The recently formed Alabama Automotive Repair Industry Society of Excellence (ALARISE) joined the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) as a new affiliate association.

Alabama had gone approximately five years without an active association when a group of shops in the market began to discuss the prospects of forming a new association. In March 2011, collision repairers in the marketplace began to work together with a number of interested paint suppliers and parts vendors, as they worked toward forming an organization that could best serve the needs of the Alabama collision repair industry.

The effort to work toward the formation of an active association was the result of an industry conference held in February 2012 featuring SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg as the keynote speaker. In addition to expanding on the importance of collision repairers working together to get things accomplished, and what it really meant to be an industry professional, Schulenburg discussed the topical subject of insurance mandated parts procurement programs.

Along the way, SCRS provided helpful feedback and information. "We basically used them as a model for our emphasis and approach," noted Plier.

As a result, the emphasis of ALARISE is to advance industry improvement and professionalism, underscoring education, not just for collision repair shops, but for the consumer. While the association endeavors to expose members to effective business principles and processes, and is looking into developing apprenticeship programs that will help address an acute technician shortage in the state, it understands that working to improve the image of the industry in the eye of the customer is just as important.

In December, ALARISE released a consumer awareness commercial on local cable television channels emphasizing the right of the vehicle owner to select a body shop. "We need to focus our message with the consumer in mind, making clear our commitment to them," said Plier. "Our potential customers have to see us for what we are – a legitimate industry willing to do whatever it takes to provide a high quality product and the best possible service. SCRS will be a great help in this area because of their high visibility and great reputation. We are extremely excited to be affiliates."