State Farm's Electronic Parts Ordering Test
In an on-camera interview, State Farm's George Avery talks about what the insurer hopes to achieve through this electronic parts ordering program.

ASA Taking Aim on Total-Loss Bills and McCarran Ferguson Repeal
Bob Redding says waning Right to Repair fight frees association to look at legislative goals for 2007 and beyond. On the agenda: total-loss disclosure, and the repeal of McCarran Ferguson.

I-CAR Welding Qualification Tests Hit the Open Road
With a fleet of eight new trucks, I-CAR is now taking welding tests directly to shops all across North America. We had to take a look.

Moreland Provides Update on SCRS Activities Over Past Year
Progress made on non-OEM parts, estimate rekeying and database issues.

FIX Auto Develops Shop Technology for Use Beyond the Network Membership
The successful development of IT solutions for its member shops has led to the release of technology that any shop can use, and they may now have a solution to eliminate estimate rekeying.

Improving Industry Image:
More than an Exercise in Public Relations
The National Auto Body Council's new president, Guy Bargnes, believes that improving the image of the industry can have a profound effect on its future health.

New EPA Refinish Regulations are Coming, and this Time They’re Serious
The EPA is writing new regulations for the refinish industry, and they are looking at everything from sanding and painting to welding and waste management.

Half of All Shops Could Could Fail Without Industry-Wide Change
Ed Kizenberger, executive director of the Long Island Repairmen's Association, believes that repairers must change their behavior if they hope to avoid the fate of repairers in other countries.

SCRS Names New Chairman, Elects Board of Directors
Tom Moreland of Akzo Nobel elected chair. Interview with the first corporate member to hold the position of SCRS chairman. He views the position as similar to the support role he plays as a supplier.

Joint Task Force Set to Begin Talks with Database Providers
Lou DiLisio, SCRS Chairman and task force member, discusses some issues the task force would like to resolve with the estimating database providers.

Matt Ohrnstein, Dan Pettigrew
A New Beginning for Caliber Collision
Caliber's new CEO says the company is ready to re-emerge as a growth leader. We sat down with Dan Pettigrew, the new CEO, and Matt Ohrnstein, Caliber's Chairman to find out where they see Caliber headed.

Rick Tuuri
New CIC Chair Would Like to Guide the Group with a Vision
The new leader of CIC would like the participants to adopt a shared vision of the future, and move in a direction to achieve that vision.
Video interview with Rick Tuuri.

Dan Risley
SCRS Releases Initial Results of Aftermarket Parts Study
Initial data shows high level of parts returns. SCRS requests that repairers assist by completing a form when they order certified aftermarket parts.

Brian Vesley
New Jersey Legislation to Address Aftermarket Parts
Addressing issues beyond simple consumer consent, these bills could make insurance company affiliated parts certifiers no longer legally recognized in the state of New Jersey. AASP's Brian Vesley discusses the reasons behind the new bills.

Bob Redding
Part 1 of 2
Insurer-Owned Shop Legislation: Coming to a State Near You
In the first of a two-part interview, ASA's Washington D.C. Representative Bob Redding shares his thoughts about upcoming insurer-owned shop legislation, the Allstate-Sterling lawsuit in Texas, and how it's all affecting the industry.

Part 2 of 2
Non-OEM Parts - A Viable Solution to the Never Ending Battle 
On the legislative front, ASA's Bob Redding has been dealing with the arguments over the use of aftermarket parts for years, and as he sees it, there is only one viable solution to finally settle the issue for all parties involved.

Dan Risley
National Industry Issues Forum Focused on Repairers Only 
SCRS Executive Director Dan Risley discusses how the NIIF is unique because it focuses exclusively on the concerns of repairers and the issues they face, with the goal of solving problems.

Doug Kelly
Fix Auto Putting Performance Before Brand
There are other networks in the industry looking to create brand awareness, but Fix Auto is approaching brand in a way that puts performance first. And they intend to guarantee it.

Bill Lawrence
Caliber Rejects Lawsuit Settlement Offer, Company President Responds to Charges 
Caliber was offered a chance to settle the suit, but turned it down. Bill Lawrence openly discusses the company's stance on the charges filed against them.

Jon McNeill
Sterling's CEO Seeks to Dispel Misconceptions About Allstate-Owned Repair Chain 
Will Sterling be on every street corner? Do Allstate employees run Sterling? Will other insurers follow Allstate's lead? Sterling CEO Jon McNeill answers those questions and more.

David McClune
California Considering Numerous Bills Affecting Collision Repairers 
California is back in the news this year with legislation affecting the collision repair industry. Issues range from steering laws to shop report cards. David McClune, Executive Director of the California Autobody Association gives us his take. 

Ron Ray
I-CAR Education Foundation's PACE+ST3 Program Enjoying Success From the Start 
After being tested in three schools over the past year, the idea behind the PACE+ST3 program seems to have been the right one. 

Bob Redding
Legislative Conversations with Bob Redding,
ASA's Washington D.C. Representative 
In a three-part interview, Bob Redding discusses several legislative topics that have been in the headlines recently, including plans for more insurer-owned shop legislation, crash parts legislation, and why the ASA's information availability agreement with the OEMs was a great achievement for the industry. 

David Newton-Ross
Preferred Repairer System in Australia Under Fire in Federal Court 
A group of repairers has taken Australia's largest auto insurer to court seeking to put a stop to the insurer's preferred repairer network. David Newton-Ross of the Collision Repair Specialists of Australia (CRSA) talks about the court case and a little about the current difficulty in Australia with DRP programs. 

Tom McGee
New CEO Sees Role of I-CAR Increasing in Importance to the Industry
The new CEO of I-CAR discusses the long and short term direction he sees the organization taking, as well as what the future may hold for Gold Class, the Industry Training Alliance, and program availability, content and delivery.

John Norris
Toronto Aims Environmental SWAT Teams at Collision Repair Facilities
John Norris, Executive Director of Toronto's Collision Industry Action Group (CIAG) discusses the importance as well as the benefits of environmental compliance for a shop, beyond just avoiding the SWAT teams.

Doug Kelly
Fix Auto Stresses the Power of Brand and Value of Services for Independents
Looking to compete in the same markets as the big boys like Caliber, Boyd and ABRA; Fix Auto does not own the stores in its network, instead relying on a cohesive group of independently owned shops. We talked with Doug Kelly, president and COO of Fix Auto, to ask what makes Fix tick.

Hinda Chalew
ADP's New Plan for Electronic Claims Handling
ADP is now embracing open-standards, the existence of which was threatened only a year ago by the same company. We interviewed ADP's VP of Product Management Hinda Chalew to ask about the recent AutoVista acquisition, their newly announced electronic claims management system, and what's in store for ADP and information sharing.

Ron Ray
The I-CAR Education Foundation's Promising New Training Initiative
The I-CAR Education Foundation announced a new training initiative at NACE last week, and the program may just redefine entry-level tech training. We interviewed Ron Ray, Executive Director of the foundation and he told us how this program is not only what the industry asked for, it's what the industry needs.