D'Angelo Auto Body Merges With
OAC CARSTAR Gage Avenue, Hamilton

Hamilton, ON - D'Angelo Auto Body and Painting Ltd. of Hamilton, ON has recently teamed up with Ontario Auto Collision CARSTAR, also in Hamilton. The merger took place two weeks ago on November 26, with D'Angelo Auto Body moving their operation to the Gage Avenue CARSTAR location. Tony Mercanti will continue to manage Ontario Auto Collision, while Romano D'Angelo, the owner of D'Angelo Auto Body, has teamed up with the service and production operations.

Both collision repair facilities have been in business for over 40 years, and the two families involved have known one another for over 45 years. According to Tony, when the businesses were starting out both families were a huge help to one another.

In regards to the merger, Tony explains, "We needed some extra growth, they needed to grow, and there are so many factors in operating a business today that there are too many variables to deal with and it is easier to team up with somebody who knows the business well." D'Angelo's didn't think it would be feasible to relocate and remarket their business, and so they decided that joining forces with Ontario Auto Collision would be their best option.

"We have the same philosophy in terms of customer service, support, and quality. Our families have known each other for a long time and we believed we would make a good fit," says Romano.

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AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GROUP APPROVED BY WSIB

Ontario Service Safety Alliance and new car dealers involved

December 12, 2007

Earlier this week the Regional Construction Safety Group, comprised of members from Hamilton-Halton, Toronto and Grand Valley Associations received $837,707 in Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) rebates.

Now a similar program has been announced for automotive shop owners in Ontario to provide opportunities to work together towards improving their collective health and safety.

The reward for this commitment is the potential for premium rebates for all members of the group and a reduction in injury frequency.

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) endorses the Safety Group Program and the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) is the Safety Group Sponsor

Safety group members received rebate cheques of an average of 3.2% of their annual WSIB premiums in 2006. Typically, firms see a reduction of greater that 20% in their injury frequency. Safety Group members attend at least 3 of 5 one-day meetings per year, facilitated by OSSA.

Membership fee registration is required. Contact John Aird at OSSA at 905 614 3001 or jaird@ossa.com before January 11, 2008. For further information and a registration form visit http://www.ossa.com/content/services/OSSASafetyGroup.cfm .

Association members of www.ciia.com or its affiliated collision repair associations already receive a 10% discount on OSSA products, as a membership benefit. Please see www.ciia.com or call 1 866 309 4272 or info@ciia.com for more information.

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Finding Employees
The Kids Want In, But Why Aren't They Staying?

By J.D. Ney, Assistant Editor

Across the independent service business, we all know what the major problem is with the continued success of the industry, don't we? Asking shops across the country, and even many of the associations that support them, the resounding answer would seem to be, "We can't get kids these days interested in the automotive service business; we need to bring more young people into the industry." That has certainly been the refrain for years now.

Unfortunately, the industry may have fallen into a trap the popular American satirist Stephen Colbert has dubbed 'truthiness,' roughly defined as what someone "just knows to be true, from the gut, without any appeal to logic or the facts." Truthiness has found its way into the automotive service business. As studies have shown, and as industry observers now attest, the real problem facing the continued success of the industry is employee retention, and not employee attraction. What's more, according to many, it's a task that many shop owners are just not taking seriously enough, choosing instead to keep towing the party line, regardless of how outdated it may be.

Eating the Young

A very informal poll conducted recently revealed some interesting answers when it came to a discussion about how apprentices were and should be treated. It would seem as though while most in the industry feel new employees in the trade should probably be treated better, many also note that they were treated very poorly.

As Murray Voth, an implementation coach with TACT Inc. notes, "Apprentices were hazed, and still are in some areas. We used to send them to get us a sky hook, or a can of compression. We made them do all the grunt work and dirty jobs, because we also had done our time and put up with the same treatment before."

This is a reasonably telling comment that speaks to what is fast becoming a vicious cycle. Much like the bizarre and often obscene initiation ceremonies held on University campuses across the country, it would appear some owners and technicians view a difficult and trying apprenticeship experience as something of a right of passage. While some kids survive and stick with the trade, many others are simply not putting up with it. For an industry with a so-called labour shortage, this sort of tradition should be seen as counter productive.

To take only one of many examples, a recent letter to Jobber News stated: "I am one of those who did not stick with it because of the negative working environments that existed even back then. I found even the high school environment negative. I hoped that when I finished high school and got a job in a shop, it would be different. It was different -- it was even worse," the letter states. "It is long past time that those in positions of authority in every shop and high school across Canada realize how they drive away young people who are like I was -- interested, and even passionate about the trade. If I had had support instead of negativity back then, I would still be in the field today at the age of 57," the author concludes. While this is admittedly only one person's experience, I think we can all agree that it's probably not a unique story. The question then becomes, if contrary to the popular industry mantra the kids are in fact interested, and want jobs in this trade, why aren't they staying, and what can be done about it?

Time to Change the Message

Despite the popular wisdom being repeated throughout the industry, there are certainly those that are starting to see things differently. John Norris, executive director of HARA, (Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association in Hamilton, Ont.) and the organizer of Career Day at this year's Automechanika Canada, for one say that getting kids interested is no longer the issue. "The industry is, for the most part doing a good job of attracting people to the trade. In fact, our numbers have shown some 2,600 new apprentices since 2000," he says. "Our challenge now has become how do we keep them?"

The current myth surrounding employee and apprenticeship retention usually revolves around the all-mighty dollar, but some surprising research is now even calling that assumption into serious question. A study sponsored though Human Resources and Development Canada titled Apprentice Retention in the Skilled Trades suggests financial compensation is not the top reason new employees are leaving the business, in fact, it's not even in the top seven. However, continuing with our truthiness theme, cash is by far the most often cited reason owners seem picking when it comes to retention struggles. What is listed as being more important than pay are all of the softer, more difficult to quantify workplace items like appreciation, pride and responsibility. Certainly none of those things can be fostered by showing an eager young apprentice the corner and keeping him or her there for years to "pay their dues."

How to Make the Change

The need for a shifted focus is quite plain. While industry participants clamber for programs to interest more people in the trades, interested kids are simply being pushed out. "It's not that we don't have people coming into the trade, we just don't have any employer engagement yet," says Norris. "We haven't been able to work with employers enough to make an employee retention program easy for them, and a worthwhile process."

As with many things in this business the answer is training. From individual technicians to shop owners, employee retention training should become a more regular part of the business management focus. This goal is undoubtedly ambitious given that any change in direction would likely have to be filtered down through at least a few association or banner program steps, but the fundamental problem is clear.

"The biggest reason [for apprenticeship retention problems] in my view is that people at the ownership level of many of shops used to be technicians, and have never been trained on how to be an employer, and certainly never learned about how to keep an employee," says Norris.

The good news, at least for the moment is that there are some programs out there, for those who are curious enough and are serious about tackling the issue.

"There are lots of government grants and incentive programs out there," says Norris. "But many shop owners don't even know they exist, and others have put up barriers in their mind when it comes to apprentices. That has restricted their ability to access these programs. There is plenty of information, just not a lot getting through."

Norris says what the industry needs is something of an overhaul in terms of its key messages about young employees and apprentices. Whereas for years it has been about getting people in, it now has to shift to moving people up. "The bottom line is that the message has to change," he says. "It has to move up the ladder from how we get people interested, to how do we get people hired. So, to do that, we have to figure out how to start removing the barriers that are stopping the employers."

As with many significant changes to opinions and beliefs, the major push will likely have to come from shop owners themselves. If it is in fact employee retention training that is required, it's time to start demanding it from your associations and your banner programs.

The conclusion here is that the industry as a whole seems to have fallen into a pattern of too easily believing its own rhetoric. Without a clear picture of the actual state of things, owners and their associations have fallen back on what they have always instinctively thought to be true regardless of hard proof. What studies are showing now, however, is that a significant change desperately needs to happen at all levels of the service business if keen and enthusiastic apprentices are to be kept in the bays. Can and should the industry continue to try and convince more kids to give the automotive service business a chance? Of course. But it also needs to start taking better care of the ones it already has.

10 Key Retention Factors

Appreciation

Liking Co-workers

Loyalty

Communication

Pride

Responsibility

Safety

Financial Support

Access to Training

Work/Life Balance

Courteousy Of J. D. Ney and SSGM Magazine
www.ssgm.com

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NOW AVAILABLE FOR HAMILTON AREA SHOPS
New Accident Scene Brochures Can Be Used By Collision Shops

December 2007

In a joint effort, Hamilton Police Services, the Insurance Brokers Association of Hamilton and the Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association (HARA), have introduced a new brochure that warns motorists of the dangers of "accident chasers". The new brochure, announced at a new conference at the Hamilton Police headquarters, will be given out at all police stations, attended accident scenes and at the Collision Reporting Centres.

Police and HARA say up to a dozen "collision vultures" are now operating, many coming from as far away as Toronto nod Mississauga to feast in town.

Chasers are getting a percentage back for the tow or the repair, and that means customers can end up with tow or storage bills in the thousands. If you choose to fix your car elsewhere, the unscrupulous shops will find a way to lard the bill. Such as $500 to move cars around, $300 to use the cell phone, $300 to take the groceries out of the trunk, charging for unneeded dollies or winches or false waiting time at $75 per hour. Another favorite billing is a fee of $200 to just arrange (not supply) a rental vehicle. Hamilton Police identify the problems with chasers at:

http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/newsevents.html#police

A copy of the brochure is available for members by request and can be "stamped" with a shop logo should a collision repair facility wish to give them out at their location. Further copies are available at www.ciia.com under "Printable Documents" on the opening page.

New language in the brochure also advises motorists that they are not required to file a claim after an accident and that they have the right to choose a repair shop of their choice although the brochure warns motorists to confirm that the insurance company will cover the costs of the repair. Motorists may wish to also see: "Accident Claim Penalty" on the association web site at http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/claimpenalty.html to find out how their insurance premium will be impacted by an accident claim.

For more information on the brochure and a pending Hamilton by-law to better prohibit accident-scene solicitation, call the association 1 866 309 4272 or info@ciia.com

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Auto Recyclers of Canada Join National
Automotive Trades Association

The Auto Recyclers of Canada (ARC) has joined the National Automotive Trades Association (NATA).

"We have looked at what NATA is trying to achieve and who they represent, and felt it was important to offer our support," states ARC Managing Director Steve Fletcher. "Our Members sell recycled OEM auto parts, and NATA represents the largest group of installers of those parts. We want to understand their needs and requirements, and make sure our parts are part of the solution."

"The recyclers are an integral part of the automotive repair industry. We welcome them to NATA and look forward to their input and participation. " said Dale Finch, Executive Vice President of NATA.

NATA is a 59-year-old federally chartered 'association of associations' brought together to present a unified voice for the Canadian automotive trades industry. NATA Affiliated members consist of: Automotive Retailers Association of British Columbia (ARA), Automotive Service and Repair Association of Alberta (ASRA), Saskatchewan Association of Automotive Repairers (SAAR) Automotive Trades Association of Manitoba (ATA), Hamilton district Autobody Repair Association (HARA), Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO), and Collision Repair Association of Nova Scotia (CRANS).

ARC is the national voice of the automotive recycling industry and acts as an umbrella association for the following ARC Member associations: Automotive Recyclers Association of Atlantic Canada (ARAAC), Alberta Automotive Recyclers and Dismantlers Association (AARDA), Automotive Recyclers of Manitoba (ARM), Association des Recycleurs de Pièces d'Autos et de Camions (ARPAC), British Columbia Automotive Recyclers (B-CAR), Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA), and Saskatchewan Government Insurance Salvage (SGI Salvage).


For more information:

Steve Fletcher, ARC Managing Director Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC)
134 Langarth Street East London
Ontario Canada N6C 1Z5
Phone: 519-858-8761
Website: www.autorecyclers.ca

Dale Finch, NATA Executive Vice President c/o Automotive Retailers Association
#1 - 8980 Fraserwood Court Burnaby,
BC V5J 5H7
Phone: 604-432-7987
Website: www.natacanada.ca

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A legal void has turned Hamilton into a lucrative hunting ground for unscrupulous "collision chasers" who sweet-talk shaken drivers into towing their vehicle.

What the victims don't know is that the chaser is often getting a commission from an autobody shop to tow it there, police said at a press conference yesterday. Sometimes the chaser auctions off his unsuspecting driver to the highest bidder. Sometimes the chaser is the repair shop itself.

Then, if owners want to take their car elsewhere, they can be stuck with a bill ranging into the thousands of dollars to get it out of the shop.

And there's nothing police can do about it, unless it directly interferes with an investigation.

"If you sign something, it's buyer beware," said Hamilton police Inspector Vince DeMascio. These chasers are not on the list of tow companies under contract with police, he said.

Chasing has become such a competitive business that rivals rush to get to the accident first.

"They go through traffic signs, over lawns, it doesn't matter. They need to get there first to talk to that customer," said Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association (HARA) executive director John Norris, and it's happening at virtually every collision downtown.

The chasers often pay "a $25 bird fee" to cab drivers, delivery fleets and bus drivers to pass on information by cellphone, he said. "HSR drivers would be included," Norris added.

Chasers now even lurk across the street from police stations waiting for collision victims to leave the independent collision reporting centres in the station lobbies.

Police and HARA say up to a dozen "collision vultures" are now operating, many coming from as far away as Toronto and Mississauga to feast in town because a city bylaw that outlawed solicitation at an accident site was quashed by a judge last year.

Here's how chasers work:

You end up in a fender-bender. Emotions are running high.

Suddenly, a stranger approaches.

"They can show up in a regular passenger car," Norris said. "They say to you, 'I work for a firm' or 'I can help.'"

They tell the driver they will take care of everything, he said. "Before you know it, your car is gone."

Chasers are getting a percentage back for the tow or the repair, and that means customers can end up with tow or storage bills in the thousands. If you choose to fix your car elsewhere, the unscrupulous shops will find a way to lard the bill.

Such as "$500 to move cars around, $300 to use the cellphone, $300 to take the groceries out of the trunk," Norris said. They will charge for unneeded dollies or winches, or for false waiting time at $75 an hour.

"Or it could be $600 for (them) being at the shop after 5 p.m., when they were only there for five minutes."

Another trick is to charge for arranging a rental vehicle.

"That's not giving a rental vehicle but (charging) $200 just to arrange the vehicle," Norris said. "The chaser wants to make as much money as he can and the shop that's doing the repair has to recover the money they've paid the chaser."

Insurance companies will not pay unreasonable bills, said Ron Barry of the Insurance Brokers Association of Hamilton.

Hamilton had a bylaw that restricted people from soliciting business within 200 metres of an accident, but in August last year, a judge ruled it was too broad in definition, potentially penalizing anyone doing business in the exclusion zone unrelated to the accident.

The judge even chastised the city for not following precise wording in the province's Highway Traffic Act that prohibits anyone from stopping, attempting to stop or approaching a vehicle for the purpose of offering any commodity or service to the driver or anyone else in that vehicle on a highway.

Police, HARA and the insurance brokers' association have produced a pamphlet guide to collision reporting and insurance claims.

Most of it is a form for jotting down important information at an accident scene, such as names and licence numbers. It even has a diagram to mark vehicle positions, street names, directions and traffic signs. It offers pointers on what to do at a collision scene such as offering aid to the injured.

The pamphlets are available at all police stations and collision reporting centres, as well as on the police website at www.hamiltonpolice.on.ca.

Courtesy of: Paul Morse
The Hamilton Spectator

Also available at: http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/features.html

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Partners Develop Pamphlet To Chase Away Accident-Chasers

November 29, 2007
Hamilton, ON

The Insurance Brokers Association of Hamilton represented by Ron Barry (Bertram and Barry Insurance Ltd), The Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association and the Hamilton Police Service have partnered to produce an information pamphlet for drivers in the City of Hamilton.

The partners' goal is to provide drivers involved in motor vehicle collisions the necessary information to help them work through the stress of a collision.

At the time of a collision drivers can be very upset and for many, they have never been in the situation before. It is during this high-stress time that "Accident Chasers" offer services that may or may not be covered by their Insurance Company. It is therefore important to gather all the necessary information and not sign any contracts prior to speaking with their insurance company.

It is also important to get all the necessary information about the collision, particularly all the other drivers' information and the names of any witnesses.

CAREER DAY WAS A GREAT SUCCESS AT
AUTOMECHANIKA CANADA
Almost 3000 attending students
Toronto school wins a Lexus for their lab

With thirty education seminars, a tire-change competition and a chance for the school with the highest attending students to win a Lexus, courtesy of Toyota Canada, Motive Power Career Day at Automechanika Canada's inaugural trade show event in Toronto was a huge success, the largest motive power Career Day in Canada.

The school with the highest number of attending students was Bishop Marocco Catholic Secondary School from Toronto, with over 150 students attending. Randy Brown, the school's teacher, advises that the students at the school have examined the Toyota Canada donated Lexus and are eager to learn about the advanced electronics that this car comes with.

Thousands of students from across Ontario visited close to two hundred exhibit booths, training agencies, youth apprenticeship groups and community colleges in attendance, enabling them to ascertain the best route to become apprentices in the motive power trades.

Presentations by Buzz McKim, NASCAR historian, had full crowds of young people. Other valuable presentations included Skills Canada, CARS Council, www.apprenticesearch.com (with their race car), Castrol's special Solstice racer and the popular Centennial College live airbag detonations.

Diane Freeman, the representative for the Ontario based Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO), a NATA affiliate, advises that one booth exhibitor described the halls, teeming with students, as "organized bedlam".

Career Day was organized by the Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association (HARA), and Collision Industry Information and Assistance (ciia.com), affiliates of the National Automotive Trades Association (NATA).

NATA is a 59-year-old federally chartered 'association of associations' brought together to present a unified voice for the Canadian automotive trades industry.

For further information on Career Day, contact 1-866-309-4272 or e-mail hara@ciia.com

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