Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-63 October 1, 2008

ASA Division Holds Fall Meeting at Sherwin-Williams

Discussions address waterborne refinishing, legislative updates, lean processes, recycled parts

BEDFORD, TEXAS, October 1, 2008 - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) Collision Division Operations Committee held its fall meeting Sept. 9-10 at the Sherwin-Williams Training Center in Grand Prairie, Texas. Over the course of the two-day meeting, the ASA volunteer leadership focused on waterborne refinishing, ASA legislation for 2009, a new Internet application to locate recycled parts, and lean processes.

Michael Pellet, Sherwin-Williams Training Center manager, provided an educational session on waterborne paint, answering common questions and describing booth requirements. This was followed by a demonstration on waterborne paint and solvent clear application. One of the strongest suggestions from Pellett to ASA members is not to compare waterborne to solvent-based paints.

Pellett said, "We were very pleased to have the opportunity to host the event. The group's level of interest in both waterborne finishes and lean processes reinforces our confidence that ASA is doing everything possible to help prepare its member shops for the future."

Steve Feltovich, manager of the business consulting department of Sherwin-Williams, provided a detailed presentation on workplace efficiencies and lean.

Feltovich said a key to implementing the lean philosophy is understanding that lean is a way of thinking. "It is essential to learn how to continually implement strategies for change throughout the entire business system. It is also important to realize that there is not a 'one formula fits all' solution," he said. "Lean programs will vary from shop to shop based on individual characteristics. The place to start implementation of a lean program is at the top. If managers do not embrace lean then they will be opponents instead of proponents."

Ken Weiss, developer of Realparts.com, provided a beta-demonstration of a new Internet application for searching for recycled parts. Weiss said Realparts.com is designed with the collision repair facility in mind and will provide the repairer with an opportunity to electronically search parts at yards of their choosing and under their selected parameters.

Robert L. Redding Jr., ASA's Washington, D.C., representative, also attended the meeting and spoke with the committee about ASA legislative items, insurance regulation at the federal level, and various state legislative issues. Redding also discussed OSHA regulation changes including fines involving respirators, which will be applied per employee rather than per business.

Denise Caspersen, manager of ASA's Collision Division, said, "The fall meeting presented an opportunity for the ASA collision division volunteer leadership to learn information that they can pass on to ASA's membership. ASA continues to focus on professionalism, cooperation and the advancement of the collision repair businesses it represents."

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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