ESURANCE AUTO INSURANCE EARNS I-CAR GOLD CLASS
PROFESSIONALS ® STATUS NATIONWIDE

Hoffman Estates, IL - June 16, 2009 - I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, announced today that Esurance, the direct-to-consumer auto insurance company, has earned the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designation. To reach Gold Class status, Esurance's material damage specialists nationwide underwent 1,500 of additional training hours collectively.

Esurance's Material Damage Director, Joe Laurentino, stated, "Training is a crucial part of our commitment to being a top-notch claims organization. To meet our customers' needs and make the repair process as seamless as possible, we need to continually expand our knowledge so that we're always experts about the vehicles we insure and what it takes to repair them. Getting the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designation acknowledges the efforts of our regional offices to achieve our industry's highest standards," explained Laurentino.

"I am very proud of the way our staff worked alongside Esurance to help them accomplish their goal. I would also like to commend Esurance for their commitment to training and follow-through in this process," said Jeff Peevy, I-CAR Director of Field Operations, North America. "Their full-on dedication was vital to achieving this accomplishment."

More information about Esurance Auto Insurance can be found at www.esurance.com . Details on the Gold Class Professionals program are located at www.i-car.com/goldclass .

###

I-CAR, founded in 1979, is an international not-for-profit training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers.

(See Headlines)

I-CAR ® Education Foundation Announces 2009 Scholarship Winners -
Part of $150,000 to be Distributed in 2009

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - June 1, 2009 - The I-CAR Education Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the two scholarships in collision repair that were created to assist deserving students pursuing a career in the collision industry. These awards are part of over $150,000 in grants and scholarships to be given out in 2009 by the I-CAR Education Foundation.

One of the scholarships, the I-CAR Education Foundation Scholarship, is in its second year and funded by the entire collision industry through the Collision Repair Education Campaign . The second scholarship, The Lon Baudoux Legacy Scholarship, is a new scholarship opportunity created to honor Lon Baudoux, I-CAR Development Manager, who passed away in November 2008. This scholarship is funded mainly by I-CAR staff and
I-CAR instructors who worked with Lon at I-CAR.

For the I-CAR Education Foundation scholarship, the top scholarship winner in the secondary category is Felipe de Jesus Camarena Figueroa, a student at Dutch Fork High School/Irmo High School in Irmo, SC. Figueroa will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to continue his education and career in the collision industry. James Philip Tanner, an instructor at Irmo High school said, "Felipe is a model student at Irmo High School. His performance in the classroom and laboratory has resulted in excellent grades, and his behavior and interaction with other students have earned him respect from his classmates.Felipe nurtures the ambition to be an automobiles painter/repairman. I feel fortunate to have known Felipe for these past two years."

The top scholarship winners in the post-secondary category are Amanda Struphar and Jennifer Baca, both students at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Houston, TX. Struphar and Baca will each be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to continue their education in the collision industry.

Keith Perry has had the privilege of teaching both Struphar and Baca at UTI and highly recommended both students for the award. Of Struphar, Perry said, "[Amanda] is a good person full of determination...She consistently displays all of the character traits that any employer would enjoy having on their staff. This young lady is a cut above the rest." Of Baca, Perry said, "This young lady has latched on to auto repair with a vengeance. She is real high-spirit and seems to have a passion for the art..All in all she is a well rounded person with exceptional character."

In addition to Figueroa, Struphar and Baca, five additional I-CAR Education Foundation scholarships were awarded to students from career and technical schools and colleges. The additional winners will each receive a $2,000 scholarship to continue their education. In the secondary category, the Education Foundation congratulates: Jerry Aceves from Ratteree Career Development Center in Irving, TX; Josh Albrecht from Nichols Career Center in Jefferson City, MO; and Jeremy Kirst from Westfield Vocational High School in Westfield, MA.

-MORE-

In the Post-Secondary category, the I-CAR Education Foundation congratulates: Laura Maria Salas from Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA and Mychelle Hix from Herndon Career Center in Raytown, MO.

For the Lon Baudoux Legacy Scholarship, which was highly based on a student's activities outside of school, two award recipients were selected; Gavin Villanueva from Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA and Seth Clark Dunn from Universal Technical Institute in Houston, TX. Each will receive a $1,000 to continue his education in collision repair.

Peter Lock, an instructor at Contra Costa College, said of Villanueva "Over the past year I have seen his technical skills grow. During school assignments he has demonstrated that he can handle the challenges that arise while completing the many tasks necessary to learn and become a technician on today's automobiles. He has pride in his work and always gives his best."

Oliver James Beckham III, an instructor at UTI said of Nunn, "[Seth] is a hard worker and displays a passion for the collision industry. He has performed in an exemplary manner throughout his courses here at UTI."

"These winners are just a small sample of the impressive young men and women that I am certain will make a positive impact on the collision industry," said Scott Kruger, I-CAR Education Foundation Executive Director.  "Congratulations to them and thank you to our donors who are helping collision students nationwide turn their passion for cars into a rewarding career."

A selection committee comprised of members of the Education Foundation Board of Trustees Grant Programs Task Force, made the final selection of scholarship recipients. Committee members included:

•  Geralynn Kottschade, Jerry's Body Shop, Inc. - chair

•  Terry Angell, Warren Tech

•  Mary Knapp, Dennis Technical Education Center

•  John Saia, Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc

•  Greg Settle, Mercedes-Benz, LLC

•  John Ward, Enterprise Rent-A-Car

###

The I-CAR Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us on the Internet at:www.ed-foundation.org.

(See Headlines)

May 26, 2009

With small shops facing significant financial burdens in buying new equipment to meet the requirements of water-based paint application, Industry Canada has announced a program that should help.

"One of the issues we continually raised with Environment Canada during the low-VOC paint discussions, was the real difficulties that small shops were experiencing at the bank or their financial institution where credit rules have been toughened." said John Norris, NATA Collision Chair." This program allows lenders a much high degree of safety and security in lending equipment financing monies to shops."

The program under the Small Business Financing Directorate of Industry Canada (CSBF) will allow small for-profit businesses with gross annual revenues of less than $5 million, to better access up to $350,000 for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property or purchasing or improving new or used equipment (like a spray booth).

Discuss your business needs with a financial officer at any bank, caisse populaire or credit union in Canada. The financial officer will review your business proposal and make a decision on your loan application. Once the decision is made to offer financing under the program, the financial institution will register the loan with Industry Canada.

Loans can be used for financing up to 90% of the cost. You can use the money to finance buildings and lands, commercial vehicles and production equipment. Maximum chargeable rate by your financial institution is the lender's prime lending rate plus 3% for variable rate loans with fixed rate amounts being lender's single-family residential mortgage rate plus 3%.

A registration fee of 2% of the total amount loaned under the program must also be paid by the borrower to the lender, and can be financed as part of the loan. Lenders are required to take security on the assets financed. The registration fee and a portion of the interest are submitted to Industry Canada by the lender to help offset the costs of this program for the government.

(See Headlines)

Summer-The Best and Worst of Times for Young Workers
MOL blitz focuses on this vulnerable group in June

School's out and summer jobs beckon. Young workers, some of them entering the job market for the first time in their lives, start out eager to please and breathtakingly inexperienced.

It can be a formula for tragedy.

Between 2001 and 2008, workers aged 15 to 24 sustained 573 critical injuries. During that period, 27 individuals died as a result of workplace injuries-shattering the lives of families, friends and colleagues.

Rob Ellis lives this reality daily. His 18-year-old son David died 10 years ago as a result of a preventable workplace incident on his second day at work, a heartbreaking example of the fact that injuries are four times more likely to occur during the first month on the job than at any other time.

That's why Ellis, president of Our Youth at Work, and a former president of a business servicing the food and restaurant industry, applauds the MOL's decision to focus on young and new workers in June . "The blitz tells us that the Ministry of Labour is protecting the health and safety of Ontario's future leaders," he says. "It knows that the way to achieve The Road to Zero [injuries, illnesses and fatalities] is by transferring knowledge to young workers, and making sure they understand that the government cares about and respects them."

Keep kids safe by emphasizing the basics

Since David's death, Rob has become a tireless advocate for the well-being of other people's children. He knows that managing risk doesn't have to be a costly proposition, and continually encourages employers to revisit the basics of what he calls "OT"-orientation and training.

What does great OT look like? "Show new workers every possible place where they might slip, fall, or get cut or burned," says Ellis. "There's no need to hand out a thick training manual. Just set up a really good buddy system. Make the buddy responsible for never leaving a new worker's side-especially in the first 30 days when most of the injuries occur."

If the MOL arrives at your door, will you be ready?

OT is a critical component of your health and safety program that MOL inspectors will be looking for during the blitz. You'll need to demonstrate that your young and new workers are properly trained, supervised and meet minimum age requirements. The MOL suggests employers ask themselves five questions to get ready:

1. Is the workplace prepared for new workers? Are you in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act? Do workers meet minimum ages for work, and do you have competent supervisors?
2. Are new workers ready for work? Have you checked workers' prior education, experience and qualifications? Do workers know their rights and responsibilities?
3. Is there comprehensive safety orientation? Have you showed new workers where to find health and safety instructions? Put emergency procedures and personal protective equipment in place?
4. Is job-specific training well done and validated? Do workers understand the training you've provided before new tasks are assigned? Are your trainers competent?
5. Are workers supervised adequately? Are your supervisors providing regular instruction and supervision?

MOL zeroing in on the service sector

The service sector is a magnet for young workers, especially during summer months. Inspectors will be honing in on a wide range of workplaces where new and young workers can be found; for example:

• Retail stores
• Wholesalers
• Restaurants
• Vehicle sales and service outlets
• Hotels and other tourism outlets

Lost-time injuries hurt more than people

• According to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), young workers employed in occupations such as sales and service, transport/equipment operators, and labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities, had the highest number of allowed lost-time claims for on-the-job injuries.
• In 2007, the average cost (direct and indirect) to employers of a lost-time workplace injury was $106,500.
• Between April 1, 2004, and March 31, 2008, declining rates of lost-time workplace injuries have saved employers more than $5 billion in direct and indirect costs.

For more information

Check out these resources for insights and answers:

• The MOL news release and backgrounder on the young worker blitz: check out "Headlines" or "News Releases" at www.labour.gov.on.ca
• The WSIB Young Worker Awareness Program: www.ywap.ca
• The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) "Young Workers Zone": www.ccohs.ca/youngworkers/
• The Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA): search on "young workers" at www.ossa.com .
• Find out how being a workplace champion at one of Rob Ellis's "My Safe Work" Simulcasts events can reach thousands: www.mysafework.com .

The Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) is your WSIB-approved provider of health and safety solutions, and your trusted advisor in developing a prevention program for your organization that will help keep new and young workers healthy and safe. Call OSSA at 1-888-478-6772 or email info@ossa.com .

(See Headlines)

I-CAR ® EXTENDS CONFERENCE EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEE TO JUNE 5

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - May 28, 2009 - I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, has announced that it will extend its early bird registration fee to June 5 for the upcoming I-CAR 30 th Annual Industry Conference at the Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington, DC, July 28 - 31 as the training organization continues to receive interest from the inter-industry in this year's event.

The conference will begin with an inter-industry tradeshow on July 28 and will officially open on July 29 with keynote speaker Dr. Martin Regalia, Chief Economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. His address will be followed by a panel discussion offered by industry leaders that will focus on the strategies and actions that can be taken to improve business efficiencies and retain customers in an economically challenging time. The organization also plans to recognize the work of volunteers and instructors who have contributed their time over the past 30 years, as well as provide on-site opportunities for I-CAR training.

"Given I-CAR's position in the collision repair inter-industry as a provider of information, we want to offer a way for as many industry professionals to attend as possible," said Jeff Peevy, Director of Field Operations for I-CAR. "The content that they will receive at this conference is very relevant and will enhance their roles as leaders."

Peevy noted that this year the training organization has also begun offering grants for volunteers and instructors to help increase the participation of those who are instrumental in bringing collision repair training to students across North America.

The early bird registration fee of $445 for general attendees will continue through June 5, then will increase to $510 for the four-day conference. There are also reduced fees for instructors and volunteers and for spouses and guests.

For conference and registration information, visit www.i-car.com/meetings .

###

I-CAR, founded in 1979, is an international not-for-profit training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers.

(See Headlines)

COLLISION REPAIR TRADE ASSOCIATION OFFERS TRAINING
COURSES FOR LESS THAN $3 EACH

WHMIS, ISOCYANATES and AUTOMOTIVE LIFT TRAINING
are some of the courses being offered.

Calling it a major shift in how training is offered in the collision repair industry, the Collision Industry Information and Assistance.com (www.ciia.com ), representing Ontario-based collision repair associations, today started offering online training in 23 different courses for less than $3.00 each. "Our members have been asking about isocyanate and Vehicle Lift Safety in order to meet Ministry requirements in their shops, and we wanted to provide for them a quick, easy inexpensive training solution. In cooperation with E.A.G.L. Enterprises in Pickering, Ontario, we are now able to offer health, safety and management training courses online that shops and staff can access at any time," says Mark Timson, a Caledonia area shop owner and a director of www.ciia.com "Our instructor-led WHMIS course and our six-night Basic Estimating course are popular and are taken at our training centre or at a shop location. Also, we wanted to offer programs to help member shops that were more geographically distant. Vehicle Lift Safety courses are important and we could not arrange for a physical delivery of that course to date." Member shops can access the collision repair industry web site at http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/itraining.html .  Registration forms can be faxed, e-mailed or completed online.  Member shops can call Monica at 1 866 309 4272 for more information.  Member shops pay $60.00 plus GST and get access to any or all of the courses for a full year.  Completion documents are provided after the member successfully completes an individual course exam online.  A training certificate identifying all courses taken is issued annually. Other courses offered include Fire Safety, Back Safety, Due Diligence, Joint Health and Safety Committee, Understanding Bill C-45, Safety Inspections, Office Ergonomics, Stretches and Heat Stress.

For more information or to access online training courses call 1 866 309 4272 or e-mail info@ciia.com

(See Headlines)

----------------------Autobody Profitability Workbook (82 pages)-------------------------

-------Issues Facing The Canadian Collision Repair Industry (39 pages)------------

NOTE: To view these files you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This Reader is free and you can download it from the Adobe Website