Industry speakers, business meetings, industry issue discussions with representatives from throughout the distribution channel and scholarship awards were highlighted at the CAWA leadership meeting last month. President & CEO of the Auto Care Association, Bill Hanvey, was the headliner at the Association's general session where three of the twelve students awarded scholarships this year were honored. The meeting ended with guest speakers on telematics and the repair shop of the future.

The next meeting for CAWA is schedule for October 30, 2016, the Sunday night before AAPEX/SEMA. Notice will be out next month. For immediate information, contact CAWA's President & CEO, Rodney Pierini at 800.332.2292, ext. 1 or [email protected].

CAWA members hear guest speakers at general session

2016 scholarship awardees with Greg Livingston Chair of the Board and Rodney Pierini President and CEO

Lauren Dissmore of MAHLE Aftermarket, Inc. is this year's Scholarship Fundraising Committee Chair. If you or your company would like to support this year's fundraising efforts to replenish CAWA's scholarship fund see the enclosure ( here). You can contact Ms. Dissmore directly at [email protected] or 248.347.9714. All prizes will be auctioned and raffled at CAWA's annual meeting during Industry Week this year.

While we've told you about the various forms you will be required to submit as part of your responsibilities under the Affordable Care Act, your employees may not be aware of what's coming. Chances are, they'll likely be confused by the new form 1095-C, which you must provide to them along with their W-2 by the end of January 2016 - and about what they are supposed to do with it. 

See the enclosed article ( here) for more information and contact our insurance partner, Mat Nabity at 866.340.2247 or [email protected]

 

The Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN), a committee of repair shop owners notes that because the nature of their business means that every day is different based on customer needs, they need to keep in communication with their parts suppliers and other vendors to ensure they can provide the customers with best parts and service. As such, CCPN committee members appreciate the opportunity to share with manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers' representatives and others how they prefer to be contacted and communicated. Download their report ( here).
 

If you are importing and/or exporting auto parts you should know the importance of registering your company's trademarks and copyrights with CBP. Please note, the recordation of trademarks is good for 10 years. And, the recordation of copyrights is good for 20 years. You can find more information and the recordation process at the following site: https://iprr.cbp.gov/
 

As you know, auto parts buyers can be a fickle group. They have divergent interests in many different types of cars - luxury, family, sport, economy - and can choose from a multitude of foreign and domestic brands. Trying to determine their auto parts buying preferences can be like attempting to catch a feather in a windstorm. But that's exactly what the Aftermarket Business World Consumer Attitude Study did at the end of last year. See the related post ( here) by Richard McKeon.

Using the leverage and buying power of the Association, CAWA is able to offer its members 3 excellent benefit levels of dental coverage from a nationally known A++ rated carrier. See the enclosure for more details ( here) and contact our insurance partner, Mat Nabity, with questions at his toll free number: 866.340.2247 or [email protected].

For a basic yet clear understanding of what telematics means to the independent auto care industry, see the whiteboard on the Association's homepage at www.cawa.org.

The Auto Care Careers Industry Job Board is not only a source for invaluable information, including standards, guidelines and education, but we are also one of the best resources for finding the most qualified candidates in the industry. With the Industry Job Board, you'll have the tools to find experienced applicants at your fingertips. For more information on this industry specific career center for companies recruiting and individuals looking to see what auto care jobs are available, contact our President & CEO, Rodney Pierini, at 800.332.2292, ext. 1 or [email protected]. Another member benefit.

For federal income tax purposes, CAWA dues may be deductible as a business expense but not as a charitable contribution. CAWA estimates that 44% of your dues for 2016 are not deductible as a business expense because they are attributable to lobbying as is in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 6033. Contributions to the Political Action Fund are not deductible as a charitable contribution or as a business expense for federal income tax purposes. For more information, consult with your accountant or tax attorney.