HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – I-CAR has announced staffing reductions at the I-CAR Tech Centre in Appleton, Wis., the I-CAR Training Support Center in Hoffman Estates, Ill., and I-CAR’s field operations.

I-CAR, founded in 1979, is an international not-for-profit training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers.

“As with many businesses during these difficult economic times, I-CAR has had to re-evaluate its operating performance and its strategic position in meeting the training needs of the industry,” said I-CAR Board Chairman John Edelen. “Through this work, I-CAR has identified changes that must take place to ensure that I-CAR remains a viable organization and is positioned to be successful in the future.”

Edelen added that the most recent review of the needs of the organization and its staffing levels showed it was necessary to consolidate some roles and activities, reduce resource levels in some areas and eliminate some roles.

“We want to acknowledge the years of service and contributions of these employees,” Edelen said.

“I-CAR’s employees are its greatest asset, and employee salaries and benefits are its most significant expense. We owe it to the inter-industry to ensure that we have the right level of staffing to meet the needs of our customers – not more, and not less. We must ensure that we can continue to work effectively and efficiently while maintaining our position as a leader in providing training to the auto collision inter-industry,” said Edelen.

Edelen went on to say, “I-CAR continues to have very respectable levels of revenue; however, I-CAR’s revenue growth has been outpaced by the rate of escalation in our operating expenses. By restoring a balance between revenue development and our operating expenses, we will ensure that there are sufficient reserves, should these adverse economic conditions persist.”