Luehr of Elite Body Shop Solutions, who presented “Developing a WINner’s Mindset (Pun Intended!).” “Right now is the greatest time to be in the collision repair business, but only for those with the right mindset,” he said. “But, what IS the right mindset? “When I think of the word ‘limitless,’ I’m immediately inspired by the beauty of human potential. It makes me think of a childlike quality that dares to dream big and live life to the fullest. No one said this business was going to…

Wednesday, 26 September 2018 18:17 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS As the technician shortage continues to plague the collision repair industry, the topic of attracting new blood to shops has become common at events and in facilities across the country. However, once someone new is sold on collision repair, the next concern is ensuring they receive the proper training to successfully begin a career in the industry. The Collision Career Institute (CCI) has developed a means of addressing this dilemma. According to Chief Operations Officer Amber Ritter, “CCI is an apprenticeship program that consists of 3,000 on-the-job training hours plus 250 related supplemental knowledge hours. Our role is to help recruit, manage and…

Thursday, 13 September 2018 16:53 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Mike Cassata of Hammer Insights delivered an eye-opening presentation on DRPs during North Carolina Association of Collision and Autobody Repair’s Third Quarter Meeting in Fayetteville, NC, on August 16. According to NCACAR President Brian Davies, “Our keynote speaker was Mike Cassata, whose main focus was ‘How to Create a World Class Culture to Communicate and Respond to our Clients from an Insurer’s Point of View.’ Mike also spoke on the science behind NPS (Net Promoter Scores) and how it relates to our business. Finally, he spoke about the three C’s: Clear–Complete–Concise. He shared his thoughts on how critical file documentation is to the insurer…

Friday, 13 July 2018 20:05 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS “I’ve often heard technicians say women don’t belong in a shop—what does that mean? Just do your job, and she’ll do hers!” stated Kim Barks, who co-ownsComplete Car and RV Repair in St. Charles, MO, with her father, Bob. In May, Barks hosted her first Wheels, Women and Wine Car Care Clinic at the shop in an effort to educate and empower women in their community when dealing with their vehicles. The class attracted 35 ladies, some of whom brought their daughters, inspiring Barks to teach both the current and future generations. She put a car on a lift to show the group how it works,…

Thursday, 05 July 2018 22:11 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS On June 20, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) hosted a webinar called “The Road to Great Technicians” with Chris Chesney, senior director of customer training for the CARQUEST Technical Institute. Attendees qualified for one credit from the Automotive Management Institute. After ASA Vice President Tony Molla introduced the webinar’s presenter, Chesney recounted his collaboration with the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) to identify the Road to Great Technicians. They began in March 2016 when NASTF’s Spring General Meeting focused on the topic of building a road to great technicians. Chesney was asked to explain the current state of the aftermarket training industry.…

Wednesday, 13 June 2018 22:07 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS On May 29, AASP/MA announced its recent decision to have Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg take over the role of executive director for the association.  With previous experience as the executive director for the Massachusetts Auto Body Association and more recently running his own consulting business for the industry, Papageorg is excited to return to the role of executive director for a Massachusetts collision repair association. Papageorg shared, “I am especially pleased to be assisting the Board members as they strive to make AASP/MA the premiere collision repair association in Massachusetts. Together, we will work hard to advance the industry and benefit and assist its members as they work toward safe,…

Thursday, 10 May 2018 20:20 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS NOTE: This June SPS profile was originally published in print in June 2018 and online in May 2018. Ultimate Collision in Edison, NJ, opened its doors for business in 1988. Ultimate Collision Location: Edison, NJ (732) 494-1900 www.ultimatecollisioninc.com Company At A Glance… Type: Collision Repair Facility Employees: 28 In Business Since: 1988 DRP Programs: Six Number of Locations: One Combined Production Space: 10,000 square feet “I grew up in this industry, and there’s nothing I can’t do,” said shop owner Jerry McNee. “My focus is on correctly repairing cars. We stand up for our customers behind the scenes and make sure the work is done correctly as advertised.” The 10,000-square-foot facility employs…

Tuesday, 08 August 2017 17:40 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS On July 17, ASA announced the addition of a new affiliate in MA and RI (ASA-MA/RI). The new affiliate’s Executive Director is Stephen Regan, who agreed to speak with Autobody News about his experience and plans for the group. On July 17, ASA announced the addition of a new affiliate in MA and RI (ASA-MA/RI). The new affiliate’s Executive Director is Stephen Regan, who agreed to speak with Autobody News about his experience and plans for the group. Regan has been involved in the automotive industry since 1999, serving as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Auto Body Association from 1999-2011. He also served on the Board of Directors for…

Monday, 17 July 2017 22:35 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS In June, Maine Governor Paul LePage (R) vetoed Legislative Document 1540, which sought to require insurers in ME to communicate a specific auto body shop choice disclosure. The House voted 102-41 to override the veto, but the Senate failed to acquire the two-thirds margin required to override the Governor’s veto with a vote of 20-14. The bill, which passed ME’s House by an overwhelming margin and by a narrower margin in the Senate earlier in June, would have expanded upon the current shop choice language in the ME Revised Statutes, which prohibits insurers and their agents from recommending a specific shop without informing their…

Monday, 19 June 2017 22:40 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Area Developers received demonstrations and hands-on training. On June 5 to 7, Colors on Parade hosted a training class in Denver, CO for their new CarLove Recon Advantage Program. Originally launched in January 2017, the program is now expanding into new markets led by Area Developers within the company who attended the training in order to acquire program certification. They will now bring the program to their home areas of Raleigh, NC; Orange County, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Southeastern Philadelphia, PA; and Denver, CO. The CarLove Recon Advantage Program is designed to simplify processes, eliminate risks, and fix costs for dealership groups, and it…

Friday, 16 June 2017 21:40 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Jody DeVere’s breakout session addressed the importance and value of employing females in the collision repair industry. Among the three breakout sessions offered on Tuesday afternoon during WIN’s 2017 Educational Conference was “Why Is It So Important to Attract, Hire and Retain Women Employees?” presented by Jody DeVere, CEO of AskPatty.com. DeVere began by observing that most women enter the collision repair industry by accident, but there is something special about the automotive industry, and it makes for a fun, challenging and interesting career. Starting with some statistics on female consumers, DeVere noted that women buy more than half of new cars, influence up…

Thursday, 25 May 2017 19:23 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS John Royer, general manager at SheerMetal CARSTARin Plano, TX, has no qualms admitting that his journey in the collision repair industry has been rather unorthodox, entering the business just four years ago with no experience. In 2013, some business associates and friends asked him to manage the business they had purchased four years earlier after the previous manager, with an abundance of industry experience, left. Since Royer began running the shop, the business has more than doubled its revenue from $1.3M to $4.0M in 2016. How did Royer achieve this seemingly miraculous feat? With the goal of helping the shop grow, the ownership…

Wednesday, 24 May 2017 18:28 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS  Mike Jones lectured on the importance of seeking clarity in order to improve communication at the 2017 WIN Educational Conference. On May 10, Discover Leadership Training’s PresidentMike Jones presented “Creating a Better Version of Yourself” during the last day of WIN’s 2017 Educational Conference. Drawing on his personal experiences flying police helicopters, creating programs for high school students to encourage their success, and as a cognitive scientist, Jones noted, “Words are not bad. People use words in bad ways. I urge you all to listen with the intent to be influenced, or you’ll miss the opportunity to be a better you.” Asking everyone to consider…

Wednesday, 03 May 2017 20:49 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Erica Eversman On April 18, AASP-PA hosted a presentation during CIC Week in Pittsburgh, PA, featuring Vehicle Information Services Chief Counsel Erica Eversman. This presentation focused on the liabilities shops are open to currently, how shops can protect themselves and tips on getting paid for proper repairs. Eversman took time to discuss some of the key points of her presentation. According to Eversman, “The most important thing for shop owners to remember is that they are the professionals. They are responsible for making decisions, and they are subject to the burden of resolving issues with the consumer or insurance companies, whether it’s…

Tuesday, 11 April 2017 22:05 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS Tony Lombardozzi teaches shops how to get paid properly. On the last day of AASP/NJ’s 40th Annual NORTHEAST Conference and Tradeshow, Superare Marketing’s Tony Lombardozzi and Peter Abdelmaseh hosted two sold-out sessions for shop owners: “Stop Playing by the Appraiser’s Rules” and “Set Your Own Prices and Make Them Stick.” In his introduction, Lombardozzi stated, “Twenty-five years ago, I made a commitment that I’d leave this industry better off. The word ‘superare’ is Italian for excellence, and we need to be more advanced than we are currently. We play by the insurer’s rules not because we have to but because we allow…

Wednesday, 05 April 2017 19:51 Featured in AUTOBODYNEWS The Women’s Industry Network (WIN®) introduced its 2017 Most Influential Women (MIW) honorees on March 3. This award is designed to recognize women whose leadership, vision and commitment to excellence have enriched the collision repair industry. This year’s honorees, to be recognized at WIN’s MIW Gala and Awards ceremony during the association’s May conference in Denver, are Cristina Fronzaglia-Murray, Manager of Marketing Communications for PPG’s Automotive Refinish Division; Renee Ricciotti, Sales and Marketing Manager for 3M Automotive Aftermarket; and Elizabeth Stein, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for the Assured Performance Network. WIN Chair Petra Schroeder stated, “Having been with WIN…