Poll Shows Positive Outlook

Business will be good in 2009. Or at least a lot of members of the International Automotive Technicians Network (iATN) think so.

More than 60 percent of respondents to a recent iATN online poll forecast an increase in business in 2009. Sixteen percent of respondents expect a dramatic increase, while 45 percent anticipate a slight increase. Business is expected to stay the same in 2009 for an additional 18 percent of respondents.

The poll was added Jan. 5 to the members-only area of iATN, and concluded with approximately 3,600 votes Jan. 29.

For more information, visit www.iatn.net.

Manley's School in Final Four

Manley

Tomorrow's Technician has notified Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colo., that it is in the final four nationally in that magazine's school-of-the-year contest.

That's especially big news for ASA because Smoky Hill is the school where one of the automotive technology instructors is Brian Manley, a regular contributor to AutoInc.'s Tech to Tech Department (in fact, he's this month's writer; click here).

As a regional winner, Smoky Hill has won $5,000 in Chicago Pneumatic tools, shop banners, a plaque and apparel.

If it's named the 2009 School of the Year, it will receive $10,000 in Chicago Pneumatic tools. The winner will be announced soon.

I-CAR Offering New Course

Repairers interested in how improving efficiency can help the bottom line have a new training resource from I-CAR: a live training program called "Overview of Cycle Time Improvements for the Collision Repair Process."

I-CAR says the new course speaks to every employee who has a role in improving cycle time, from the estimator to the technician to the front desk personnel and shop manager. It will allow everyone to gain new knowledge geared toward improved efficiencies and better business practices

For more information, visit the I-CAR Web site: www.i-car.com.

June 8-14 Is Your Special Week!

Don't forget: June 8-14 is National Automotive Service Professionals Week.

ASE launched the special week in 2005 to honor the commitment and dedication of automotive, truck and collision technicians, along with parts specialists and other support professionals who serve the motoring public.

This will be the fourth consecutive year for ASE to continue this recognition. "Twenty-five states issued proclamations honoring National Automotive Service Professionals Week in 2008," said Trish Serratore, ASE senior vice president. "We will once again push to have all 50 states recognize the outstanding work done in 2009 by automotive professionals across the nation."

ASE will provide a form letter and enlist the aid of local shop owners in each state to petition their respective governors to mark this special week.