Bodyshop News (April 01, 2005)

CIAG Takes Stand Against “Bandit” Towing

When a consumer was taken aback by unexpected towing charges, the Collision Industry Action Group of Ontario stepped in to help what it called a “victimized consumer.”

According to the CIAG, the incident began when a Humber College student was involved in an accident.

After her accident in Brampton, Ont. where she received very little damage to her driveable vehicle, the young woman was coerced into having her vehicle towed to a bodyshop in the neighbouring city of Mississauga. Upon trying to retrieve her vehicle she was shocked to learn she owed $441.38.

When the group heard of the incident, the Collision Industry Action Group of Ontario decided to pay for the young woman’s towing charges, because as Rosanna Armata, executive vice-president of CIAG, said, “We need to distance ourselves as an industry from the unscrupulous actions of a very small minority. Not only are they victimizing innocent consumers, they’re also victimizing the majority of ethical and hard-working collision repairers and towers across Ontario.”

Speciality Product Sales Signs Agence Quest in Quebec

Jack Bergmann, president, Speciality Product Sales, Inc., (SPS) has announced the appointment of Agence Quest Sales Agency Inc. as Associate Agent for the Province of Quebec.

Agence Quest Sales Agency Inc., owned by Yvan Darache and Pierre Poupart, has many years of experience in Quebec. Agence Quest will be responsible for representation of all SPS lines in the automotive and industrial markets in the province of Quebec.

Speciality Products Sales, entering its 16th year of business, represents many of the industry’s benchmark products. SPS has exclusive national representation for such products as Uniram, Vildeon, Porter Ferguson, Martech, Shoot Suit, Wap, Uni-Glide, Unitec and Kleentec.

Repairers Speak To Insurance Bureau of Canada

Representatives of the Hamilton Auto Repairers Association (HARA) told the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s (IBC) Claims Committee that there was a crisis at the shop level.

The invitation to make the presentation arose after a major insurance discussion panel with senior insurance industry representatives in October of last year at the Hamilton Auto Repairers Association event.

During the half-hour presentation to more than 30 senior claims managers from Canadian insurers, collision industry representatives highlighted the efforts the association has made in reducing abuse, providing support for new regulations to be introduced soon on deceptive practices and identified the website information highlighting HARA’s successes in attracting more young apprentices to the industry.

Time was spent on identifying a profit crisis at shops that has lead to reduced hiring of young people and the value of a standardized program for shops as identified in the Collision Repair Standards Act, which although unanimously approved by Queen’s Park, remains to be implemented.

The new sprayc.a.r.e accreditation and www.autobodyhelp.ca online programs were also highlighted.

Insurers were asked to contribute to a major apprenticeship innovation program designed to fill the apprenticeship training classes at auto body and collision repair training colleges across Canada. Some insurers were receptive to the program and requested more information. Further meetings are planned.

I-CAR Announces Annual Meeting

I-CAR has announced that its annual meeting and technical sessions will be held in Scottsdale, Ariz., July 27 to 30.

The I-CAR group will also take the opportunity to break ground for the future opening of the new I-CAR World Headquarters facility.

The 2005 I-CAR International Annual Meeting will be held in Scottsdale, Ariz., July 27 to 30 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

Scheduled events include technical clinic sessions, the 4th Annual I-CAR Education Foundation Golf Tournament, Introduction to the Valley of the Sun Tour, a Southwestern Cook-out Welcome Party, and an instructor meeting.

NACE Strikes Alliance with Canadian Publications

The International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) has announced a partnership with Canadian publications Bodyshop Magazine and L’Automobile Carrosserie et Mcanique.

These Canadian publications, sister publications to Jobber News Magazine, will represent themselves as the Official Canadian NACE Show Magazines.

Canada represents NACE’s leading international market segment and consistently delivers the largest number of non-U.S. attendees. Canadian attendance has remained solid over the last five years and represented 51% of the total international audience at NACE 2004.

“We are thrilled to have a partner dedicated to representing NACE to our northern neighbours. Our NACE 2005 marketing campaign will expand upon our Canadian promotions to a level that ensures this representation continues,” stated Pamela Miller, NACE marketing manager.

The partnership with Bodyshop Magazine and L’Automobile Carrosserie et Mcanique will deliver increased exposure for NACE throughout the show’s 2005 promotional cycle.