Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-09 Feb. 27, 2007

NAPDRT Joins ASA to Address Common Issues

BEDFORD, TEXAS, Feb. 27, 2007 - The National Alliance of Paintless Dent Repair Technicians (NAPDRT), which recently joined the Automotive Service Association (ASA) as an associate member, has aligned itself with ASA to address common problems affecting both the collision and paintless dent repair industries.

Jamie Hawkins, interim president of NAPDRT, said, "As the insurance industry has been driving PDR methods into the body shops to address hail damage claims, it has provided both the collision and PDR industries with some unique opportunities. However, this move has also presented some interesting issues that are now affecting both segments.

"Working with ASA to address these issues is a natural fit for the NAPDRT to provide educational opportunities about the PDR process to the ASA membership. It will also help to forge and strengthen relationships that are productive and profitable for both the PDR technicians and the repair facilities during a hail event."

Denise Caspersen, ASA Collision Division manager, said, "As we have moved forward in our discussions with NAPDRT, we have found a great amount of synergy between the goals of our organizations. We look forward to working with NAPDRT on issues that affect us both and benefit our mutual customer - today's motorist. As ASA and NAPDRT work together on common issues, it will provide the memberships of both organizations with opportunities that will have a positive impact on the collision and PDR industries, as well as the insurance industry and, ultimately, the consumers."

The National Alliance of PDR Technicians is a non-profit organization based in North Carolina. The mission of NAPDRT is to unite independent PDR technicians, and to educate both technicians and consumers about the accountability, quality service and value provided by its members. For more information, visit www.NAPDRT.org.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair 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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