NABC to Debut Vehicle Extrication Program at NACE
From CollisionWeek ©2009.

The National Auto Body Council (NABC) is announced the debut of its latest community service project, the First Responders Emergency Extrication (FREE) program. Through the program, the NABC will make it possible for shops across the country to offer local first responders a free course in how to safely deal with new technology in vehicles when responding to the scene of an accident.

A rapid onslaught of advancements in vehicle design, including high strength steels, passenger restraint systems, multiple air bags and the growing popularity of high-voltage hybrid vehicles make a class like FREE more important than ever. First responders, such as firemen, constantly require the most current vehicle information to be effective at the scene and save lives. FREE helps them keep up to date.

A demonstration of the NABC-sponsored training course will take place on the Mandalay Bay trade show floor at NACE on Friday, November 6 at 11:00 a.m.

The 90-minute course incorporates both classroom and hands-on instruction, including demonstrations in vehicle cutting techniques. Vehicle donations for the NACE debut are being provided by CSAA Insurance as well as Hertz, which will provide a hybrid. Las Vegas First Responders will actively participate in the event, a development that reflects NABC’s philosophy of getting the local community involved.

“It’s wonderful to have the entire industry working together to deliver this program,” states FREE’s lead instructor, Toby Chess. “The collision repair industry possesses the know-how to save more lives, and this is a good opportunity to put that expertise to use.” Chess and his sponsor, Kent Automotive, a noted supplier of vehicle repair products, have generously donated their time and resources in the past to deliver information to first responders. They would like to see their vision grow. “There is a pressing need in every community for this kind of training,” he adds. “We see the inaugural event in Las Vegas as only the beginning.”

Indeed, shops across the country will soon be able to deliver FREE in their individual communities, as NABC is putting together a package to make it easy. “We’re working with Holmatro Rescue Equipment to create a turnkey program template that quickly can be put into place,” notes 2010 FREE Chairman Michael Quinn of 911 Collision Centers. “Holmatro has 40 years of experience helping rescue and emergency services personnel around the world with their technology, which makes their participation really exciting.”

“The FREE program and Recycled Rides assist shops in creating positive community awareness about collision repairers,” says NABC Executive Director Chuck Sulkala. “They exemplify the mission of NABC and it is an honor to be associated with the individuals, industries and companies helping to make our goals a reality.”

Painter Training for Environmental Compliance

The GCIA is working with the Georgia Small Business Environmental Assistance Program to offer the Painter Training for Environmental Compliance with National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants covering the new Area Source Rule for Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations.  This is important training that is required. Get ahead of the curve. Make plans to attend.

Course Overview:

• Background on Federal Air Emissions Regulations
• Development of the Area Source Rule for Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating (40 CFR 63, Subpart HHHHHH – hereinafter referred to as “the Rule”)
• Scope of the Rule – Who must comply?
• Requirements for surface coating activities
• Painters are required to receive training on environmental compliance with the Rule
• Recordkeeping Requirements
• Notification and Reporting Requirements
• Important Dates for Complying with the Rule
• Requirements for the use of methylene chloride (MeCl) in paint stripping activities

We will be holding this training session from 9 am to 11 am on Thursday, November 19th before the November GCIA meeting. Location:  Sports & Imports in Duluth – 3400 McDaniel Rd Duluth GA  30096.  We must know how many are attending as class seating is limited. Please RSVP by Monday, Nov. 16th with number of attendees from your shop.  Contact Howard Batchelor at Howard@GCIA.org or call him at 770-367-9816.

Fee:
Staff of GCIA members – $15 each
Non-member – $30 each

Mark Your Calendar – GCIA November Meeting
Thursday, November 19th

The November GCIA meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 19th.  Location and time to be determined and we will inform you soon through this site.

We are considering a lunchtime meeting and would like to know your opinion on lunch versus dinner.  Contact Howard Batchelor at Howard@GCIA.org or call him at 770-367-9816 and let him know your preference.  We want to try to accommodate as many members as possible so let Howard know ASAP.

This is a 2010 Planning Meeting. It is very important.  Membership input is needed and solicited.  Our agenda will cover the following items:

• 2010 Labor Rate Survey
• 2 Day Georgia Collision Industry Event
• 2010 Association Goals
• Association Membership Drive
• Extraction Demonstration
• Health Insurance Program
• EPA Painter Certification Program
• Corporate Sponsorship Program
• 2010 Annual Golf Tournament
• Update on Georgia Insurance Commissioner
• GCIA Board Elections

Remember, “Working together is the most important work we do.” Let’s make 2010 a Banner Year!

3M Donates $300,000 in Products to I-CAR Education Foundation
From CollisionWeek ©2009

3M has donated over 300 Dynamic Mixing Systems to the I-CAR Education Foundation for distribution to technical schools and colleges that offer collision repair and automotive refinishing training programs.

The first 319 qualifying schools to respond to an I-CAR Education Foundation survey each received a 3M Dynamic Mixing System applicator gun and the corresponding cartridges. Each package has an approximate retail value of $700. The total donation is valued at $300,000.

“3M’s donation puts advanced new technology in the hands of our future collision technicians – certainly most schools would never be able to demonstrate this new body filler system to their students without 3M generosity,” said Scott Kruger, I-CAR Education Foundation Executive Director. “The response to this offer was overwhelming and the data we gathered from the survey will form the basis for our future collision school grant programs. Thanks to 3M for a very successful product donation.”

3M has been a sustaining member of I-CAR since 2002 and the company’s Business Development Manager Mark Algie currently serves on the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees.

DuPont Integrates Web Services with ProfitNet Management System
From CollisionWeek ©2009

DuPont and Yada Systems announced the integration of its web-based DuPont Performance Services business improvement tools with ProfitNet Management System. This new interface will provide a communication path from ProfitNet to DuPont’s business improvement tools eliminating the need for ProfitNet customers to rekey information.

With this integration, the companies said, body shops will see improved front office efficiency by automating marketing processes. Shops can choose to enable insurance agents, car owners and other third party marketing programs targeted at building repeat and referral business.

“This new interface emphasizes DuPont’s commitment to providing key technology solutions that help our customers grow their business in a very competitive collision repair market” said Tom McGarry, Manager, IT Services, DuPont Software Solutions Group.

Pat O’Steen, Manager, DuPont Strategic Alliances, commented, “Bringing together these two great software applications will save our customers time, generate new business, and eliminate double entry into two systems.”

13th Annual GCIA Golf Tournament

Rescheduled to Thursday, Novenber 12th … Rain or Shine

Rain, rain; go away. We have rescheduled our 13th Annual GCIA Golf Tournament for Thursday, November 12th. We’ll be playing at The Frog at the Georgian Golf Course in Villa Rica, Georgia.  Four man “Best Ball” Tournament. Soft spikes only please.

A playing fee of $75 per person includes lunch and dinner, unlimited supply of drinks and snacks, trophies and chances to win over $1000 worth of Door Prizes.  Registration begins at 11 am to 12:30 pm. Lunch begins at 11:30. Tee off at 1:00 pm.

Registration deadline is Friday, November 6th.  Download the information packet and registration form – click here. Includes all details, fees, map, and sponsorship investment information.

Come early! Free range balls starting at 10 am. We look forward to seeing you on November 12th.

I-CAR to Offer In-Shop Welding Qualification Test
From CollisionWeek ©2009.

I-CAR announced that it will be enhancing its Welding Qualification Test by offering a comprehensive, in-shop program. The new Welding Qualification Series offers on-site instruction, hands-on practice, and is capped with the Welding Qualification Test.

The series will be available for aluminum, steel, and structural parts steel welding and includes equipment inspection, set-up, and maintenance guidelines; instructor-led training; practice welding; and testing.

“The Welding Qualification Series offers all of the right elements for the technician to succeed,” said Jeff Peevy, I-CAR Director of Field Operations, North America. “By completing the series with their own equipment in their own work environment, the series is truly a benefit for the technician as well as the business owner/manager.”

Collision repair shops interested in arranging for the Welding Qualification Series at their location can contact the I-CAR Field Support team at 800-422-7456 for details.

SCRS Says Affiliate Conference Sparks Valuable Dialog
From CollisionWeek ©2009

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) held its fourth annual Affiliate Leadership Conference in September at the I-CAR headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The conference, founded by SCRS in 2006, is a forum providing the SCRS state and regional affiliates with a meeting dedicated to fostering increased communication between the state and national level organizations.

As in prior years, the conference included the affiliate update session, where affiliate associations discuss the means that each association has taken to address challenges in their market. In addition to the affiliate updates, the conference also provided insight into the activities of SCRS, both over the past year and looking forward in 2010, an update from I-CAR and a presentation on market pricing dynamics and economic contributors.

“Having attended for the last four consecutive years, the conference seems to get better and better each year,” remarked Howard Batchelor, executive director for the Georgia Collision Industry Association (GCIA). “To hear from all of the other associations about the challenges and accomplishments they are experiencing helps all of us work together towards the goal of improving our industry. We are so thankful to be a part of a group such as SCRS that puts value into these types of direct interactions and continues to provide us an opportunity for these discussions.”

“SCRS recognizes that one of the most important resources a national trade association can offer is the network of its membership and the ideas and momentum that can be built when tapping into that pool of talent,” added SCRS Chairman and co-moderator of the event, Barry Dorn. “We were certainly pleased to have been joined by 16 of our affiliate associations from 19 different states, and privileged to receive their feedback on areas of importance to them as a collective body. As has been said each previous year, SCRS places great emphasis on that feedback we receive during this event and utilizes the input collected to help develop and refine the direction of the organization.”

Collision Industry Estimatics Survey

This survey was prepared by a coalition of repairers interested in identifying the level of utilization, value and satisfaction of the three Estimatics providers. The information will be published on Collision Week so that the industry has visibility to the current value and satisfaction of these companies product delivery, service and value offerings. Your survey results will remain confidential and the report will be assembled in aggregate.

To take the survey – click here.

AkzoNobel Hosts Business Forum with OEM Collision Repair Experts
Written by CRM News

NORCROSS, GA — September 15, 2009 — Following one of the most tumultuous years in the history of the automotive industry, three of the industry’s leading automotive manufacturers shared their insights of the future. The event was the recent AkzoNobel Acoat selected annual business forum.

In a presentation titled “Auto Manufacturer’s New Reality and its Impact on the Collision Repair Industry,” Toyota, Ford and Honda representatives shared their thoughts on recent industry happenings and potential outcomes for the automotive industry.

The panel of experts was comprised of Karl Krug, Senior Administrator for Toyota Motor Sales; Gerry Bonanni, Senior Engineer at the Ford Paint and Technology Center and Gary Ledoux, Assistant Manager of Parts Marketing Department/Collision Group American Honda Motor Co., inc. Topics for discussion included new materials used in vehicle construction, the effect of collision avoidance systems, decline in new vehicle sales as well as the potential impact of eBay Motors.

Collectively the panelists verified that the actions of the past year have been challenging times for the automotive industry. They confirmed that the industry was on the path to recovery; but, also acknowledged that the path was uneven and could be an uphill climb.

“The good news in dealing with a ‘New Reality’ is that a new structure brings new opportunities,” said Chuck Mayne, AkzoNobel Strategic Account Manager for OEM Activities, who served as moderator for the panel discussion. “This industry is powered by people with an entrepreneurial spirit. They are accustomed to every day and each repair being different. These may have been unprecedented times but I feel confident that no one left this presentation not feeling better about the future.”