I-CAR Collision Repair Training  |  Australia
Collision Repair Training | Australia

About I-CAR

Current Events/News

E-newsletter

2008 E-newsletters

2007 E-newsletters

2006 E-newsletters

2005 E-newsletters

2004 E-newsletters

2003 E-newsletters

2002 E-newsletters

2001 E-newsletters

Subscription Form

Advantage Online

Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2008 Archives

SUPPORT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IN U.S. WEATHER-RELIEF EFFORT WHEN YOU TAKE THE I-CAR FLOOD, HAIL, VANDALISM, AND FIRE DAMAGE ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM

FVH01 Are you prepared to properly inspect and repair damaged vehicles after the recent flooding and other inclement weather? Complete the Flood, Hail, Vandalism, and Fire Damage Analysis Overview (FHV01) I-CAR online training program to prepare for damage vehicles.

Not all vehicle damage happens as a result of a collision. Damage can occur from other sources such as floods, hail, vandalism, or fires. Technical information you will gain from this program includes:

  • Protect yourself by learning which safety equipment should be worn when working with hazardous materials.
  • Save time and money by learning how refinish defects can be prevented.
  • For a quality finish, learn more on application of candy finish, how to create traditional and realistic flames, geometric designs, air brush and pin striping techniques, and how to create simulated metal plating and wood grain.

The content found in this online training program pertains to industry professionals in the following fields:

  • Collision Repair
  • Education
  • General Interest

For every Flood, Hail, Vandalism, and Fire Damage Analysis Overview (FHV01) online training program that is purchased in June and July, I-CAR will donate $5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help the victims of the recent floods and tornadoes.

Start here and complete the Flood, Hail, Vandalism, and Fire Damage Analysis Overview (FHV01) online training program in approximately 60 minutes.

 

INDUSTRY SUPPORTING AND UTILIZING I-CAR ONLINE TRAINING

In August of 2005, I-CAR announced a new revolution in its course offerings with the launch of I-CAR online self-study training. Students are able to complete the programs on their time, at their choosing, and print their own certificate after successful completion of each program’s post test.

Now, less than three years later, I-CAR announces that online classes have reached the 10,000 mark. Online training has gained momentum over the years eclipsing 5,000 classes taken by August of 2007; and doubling that number less than a year later on June 10, 2008.

I-CAR Technical Director Jason Bartanen said, “I-CAR had a lot of students requesting access to training whenever and wherever they wanted it. I-CAR Online training offers students worldwide the flexibility to learn whenever it’s most convenient for them. Students can attend training before work, while on their lunch break, or even at night after putting their kids to bed; all they need is a computer and access to the internet. It’s truly 24/7 training.”

What started out as 10 I-CAR Online programs at the time of launch has grown to 40 training programs available to the collision industry 24/7. Visit www.i car.com/online for additional information and a complete list of the available training programs.

This summer, spend some time in ‘your’ I-CAR classroom…Free.
Purchase two new I-CAR discount coupons and use them for any I-CAR training or welding event scheduled between June 16, 2008 and July 31, 2008, and we’ll reward you with a free I-CAR online training class of your choice. Simply mention promotional code E0808 when you call I-CAR Customer Care at 800-422-7872 to order your coupons and register for your classes.

INDUSTRY FEEDBACK SESSIONS KEY TO I-CAR INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING

I-CAR International Annual MeetingAs I-CAR continues to emerge as a leaner, more customer-focused training organization, its 2008 International Annual Meeting will reflect the change with a new focus. This year’s meeting will center on providing attendees with relevant information that will enhance their roles as professionals in the collision repair inter-industry. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their thoughts with I-CAR at Industry Feedback Sessions scheduled for the opening day of the meeting, Thursday, July 24. Industry Feedback Sessions are absolutely free and open to the public. Seeking a candid conversation with attendees, I-CAR sincerely would like to know what it does right and more importantly what it needs to improve on.

Feedback sessions will be facilitated by Lou DiLisio, Automotive Industry Consulting, Inc.; Michael Condon, Condon Consulting LLC; and Rick Sherwood, OEM Collision Repair Resources, LLC and will be geared toward those in the collision repair, insurance, and vehicle manufacturing industry segments.

“This year’s meeting will be an opportunity for those in the inter-industry to share their perspectives and to have I-CAR listen,” explained I-CAR President and CEO John Edelen. “This meeting is a strong indicator of the turn I-CAR has taken for the better. Industry Feedback Sessions will allow I-CAR to engage in its new operating model and become a stronger customer-focused organization.”

The feedback sessions will be structured around open-ended questions that will be posed to industry professionals in attendance. The goal of the questions will be to promote a productive discussion around the needs of the industry and I-CAR’s role in fulfilling those needs.

“All three individuals are highly-respected in the inter-industry and each will bring a valuable perspective to this important component of the meeting,” said Edelen. “I-CAR is grateful for their commitment to the inter-industry and their willingness to share their expertise during these sessions.” 

DiLisio, brings several decades of experience to the floor that touches all facets of the collision repair inter-industry. In the 1980’s he began consulting and, in addition to his collision repair shop background, has worked with insurance companies, vehicle manufacturers, refinish paint companies, body shops, salvage vendors, aftermarket parts manufacturers, and equipment manufacturers and distributors in a wide variety of services including strategic and tactical planning and implementation. He is actively involved with the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and also participates on a number of other industry-related committees.

Condon, with an industry background spanning over 30 years, will also be instrumental in facilitating the discussion. Following a successful career with Allstate Insurance Company, in 2007 he established Condon Consulting, LLC, a firm focused on Auto Physical Damage and service to the collision repair inter-industry. Condon is known for his thoughtful approach to inter-industry issues and enjoys an unusual combination of business, technology, and supplier-relations expertise. He is an active participant in numerous organizations including CIC, CIECA, NACE, and various advisory councils.

Sherwood owns and operates OEM Collision Repair Resources, LLC.  Since 1988, he has assisted a variety of collision repair industry clients in the design, development and execution of programs to deliver the highest quality, most cost-effective collision repair to vehicle owners.  In 1998, he formed and has since served as facilitator for the OEM Collision Repair Roundtable, which brings together on a quarterly basis vehicle manufacturer representatives with collision repair and collision repair parts marketing responsibilities to discuss issues of common interest and concern.

I-CAR has intensified its market research efforts and the feedback sessions will continue to provide relevant information from the industry that will be used to shape the courses, products and services offered by the training organization.

INDUSTRY QUICKLY APPROACHING NOTEWORTHY TRAINING ACHIEVEMENT AND MILESTONE

The industry is quickly approaching a noteworthy training achievement and milestone. It is projected that within the next 30 days, the collision industry will achieve and surpass 2,500,000 earned I-CAR student units. This illustrates a true display of professionalism within the industry.

Formed by the collision industry in 1979, I-CAR focuses on helping the industry achieve a high level of technical training and this soon-to-be achieved training accomplishment brings the industry closer to the I-CAR Vision: every person in the collision industry, current and future, has the necessary knowledge and skills relevant to their position to achieve a complete and safe repair.

2.5 awarded to 2.5

To honor this occasion, I-CAR will award the student who earns the 2,500,000th I-CAR student unit, 2.5 I-CAR points through two complimentary discount coupons and online training redemption codes.

A press release will follow shortly announcing the training accomplishment and industry member who earns the 2,500,000th I-CAR student unit.

 

I-CAR VOLUNTEER AND PROGRAM INSTRUCTOR EFFORTS BOOST AWARENESS FOR NEW ADVANCED HIGH STRENGTH STEEL TRAINING PROGRAM

Over 300 industry professionals gathered in Cerritos, CA, on May 6 to complete the newest I-CAR training program, Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07) and understand how the newest I-CAR programs provide the technical knowledge needed to identify and safely repair consumers’ vehicles using new types of steel. Organized by the southern California I-CAR volunteers and program instructors, the sponsored awareness event was provided to owners and managers representing 34 independent collision repair facilities and 18 insurance companies, most of whom had little to no previous experience with I-CAR. Shortly after this event requests for Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07) and Steel Full-Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08) I-CAR programs have increased significantly in southern California.

“It was great to see so many insurance representatives there and collision repairers in the same room. These types of events can only improve upon the collision repair and insurer relationship. The class itself was taught well and allowed for those at all levels of expertise to come away with new knowledge of advanced high strength steels. The large showing of people is a testament to the reputation of Toby Chess; he is well respected and liked in southern California,” explained Lillian Marcos of Marcos Auto Body.

"The Advanced Steels class was an excellent opportunity to get invaluable information as well as a terrific place to network with others from the collision industry. I was able to use the new information I learned immediately,” said Mike Rubin, Material Damage Specialist for California Casualty Management Co.

“The meeting was very informative and an extremely good investment for AES,” expressed Joe Carrier, Owner of Automotive Equipment Solutions.

I-CAR would like to thank and recognize the following volunteers and program instructors that made this event possible: Toby Chess, Ken Boylan (lead instructor of the event), Eric Streton, Greg Gunter, Steve Morris, Mike Mastro, Frank Schiro, Steve Saunders, Doug Moore, and Jeff Lawson. Ken Boylan and Toby Chess donated their

I-CAR instructor pay from the I-CAR class to the March Taylor I-CAR Memorial Fund.

“I want to thank Toby Chess for his organization and fundraising for this event. Also, the local volunteers and program instructors made this event possible through their hours and hours of dedication and assisting with the instruction of this class, “said Bob Mickey, I-CAR Western Zone manager.

“The ingenuity and dedication of Toby Chess made this program possible. All of his hard work continues to benefit the industry. This training of the industry ultimately benefits the consumer. Thank you, Toby, for all that you do for I-CAR and the inter-industry,” added John Edelen, I-CAR President and CEO.

The awareness event began with the U.S. Marine Color Guard presentation of the colors by the 11th Marine Regiment from Camp Pendleton, CA. The Color Guard presented two flags that had flown over Fallujah, Iraq as a thank you to the southern California I-CAR volunteer group for their toy donation made to Marine families at Camp Pendleton last December. Also, the national anthem was sung by local gospel singer Cantella Patrick-Henry.

I-CAR would also like to acknowledge all of the following sponsors who helped make this event possible. Dinner was provided to attendees thanks to the following collision repair facilities and the cost of I-CAR coupons for attendees was covered by the following vendors. A mini-trade show was also conducted at the beginning of the event.  

ACS
AKZO-NOBEL
ALLDATA
ALLIANCE COLLISION
ANNEX
ANTHONY'S AUTOBODY
AUDATEC
AUTOBODY MASTER
BASF
BAY CITIES AUTOBODY
BEVERLY COACHCRAFT
BROTMAN AUTO BODY
CAR BENCH
CAR-O-LINER
CIVIC CENTER AUTO BODY
CLASSIC COLLISION
COLLISION CONSULTANT
COMPLETE PLUS
COPARTS
CRAFTSMEN AUTOBODY
DUPONT
ECKLES AUTO BODY
ENTERPRISE
ESTOGRA'S COLLISION
EUROPEAN MOTOR WKS
FAITH QUALITY
FIX AUTO

GREG'S AUTO BODY
GREG'S COLLISION
HAMBLINS PAINT & BODY
HARROUTS BMW
HARRY'S AUTO BODY
HERTZ
HOLMES BODY SHOP
HONDA FOREIGN
HUDSON' BODY & PAINT
ICC
JIM & JACKS AUTO BODY
KENT
KEYSTONE-LKQ CORP
LC AUTOMOTIVE
LITTLEJOHNS COLLISION
MARCOS AUTOBODY
MARINA AUTOBODY
PACIFIC COLLISION CTRS
PRIDE AUTOBODY
PROSPOT
SCANDINAVIAN COACH C
SCHIROS COLLISION CTR
SHERWIN WILLIAMS
VERAFAX
Y&S AUTOBODY

Los Angeles CA I-CAR Volunteer Committee members

Standing right to left: Greg Gunter, Bob Mickey,
Toby Chess, Steve Morris, Mike Mastro, Frank Schiro,
Steve Saunders, Eric Streton, Doug Moore, and Jeff Lawson.

 

Over 300 industry professionals
Over 300 industry professionals gather before the start
of the program.

Marine pictured
The Marine pictured is reading the letter of authenticity
that flags were raised over the marine base in Iraq
in honor of I-CAR and those who participated in a toy drive
for marines and their families last November.

 

 

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY FOR THE I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION 2008 GOLF TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY TOYOTA MOTOR SALES U.S.A., INC.

Industry professionals attending the I-CAR International Annual Meeting or the Collision Industry Conference in July can support a good cause and enjoy a day on the golf course by registering online for the Seventh Annual I-CAR Education Foundation Golf Tournament, sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., that takes place on Thursday, July 24, 2008 in Scottsdale, AZ at the Tournament Players Club.

Online registration for both individuals and teams for the Tournament and the I-CAR International Annual Meeting is available by visiting www.i-car.com/annualmeeting.

“I-CAR Annual Meeting and CIC attendees have the opportunity to support the Education Foundation’s Mission, to secure donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry, while enjoying a round of golf at the Tournament Players Club in Scottsdale,” said Russell Thrall III, Interim Associate Director of the Education Foundation. “We urge you to register online now to secure your individual or your team’s spot.”

 

home

Page Last Revised: Wednesday, July 2, 2008
webmaster@i-car.com