Assured Performance Launches Capability Assessment Evaluation and Planning Tool as a Bridge to OEM Certification

Laguna Hills, CA – Assured Performance Network, the country’s largest Certified Collision Repair Network, announced the North American launch of their exclusive Capabilities Assessment Evaluation and Planning Tool to the collision repair industry. Now, body shops are able to use a self-administered online program to perform a confidential, in depth evaluation of their business, and create a Business Improvement Plan (BIP) based upon deficiencies, action item to-do lists, budgets, and timelines. The Capability Assessment Tool allows shops to see exactly how they stack up against the listing of OEM Certification requirements and standards, as well as how they compare with our proprietary list of industry top best practices.

Assured Performance created the online service to assist body shops that want to develop and chart an improvement plan to achieve the requirements for OEM Certification in a timely manner. The development of the service is in response to repairer requests. Already, over one thousand dealer body shops have used the tool as part of the joint-effort OEM Certification program managed by Assured Performance.

Assured Performance is recognized as having the most stringent and comprehensive business requirements for official Certification. To become Certified-Recognized, shops must provide proof of compliance, and then pass an onsite inspection-audit with several internal reviews. The Capability Assessment Tool can be used by repair businesses prior to enrolling in the extensive process. The Capabilities Assessment Tool serves as the basis of a Business Improvement Plan for repair businesses to follow. Effectively, it charts your path to enhanced body shop capabilities and overall performance, and ultimately gain OEM Certification.

The Capabilities Assessment Evaluation and Planning Tool has been developed based upon the top performance and business models of thousands of collision repair businesses. Using this tool allows a shop to identify their competitive strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. But, not only does the Capabilities Assessment Tool identify any deficiencies, it additionally allows body shops to create a Business Improvement Plan and prioritize action items complete with priority lists, timelines, and budgets.

Upon completion of the assessment, priorities and budgets can be assigned, and any timelines for completion are established. The shop will have a strategic plan that focuses on the most important needs of the business.

About Assured Performance:

Assured Performance Network is composed of three organizations:  A non-profit Consumer Advocacy Organization, a legal Co-Op, and a management company. Combined, we operate as a third-party administrator for Consumer Awareness, Body Shop Certification and rebate reward programs for several of the largest automakers. Assured Performance Network is the largest, most advanced repair capable network of Certified collision repair centers with over 2,800 participating shops.

For more information, contact Assured Performance visit: http://www.assuredperformance.net

Certified Collision Care and TenPoint Complete Announce Advanced and Customized CSI Services for OEM Certified Collision Care Providers

Hamilton, Ontario – Certified Collision Care, the Canadian division of Assured Performance Network, North America’s largest OEM Certified Collision Repair Network, announced today they have entered into an agreement with TenPoint Complete to provide special services and pricing to their Certified Repair Provider network. Through this alliance, Certified Collision Care shops will be able to track their CSI performance and access, measure and manage all aspects of their collision repair business through a newly developed KPI feature. The newly developed services delivered by TenPoint Complete also features custom dashboards and electronic and phone-based CSI surveying. This exclusive tool-set will provide Collision Care Providers with an advanced approach to CSI that is also cost effective.

“Our alliance with Assured Performance’s Certified Collision Care demonstrates a collaborative effort that provides services to multiple stakeholders – including repairers, OEMs and other business partners,” said Robb Young, TenPoint Complete. “Repair businesses in the network now have access to the “Complete Solution” including custom dashboards and electronic and phone-based CSI surveying. This will enable decision makers the ability to positively impact customer satisfaction on a daily basis,” Young added.

“This new business relationship with TenPoint Complete creates an ideal way for our OEM Certified Collision Care Providers to deliver, monitor and manage the best customer experience possible,” said Scott Biggs, CEO, Assured Performance, and added, “Enabling our Certified Repair Providers to deliver an exceptional customer experience, consistently and cost effectively is fundamental to our mission.”

Certified Collision Care strives to continually offer solutions that provide additional value to their OEM Certified network of repair providers and participating OEM partners. Leanne Jefferies, Assured Performance Vice President of Canadian Operations said, “This CSI solution provides a shop with exactly what they need to manage quality and compliance efficiently, with the added bonus that it represents the most cost effective solution, improving the overall business ROI.”

About TenPoint Complete

TenPoint Complete is the leading provider of credible and actionable customer satisfaction and call center services to the automotive and insurance industries. Serving repairer and insurance claims organizations for over 20 years, the team at TenPoint Complete is driven by experience. For more information on TenPoint Complete, please contact Robb Young, Director of Business Development, by email at ryoung@tenpointcomplete.com or call 855-338-6461.

About Certified Collision Care:

The mission of the Certified Collision Care program is to raise the industry’s technical repair capability and ensure each repair business has what is necessary to properly and safely repair current and future vehicles manufactured by the participating Automakers. Certified Collision Care is the Canadian division of Assured Performance Network, the largest network of Certified repair providers with over 2,800 Collision Care Providers participating. Assured Performance was created as a joint-effort initiative to provide body shop Certification for several of the largest auto manufacturers in North America covering over 65% of all vehicle brands on the road including but not limited to: Ford, Nissan, Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Hyundai, Enterprise and others. In Canada, Certified Collision Care provides OEM Certification for FCA Canada.

Media Contact:

Certified Collision Care
www.CertifiedCollisionCare.ca
Leanne Jefferies, VP Canadian Operations, Assured Performance Network
(905) 628-2041

Collision Industry Conference Hosts Body Shop Certification Panel

Collision Industry Conference Hosts Body Shop Certification Panel

(Left to right) Mark Allen of Audi, Clint Marlow of Allstate and Scott Biggs of Assured Performance participate in the certification panel.

Certification is taking off like wildfire as more and more automakers are taking more of a stake in how their vehicles are repaired once out of the factory. They want to protect their brand by ensuring that their highly sophisticated vehicles are repaired back to their own specifications.

The panelists consisted of: David Parzen, senior technical project manager for NSF; Scott Biggs, CEO of Assured Performance; Mark Allen, manager of collision and equipment for Audi; John Eck, manager, wholesale channel for GM; and Clint Marlow, senior manager, claims strategy for Allstate.

Moderator Lou DiLisio started off by asking whether OE certification was good or bad for the industry.

Scott Biggs remarked how certification is completely transforming the collision repair industry for the better.

“Certification is literally transforming the industry at an amazing rate,” he said. “Shops are getting more training than ever before, and the ripple effect is incredible. And we’re just at the beginning of how this will benefit a lot of people.”

Clint Marlow of Allstate commented, “It’s logical for the consumer to go back to the factory or OE for questions, but it would be bad to have 25 different sets of standards.”

NSF’s David Parzen thinks certification is great, stating, “Different shops have different capabilities and different quality levels, and the mechanism of certification can determine what shop is capable of what.”

John Eck of GM said he didn’t know if it’s good or bad, but he did know one thing. “OEs are concerned for the safety of their vehicles. And the longevity on the road is getting longer. You have to be aware of consumer loyalty, and the big factor is satisfaction with the vehicle. OEs are just waking up to that. The consumer is the focus at GM, and safety is paramount.”

Mark Allen declined to say whether certification is good or bad but rather characterized it as “necessary.”

“We do things in a very specific way. There is great complexity of engineering going into cars today. Insurers are telling us to be safer, and the government is telling us to reduce fuel consumption. It’s really showing the way of where we’re going. Welcome to the future. It’s far from your granddad’s Oldsmobile.

“If you look at how the auto industry interacted with the collision industry 15 years ago, it was very little. Now we’re all sitting in a room talking on how to repair a car. You will see more of this.”

Allstate’s Marlow added, “It continues to evolve, but hopefully some of the requirements will become reciprocal to reduce the burden on repair facilities and not force them to have a wall of welders and rivet guns.”

Audi’s Allen offered a counterpoint to Marlow’s statement, adding, “I hear that I don’t need a wall of riveters, but 15 year ago cars were made of mild steel. What are they made of today? There are different types of steel, aluminum, etc. We use aerospace grade aluminum and carbon fiber, and there are different pieces of equipment designed and tested for this. And we crash test so we know what the repeatable outcomes are. We know what works.”

Biggs remarked how far the industry has come since the economic downturn seven years ago.

“In 2010, there was a crisis, but we have now made huge inroads that has impacted less than 10 percent of all shops,” Biggs said. “But now you have new technology coming out every month and every year requiring shops to be able to repair it.

Having a mechanism to determine who can repair that is absolutely essential, so I see more of the same coming in the future.”

Biggs also addressed repairers’ concern for having to have multiple different types of expensive equipment to handle repairing today’s modern vehicles, saying his organization, Assured Performance, has worked to avoid that with their program.

“We built our program around OE specs. We said, let’s focus on specs. What performance does that equipment need to have versus what brand it needs to be? The idea was to eliminate brand, so we standardized the requirement of several OEs. We also set out to mitigate cost and allow shops to get ‘certified once, recognized by many.’”

Marlow offered the insurance perspective, stating he was very concerned about costs being passed along to the consumer. But Biggs offered another perspective.

“What’s the cost of not complying?” he said. “There have been a whole lot of bad repairs and liability settlements out there for years. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to the investment in training and equipment. You’ll have to incur equipment costs anyway. The cost of the vehicle is higher too, and the life of the vehicle is longer. It’s a whole different dynamic.”

Added Mark Allen, “How much does it cost for you to be professional and stay in the industry? How much will it cost for you to settle that death case? Insurers come to my training because they want a quality product. The people here at his meeting have to go out and share this info with other shops and ask them, ‘Are your customers worthless to you?’”

View the original post here.

Shop Certification At 2016 NACE/CARS

Assured Performance CEO/President Scott Biggs, at NACE/CARS 2016, explaining why shop certification programs are meeting a demand, which is to raise the quality of collision repair services.

August 11, 2016 – Assured Performance covered one of the hottest topics in the world of collision repair, shop certification, at the 2016 NACE/CARS Conference in Anaheim California.

Assured Performance representatives shared the microphone to discuss the latest shop certification program developments. Shop owners and managers from businesses already involved in a shop certification process, and those getting ready to do so, shared insight and information regarding the best tools and ways to achieve their goals.

Assured Performance Founder and President Scott Biggs discussed the recent Canadian launch of the Assured Performance program. Biggs shared some very interesting data and statistics, including the fact that 35% of collision repairs in the U.S. are performed in OEM Certified collision repair shops.

“The justification for collison repair shop certification programs became obvious five years ago, when we discovered that less than 5% of shops possessed the tools and training to keep up with the technological advancements of the new vehicles being delivered. We wanted to develop a program which was recognized by OEMs, appreciated by insurers and approved by shops, which would also wean out the weaker players. How is it that shops, which aren’t equipped to do so, are still repairing damaged vehicles?ˮ asked Biggs.

Workshops participants discussed the various advantages of shop certification and reviewed the progress of the programs to-date. New-vehicle manufacturer representatives were also present to discuss their point of view and expectations in regard to these programs.

The session wrapped up with presentation of what the North-American collision repair market of the future will probably look like.

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Assured Performance Network’s new Certified Collision Care program will provide many benefits.

Certified Once, Recognized by Many

OEM (original equipment manufacturer) certification is a growing trend in the collision repair industry, and in Canada, programs are just starting to develop. Given the complexity of the collision repair business, any program that simplifies the certification process and unifies industry stakeholders is a good thing. This is why the time is right for a new national program.

Leanne Jefferies, vice president, Canadian Operations at Assured Performance Network, has just launched the “Certified Collision Care” program in Canada. The program has a long history of success with the company’s U.S.- based parent company. Assured Performance Network has certified over 2,000 collision repair facilities in the U.S. and had that certification recognized by U.S. OEMs. Certification is given only to repairers that meet or exceed OEM standards for tools, equipment, training, and facilities. Certification assures customers that these shops are able to properly repair vehicles to manufacturer specifications for fit, finish, durability, value, and safety.

Assured Performance Network’s motto is “Certified once, recognized by many.” It is the collaborative spirit of the program that sets it apart. “This is a unique opportunity,” Jefferies says. “We can work together in a way that’s not been done before in Canada. There are benefits for repairers, OEMs, consumers, and insurers.”

Providing a single avenue for certification is the simplest, most efficient way to ensure quality standards, safety, and high customer satisfaction

The Certified Collision Care program will provide a framework for OEMs to come together and agree on the standards that repairers in Canada need to meet to properly repair vehicles. Working together will reduce redundancy in program requirements, repetitious inspections, and unnecessary duplication of costs.

Providing a single avenue for certification is the simplest, most efficient way to ensure quality standards, safety, and high customer satisfaction, Jefferies says. The program levels the playing field. It gives all technically qualified collision repairers the opportunity to become certified and differentiate themselves from others who may not have made the same investments in quality. It is also open to all OEMs that want a proven certification program so they can assure their customers that their vehicles are being repaired at qualified repair shops. A certified collision repair program increases customer satisfaction and helps OEMs to protect their brand and promote customer loyalty.

“I see this program as an opportunity for our industry to create a standard,” explains Jefferies, “to recognize repairers who have stayed current and invested in training and equipment; to encourage more repairers to invest in I-CAR training, tools, and equipment; and, most importantly, to protect consumers. By working together, we can establish our own ‘seal of approval’ that lets customers and insurers know that we are qualified to repair vehicles.”

The process of becoming a “Certified Collision Care” provider is very straightforward. The program is largely run online. Other than an on-site inspection and audits, a shop can manage everything on the Certified Collision Care website: certifiedcollisioncare.ca

Once enrolled, shops are able to assess their business capability against a complete list of certification standards and receive an evaluation that shows any deficiencies. Shops can then make the modifications or investments required to qualify. Next, an inspector audits the shops to ensure proof of compliance through documentation and photos. Once certified, a shop has access to various marketing and promotional tools. Jefferies adds, “Our program is user-friendly, transparent, and open to all. Our website lists all of our certification requirements, so there is no guesswork involved. Our account managers are there to support repairers and answer questions every step of the way during the process.”

Benefits to Stakeholders

The Certified Collision Care program is an idea that has come along at the right moment, if for no other reason than the accelerating pace of change and the increasing complexity in the industry. Certification provides real benefits for shops. It tells insurers and customers that a business has all of the necessary skills, technical knowledge, and tools it takes to repair current and next generation vehicles. Used as part of a marketing campaign, it can help drive more sales, convert estimates into repairs, and, ultimately, produce happy customers.

We can work together in a way that’s not been done before in Canada

Ongoing participation and certification also allows shop owners to better plan future investment. By knowing what is coming down the road, they can develop a training plan to ensure their technicians stay current, rather than simply reacting after the fact. The Certified Collision Care program provides clarity and guidance on where to invest.

Having a shop with visibly high standards has an impact on the business in other ways — including recruiting and retention. “Shops with a reputation for quality are also able to attract better employees. The best like to work with the best,” says Jefferies.

“All together, the benefits of Certified Collision Care add up to the opportunity to earn a better return on a shop’s investment in tools, training, facilities, and marketing,” she says.

For insurers, Certified Collision Care offers the ability to easily identify the qualifications of repairers across Canada. This in turn gives peace of mind to their customers, assuring them that their vehicles are receiving safe repairs that meet OEM specifications. In addition, the program can help to identify repairers with advanced capabilities to repair vehicles that have aluminum and carbon fibre in their structure.

Certification requires shops to meet standards in the areas of business practices, technical capabilities, customer service, regulatory compliance, and advanced capabilities. Many shops can already check off a lot of the boxes needed to qualify. Here are some of the initial qualifications:

Business Standards

• Shops must have been in business for five years or possess a credit rating and service history. As well, they must provide proof of Garage Keepers liability insurance with a minimum of a million dollars of coverage. Shops must also give customers a limited lifetime warranty.
• Shops must subscribe to an electronic p-page (procedure page) logic estimating system. They must also be in compliance with locally, provincially, and nationally legislated operating requirements, including worker protection and hazardous waste disposal.
• Shops must measure customer satisfaction through a third party provider and have a process to follow up with unsatisfied customers. They must use a preferred rental car company or provide complimentary customer transportation. They are also required to deliver a vehicle with a clean interior and exterior.
• Shops must have a well-maintained, well-lit parking area and a professional, well-maintained customer waiting area. They must provide formalized customer service training to key office staff.

Technical Standards

• Shops must have I-CAR Gold Class or Gold Class in Progress status with proof of ongoing I-CAR training quarterly. I-CAR Gold Class status must be achieved by the first annual certification renewal (that is, within 12 months). The facility must have provincially licensed technicians employed at all times.
• Shops are required to subscribe to current OEM repair procedures and be able to provide documented proof of this.
• Use of a frame rack or dedicated universal fixture bench with proper anchoring and pulling capabilities is mandatory. Also mandatory is an electronic 3D measuring system with a current data subscription and proof of the technical training to operate the system.
• Qualified shops must use a current refrigerant recovery/recycling system or provide proof of a subcontract supplier. They must have the ability to conduct and verify four-wheel alignment either in-house or through a subcontract provider.
• Shops must have the ability to remove, replace, and reinstall steering and suspension components, as well as engine and drive train units. They must have the ability to service passive and active restraint systems.
• Shops must have a spray paint booth with forced air drying systems, use an OEM-approved finishing system, and show proof of product training for that system.
• Shops must have a ground lift with at least 7,000 pounds capacity and use pressure-fed corrosion compound and application systems. They must have the ability to perform pre and post repair vehicle diagnostic scans and proof of calibration either in-house or through a subcontractor. Shops are required to have a documented quality assurance or quality control system in place.

Advanced Materials

• “Advanced materials are being used in all vehicles today,” says Jefferies. “With one certification from Certified Collision Care, you will get recognition from multiple manufacturers on advanced materials. With so much new technology and materials coming down the road at such a rapid pace of deployment, having a single stop certification is simply going to save everybody time and money.”
• To qualify for certification, shops must meet manufacturers’ specifications according to make, model, and year:
• Shops must have a 220-volt, three-phase inverter or functionally equivalent squeeze-type resistance spot welder capable of producing a minimum of 600 lb of clamping force and 10,000 amps of current at the electrodes. They must also have a 220-volt MIG/MAG welder for steel fusion.
• Shops are required to have a dent removal/pulling system for steel panels that contains a stud welder, stud pins and washers, wiggle wire, and pulling attachments. They must have completed I-CAR WCS03: Steel GMA Welding certification, have a MIG welder with silicon-bronze MIG brazing capabilities, and have proof of training in silicon-bronze MIG brazing.
• As far as standard certification goes, a considerable number of shops already qualify or are close to qualification with their current training and facilities. Others may already also qualify for optional qualification in composite materials and aluminum repair. To qualify for the optional composite materials certification, shops must meet additional qualifications:
• Shops must have the tools and equipment to repair advanced structural composite and carbon fibre components, and provide proof of training or certification in repairing those components.
• Shops must have a clean room and an air filtration and evacuation system. Shops must also provide proof of any OEM certification for advanced structural composites or carbon fibre construction.

Repairers can also add to their certification an “aluminum repair capable” designation. The requirements for this certification are straightforward:
Shops must have a separate work area for aluminum repair, either a separate room or a curtain system. They must have a designated set of special tools specifically for aluminum vehicles to prevent cross-contamination from steel-body vehicles. Their inventory must contain all the required hand tools per manufacturer specifications.

• Shops must use a 220-volt pulse MIG welder for aluminum work and an aluminum dent extraction system that contains a stud welder, a heat gun, a pyrometer, and aluminum hammers. They are also required to use specialized self-piercing rivet guns that meet or exceed manufacturer specifications.
• Shops must have an immersion-type wet-mix dust extraction system in place.
• Shops must have completed I-CAR Ford Structural Repair and I-CAR WCA05: Aluminum Welding training or have proof of functional equivalents.

Having a single stop certification is going to save everybody time and money

Once again, many shops may already qualify for these optional certifications or be very close to qualification. The full list of requirements is available on the company’s website.

As already stated, in the U.S., the program has grown to include more than 2,000 shops. Jefferies is aiming to have all qualified shops in Canada certified in order to provide coast-to-coast coverage and to have at least one certified repairer in every community. She expects that at least 800 to 1,000 shops will join the program.

The annual cost for basic certification is $2,950 CAD, which will include the OEM certification and recognitions that are added during the inaugural year. As an added incentive, participating shops are only required to pay a non-refundable $1,000 CAD deposit at the time of enrollment, with the balance due upon process completion and official certification.

Shops will have the option to select various OEM certifications and recognitions and marketing programs as they are added to the program in subsequent years, which could require additional fees.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to bring this program to Canada. The program is effective, efficient, and affordable,” Jefferies says. “By providing third-party, neutral certification, we’re bringing real value to all stakeholders in collision repair. By working together collaboratively as an industry, we can really make a difference. It’s a win for everybody.”

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This article originally appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Collision Quarterly.

Assured Performance Newsletter

Coming Soon..

Assured Performance Appoints Bob Keith Senior Director of Compliance and Education

ASSURED PERFORMANCE APPOINTS BOB KEITH SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE AND EDUCATION

LAGUNA HILLS, CA – Assured Performance is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Bob Keith as Senior Director of Compliance & Education.  Keith will assume responsibility for managing the network of over 300 shop inspector auditors across North America.  His role will also oversee education and business improvement initiatives for the Assured Performance Network of over 2,800 Certified Repair Providers.

Keith is a well-known industry leader with nearly 40 years’ experience.  In the late 70’s, Keith became a body shop owner-operator when he and his partner formed Silver Hammer Body Co.  Today the partners own four CARSTAR franchises in Nebraska and Kansas.

Keith served on the I-CAR International Board of Directors filling many roles between 2007 – 2016 including Chairman of the Board in 2015.  Bob currently serves as Treasurer of the AMI Board of Trustees.  Bob is also a 12 year member of the Skills USA National technical committee for collision repair.

“I am looking forward to my new role at Assured Performance.  It’s a great opportunity for me to continue to serve the industry that I love in the OEM Certification space.  Assured Performance has a great team and an impressive set of tools that will help best-in-class body shops maximize their investment into becoming Certified,” stated Bob Keith.  “Through inspector-auditor coaching and shop education we will be able to help thousands of Certified Repair Provider’s achieve even greater success.”

Scott Biggs, CEO of Assured Performance said, “We are thrilled to have Bob join our executive team to work closely with our shop inspector-auditors, staff, and Certified repair network to drive our business success.  He has the perfect background to help expand the impact of our OEM Certification and business improvement programs.”

Bob joined CARSTAR corporate in 1996 and assumed responsibility for training and education in 2009.  Recently his role was managing training for CARSTAR’s EDGE Performance Platform.  Keith worked at CARSTAR for 20 years.

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About Assured Performance:

Assured Performance is the largest network of Certified body shops with over 2,800 body shops participating.  Assured Performance was created as a joint-effort initiative to provide body shop Certification for several of the largest automakers in the world covering over 60% of all vehicle brands on the road including but not limited to: Ford, Nissan, Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Hyundai and others.  Assured Performance is comprised of three entities:  A non-profit consumer advocacy organization, a legal Cooperative (Co-Op) and a management company.  Combined, they are the industry recognized leader in Certification, collision repair business development and consumer awareness. To learn more visit www.assuredperformance.net

Assured Performance OEM Certification Symposium Set for August 10-11, with NACE in Anaheim, CA

Laguna Hills, CA – Assured Performance, the largest OEM Certified collision repair network in the world announced details today for the OEM Certification Symposium held in conjunction with the NACE expo, August 10-11, 2016.  Assured Performance and Automakers including: Ford, Nissan, Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles, Hyundai and others have joined together to host a content-filled symposium for Certified repair providers, interested repairers and invited guests.

Through panel discussions, presentations by the OEMs and instructional seminars, attendees will have the opportunity to gain insight into industry trends and Automaker strategies; while learning how to maximize the value of their OEM Certification credentials and turbo-charge their business by capitalizing on the industry-changing dimension. The symposium will expose attendees to an in-depth, hands-on review of special certification-based marketing and sales programs that are solely available through OEM Certification programs.  They will explore how OEM Certification is linking vehicle owners directly with Certified repair providers through the new and rapidly expanding OEM customer referral programs (CRP).  The event will also debut several cutting-edge tools for repair quality assurance, documenting the use of OEM repair procedures such as: KPI/data management, process management (ERP) and customer relations management (CRM).

Body shop owners and managers who are interested in learning more about how OEM Certification is changing the collision repair industry are invited to attend.  Pre-registration is required.  The OEM Certification Symposium will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center, CA in conjunction with the NACE expo.  The symposium spans over two-half days and begins August 10 from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, followed by a special OEM Roundtable Reception and Assured Performance sponsored concert performance.  The symposium reconvenes August 11, 2016 from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Registration for the OEM Certification Symposium is now available to Collision repair providers for a one-time payment of only $135 per registered attendee, which includes general admission to NACE.

Registration Details

To register or learn more about the OEM Certification Symposium, visit our website at assuredperformance.net/events or call (949) 221-0010 to speak with an Account Specialist.

Collision repair providers who are not yet Certified, please call (949) 221-0010 to register for the event.

Collision Care News – June:July

Ford National Body Shop Network Collision Care Collision Care Newsletter – June:July 2016

Assured Performance to partner with Nissan North America in Relaunching the Nissan GT-R Certified Collision Repair Program

Assured Performance to partner with Nissan North America in Relaunching the Nissan GT-R Certified Collision Repair Program

June 13th, 2016 – Laguna Hills, CA –Assured Performance announced today they are entering into an exclusive strategic agreement with Nissan North America to relaunch and manage their GT-R Certified Collision Repair Program.

The new GT-R Certification program allows dealers and independent collision repair facilities that meet the necessary qualifications, to be Certified by Nissan North America as a collision repair facility of choice for its vehicle owners. The program allows GT-R vehicle owners the option to choose a Certified collision repair provider, that has the proper tools, equipment, training, and facility required to repair their vehicle to OEM specifications and ensure the vehicle’s fit, finish, durability, functionality, value, and safety are preserved. This is particularly important based upon the fact that the GT-R vehicle is a unique, high performance vehicle that requires a qualified collision repair facility that can repair it.

By leveraging the existing certification process, shops are able to eliminate redundant costs; making certification more affordable for dealerships and independently owned collision repair businesses that meet the requirements.

Manager for the Certified Collision Network for Nissan North America, Mark Zoba stated, “Nissan is committed to all our vehicle owners in being able to provide a quality repair option in the marketplace validated to have the right training, tools, and equipment to maintain performance and safety of their vehicles after a collision. This is equally important for our GT-R owners. The GT-R being a high performance vehicle developed with materials not typical in the everyday vehicle, requires special equipment and training of shops to ensure a proper repair. Assured Performance is a proven and trusted partner with Nissan for our collision repair provider certification, and a perfect choice to help Nissan drive the new elite GT-R Certification Program as well.”

Scott Biggs, CEO of Assured Performance commented, “We are proud to partner once again with Nissan North America to repackage and relaunch the GT-R Certification Program.  The GT-R vehicle is a beautifully designed super car that can go as fast as 193 MPH with amazing cornering abilities. Our Certified Network provides the best choice for GT-R vehicle owners should they need a proper and safe repair.”

Assured Performance certifies best-in-class collision repair businesses that have met or exceeded the OEM advanced technical repair requirements.   Assured Performance Certified Collision Care providers are located in every state with 98% coverage of the country. Certification provides top performing collision repairers a way to increase the value and credibility of their business and differentiate themselves in their market.

Visit www.GetGT-RCertified.com for information on the GT-R Certification Program and www.assuredperformance.net for more information about Assured Performance.

Collision Care News – April:May 2016

Ford National Body Shop Network Collision Care Newsletter – April:May 2016

Assured Performance Launches Mobile Inspection Audit App to Enhance 5-Step Certification Validation Process

Laguna Hills, CA – Assured Performance Network, the country’s largest OEM Certified Collision Repair Network, announced major enhancements to their 5-Step Certification Validation Process, in concert with the launch of a proprietary mobile App, for use by hundreds of their onsite Inspectors. The Assured Performance Certification “proof of compliance” is completely transparent, employs numerous checks and balances, and follows ISO and GAAP compliant steps; unlike programs that rely on subjective verifications and manually checking a box. Assured Performance onsite Inspectors will use a patent pending Smart App to optimize consistency, efficiency, and an additional layer of integrity.

Assured Performance is recognized as having the most stringent and comprehensive business requirements for official OEM Certification. To become Certified, shops must provide proof of compliance, then pass an onsite audit, and several comprehensive internal reviews. To electronically document all of the requirements efficiently and consistently, Assured Performance has developed a proprietary mobile App and integrated its use with the extensive training and testing. Now, trained Inspectors will follow a consistent inspection workflow, providing electronic images, scans and notes, and upload the information to the web for additional internal auditing using the new proprietary mobile tool. It requires the Inspectors to take photos onsite and in sequence. The App additionally guarantees high quality images, organization of the hundreds of documents and images and pins them to the shop, inspection, and location.

The Assured Performance 5-step Validation Process includes an initial capability assessment supported by electronic documentation as the first “proof of compliance” step. The application documentation is reviewed with an internal Account Manager to rectify any deficiencies and complete compliance prior to an onsite inspection audit. Then, a trained and tested Inspector conducts an on-site audit and electronically documents the possession and use of the various tools, equipment and facility modifications, as required by the participating OEMs.

“Our Inspectors must always be above reproach and efficient and consistent as they document the shops proof of compliance.” stated Michael Quinn, Executive VP of Assured Performance. “We built this special App and added it to our 5-Step Validation Process in order to help our team achieve an even higher level of excellence and integrity.”

Since the inception of Assured Performance OEM Certification, all of the electronic documentation has been web based and organized in the shop’s profile for review at any time for transparency. Now, Assured Performance Inspectors will use the new “Inspection Audit App” on their laptop, tablet, smart phone, or other mobile device to more efficiently provide the secondary electronic “proof of compliance” for the thousands of shops participating across North America.

The App makes the subsequent internal review steps more efficient, too. The Assured Performance “Internal Auditor” reviews the Inspector’s report and all electronic visual documentation. The internal audit is followed by a final review by a representative of the participating OEM before official Certification is granted. The new Inspection Audit App will save thousands of man-hours annually, while increasing the documentation quality and add even greater integrity in the work product. The Inspection Audit App is used exclusively by Assured Performance affiliated on-site Inspector Auditors and operates on all major software and is available for free download.

About Assured Performance: Assured Performance Network is composed of three organizations:  A non-profit consumer advocacy organization, a legal co-op, and a management company. Combined, we operate as a third-party administrator for consumer awareness, body shop certification, and rebate rewards programs for several of the largest automakers. Assured Performance Network is the largest, most advanced repair capable network of Certified collision repair centers with over 2,500 participating shops.  For more information visit: http://www.assuredperformance.net

Assured Performance Co-Op Announces 2016 Board of Directors

Laguna Hills, CA – Assured Performance, the largest network of Certified body shops in the world, announced today their 2016 Board of Directors for their Co-Op entity. In accordance with their bylaws, the Co-Op Board of Directors is represented exclusively by body shop owners on behalf of over 3,000 collision repair businesses across the entire U.S that are official Co-Op members.

The Board includes the following industry notables:

• Brett Bailey, A&B CARSTAR – Midwest Region
• Kathy Mello, TGIF Body Shop, Inc. – Northern California Region
• Luis Alonso, Pan American Collision Center – Southern California Region
• Dusty Womble, Roger Beasley Collision – South Central Region
• Ron Reichen, Precision Body & Paint, Northwest Region
• Matt Parker, Parker Auto Body – South East Region
• Dave Rush, D&M Auto Body – North East Region
• Paul Van Aken, Paul’s Quality Collision, LLC. – North Central Region
• Matt Thornton, Park’s Royal Body Works – Western Region

These highly successful shop owners represent all regions across the country with hundreds of years of experience collectively. Individually, they have shown themselves to be effective leaders in the industry and their respective markets.

The Co-Op enables body shops to participate in various rebate-reward programs to provide value to the participating shops. This is a great way for business’s to be financially rewarded; helping with continuous improvements necessary for shops to be successful, and allowing them to further invest in the critical business needs that shops are facing now and in the future.

“We are proud that our Board represents the brightest minds and the best collision repair businesses across the country and look forward to their participation on our board to make our Co-Op and Certified Rewards Programs the best service to shops in North America,” stated Scott Biggs, Chairman and CEO of Assured Performance. “These professionals have proven themselves through their past success, acute business knowledge, and leadership within the industry.”

Shops who have met the Assured Performance standard for certification have demonstrated they have the right tools, equipment and training to properly repair participating OEM’s vehicles to ensure the fit, finish, durability, safety and value of those customer’s vehicles.

About Assured Performance:

Assured Performance Network is composed of three organizations:  A legal Co-Op, a non-profit Consumer Advocacy Organization, and a management company. Combined, they operate as a third-party administrator for Consumer Awareness, Body Shop Certification and Rebate Reward Programs for some of the largest auto manufacturers.

For shops interested in becoming Certified and joining the most advanced repair capable network in the world visit: www.certifymyshop.com. Insurers can visit: www.certifiedbodyshop.info to locate Certified shops throughout the country.

Assured Performance Introduces 5-Star Business Performance Program

Laguna Hills, CA – Assured Performance Network, the collision industry’s leading body shop Certification organization, announced today the official launch of their 5-Star Business Performance Program. The 5-Star Business Performance Program helps body shops to improve their business capabilities aimed at exceeding the industry’s highest levels of performance and attainment of their personal success goals. The 5-Star Program provides shops with an in-depth business analysis resulting in a confidential self-assessing rating and ranking. Then, the shops get a business improvement action plan, expert coaching, and ongoing KPI monitoring.

Upon enrollment in the optional program, shops go through a performance analysis determining areas of weaknesses and opportunities for improvement including: production management, marketing, sales, customer service, financial management, HR management, and technical proficiency. Shops receive in-depth improvement plans, access a KPI dashboard with alerts when performance slips below goals and timelines. Unlike other industry programs that use shop rating to penalize shops, the Assured Performance 5-Star Business Performance Program awards it’s participants with a confidential rating and ranking for self evaluation and blind benchmarking with similar businesses.

Shops now have an independent and confidential source to help monitor and improve their performance based upon KPIs and business practices that are in their best interest for efficiency and profitability. Shop performance information is confidential, never shared with third parties, and is only accessible by the participating shops who elect to enroll in the optional program. The 5-Star Business Performance Program is designed for independent and dealership body shops. Already, nearly 1,000 dealership body shops are enrolled in the program.

“Our 5-Star program is driving shops to levels of performance previously unimaginable. Our shops are already in a league of their own because they are technically compliant to perform advanced repairs,” stated Michael Quinn, Executive Vice President of Assured Performance. “Now we are empowering them to further distinguish themselves in their marketplace by focusing on proven best practices, KPIs, and financial performance.”

Assured Performance has built and launched these business development services to ensure that the entire Assured Performance Certified Repair Network is both the most advanced repair capable and the most efficient and effective shops, and representing the best repair choice in every market.

“A shop can be technically capable, but if they are not a healthy business, they are not the best choice as a Collision Repair Provider,” stated Aaron Clark Vice President of Technical Compliance. “We are doing what it takes to make sure our Certified shops are also the best performing businesses in the industry!”

About Assured Performance:

Assured Performance Network is the largest most advanced repair capable network of Certified collision repair providers with nearly 2,500 participating shops.
Assured Performance Network is composed of three organizations:  A non-profit Consumer Advocacy Organization, a legal Co-Op, and a management company. Combined, they operate as a third-party administrator for Consumer Awareness, Body Shop Certification and Rebate Reward Programs for the leading Auto Manufacturers in North America.

Assured Performance Launches Accident & Collision Care Smartphone App

Laguna Hills, CA – Assured Performance Network, the country’s largest Certified Collision Repair Network, announced the official launch of their consumer-facing smart phone App – Accident & Collision Care. The Assured Performance consumer-facing smart app instructs vehicle drivers to properly document the details of an accident including: photos, other driver’s information, a comprehensive accident description and all the critical information needed to create a complete detailed accident report. Consumers may also select a Certified Collision Repair Provider of their choice, set an appointment and send the entire report to the shop or any other interested parties. The free consumer smart phone App is now available on Apple App Store and Android Google Play.

What makes this app unique and a game-changer is its ability to automatically set an appointment with an OEM Certified-Recognized Collision Repair provider in their community much like an insurer Direct Repair Program (DRP) assignment works today. The App identifies Certified shops based upon the VIN or year, make, and model of the vehicle and geo-location, or the consumer can pre-select their preferred Collision Repair Provider. The app even uploads the entire accident report including the critical insurance and vehicle information and confirms the connection between the Certified shop and the vehicle driver.

The foundation of the smart Apps and shop locators alike is the network of thousands of Certified-Recognized body shops located in nearly every community. All of the Certified Collision repair providers have met or exceeded standards for tools, equipment, training and facilities required by the participating Automakers to properly repair their vehicles to manufacturer specifications helping to ensure the fit, finish, durability, value and safety.

In addition to the Assured Performance consumer App, the participating Automakers already have, or soon will have, smart Apps and online Certified shop locators specific to their vehicle models that leverage the same database of Certified Repair Providers. Combined these are creating an OEM customer referral program supporting the shops that are Certified. This approach further delivers on the Assured Performance claim, “Certified Once, Recognized by Many”.

“Now that our network of Certified shops blanket nearly the entire country, we can actively educate the consumer and provide them with a Certified Repairer choice almost anywhere they might need and want one” stated Assured Performance Chairman and CEO, Scott Biggs. “Our mission is to ensure that all consumers receive an exceptional repair experience delivered by exceptional businesses.”

This smart app can be utilized as an emergency tool in the moment of crisis or can be downloaded ahead of time (recommended).

Download Information:

The Accident & Collision Care App is FREE with no in-app purchases

For additional detailed information, visit the Accident & Collision Care website at: http://app.collisioncare.org/

To download the app for iOS on the iTunes Store here

To download the app for Android on Google Play here

Assured Performance Launches Data Management Services for Certified Repair Providers

Laguna Hills, CA – Assured Performance Network, the country’s largest Certified Collision Repair Network, announced today the official launch of their suite of data safeguard and management services exclusively for their Certified shops.  This unique data service creates and maintains a cloud data storage account for each of their Certified shops much like a safety deposit box at a bank. Now, the shop truly owns their own data and determines how it can be utilized.

Assured Performance is empowering their Certified shops by providing three services working in tandem: dataSAFE^TM, dataMANAGER^TM, and dataIQ^TM. Through the use of the data toolset, the shop’s data is safeguarded and managed exclusively by the shop; not a third party. The data toolset provides Certified shops with various data management benefits including shop performance analysis, KPI reporting, and proof-of-purchase transactional reporting, but without exposing the shops confidential data.

The Assured Performance data services are engineered to report data analytics versus sharing the actual data with third parties. Without exposing the data, shops are able to automate reporting for various rebate incentives, or performance reporting for OEM Certification. Since data integrity is essential for accurate reporting, the data tools automatically create reports and display KPIs without the ability for anyone to access or manipulate the raw data. With this unique approach, shops can now use the data in various manners without violating third-party privacy issues.

Another unique aspect of the Assured Performance data management service is its approach to consumer protection and data privacy. All the shop’s data, including confidential consumer information, never leaves the possession and control of the originating shop. Therefore, customer data remains with the shop to be handled in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws and privacy acts. Further, there is no processing of the estimate lines and vehicle repair data unless the shop does so using the dataIQ tools provided and activates the automated reporting. Therefore, the shop always stays in control of their data.

Assured Performance leverages Amazon Web Services to provide the cloud data storage and safeguarding.  Already, nearly 2,000 Certified shops have installed the Assured Performance services and now have dataSAFE accounts and KPI reporting.

“We have always been a leading advocate for shops to maintain their data privacy and ownership,” stated Assured Performance CEO, Scott Biggs. “We’ve worked hard to find a logical solution to address the conflicting needs and concerns. We are proud to provide our Certified shops with data safeguarding with all of the KPI reporting they need and want.”

Assured Performance’s data services allow the participating Certified shop complete data ownership and control. They are able to see their performance metrics in a variety of graphs, gauges and reports to effectively manage their business. Also, the shop can always elect to stop the services, export their data, and delete all residual data from their dataSAFE at any time. This ensures the shop has access and control over their data while allowing them to use it in various ways for their own advantage and benefit.

About Assured Performance

Assured Performance is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization specializing in the automotive collision repair market segment. Assured Performance works with the top automakers to identify, audit and promote collision repair providers that meet best-in-class business standards and the manufacturer’s requirements. Consumers can go to www.assuredperformance.net to find a list of Certified Collision Repair Providers.