ASA Announces Collision Division, Mechanical Division Operations Committees
Automotive Service Association (ASA) members have elected committee members for its Collision and Mechanical Divisions. Michael Anderson of Wagonwork Collision Center in Alexandria, Va., has been appointed Collision Division Director. Anderson will serves on ASA’s board of directors and will chair the 2004 ASA Collision Division Operations Committee. ASA members have also elected Earl Dohner, AAM, of E&E’s Garage in Brookville, Ohio, as Mechanical Division Director. Dohner will serve on ASA’s board of directors and will chair the 2004 ASA Mechanical Division Operations Committee.
Gessford Machine Inc. Named 2004
George Anderson, owner of Gessford Machine in Hastings, Neb., has been named the 2004 “Machine Shop of the Year” award by Engine Builder magazine and the Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA). AERA is a not-for-profit trade association, serving the engine rebuilder/remanufacturing industry, machine shops, equipment, parts and services suppliers since 1922.
Florida Automotive Industry Association Celebrates 50 Years
The Florida Automotive Industry Association will celebrate its 50th annual convention this year. The 2004 event will be held at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld on July 23 and 24. The Florida Automotive Industry Association was established in 1954 by a small group of dedicated jobbers. Over the years the Association grew to include more than 700 members statewide.
ASA Chief Staff Executive Addresses Consumer, Insurer Issues on Two CBS Programs
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and its Chief Staff Executive Ron Pyle played a significant role in two CBS programs that addressed the issue of insurer-owned body shops. Pyle was recently interviewed at ASA’s headquarters in Bedford, Texas, and appeared Wednesday, Feb. 11, on the “CBS Evening News” during its “Eye on America” segment. On Thursday, Feb. 12, Pyle provided follow-up coverage on this issue when he was interviewed again by CBS during an appearance on “The Early Show.”
CBS News to Address Insurer-Owned Shop Issues This Week, ASA’s Ron Pyle to Be Featured
Two CBS programs are scheduled to address the insurer-owned body shops issue this week. The first program is slated to air today, Wednesday, Feb. 11, on the CBS Evening News during its “Eye on America” segment. Ron Pyle, ASA’s president and chief staff executive, was recently interviewed for the segment at ASA’s headquarters in Bedford, Texas. Pyle will provide follow-up coverage on this issue when he is interviewed again by CBS during an appearance on The Early Show Thursday, Feb. 12.
How’s Business?
There are some very strong signs that business will be good in 2004. Optimism among repair shop owners is as high as it’s ever been during the three years we have been tracking this data.
More Than 300,000 Tests Taken in CCAR’s S/P2 Online Training
The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) has surpassed 300,000 tests taken in its “S/P2” online training in Safety and Pollution Prevention for the automotive repair industry.
Tenneco Automotive Expands ‘Expert Plus’ Rewards Program
Tenneco Automotive’s Monroe shocks and struts and Walker exhaust brands have expanded the Expert Plus automotive service promotions and technician rewards program for 2004. Expert Plus is a comprehensive offering of national trade and consumer promotions, marketing materials, merchandising tools and installation incentives for automotive repair facilities and professional technicians. The program attracted more than 20,000 members in 2003.
Allstate Insurance Co. Wins Ruling on Texas Law Prohibiting Claim Referrals
Allstate Insurance Co. has won a temporary injunction that will allow it to continue to refer claimants to Allstate-owned Sterling Autobody Centers, the company said Wednesday. Allstate Insurance Co. has won a temporary injunction that will allow it to continue to refer claimants to Allstate-owned Sterling Autobody Centers, the company said Wednesday.
Start Planning for National Car Care Month Now
For the second year, National Car Care Month will be held in April, providing tremendous opportunities to communicate with female consumers. That’s the word from the organizers of the Bluegrass Car Care Clinic in Lexington, Ky. For 15 years, the Professional Master Technician’s Association (PMTA) in Lexington, along with the Kentucky Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA), have held vehicle check lane events during National Car Care Month (NCCM).