AASP-MN News August 2015

www.grecopublishing.com

August 2015

AASP0815.qxp_AASP News 7/29/15 6:25 PM

AASP-MN News2 August 2015


AASP-MN News August 2015 3


CONTENTSVol. 23 No. 8

AASP of Minnesota is an association ofindependently-owned automo-tive service businesses and industry suppliers dedicated toimproving the state’s automo-tive service industry and thesuccess of its members.

AASP-MN News is the official publication of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota, Inc. 1970 Oakcrest Ave., Suite 102 • Roseville, MN 55113 Phone:612-623-1110 • Fax: 612-623-1122 email: [email protected] • website: aaspmn.org. All rights reserved. To keep its readers better informed, AASP-MN News allowsits columnists to fully express their opinions. All views expressed are not necessarily those of the publication. AASP-MN News is published by Thomas Greco Publishing,Inc. Cover image © www.istockphoto.com.

AASP-MN BOARD MEMBERS 2015 - 2016

PRESIDENTTom Gleason

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTJerald Stiele

SECRETARY-TREASURER Greg Kasel, AAM

COLLISION DIVISION DIRECTORJim Siegfried, AAM

MECHANICAL DIVISION DIRECTORWayne Watson

ASSOCIATE DIVISION DIRECTORKevin Martin

COLLISION SEATSJoyce WeinhandlWill Latuff

MECHANICAL SEATMars Overlee

STAFFEXECUTIVE DIRECTORJudell Anderson, CAE, AAM

OFFICE ADMINISTRATORJodi Pillsbury

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATORTom Kluver

PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc.

244 Chestnut St., Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110PHONE: 973-667-6922 • FAX: 973-235-1963

PUBLISHER: Thomas Greco ([email protected])DIRECTOR OF SALES: Alicia Figurelli ([email protected])MANAGING EDITOR: Jacquelyn Bauman ([email protected])EDITOR: Joel Gausten ([email protected])ART DIRECTOR: Lea Velocci ([email protected])OFFICE MANAGER: Donna Greco ([email protected])

www.grecopublishing.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE ......................................................6The Benefit of Associationsby Judell Anderson, AASP-MN Executive Director

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ......................................................................7Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Act and its Hazy Implications for Employersby Aaron Kolquist

LOCAL NEWS ................................................................................8

NATIONAL NEWS ............................................................................10

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION................................................................15New Laws for Wheel Weightsby John Gilkeson

F.Y.I. ..........................................................................................17Vehicle Boom on US Roads

INSURANCE I.Q. ............................................................................19Top 10 Reasons You Should Buy Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)by Dennis Spindler, CBIZ AIA

AASP-MN TWO-DAY R.O. WRITERTM USER TRAINING CAMP ........................20

CASH IN ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP!........................................................22AASP-MN and Certegy Partnership


September 16, 2015I-CAR/SkillsUSA Fall Golf Event

Oak Glen Golf CourseStillwater, MN

Contact: Jamison RandallPhone: 651-796-8003

September 30 & October 1, 2015R.O. Writer User Training Camp

Ramada PlazaMinneapolis, MN

Contact: AASP-MN OfficePhone: 612-623-1110

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

AmeriPride ................................................................11Assessment Associates Internatonal ..........................14Axalta Coating Systems..............................................OBCBuerkle Hyundai ........................................................3Choice Auto Rentals ..................................................16Database Enhancement Gateway ................................6Dentsmart ..................................................................21Inver Grove Honda / Inver Grove Toyota ............................18Jack McClard ............................................................18Keystone ....................................................................16Lowell’s PCE ..............................................................21Maplewood Toyota ....................................................14

Mills Parts Center ......................................................11Morrie’s ....................................................................9Motorwerks BMW ......................................................IBCMotorwerks MINI ......................................................IBCMPA..................................................................................................12-13Rosedale Chevrolet ....................................................19Roseville Chrysler ......................................................11Straight & Square ......................................................17Thexton Manufacturing ..............................................3Toyota Group..............................................................4West Bend..................................................................IFC

UPCOMING EVENTS

For more information, contact the AASP-MN office at 612-623-1110or visit the Association’s website, www.aaspmn.org.


Back Up Sensors in Audatex – Drilling the hole for a backup sensor is a not included operation in Audatex per DBRM section 4-2 “Labor fordrilling necessary to attach parts (e.g., ornamentation, antennas, etc.).” Reference DEG inquiry #7816.Fabrication of Sleeves – Creating a sleeve or backing plate is not included in CCC. Audatex and Mitchell included the labor for sleeves as longas it is from existing stock. DEG Inquiries 6405, 3856 and 3857.Audatex Feather, Prime and Block – In order to calculate for materials, Audatex users must go into each unique profile within the estimatingsystem and define the materials rate for Feather, Prime and Block in the rate tab. Like all undefined rates, this may be set at $0 until defined. Dur-ing the estimate preparation process, you must factor the necessary time for feather, prime and block into the repair time, and then allocate the por-tion of the total repair hours that they want to apply to the feather, prime and block operation. You can view these tips and others on the DEG website at www.degweb.org.

as·so·ci·a·tion: a group of people banded together for a com-mon purpose. With the idea of keeping things light and simple during thesummer months, I thought I’d share some trivia about associa-tions. • 66,985 trade and professional associations are recognized by the IRS. • 1.3 million people are employed by membership organizations (including religious organizations, grant making and giving services, social advocacy organizations, civic and social organizations and trade and professional associations). • $51 billion in payroll is generated by membership organizations. • $142 billion in revenue is generated by trade and professional associations. • $306 billion estimated assets are held by membership organizations. • 63 million Americans volunteered through a membership organization. • William Hull, a Revolutionary War officer, is considered to have been the first lobbyist. • The first tradeshow held in the US was in New York City in 1829. • The National Association of the Deaf, founded in 1880, holds the strongest claim to being the first civil rights organization in the country.

• President William Howard Taft came up with the idea of the US Chamber of Commerce in 1911. • At least three former presidents can be counted as former association or union executives. Harry Truman led the National Old Trails Road Association, Bill Clinton chaired the National Governors Association and Ronald Reagan led the Screen Actors Guild for multiple stints in the 1940s and 50s.

This data was taken from the American Society of Associa-tion Executives’ Power of Associations report, updated in Januaryof this year. The report draws the following conclusion… Associations make broad contributions to American life. Theyare an essential piece of our national, state and local economies.Beyond their direct economic impact, associations play a vitalrole in enriching communities and creating positive changearound the world. With their deep wells of expertise and knowl-edge, associations are able to address numerous business and so-cial concerns and enhance our collective quality of life. To that, I say “Amen!” I’m proud to serve as your associationexecutive director and I am rewarded by the work that AASP-MNdoes to improve and promote Minnesota’s automotive service in-dustry. Thank you for your support!

6 August 2015

ESTIMATING TIPS

AASP-MN News

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

by Judell Anderson, CAE, AAM, AASP-MN Executive Director

The Benefit of Associations



Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Act and its Hazy Implications

for Employers

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

by Aaron Kolquist

Minnesota became the 23rd jurisdic-tion to adopt a law authorizing the use ofmedical marijuana in May 2014 by enact-ing its Medical Cannabis Act (MCA). OnJuly 1, 2015, Minnesota patients qualifiedto participate in the MCA registry programbecame eligible to receive distributions ofmedical cannabis. With the Minnesota De-partment of Health expecting nearly 5,000patients to become registered in the firstyear, employers across the state will findthemselves facing a number of potentialimplications. Historically, Minnesota employershave been allowed to take adverse actionsagainst applicants or employees whotested positive for marijuana use, so longas the employer complied with the Min-nesota Drug and Alcohol Testing in theWorkplace Act (DATWA). Additionally,marijuana has been, and still is, classifiedas an illegal controlled substance underfederal law. With both state and federallaw working in conjunction, employerspreviously had greater ability to make ad-verse decisions as to applicants or employ-ees based on proven use of marijuana. Under the new MCA, patients diag-nosed with a qualifying medical condition(i.e. cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS,Tourette’s Syndrome, amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS), seizures, Crohn’s disease,severe and persistent muscle spasms, ter-minal illness, or any other medical condi-tion approved by the MinnesotaCommissioner of Health) may enter thestate registry program, which allows themto use and possess medical marijuana inliquid, pill or vaporized form for medicalpurposes. Additionally, Minnesota has alawful consumable products statute, whichprohibits employers from taking adverseaction against an employee due to “use orenjoyment of lawful consumable products,if the use or enjoyment takes place off thepremises of the employer during non-working hours,” except for certain excep-tions. Here lies one of the main issues: If

marijuana use and possession is legal forregistered patients under Minnesota lawand if Minnesota employers are prohibitedfrom taking adverse action against con-sumption of lawful products outside theworkplace, but federal law still states thatmarijuana is illegal, then how is an em-ployer with a zero-tolerance drug policysupposed to handle a registered patientemployee who tests positive for marijuanause? On June 15, 2015, the ColoradoSupreme Court ruled on this issue inCoates v. Dish Network, LLC, a case thatdealt with a statute similar to that of Min-nesota’s. In Coates, an employee testedpositive for marijuana under his em-ployer’s drug testing policy and was ter-minated. The employee, a licensedmedical marijuana user who only used itwhen at home after work, argued that hisuse of prescribed medical marijuana waslegal under Colorado’s lawful activitiesstatute which, like Minnesota’s lawfulconsumable products statute, protects em-ployees who consume lawful productsoutside of work. The court unanimouslyupheld the employee’s termination, deter-mining that Colorado’s “use of lawfulproducts” law does not protect employeesfrom discipline because marijuana is stillconsidered unlawful under federal law. The inevitable question becomes,how will Minnesota courts interpret thisissue in light of the MCA? Although farfrom certain, there is an argument to bemade that Minnesota courts will followsimilar reasoning as used in Coates. Aswith the Colorado statute, the Minnesotalawful consumable products statute doesnot strictly define the word “lawful.” Re-gardless of what the MCA says about thelegality of medical cannabis, the substanceremains illegal under federal law. There-fore, in a challenge similar to the one inCoates, Minnesota courts could reasonthat employees are only protected by thelawful consumable products statute when

their off-duty consumption is lawful underboth state and federal law. Coates, if nothing else, gives Min-nesota employers who wish to maintain adrug free workplace a favorable ruling thatsupports disciplinary action against an em-ployee using medical marijuana. However,it is critical to note that Minnesota’s MCAcontains an antidiscrimination provisionthat is far more extensive than Colorado’sstatute. The MCA prohibits employersfrom discriminating against or otherwisepenalizing any person with respect to one- the person’s status as a patient enrolledin the state registry, or two - a patient’spositive drug test for cannabis compo-nents, unless the employee used, pos-sessed or was impaired by medicalmarijuana on employer premises or duringhours of employment. Essentially thismeans that an employee could challengehis or her termination directly under theMCA on discrimination grounds, as op-posed to challenging under the lawful con-sumable products statute. In such case, thelegitimacy of the termination will dependon whether the employer can prove thatthe employee used marijuana at work orwas impaired by marijuana use while onthe clock. In addition, Minnesota is the onlystate with medical marijuana legislationthat gives an applicant or employee theright to present MCA “registry verifica-tion” as an explanation for a positive testresult, pursuant to the post-testing proce-dure set forth in DATWA. The registryverification is proof from the MinnesotaCommissioner of Health that the person isin fact enrolled in the state registry. Em-ployers are not necessarily forced to ac-cept such an explanation on its face andmay inquire further. One major dilemma is: How will anemployer ever be able to prove that an em-ployee used, possessed or was impaired by

continued on page 9


REMINDER: MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE EFFECTIVEAUGUST 1ST FOR MINNESOTA EMPLOYERS

Employers with any employees in Minnesota are remindedthat Minnesota’s minimum wage law (passed last year) not onlyincreased the minimum wage in 2014, but also included an auto-matic incremental increase for subsequent years. For large employers (those who annually conduct at least$500,000 gross sales or business): • Effective August 1, 2015 - $9/hour • Effective August 1, 2016 - $9.50/hour For small employers: • Effective August 1, 2015 - $7.25/hour • Effective August 1, 2016 - $7.75/hour Also, beginning in 2018, the minimum wage for all employ-ers is subject to further increases based on cost of living data. For additional information, including distinguishing betweenlarge and small employer status for purposes of the new mini-mum wage, visit http://www.dli.mn.gov/LS/MinWage.asp.

AASP-MN TO HOST TWO-DAY R.O. WRITERTM USERTRAINING CAMP

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota(AASP-MN) will host a two-day R.O. WriterTM User TrainingCamp, from 8am to 4pm, Wednesday, September 30 and Thurs-day, October 1 at the Ramada Plaza, 1330 Industrial Blvd., NE,Minneapolis. The training, led by R.O. WriterTM software expert Paul AllenStewart, is designed to provide a new level of understanding ofthe tools and capabilities built into the R.O. WriterTM software.The training covers recommended setup and best practices, aswell as how to build a business and marketing plan using datacollected. The cost to attend the two-day camp is $295 for membersand $395 for non-members. Each additional person from thesame company may attend for $150. For additional information or to register, see page 20 or con-tact the AASP-MN office at (612) 623-1110 or 800-852-9071 orvisit www.aaspmn.org.

THREE AASP-MN MEMBERS TO RECEIVE AAM DESIGNATION

Three AASP-MN members graduated from the AutomotiveManagement Institute (AMI) and received the Accredited Auto-motive Manager (AAM) designation at the 2015 Industry Weekevent (NACE/CARS) in Detroit, Michigan, July 23-25. Theywere: • Myles Dahlgren, LaMettry’s Collision • Randy Notto, Lenfer Automotive & Transmissions • Charles Whitaker III, Valspar Congratulations! To earn the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) desig-nation, students must earn 120 credits by successfully completingAMI curriculum.

A reminder… AASP of Minnesota has purchased all of the AMI self-studyprograms for its members’ use. AMI charges $35 for each testtaken and there is a $10 shipping and handling fee for us to shipthe course out to you. For more information, contact the AASP-MN office at (612) 623-1110.

SEVEN MINNESOTA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS RECEIVE NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Earlier this year, AASP-MN awarded $15,000 in scholar-ships to help post-secondary automotive students pay for tuitionduring the 2015-16 school year. By completing the applicationprocess online at automotivescholarships.com, seven of thosestudents were also awarded scholarships from the Global Auto-motive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), University of the Af-termarket (UAF) or other collaborating organizations this year.Five of the students received an additional $2,000, one received$3,000 and the other $4,000. Congratulations to these outstand-ing students: • Carver Brownlee, Hibbing Community College, Hibbing (Automotive Service Technology) • Grant Lieser, Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park (Automotive Service Technology) • Isaac Connolly, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount (Auto Body Collision Repair) • Jesus Sanchez Palomares, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie (Auto Body Collision Repair) • Phanit Phoutthaphaphone, Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park (Automotive Service Technology) • Robert Lemke, Ridgewater College, Willmar (Automotive Service Technology) • Sarah Koepsell-Schmieg, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount (GM Automotive Service Educational Program)

2015 MINNESOTA I-CAR/SKILLSUSA FALL GOLFEVENT ANNOUNCED

The Minnesota I-CAR/SkillsUSA Volunteer Committee in-vites golfers and sponsors to the Oak Glen Golf Course in Still-water on September 16, 2015 for a fun-filled day of golf. Allproceeds from the event go towards scholarships for future tech-nicians, equipment for technical colleges and other collision in-dustry training needs. The four-person scramble, sponsored bythe North Central I-CAR Committee, begins at 12:00pm, withdinner and awards following golf. Registration and payment for golfers and/or sponsors can befound on the golf outing’s website, www.icargolf.com. This is agreat opportunity for vendors to market their business and sup-port the industry while enjoying a round of golf with industryleaders. Those who can’t participate can help by providing doorprizes or auction items by contacting tournament directors ShawnCollins at [email protected] or (612) 508-8222 or JamisonRandall at [email protected] or (651) 796-8003.


LOCAL NEWS


August 2015 9AASP-MN News

continued from pg. 7LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

medical marijuana, which comes in pill, liquid orvapor form, while on the job? First, applicantsand employees have the right to explain their pos-itive test results with a “registry verification.”Next, most drug tests used by employers gaugerecent use, as opposed to actual impairment,which could come back positive from use occur-ring several days before the test was adminis-tered. The testing process is further weakened bythe fact that most tests are not designed to differ-entiate between positive results caused by smok-ing marijuana and positive results caused byusing medical marijuana. These are a few of theopen concerns surrounding the MCA. Ultimately, Minnesota employers will needto exercise great prudence in proceeding with anykind of employment decision or action againstapplicants or employees who are registered med-ical marijuana users. Once an employer knowsthey are dealing with a registered user, an initialconsideration is to diligently confirm the person’s“registry verification.” Employers should alsoconsider updating their testing policies, if theyhaven’t done so already, to reflect changes in thelaw. One policy update to think about may bedefining “legal” drugs as those legal under bothstate and federal law. Another may be for the em-ployer to reserve for itself the right to take ad-verse action against any positive marijuana testresult to the full extent permitted by law. Thishaze of issues surrounding the MCA will surelybe litigated in the future, but until the murkinesssubsides, it is wise for employers to address thesesituations in a diligent fashion with sound advicefrom legal counsel.

*** DISCLAIMER: This article should not bedeemed legal advice. You should always consultwith an attorney about your specific circum-stances and legal rights and obligations. ***

Aaron Kolquist is an associate with Fryberger,Buchanan, Smith & Frederick, P.A. He is a recentJ.D. and M.B.A. graduate from the University ofNorth Dakota.

Check out the new & improved

AASP-MN website atwww.aaspmn.org!


NATIONAL NEWS

10 August 2015 AASP-MN News

EPA BANS USE OF 134A IN NEW MOTOR VEHICLES The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issueda final rule that would prohibit the use of certain refrigerants andaerosols, including 134a, based on the availability of better sub-stitutes with a lower global warming potential (GWP). These sub-stances were previously approved by EPA under the SignificantNew Alternatives Policy (SNAP), which was created to reviewthe health and safety impacts of proposed substitutes for ozonedepleting substances. The rule, which was signed by EPA Administrator Gina Mc-Carthy on July 2, would ban the use of 134a as a refrigerant innew motor vehicles beginning with model year 2021. The rulewould not affect the use of 134a in vehicles already on the roadand therefore not affect the ability to service vehicles currentlyusing 134a. Further, the rule prohibits the use of 134a as an aerosol inmany automotive products beginning one year after its publica-tion in the Federal Register, which is expected to come in thevery near future. The EPA is permitting an unlimited sell-throughperiod for aerosols already on the market when the prohibitiongoes into effect. Certain aerosols will still be permitted to use134a under certain use conditions, including for refrigerantflushes and for the cleaning of electrical equipment or electron-ics. In the 1990s, the EPA approved HFC 134a as a substitute forR-12, commonly known as Freon, for motor vehicles based onconcerns that R-12 had an adverse impact on ozone depletion.However, the EPA now contends that 134a has a high GWP andthat substitutes with significantly lower GWP, including 1234-vf,152a and CO2, are readily available and can be used safely onvehicle air conditioners. The EPA further contends that substi-tutes for 134a in aerosol uses, such as 1234 ze(E), are also avail-able and already in use. According to an EPA release issued on July 2, “Today’s ac-tion delivers on the President’s Climate Action Plan and the ad-ministration’s commitment to acting on climate. And it is in linewith steps leading businesses are already taking to reduce and re-place HFCs with safer, climate-friendly alternatives,” said EPAAdministrator Gina McCarthy. “This rule will not only reduceharmful greenhouse gas emissions, but also encourage greater useand development of the next generation of safer HFC alterna-tives.”

2015: WHO PAYS FOR WHAT? Surveys show ‘who pays for what’ in terms of ‘not-included’procedures. Fully one-third of collision repair shops nationwide said theyhave never asked to be paid for “masking the engine compart-ment” when this “not-included” procedure has been necessary aspart of a repair, yet another one-third of shops who do seek to bepaid for it say they receive that payment “always” or “most of thetime.” That finding is just one of hundreds revealed in a surveyconducted recently by Collision Advice, which is also launchinga new survey this month.

“This confirms something I see as I work with shops aroundthe country,” said Mike Anderson of Collision Advice. “On thisone procedure alone, for every shop not including this necessaryprocedure on their estimate, another shop is getting paid for itmost, if not all of the time.” More than 980 shops around the country responded to thesurvey, which asked them to report how often they are paid for 26refinish-related procedures by the eight largest auto insurers. “With that level of response, I believe this is the largest sur-vey ever examining this subject,” Anderson said. He said it is clear from the results of this survey that whetheror not a repair facility is reimbursed for a particular procedure de-pends, to some degree, simply on whether or not the shop negoti-ates for that operation. Though the survey found that reimburse-ment frequencies do vary by insurance company, DRP status andregion of the country, it is clear that none of the procedures areuniversally rejected by insurers. Anderson said the quarterly surveys help raise awareness ofnot-included items and operations that shops may be doing butnot itemizing on estimates. “The surveys will help shops understand what these opera-tions are, and whether other shops seek and receive compensationfor them – or if they truly are ‘the only one,’” Anderson said. The 62-page report of the first survey findings is now avail-able by clicking on the “Who Pays For What?” logo on the Colli-sion Advice website (www.CollisionAdvice.com). Shops can also use that link during the month of July to takethe latest of the surveys, which covers structural/frame and me-chanical-related operations. Anderson said each survey, which will take about 15-30minutes, should be completed by the shop owner, manager or es-timator who is most familiar with the shop’s billing practices andthe payment practices of the largest national insurers. Each indi-vidual shop location (whether a stand-alone business or part of amulti-shop operation) may submit one response to the survey. Those who complete the survey (and provide optional con-tact information) receive the survey findings at no charge. Each shop’s individual responses are held in the strictestconfidence and are not released in any way; only cumulative datais released. For more information about the surveys and findings, or totake the current survey, click on the “Who Pays For What?” logoon the Collision Advice website. Collision Advice is an independent training and consultingfirm featuring some of the most respected and experienced ex-perts in the collision repair industry. Mike Anderson and his teamoffer real-world, cutting edge training and guidance both in theclassroom and one-on-one in the shop.



LET US TURN THEMAROUND!

Contact AASP-MN NewsSales DirectorAlicia Figurelli

[email protected]



A pair of new laws in Minnesota prohibits certaintypes of wheel weights. The laws address the sale, installa-tion, use and recycling of lead or mercury weights and bal-ancing products. Vehicles affected include cars, trucks,aircraft and items such as trailers or campers that are towedbehind vehicles.

Lead wheel weights cannot be sold or installed inMinnesota after January 1, 2016, but lead wheel weights in-stalled before then can remain in service. They do not haveto be removed. Used cars can be bought and sold with leadwheel weights if the weights were installed before January 1,2016. Lead wheel weights and balancing products must berecycled if they are removed.

Non-toxic wheel weights made from steel, zinc orplastic composites are available. Prices forthese lead-free weights match or are cheaperthan lead weights. In fact, one manufacturerrecently changed their pricing, making steelweights lower-priced than lead weights.

Work with your supplier to return un-used weights and recycle used ones. All wheelweight manufacturers offer recycling pro-grams. Wheel weights can also be recycled atmost Very Small Quantity Generator wastecollection centers. A list of VSGQ collectionscenters and their requirements can be found bytyping “w-hw2-51” into the search box on theMPCA website at www.pca.state.mn.us.

Sort removed weights by metal type be-fore recycling if possible. Lead wheel weightsare usually unmarked, but lead is denser than other metals solead weights are smaller than other weights. Steel weightsare sometimes marked FE, S or ST and will stick to a mag-net. Zinc weights are sometimes marked ZN or Z.

Although lead wheel weights cannot be sold or in-stalled in Minnesota (or several other states) after January 1,2016, they are still allowed in some states. If your shop haslocations in states where lead weights are allowed, you cansend remaining inventory there to be used.

The laws in Minnesota for mercury balancing weightsare much stricter than those for lead weights and have beenin effect since January 1, 2015. Mercury weights cannot besold, installed or used. Vehicles cannot be sold with mercuryweights. Any mercury weights you find on a vehicle must beremoved and recycled.

Mercury balancing weights are made for aftermarket

use on vehicles with large wheels such as semi tractors andtrailers, RVs and buses. They are typically large mercury-filled rings installed behind the wheel and tire, or as enginedrive shaft balancers. Non-mercury balancing weights areless expensive than those with mercury, especially when thecost of cleaning up a spill or release is considered.

Used mercury weights are a type of hazardous wasteknown as universal waste. Store mercury weights in a sturdycontainer that protects them from breaking. Label the con-tainer “Used Mercury Weights,” write the date on the con-tainer when the first mercury weight is added and be sure torecycle them within a year.

Lead and mercury are highly toxic and have long-termhealth effects on people – especially children – and wildlife.

A significant percentage of wheel weights fall off during useand contaminate soil and water. Employees are exposed atwork and bring contamination home with them. For thesereasons, the US EPA has encouraged the use of non-toxicwheel weights for many years. Vehicle manufacturershaven’t sold new cars or light trucks with lead wheel weightsin the US since 2009. Most larger chain stores that do tirework have been phasing out their use of lead weights nation-ally. More states are prohibiting lead and mercury wheelweights. Over time, fewer and fewer cars coming throughyour shop will have lead or mercury weights on them.

Brands and types of replacement weights and more in-formation can be found on the MCPA website atwww.pca.state.mn.us/wheel-weights. Contact John Gilkesonat the MPCA at (651) 757-2391 or email him [email protected] if you have questions.

New Laws for Wheel Weights

PARTNERS IN PREVENTIONby John Gilkeson



F.Y.I.From The Lang Aftermarket iReport, 6/16/15 www.langmarketing.com

Following no vehicle growth on US roads between 2007and 2013, car and light truck VIO (vehicles in operation) isnow arching into a high growth curve that will explosivelyexpand the light vehicle population more than 33 million by2020. Car and light truck VIO in the US was flat from 2007 to2013, virtually an unprecedented development which oc-curred only once previously in the four years during WorldWar II when consumer vehicle production in the US was in-terrupted by the war effort. All of this will dramaticallychange between 2014 and 2020. Six major takeaways: • Car and light truck VIO (vehicles in operation) growth can be divided into three periods spanning 20 years: 2000 to 2006, 2007 to 2013 and 2014 to 2020. • From 2000 through 2006, light vehicle VIO (vehicles in operation) increased over 24 million, reflecting strong 1.7 percent annual growth.

• There was a dramatic change over the following six years (2007 through 2013) as new car and light truck sales crashed at an unprecedented rate. Light vehicle VIO declined (for the first time since World War II) with the loss of over 300 thousand cars and light trucks on US roads. • Fueled by a robust rebound of new light vehicle sales, 2014 through 2020 light vehicle VIO will soar, recording an estimated 33 million gain in the car and light truck population (compared to 2013). • The 1.9 percent annual increase in the light vehicle population on US roads projected by Lang Marketing during 2014 through 2020 will mark a dramatic turn around from the preceding six years and create a super-strong force, driving aftermarket product growth. • Each of the three time periods reflect differing rates of vehicle growth (and decline) as well as changes in the percentage of foreign versus domestic nameplates, and the differing age mix of cars and light trucks on US roads.

Vehicle Boom on US Roads



INSURANCE I.Q.

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Buy Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL)

By Dennis Spindler, CBIZ AIA

1. EPL covers both actual and ALLEGED acts of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination and other similar employment-practices violations. 2. Three out of five employers are sued by former employees every year. 3. Over 40 percent of EPL claims are against firms with fewer than 100 employees. 4. Some Federal and State employment laws apply to all employers, regardless of employee count – any size company has exposure! 5. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recorded nearly 93,000 charges in 2013 and obtained more than $365 million in administrative settlements for claimants. 6. The financial ramifications of not having EPL insurance can be crippling, especially for small firms because they do not have the operating budgets to handle the defense costs, let alone the settlements or judgments of an uninsured claim. 7. The median cost of an EEOC lawsuit in 2011 exceeded $250,000.

8. There is no EPL coverage under other insurance policies such as General Liability (GL). Any endorsement to another policy generally provides insufficient limits, does not provide the breadth of coverage of a separate EPL policy and erodes the limit available for the GL exposure. 9. Based on recent data gathered by the Federal Judicial Center (a federal and research agency for the US courts), there were 7,064 wage and hour complaints in 2012, while in 2013 that number jumped to 7,764 – an increase of 10 percent.10. Recent Supreme Court decisions have lowered the

standard of what constitutes retaliatory treatment. Retaliation has become the number one most frequently cited form of discrimination, beating out race discrimination. Monetary benefits totaled just under $170 million; however, this number does not include monetary benefits obtained through litigation. If you would like more information or have questions,please contact Dennis Spindler at CBIZ AIA at 763-549-2238or [email protected].



Albertville Body Shop

Albertville

Automotive Reflections

Forest Lake

Elite Auto Accessories

West St. Paul

Honest-1 Auto Care

Blaine, Cottage Grove & New Brighton

Kukui Corporation

San Jose, CA

Malecha’s Auto Body

Fairbault

Maxville Services

Eagan

Paul Wangen Automotive

Austin

Skrove Automotive

St. Peter

CL Townsend Enterprises, Inc.

Savage & Bloomington

WelcomeNew Members:JULY 2015

2016 Calendars Now Available!For more information, visit www.aaspmn.org



CASH IN ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

WORKERS’ COMP INSURANCEMeadowbrook Insurance GroupContact: Dennis Spindler763-549-2238 / [email protected] scheduled credit makes Meadowbrook one ofthe most competitive programs around for Worker‘sCompensation insurance. In addition, members areeligible to receive an annual dividend based on thegroup’s loss ratio. For more information, log on towww.wcpolicy.com/aaspmn.

PROPERTY/LIABILITY INSURANCECBIZ AIAContact: Dennis Spindler763-549-2238 / [email protected] AIA will present AASP-MN members with quotesfrom multiple carriers for property/liability insurance andmembers can choose the program that best fits their situa-tion. As an added bonus, CBIZ AIA will offer members anexclusive 10% discount on their property/liability insur-ance premiums.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITSCBIZ AIAContact: Dennis Begley763-549-2260 / [email protected] AIA will provide AASP-MN member with quotesfrom multiple carriers for life insurance, health insur-ance, long-term care and disability insurance.

UNIFORM & LINEN SUPPLIESAmeriPride ServicesContact: Jim Dillon651-955-1398 / [email protected] pricing to members on rental of uniforms,entrance mats, shop rags, etc. Purchases are also dis-counted. Members receive annual rebate equal to10% of their business with AmeriPride each year.

CREDIT CARD PROCESSINGAssociation BankCard ServicesContact: Mac Hardin952-933-2026 / [email protected] rates for AASP-MN members. Terminalsand printers sold at cost. Monthly rental of equipmentis also available.

INDUSTRIAL & PAPER PRODUCTSWipers & Wipes, Inc.Contact: Dennis Julson651-486-4866Discounts on industrial supplies and paper products.Free, next-day delivery is available in the metro area.Shipping free to outstate members with $100 pur-chase.

WEBSITE AND INTERNET MARKETING SOLUTIONSNet DrivenContact: Jon Napoli877-860-2005, ext. 400 / [email protected] Driven is a market leader in website and internetmarketing solutions designed exclusively for the auto-motive industry. AASP-MN members who choose NetDriven are eligible for a $500 discount off their 1st yearsetup fees. For more information, contact Jon Napoli.

StormlogixContact: Paul Switzer732-364-1156 / [email protected] extends a discount on its website pack-ages to AASP members. Costs can be spread outover 6 months.

AUTO EMPLOYEE ASSESSMENTAssessment Associates InternationalContact: Ron Page (952) 854-6551 / [email protected] to help facilitate and enhance hiring decisions. AASP-MN members receive 50 percent off retail price and starts as low as $15 per assessment.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION HOTLINEIDENTIFIX800-288-6220Members enjoy discounted prices on the industry’s #1technical information hotline. One free call is extendedto all first-time AASP-MN member callers.

BUSINESS FORMS/CALENDARSAASP-MNContact: Jodi Pillsbury612-623-1110 / [email protected] rate on printed business forms and calendars.

SHOP SERVICESSummit eMarketing SherpasContact: Frank Terlep888-377-2661 / [email protected] members receive a 5% discount on all SummiteMarketing Sherpas’ services, including: websitedesign and development, search engine optimization,email marketing and communication, online reviewand reputation management and social mediamarketing.

INFORMATION PROVIDERSMitchell1Contact: Mitchell1 Representative888-724-6742 x 6986AASP members are eligible for special Mitchell 1 in-formation and management programs at significantdiscounts. For more information, log ontowww.mitchell1.com or contact the Mitchell 1 representa-tive at 888-724-6742, X6986.

Mitchell International Contact: Mitchell International Representative 800-238-9111

AASP members receive a 15% discount on anyMitchell RepairCenter TechAdvisor package. Visithttp://repaircenter.mitchell.com/Catalog/OEMRepair.aspx for more information.

PAYROLL PROCESSINGCBIZ PayrollContact: Carrie Hobrough612-436-4620 / [email protected] receive 20% discount off standard payrollproducts and services (excluding 401k). Memberswho switch prior to June 30 will receive first month ofpayroll processing free.

CHECK GUARANTEE SERVICESCertegy Check ServicesContact: Heather Ellis952-240-5017 / [email protected] rate of .75% to AASP-MN members. Use existing credit card terminal. Fast claim payments.

BUSINESS COACHING180BIZ540-833-2014 / [email protected] offers BUSINESS COACHING to AASP membersat a steep 20% discount! One Eighty Business SolutionsLLC (180BIZ) has been helping shop owners increaseprofits and car count while decreasing stress since 2003.AASP members receive a discount on very affordable one-on-one coaching plans without long-term commitmentsand complicated contracts. 180BIZ offiers a risk-free trialof their services. To learn more, please call or email us, orvisit our website.

REPLACEMENT PARTSDorman ProductsPhone: 800-868-5777, ext. 5329AASP members receive insider information, specialaccess and other perks from Dorman Products, aleading supplier of dealer “exclusive” automotive re-placement parts.

LEGAL CONSULTATIONFryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick800-496-6789Members receive free, over-the-phone legal assess-ment and consultation (some restrictions apply) withan attorney who specializes in the area of law that isthe subject of the call.

AASP-MN MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAMS

AASP-MN and Certegy Partnership

AASP-MN is pleased to recommend Certegy, an FIS Com-pany, as the preferred provider for check warranty/verificationservices. For nearly 50 years, Certegy has been the trusted leader inpayment processing and loss prevention solutions, supportingmore than 289,000 merchants worldwide. With proven resultsbuilt on innovative technology and a solid financial reputation,Certegy brings security and reliability to fraud prevention andrisk management – valuable commodities for an ever-changingmarket. The following program is customized specifically for AASP-MN members: • discount rate of only .75 percent, which covers NSF, closed accounts and non-disputed stop pay-ment checks, • discount rate of .93 percent, which includes full stop-payment coverage,

• no transaction or statement fees, • no check minimums, • $25 monthly minimum, • ACH billing and claims payment, • $1.25 voice surcharge-only if remote transaction was not obtained, • 60-day claim submission, • Enhanced Warranty program virtually eliminates disallowed claims and • discounted equipment pricing. For more information on the AASP-MN program, pleasecontact Heather Ellis at 952-240-5017 or [email protected]. You may also call toll free (877) 520-2987 to speak with aCertegy representative or email an inquiry with your companyname, address and phone number to: [email protected] reference “AASPMN” in the subject line.


AASP-MN News August 2015

Documents

Transcript of AASP-MN News August 2015