December 2010 New England Automotive Report

Transcription

Serving The New England Collision AND Mechanical Repair Industry
December 2010
U.S.A. $5.95
www.grecopublishing.com
2 December 2010
New England Automotive Report
December 2010 3
4 December 2010
December 2010 5
6 December 2010
CONTENTS
December 2010 • Volume 8, No. 12
DEPARTMENTS
9 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS
10 | PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Interim No More
BY RICK STARBARD
12 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
It’s Time For You to Join AASP/MA
BY PETER ABDELMASEH
19 | TECHNICAL SPOTLIGHT
A Flu Shot For Your Computer
BY MARK GIAMMALVO
21 | 2010 SEMA RECAP
22 | SUSTAINING SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Sarat Ford Surpasses Industry Challenges,
Exceeds Customer Expectations
BY JOEL GAUSTEN
31 | IN MEMORIAL
Remembering Steve Cullinane
32 | AASP NATIONAL BOARD MEETING
HIGHLIGHTS
39 | JUST FOR FUN
All in the Family: A Conversation With
Rawson Auto Body
BY JOEL GAUSTEN
26
FEATURES
26 | JACKPOT! AASP/MA WINS BIG AT ANNUAL
CASINO NIGHT
With a new Board of Directors in place, AASP/MA members
and supporters celebrate the close of another great year.
BY JOEL GAUSTEN
45 | AASP/MA MEMBERS TRAVEL TO GERMANY FOR
A PAINT REVOLUTION
Fresh from their international trip, industry members recount
their experience testing Standox’s newest product.
BY JOEL GAUSTEN
IN EVERY ISSUE
23 | AASP/MA SUSTAINING SPONSORS
43 | AAPEX/AASP SEMINAR RECAP
65 | AASP/MA MEMBER APPLICATION
66 | ADVERTISER INDEX
December 2010 7
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PUBLISHER
Thomas Greco ([email protected])
MANAGING EDITOR
Alicia Figurelli ([email protected])
EDITOR
Joel Gausten ([email protected])
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Norman Morano
(800)991-1995 ([email protected])
ART DIRECTOR
Lea Velocci ([email protected])
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Megan Maletich ([email protected])
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New England Automotive Report is published monthly by TGP, Inc., 244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110. Distributed
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S OFFICE
Contact: Peter Abdelmaseh
464 Common St., #263 • Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: (800) 988-4378 • Fax: 617-484-0568
email: [email protected]
website: www.aaspma.org
AASP/MA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT
Rick Starbard
VICE PRESIDENTS
Paul Hendricks
TREASURER
Molly Brodeur
SECRETARY
Gary Cloutier
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Tom Ricci
AASP/MA STATEWIDE DIRECTORS
COLLISION DIVISION DIRECTOR
Adam Ioakim
MECHANICAL DIVISION DIRECTOR
Brian Hohmann
ASSOCIATE DIVISION DIRECTOR
Michael Coran
AASP/MA CHAPTER DIRECTORS
N/E CHAPTER COLLISION DIRECTOR
Alex Falzone
N/E CHAPTER MECHANICAL DIRECTOR
Russell Hamel
S/E CHAPTER COLLISION DIRECTOR
Michael Penacho
MID STATE CHAPTER COLLISION DIRECTOR
Tom McClements
WESTERN CHAPTER COLLISION DIRECTOR
Peter Langone
WESTERN CHAPTER MECHANICAL DIRECTOR
Ed Nalewanski
BERKSHIRE CHAPTER MECHANICAL DIRECTOR
Robert Denley
AASP/MA Executive Director
Peter Abdelmaseh
(800) 988-4378
617-484-0568 (fax)
Date: January 12, 2011
Event: DAM05 – Aluminum Panels &
Structures Damage Analysis
Time: 6:00 – 10:00
Location: Carl’s Collision Center
1591 Bay St., Fall River, Ma.
Contact: I-CAR Customer Care • 800-422-7872
Date: February 9, 2011
Event: RCY01 – Recylced Parts for Collision Repair
Time: 6:00 - 10:00
Date: February 26, 2011
Event: REF03 – Color Theory, Application,
Tinting and Blending
Time: 8:00 – 5:00
Date: March 9, 2011
Event: NEW11 – Vehicle Technology & Trends 2011
Time: 6:00 – 10:00
Date: March 17, 2011
Event: Collision Industry Conference (CIC)
Location: Crowne Plaza Meadowlands • Secaucus, NJ
Contact: www.ciclink.com
Date: March 18 - 20, 2011
Event: NORTHEAST™ 2011 Automotive Services Show
Location: Meadowlands Exposition Center • Secaucus, NJ
Contact: www.aaspnjnortheast.com
Administrative Assistant
Nancy Russell
(800) 988-4378
781-293-0208 (fax)
December 2010 9
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Interim
NO MORE
Rick Starbard
As your newly elected (really, recycled)
president, I would like to share with you
my vision of the direction that I would like
to see AASP/MA take in the next 24
months. First, I would be remiss if I didn’t
10 December 2010
thank our interim president, Tom Ricci, for
the job that he had done from the initial
merger in May until now. Putting the
pieces of three groups together was not
an easy task and there is still work to be
done, but Tom did an outstanding job
working with our Executive Director, Peter
Abdelmaseh, and Administrative Assistant, Nancy Russell, to identify the association’s needs and inform the Board of
Directors of what needed to be done. I
also thank those who served on the Board
of Directors during this time. A great foundation has been laid to build a better,
stronger AASP/MA.
As we move forward in the next phase
of our growth, we need to continue to address communication issues while
streamlining our administration to eliminate any redundancies in our operation.
We have already created a new phone
number, (800) 988-4378, which will enable everyone to call one central number
and reach either Peter or Nancy directly.
The creation of our new website,
www.aaspma.org, is underway and it will
be our greatest business resource to find
timely and pertinent information, such as
the old MABA reference manual that contained laws and regulations applicable to
us, and preprinted forms that can be
printed off for our use. This site will also
have all of the industry links that you need
to access other sites like the DEG, as well
as links to our sponsor vendors, archived
issues of New England Automotive Report
and archived articles from Damage Report, including Jim Castleman’s legal articles. This site will be your one-stop portal
for all of your informational needs.
We will continue to harness the numbers - both within AASP/MA and AASP National - to enhance our benefits to you, the
members. The savings found in some of
our benefits more than offset membership dues. In fact, one provider we are
close to finalizing an agreement with will
continued on pg. 17
December 2010 11
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
It’s Time For You
TO JOIN AASP/MA
Peter Abdelmaseh
The independent automotive repair
industry in Massachusetts is in deep,
deep trouble. That is my expert and highly
12 December 2010
articulate opinion. If you share that opinion, what the heck are you doing about it?
To those of you who have already sent
in your dues check for 2011, I offer a big
THANK YOU! To those who have the bill on
your desk and are ready to send a check,
again, I thank you very much. For the rest
of you who have stayed on the sidelines
because of things that have happened in
the past, or never even considered becoming a part of your industry’s best hope
for keeping the good things good and
fighting like heck to make the bad things
better, I humbly ask you, what time is it?
It’s time for you to join AASP/MA.
This is the time of year that annual
membership statements are sent out to
thousands of businesses across the state.
There is no better time to evaluate the organizations that virtually all businesses
support with their hard-earned dollars.
Perhaps you are a member of a local
chamber of commerce because that
group helps support businesses in your
community. Or, maybe you’ll renew your
membership in one of the groups that promote all types of small businesses, so that
those voices can be heard in the U.S. Congress. You’ve probably got a few local
charitable groups or fraternal organizations (Elks, Veterans groups, Kiwanis,
Lions, etc.) that you’ve supported over the
years. You attend their holiday parties and
make a contribution to help the cause.
And, maybe there’s a group that has been
helpful to you, your family and your friends
in times of need and you make a donation
because, well … just because. It’s called
“being human.” And, being a responsible
citizen.
But, this magazine is published to
serve the independent automotive repair
industry in Massachusetts, and I’m going
to stick with that theme in this column.
Chances are, you’re reading this column
because you want to - or need to - know more about what is going
on in the industry in which you’ve likely invested your life savings, your professional and business skills, countless hours of
your life, and, most importantly, your good name. And, for another investment of just $395, you can make your best effort to
guard against losing value in your other investments (your life
savings, your skills, your time and your name). I hope that doesn’t come across as a “hard sell,” because it is certainly not
meant to be. It is, simply, a very rational appeal to your better
senses.
Of course, you should also ask what you’d be getting for that
investment in membership, because that would be the right
thing to do. So, let me give you just a flavor of what AASP/MA can
do for your business. Let’s start with the cold, hard cash aspect
of membership. If you own and operate a mechanical repair
shop, AASP/MA, through its national organization (you would join
approximately 9,000 other shops as members) offers discounts
on repair information services such as Mitchell 1 and Identifix.
These discounts alone would likely equal or exceed the amount
you pay for membership. And here, we offer the most popular
(and, some would argue, the absolute best) repair, estimating,
and management software system you can buy for your business (OnDemand5 by Mitchell 1), along with, again, arguably the
best “repair hotline” in the world, supplemented by a state-ofthe-art online diagnostic information service (Direct-Hit by Identifix). If you didn’t previously use these services because you
couldn’t afford them, well, AASP/MA just made your life a lot easier. This is just one example of the discounts afforded to AASP
members.
There are even more benefits for our mechanical shop members. Every mechanical repair shop could use more repeat, fullservice customers – heck, that’s the name of the game for
successful shops. AASP/MA has additional discounts for one of
the best stand-alone marketing systems for mechanical repair
shops – CustomerLink. Partnership programs with Mitchell 1,
Identifix, and CustomerLink can help you perform demanding
repair jobs better and more efficiently, streamline scheduling,
create better estimates, manage your business more profitably
and gain and retain more customers. And, you can help yourself
to all of these successful programs at discounts that likely will
equal or exceed the price of your annual membership. In cold,
hard cash, that sounds like a winning proposition for you and
your business.
In addition to these “tangible” benefits of membership,
AASP/MA endeavors to deliver a series of opportunities for the
mechanical shop owner. This past October, we held a series of
four seminars across the state introducing the Mitchell 1 system to shop owners. As happens with software that includes a
management system, customers rarely use more than 10 percent of the capabilities available. Nationally, AASP has thou-
sands of members who use the system, and we discussed with
the representatives from Mitchell 1 the idea of forming a “user
group” of members in Massachusetts who would meet on a regular basis to discuss how to implement more of this state-of-theart software system in their businesses. By being able to share
implementation strategies with other shop owners who encounter the same issues that you would, we hope that AASP can
help make a huge difference in the success of your business.
AASP/MA is also working on a “partnership” with one of the
state’s most respected mechanical repair training facilities. This
training center already develops hundreds of technicians who
work in OE dealerships; they have chosen AASP/MA as their potential partner to serve the local independent mechanical repair
industry. It is our hope that AASP members will be able to avail
themselves of all of the factory-level training that they need to
continue down a successful path. This type of training, along
with a series of other business management and technical seminars, are in the planning stages for 2011.
Today’s AASP/MA is the only trade association that serves
the collision repair industry of Massachusetts. A merger between
AASP/MA, the Central Mass. Auto Rebuilders Association
(CMARA) and the Massachusetts Auto Body Association (MABA)
was consummated in May of 2010. Since that time, we have
worked very hard to consolidate all of the activities and involvements of each organization and we are now one united association that serves the interests of the nearly 1,800 collision repair
shops in Massachusetts.
What does that mean for you as one of those 1,800 shop
owners? Again, from the standpoint of cold, hard cash, AASP/MA
offers member benefits that can easily offset the price you pay
for membership. This is the only organization that offers a discount on the Mitchell RepairCenter TechAdvisor software package. Using TechAdvisor, your technicians will have access to
critical OEM repair data, including the industry’s only color-coded
wiring diagrams, as well as OEM procedures that you can use to
support your estimates. Again, during this past October,
AASP/MA sponsored four seminars across the state to introduce
Tech Advisor to Massachusetts’ collision repair shop owners and,
already, some of our members have added this unique software
to their information systems.
AASP/MA members also receive discounts on the ShopProbe Auto Body Management System, which is one of the most
user-friendly and affordable collision shop management systems
on the market. Several of our members already use this system
and, if you are looking to begin using a management system in
your shop, you could have an opportunity to discuss its implementation with several of your peers.
And if you’re wondering what you can do to retain your existing collision repair customers before insurance companies steal
or steer them away from you, then look no further than one of the
December 2010 13
14 December 2010
December 2010 15
16 December 2010
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
latest and most unique marketing tools to hit the market – the
“Help, I Crashed My Car!” digital marketing system from Summit Software & Mobile Solutions. AASP members get a discount
on this system that includes mobile phone apps, as well as a
customer service, sales, marketing, advertising and communication platform. By taking advantage of AASP’s discounts with
Mitchell International, Shop-Probe and Summit Software, the
price of your membership would be outweighed by your savings.
But we offer so much more than just a handful of discounted
services to our members. Our regional chapters give members
an opportunity to discuss important issues with other shop owners so that they can make intelligent decisions in their businesses. Operating a collision shop is hard work and can be very
frustrating when you consider the intrusion of insurers into every
aspect of your company. Being able to discuss the latest industry news with your peers provides an invaluable asset to members of AASP/MA.
Out association sends representatives to attend meetings of
the Auto Damage Appraisers Licensing Board (ADALB), and
works with the Division of Insurance and the Office of the Attorney General on a wide range of issues that affect collision repair
shops across the state. You may get news of these events and
issues regularly in this magazine, but AASP/MA members receive even more industry information through our monthly
newsletter, Damage Report. This email-only, member-only
newsletter helps members get to know the inside story on a
whole host of issues in a timely fashion.
I began this column with my opinion of where the independent auto repair industry stands right now. It is not in a good place.
Independent mechanical repair shop owners are continually fearful that diagnostic and repair information - the lifeblood of their
businesses - can become less accessible and much more expensive in the future. AASP/MA authored the original Right To
Repair legislation that has gained popularity in the Massachusetts State Legislature. AASP/MA continues to support the expansion of rights to this information for both repair shops and
continued from pg. 10
be putting two percent of all of purchases towards the cost of dues.
Stay tuned for that announcement.
This is also the time of year that we re-file our Labor Rate legislation, which will once again require a monumental effort from
the industry to be successful. AASP/MA is also working on restructuring the Northeast and Southeast chapters to not only serve as
education outlets, but also get messages out to all members
statewide in a short amount of time. I look forward to all of our
chapters replicating the great work that the mid-state and Western
Mass. chapters have been able to accomplish.
At this time, we are getting ready to plan next year’s education
consumers. In addition, AASP/MA works with the Registry of
Motor Vehicles to support the rights of independent shops that
perform state inspections by attending and participating in the
IMPAC meetings. We continue to support higher standards for
repair shops, despite the efforts of others to maintain the status
quo.
The collision repair industry continues to suffer from a variety of horrible circumstances - some of its own making - but
AASP/MA is trying its best to bring some measure of sanity to the
independent market. Suppressed Labor Rates, customer steering, inferior quality aftermarket parts, “no-profit” paint and materials pricing, rejected P-Page procedures, low training
standards, database manipulation, insurer/appraiser fraud and
the general fear of reprisal for non-compliance with insurers’ dictatorial demands are, sad to say, just the beginning of this sad,
sad story. Sure, there are bright spots here and there, but making fundamental changes is going to take a huge effort.
AASP/MA is ready to fight for all that it can get to support its collision shop members.
The effort supporting the Auto Body Labor Rate Bill is but
one example of what our industry can do when we work together.
No, we haven’t won the war – YET. Some battles along the way
have already ended in our favor, just because we are fighting.
Our presence at the State House is increasing every year, and the
respect that our industry has in important governmental offices
is growing as well.
Working on behalf of collision repair shops and mechanical
repair shops, AASP/MA has an executive director, an administrative assistant and a respected lobbyist who keeps our agenda
alive at the State House. We’ve never been more committed to
solving the problems the independent auto repair industry faces,
and we’ve never been closer to breaking through some longtime
barriers that have held us down. It’s not going to be easy. We
need you and you need us. We must make things better. It’s time
for you to join AASP/MA.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
seminars for both mechanical and collision shops, and are also
scheduling I-CAR and OE sponsored classes. We will continue to
keep a close eye on the government agencies that are important to
us, like the ADALB, the DOI and the Legislature.
While there is much to do, we can’t do any of it without you, our
members. Our success is dependent on your involvement. We need
you to participate at association events, become involved in the association leadership, share ideas with your colleagues and learn
from them. If you have any ideas or concerns, don’t hesitate to call
us. I look forward to the next two years and to hearing from you.
December 2010 17
18 December 2010
TECHNICAL SPOTLIGHT
A Flu Shot
Mark Giammalvo
FOR YOUR COMPUTER
Considering getting a flu shot this season? Hopefully,
you’re also thinking about getting anti-virus protection for your
computer.
It seems like every fall, we are inundated with advertisements touting how we should consider receiving the flu shot
as well as other vaccinations, like the dreaded H1N1. This is
also the time of year that every one of our shop computers displays a warning box that our Norton AntiVirus software is going
to expire in X amount of days.
Perhaps a little history is in order here. Loyal readers may
remember that, back in the fall of 2009, we decided to replace
seven outdated computer terminals here as well as our shop
network. At that time, our computer installer recommended
that we switch our firewall and anti-virus protection from the
McAfee brand to Norton. It was not that there was any problem with McAfee, but our new computer installer’s warranty - as
well as the Dell warranty - would cover those systems protected
specifically by Norton AntiVirus.
In any event, once the new computers were installed, our
computer technician spent a good portion of a weekend here
installing Norton as well as a myriad of other software that
needed to be copied over from our old system.
In addition to the seven replaced computers, we also had
three computers were not very old and, as such, remained unchanged. These computers still had valid McAfee anti-virus subscriptions, so the decision was made to let sleeping dogs lie
and not to bother switching those over to Norton at the time.
Fast-forward a year later, and these three computers were
now warning that McAfee would soon expire. I decided it was
time to switch them over to Norton. The first computer, in my
office, was a breeze to convert over to Norton. I simply uninstalled McAfee and then installed the Norton software via CD.
The second computer, a stand-alone main garage terminal
used for access to ALLDATA, was also updated in the same
manner without incident.
The remaining computer in our shop to update was the one
that was part of our Hunter alignment machine. This computer
was also working well (and uses Microsoft XP just like our
newer shop computers). So, how hard could it be to update a
computer running in Windows XP? Well, things did not exactly
go off without a hitch.
Like the other Windows XP computers that I had just updated, I followed the same procedure. Uninstall McAfee; then,
install Norton. After McAfee was successfully uninstalled, I inserted the Norton CD and began the install process. Approximately 15 minutes later, when we were at about 98 percent
installed, I received an error message from Norton stating that
the software could not be installed on this machine because
the operating system was Windows XP Service Pack One (SP1).
It recommended that I perform the free update to SP2 via the
Microsoft website.
It was like a giant gong went off inside my head. I remembered how, within a year or so of purchasing this new Hunter
Alignment System, I had turned on the Windows Automatic Update feature (the recommended setting by Microsoft). At that
time, the system flagged that SP2 would be installed. Shortly
after the SP2 install, the aligner system crashed and we were
no longer able to perform wheel alignments. We had called
Hunter and it was advised that our aligner could only operate,
by design, with an operating system of Windows XP SP1. We
had a Hunter technician come to the shop and restore our SP1
settings.
Back to the present day. I figured we were in a pickle, because the system now had no anti-virus protection at all (since
I had uninstalled McAfee and could not install Norton). Even
worse, this computer was tied into our shop network and was
connected to the Internet so our techs could use it to access
iATN and ALLDATA. My options were to either get some type of
anti-virus software installed, or take this computer off the network and the Internet entirely.
But wait a minute. On this machine, how was it possible
that Windows could not be updated from SP1 to SP2? As Judge
continued on pg. 59
I figured we were in a pickle, because the system now had no anti-virus
protection at all. My options were to either get some type of anti-virus software
installed, or take this computer off the shop network and the Internet entirely.
December 2010 19
20 December 2010
2010 SEMA SHOW RECAP
SEMA 2010:
REVOLUTIONIZING THE
TRADE SHOW EXPERIENCE
By Joel Gausten
If you think trade shows are dead, you weren’t at SEMA
2010.
Unquestionably the largest automotive trade show in the
United States, SEMA (held November 2-5) is an experience that
needs to be felt in person to be truly appreciated. Outside the
Las Vegas Convention Center, attendees were greeted by seemingly endless rows of some of the finest hot rods and custom
cars imaginable. But once inside, the true size and scope of this
amazing show truly hit home.
“This show is a monster!” exclaimed SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg from the show floor. “There are 130,000
people here, and over 2 million square feet of booth space and
over 9,000 exhibitors. I heard that if someone wanted to see
every exhibitor here and stay at the show 8am to 5pm every single day, they would have three seconds at every booth to see it
all!”
Impressed by his SEMA experience, AASP National President Rick Starbard was quick to praise the organizers for a job
well done.
“SEMA is so much of everything that if you’re a collision shop
or a mechanical shop and are looking into getting into something else – whether it’s accessories, trucks, bed liners, restoration – anything that goes on a car after it leaves the factory is [at
SEMA] in a way that doesn’t exist in any part of the country,” he
said. “It’s the only opportunity you have to see all of that under
one roof.”
Starbard felt that the neighboring AAPEX show (held at the
Sands Expo Center) made for a more complete trade show experience.
“From an AASP perspective, SEMA and AAPEX cover all the
bases for both sides of our association,” he added.
While SEMA has already been long recognized as a mustsee industry event, this year’s festivities enjoyed a serious boost
thanks to the infusion of collision repair businesses that filled the
show’s highly visible Paint, Body & Equipment section. The new
appearances of collision vendors and personnel at this year’s
show is due in large part to the efforts of SCRS, who marked its
transition to SEMA from NACE by sponsoring a slew of “Repairer
Driven” educational seminars. Combined with increased input
from collision vendors, these courses contributed to an energy
in the air that was impossible to ignore.
“It is overwhelmingly exciting,” offered Schulenburg. “For us,
it’s been an incredible opportunity to watch the show build, be
a part of it and hear ecstatic feedback from vendors and attendees alike.”
SCRS and AASP were not the only groups who benefited
greatly from their SEMA participation. The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) at SEMA boasted the highest number of new attendees ever to attend a single meeting, while the CIC Reception
featured the largest crowd in the group’s long-running history.
Of course, no trade show would be successful without satisfied vendors. Already known for coming up with impressive
trade show displays, PPG truly stepped up its game at SEMA,
creating an absolutely jaw-dropping display in the style of a fullservice ’50s diner.
“The booth has been crazy!” opined PPG’s Calvinia Fields on
the show’s final day. “This is a Friday, and it’s supposed to be
slow, but as you can see, we have a crowd of people at the booth.
Our goal is just to really create the ‘PPG Experience.’ We wanted
to draw people in and let them have fun. It’s such a great show,
so what we wanted to do was have everybody come in, have a
good time and get to understand our products and what we have
to offer to the market.”
Like many other vendors, Fields noted the positive impact
experienced at her booth as a result of the collision repair presence at this year’s show.
“[Traffic has] definitely increased,” she said. “We definitely
wanted to come back with a strong presence at SEMA knowing
A dazzling array of products, services and jaw-dropping displays drew a crowd of over 100,000 to the 2010 SEMA Show.
continued on pg. 24
December 2010 21
SUSTAINING SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Sarat Ford Surpasses Industry Challenges,
EXCEEDS CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS
By Joel Gausten
A New England automotive institution since 1929, Sarat Ford in Agawam, Ma. has been long regarded by the AASP/MA community as one of the most dependable suppliers of original equipment Ford parts.
Currently owned by John “Jack” Sarat, this certified parts wholesaling dealer boasts a $600,000 parts inventory, four parts
drivers and a wide service area that includes western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.
“I have three trucks out there all the time, but I always hold one back here for guys who need a part in an emergency, and
I use a shipper-receiver for that,” offers Parts Manager Jim Loomis.
Loomis’ career at Sarat Ford began in 1992, when his
brother and then-Parts Manager Bob Loomis brought him in as
an on-the-road salesperson. When Bob left the dealership in
1997, Jim took over the vacant position. Thirteen years later,
Loomis’ department continues to thrive thanks to a focus on
maintaining new and repeat customers.
“Customers expect a lot nowadays, and that’s what I’m trying to do,” he says. “Service is very important. If you can’t get
the parts to them, and they’re tying up their shop and not getting another job in or the parts are coming in wrong, there is a
problem.”
A longtime supporter of MABA, Loomis is looking forward
to seeing how the recent merger between the association,
CMARA and AASP/MA will ultimately affect his industry.
“I think [the merger] will be a good move for the association
to pool all their resources together,” he offers. “Hopefully, all
the different segments will be on the same page and work together to create common goals. We have a body shop at this location, so I’m hoping that one of the biggest [goals] is the Labor
Rate – that needs to be critically addressed. With the combined
resources of all three associations, I’m hoping they will have a
bigger turnout for that. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, because
[the rate] is a ridiculous state of affairs right now.”
Despite the ups and downs of the economy, Sarat Ford continues to rise above many of the challenges affecting their fellow dealers.
“Being in the Ford end, and not taking bailout money,
played a crucial role in us still being here,” Loomis says. “The
name ‘Sarat Ford’ has played a tremendous role; it’s something
that people have come to know.”
In addition to utilizing OEConnection’s CollisionLink system, Sarat Ford offers a special online parts ordering service at
22 December 2010
www.fordparts.com/saratflm. If that’s not enough, regular
Sarat Ford parts customers have a chance to win special prizes
with their orders.
“Any wholesale customer who sends $50 or more gets a
tear-off ticket at the bottom of their invoice that goes into a
bucket,” Loomis explains. “I have a drawing at the end of the
month for a $100 gift card. It’s been pretty successful; a lot of
guys really enjoy it when they hit it.”
Since adding Lincoln-Mercury to its product line in 2009,
Sarat Ford continues to look for new ways to expand their services. Plans for a redesign of the parts building (complete with
a service drive-through) are currently underway, while Loomis
promises to earn the support of AASP/MA long into the future.
As he says, “I’m looking for everybody’s business out there,
and we’ll always do the best that we can to help shops retain
their customers.”
Sarat Ford Parts Manager Jim Loomis.
AASP/MA SUSTAINING SPONSORS
Please Support Our Sustaining Sponsors:
CREST INDUSTRIES (508) 259-9006 / Fax (206) 888-6235
National Account Pricing (even on small purchases)
Parts Direct
800-247-3033
Parts Direct
800-247-3033
Free Freight on orders over $150.
AASP/MA receives minimum of 2% of total purchases.
Parts Direct
800-254-1169
RUBBER SEAL PRODUCTS (413)527-4189
A traditional 1% Sponsor.
Donates 1% of your total purchases to AASP/MA.
Parts Direct
800-248-3035
AASP/MA NEWSLETTER SPONSOR
AASP/MA Statewide
Chapter Meeting Sponsor
(800) RENT-A-CAR
Provides a 5% rebate to AASP/MA.
2% applied to members’ annual dues.
1-800 RADIATOR
Please Support our Vendor Members:
ABSAP
Adams Equipment
Akzo Nobel Coatings
Allied Auto Parts
Astro Automotive
Autocraft Sales, Inc.
Bald Hill Chrysler Dodge Jeep & Kia
Best Chevrolet
Center Subaru
Central Chevrolet
Central Chrysler-Jeep
Clay Nissan
Cooper-Lewis
DB National Warehouse Supply
Designer Office Systems
Don Kennett, Inc.
Finishmaster
Gallery Automotive Group
Garrity Insurance
George’s Specialty
Imperial Parts
J&J Bumpers
J & R Auto Body Supply
Jaffarian Volvo/Toyota
Keystone/Route 16 Auto Salvage
Lexington Toyota
Kwik Auto Body Supplies
Lappen Auto Supply
Linder’s Inc.
Lombard Equipment
Long Automotive Group
Montague-Brown
Northern Booth Technology
Norton Company
Providence Lacquer & Supply
Rainbow Auto Paint & Supplies
Sherwin-Williams
Spraybooth Services
Stone Auto Body Supply
Tasca Automotive Group
Tiny & Sons Glass
Toyota of Hanover/McGee Toyota
Verc Rentals
West Springfield Auto Parts
Wurth, USA
provides all AASP/MA members with Best
Pricing (up to 30% discount) regardless of
total purchases and FREE delivery!
Hertz
Local Edition
1-800-654-3131
Wurth, USA
also contributes 6%
of your total purchases to AASP.
1-800-987-8487
ext. 1049
(800) 914–3802
Contributes 2% of gross sales to AASP/MA;
half goes to your annual dues.
December 2010 23
2010 SEMA SHOW RECAP
that we were going to have an opportunity to meet some of those collision repair [shops]. In addition, we’ve done
seminars for the past three days, talking
about our products and MVP programs,
which are a way to help collision shops
perform better.”
With so many successes found at
SEMA 2010, Schulenburg and the rest
of SCRS are poised to enjoy even greater
experiences when the show returns next
year.
“The show has embraced us with
open arms as a strategic partner, both
from the educational standpoint and
from the collision area of the show,” he
says. “We’re going to take the huge success that we had this year and use the
feedback we’ve received to make the
show even better every year.”
24 December 2010
December 2010 25
IN THE AREA
AASP/MA WINS BIG AT
ANNUAL CASINO NIGHT
On November 13, hundreds from the AASP/MA community
gathered for an evening of fun at the association’s annual Casino
Night. This wildly-successful event, held at Periwinkles Restaurant in North Oxford, serves as a way for association members,
sponsors and vendors to enjoy a variety of gaming opportunities
while celebrating all that AASP/MA accomplished in 2010.
Addressing the crowd, newly-elected AASP/MA President
Rick Starbard noted the ongoing success of the merger between
AASP/MA, MABA and CMARA.
“[The merger] was no doubt the best thing that’s happened
to our industry in Massachusetts in quite some time,” said Starbard, who also publicly thanked MABA member Tony Sampson
for being “instrumental in getting this merger done.”
26 December 2010
Starbard continued, “I know I speak for Tom [Ricci], Paul
Hendricks and myself when I say thank you to the interim Board
that took office in May when we merged together and agreed to
stay on to November to get everything put together. I also want
to thank our current Board. There’s still a lot of work to be done
– more work than I had ever imagined, but we have tools and
people in place and a great Board. I know that in the coming
year, we can return Massachusetts to having the strongest automotive association in the country, the way we used to.”
The Casino Night served to officially welcome the new
AASP/MA Executive Board: President – Rick Starbard, Vice President – Paul Hendricks, Treasurer – Molly Brodeur, Secretary –
Gary Cloutier and Immediate Past President – Tom Ricci.
December 2010 27
28 December 2010
IN THE AREA
Congratulations to the following Casino Night winners:
ABSAP Cribbage Tournament: Dana Kearns (Ed’s Auto Body),
Texas Hold’em Tournament – First: Erik Richards (Bernardi Auto
Group), Second: Pat Simeone (Best Chevrolet), Third: Jim Audet
(Precision Auto Rebuilders), Spin & Win with FinishMaster – Red
Sox tickets: Sabrina Latham (Midway Service Center), $100
AMEX Card: Roger Rondeau Jr. (Hendricks Auto Body), $50 AMEX
Card: Bud Vumback (Managed Air Systems), Silent Auction High
Bidders – BMW Cruise Bike: Donna Roberts (Midway Collision),
Celtics tickets: Peter Kilkenny (Providence Lacquer), Red Sox tickets: Dana Kearns (Ed’s Auto Body) and Ed Nalewanski (Ed’s Auto
Body), Model T Fire Engine: TJ McClements (Tom’s Auto Body).
High Rollers: Rich Connor (FinishMaster) and Don Vermette (Vermette Auto Body). A special “shop owners-only raffle” for a Paint
Air Filtration System donated by SprayBooth Services & Equipment Sales was won by Craig Gridley (Larry’s Auto Body).
Many special thanks to the following sponsors for making
the latest Casino Night such a success: Tournament Sponsor Stephanie Krch of SprayBooth Services & Equipment Sales,
Food & Beverage Sponsors – Don Cushing of Bald Hill Motor
Group, Larry Higgins & Jim Simeone of Best Chevrolet, Tom
Schube of Long Automotive and Paul Dowd of Managed Air Systems. Texas Hold’em Sponsor - Don Cushing of Bald Hill Motor
Group, Cribbage Sponsor - Rick Hutchinson of ABSAP, Goodie
Bag Sponsor - Matt Leonard of the IRA Motor Group, Board of Directors Sponsor - Ken Zimmerer of Balise Motor Sales, Stage
Sponsor - Sal Calautti of The Hertz Corporation, Spin & Win
Sponsor - Dennis Seaver of FinishMaster, Goodie Item Sponsors
- IRA Parts, Linders Inc and Wurth USA. Silent Auction Gift
Providers – Garrity Insurance, J & R Auto Body Supply, Bald Hill
Motor Group, Colonial Ford and Wagner BMW. Gaming Table
Sponsors: AccuDraft Paint Booths, Akzo Nobel Coatings, Bald
Hill Dodge-Chrysler Jeep & KIA, Colonial Ford, Crest East Coast,
DuPont Refinish, Future Cure Spray Booths, Garrity Insurance,
Kelly Automotive Group, LKQ/Keystone Automotive, Montague
Brown, Sherwin Williams Automotive, Thomas Greco Publishing
and Woburn Foreign Motors. Prize Donors – AASP/MA Western
Chapter, Akzo Nobel/LKQ Keystone Automotive, Auto Masters,
Bald Hill Dodge-Chrysler Jeep & KIA, Balise Motor Sales, Bernardi
Auto Group, Best Chevrolet, BillEnross.com, Cape Auto Body (Plymouth), Car-part.com, Designer Office Systems, Enterprise RentA-Car, F.L. Roberts/Golden Nozzle, Gengras BMW W.S., Imperial
Chrysler, IRA Motor Group, J & R Auto Body Supply Co., Jaffarian
Volvo Toyota, Albert Kemperle Inc., Managed Air Systems,
Mitchell Auto Group, Rodman Ford Collision Parts Connection,
Sarat Ford Lincoln-Mercury, Snap-On Tools, SprayBooth Services
& Equipment Sales, Stephens Auto Mall, Woburn Toyota and
Woburn Jaguar.
Special Thanks to Carrie Tavares and David Schroth of Hertz
Local Edition for once again selling all the winning raffle tickets
to the enthusiastic crowd.
MASSACHUSETTS
December 2010 29
30 December 2010
IN MEMORIAL
REMEMBERING STEVE CULLINANE
On November 6, the AASP/MA community lost a dear friend with the passing
of Stephen P. Cullinane. A resident of
Marlborough, Cullinane was the longtime
parts manager at Bernardi Honda in Natick. A graduate of Natick High School, he
enjoyed a variety of sports, interests and
outdoor activities, from attentively landscaping his yard to riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle and driving a Viper sports
car. He was a member of the Natick Elks,
the Viper Club of New England and the
Riverside Gun Club of Hudson. In addition
to his wife Kristin, he is survived by
brother Rick Cullinane, sisters Kathleen
Catton and Barbara Cullinane, sisters-inlaw Susanne Beatty and Elisabeth Forest,
father-and mothers-in-law Gerald and Gail
Forest of Ashland and Phyllis Murray of
Milford. He is also survived by many
nieces and nephews.
AASP/MA offered their thoughts on
Cullinane in the following official statement:
“Steve’s knowledge of this industry
and his assistance to our members will be
sorely missed. Our condolences go out to
Steve’s family at this difficult time.”
AASP/MA Immediate Past President
Tom Ricci, who used Cullinane’s services
for at least a decade, remembers his personal commitment to bettering the New
England collision repair field.
“Steve always made it much more
than business; it was always more personal [to him] than just a job,” Ricci says.
“Steve was a strong supporter of the association, and he supported all three associations before the merger. Everybody knew
that he was one of the top supporters of
this industry. He will be dearly missed and
never forgotten.”
New England Automotive Report Editor Joel Gausten remembers Cullinane as
someone always willing to take time out
of his busy day to share his thoughts on
the industry.
“I had the pleasure of interviewing
Steve on many occasions, both for New
England Automotive Report and Hammer
& Dolly,” Gausten says. “His dedication to
the New England repair community will be
forever felt, and his presence in the automotive industry will be forever missed.”
Steve Cullinane
December 2010 31
AASP NATIONAL BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
AASP National Board Meeting
EXPLORES VARIOUS INDUSTRY ISSUES
By Joel Gausten
On November 3, the Automotive Aftermarket Products
Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas was the site of the latest meeting of
the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) National
Board.
The following AASP Executive Committee members were
elected: President – Rick Starbard (AASP/MA), Vice President
– Jeff Walter (AASP-PA), Secretary- Bruce Tschida (AASP-MN),
Treasurer – A. C. Guarino (IGO-NC), Chair of the Executive Directors – Ron Reiling (AASP-MO) and Immediate Past President – Nick Kostakis (AASP/NJ).
Speaking with New England Automotive Report following
the election, Starbard noted that AASP National is committed
to assisting state affiliates that wish to hold timely educational
seminars and explore new marketing activities.
“We’re a bunch of state associations that run a national
association,” he said. “Being in that ‘state association’ state
of mind, we’re always thinking of how to better serve the local
associations. By using the numbers that we represent on a national level, we’re able to raise the money that we do on a national level, but trickle that down to our state affiliates in a way
that no other automotive association in the country does.”
businesses, Mitchell 1 continues to enjoy a strong relationship
with state affiliates throughout the United States. Currently one
of the association’s most popular endeavors, the Mitchell 1
benefit deal includes a 20-percent discount on all Mitchell 1
print and electronic products. Additionally, the company continues to host special management seminars for AASP affiliates throughout the country to rave reviews. David Boyington,
Mitchell 1’s senior manager of corporate sales, visited the
AASP National Board meeting to voice his company’s ongoing
commitment to the association.
“I’m proud of what we’ve done, as it’s been because of our
regional managers and our reps trying to put this information
together, get out there and deliver it,” he said. “We want to be
available for you and your members to help with best practices.
It’s not just about trying to pitch a Mitchell product.”
Additionally, Boyington feels that the marketplace is poised
to enjoy even greater returns in the future if shops continue to
utilize Mitchell 1’s products and services.
“Over the past two years, the aftermarket repair facilities
should have seen the greatest opportunity to go and get
AASP/MA Moves Forward
AASP/MA Northeast Chapter Mechanical Director Russ
Hamel appeared before the Board to update them on
AASP/MA’s recent activities. Regarding the recent merger between AASP/MA, CMARA and MABA, Hamel explained that the
three groups continue to work to build a unified state association.
“I don’t think anyone really realizes how much needs to be
addressed when you [merge], and we’re still sorting through
that,” he said.
Additionally, Hamel noted that the unified AASP/MA will
work to develop ways to address longstanding state issues,
such as the Labor Rate.
“We’re in discussions on whether to make tweaks to the
Auto Body Labor Rate Bill,” he said. “A lot of logistical things
need to be done with the philosophies of the three different
associations and getting everything on the same page.”
Mitchell 1 Helps AASP Strike Gold
A longtime benefit provider for AASP mechanical
32 December 2010
Mitchell 1’s David Boyington visited the AASP National Board meeting to reaffirm his company’s commitment to its partnership with
the association.
December 2010 33
34 December 2010
December 2010 35
AASP NATIONAL BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
business and capture market share in their area than they’ve
ever had,” he says. “ If they didn’t take advantage of understanding what’s going on in their industry and area and try to
capitalize on that, then they’re probably the folks who are struggling. We want to help them.”
AAIA Provides Right to Repair Update,
Defends Aftermarket Parts
Aaron Lowe, vice president of regulatory and government
affairs for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
(AAIA), appeared before the AASP National Board to provide an
update on his group’s ongoing work in support of Right to Repair. Lowe noted the recent re-election of Barbara Boxer (D-Ca.)
to the Senate as a victory for the ongoing campaign.
“Whatever you’re personal views are [on Boxer], she did
support the bill,” Lowe said.
Lowe added that he expects increased activity on the Right
to Repair front in the coming year.
“I do believe the states are going to be more active on
Right to Repair than they were this year,” he said. “We’re going
back to Massachusetts, in all likelihood. We think we built a
strong coalition there and built a very strong case…I think we’re
in really good shape [for] next year.”
Additionally, Lowe voiced his concerns over “across the
Aaron Lowe of AAIA addressed concerns over negative “across the
board” media statements on the safety and quality of aftermarket
parts, and their effects on AAIA members.
36 December 2010
board statements” made in the press concerning the safety
and quality of aftermarket parts and the negative effect these
statements have had on his members. He explained that his
association took exception to a recent press release issued by
Honda on the subject of non-OEM parts.
According to Lowe, AAIA feels that the release “made no
distinction between hard parts and crash parts” and that the
statements made by Honda were “a direct hit on our members.” Additionally, he noted that the ongoing aftermarket parts
discussion within the industry has clouded the necessary distinction between non-OEM collision parts and aftermarket mechanical parts.
“We believe there should be choice in parts, one way or
the other,” he says. “We think the quality issue is important,
and the issue of certification needs to be addressed, [but] we
don’t feel it is right for us to get involved in the body shop [side];
they’re not our members.”
AASP Awards Grants
The AASP Board of Directors used the Board meeting to
select the first recipients of its new Industry Improvement Grant
program. The program, established earlier this year, funds initiatives that demonstrate innovative and collaborative projects
and programs that address unmet needs within the mechanical and collision industries.
The first grant was awarded to a collaborative project between AASP and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists
(SCRS). The effort would partner the two associations’ work in
researching the issues of business-to-business data ownership
and data privacy rights – specifically as they relate to the collision repair industry’s relationship with the estimating Information providers (IPs) and management systems – in a time
where technology is moving the industry toward business services that are managed through “cloud-based” servers. The
goal of the initiative is to bring clarity and awareness to the
concern, identify the legal and ethical issues that come into
play and develop tangible solutions to advance the interests
of the collision repair industry.
A second grant was awarded to the Alliance of Automotive
Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) to help further expand its “Get to Know Your Neighborhood Auto Repair Pro”
campaign, an industry promotion program that raises awareness of the benefits of doing business with independentlyowned automotive repair shops. The campaign utilizes radio,
search website, point-of-sale, social media and customer reward/referral tools to educate consumers and drive business
to independent shops.
December 2010 37
38 December 2010
JUST FOR FUN
ALL IN THE FAMILY:
A Conversation with Rawson Auto Body
By Joel Gausten
It takes a lot of patience, time and use of electronic estimating – has en- starting out in the business today?
“You have to be best friends; you’ve
effort to run a successful auto body busi- abled her to keep the business moving
got to work together,” he says. “It’s not
ness, but it takes a lot more to run a re- forward.
“[Electronic estimating] is a big help, easy – when we go home, I go downpair business as a family. For 34 years,
the husband-and-wife team of Tom and and you’re not missing things you might stairs and she goes upstairs, she
Beverly Rawson has guided Rawson Auto have missed doing things manually,” she watches her TV and I watch mine. But we
Body thanks to love, mutual respect and
a commitment to doing the job right.
A lifelong automotive enthusiast,
Tom decided to open his first shop - a
modest two-bay facility - in March 1976.
At the time, Beverly worked in the shop’s
office with the couple’s baby daughter,
Stacy, alongside her in a playpen.
“It was pretty scary,” Beverly recalls
with a laugh. “It was a difficult decision
[for Tom] to make – to leave a full-time
job [and start the business]. He was the
sole bread winner, and it was hard to accept that this was going to happen with
only one car booked in – and that car
was my dad’s 1973 Dodge Demon!”
Thankfully, the gamble paid off; by (L-R): Rawson Auto Body Inc. staff members Tom Rawson, Beverly Rawson, Dick Haladay,
Bob DeAngelis, Greg Mignosa and Jonathan Rawson.
the time the Rawsons moved into their
know our business, and we know we’re
third and current location on Broadway says. “It’s quite an advancement.”
The Rawson family business has the only ones who can do anything about
Street in Wakefield in 1982, the busigrown to include youngest son Jonathan, it.”
ness had grown considerably.
After decades of hard work in the
“It was a much bigger place, and we who has worked at the shop as a tech for
had employees,” Beverly says. “By 1982, six years. After all these years, Beverly shop, Beverly feels that the family busifeels that working with family has been ness’s greatest strength is the high level
our feet were pretty firmly planted.”
of work they produce.
“I was one of the smart ones who the key to the shop’s ongoing success.
“We built up our reputation, and I’m
“The fact that you’re in a close relapurchased back in the ’80s,” adds Tom.
“I bought a piece of property here; when tionship would definitely be an advan- proud of that,” she says. “We have a
other people were paying thousands a tage in getting everything done and trying good name out there because of our
business practices. That is the most remonth in rent, I was paying my mortgage. to do it as a team,” she says.
Considering his experience balanc- warding thing for me.”
That’s my blessing.”
Over the years, Beverly’s use of ing work and family, what is the best adevolving technologies – especially the vice Tom would offer a young couple
December 2010 39
AS A COLLISION REPAIR SPECIALIST, YOU MUST ALWAYS FO
HOWEVER, INSURANCE ESTIMATES ARE OFTEN FOCUSED O
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508-845-0505
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fax: 860-240-7873
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BMW of Peabody
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fax: 603-772-9436
WWW.BMWPEABODY.COM
WWW.BMWWESTSPRINGFIELD.COM
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40 December 2010
OCUS ON SAFETY, QUALITY AND COST.
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December 2010 41
42 December 2010
AAPEX/AASP SEMINAR RECAP
AASP-Sponsored Seminar Explores
SOCIAL MEDIA
By Joel Gausten
There was a time when websites like Facebook and Twitter
were seen by many as only tools for young people to socialize
with friends and family. However, the ever-growing use of these
platforms has encouraged more and more businesses to utilize
them to drive new people to their products and services. In an
effort to help automotive service professionals take better advantage of this technology, AASP sponsored “Adding Social
Media to Your Marketing Toolbox,” a special one-hour course
held November 4 during the AAPEX show in Las Vegas.
Formerly in the IT business, guest speaker Tyler Olson of
SMCpros now serves as a social media consultant to a growing
client base that includes AASP’s Minnesota state affiliate. His
course offered a variety of tips on how automotive businesses
can develop strategies to use social networking to position
themselves in front of existing and potential customers.
“If you’re a car parts distribution company, if you’re a manufacturer or a service provider, there are people on Twitter and
Facebook asking questions, [like] ‘I need an oil change. Where
do I go?’” he said.
While it is relatively easy to create a Facebook page or Twitter account for your business, Olson cautioned that these sites
are merely tools; your success with either of these sites depends on the effort and thought put into your particular online
campaign.
“So many people jump into creating a [Facebook] Fan Page
or creating a Twitter account without thinking ahead of time
how it’s going to drive extra value to the business and make
money from these tools,” he said. “If you just go in and do it, it’s
probably not going to drive business results, and that’s a waste
continued on pg. 49
December 2010 43
44 December 2010
FEATURE
AASP/MA Members Travel to Germany
FOR A PAINT REVOLUTION
By Joel Gausten
AASP/MA President Rick Starbard is
opportunity presented itself, and I didn’t
well known for his travels across the
want to pass it up. Everybody was great,
In addition to planning to incorporate
country on behalf of the automotive in-
and they did it up right.” In addition to the
Standoblue into his shop (Rick’s Auto
dustry. His work recently led him over-
Standoblue introduction, Standox hired
Collision in Revere), Starbard is working
seas to the Standox facility in Wuppertal,
a tour guide for the group as they wit-
to get the product into the Lynn Voca-
Germany for an experience he will never
nessed the City of Cologne and the River
tional Tech Institute.
forget. At the invitation of J&R Auto Body
Rhine.
time.”
“Last September, we switched Lynn
Supply in Framingham, Starbard joined
“They took us around to the cathe-
a small group including AASP/MA mem-
dral and gave us the ‘lesson of beer,’”
bers Carl Manoogian (Norwell Collision),
Starbard adds. “It was really a good
Tech over to Standox water-based [paint]
continued on pg. 53
Josh Cobb (Midway Collision) and J&R
rep Rich Blair in visiting with Standox and
testing the company’s new Standoblue
water-based product – which Starbard
calls “probably the best paint I’ve ever
sprayed.” The group also had a chance
to visit with some collision repair shops
in the area.
“In our industry, we always hear how
Germany sets the standard and the bar
for our industry; the best paint technology comes from Germany,” he says. “The
people who do collision repair in Germany are viewed as high-level craftsmen,
and they take great pride in what they do.
It was a great opportunity to go out there
and check it out.”
As for the trip itself, Starbard has
many positive thoughts to share.
“It was different,” he says. “From collision repair to beer and everything else AASP/MA members Carl Manoogian, Rich Blair, Rick Starbard and Josh Cobb,
you
hear
about
Germany…the
photographed at the Standox facility in Wuppertal, Germany.
December 2010 45
46 December 2010
December 2010 47
AAPEX/AASP SEMINAR RECAP
of your time.”
In order to make the most of the Facebook or Twitter experience, Olson suggested that businesses consider these questions before creating their accounts:
• Who’s my target market?
• How do I reach them?
• What do I want them to do?
• What do I want them to know after being
connected with me?
• Which platform should I be on?
• Where are there already customers?
Olson recommended that businesses utilize Google Alerts
to keep track of who is talking about their business online –
and what they are saying. Additionally, he warned of the dangers of posting pictures and other content that might project a
negative image of your company.
“This is the brand of you, “ he said. “What do you want to
be perceived as online? Do you want to be seen as a stud on
the beach, or a business professional? Do you want to talk
about what you had for breakfast, or do you want to talk about
“What do you want to be perceived
as online? Do you want to be seen
as a stud on the beach, or a business professional? Do you want to
talk about what you had for breakfast, or do you want to talk about
that major success story you just
had?”
- Tyler Olson, SMCpros
that major success story you just had?”
Although he admitted that the business world currently underutilizes the site, Olson advised attendees to consider building a presence on LinkedIn, which has around 70 million users.
“If you Google your business name, and you’re not coming
up in the first two or three results, LinkedIn will get you there,”
he offered. “There are probably LinkedIn groups and Facebook
groups of people already talking about what you do…Investing
a little time into where those communities already are is probably a very effective use of people’s time.”
Of course, no truthful discussion of social media can be
held without discussing the potential risks. Privacy continues to
be a primary concern for many online social media users.
“There are a lot of dangers out there,” Olson said. “You
want to be smart and you want to be careful. On Facebook, you
can choose who sees what; that’s the same with Twitter and
LinkedIn. All social media platforms have privacy settings because people are so concerned about it.” For example, a business owner can construct a “friends list” just for college
buddies and another strictly for business contacts, and control the content that each group sees.
Above all, Olson encouraged attendees to investigate each
of the main social sites thoroughly before determining which to
use to reach a particular audience.
“I dare you to try to find two teenagers who use Twitter,” he
said. “You might get lucky and find one, but you won’t find two.
Teenagers don’t use Twitter; they don’t see the purpose of it.
It’s primarily the business community that’s using Twitter and
LinkedIn – and heavily using Facebook more and more.”
Tyler Olson of SMCPros presented on the ins and outs of using social media to properly market one’s business.
December 2010 49
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52 December 2010
FEATURE
so that we could start training the kids,”
he explains. “But after seeing [Standoblue], it just takes things to a whole
new level.”
Equally amazed by Standoblue,
Manoogian feels that the product is another example of Standox’s high-quality
craftsmanship.
“[Standoblue] is incredible,” he says.
“I’ve painted for 17 years, and Standoblue is probably the first paint I’ve ever
sprayed in my life that really impressed
me. The color covers in one coat, which is
just amazing.”
In Blair’s mind, Standoblue is an obvious choice for J&R to carry.
“Standox is probably the top-of-theline solvent out there right now, and always has been,” he says. “Standox has a
waterborne [product] now, but it’s been
around for about 15 years and is on the
older technology. Standoblue is their latest basecoat offering that falls into that
Save the Date!
waterborne platform. It’s based on the
same platform as the OEM paint they
spray at the manufacturing level, so the
chance of it matching is much greater.”
For Josh Cobb, the experience offered a great opportunity to see how
water-based technology is evolving.
“Obviously, you don’t see the full
story in a training environment, but what
we saw was pretty educational,” he said.
In Cobb’s mind, the industry’s switch
to waterborne will lead to greater professionalism and further separate legitimate shops from the wannabes that
keep the field down.
“We’re ready to adapt, and we have
to,” he says. “I think part of this business
is having to adapt or die, so hopefully
some of the backyarders will not adapt
and die. [The switch to waterborne]
should be good to the guys who step up,
spend money and do the right thing.”
March 18, 19, 20, 2011
Meadowlands Exposition Center
355 Plaza Drive
Secaucus, NJ
visit
www.aaspnjnortheast.com
for show info
Proudly Presented by:
December 2010 53
54 December 2010
December 2010 55
56 December 2010
December 2010 57
58 December 2010
TECHNICAL SPOTLIGHT
Judy would say, “It didn’t have the ring of
truth.”
I could understand if the computer’s
XP operating system was unable to be
upgraded to a newer operating system
like Vista or Win7, but why couldn’t it get
the normal recommended Microsoft updates for the current version of its existing operating system? Time to put in
another call to Hunter.
As usual, the Hunter rep promptly
called me back. I explained my dilemma
of trying to convert the Hunter computer
over to Norton and how I needed to update to SP2. The reps had changed territory not long ago, so my current rep had
to call my prior rep to double-check the
status of this problem. My current rep
called back shortly thereafter to state
that I definitely could NOT update to SP2.
Still feeling somewhat dismayed, I tried
to push the rep further for the rationale
behind this. He admitted that, to the best
of his understanding, Hunter did not
want anyone to be able to steal or copy
their software. As a result, the Hunter
control board for the aligner only works
with Windows SP1.
We weren’t ready to blow another
$30,000 on a newer aligner, but out of
curiosity, I asked the rep what the newest
aligner runs on for an operating system.
His response: Windows Vista. I was dumfounded. Windows Vista? Are you serious?! That’s the system that no one
wanted two years ago! I couldn’t resist
asking, “So, if we get your newest system
with Windows Vista, and it has SP1, if I
ever need to upgrade to SP2, will I be
able to?” I don’t think I ever got an answer to that question.
I don’t mean to belabor the issue.
It’s just that I’m used to having computers that can be updated with the latest
patches and service packs of their current software. Like I said before, I can understand if the machine cannot be
upgraded to a different operating system, or if update support is no longer
available for the current operating system. But, give me a break; we’re living in
the 21st century here. We’re not talking
about updating an old Windows 95 system, either.
In the end, I improvised. I had the
Windows “Restore” function go back two
days; I was able to return to a point
where McAfee was still on the machine,
as if I had never made any changes. I
then purchased an online update to the
latest McAfee anti-virus definitions.
The bottom line is, it pays to check
to see if all your computers are using
some type of anti-virus software, especially if your computers have online access to the Internet.
December 2010 59
60 December 2010
December 2010 61
New England’s Award Winning Jaguar Dealership for more than 35 years.
WOBURN FOREIGN MOTORS
Parts Direct: 1-339-645-2472
Toll Free: 1-800-984-9623
Fax: 1-339-645-2492
Prompt,
Professional,
Courteous
Parts
Department
394 Washington Street,
Woburn, MA 01801
62 December 2010
Web: www.woburnjaguar.com
64 December 2010
2011 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
As a member of the Alliance of Automotive Service Provider of Massachusetts (AASP/MA), I will abide by the association’s bylaws and code of ethics. I understand
that membership in AASP of Massachusetts is non-transferable, and I must remain current with my dues in order to be a member in good standing. I understand that
if I discontinue my membership that I must immediately cease using any association promotions, logos or materials. Additionally, I understand that as part of my AASP
of Massachusetts membership, I will receive New England Automotive Report, the official publication of AASP of Massachusetts, and other mailings.
*** PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY ***
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
BUSINESS INFORMATION:
Mr.
Mrs.
Business Representative Name:
Ms.
__________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________
Business Name ______________________________________________
Nickname __________________________________________________
Street Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street
City
State
Zip
Mailing Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street
Phone Number (
City
)________________________________________ Fax Number (
State
Zip
) ______________________________________________
E-mail Address ____________________________________________ Web Site Address ________________________________________________
Enrolled By (Name and Address) ______________________________________________________________________________________________
PRIMARY DIVISION (check one)
Collision
Mechanical/Transmission
SECONDARY DIVISION (check one)
Collision
Mechanical/Transmission
LIST OTHER SPECIALTIES ____________________________________
________________________________________________________
What benefits motivated you to join AASP of Massachusetts?
2011 MEMBERSHIP DUES
Annually
Total Due
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Check or Cash
Credit Card:
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Card Number ______________________________________________
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Signature ________________________________________________
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Date ____________________________________________________
Just like good tools and equipment, membership in AASP of Massachusetts is a valuable investment. AASP of Massachusetts works for you through
such outstanding programs as: (1) management and technical training; (2) low-cost credit card processing; (3) discount uniform rental; (4) a wide
variety of other business services. Put AASP of Massachusetts to work for you today.
COMPLETE THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND RETURN IT WITH PAYMENT TO AASP OF MASSACHUSETTS.
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Phone: 617-484-0205 • Fax: 617-484-0568 email: [email protected]
December 2010 65
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A
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D
AUT M TIVE
AD INDEX
Audi of Brookline................................................24
Audi Group ..........................................................48
Bernardi Group ............................................34-35
Best Chevrolet....................................................IFC
BMW Group ..................................................40-41
BMW of Ridgefield ............................................11
Clark & White ....................................................18
Clay Chevrolet ..................................................OBC
Clay Hyundai ......................................................37
Clay Nissan of Norwood ....................................64
Clay Subaru ........................................................20
Colonial Auto Group ............................................8
Database Enhancement Gateway ....................51
DuPont/Standox ................................................33
DuPont/Spies........................................................5
Empire Auto Parts ..............................................24
Enterprise ..............................................................6
Ford Group ..........................................................44
Future Cure ........................................................31
Garmat USA ........................................................66
Herb Chambers Hyundai/Toyota ......................63
Honda Group ......................................................58
Hyundai Group....................................................52
Imperial Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep ............................4
Imperial Ford ......................................................44
Inskip Mini/BMW ..............................................61
Infiniti of Norwood..............................................57
IRA Group ......................................................14-15
Jaffarian Toyota/Volvo ......................................16
Kelly Automotive Group ....................................30
Lexus of Northborough ......................................59
Liberty Chevrolet ................................................25
Liberty Isuzu........................................................18
Liberty Mazda ....................................................64
Linder’s, Inc. ......................................................12
Long Automotive Group ....................................42
Mazda Group ......................................................54
McLaughlin Chevrolet ........................................66
Mopar Group ........................................................4
Nissan Group ......................................................60
Replica Plastics ..................................................24
Robertsons GMC Truck ......................................62
Rotary Lift ..........................................................55
Saab Group ........................................................56
Sarat Ford ..........................................................43
Sentry Group ........................................................3
Stephen AutoMall Centre ....................................6
Subaru Group ................................................46-47
Tasca Group ........................................................28
Toyota Group ......................................................38
Toyota of Nashua................................................10
VW Group ............................................................50
Wagner Group ..................................................IBC
Wellesley Toyota/Scion ....................................20
Woburn Jaguar ..................................................62
66 December 2010
December 2010 67

December 2010 New England Automotive Report

Transcription

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