CIA holds annual meeting to set out the “Road Ahead”

Art Wilderman, executive director of the Canadian Independent Automotive Association, (CIA), greeted over 80 attendees representing automotive service providers from across Canada at the Marriott Hotel and Resort in Calgary. From the enthusiasm evident by the attendees, Wilderman noted how the service providers present, and those that compose the CIA, portray a “content of character” of high standards for the industry as a whole.

The “Road Ahead” Forum and Annual General meeting, held at the Calgary Marriott on April 21st, presented a full day of presentations by industry representatives to highlight industry trends on both a national and global level, business management and training considerations, association initiatives and changing government inspection standards.

Formed just two years ago, the CIA is a not-for-profit national association of independent shop owners and other industry associated persons interested in furthering the objectives of the organization. Their objectives are to establish chapters across Canada, raise funds to employ a management team and to establish a representative industry voice that service providers require to drive change.

The CIA seeks to raise public awareness as to the rights, capabilities, advantages and prestige of the independent shop; influence parts distributor and manufacturer policies that impact the independent sector and provide a regular, regional forum for shop owners to meet and share their views and concerns.

Doug Decksheimer, vice-president & CMO, Rifco, in his presentation on “Trends in Financing,” noted that sometimes the competition is not the shop across the street; it’s the vacations, large screen TV’s and weddings occupying the customer’s near term financial considerations.

Bob Greenwood, president and CEO of E.K. Williams & Co., and newest member to the CIA’s Board of Directors, provided a report on global and national trends affecting the industry, and clear considerations for effective business management in the changing environment.

Scott Smith, manager government relations, Automotive Industry Association, arrived from an earlier conference that day in Vancouver, to inform the audience of the progress of “Right to Repair” and the industry’s and the association’s initiatives to date.

Dave Meunier, president of the CIA, informed those in attendance of the clear and visionary direction of the CIA and its role and responsibilities as a national association responsible to the automotive service provider.

Richard Dansereau, partner in Lads Auto Repair, Calgary, reflected upon the problems and business challenges that he and his brother David experienced in prior years which threatened their business, and the course of action they committed to in order to overcome those problems and become the recipient of the 2006 SSGM Garage of the Year.