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Message From the President
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Dear Members,
First and foremost I would like to express my gratitude for electing me to the position of “El Presidente.” I have enjoyed being involved over the past years and feel honored that my peers see me as fit for this position.
I have been in the auto body industry for 33 years. I started as a student at Renton Technical College studying auto body repair and upon completion became a technician for the following several years. I later became an adjuster with Pemco Insurance and spent 15 years with the company when I was offered the position of General Manager at Foreign Auto Rebuild, Inc. I gladly accepted and have been here for the past 9 years.
Since my days of being a technician up until now I have seen a lot of changes in our industry. From hand written estimates, frame ladder gauges and lacquer paint we have stepped up to computerized estimating and measuring systems, water based paints and email and faxing as our main modes of communication. Change is here, it is now and we need to take action or our industry will not survive.
It is no secret that in the past decade we have seen a steady decline in profit margin, rising overhead expenses and a definite increase in industry control by the insurance companies. We as a whole can accept in part blame for some of the said issues.
As the insurance companies developed DRP’s we welcomed them as a great method of referral work and it seemed to be working out great in the beginning. We let this turn into a monster. They became the “dealer” and we are the “addicts.” Now, we have become dependent on them. They became our customers, not the owner of the vehicle.
Additionally, however separate from the DRP problem, I personally find it difficult to accept repair estimates from an ill trained adjuster with no hands on repair experience. It is almost comical and yet frustrating to be told what will be needed for a quality repair. Our industry will have to keep fighting the aftermarket vs. factory part issue among many.
In the end, we continue to do a quality repair because WE are the professionals and stand behind our work. WE accept liability of repair regardless of the coverage of the estimate. And WE will continue to do this quality repair because this is what WE do.
Now change is needed more than ever! WE need to determine how the vehicle should be repaired and what parts should be used and work not for the insurance company but for that warm body handing us over their keys entrusting us to fix their car to pre-accident condition… WE need to collectively become the change that keeps this very industry alive… just had to get that off my chest!
The Autobody Craftsman Association members are the very leaders in our industry that have the ability to make the necessary changes. There have been strides made in the past and I foresee many more victories in the future. I feel that we need to start by building our membership. Get more shops and people involved. Become a louder voice! This is starting to happen. With the attendance at the Annual Convention being at an all time record high and the growing Annual Golf Tournament; it is hopeful that the membership will continue to grow and we will unite to make positive changes for our industry as a whole!
Presently, South King County is the only Chapter in operation. What happened to the rest of Washington? We should initiate a common goal to reach those that are not in such close proximity to the greater Seattle area. Some areas of interest to the outlying counties and/or cities could be quarterly meetings attracting national well known speakers and educational topics that create positive changes in our bottom line. This would give more opportunity to those with schedules that are hectic to plan and get excited for membership and event attendance.
In this upcoming year I would love to hear from YOU! I want to know what you want to hear about; areas of interest and goals for our future in business and meetings. It is time for you to express your opinions and I am here to listen. I will do my best to listen and provide each and every member with the attention you deserve and exceed your expectations as “El Presidente.”
I accept this honor and look forward to making a difference!
Sincerely,
Kirk Ingertila
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Message From the Past President
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Coming Soon!
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