Changes at I-CAR meant to aid service, efficiency

Jan. 1, 2020
The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and the I-CAR Education Foundation recently reorganized to streamline operations, bring increased focus to the group and align resources around industry market segments and activities.

The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and the I-CAR Education Foundation recently reorganized to streamline operations, bring increased focus to the group and align resources around industry market segments and activities.

The reorganization comes on the heels of Tom McGee resignation as I-CAR president and chief executive officer. McGee assumed the position of director of industry relations and product operations and will bring focus and expertise to industry relations at a leadership level. McGee also will review I-CAR's process of designing and delivering quality training content, with a goal of improving the content, and the overall identification and development process of various training products.

The field operations group, including local committees of program instructors and volunteers, is not changing as a result of the reorganization, according to John Edelen, chairman of the board of directors of I-CAR International.

Training that is offered to repair facilities will continue, but should be more on target with content and delivery as a result of the reorganization, he said.

"Based on feedback, we are trying to engage in more direct outreach around specific training needs around the subject material and method of delivery," Edelen says.

"The rapidly increasing pace of change in vehicle design and manufacturing has a direct impact on I-CAR. As vehicle design and materials drive new and more complex repair techniques and technologies, I-CAR needs to be better positioned to identify and address the training needs of the inter-industry that are associated with these developments," Edelen says. " The inter-industry needs a more focused, forward-looking, nimble and responsive I-CAR."

I-CAR views the inter-industry as six distinct segments: collision repair; vehicle insurance; vehicle manufacturing; tool, equipment and supply; education, training and related research; and other related services.

"The reorganization and establishment of six market segment teams is intended to ensure we've got a focus on unique needs of the six industry segments," Edelen says. "If we are successful in this part of the reorganization, two to three years from now each industry segment will say that I-CAR has made progress in understanding the training needs of my industry segment and is responding to them."

Cutting costs was not a direct goal of the reorganization, according to Edelen. "The reorganization is designed to do more with the resources we have," he says. "It is designed to reorganize the subject matter expertise within the I-CAR organization and deploy it in areas where it will be most impactful. We are looking to improve our efficiency."

Education Foundation future

Earlier in 2007, the I-CAR Education Foundation's Board of Trustees approved a plan to refocus the I-CAR Education Foundation on fundraising, grant activity and scholarships. As a result, the education segment, which has only been served by the Education Foundation, is migrating to I-CAR International.

In anticipation of this migration, I-CAR International has undertaken an evaluation of its organization and, as a result, is restructuring to provide more direct alignment and linkage to the industry segments that it serves.

"The refocusing of the I-CAR Education Foundation on the philanthropic activities in support of inter-industry technical training and development is consistent with the intent of our founders," says Chris Evans, Education Foundation chairman. "In addition, having the interests of the education market fully represented in I-CAR International's content development and training delivery priorities and decisions will ensure that the efficient and effective servicing of the training needs of the education segment will continue."

Ron Ray, former executive director of the Education Foundation, moved over to I-CAR International, where he is director of education market development.

"He will continue to fill the education role, but it will be under I-CAR International instead of the Education Foundation," Edelen says.

Marketing and finance

A marketing and distribution organization was created under the leadership of Joyce Kasmer, director. This area will include product design and marketing, field operations and volunteer relations and corporate marketing.

A key feature is the creation of the six market segment teams mentioned earlier. They are designed to ensure that within I-CAR's operations, the voice of the customer for the six industry segments is sought ought and utilized to shape the direction of I-CAR's activities in the future.

Internally, a number of functions will be centralized under finance and administration to gain economies of scale and ensure optimal resource utilization, Edelen said. Mike Brey, I-CAR's controller, will be responsible for this area.

"These changes represent the recognition that I-CAR needs to reposition itself relative to the needs of the industry segments we serve, and to improve upon our ability to respond to industry concerns, needs and opportunities," Edelen says.

"These changes are designed to improve the quality and relevance of our training and its delivery, and to enhance our abilities to support the training administration needs of the inter-industry now and in the future."

The I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees and I-CAR International Board of Directors are conducting a search for a new chief staff executive for the newly restructured I-CAR organizations. How long that search will take is uncertain.

"The two boards are defining what that title should be — a president, chief executive officer or chief operating officer," Edelen says. "We are close to landing on that position description."

About the Author

Bruce Adams

Bruce Adams is managing editor of Aftermarket Business World magazine and content manager for the distribution channel at UBM Advanstar. He has been an editor with UBM Advanstar Automotive Group since 2007 and formerly was managing editor of ABRN, the collision repair magazine. Bruce is a veteran journalist and communications professional who worked 10 years in corporate communications and publications at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He also worked as a senior editor at Babcox Publications and as a reporter and columnist for a daily newspaper in Northeast Ohio. He also is a former senior editor of Hotel & Motel Management Magazine. 

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