New repairer forum receives positive response

Oct. 24, 2012—Organizers of Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) reported the successful launch of a new forum for collision repairers called The Assembly that recently debuted during ASRW 2012 in New Orleans.

ASRW organizers said The Assembly is a new opportunity for repairers to discuss challenges, issues and solutions to operational issues. The forum is designed to transform issues and opinions presented by attendees into resolutions, action items and feedback for operational improvement in shops.

Participation with The Assembly is strictly reserved for repair professionals, including shop owners, managers, employees or official representatives of repair businesses. ASRW organizers said the repairer-only aspect of The Assembly is a central focus of the forum, and will continue to be the vision for future events.

“With an event like The Assembly, collision repairers have a new place to gather, discuss, engage and interact with each other,” said Denise Caspersen, collision division manager for the Automotive Service Association (ASA). “Judging by the crowd that attended this very first session, it was definitely a success and an event we’ll look forward to growing in future years.”

Discussion topics during the inaugural event—which were selected based on feedback from registered participants—included parts procurement, direct repair programs and changes in the auto body industry.

“When repairers talk about parts procurement, DRPs and the ever-changing auto body industry, there's a lot of passion and diversity in opinion. The Assembly provided an opportunity for repairers to speak frankly with one another and have their voices heard by their peers," said Dan Stander of Fix Auto Highlands Ranch in Littleton, Colo.

Scott Biggs, CEO of the Assured Performance Network, said the forum included lively and candid discussions among attendees, and all participants voted in favor of continuing the event.