Your Source for Up-To-Date News and Research on the Collision Repair Industry 

 

click here to subscribe to the FREE INSIGHT Editor's Desk News Alert Email

SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY
Today's News
INSIGHT This Month
INSIGHT Archives
Survey Center
Letter to the Editor

Business Tools
Subscription Information
CSI Reporting
Financial Analysis
IRS Audit Guide

Management/
Technical Info
Market Watch Rates
INSIGHT Inside this month's issue...

Feedback
Letter to the Editor

TABPA Hosts CAPA Technical Committee Delegation

Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. -- After months of planning and preparation, five CAPA Technical Committee delegates took to the air in mid March on a mission. With TABPA and CAPA having each developed its own list of trip objectives, the group set out for Taiwan prepared to participate in technical discussions with individual manufacturers and the Taiwan Auto Body Parts Association (TABPA). CAPA's Technical Committee delegation also wanted to learn first hand about the Taiwanese manufacturing capabilities and identify areas where the CAPA certification standards and process could result in high quality parts with more practical application in the factories.

The trip was initiated, planned (in consultation with CAPA) and hosted by TABPA in an effort to show cooperation with CAPA and illustrate aftermarket part manufacturers' desire to deliver high quality parts to the US market.

"We realize that, over the years, each delegation to Taiwan, regardless of the sponsor, host or delegates, has built on the foundation set by all previous delegations." said Parkson Jong, TABPA Chairman. "Having said that, it is important to note that each delegation is different and results in it's own unique accomplishments. This particular CAPA delegation worked hard to communicate honestly and frankly with manufacturers in a way we could relate to their comments," Jong said. He added, "Our TABPA members also invested dozens of hours preparing for the discussions."

Jong, who held the position of TABPA Chairman in the early 1990s, has watched the certification program and process evolve. "We manufacturers have learned from the past and want to improve our communication with CAPA. This is one way to illustrate our commitment to quality and work with CAPA to complete the job started by many of us15 years ago, when CAPA was founded."

The CAPA Technical Committee (TC) delegation included three repairers and two insurance company representatives. The group met twice in Taipei with the five largest manufacturers of aftermarket sheet metal parts, whose companies provide approximately 90-95 percent of the certified sheet metal products used in the US.

The delegates then traveled to four of the five companies to observe their state of the art facilities and processes, as well as to conduct individual discussions with the manufacturers. Meetings with representatives of Entela, Inc., CAPA's technical Validator, both in the factories and in private, were also conducted.

Upon return from the week-long trip Rod Enlow, Director Industry Relations for USAA stated; "As Chairman of CAPA's Technical Committee, I was both excited about what we observed in the factories and pleased with the positive environment of open communication that was evident in every meeting." He continued, "The desire by the manufacturers to build consistently high quality crash parts, coupled with their large capital investment in state of the art facilities, is a tribute to both TABPA and the individual manufacturers that produce CAPA certified parts for the US Collision Repair Market. We are proud to be part of the same quality team."

"I have to echo Rod's sentiments," said City Body & Frame's Don Feeley, Jr. "The commitment to quality by these manufacturers is real, and sustained. The technology is there. The only thing missing was effective communication and understanding of end user needs." Feeley commented, "My motivation in working on this project is to bring higher repairability to the automobile. Vehicle repairability affects everyone in every segment of this industry, whether they fix the panels, paint the car, own or work in the factories making the parts, the sand paper or the paint." Feeley added, "Getting end user needs to auto supply manufacturers is the key to success. This improved communication between CAPA manufacturers and repairers serves as an example for all parties involved in the repair process. The entire repair industry needs to note this evolving success and capitalize on inter-industry cooperation to preserve the repairability of the automobile for future collision repair generations."

Keith Manich , Tech Cor Assistant Vice President - Research and a Senior Manager with Allstate's Claim Strategic Planning group, also expressed optimism, "I was pleased at the level of commitment to quality I observed from both the Taiwanese manufacturers and Entela. It was apparent that the communication between the two is significant. The TC delegation emphasized CAPA's commitment to providing high quality parts to the United States collision repair industry in every discussion. I felt that the manufacturers understood this need and illustrated a commitment to fulfilling it. I am looking forward to continued dialog with both Entela and the Taiwanese."

"The level of communication we achieved will be very beneficial to us all," observed Joe Woodin, General Manager of M-66 Auto Body. "The needs of all parties involved were addressed and a direction for the future was set to result in increased validity of the CAPA product certification process for manufacturers, repairers, insurers and, ultimately, the consumer. My thanks go out to the TABPA for hosting this valuable trip."

Ben Steinman, Owner of Ben's Auto Body summed it up, "I was impressed with the state of the art facilities and the personnel in Taiwan, and all the "hoops" they go through to make CAPA certified parts."

On behalf of TABPA, Karen Fierst, President of KerenOr Consultants and TABPA's Liaison to the US market, accompanied the delegation when they were in Taiwan. "TABPA and CAPA have each made a tremendous step forward with this good faith effort to strengthen their communication," said Fierst. "I have had the opportunity to observe the evolution of the organizations and the relationships for over a decade. It appears to me that we have never been closer to the "win-win-win-win-win" [manufacturer-distributor-repairer-car owner-insurer] situation Parkson Jong and the TABPA want to achieve."

TABPA, is an unfunded sub-committee of the Taiwan Transportation Vehicle Manufacturers' Association, representing over 30 Taiwan-based companies manufacturing motor vehicle replacement parts for the global market. Member companies produce both OEM and aftermarket parts.

©2000 Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT
All Rights Reserved

FEATURED
LINKS:

INSIGHT Supports the NABC!
Do You?