Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-35 July 24, 2009

ASA Collision Division Continues Time Study
to Address Feather, Edge and Fill Issues

ASA collision repair members encouraged to participate

BEDFORD, TEXAS, July 24, 2009 - The Automotive Service Association's Collision Division Operations Committee continues its study on time requirements to properly handle quality repairs. Part of this effort includes ASA's current feather, edge and fill time study.

"The issue of proper compensation for feather, edge and fill continues to hamper the efficiencies of the repair shop and strain the relationship between the repairer and the insurer. The goal is to have an automated process to compensate for the overlooked steps necessary to complete a quality repair. This could be based on the area of the repair involving feather, edge and fill or a percentage of the straightening time, similar to the concept of paint and material calculations," said Darrell Amberson, AAM, ASA Collision Division director and president of Lehman's Garage, Bloomington, Minn.

ASA's previous study was conducted in 2005 and included more than 100 records. To continue to explore this topic, strengthen the necessity of compensation for work performed and bring feather, edge and fill back into the forefront of the industry, ASA is asking its collision members to become involved in a nationwide effort to systematically gather this data.

"Participation is critical to this project; yet, the effort is simple and systematic. It requires photographs and completing an official feather, edge and fill form for each vehicle report submitted for the project," said Denise Caspersen, ASA's Collision Division manager. "ASA's Estimating Subcommittee and members of its operations committee are encouraging each ASA member willing to participate to complete 10 time studies. Through their participation and the sharing of information, perhaps the feather, edge and fill issue can be resolved."

To participate, ASA members may download the project kit (a three-page Adobe Acrobat PDF) in the Members Only section of the ASA Web site (www.ASAshop.org). The kit includes the following items:

• The 2009 Feather, Edge and Fill Project sheet, which explains the project and the process.

• The 2009 Feather, Edge and Fill Project time study form, which is used to collect the data for each time study.

• The 2009 Feather, Edge and Fill Time Study example form, which provides a sample of a completed time study.

Photographs and documentation submitted for the study should be sent to denisec@asashop.org. Forms may be submitted through Aug. 31, 2009. For more information, contact Caspersen at (800) 272-7467, ext. 236, or via e-mail.

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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