Sherwin-Williams Brings Waterborne Paint System to US

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes has introduced its waterborne basecoat/ clearcoat system called AWX to North America . The AWX line was introduced in Europe in November of 2005.

Utilizing a proprietary resin system that behaves like traditional solvent borne systems, AWX is designed to meet the strict VOC-emissions limits recently adopted in California, while adhering to the environmentally-friendly guidelines soon to be implemented in Canada and throughout the Midwest and Northeastern United States.

"Our goal in launching AWX was to ease the fears and concerns body shop owners have in changing from a solvent to a waterborne system," said Nick Bartoszek , SWAFC Product Manager - VR Marketing. "Because AWX has solvent borne-like application properties, it ensures a seamless transition and conversion. Technicians will be familiar and comfortable with the process already, requiring minimal training and start-up costs."

There are low capital investment costs in transitioning to AWX as well. According to Bartoszek , "One of the key benefits of our waterborne system is that it doesn't require new or specialized equipment in order to use it effectively."

With conversion eminent in several months, SWAFC is committed to providing a waterborne solution with a conscience. Unlike solvent borne basecoats of the past, AWX ensures a 50 percent reduction in VOC emissions while reducing hazardous waste generation.

(courtesy CollisionWeek) (see headlines)

INSURER ANNOUNCES OPEN PLATFORM DRP EXAMINATION

Allstate (U.S.) says this will allow shops to use whatever estimating system they wish

October 30, 2006

Allstate Insurance Company (U.S.) announced today that they would begin a program to "explore an open platform concept" for communicating with their repair facilities."

The open concept program would allow shops to use whichever estimating system they feel would be best for their collision repair businesses.

The testing or "exploration" phase of this examination of single-platform based estimating, would continue through mid-2007 and if the testing phase is successful, and the program put into place, Allstate would no longer require shops to use a specific or one-company's estimating product to handle their claims.

Allstate is expecting that this announcement of "open concept" communications and estimating will be well received.

The communications open-concept estimating is part of the PRO Direct Repair Program concept introduced by Allstate.

John Edelen, Allstate assistant vice president of claim strategy, says" Our goal is to make it easier for repair facilities and the entire collision repair industry to do business with us"

For more information , please see:

http://www.allstate.com/Media/PageRender.asp?Page=main.htm

(see headlines)

Boost for welding at high schools

Courtesy of The Hamilton Spectator (Oct 23, 2006)

A campaign to raise $500,000 for area high school welding programs is to be launched next month.

The Canadian Welding Association will start its drive in a ceremony slated for Barton Secondary School on Nov. 2.

Money collected by the association from business and industry will be used by high schools to purchase equipment and supplies that will be donated next April. The effort is being supported by the Hamilton, Halton, Grand Erie and Niagara district school boards as well as Niagara and Mohawk colleges, the Canadian Welding Bureau and Dofasco.

The new campaign follows an effort earlier this year in which the local chapter of the welding association donated $104,844 worth of welding equipment and supplies to area high schools, along with gift certificates for 19 graduating welding students.

Association president Dan Tadic said the campaign was prompted by concern over the future of the trade.

"Our welder population is aging and starting to retire in great numbers, creating a serious shortage of skilled trades people," he said. (see headlines)

The Enterprise Rent-A-Car 50 Million Tree Pledge

Last year, The National Arbor Day Foundation (NADF) approached Enterprise Rent-A-Car with an idea. In honor of the company's 50th Anniversary, NADF challenged Enterprise to make a long-term commitment to celebrate that milestone and make a pledge to the future.

All along, to celebrate this anniversary, Enterprise had planned to say thank you for its first 50 years by making a significant gift for the next 50.

The question was this: What kind of gift would be consistent with Enterprise as a company - and also have a meaningful connection to its business, its employees, and the communities it serves?

The need for reforestation is great. And the positive impact trees make on the world is immense - from cleaning the air and maintaining a clean water supply to helping combat soil erosion and providing habitats for birds and other animals.

A single tree can make such a difference. So Enterprise decided to take the idea to the next level. And the Enterprise Rent-A-Car 50 Million Tree Pledge was born. Here's how it works:

• Each year, The National Arbor Day Foundation will identify a number of tree planting projects throughout the U.S. - and work with similar agencies in Europe and Canada to find planting projects in those countries.
• Enterprise will fund as many of these planting projects as possible each year - planting 1 million trees a year. 50 million trees total over the next 50 years.
• The forestry agencies will plant the trees where they are needed most.

This collaboration with The National Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service brings together the best of three worlds:

• The public agency charged with protecting and preserving the National Forests.
• Private funds from a committed corporate citizen.
• And a world-class nonprofit organization with the vision to bring a program like this together.

A million trees a year is not a total solution, but it's a solid step in the right direction. (see headlines)

Fletcher working to revitalize OARA as executive director

Steve Fletcher has stepped down from his position with CAR Management Solutions QRP to become executive director of the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA). Fletcher is well known to the recycling community. He is managing director of the Automotive Recyclers of Canada national association, and helped to form OARA in 1992. He also previously served as executive director of OARA.

"This is a great opportunity for me, the Ontario industry, and the Canadian industry, and I look forward to revitalizing the OARA association," says Fletcher. Fletcher's position with OARA will also allow him to continue his role with the national association.
Fletcher can be reached at 519-438-2764.

Questions regarding CAR Management Systems QRP should be directed to Randy Brant, director of business development, 905-380-5035. (see headlines)

NY association recommending $80-$95 per hour door rate

PRESS RELEASE: The New York State Auto Collision Technicians Association, (NYSACTA) issued a statement today in the wake of completion of an Independent Economic Study for the Auto Body Industry in the State of NY. NYSACTA is challenging all insurance companies to increase the allowance paid to auto body repair shops in NY State. NYSACTA explained that they want insurers to conduct business in the spirit of the NY State Insurance Regulation 64 by "negotiating all elements of a claim, including labor rates fairly and completely," instead of using the current "price suppression tactics," alleged by NYSACTA being used by some insurance companies.

NYSACTA Executive Director, Ed Kizenberger said, " we have met with the State Insurance Department and NY State Attorney General [Democratic front runner for NY State Governor] Elliott Spitzer's office regarding concerns that Insurers are price fixing labor rates at the lowest possible rate. We also feel other violations are being committed creating an unfair claims practice environment." Kizenberger continued, "for instance by using Direct Repair Shops (DRP) as a back-up source they [insurers] may indeed be in collusion creating an unfair trade and claims practice by coercing other non-DRP shops to accept low rates." NYSACTA President, Mike Orso said, "Some insurers hang their hat on supposed surveys, where results are secret. The questions include, "will you accept the rates we pay?" That question is not in the spirit of a survey, it's a take it or leave it question."

The study's results and recent insurance industry statistics indicate the lowest auto claims frequency in history while most insurers are enjoying record high profits. NYSACTA is requesting that insurers implement an immediate increase in labor allowance of $20.00 per hour by October 1, 2006 across the board to any body shops that post their hourly labor rate. The recent spike in fuel and expected increases in energy cost for heating the cold Northeast shops this winter require this action now. The requested increase would bring the average body shop labor rate allowance to $64.00/hr, within $20.00 of the study's base conclusion. That study concluded that auto body labor rates in NY should be in the $80-$95 per hour range for typical auto body labor depending on where the shop is located. "Not unreasonable," says Orso, "considering typical mechanical labor rates."

NYSACTA also requests that insurers prepare to add an additional allowance of $10.00 per hour by January 1, 2007 and thereafter adjust for annual increases of 3-5% to keep in line with the CPI or state index. Orso reflected that, "insurance profits are up. Claims frequency is down. Since premiums rise on average 5-7% annually the cost of an increase in labor rate is offset. The cost savings effect of safer cars, stronger laws regarding DWI, Cell Phones, seat belt use, safety systems and higher deductibles has resulted in lower accident severity and fewer claims, with injuries. Simply stated, lower property and personal injury costs along with other considerations mean insurer profits are exponentially up. The shops are paying a hefty price as insurers get fat."

Kizenberger claims that, "while insurers continue to tighten the financial noose on most Direct Repair Shops in their programs across the country, extreme pressure is being put on shops to reduce rates, allow deeper discounts and increase cycle time on an already strained industry infrastructure." Mike Orso said, "Desperate times create desperate people. I get calls from shops that are scrambling. They are DRP'd out. Techs are evaporating, costs have risen dramatically and mysteriously shop rates remain low. It doesn't take much to see that tainted surveys, unreasonable demands and coercion suppress the rates. Shops are sadly scrambling to stay afloat." Orso went on to say, "ultimately the consumers is suffering with unsafe, shoddy repairs."

Mike Orso feels, "there is and irony to these suppression tactics being used against consumers and shops. " Orso stated, "that testimony quoted from the *Texas HB-1131 hearings exposed some ugly facts." In that testimony, according to Orso, Allstate admitted that in an internal survey that Allstate "found (among other things), that quality at Sterling was below PRO standards in 60% of its stores." Sterling Auto Body Centers are a wholly owned subsidiary of Allstate. PRO is Allstate's nickname for Priority Repair Option, Allstate's direct repair program. Other testimony was recorded that, "despite these findings Allstate continued to refer its customers to Sterling." Orso said, "The only logical conclusion is that Allstate was not looking out for its claimants and only cared about Allstate's goal of funneling work to its Sterling shops. That puts real people, vulnerable consumers, at the center of our issue. Claimants are falsely lead to believe Allstate cares." The Allstate testimony further indicated how brownfield vs greenfield shops differed. New ground up shops (greenfield) vs acquired "mom and pop stores" (brownfield) as nicknamed by Allstate. Orso said, "In the 1960's I can remember my father arguing with Allstate appraisers as they suppressed rates then. Allstate would refuse to pay $8.00 per hour as shops were held at $6.00 per hour. That's one reason the **1963 Consent Decree was developed and ordered. Fast forward to today and the same scenarios are here only now Allstate owns the shops. Orso feels, "The reason for "brownfields" is that some shops can't afford to invest because of the profit squeeze from labor rate suppression. Insurers created this situation themselves and now use it against the industry. It's time to correct it. I call on all insurers to do the right thing before eventually it costs $250 per hour to repair a car."

Orso said, "insurers have a right to go out and make deals and it's the shops right to give away anything they want to make a deal for a DRP. However, if tomorrow the shop down the street makes a deal to give away right front fenders. I should not have to. Recent NY State Appellate Court's have found that, "insurers owe for fair market value in repairs." Key word is fair. I think its time for fair."(see headlines)

2600 STUDENTS LEARN AT CAREER DAY

Students win a free Lexus for their school

October 02, 2006

With school buses coming from as far away as Kingston to the east and Amherstburg to the west, Career Day at CarFixWORLD was a very busy and exciting place.

Throngs of students visited over 100 exhibit booths and attended over 30 educational seminars and presentations.

Young people, unemployed youth, and teachers across the province had a chance to meet TV celebrities Alex and Quinton (Q) from MTV's popular PIMP MY RIDE, participate in the Pit Stop Challenge tire-change competition, and talk to Castrol CASCAR racer D. J. Kennington.

With Smokin' Joe's Racing's 2200 hp Dodge Avenger at the door, students looked at antique cars, cars being repaired by a high school student team from Danforth Collegiate in Toronto, a student-built SAE Formula racer from Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School in Aurora, Ontario and specialty vehicles.

While Centennial College featured loud air bag demos on the hour, students could enter the draw for tickets, air fare and accommodations at this year's Grey Cup in Winnipeg . Presentation stages were jammed as students took in presentations on apprenticeship, college entry motive power programs, a popular CITIMOTIVE school program, and highlights of CARS Council's Reach-For-The-top completions.

CanadaSkills-Ontario student automotive competition winners advised young people on how to move forward into motive power careers while industry shop owners in the Seminar Station offered their help on how to get hired in the automotive occupation that you love.

A bright red Lexus, donated by Toyota Canada Inc. and featured at the Pit Stop Challenge was won by the school that brought the most students to Career Day,--St. Edmund Campion Catholic Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario.

The 2600 students were urged to go online and file their employment resumes or be interviewed for employment by the businesses hiring workers at the Employment Alley.

With apprenticeship agencies, such as the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, community colleges, Skilled Trades Alliance, www.apprenticesearch.com., CARS Council and Canada Skills-Ontario in attendance, many young people found the best route to become apprentices in the motive power trades.

Gary Young, Head of Technological Studies at Eastdale Secondary School in Welland , Ontario , said of the Career Day activities, " they were great, students were motivated about automotive service skilled trades and we found the exhibits and the educational information to be just what we wanted. We are looking forward to a bigger and even better show next year."

The Career Day event, a part of CarFixWORLD was held at the Direct Energy Centre (formerly the National Trade Centre) at Exhibition Place , Toronto from September 29-October 1.

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.

For more information on Career Day, contact the autobody association at info@ciia.com or 1 866 309 4272. For pictures of the event see: www.carfixworld.com , www.aaro.ca or www.ciia.com

CarFixWORLD Career Day a hit with students

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.

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 which brought the most students to the 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 event.

For pictures please visit http://www.carfixworld.com/

(see headlines)

John Norris, of www.ciia.com , and host of the 10:30 a.m. two-hour conference/seminar, believes that the seminar's special guests will provide profitable and significant information to assist shop owners in tough economic times. "The goal is to provide an impetus to change this industry and to look at working together for a better industry" said Mr. Norris. "These two-hours may be the most important two hours this year for shop owners to understand the ways of meeting today's challenges."

Guests include: 

Alex Cavadias, Chemical Sectors Division, Environment Canada

First in a series of presentations,  learn about the  proposed regulations  to reduce VOC emissions from  c oatings and  surface cleaners.  Environment Canada will outline their  proposed regulations and their interest in industry feedback.  Get an idea of how the regulations may impact your refinish operations.

Discussions will follow on next steps to move forward as an industry.

Seating is limited. Time is tight. There is no cost to this seminar or most other seminars being held this weekend, however you must register with CarFixWORLD for the show online at : http://www.carfixworld.com/en/attendee/registration.asp

Pricing for  2 three-day event tickets is $35.00.

(Please note: NATA and www.ciia.com  affiliate members discount pricing is 2 tickets for $25.00.  Contact 1-866-309-4272 or: http://www.ciia.com/newsletters/cfxworldnata241special.pdf

For more information on this important seminar call 1-866-309-4272 or info@ciia.com
(see headlines)

AADCO To Buy Dominion Auto Recycling Inc.

(BRAMPTON, ON) - Sept. 22 /CNW/ - AADCO Automotive Inc. has entered into a letter of intent providing for the purchase of Jorama Holdings Inc. of Stoney Creek Ontario, according to a press release issued today.

Jorama Holdings Inc. owns and operates Dominion Auto Recycling Inc., which has been a leading provider in the Golden Horseshoe Area for over 60 years with recycled auto parts and rebuilder vehicles. The purchase price will be comprised of cash, vendor-take-back financing and stock. The transaction is expected to close on or about November 15, 2006, and will be subject to regulatory approval.

Mr. Benjy Katz, the owner of Jorama Holdings and the operator of Dominion Auto Recycling Inc., will continue to run that business as a wholly owned subsidiary of AADCO Automotive Inc. As Chief Operating Officer of yard operations for AADCO Automotive Inc., he will also oversee the operations at AADCO Vehicle Disposal Services Inc.

"The purchase of Dominion Auto Recycling Inc. is just the first step in AADCO's corporate strategy to become the dominant national provider of LKQ (used) and aftermarket parts serving the automotive repair industry. The combined companies will have approximately $15 million in annual revenue initially, be profitable, with positive cash flows further strengthened by effective use of historic tax losses," said Charles Hodgkinson, President and CEO of AADCO Automotive Inc. "We are partnering with an established, long-standing business, with exceptional management talent in Benjy Katz, who shares our vision of the marketplace opportunities."

Added Mr. Katz, "this is a unique opportunity to build upon the foundations that my family has laid over the past three generations. Through this consolidation not only will we be able to serve our customers better as they become multipoint operators, but we will be able to generate superior operating efficiencies and a broader operating scale. We believe the synergies will have a substantial impact on our corporate bottom line both in the short and long term, and bring a multitude of growth opportunities for us to advantage."
(see headlines)

I-CAR Training Approved for CEU Credit in Ontario

(HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL) - September 19, 2006 - I-CAR Live training programs have been approved for continuing education unit (CEU) credit in Ontario by the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO). RIBO is the self-regulatory body for insurance brokers in Ontario established in 1981.The following I-CAR Live training programs have been approved along with their designated amount of CEU technical credit:

Aluminum Panels and Structures Damage Analysis (DAM05)
- 3 hours
Corrosion Protection (CPS01) - 3 hours
Customer Relations and Collision Repair (CUS01) - 6 hours
Frontal Impact Analysis (DAM02) - 3 hours
Fundamentals of Collision Repair (FCR01) - 3 hours ·
Hazardous Materials, Personnel Safety, and Refinish Safety (WKR01) - 3 hours·
Mechanical Systems Analysis (DAM03) - 3 hours
Restraints, Interior, Glass Side and Rear Impact Analysis (DAM04) - 3 hours·
Steering and Suspension Damage Analysis (DAM06) - 3 hours
Vehicle Identification, Estimating Systems, and Terminology (DAM01) - 3 hours

To search for the above I-CAR training programs in Ontario, visit the CEU specific page on the I-CAR web site at www.i-car.com. For additional information about RIBO, visit www.ribo.com.
(see headlines)

Maaco welcomed industry guests to its dazzling, pristine training centre and new head office during the official opening celebration in mid-September. The new facility in Milton, ON, will have several functions, says Gary Dohring, president of Maaco Systems Canada Inc., the franchising organization for Maaco collision repair and autobody painting shops in Canada. One function is to serve as a showpiece for Maaco's corporate identity. "We needed a place that people could come to and say Wow!," Dohring explains.

The facility is also equipped with training rooms and a bodyshop geared toward training purposes. One wall of the Garmat paint booth is equipped with a window for students to observe the painter.

"Franchisees will send their best people here," says Dohring. "They can be exposed to the Maaco system in a controlled environment."

In addition, for national fleet accounts, the first paint job, which serves as a model for all others, will be performed at the training centre. The process will be filmed and distributed to franchisees on DVD, to ensure process and product consistency across the country.

Dohring feels the combination of training in a classroom setting and setting a standard procedure for national accounts will enhance consistency across the brand.

While Maaco is still strong in fleet accounts, the company has also emphasized cosmetic collision repairs in the last few years. Dohring noted that since Maaco founder Tony Martino introduced the "Cosmollision" concept in 2001, same store sales have risen an average of 40%. Maaco defines cosmollision as the cosmetic and collision repair of damaged but driveable cars for customers paying out of their own pocket.

(courtesy of Bodyshopbiz.com)

(see headlines)

NATA Canada Salutes Volvo Cars of Canada Corp.

NATA Canada representatives Dale Finch and Rene Young recently met with Michel St-Hilaire, Vice President, Customer Service of Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. to discuss Canadian aftermarket access to Volvo's technical information web site and service tools. Mr. St-Hilaire expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of working more closely with the Canadian aftermarket through NATA Canada citing that, "We all have the same goal - looking after the customer."

Recognizing that Volvo owners in all parts of Canada have a choice in where and how to fulfill their vehicle's the service and repair needs, Mr. St-Hilaire embraces a spirit of cooperation with the independent automotive repair and collision repair industries and pledged his support for NATA Canada's Vehicle Information and Service Tool Access (VISTA) initiative.

Volvo Cars of North America LLC maintains a technical information web site, located at www.volvotechinfo.com where a variety of subscription types and durations can be purchased at reasonable prices for 1994 to present year models. It was reported earlier that this site did not accept registrations from Canada , but Mr. St-Hilaire assured NATA Canada that the site is, in fact, open to Canadians and will remain so.

NATA Canada would like to congratulate Mr. St-Hilaire and Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. for cooperating with the Canadian aftermarket automotive industry to ensure that Volvo owners will continue to enjoy the freedom of choice and level of service they have in the past.

------------------------------------------------------------------NATA is a federally chartered 58-year old organization, with current representation on the Board of the Canadian Automotive Repair and Service Council (CARS), along with the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (CVMA), the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada (AIAMC), the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) and the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA). The National Automotive Trades Association of Canada currently represents:

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)

Collision Repair Association of Nova Scotia (CRANS) (see headlines)