IMPORTANT CHANGES COMING FOR COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY

Environment Canada is developing regulations to limit the VOC content of refinish coatings and surface cleaners. This will change the products you buy and how you will apply them in the future. The goal is cleaner air.

It is expected that few of the products you are familiar with now will be available.  For some shops, changeover will be easy, other shops may decide to upgrade or purchase new equipment.

New production equipment, products and pollution prevention help will also be on display this evening. You can also learn about the requirements for a spraybooth permit, waste reduction tips, and how to reduce your costs with good environmental management.

Environment Canada is interested in your feedback on the proposed content for the regulations. This is your chance to learn the facts, what it means to your business, and be heard on the possible impact of these changes to improve air quality.

Date and Time: Wednesday November 29, 2006 at 6:30 pm         

Location: Marconi Club Hall, 120 Clarke Road , London

Admission (Hot Dinner Included): 

Non-Members $20.00 per person

Association members No charge        

This workshop format evening features:

•  Senior staff from Environment Canada, Gatineau , Quebec

•  Officials of the Canadian Paint and Coating Association, Saint-Laurent, Quebec

•  Paint company staff from all major paint companies have been invited

•  Senior insurance industry representatives have been invited to comment this evening.

This meeting will be the most important meeting of the year. It impacts you and your business, so don't miss this opportunity.

To register please call 1-866-309-4272 or info@ciia.com

In this issue:

. latest news
. CarfixWorld
. special offers
. business tips
. ciia.com updates

They were lined up when the show opened, and roared enthusiastically into CarFixWORLD's inaugural Career Day last Friday in Toronto. By 10:30, there were crowds of young people from across Ontario checking out the equipment displays, talking to potential employers on Interview Alley and lining up for autographs from TV celebrities.

The combination of automotive glamour and employment opportunity drew about 2600 students, who came from as far away as Kingston and Windsor. The bling side of the industry was supplied by customized show cars and celebrities like Pimp My Ride's Alex Pico and 'Q', and CASCAR driver DJ Kennington. The hundred industry companies on hand answered questions and demonstrated products to fill in the more serious aspect of the industry. Ciia.com operated Career Day on behalf of CarFixWORLD.St. Edmund Campion Catholic Secondary School (Brampton, ON) was represented by 178 students, and will receive the Lexus vehicle offered by Toyota Canada to the school with the most students at tthe show.Two students from Central Technical School (Toronto) won the Pit Stop Challenge, in which two-person teams had to remove and install two tires. The winning time was 1:52 min. Three stages provided a stream of presentations to help students and apprentices understand the opportunities in the automotive repair and collision fields. "Too often, young Canadians who could find career satisfaction miss an opportunity to learn about the job they might love. We are connecting them with exhibitors to help build a strong and dedicated labor force for the automotive aftermarket and collision industries," explained Carol Bell, manager of the CarFixWORLD

SPECIAL OFFERS

For the first time in Ontario, autobody and collision repair shop owners/operators can enjoy reduced costs while helping their local trade association.Save thousands of dollars on your garage insurance policy costs. Save almost $1000 with a special offer from Audatex Make thousands of dollars with increased profits from our special consultants. Save hundreds of dollars with discounted and special offers from industry vendors. Simply join your local collision repair trade association by calling 1-866-309-4272 for your membership kit. Members will receive numbered membership cards that can be used to access the vendor discounts. If you do not have a local association, linked with ciia.com in your area, just call 1-866-309-4272

March 2, 2006

The popular basic estimating collision repair training course is back to help those shop or office employees, new estimators and insurance company staff who may need assistance in estimating collision damage on cars and light trucks in Ontario.

Taught by experienced apprenticeship instructor, Jim Miles, this six night course includes, introduction to estimating, understanding vehicle construction, fundamentals of estimate writing, understanding collision manuals, additional charges and collision damage analysis.

The London course starts April 10th for three weeks in the evening, and is offered in response to shop inquiries. The location is yet to be announced.

A course outline and student information sheet is available on request. Students on the waiting list will get priority. Classes are from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Class size is limited so please called early to avoid disappointment. Class notes are included.

Course fee is $350 plus GST for trade association members and $450.00 plus GST for non-members.

Students can register by calling the Association and www.ciia.com office at 1-866-309-4272 or by e-mail at info@ciia.com or registering online at www.ciia.com/estimating.html

The London course is available on Monday and Wednesday evenings April 10,12,17,19,24,26

If there are interested students in other communities, please call the office at 1-866-309-4272 to inquire about possible courses in your area.

(see headlines)

OCTOBER MEETING

The Organization of Auto Body Rebuilders (London) October meeting was a well-attended event. With guest speakers and a new benefit program for members, the association is providing more services for London area shops.

OABR WORKSHOP PICTURES

Marconi Club located at 120 Clarke Road, London

Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.

WHAT COLLISION SHOP OWNERS NEED TO KNOW
(don't get hit with orders and fines)

Updates on what to do when the Ministry drops in
How to handle a MoL or MoE inspection
Working for nothing- some customer know the new Consumer Protection Act too well
New environmental rules that you can easily meet
Also: the latest updates from CISCO and Grants and incentives for hiring apprentices and technicians for your collision shop

SPECIAL VALUE FOR OABR MEMBERS
Special guest speakers will highlight OABR's new discount vendor program including discounts and special offers on:

" Shop garage insurance policy
" Up to 70% off on office products from Grand & Toy
" Great deals on solvent purchasing
" Collision repair equipment
" Special promotions items for your shop
" Hardware and software discounts from Carrus Technologies and ADP Claims Solutions
" Engineering help to get those permits
" Special forms and invoice discounts from NEBS
" Discounted legal help for storage and liens, pre-paid services or MTO problems
" Free health and safety audits and assistance and discounted isocyanate inspections
" Credit programs for cash-pay customers that return 102% of the invoice value to you
" Training discounts
" Uniform discounts
" Vehicle history searches
" Gasoline discounts
" Telephone line cost discounts

OABR also now offers front office and rear production expert firms who get paid only through your increased profits.

Admission: $10.00 for OABR members (refunded against membership fee)
$20.00 for non-members

For more information or on how to become an OABR member, call 1-866-309-4272.

(see headlines)

According to a recent study by Lee Romanov of the Insurance Hotline, based on recent insurance company filings with Ontario's Financial Services Commission, there is a vast difference in insurance company rates.

It certainly pays to shop around for quotes for your car insurance.

For instance:

Profile 1: Male, single, age 19

Risk Description:
Licensed 3 years, 1 year with class G licence
Owner and principal operator
Commute - 5 km one way, annual mileage under 12,000 km
2001 Honda Civic DX 2 door Coupe (VICC Code 0258)
New business application to company

In London, Allstate Insurance will charge him,$12,394 for a one year policy while Coseco Insurance is only $5,591 and Cumis is $4,551

For more information please see:
www.insurancehotline.com

In Toronto the rates show:

for a 19 year old with a clean record, rates between $5750 and $15,551

for a driver with one ticket and one accident, rates from $2,051 to $17,468

for 2 drivers with clean records from $1763 to $6992

for a 70 year old with clean record, from $970 to $2576

The London-area autobody association, or OABR (Organization of Auto Body Rebuilders), held a major kick-off meeting at the Marconi Club with over 25 of their local members in attendance.

The hot meal event kick-started the new OABR activities and guest speaker presentations.

The London- area association now uses the services of www.ciia.com, an autobody and collision shop assistance group that operates the industry web site.

They are assisting the association in administration, meeting organization, communications work and send e-mailed and fax information to local shops on a regular basis, working with and helping shops.

The event heard from speakers;

Wes Killins, Director of CISCO (Collision Industry Standards Council of Ontario), representing shops in Ontario with an update on Bill 186, the Collision Repair Standard Act (2002).

Gerald Robinson, representative of the Ontario Service Safety Alliance, on free health and safety audits and assistance offered to help shops reduce injuries and improve compliance.

Jay Perry, an approved benefit vendor, outlining how ABC Consulting can generate more profits for individual shops and how his firm only receives compensation if the shop increases its' profitability.

John Norris, from www.ciia.com on their successes and industry updates.

Local London-area shops can join the local association and receive free manuals, incentive programs, compliance assistance and a new benefit program by calling 1-866-309-4272.

Another event is planned for the Fall

(see headlines)

On February 25, 2004, a welder was using an oxygen/propane cutting torch to cut scrap metal when the worker's coveralls ignited. The welder suffered second and third-degree burns to the legs, thighs and groin area. A Ministry of Labour investigation found the welder was not protected by appropriate apparel in the circumstances. The welder had been wearing 100-per-cent cotton coveralls with 100-per-cent cotton bib pants underneath. The incident occurred outdoors on property at the company's recycling plant at 105 Clarke Road in London. The welder was a contracted worker from a temporary employment
agency.

John Zubick Limited pleaded guilty, as an employer, to failing to provide flame-resistant clothing to the welder, as required by Section 84(e) of the Regulations for Industrial Establishments. This was contrary to Section 25(1)(a) of the act.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Robert Gay of the Ontario Court of Justice in London. In addition, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.