Recently added articles from Automotive Body Repair News:
BILL BANNING INSUREROWNED SHOPS PASSES MICHIGAN HOUSE
Jan 01, 2009; ... {insurance} The Michigan House of Representatives voted 61 to 40 to pass House Bill 4778, which bans insurance companies from owning repair shops in the state. It also prohibits insurers from developing a list of ...
REPAIRERS SAY STATE FARM SEMINARS ADD VALUE
Jan 01, 2009; ... Collision repairers who attended State Farm training sessions in New Jersey said the seminars added value to what they do and they appreciated the insurer's effort. State Farm hosted three training sessions in three New Jersey ...
SCRS NAMES SCHULENBURG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jan 01, 2009; ... {other news} The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) hired Aaron Schulenburg, administrator of the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG), as the associa- tion's executive director. Schulenburg, who started his new job Jan. 5, previously held positions as an executive officer of ...
CCC, MITCHELL COMMITTED TO MERGER DESPITE FTC'S OBJECTIONS
Jan 01, 2009; ... CCC Information Services and Mitchell International reaffirmed their commitment to their planned $1.4-billion merger and intend to contest the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) decision to oppose it. The FTC filed suit to block the merger of the two companies charging that the merger ...
ATTORNEYS GENERAL URGE FTC TO REQUIRE COMPLETE VEHICLE DAMAGE DISCLOSURE
Jan 01, 2009; ... {legislation} Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller led a group of 42 state AGs in asking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to strengthen its "Used Car Rule," which requires used car dealers to post buyer's guide sticker notices on vehicles for sale. The current rule requires used-car ...
A NEW ERA BEGINS
Jan 01, 2009; ... {the editor} Welcome to the new ABRN. If my column from last month didn't tip you off to our new format, then certainly our new size and look did. Why the big change? Let me walk you through it. SIZE MATTERS. Why the new format? The publishing industry as a whole is moving away ...
WHERE DOES REPAIR END, REFINISH BEGIN?
Jan 01, 2009; ... {the estimator} There are two ways to answer this question; one defined by industry guidelines and one defined by your production process. Between the two, make sure your compensation matches your procedures. Let's start with industry guidelines. By a consensus of participants at ...
BE YOUR VENDORS' NO. 1 CUSTOMER
Jan 01, 2009; ... {the shop owner} I'm a fairly demanding customer. As a business owner, I understand that sometimes someone screws up or something fails to happen as it should. But my team and I work hard to make sure this doesn't happen to our customers. If it does, we handle it how we'd expect to be ...
NEW YEAR, NEW COMMITMENT
Jan 01, 2009; ... {the consultant} As we begin another new year, I'm sure most, if not all of us, have made at least a token resolution and begun the year with new hopes, possibly along with a new strategy and strong conviction to make it happen. These resolutions might be to lose weight, quit smoking, ...
The OBAMA FACTOR
Jan 01, 2009; ... Election results might favor repair industry At the start of the next Congress, Democrats will hold at least 57 seats in the Senate (including two independents) and 255 seats in the House. Democrats also control 29 governors' offices and 27 state legislatures. According to the National ...
Repairers focus on economy more than local issues
Jan 01, 2009; ... States grapple with labor rates, steering and insurer-owned shops While Democrats have traditionally been more sympathetic to the repair industry on issues like steering, insurance regulation and labor rates, there are significant differences on other issues like taxes and environmental ...
Household hybrids
Jan 01, 2009; ... The OEMs look to simplify recharging with plug & play technology When General Motors' chief executive drove to Washington D. C. late last year seeking federal funds to keep the company afloat, the big story for automotive enthusiasts, and much of the American public, was the ...
The idea bank: products
Jan 01, 2009; ... {What's coming from the OEMs} For information on these products, go to www.search-autoparts.com/products AUTOMATIC BRAKING Volvo's City Safety braking system comes into action by assessing when a collision is imminent and automatically applying the brakes if the driver ...
A SHOCKING situation
Jan 01, 2009; ... What you don't know about your shop's electrical specs might stun you As electrical power and control devices on vehicles have changed over the years, technicians have had to continuously upgrade their knowledge of automobile electrical needs. With supplementi! restraints, accident ...
SPIFFIN' UP A DIFF
Jan 01, 2009; ... Give your customer's differential a different look and more oil capacity In a down economy, selling aftermarket upgrades can be a tough proposition. The products that will move off the shelves usually are simple, affordable and functional. Ana it doesn't hurt if they look good, too. A ...
Upping fuel economy
Jan 01, 2009; ... THE PART Aluminum differential cover THE MANUFACTURER Oasis Wheels 400 South Lemon St. Anaheim. CA 92805 www. oasisdifferen tialcovers.com THE CHALLENGE Provide more lubrication and less heat buildup with a larger differential cover ...
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Jan 01, 2009; ... The proper mix of work is essential I've toured thousands of shops and I've been able to explore the minds of the best operators in the collision industry. Years ago, I asked Don Long, a friend, confidant and shop owner, what the secret formula was to production scheduling and fixing ...
AVOIDING OFFICE OOPS IN OFFICE OPS
Jan 01, 2009; ... A successful entrepreneur once told me that business is a game you passionately play to win every day. Profit is how you keep score. Are you winning your game? Let's look at a way to raise your score. Cost-cutting always is one of your best profit-raising strategies, especially in often- ...
A TASTE OF STRONG MEDICINE
Jan 01, 2009; ... The current state of the economy - bleak and depressed as it might be - may offer a silver lining for the collision repair industry. That silver lining comes in the form of the assurance that your employees won't be bidding farewell anytime soon. Yes, there are always employees you'd give ...
Sez you!
Jan 01, 2009; ... Q Even with the $17.4 billion bailout loans approved by the White House to stabilize GM and Chrysler, they could still be in jeopardy. If one or more of the Big Three U.S. automakers falls into bankruptcy, how would that affect the collision repair industry? A I think it will be good for ...