News Briefs
ARA Disapproves Of FTC "Recycling" Definition
With scarce landfill space and declining natural resources, it should be the intent of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to provide incentives for all methods of recycling as long as the goal of conserving natural resources and diverting wastes is achieved, according to comments submitted to the FTC by the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) in November 1996.At issue is a definition of "recycling" within the FTC Environmental Marketing Guides that fails to include the term "reuse" and states that for a product to be recycled, it must be diverted and used as a raw material in the manufacture of a new product. ARA has taken the position that the definition discriminates against methods of recycling such as the standard automotive industry practice of manufacturing products from reused parts, which should be considered recycled parts.
A "recycled product" should be described as material that has been recovered or otherwise diverted from the waste stream, according to ARA. "The way the guides are currently written, the FTC encourages the waste of precious natural resources," said William P. Steinkuller, ARA executive vice president. "The automotive recycling industry provides a prolific and thriving infrastructure to remove automotive parts from the waste stream and return them to the economic mainstream."
Service Station And Garage Population Declines
The service station and garage population in the United States decreased from 227,000 to 155,000 outlets between 1980 and 1996, according to Lang Marketing Resources Inc., a consulting and analysis firm."The second oil crisis and subsequent growth of gas-and-go operations triggered this decline, which advanced at an avalanche pace during the 1980s but has slowed somewhat over the past several years," said James A. Lang, president of Lang Marketing Resources.
Many of these service and garage outlets perform light vehicle repair - in 1980, they accounted for nearly half of the products installed by mechanics in the United States, according to Lang. By 1996, service stations and garages represented only 35 percent of the product volume installed.
ASE Celebrates 25th Anniversary
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Founded June 12, 1972, ASE is planning numerous promotional activities and events in honor of the 25th anniversary of the professional automotive technician.The promotional agenda will showcase ASE's ongoing public and industry awareness campaigns to accomplish the following on behalf of the working technician and auto repair industry: reach more consumers with information about ASE-certified technicians, provide consumers with useful auto care information, educate consumer organizations about the ASE certification program, and reach young people and parents about career opportunities in the industry.
Management Seminar Focuses On Shop Productivity
DuPont has introduced the third seminar in its Shop Management Analysis and Real-World Technologies (S.M.A.R.T.) series of seminars - S.M.A.R.T. Production - an intensive eight-hour session that concentrates on shop productivity for shop owners and managers.The seminar, approved by the Automotive Service Association Management Institute (ASAMI), addresses such topics as internal communications; personnel roles and relationships; efficiency metrics; estimate formats; tracking systems; work orders; parts and paint management; shop layout; job cost analysis; performance incentives; and shop mission and standards.
For more information call (800) 553-1313.
Some Businesses Must Pay Federal Taxes Electronically
Any business or organization that paid more than $50,000 in employment taxes in 1995 is required to start making all federal tax payments electronically by July 1, 1997. These employers will make their deposits through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), a system that eliminates most of the paperwork in the tax coupon system.With EFTPS, businesses make their federal tax payments in-house, with the push of a button on a phone or a personal computer. Businesses should send in their enrollment forms (Form 9779) by May 1, 1997, to give the IRS time to process them.
For information, call (800) 555-4477 or (800) 945-8400, or visit the IRS Department of Treasury Web site (http://www.irs.ustreas.gov).
Machinist Award Competition Is Open
Competition for the 1997 Perfect Circle Machinist of the Year award is currently open to any automotive machinist certified in the Engine Machinist Certification Program developed by ASE in conjunction with the Automotive Engine Rebuilder's Association (AERA). Entries will be accepted through March 15, 1997. For more information, call (610) 279-1234.ASA Main Page || AutoInc. Main Page
1997: A Test For Regulatory Review || Directions In Management || DIS: Using An Automotive Scope || Bridging The Gap || Paint Shop Health Concerns || Adequate Respirators Crucial For Employee Health || Guest Editorial: Nine Characteristics Of A Target Customer || Tech To Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking The Hill || Around ASA || Shop Profile || Net Worth || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLV No. 2, February 1997