Safety regulator provides business with guidance on reuse of N95 masks and alternatives. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on April 3 issued interim enforcement guidance to help combat supply shortages of disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators (N95 FFRs). The guidance provides for the use of equal or higher […]
Allstate and American Family Announce Programs to Return Portion of Premiums to Auto Insurance Customers
Both Allstate Insurance and American Family announced programs to return a portion of paid insurance premiums back to customers given dramatic declines in driving and accidents in as a result of shelter-in-place orders from states around the country. As CollisionWeek reported on April 3, weekly fuel consumption declined substantially in the second half of March […]
3M Responds to Defense Production Act Order on N95 Masks
3M came under fire by the White House and President Trump over exports of N95 masks to Canada and Latina America. The White House announced Thursday night that the Administration was invoking the Defense Production Act to compel 3M to supply N95 respirators. 3M has doubled its production of N95 masks in response to the […]
Premiere Services Launches Mobile Wheel and Tire Replacement Service
Premiere Service announced WHEEL-Net, a national wheel and tire replacement service designed specifically for insurance claims. Insurance carriers and their policyholders who experience a theft loss will be able to have wheels and tires replaced on-site; eliminating the need for towing, associated damage and lengthy repair times. “For 30 years Premiere has assisted our insurance […]
Canadian Collision Industry Forum May Meeting in Montreal Cancelled
In response to the growing concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak, the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) has made the decision to cancel the Montreal meeting, originally to be held on May 28-29, 2020, at the Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. According to an email announcing the cancellation from Caroline Lacasse, Director, of […]
U.S. Weekly Gasoline Consumption Declined Nearly a Third in Second Half of March
Latest government data shows a significant decline in gasoline consumption and indication of declining traffic volume as stay-at-home orders impact driving. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration through March 27 showed gasoline consumption declined over 30 percent from mid-March. As can be expected given the growth in stay-at-home orders in states across the U.S., […]
$349 Billion Small Business Paycheck Protection Program Applications Open Today
Following President Trump’s signing of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin announced that the SBA and Treasury Department have initiated a mobilization effort of banks and other lending institutions to provide small businesses with the capital they need. The […]
Memorial Fund Announced for Former Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Director Ron Ray
A memorial fund has been established by the Collision Repair Education Foundation in honor of their former Executive Director, Ron Ray, who passed away March 28. Ray was the Education Foundation’s Executive Director from 1997-2007. The fund will support the collision students and schools that Ron supported throughout his career. Industry members interested in making […]
SkillsUSA Cancels National Conference and Skills Competition, National Signing Day
SkillsUSA has canceled all in-person events at its 2020 National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) that was scheduled for June 22-26 in Louisville, Ky. due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Select leadership components of the conference, including state officer training, delegate sessions, national officer elections and other recognition programs to be determined, are […]
Automotive Repair and Business Groups Call on States for Consistency on Essential Business Designations
Business groups ask states to follow federal guidance on essential business and critical infrastructure to eliminate confusion and supply chain disruptions. Separately, a national group of business associations and a group of automotive repair and supplier associations sent letters to state leaders calling for consistent application of essential business designations based upon guidance provided by […]