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Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2008 Archives

I-CAR CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF THE I-CAR ADVANTAGE

The Advantage article in this issue of the I-CAR e-newsletter marks the 20th anniversary of the technical publication. The first I-CAR Advantage was published in January, 1988. At the time, it was its own paper publication, offered by I-CAR on a subscription basis. It continued in that format until the publication went online in January, 2002.

The I-CAR Advantage has always tried to report on the hotly discussed issues in the industry. Looking back at that first issue 20 years ago, it's interesting to note what the hot issues were in the collision industry at the time. Apparently, one of the issues in 1988 was all of the electronics appearing on vehicles. The first lead article, “No Need to Fear Electronics,” was designed to help collision technicians take the first steps to “find and fix a lot of electronic problems, reducing your need to sublet electronic problems.” Among the list of equipment needed was a test light, jumper wire, digital volt-ohmmeter, and a repair manual. There was no mention of a scan tool.

Another article in the first issue in 1988 was “Finding a Hauler for Hazardous Waste,” obviously another major concern as new hazardous waste disposal laws were coming into effect. The revision of the EPA Clean Air Act was still two years away. The final article in the first Advantage publication in January of 1988 discussed “Fixed Glass,” what we now refer to as “stationary glass,” and why it is considered part of the body structure.

Later in 1988, the I-CAR Advantage would discuss issues such as the “Right-to-Know Law” that was on its way, the challenges of getting basecoat colors to match when applying a basecoat/clearcoat finish, the new self-etching primers that were being introduced, the role of zinc in corrosion protection, and the federal mandate that passive restraints would need to be in 100% of the vehicles by 1990. This mandate could be achieved with either airbags on the driver side only, or with passive shoulder belts for both front seat occupants.

It has been 20 years since I-CAR began writing articles for the I-CAR Advantage, and this effort will continue, hopefully for another couple of decades at least. Thank you for coming along for the ride.

REGISTER TODAY FOR AN UPCOMING ZONE CONFERENCE!

It’s not too late to register and attend an upcoming zone conference. Be sure to sign up today for plenty of opportunities to network, share marketing and team building ideas, and hear the I-CAR Vision for the future from key I-CAR staff members. Plus, Jeff Silver, former I-CAR CEO, has graciously agreed to attend all three U.S. Zone Conferences where he will speak about the values that propelled I-CAR to the industry’s forefront in training. Under Jeff’s leadership, the I-CAR Education Foundation and Gold Class program were established.
 
During the Genesis of I-CAR presentation at the 2005 International Annual Meeting, Doug Middleton, I-CAR International Advisory Committee co-chairman said, “If I were to single out one person as being the most responsible for the success of I-CAR, I would have to choose Jeff Silver.”
 
“Having him address our conference attendees is very fitting with this year’s focus on re-establishing the vital role of volunteers within the I-CAR organization,” added Jeff Peevy, I-CAR Director of Field Operations.
 
Silver will offer his message to conferences at the following locations and dates. Plan to attend and register today!

Eastern – AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NY, NJ, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, and WV
• 2/1-2/2: Colonial Williamsburg, VA
• Register today or for additional information, contact Eastern Zone Manager Dave Coffey

Central – AR, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, OH, OK, SD, TX, TN, and WI
• 2/8-2/9: Hoffman Estates, IL
• Register today or for additional information, contact Central Zone Manager Mike Miller

I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION THANKS FISCAL 2007 AND 2008 CONTRIBUTORS

I-CAR Education Foundation The I-CAR Education Foundation would like to thank everyone that contributed and offered support during Fiscal 2007 and 2008 to date. “The financial support of the collision industry is critical to help in our mission to support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry,” said Chris Evans, Chairman of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees. “Continued financial support will allow staff to spend time researching, securing, and facilitating projects and grants as we continue to shift our focus away from products and services.”

The companies, individuals, career and technical schools and colleges, and I-CAR volunteer committees listed below have contributed time and resources to the I-CAR Education Foundation. The Education Foundation staff would like to thank these companies and individuals for their past and ongoing support.

* Indicates a company that has financially contributed to the I-CAR Education Foundation for at least the last ten years.

** Indicates a company that has contributed to the $100 per Collision Repair Facility per Year Campaign.

*** Indicates a company that has contributed to Golf Outings.

**

1st Class Collision of Murrieta

**

Hanson & Tilton Collision Repair, Inc.

3M

**

Hughes Collision Center, Inc.

***

5 B's Sport Fishing

**

Invision Auto Body, LLC

**

A V Auto Body And Truck, Inc.

***

Irish Waters Golf Club

***

A-1 Auto Body (Pompano Beach)

**

Jerry's Body Shop, Inc.

**

A1 Body and Glass of Coral Springs

**

Kallemeyn Auto Rebuilders, Inc.

**

A1 Body and Glass of Deerfield

**

Keenan Auto Body South

**

A1 Body and Glass of Margate

***

Kemperlee, Albert

ABRA Auto Body & Glass

**/***

Ken's Auto Body, Inc.

**

Abra Auto Center, Inc.

***

Kevin Harvick, Inc.

**

Abstract Ventures dba Gateway Autobody & Paint

**

Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc.

**

Acme Body & Paint Co., Inc.

Kirschenman, Karl

***

Aeromotive Corporation

Knell-Zalenas, Margaret

**

Akzo Nobel Coatings, Inc.

**

Knudtsen Chevrolet

**

Aldercrest Auto Rebuild, Inc.

**

La Prairie's Body Shop

**

Alford Motors, Inc.

**

Larry H. Miller Collision

**

Allen's Autobody & Repair, Inc.

Liberty Mutual

**

Allstate Insurance Company

**

Little John's Body Works

***

Alpha Auto Glass

**

Losito, Peter

American Family Insurance

**

Luke Fruia Motors

**

Amica Mutual Insurance Company

***

Mader’s Cabinets

**

Anchor Auto Body

**

Manheim Auto Body Repair

**

Artistic Auto Body

**

Manning's Paint & Body Shop, Inc.

**

Ascue's Autobody & Paint Shop

Marks, Steven

**

A-Spec Collision, Inc.

Marscin, Melissa

Assurance America

***

Mattos Pro Finishes

**

Atlantic Collision, Inc.

**

McCormick, Michael

**

Auto Body Clinic, Inc.

**

McEvers, Suzanne and Terry

**

Auto Body Color Co., Inc.

***

McGee Family

**

Auto Collision, Inc.

***

Menards

**

Auto Craft Collision Repair

Metropolitan Car-O-Liner

**

Automotive Collision Technologies, Inc. of Glen Burnie, MD

**

Michael's Collision Technicians

**

Automotive Collision Technologies, Inc. of Westminster, MD

**

Midway Chevrolet

**

Automotive Impressions, Inc.

**

Mike Salvatore Charitable Trust

***

Automotive International

***

Miller Electric Manufacturing Company

Automotive Service Association

***

Milwaukee Brewers

**

Automotive Service Garage dba Olde Towne Auto Body

***

Milwaukee Bucks

***

Avis-Budget

**

Miracle Strip Body Shop, Inc.

***

Barrington, Lori

Mitchell International, Inc.

***

Bartanen, Carole

***

Modern Designers

***

Bartanen, Jackie

**

Moreno Valley Auto Mall Collision Center

***

Bartanen, Janene

**

Moss Bros. Dodge Riverside

Bartanen, Jason

**

Motor Guard Corporation

***

Bartanen’s Auto Body

Motor Information Systems

***

BASF

**

Mr. B's Paint & Body, Inc.

Baudoux, Leon

**

Mulroy's Body Shop, Inc.

**

Ben Clymers Body Shop, Inc.

**

National Auto Collision Centers

***

Berkholtz, Christian

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company

***

Big 3 Performance

**

Northeast Scottsdale Auto Group/Greulich's Collision

**

Blue Collision

**

Northwest Autobody, Inc.

***

Bob Burns Golf

**

Northwest Automotive Trades Association

**

Bob Hastings Collision, Inc.

***

Onieda Nation Farms

**

Body Craft, Inc.

***

Ottum, Jolinda

***

Borchardt Family

**

Painter's Auto Body, Inc.

California State Automobile Association

**

Paradise Chevrolet - Cadillac

**

Car-O-Liner

**

Park's Royal Body Works, Inc.

CCC Information Services, Inc.

**

Parkville Auto Body, Inc.

**

CDC

***

PDQ Car Wash

***

Celette, Inc.

**

Phil Smith Chevrolet

Certified Automotive Parts Association

**

Phoenix Motors dba Palm Collision Center

***

Chicagoland Speedway

Pincus, Shirley

Chief Automotive Technologies

**

Platinum Paint & Body

***

Chip Ganassi Racing

PPG Industries, Inc.

The Chrysler Foundation

***

Praxair

**

Chuck's Collision Shop

**

Precision Auto Body, Inc.

***

Clarity Corporation

**

Precision Collision, Inc.

**

Clarksville Auto Center, Inc.

**

Precision Paint & Body, Inc.

**

Classic Auto Collision Center

***

Print Source Plus, Inc.

**

Collision One, Inc.

***

PRO SPOT International, Inc.

**

Collision Revision

**

Providence Auto Body, Inc.

**

Collision Specialists of Inwood, Inc.

***

Radisson Paper Valley

**

Collision World CARSTAR

**

Rancho California Auto Collision, Inc.

***

Comfort Suites

**

Randy & Bob's Auto Body II, Inc.

Costin Jr., J. Laurence

Ray, Ron

Country Insurance & Financial Services

***

Raytheon

***

Crest Industries

**

Reesman Body Shop

***

Custom Metal Shearing

**

Rick Case Honda

**

D.C. Collision, Inc.

**

Rick's Autocare & Collision Repair

***

Daimler-Chrysler Corporation

Rohloff, Eric

**

Dave's Body Shop, Inc.

**

Sawgrass Ford

**

Dave's Collision Specialists

**

Schoonover Bodyworks

***

Deegan, Matt

**

Schubert's Auto Body Specialists

**

Dick Norris Buick

**

Scott Toyota Collision

**

Dick Taylor Collision

***

SCRS

Dickerson, John

Seidner’s Collision Centers

**

Don's Auto Body

Sentry Insurance

**

Dorschel Group

**

Sharrett Inc.

***

DuPont Performance Coatings

**

Sheehan Buick Pontiac GMC, Inc.

**

Eagle Auto & Truck Works

**

Shelton Collision Repair, Inc.

**

East Rockford Collision Center, Inc.

***

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp.

***

Eckenrode, Brandon

**/***

Shotkoski, Michelle

**

Eckhart Auto Body, Inc.

***

Snap-on

***

Efficient Electric, LLC

***

Southern Wine & Spirits

***

Eichensehr, Keith

**

Sports & Imports Collision, Inc.

***

Eichensehr, Kim

**

State Farm Insurance Companies

***

Enterprise

**

Sterling Autobody

**

Emerson Collision Service, Inc.

**

Sterling Collision Centers, Inc.

***

EP Direct

**

Story Bros., Inc.

Erie Indemnity Insurance

Streubel, Lynn

**

Evergreen Paint, Inc.

**

Superstition Body & Paint

**

Excel Auto Body, Inc.

***

Terry’s

**

Exclusive Auto Collision Center

**

Terry's Auto Supply, Inc.

***

Express Auto Parts

***

Tessen Family

**

Fantastic Finishes

***

Texas Roadhouse

***

Fast Signs

***

Top Stop Auto Body

***

FedEx Freight

**

Total Resource Auction Baltimore

***

FedEx Services

***

Toyota of Hollywood

**/***

Finishmaster

**

Triangle Front-End & Frame Service, Inc.

***

Flanagan, Krista

True2Form Collision Repair Centers

**

Florida Auto Body

**

USAA

**

Fradella's Collision Center, Inc.

***

Verifacts Automotive LLC.

**

GEICO Philanthropic Foundation

**

Westport Autocraft, Ltd.

***

Glen Cairn Golf Course

**

Wicklund's Carstar

***

Goodson Family

***

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

**/***

Goss Auto Body, Inc.

**

World Ford

***

Green Bay Gamblers

***

Wurth USA

***

Green Bay Packers

**

Zara's Collision Center

**

Greg's Collision Center

**

Zelano, Bob

**

Hamblins Body, Paint & Frameshop, Inc.

SEVEN SCHOOLS BENEFIT FROM ALLSTATE INSURANCE AND STERLING AUTOBODY CONTRIBUTION

Allstate Insurance Company and Sterling Autobody Centers contributed $40,000 to purchase the I-CAR Live curriculum for seven schools over the past three years. These seven schools were selected based on their proximity and ability to develop a working relationship with local Sterling Autobody Centers.

The three most recent schools to receive the curriculum are Lynn Vocational Tech School in Lynn, MA; Alvin High School in Alvin, TX; and Rio Hondo Community College in Whittier, CA.

Noel Welsh, collision repair instructor at Alvin High School states, “I would like to thank Allstate Insurance Company and Sterling Autobody Centers for their generous donation of the I-CAR Live curriculum. The curriculum is great and will make a tremendous impact on the level of training I am able to provide my students.”

Previous schools to receive curriculum and corresponding props from the contribution by Allstate Insurance Company and Sterling Autobody Centers include Edison Tech in Rochester, NY; Automotive Training Center in Exton, PA; Hillborough Community College in Tampa, FL; and Cuyahoga Valley Career Center in Brecksville, OH.

“We believe it’s important to introduce the collision repair industry to young men and women who are in the process of choosing their future careers. By partnering with the I-CAR Education Foundation, we are bringing students the very best information and curriculum available. Sterling is proud to be part of this initiative and to support the efforts of the participating schools,” said Tim Swift, Process Development Leader of Sterling Autobody Centers.

The I-CAR Education Foundation is dedicated to bringing career and technical schools and colleges together with local industry. To find out how you, your company, or group can support local career and technical schools and colleges, contact the Education Foundation at 888.722.3787, Ext. 283 or visit us online at www.ed-foundation.org. The Education Foundation is a not-for-profit organization; its 501(c)(3) status allows it to accept grants and donations from government agencies, individuals, and businesses.

GOLD CLASS PROFESSIONALS DESIGNATED BUSINESSES EARN 15 YEARS

Gold ClassAn elite group of only 120 businesses has qualified for the Gold Class Professionals designation for at least 15 consecutive years! I-CAR would like to congratulate and thank the following businesses for their exceptional commitment to collision repair training.

Businesses that have earned 15 consecutive years of the Gold Class Professionals status are listed below in the order that they joined the program.

I-CAR Training Catalog Gold Class 15 + ( 31K ) in Adobe Acrobat Format

"The incredible dedication shown by these businesses over the years is a testament to the value of earning and maintaining the Gold Class Professionals designation," explained interim I-CAR President and CEO John Edelen. "On behalf of I-CAR, and as a vehicle owner, I would like to sincerely thank these businesses for being progressive enough to understand the importance of proper collision repair training."

I-CAR RECOGNIZES NEW AND LONG-TERM GOLD CLASS BUSINESSES

Gold ClassThe following businesses have maintained their Gold Class Professionals designation for at least ten consecutive years as of January 1, 2008. They are listed alphabetically by the zone's state or province. I-CAR would also like to recognize businesses that have maintained the Gold Class Professionals designation for 5 consecutive years. They are also listed alphabetically by the zone’s state or province.
 
The Gold Class Professionals program continues to grow and welcome new businesses that have maintained the Gold Class Professionals designation fewer than 5 consecutive years. I-CAR would like to commend these businesses on their commitment to collision repair training.

I-CAR is grateful for the dedication shown by all of its Gold Class Professionals designated businesses, and looks forward to the time when every person in the collision industry, current and future, has the necessary technical knowledge and skills relevant to their position to achieve complete and safe repairs.

I-CAR Training Catalog Gold Class 10 + ( 31K ) in Adobe Acrobat Format
I-CAR Training Catalog Gold Class 5 + ( 44K ) in Adobe Acrobat Format
I-CAR Training Catalog Gold Class 5 - ( 152K ) in Adobe Acrobat Format

WINTER IS HERE: PRE-REGISTER TO ENSURE YOU’LL KNOW ABOUT CHANGES

As we enter the middle of the winter season, it is imperative that students and businesses go online and pre-register for an I-CAR class they plan on attending to ensure that if, due to weather or any other reason, I-CAR program instructors and/or local volunteer committee members can notify students of any changes to the class. Without pre-registration, students cannot be notified if there is a change.

Pre-registering is easy!
1. Visit www.i-car.com
2. Enter your ZIP/Postal Code in the Quick Class Search function on the I-CAR home page
3. Select the I-CAR Live or Qualification Test program name you plan on attending
4. Select “RSVP” on the class flyer page and enter in your contact information
 
Pre-register for a class today!

DON’T FORGET: YOU AUTOMATICALLY EARN THE PLATINUM INDIVIDUAL DESIGNATION ONCE YOU HAVE 10 I-CAR POINTS

Any industry professional who achieves 10 I-CAR points automatically earns the I-CAR Platinum Individual training designation. There are no applications or fees necessary.
 
All who qualify for the Platinum designation will be sent a certificate and letter automatically explaining their Platinum status, as well as the ongoing training requirements needed to maintain the designation.
 
How close are you to reaching 10 I-CAR points and becoming an I-CAR Platinum Individual? View your training records online on the my I-CAR web site.

E-mail I-CAR Customer Care if you have additional questions.

 

I-CAR FEST TAKING PLACE ON MARCH 29 IN FORTH WORTH TEXAS

You don’t want to miss I-CAR Fest this spring at the Forth Worth Convention Center. 24 different I-CAR classes will be available. All classes taken help to maintain or attain the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual designations. A tradeshow and job fair representing all aspects of the collision industry will also be available.

For more information about the event or to inquiry about booth space contact Dave Gauthier at dgauth7511@msn.com.

SAVE THE DATE: I-CAR INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING IN SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA JULY 24 – 26

Don’t miss the opportunity to join the rest of the collision industry at the I-CAR International Annual Meeting at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona, July 24-26.
 
Mark your calendars now for this sensational event! Details will be coming to the I-CAR web site and your inbox soon!
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