Around ASA
ASA-Ohio member receives education award
Mark Moses, owner of Moses Automotive in Toledo, Ohio, was one of 14 recipients of Northwood University's 1998 Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award.
Presented annually at Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas, the award recognizes automotive aftermarket executives from across the United States for their contribution to the educational process in the field of automotive aftermarket.
Dr. David E. Fry, president and chief executive officer of Northwood University, said the award is given "only to individuals in the automotive aftermarket management field who have made noteworthy contributions to education, public or private, on any level, inside or outside the industry." The recipients are "people of stature," said Fry.
ASA-Washington holds 25th "Lights On" program
In support of National Car Care Month, ASA-Washington conducted free inspections and replacement of exterior vehicle bulbs and headlamps at 15 locations throughout the state.
The ASA-Washington "Lights On" program, held Oct. 10, 1998, was developed to improve fall and winter vehicle driving safety, and is in its 25th year. The annual event is endorsed by a signed proclamation from Washington Gov. Gary Locke.
This year, more than 220 ASA-Washington members, their technicians and technology students from many state vocational/technical training facilities inspected 1,758 vehicles.
ASA charter chairman sells business
Gerber Auto Collision & Glass has reached an agreement to purchase Lehman's Garage Inc. in Minneapolis, Minn. Dick Cossette, AAM, 1975 ASA charter chairman, has owned and operated Lehman's since 1969.
"With all I've seen in this industry throughout the years, one thing remained constant; successful enterprises respect both their customers and their employees. Gerber's belief in these principles is what has made this agreement possible," said Cossette.
ASA-Portland presents the Art Morse Shop of the Year Award
Ferguson Autobody, a second-generation business in Portland, Ore., was selected as the ASA-Portland "1998 Art Morse Shop of the Year." The award was presented to owners Susan Ferguson, AAM, and her husband, J.P. Teets, AAM, in November.
This was the sixth year the ASA-Portland chapter presented the award and it was open to the more than 170 member-businesses in the chapter. The award is given to the chapter shop that demonstrates its commitment to employee training and customer service, as well as its dedication to the industry, the community and the association.
The award is named in honor of the late Art Morse, a shop owner and active ASA-Portland member.
ASA members receive award from U.S. EPA
John Morgan Service in Bellingham, Wash., and Busch Collision in Issaquah, Wash., have become the eighth and ninth Northwest companies to earn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Evergreen Award for Pollution Prevention."
The Evergreen Award is designed to showcase small, medium and large companies in the Pacific Northwest that have clearly incorporated a pollution preventing ethic into their daily business planning.
John Morgan Service has invested in equipment and follows procedures that allow substantial recycling along with minimal waste generation. Their commitment to the environment is reinforced through recognition and encouragement of other members of the automotive industry. John Morgan Service has been an ASA member since 1974. Prevention is the name of the game at the Busch Collision facility. New paint is ordered on an as-needed basis, eliminating the amount of storage and leftover paint. A computerized paint mixing system allows employees to accurately mix only the amount of paint necessary to do each job. The company also provides employee cash incentives for recycling and water-reducing ideas. Freon and other chlorofluorocarbons are also recovered and recycled by on-site certified technicians.
ASA 1999 convention March 16-21 in Bermuda
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced that its 1999 annual convention will be held March 16-21 in Bermuda.
Headquarters hotel will be Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort in Hamilton, Bermuda. Incoming ASA president Walter Trapp and ASA chairman Carl Miller will welcome attendees at the opening general session. They will also recap 1998 association activities. A chairman's reception and banquet will cap activities on March 20.
Among the speakers will be Warren Greshes, who will present "The Power to Be the Best."
AMI seminars will be held on March 19 and 20. Robert Ballard will present a course titled "Reducing Your Employment Risk" and Michael Marks will offer a course titled "New Car Dealers: Are They an Emerging Threat or an Opportunity?"
All collision members are invited to attend the Collision Division meetings and discuss the following topics: automated estimate issues, salvage/used air bag study, refinish subcommittee issues-recommended refinish operations, best business practices-consolidators, and legislative issues.
The ASA Mechanical Division meetings will be bring attendees up to date on information availability, emission and non-emission related concerns, refrigeration, and inspection and maintenance programs.
A second session will be conducted as an informal town hall meeting and panel discussion. In addition to the business sessions, there will be some fun activities too. Scheduled are both a St. George/Dockyard tour and a golf tournament.
Individuals planning on attending the convention will need a passport or a birth certificate with a raised seal and photo ID.
For information on making reservations to attend ASA's annual convention, contact the ASA Meetings Department at (800) 272-7467, ext. 235; or by e-mail (robbiet@asashop.org).
Complete details are online in the Events section.
Reminder of the month
Elections for the 1999 ASA national board of directors will be held Jan. 11, 1999, to Feb. 21, 1999. This year the ASA membership will elect members for the two positions of general director.
The voting process is conducted electronically using a toll-free telephone number. ASA members will vote by entering their member number plus a three-digit security access code. These numbers can be found on the mailing labels of this issue and the February issue of AutoInc. The member number and security code are directly above the addressees' full name and enclosed by parenthesis ( ). Example: (123456 789).
All regular ASA members in good standing are eligible to cast their votes for these two positions. For more information regarding the voting process, please contact ASA at (800) 272-7467, ext. 213.
Members can visit the Members Only section for candidate details.
National News
Despite opposition from Congress and the industry, President Clinton has signed the Kyoto agreement that would commit the United States to significant reductions in greenhouse gases. The Kyoto Accord was reached in Kyoto, Japan, and has been signed by almost 60 nations.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is moving forward with controversial proposed regulations that will severely impact small business. The regulations would require businesses to implement a program to ensure that they are complying with existing OSHA regulations for worker health and safety. The proposed regulation has not been finalized and is still in its draft form. (See full story on page 9.)
The U.S. Congress has passed legislation that will fund transportation projects across the nation for Fiscal Year 1999. The legislation provides $25.5 billion in highway funding, a 20 percent increase over last year.
Top 10 Automotive Repair Web Sites || State Farm Case Reveals Consumer Crash Parts Views || What to Expect When Buying Tools on Credit || Aftermarket Crash Parts || Managing Your Most Precious Commodity - Time || Guest Editorial || Tech to Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking the Hill || Around ASA || Net Worth || Stat Corner || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol.XIVII, January 1999 (http://www.asashop.org)