Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-25 Aug. 24, 2006

ASA Collision Division Operations Committee Holds Meeting in Michigan, Discusses Parts Certification Process

BEDFORD, TEXAS, Aug. 24, 2006 - The Automotive Service Association's Collision Division Operations Committee met recently in Grand Rapids, Mich. Topics of discussion included updates on the CIC Database Task Force meeting at CCC Information Services/Motor, recent McCarran-Ferguson actions, updates on the State Farm Select Service program and the Progressive Concierge program, as well as various ASA subcommittee updates.

During the meeting, the Operations Committee was also provided with an update from Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) representatives, including an overview of CAPA from Jack Gillis, executive director; an overview of Intertek; a tour of the laboratory; and a tour of the vehicle test fit area. The Intertek/Entela testing facility is used by CAPA for automotive parts testing and certification purposes. As an information-gathering exercise, the Collision Division Operations Committee asked questions regarding the certification process, the decertification process, the recall process and the role of competitive parts in the marketplace.

The committee welcomes opportunities to gather information, address areas of concern to collision shops and participate with a focus of the collision repair in mind.

"In addition to being top-quality business leaders in collision repair, it's essential for members of the ASA Collision Division Operations Committee to be engaged, involved and informed," said Denise Caspersen, manager of ASA's Collision Division. "When Bob Anderson, CAPA chairman, invited the committee to tour the Intertek ETL Entela testing facility and question the process, our members volunteered two work days to better understand the CAPA certification process and express concerns from repairers."

Attendees from ASA headquarters included Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive; Caspersen; and Duancxay Phommachan, division assistant. Collision Division Operations Committee members included Darrell Amberson, AAM; Jerry Burns, AAM; Dan Bailey; Dan Stander; Mike Schoonover; Roy Schnepper; Scott Kallemeyn, AAM; Harry Moppert; and Carroll Proctor. CAPA representatives in attendance were Gillis, Anderson and Jerry Kottschade, CAPA board member.

As a follow-up to the meeting, the ASA Collision Division Operations Committee has begun an aftermarket parts field study to determine parts usage, quality, certification and the complaint process.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind serving an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from all segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.asashop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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