Meadowbrook Rating Upgraded

Meadowbrook Insurance Group - an ASA benefit provider - has announced that A.M. Best Company has raised the financial strength rating of Meadowbrook Insurance Group and its subsidiary insurance carriers to "A-" (Excellent), from "B++" (Very Good).

Robert S. Cubbin, president and chief executive officer of Meadowbrook Insurance Group, said, "With our A- rating, we are well-positioned to attract additional solid underwriting prospects from new and existing insurance programs and should realize significant cost savings going forward."

Akzo Nobel Accepting Nominations

Akzo Nobel is now accepting nominations for the 2007 Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry. Several ASA members have been recognized with this honor in previous years.

The deadline for nominations is July 27, and the winners will be announced in November in Las Vegas. For more information or to place nominations for this distinction, visit < ahref="http://www.AkzoNobelCarRefinishes.net"> www.AkzoNobelCarRefinishes.net. You may also submit your nomination via fax to Scott Emerine at (423) 929-7222 or by e-mail to semerine@cenergy.com.

CustomerLink Acquires AutoLoyal Business

AutoLoyal and CustomerLink have announced CustomerLink's acquisition of AutoLoyal's automotive service center customer relationship management business.

All AutoLoyal customers will be transferred to CustomerLink. CustomerLink will now fulfill customer communications previously provided by AutoLoyal.

Both CustomerLink and AutoLoyal are ASA benefit providers.

MACS Reminds Industry of Law

From the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) comes a reminder: Section 609 of the U.S. Clean Air Act requires all service technicians to be certified in proper refrigerant recovery and recycling.

That has been the law since 1990, yet many service professionals are still unaware of the requirements or have ignored them, says MACS.

Service industry members can avoid serious fines by making sure all technicians are Section 609 certified. The cost for testing and credentials is $15.

For more information, visit www.macsw.org/certification.php

Three ASA Members on WIN Board

Three members of the Automotive Service Association are on the board of directors of the recently founded Women's Industry Network (WIN). They are Geralynn Kottschade of Jerry's Body Shop in Mankato, Minn.; Kathy Mello of TGIF Body Shop in Fremont, Calif.; and Gigi Walker of Walker's Auto Body and Fleet Repair in Concord, Calif.

They were announced at WIN's inaugural conference April 29-May 1 in Phoenix, which was attended by more than 115 people from more than a dozen states and Canada.

For more information, visit www.womensindustrynetwork.com.

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