Wisconsin Automotive News Fall 2014

www.grecopublishing.com

Fall 2014

Plus:John A. Eaves, Jr. to Speak at WACTAL Conference

Where Will Your Next Technicians Come From? Goss Auto Body

Deployed Danger!Counterfeit Airbags Rattle

the Industry

The Official Publication of the Wisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association Ltd.

WAN Fall 2014 1-20.qxp_* December AASP 10/15/14 4:51 PM Page 1


2014-2015 WACTALBOARD of DIRECTORS

PresidentLarry TerrienMJ Collision [email protected]

Vice PresidentMark WilliamsWilliams Auto [email protected]

Secretary/TreasurerRonnie GossGoss Auto Body, [email protected]

DirectorsJames BryhanBryhan's Body & Paint Specialists

Eileen HabermanGlen's Auto Body, Inc.

Randy JohanssonFinishMaster

Art KrolikowskiReedsburg Auto Body Inc.

Mike MiyagawaM & M Auto Body Inc.

Michael TaylorZimbrick Chevrolet-Sun Prairie

Association AdministrationSue [email protected] / [email protected](800) 366-9482

LobbyistJolene [email protected]

Wisconsin Automotive News is published quarterly by Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc., 244Chestnut Street, Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110. Distributed free to qualified recipients; $48 toall others. Additional copies of Wisconsin Automotive News are available at $5 per copy.Reproduction of any portions of this publication is specifically prohibited without written per-mission of the publisher. The opinions and ideas appearing in this magazine are not neces-sarily representations of Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. or of WACTAL. Copyright © 2014 byThomas Greco Publishing, Inc. Cover image © www.thinkstockphoto.com/Melissa Brandes

Fall 2014 Vol. 2 Number 1

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE........................................................5Where Will Your Next Technicians Come From?by Larry Terrien

LOCAL NEWS ....................................................................7Attorney John A. Eaves, Jr. to Speak at WACTAL Spring Conference

WACTAL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ................................................9Goss Auto Body, Menasha, WIby Jacquelyn Bauman

TALKING TECHNICAL ............................................................12Structural Realignment Changes by Larry Montanez III, CDA, and Jeff Lange, PE

FEATURE STORY ................................................................14Deployed Danger: Counterfeit Airbags Rattle the Industryby Joel Gausten

WACTAL BENEFITS ..............................................................17Are You Leaving Money on the Table?

WACTAL “RECRUIT-A-MEMBER” PROGRAM ..................................17

WACTAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION ........................................18

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3Fall 2014

CONTENTS


Fall 20144


Where will your next technicians come from? Well, if you live in Wisconsin, theanswer is probably “from the local technical college.” It would presumably be fair toassume that most of the technicians that we have working in our shops receivedtheir initial training from a Wisconsin technical college; I know all of mine have!

Wisconsin has a reputation of having one of the strongest technical collegesystems in the nation. Their ability to respond quickly and personally to ever-changing workforce development is based on local control, local governance andlocal funding. However, the State Assembly has recently created a study committeeto review the current governance model of the Wisconsin Technical CollegeSystem. The outcome of the study committee is to determine if a new statewidegovernance and funding system should be created-a system that would virtuallyeliminate local control. Implementation of such a system would dramatically affectyour local technical college’s ability to meet local business, industry and studentneeds.

So, what can you do to maintain local control of your technical college? First ofall, it is critical that our legislators understand that we support the current local gov-ernance and funding model for Wisconsin technical colleges. You can call or e-mailyour local representative and the chair of the study committee, Rep. John Nygren.Also, get involved with your local technical college by serving on their advisorycommittee. You can support the local collision repair program by doing a presenta-tion to the class as a guest speaker or by offering a tour of your shop. You can alsospeak at local high schools and encourage them to pursue a technical college edu-cation. The bottom line is simply to get involved. Too many times, I hear people sitand complain about what’s going on around them, but they do absolutely nothingabout it. Only we can control the future of our industry!

Larry TerrienPresidentWisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association Ltd. (WACTAL)

PRESIDENT’SMESSAGE

Where Will Your Next Technicians Come From?

WAN

Fall 2014 5


6 Fall 2014


LocalNEWS

Are you fed up with insuranceadjusters telling you that you are the onlyone who charges fairly for what you do?Are you sick of good customers gettingsteered to other shops? Are you done withsuppressed labor and material rates? Ormaybe you are just tired and frustratedfrom constantly arguing to get paid fairlyfor the work that needs to be done.

Come and get re-energized byattending the WACTAL Spring Conferencein Green Bay on March 6th and 7th,where Attorney John A. Eaves will

enlighten you on the legal actions beingtaken by repairers across the country.John is the plaintiffs’ attorney in lawsuitsthat have recently been brought forthagainst various insurance companies inFlorida, Indiana, Mississippi, Tennesseeand Utah. He has successfully litigatedseveral high profile cases involvingasbestos, pharmaceutical drugs and nurs-ing home care, as well as insurance com-panies.

As Coach Herman Boone (played byDenzel Washington) told his players in themovie Remember the Titans: “This is ourtime.”

This is our time to make a difference!The best way to be effective is to haveeveryone’s voice be heard. The first stepis to attend the conference. Mark your cal-endars for March 6-7!

OVERTIME PAY: Where Do Collision Repairers Fall?Are employers required to pay over-

time or not? It depends! AdministrativeRule DWD 274 provides specific exemp-tions to certain jobs and types of busi-nesses such as cab drivers, computersystem analysts/programmers, executivesand funeral establishments.

Where do collision repair businessesand their employees fall? Again, itdepends. Dealerships have a specificexemption under DWD 274.07, whichstates:

“Parts persons, salesper-sons, service managers, servicewriters or mechanics selling orservicing automobiles, trucks,farm implements, trailers, boats,motorcycles, snowmobiles, otherrecreational vehicles or aircraft,when employed by a non-manu-facturing establishment primarilyengaged in selling such vehiclesto ultimate purchasers.”

Independent collision repair shops donot fall under the specific exemptionafforded to dealerships. However, com-missioned/flat rate employees may beexempt. According to a letter from theDepartment of Workforce Development(DWD) in June 1999:

“The specific overtimeexemption would be the higherpaid commissioned employee ofa retail or service establishment.To qualify for this exemption, anemployee must meet three crite-ria: 1) The employee must workfor a retail or service establish-ment. Auto collision repair shopsare service establishments. Thusyou meet these criteria. 2) Theemployee must receive at least50 percent of their wages fromcommission. Persons whoreceive compensation basedupon a flat rate are consideredcommissioned employees. Sincean employee need only receiveat least half of their wages fromflat rate, an employer maychoose to pay workers a subsis-tence wage in addition to the flatrate. 3) The employee must paythe worker total wages for allhours worked that average atleast 1 ½ times the minimumwage.”

On August 5, 2014, a representativefrom DWD confirmed the above explana-tion. Again, the employee must receive atleast 50 percent of their wages from com-mission and 1.5 times the minimum wageis received for all hours worked. Currently,that would be $10.88 for all hours worked.

This article is provided as informationonly. Examine your pay programs. Consultan attorney, DWD and/or the FederalDepartment of Labor for clarification onpay programs specific to your business.

Fall 2014 7

Attorney John A. Eaves,Jr. to Speak at WACTALSpring Conference

John A. Eaves

WAN


Fall 20148


Fall 2014

WACTALMEMBERSPOTLIGHT

Goss Auto Body Menasha, WIGoss Auto Body Menasha, WI

For many in the collision repair industry, afocus on family and a commitment to continu-ing education are parts of everyday business.For Ronnie Goss, the owner of Goss AutoBody in downtown Menasha, this is especiallytrue. The facility – passed down to him by hisfather and coming up on its 50th year in busi-ness – has operated for decades with a long-time dedication to creating a legacy of educa-tion. After speaking with Goss, it is apparentthat this mindset has impacted the way that heruns his business.

As Ronnie explains, the shop wasopened in 1964 by his parents, Tim andSandy, and it was the place where he spent alarge chunk of his childhood.

“Mom and Dad couldn’t afford a babysit-ter, so my brother and I always came downhere,” Goss jokes. When he was younger, heworked around the shop doing odd jobs for thelocal minimum wage (only $3.14 at the time!).In that time, Ronnie learned the ins and outsof the collision repair business, and after leav-ing the shop briefly to work at the local mill inKimberly, he returned full time in May of 1993.Ultimately, he purchased the shop from hisfather in 2010.

After taking the shop over from the elderGoss, it was only natural that Ronnie wouldcontinue the shop’s 28-year membership inthe Wisconsin Auto Collision TechniciansAssociation, LTD (WACTAL) as well. As henotes, he not only continued the shop’sinvolvement in the association, but took it astep further by joining its board as theSecretary Treasurer.

When asked about his greatest accom-plishment, after joking that he “never reallyaccomplished anything,” Goss admits that, tohim, his most significant achievement hasbeen running the shop all on his own.However, in talking to him, it doesn’t take longto see another benchmark of his career:Promoting the future of the industry.

“One of the things we’ve always beeninvolved in is youth and getting young peopleinvolved in our industry,” he states. Goss AutoBody has been an I-CAR Gold Class facility

for over 20 years, providing valuable trainingto its employees in an ever-changing industry.Further, Goss stays ahead of the curve bybringing in new sets of eyes and hands, andfrequently employs students from the localtechnical schools and high schools. One stu-dent-turned-employee in particular, AlexHenderson, has directly benefited fromRonnie’s dedication, with the help of WACTAL.

As Goss explains, it was Peter Worley,one of Henderson’s teachers at Appleton EastHigh School, who first alerted him to the prom-ising student.

“I had gotten to know Peter prior to meet-ing Alex,” he explains. “He called me one dayand said, ‘I’ve got a student down here inter-ested in getting into the collision repair indus-try. Why don’t you come out and meet him?’”Goss’ reaction was an enthusiastic ‘yes.’ Alexstarted working at the shop in October of lastyear and showed potential right away. After hisgraduation, Goss had him apply for the WAC-TAL-funded Auto Collision Scholarship Award,presented through the Wisconsin Automobileand Truck Dealers Association (WATDA). Theaward is a tribute to Ron Paleman, a formerteacher who remained committed to educationeven after becoming the owner of an automo-bile dealership.

According to Sue Peterson, WACTALexecutive director, “The process [for selectinga candidate] is quite extensive…there are a lotof things that come into play.” All of the appli-cants must fill out an application, participate inan interview process, pass a series of testsand submit a high school transcript.Throughout the years, WATDA has awardedalmost 1,600 scholarships to applicants repre-senting the fields of collision, diesel, automo-tive, and motorcycle repair, investing “over $6million in young people’s careers.” Henderson– the winner of the Auto Collision ScholarshipAward – was one of three winners out of 113applicants for the WATDA scholarships. Hewas awarded $2,000 towards his tuition and,although the scholarship permits Henderson touse his scholarship at any NATEF certifiedWisconsin Technical College, he will beremaining close to home. Fox Valley TechnicalCollege is right around the corner from GossAuto Body, where he will continue to get hisjob training and mentorship. In addition to the$500-per-semester installments Hendersonwill be receiving if he maintains a 2.8 GPA, hewill be granted a Snap-on Corporation tool setvalued at $3,525.

For Goss, this scholarship is not justabout the monetary reward, but also the senseof accomplishment it provides to the recipient.

“I think it’s wonderful that these youngstudents get to have this recognition,” he says,noting that Henderson will not be the last freshset of hands into which he’s looking to get theWACTAL scholarship.

“I have a student working for me rightnow from Freedom High School who is a sen-ior, and come graduation, he’ll have a WAC-TAL scholarship application in his hands, too.”

At Goss’s shop, he provides the best ofboth worlds, combining familial aspects withthe education necessary to get new blood intothe trade. In an ever-changing industry that isalways in need of new additions, this is trulyan accomplishment to be proud of.

WAN

9

Ronnie Goss presents Alex Hendersonwith the WACTAL Auto CollisionScholarship Award

by Jacquelyn Bauman


10 Fall 2014

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11Fall 2014

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12 Fall 2014

TalkingTECHNICAL

Structural Realignment Changes

Through our visits to repair facilities and in ourtraining classes, we have seen and heard some trou-bling things. Many shops are still using structuralrealignment (frame equipment) apparatus that maybelong in the Smithsonian. Many in our industry (bothinsurers and shops) are misguided on how to actuallyaffix/anchor the vehicle to the apparatus, and manythink that sill “pinch weld” clamps are the norm andstill acceptable. This article is will hopefully clear upsome of these misconceptions, misunderstandingsand/or misinformation in our industry.

For many years, we have known that mostGerman vehicles cannot be anchored by thesill/pinch welds. This was due to the configuration ofthe rocker panel mating flanges, which include adhe-sives that can be damaged. In addition, rocker panelflanges are not designed to withstand the forces theway they are applied during mounting. We have seenover the past few years that high-end German engi-neering designs are being utilized in lower-pricedvehicles. For example, the 2014 Dodge Dart andJeep Grand Cherokee are now utilizing the CompactUS Wide platform design, which does not supportjacking or anchoring at the rocker panel matingflanges/sill panels (pinch welds). Although you willhave to affix the vehicle to the realignment apparatusby the sill clamps, Dodge/Jeep states that you mayanchor the vehicle by the sills. However, you mustanchor in at least two other areas, such as the frontor rear suspension mounting areas. Otherwise, youcan cause damage to the sill areas during pullingprocedures. Generally, this will mean you will need toanchor a fixture or jig to the engine cradle or rearsuspension cradle mounting areas. This will requirethe removal of the mounting bolts and/or removal ofthe cradle. Some manufacturers state in their repairprocedures that there is adhesive in the sill matingflanges, and anchoring in these areas will destroy theadhesive bond, weakening the area.

Unless you are using a Celette Bench or a uni-versal fixture system (which anchor and measure thevehicle in multiple areas), most late-model vehiclesrequire additional anchoring. These types of systemsaffix a jig fixture/universal fixture to the machine andto the vehicle to support and hold other areas on itfor measuring and realignment procedures. Many

By Larry Montanez III, CDA and Jeff Lange, PE

Procedure and Description: Car-O-Liner Labor

Pre-measure vehicle: This will determine the extent of damageand if structural realignment is necessary (or remove and replace the component). 1.0 Frame

Measure suspension components: This will determine if the suspensionsustained any damage. 1.0 Frame

Set Up on Realignment Apparatus: This would include assembling clamps,installing the vehicle, affixing the clamps, removal of the vehicle and clamps, cleaning and replacement of the clamps. 3.0 Frame

EVO Anchoring left front uni-rails (upper and lower): This operationis to ensure that the rails are held in the correct position during the replacement procedures. (Three are required at 0.5 Frame per) 1.5 Frame

Check measurements during the repair process 1.0 Frame

Repair Anchoring Locations 1.5 Body

Refinish Anchoring Locations 1.2 Refinish

Add for Clearcoat 0.4 Refinish

Acid Etch/Epoxy/Primer Anchoring Locations 0.8 Refinish

Mask Underside for Primer and Paint $15/0.6 Body

R&I All Four Wheels 0.4 Mech

Trial Fit Weld-On/Bolt-On for Replacement 3.0 Body

Collision Access Time 1.5 Body

Totals $15.00 7.5 Frame 6.6 Body 2.4 Refinish 0.4 Mech

shops have an issue because their equipment is antiquated and not designed for theanchoring and repairing of late-model vehicles. Many times, we see vehicles with chainshooked into areas on the undercarriage or into uni-rails. This will cause damage to theseareas because they were not designed to have force applied to them. Additionally, we mustall understand that electronic measuring or fixture measuring is the only correct way torealign a collision-damaged vehicle.

One of the main issues we see is damage assessors (estimators) unfamiliar with theproper equipment and procedure for affixing a vehicle to the realignment apparatus. Inaddition, we hear all too often, “We only get paid 2.0 hours to set up and measure.” Wealso hear technicians say, “I ain’t got time to set it up, cause we didn’t get paid for it.” Thisway of thinking needs to change. We cannot arbitrarily skip repair procedures because wedidn’t get paid for them. Those operations still need to be performed.

Surprisingly, it can take upwards of 2.0 hours to set a vehicle up on a realignmentapparatus and another 2.0 hours to clean and replace all of the anchoring clamps/fixtures.That would be 4.0 hours to set up the vehicle, and that may or may not include measuring.We know too many of us have been fooled into thinking that 2.0 hours for set-up andmeasure is the norm. Although it may have been at some point in the past, it is no longerenough time (nor is it published anywhere) that studies have established that using 2.0


13Fall 2014

hours is normal and customary. Then there are the many proceduresand operations to affix the vehicle to the realignment apparatus thatmany of you perform without realizing they are not included. For exam-ple, let’s use a 2014 Toyota Camry with a frontal impact. The vehiclerequires a left lower front uni-rail (frame rail) and a left upper front uni-rail. Let’s look at the setup procedures for structural repairs on a Car-O-Liner system and on a Celette Bench. The procedures and labor times inthe charts listed in this article are for example only and in no way asuggestion of procedures and labor times for each operation.

As you can see, there are a lot of procedures to structural realign-ment that your techs are performing without a charge. Remember thateach vehicle repair is slightly different, but structural repair on collision-damaged vehicles generally remains the same, based on the type ofstructural realignment equipment utilized. Please keep in mind thatmeasuring and diagnosing are the most important steps to any structuralrepair. Also understand that we did not include realignment time/pulltime, as we could not show the damage in an article. In some cases, norealignment would be required, due to the fact that all the damage isbeing changed at a mating area that is undamaged. It is always impor-tant to keep upgrading your equipment and stay up to date on training.Vehicles are changing every single year, and newer types of substrates

are just around the corner. Remember that our industry has grown frompanel beaters and “heavy guys” to repair technicians and structural tech-nicians to para-engineers.

We hope this article has helped the industry to better understandthe changes to structural realignment and why upgrading your equip-ment is so important. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Larry Montanez, CDA is co-owner of P&L Consultants with Peter Pratti Jr. P&LConsultants works with collision repair shops on estimating, production and proper repairprocedures. P&L conducts repair workshops on MIG & resistance welding, measuring forestimating and advanced estimating skills. P&L also conducts investigations for insurersand repair shops for improper repairs, collision repairability and estimating issues. P&L canbe reached by contacting Larry at (718) 891-4018 (office), (917) 860–3588 (cell), (718)646–2733 (fax) or via email at [email protected]. The P&L website iswww.PnLEstimology.com.

Jeff Lange, PE is a Forensic Engineer and president of Lange Technical Services, Ltd. ofDeer Park, New York. Jeff is a Licensed New York State Professional Engineer, ASECertified Master Technician and ASE Certified Master Collision Repair Technician who spe-cializes in vehicle damage analysis for accident reconstruction, products liability and insur-ance claims investigation. Jeff can be reached at (631) 667-6128 or by email [email protected].

WAN

Procedure and Description: Celette Labor

Pre-measure vehicle: This will determine theextent of damage and if structural realignment is necessary (or remove and replace the component). 1.0 Frame

Measure suspension components: This will determineif the suspension sustained any damage. 1.0 Frame

Set Up on Realignment Apparatus: This would include affixing the fixture Towers and MZ Plus, installing thevehicle, affixing the fixtures to the vehicle, removal of the vehicle and fixtures, cleaning and replacement ofthe fixtures and hardware. Eight Locations(four front and four rear) 4.0 Frame

Additional fixtures left front uni-rails (upper and lower): This operation is to ensure thatthe rails are held in the correct position during the replacement procedures.(Two are required at 0.5 Frame per) 1.0 Frame

Check measurements during the repair process 1.0 Frame

Repair Anchoring Locations 1.5 Body

Refinish Anchoring Locations 1.2 Refinish

Add for Clearcoat 0.4 Refinish

Acid Etch/Epoxy/Primer Anchoring Locations 0.8 Refinish

Mask Underside for Primer and Paint $15/0.6 Body

R&I All Four Wheels 0.4 Mech

Trial Fit Weld-On/Bolt-On for Replacement 3.0 Body

Collision Access Time 1.5 Body

Totals $15.00 8.0 Frame 6.6 Body 2.4 Refinish 0.4 Mech


If a product seems too good to be true, it probably is. In the race to make each auto repair job as profitable as

possible, some shops could be tempted to purchase a deeplydiscounted airbag, typically manufactured in another country andsold online. However, as the US Government is making abun-dantly clear, these airbags are most likely fakes that can placeyour customer – and your freedom – in jeopardy.

In an effort to reach out to the automotive community on thisgrowing issue, representatives from the Department of HomelandSecurity and other agencies appeared at the July 29 CollisionIndustry Conference (CIC) in Detroit to warn attendees about thesad and dangerous reality of counterfeit airbag use in today’sindustry.

William Hayes, a deputy special agent for the Department,suggested that an airbag’s retail cost is a good way to determineif what you’re buying is real or a poor imitation.

“If a legitimate item is $1,000 and you’re getting it ‘on sale’for $400, that price is often a very good indicator of a counter-feit,” he said.

China and Hong Kong made 82 percent of the counterfeitgoods seized by the Department in the last year. When India andPakistan are added, the number increases to 86 percent. Most ofthe items seized are coming into the US through small parcelsshipped via Express Mail or the US Postal Service. Even worse,some fake airbags are entering the country on commercial pas-senger airlines and even end up in military vehicles, placingAmerican soldiers at risk.

The fight against the distribution and use of counterfeitairbags is being advanced by the National Intellectual PropertyRights Coordination Center (IPR Center), a collaborative effort of21 federal and international partner agencies.

“We tell you this to warn you in the collision industry,” offered

Andrew Florell, national program manager for the IPR Center’sOperation Engine Newity. “This threat is out there. Look for it;deal with reputable individuals. Do not buy things from China,and be very cautious when dealing with online marketplaces.”

Not surprisingly, the government is coming down hard onanyone caught selling these dangerous items. One counterfeiterin North Carolina, Igor Borodin, was caught with 1,514 fakeairbags and $60,000 in cash in 2012. He pled guilty to the distri-bution of counterfeit merchandise and illegal possession ofexplosive devices, forfeiting $1.7 million in sales proceeds.Borodin was later sentenced to 84 months in federal prison andwill be deported to Russia when his term is completed.

Although the distribution of counterfeit airbags is clearly anissue in other parts of the country, the trend doesn’t appear to bemaking any great headway in Wisconsin.

“I’ve heard the horror stories about shops doing that, but Ihave not seen it personally or run across it,” offers WACTALPresident Larry Terrien (MJ Collision, Green Bay). “We’ve neverseen any cars that were repaired that had counterfeit airbags inthem.”

A former auto body instructor for 30 years, Terrien believesthat the lack of these airbags in his market stems from the indus-try’s commitment to doing the right thing for customers.

“When I was [instructing] at school, [one thing] we alwaystried to instill in the students was ethics and repairing every carlike your mom or sisters would be driving it,” he says.

Although he had no knowledge or experience concerningcounterfeit airbags prior to being contacted by WisconsinAutomotive News for comment, WACTAL member Al Utzig (UtzigCARSTAR, Janesville) subsequently devoted time to researchingthe topic online. He was shocked to see how easy it was to findthese products with the click of a computer key.

FeatureSTORY

Deployed Danger:Counterfeit Airbags Rattle the Industryby Joel Gausten

Fall 201414


15Fall 2014

“I wouldn’t want the general public to think that shop ownersare going out to try to find a way to just cheapen a repair,” hesays. “I would think most shop owners who care about whatthey’re doing are going to want to do a good job. I can’t evenfathom that [installing a counterfeit airbag] is something a shopowner would seriously look at doing; apparently, you can buythese things for just about anything you want.”

Not surprisingly, many Wisconsin shops avoid using anyairbag that isn’t 100 percentfrom the original equipmentmanufacturer.

“There’s no way wewould ever consider puttingan aftermarket airbag in,”offers WACTAL memberBernie Berenz (Stenz AutoBody, Mount Calvary). “Wedo most of our work with theinsurance companies andthey won’t allow it; it has tobe OEM...They won’t evenput in a used one out of a car that’s never been deployed.”

While he has never utilized a used or counterfeit airbag him-self, Art Krolikowski of Reedsburg Auto Body (Reedsburg) notesthat these practices do go on in his industry.

“It’s just not a good idea of course, but there are shops thatare willing to do it to cut corners and put money in their pockets,”he reveals. “It’s a big no-no; we’re talking about saving some-body’s life here. Any shop [technician] who does it has to havehis or her head examined.

“The shops we have to worry about are the backyard guyswho fix cars in a chicken coop, don’t follow regulations and just

get the car out to get it out,” he adds. “It’s sad.”Naturally, using knockoff airbags allows a repairer to save

costs in the repair process – something that is always of interestto the insurance industry. However, one would be hard-pressedto find a facility in this market - referral or otherwise - willing togo this far to reduce costs. In Terrien’s mind, the ultimate use orprevention of counterfeit airbags in the collision repair industrycomes down to personal and professional morality.

“A lot of [people inthe industry] are saying, ‘Allthese DRPs are being forcedto take shortcuts and they’recompromising the safety ofthe cars,’” he says. “I’m surethere are some of those, butyou can’t just generalize andsay just because [a shop] isa DRP that they’re takingshortcuts and compromisingsafety.”

The NationalIntellectual Property Rights Coordination Center urges the colli-sion repair industry to spread the word about the agency’s workand to contact them if a shop has any information regardingcounterfeit airbags. More information is available athttp://www.iprcenter.gov/contact-us.

“This threat is out there.Look for it; deal with reputable individuals. Do not buy things from

China, and be very cautious when dealing

with online marketplaces.”

WAN


Fall 201416

Increase Your Salesand Support the

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Get In on the Start ofSomething BIG!

Contact Alicia Figurelli973-667-6922

[email protected]



17Fall 2014

If you’re a WACTAL member and insured with West Bend Mutual Insurance, you’re well aware of the savings youreceive under the WACTAL Business Insurance Program. If you’re NOT a WACTAL member and you’re insured with WestBend Mutual Insurance, you’re “leaving money on the table.” Already a member but not insured with West Bend Mutual?Request a quote from West Bend Mutual on insurance coverage for your business.

Under the program, members receive a special seven percent discount on all business coverages except Umbrellaand Workers Compensation. In most cases, the premium savings are more than enough to cover the cost of membershipdues. In addition to the premium discount, Business Income Coverage and Station Damage Coverage are included.Typically, a premium is charged for each of these special coverages. This amounts to more $avings!

One member with dues of $275 realized a savings of $900 this year. Savings, of course, are based on premium – yoursavings may be higher or lower.

This program is only available through local independent insurance agents who represent West Bend. Like you,they’re independent business people. For more information, contact an agency that represents West Bend. For the nameof an agency nearest you, visit www.thesilverlining.com.

“Recruit-a-Member”Member Program

For each member an existing WACTAL member recruits, the sponsoring (existing)member will receive a one-time $50 credit toward their membership dues.

There is no limit on the number of members an existing member can recruit.If the dollar amount of the credits exceeds the sponsoring member’s annual dues,

the excess amount will carry forward to subsequent years.

No monies will be paid out and credits cannot be cashed out. Credits cannot be split amongst multiple members.

The sponsoring member’s individual and business name must be listed on the new member’s Application for Membership as the sponsoring member.

If the new member had been a WACTAL memberduring the prior calendar year, no commission will be allowed.

This program can be rescinded or amended without prior notice. In the event theprogram is rescinded or amended, credits for applications received after the change will beprocessed under the new program. No credits will be issued if the program is rescinded.

WACTALBENEFITS

Are You LeavingMoney On The Table?


Fall 201418

WISCONSIN AUTO COLLISION TECHNICIANS ASSOCIATION, LTD.W226 S1742 State Road 164 S

Waukesha, WI 53186PH: 262-542-7707 or 800-366-9472

FAX: [email protected]

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Business Name ______________________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________

City ______________________________________ State ______________Zip ______________________

Phone ____________________________________ Fax __________________________________________

Contact____________________________________ Title__________________________________________

Email ______________________________________________________________________________________

Preference for communications from WACTAL: � Email � Fax � Mail

Number of Employees (including owners): Technicians______ Office______

Number of years in business: __________________ Date of Application: ____________________________

I hereby apply for membership in the Wisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association, Ltd. I promise to abide bythe association’s By-Laws and Code of Ethics. I understand that any signs, decals or emblems provided by theassociation remain the property of the association, and I agree to return them to the association upon termination ofmembership. I understand that the use of the association logo and identification is authorized only as long as mymembership is maintained.

Authorized Signature __________________________________________________________________________

DUES: Membership dues are based on the number of employees, including active officers, partners & owners.Part-time employees count as 1/2. Annual dues schedule is as follows:

Sole Owner, No Employees $145 10-15 Employees $325 30+ Employees $4952-4 Employees $235 16-19 Employees $375 Associate Member $2505-9 Employees $275 20-29 Employees $445 School Member $250

WACTAL accepts Mastercard & VISA. Contact the WACTAL office if you wish to make payment with Mastercard or VISA.

Sponsoring Member __________________________________________________________________________________

03/2013


19Fall 2014



Wisconsin Automotive News Fall 2014

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