“Empower consumers to know what they are doing – what the price is – and back it with as much research as possible that a non-OEM or recycled

part is just as good as the new part.” — Mark Kulda

Fund (PAC) where targeted money from individu- als is used to support specific legislators who are pro-business community candidates. He also has seen how a summit of opposing factions can help. “The body shop/insurance relationship in many states is all out nuclear war. We are not best of friends, but we decided that, being diametrically opposed, to talk. For the past seven years, we have an all industry summit in the fall. In attendance are all major insurance companies, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, and IFM. We actually

have agreed on several things and passed a bill. At the very least, we are all talking. The civil relation- ship will trickle down to help the consumer at the end of the day.” As for the consumer, they are often cut out of the repair process, says Kulda. “Empower consumers to know what they are doing – what the price is – and back it with as much research as possible that a non- OEM or recycled part is just as good as the new part,” he says. Adding a strong certification program could address concerns of body shops and insurers. “I would think our industry would be supportive, espe- cially if it would keep the parts costs down, increase quality, it’s a win-win for consumers.” Ultimately, ARA works on the behalf of the industry to protect its market share. It has prepared responses to all the major controversies happening in various states at this time. But the only way it can be an effec- tive is to represent a larger portion of the automotive recyclers in the U.S.

Be proactive, invite your colleagues to the table as ARA members. Only as a united front can ARA effec- tively and quickly lobby on your behalf. Caryn Smith is the editor of Automotive Recycling magazine.

March-April 2015 | Automotive Recycling 37