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Lee Rodgers has been Appointed to CAWA’s Board of Directors Representing Automotive Parts Associates (APA)
During the appointment process, Young Suhr Jr., Chair of the Board of Directors, commented: “I am pleased to announce that APA’s Lee Rodgers is joining the CAWA Board of Directors. He is a welcomed addition to our leadership. I look forward to his participation and contributions to CAWA in assisting the Association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive care industry organization”, continued Suhr.
Mr. Rodgers started his career in 2006 with Main Gate, Inc. as a distribution center manager and later joined Finish Line as a distribution center supervisor. After serving as a purchasing agent for AISIN, he then moved to Toyota Industrial Equipment Company as a procurement specialist. Before APA, Mr. Rodgers worked for NAPA Auto Parts as a senior manager of sourcing. Currently, he is the product director for APA and responsible for the management of supplier relationships and overall product strategy. See press release here.
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Share this “Right to Repair” Consumer Reports Coverage of the Issue with Your Associates, Customers and Family | |
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The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation Responds to Maui Fires | |
The charitable organization plans to send resources and assistance to aftermarket industry families. The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) announced its commitment to support affected families in the Lahaina fires in Hawaii. As the wildfires continue to destroy much of the island displacing families and causing distress on industry partners, the AACF is providing much-needed resources and expertise to assist aftermarket industry families hit hardest by the event.
As stated in the press release, "The AACF's commitment to supporting aftermarket industry companies and their teammates' welfare is evident in their swift response to crises. With a focus on collaboration, the organization has established a dedicated relief fund to provide financial assistance to families grappling with the aftermath of the fires. This initiative not only addresses the immediate needs of these families but also underscores the AACF's dedication to recovery efforts." See more here. Source: Ratchet+Wrench
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Changes in the New Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
On August 1, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a revised version of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, which may be used now but must be used for all new hires and rehires starting November 1, 2023. The new form is a major change from the last iteration in that it has returned to a one-page version, which had been used from 1986 until 2013. This one-page version, however, has two Supplements, A and B. Thus, the new Form I-9 is “one-page plus.” This update brings several improvements to the Form I-9, including a new checkbox for employers enrolled in E-Verify to indicate remote, virtual examination of identity and employment authorization documents. Learn More. Source: Littler
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A Global Automotive Study 2023 | |
A global pandemic finally ending, an ongoing war in the heart of Europe, and high inflation rates in major economies worldwide – times are uncertain, and the automotive industry is experiencing ongoing rapid transformation due to technological advancements, shifting consumer demands, and evolving market dynamics.
This latest edition of Simon-Kucher's global automotive study aims to gather valuable insights into the preferences, expectations, and purchasing behavior of automotive customers in different regions across the globe. By conducting extensive research, we assist automotive manufacturers, dealerships, and related stakeholders in understanding the key drivers influencing consumer decision-making and identifying areas to act on. See the study results here. Source: Simon-Kucher
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Interested in Serving on CAWA’s Board of Directors? | Should you be interested in serving the Association in a leadership capacity, let our President & CEO know. Rodney Pierini can be reached at admin@cawa.org. To understand the extent of your commitment in serving as a Board member, see the enclosed document here. | |
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How Shop Owners Can Respond to the Electric Vehicle Transition
Preparing a shop for electric vehicles doesn't have to be "all-or-nothing"; shops can break this transition down and go at their own pace. The current state of the electric vehicle (EV) transition can cause shop owners to question whether they should invest in specific equipment and training. From California banning the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035 to automakers increasing their investment in electric vehicle assembly and battery technology, OEMs and policymakers around the globe are taking major strides to ensure electric vehicle adoption is the future.
As such, EV vehicle repair is expected to increase in the coming years as those vehicles reach the end of their warranty. That said, EVs still have a long way to go in becoming the predominant vehicle on the market. Out of the 285 million vehicles on the road, only 1.7 million are electric. Also, many of these vehicles reside in ‘hot zones' or states/communities where EV adoption is highly incentivized. Balancing these conditions and understanding where the need for service is located is important for shop owners and technicians to understand how to prepare their shops for the EV transition. Not every shop or market is the same, and understanding the competitive landscape is a critical factor in deciding how to invest your resources. See more discussion here. Source: Vehicle Service Pros
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2023 State of the California Workers' Compensation Insurance System Report | |
The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) released its 2023 State of the System Report. This annual report highlights key metrics of the California workers' compensation system, including the latest trends on rates, market characteristics and profitability, to provide industry professionals with a comprehensive view of the entire workers' compensation system based on the latest available information. Overall, the report finds that most data points are returning to pre-pandemic levels. Notably, the accident year combined ratio decreased by 7 points to 105% in 2022 because of increased premium levels and relatively stable claim frequency and severity trends. Several highlights from the report include:
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Premium levels increased by 14% in 2022 due to the economic recovery from the pandemic-related downturn. With continued economic expansion and flattening insurer charged rates, premiums are forecast to be above the pre-pandemic level in 2023.
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Average indemnity claim costs continue to increase, primarily driven by increasing average wage levels and plateauing claim settlement rates.
- California continues to experience longer average claim duration compared to other states, driven by slower claim reporting, lower settlement rates and higher frictional costs.
- The WCIRB projects modest increases in average medical costs through 2025 comparable to the 2017-2019 (pre-pandemic) rate of growth.
- California has by far the highest permanent partial disability (PPD) claim frequency in the county, almost three times the countrywide median, and PPD claim frequency is significantly higher in the Los Angeles Basin.
- Although there have been some reductions in average claims administrative costs in California in recent years, the cost to provide $1 of benefits in California remains almost double that of the median state workers' compensation system.
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Market concentration ratios in 2022 are the lowest in decades, as the largest 10 insurers controlled less than 60% of the market.
For more information please visit the WCIRB's website. Source: California Coalition on Workers Compensation (of which CAWA is a member).
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After the Vote: Implementing an Alternative Workweek Schedule | |
My company adopted an alternative workweek schedule. Does this mean that all employees must work our alternative four-day 10-hour shift schedule, or can employees choose between the alternative schedule and a traditional five eight-hour day schedule?
With limited exceptions, all nonexempt employees in a particular work unit — which, depending on how you defined your work unit, could be the entire company, or a single department within the company — must work the alternative workweek schedule once it is adopted. The purpose of implementing an alternative workweek is to offer an arrangement that is different from the traditional workweek of five eight-hour days such that, if properly executed, employees can work up to 10 hours a day without triggering the payment of daily overtime. See more here. Source: Our Friends at the California Chamber of Commerce
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Another Key to Sales Success
A few months ago, my article was centered around the number one sales success factor: hard work. Again, that assumes you have at least average intelligence and work on the right things. That said, being successful in sales also requires that you possess another key character trait: self-discipline. Self-discipline is important because it ensures that you do the hard work every day whether you feel like it or not, because there will be days when you don’t feel like it. One of the most difficult paths a salesperson maneuvers is that of staying motivated throughout the day. The amount of rejection a salesperson faces, along with the other ups and downs of the job, coupled with natural physical cycles or periods of low energy, all negatively affect motivation levels causing it to ebb and flow. Because of this, motivation cannot be relied upon to get you to do the work you need to do every day. A far more reliable source for getting us to do what needs to be done is self-discipline. Self-discipline is a habit that once installed, will take over and automatically lead you to do the things that need to be done regardless of how you feel. See more discussion here. Source: John Chapin
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Help CAWA Raise Funds for its Two Scholarship Programs – For Students and Automotive High School Teachers | This year, Sean Ruitenberg, of Premium Guard, is Chair of the Scholarship Fundraising Committee. See his request for donations (here) and the form (here) you can use to donate prizes and/or funds for this year’s event. Fundraising will be the focus of this year’s annual gala dinner the Sunday night before AAPEX on October 29, 2023 sponsored by Motorcar Parts of America. Register for CAWA's Annual Gala Dinner here. | |
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Student Stephen Abkin is Presented a Scholarship Award from Matt Herr, CAWA Member | Student and proud mother presented a 2023 scholarship award by CAWA Member Matt Herr of Auto Parts Pros in San Marcos, CA | |
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S&P Global Mobility Report: Aftermarket May See Boom | The share of vehicles more than eight years old will increase, the report says, signaling increased aftermarket business. With a record-high average vehicle age in the US, the aftermarket is likely to see robust growth in repair and maintenance work, as older cars will see even more miles driven than traditionally expected, according to analysis by S&P Global Mobility. Two years of short supply of new vehicles has driven consumers into the used-car market. Now, there could be a counter-intuitive shift: Surging new-vehicle supply could further boost expansion of the used-vehicle fleet, bringing more high-mileage vehicles into service bays, the report projects. The aging car parc has already expanded the repair business sweet spot, which we consider as vehicles from six to 11 years old. Now 12- and 13-year-old vehicles are becoming a bigger part of the business – even though they were originally sold during the slow-sales years of the Great Recession. See more discussion here. Source: AMN aftermarketNews | |
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Looking for a Blacksmith or a Tree Trimmer or an Automotive Professional?
Tell your company’s HR Department (or the person in charge of hiring your associates) that CAWA has an industry specific job board. We created the job board and participate in conjunction with the Auto Care Association, MEMA, SEMA and ASA to name a few national associations. So, your job opening would be viewed by a great number of candidates given the exposure, through not only CAWA distribution, but the other industry association’s communications vehicles, as well.
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Save up to 30% with CAWA’s Association Health Plan in Nevada | CAWA business members with 2 - 50 employees can engage in collective buying power to access benefits and rate typically offered to large group employers. See details here. | |
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