OEMs to Conduct Several Classes at NACE

Because NACE | CARS 2014 will be held in Detroit (July 30-Aug. 2), automakers in the Motor City – Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co. and Chrysler – will have a bigger presence than ever at these repairer-focused events. So will other manufacturers, including Audi, Alcoa and 3M.

The manufacturers’ presence includes conducting several sought-after classes at NACE. “For example, Ford’s recent announcement of its using military-grade aluminum alloy in the construction of the 2015 F-150 is causing the entire industry to take notice and seek information and training,” said Dan Risley, president and executive director of the Automotive Service Association, which sponsors NACE and CARS. “This year’s event is focused on ensuring that repairers have access to the information, tooling, training and equipment they need to repair today’s vehicle as well as those in the future. Repairers need to know the differences between repairing aluminum and steel.”

Risley said collision repair facility owners will soon be seeing the new Ford F-150 in their businesses and they need to be ready to repair it. “With that in mind,” said Risley, “NACE planners have made sure there are classes and training that will help collision repair facilities be prepared. Ford will offer a class on aluminum repair several times throughout the week.”

Collision repair classes by OEM representatives include:
           
• A class conducted by Ford titled “2015 F-150 Aluminum Repair Information and Ford’s National Body Shop Program.” The class will be held Wednesday, July 30, from 3:30-5 p.m.; Thursday, July 31, from 3:30-5 p.m.; and Friday, Aug. 1, from 8:30-10 a.m. The speakers, all from Ford Motor Co., will be Gerry Bonanni, senior engineer for paint and body repair; Larry Coan, damageability product concern engineer; and Melissa Lester, marketing manager, collision.
           
• Two classes presented by ACDelco’s Western Region supervisor, Rick Burgard: “2014 New Vehicle Technology, Part 1,” which will be held Wednesday, July 30, from 8:30-10 a.m.; and  “2014 New Vehicle Technology, Part 2,” the same day, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
           
• “Audi-Authorized Aluminum Program,” presented by Mark Allen, Audi’s Collision Programs and Workshop Equipment specialist, from 10:30 a.m.-noon Friday, Aug. 1.
           
Also presenting classes on aluminum repair will be:
           
• ProSpot International Inc., which will have three classes: “Plastic Welding & Bumper Repair by ProSpot,” presented by Steve Clark, applications engineer, will be held Wednesday, July 30, from 1:30-3 p.m. Also, “Aluminum Welding & Repair” by Bob Pluth, product support manager, will be presented Thursday, July 31, from 3:30-5 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 1, from 1:30-3 p.m.
           
• Car-O-Liner, which will have a class presented by Oliver Woelfel on “Car-O-Liner Structural Repair – Differences Between Aluminum and Steel.” The class is Wednesday, July 30, from 3:30-5 p.m. Car-O-Liner also sponsors the Collision Repair Executive Symposium (CRES), formerly “MSO Symposium,” Friday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
           
• The 3M Company, which will be presenting a class on “3M Rivet Bonding and Weld Bonding Becoming Mainstream – Are You Ready?” The class is scheduled for Thursday, July 31, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Speakers will be Jason J. Scharton, 3M’s business development manager, OEM/collision repair; and Caroline E. Morel, technical service engineer. 3M will also offer “3M Aluminum Repair: Separating the Facts from the Myths” Friday, Aug. 1, from 1:30-3 p.m. Speakers for that class will be Shawn Collins and Branden Loesch, both 3M senior technical service engineers.
           
All of the classes and CRES will be held in the COBO Center, Detroit’s world-class meeting and convention facility.

NACE | CARS, will offer special recognition to attendees who have a proven commitment to collision repair training demonstrated through achievement of I-CAR Gold Class recognition or ASE Blue Seal certification. Collision and Service Repair facility personnel that belong to an I-CAR Gold Class business or hold the ASE Blue Seal certification will receive a 50 per cent discount on the training and conference sessions at NACE | CARS 2014. In addition, any individual that is currently I-CAR Platinum or an ASE Master Technician will be entitled to the same 50 percent discount. This discount includes individual sessions through the Super Pass that covers sessions during the entire conference.