Int'l Buyer Program Selects ASRW 2012

Automotive Service and Repair Week (ASRW) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce to participate in the U.S. Commercial Service's International Buyer Program (IBP) for 2012.

IBP officials identify and recognize prominent trade exhibitions like ASRW that they determine are good venues for developing new business relationships. The IBP staff will work diligently in the coming year to connect ASRW 2012 exhibitors with international buyers.

"Receiving this prestigious designation from the U.S. Department of Commerce reaffirms ASRW's international influence within the industry," said Ron Pyle, president of the Automotive Service Association, which sponsors ASRW.

ASRW 2011, which includes the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), is scheduled for Oct. 5-8 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

I-CAR Online Course Satisfies EPA Rule

The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) is offering online training that enables individuals to meet the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) NESHAP 6H Final Rule. The rule means any technician who applies atomized coatings must be trained on hazardous airborne pollutant reduction.

Facilities were required to comply by January 2011. For facilities that missed this deadline, it is still required and not too late to meet compliance requirements.

For more information, visit www.TakingTheHill.com and click on "Clean Air Watch" and select "Auto Refinishing." The NESHAP rule is at the bottom.

In other news, I-CAR has announced that it has surpassed its three millionth student. The three millionth student was Kenneth Kloncz of Golden State Collision Center, Yuba City, Calif.

City Honors Bill Sauer

Bill Sauer

The city in which he lives has honored Bill Sauer, the founder of Identifix, a leading information provider for vehicle repair and ASA-sponsored benefit provider.

Sauer lives in St. Anthony Village, a suburb of Minneapolis. The St. Anthony Village Chamber of Commerce has cited Sauer as the "2001 Villager of the Year." The award annually honors a resident who has made outstanding contributions to improve the quality of life in his or her community.

Sauer has taken on many leadership roles in his community. He was one of the founders of the Community Services Advisory Council. He was vice president and later president of the St. Anthony Jaycees in 1968-69, a city council member from 1971 to 1979 and a member of the Vital Aging Council. He has served his community in many other ways.