In the coming year, the ASA Collision Division will continue working in the interest of all collision shop owners. Mike Noirot, ASA's vice president, Collision Division, outlined several specific objectives the division and the Collision Division Operations Committee will be actively working to achieve.

ASA will continue to pursue insurer-owned shop legislation in selected states.

"We're working in several states with other potential coalition members to determine timing and potential sponsors for legislation similar to Texas House Bill 1131," Noirot said. State shop owner associations, towing associations, state chapters of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, dealer associations, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) affiliates and glass associations are among the groups ASA will be working with toward this goal.

ASA will also continue to pursue notification and consent legislation regarding alternate crash parts in selected states.

"We're still working on that in North Carolina, and we continue to look for other opportunities in other states to get sponsors for similar legislation," Noirot said. "Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C. representative, has been instrumental in opposing legislation that does not support notification and consent."

If you would like to join the effort in support of notification and consent in your state, call Chris Dameron, chairman of the Collision Division Operations Committee, at (919) 303-0527, or Noirot at (800) 272-7467, ext. 228.

The Estimating Subcommittee of the Collision Division Operations Committee will continue to work on specific issues regarding database providers in 2004.

"Mike Anderson, chairman of the automated estimating subcommittee, continues to work with other committee members in their communication with information providers to ensure the labor times and parts prices are correct and representative of the collision repair industry," said Noirot. "As part of that plan, members of the Collision Division Operations Committee will be members of advisory boards for ADP, CCC, Mitchell and Motor."

Anderson is also writing a monthly column for the Collision Repair Report titled "The Estimating Tip of the Month," which Noirot said is really a product of the subcommittee. You can contact Anderson directly with suggestions for the column at (703) 684-2985, or e-mail comments and tips to estimatingtips@asashop.org.

In 2004, the Collision Division will continue to work with other industry trade groups on important issues such as alternate air bag usage, national titling laws and national shop registration.

"ASA will continue to work with other trade associations to increase unity and cooperation among trade groups," Noirot said.

To ensure success of NACE 2004 and beyond, Noirot will continue meeting with strategic suppliers and manufacturers to ensure that NACE meets their marketing requirements.

This year, ASA also hopes to provide a conduit to better communicate with insurance carriers.

"In fiscal 2004, we're working toward having several collision repair/insurance company summits to address tough issues that exist between insurance carriers and shops, such as diminished value, insurer-owned shop legislation, steering and DRP relationships," said Noirot. "ASA wants to sit across the table to work out some solutions between these two groups."

The division will also explore a regional event concept in select cities in 2004.

"The Collision Division will work jointly with I-CAR, ASE and AMI to have regional meetings that address training required for shops from technician and management training to certification and testing," said Noirot. "Our desire is to become more relevant to members by helping them with the training they are required to take to make their businesses succeed."

Noirot encourages members to get involved with the Collision Division Operations Committee.

"If you would like information or have suggestions about a course of action for the Collision Division, call and volunteer for the operations committee," said Noirot. "Several committee member's terms are ending in 2004, and your participation is valued. Terms are for six years and you may only serve once."

To contact the ASA Collision Division, call (800) 272-7467, ext. 229.

Alexis Gross is a communications assistant for the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and a regular contributor to AutoInc. She can be reached at alexisg@asashop.org.

RATE THIS ARTICLE What do you think of this article? Your input will help AutoInc. develop additional articles on this subject. Share your thoughts! Your name Your e-mail address

MOST ACCESSED ARTICLES Fuel Injection Service, Not Just Cleaning The Art of Extraction EGR Systems: Operation and Diagnosis Proactive Target Marketing:_Rethinking Your Business Strategy Engine Performance: HO2S Diagnostics MOST E-MAILED ARTICLES Developing Employee Potential How Critical Thinking Can Help Your Business How to Diagnose the Ford Glow Plug What to Look for When Shopping for the Right Shop Management Software Putting a Price Tag on Complaints

AutoInc. Web Site | ASA Web Site | A Look at Industry Legislative Issues for 2004 | NACE 2003 Recap | Top 10 Automotive Web sites | Mechanical Industry Issues and Trends | Collision Industry Issues and Trends | Salting the Oats | Guest Editorial | Tech to Tech | Tech Tips | Around ASA | Shop Profile | Net Worth | Stat Corner | Chairman's Message