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Letter to the Editor

Resolutions

Our feature article this month offers us all some food for thought as we approach the New Year. As we put pen to paper to write up our brand new (or same old, same old, depending on how successful we are at turning over a new leaf) list of resolutions for 2011. It has been a very challenging couple of years for most businesses in the U.S., with our own Collision Repair Industry still reeling, even seeing signs that the country is inching its way out of recession. Our resolutions aimed at improving the bottom line must be carefully crafted, and based on the best data and most reliable numbers that we can possibly gather. Rest easy! We have, in our feature this month, provided all of us with the information we need to make business-improving resolutions.

Acquisitions are again making headlines this month. Uni-Select, the large Canadian replacement parts distributor, has acquired FinishMaster, the largest U.S. distributor of automotive parts, coatings, and accessories, based in Indian-apolis, Indiana. See page 13 for the complete story. The Boyd Group, the collision repair facility consolidator, also based in Canada, has opened a repair center in Arizona, to operate under the Gerber Collision & Glass name. Read more on page 3.)

Turn to page 11 for the results of crash testing on non-OEM parts that were revealed at the CIC meeting in Las Vegas. Ford Motor Company’s Paul Massie, Power Train and Collision Product Manager, showed video footage of crashesinvolving OEM and non-OEM crash parts.

Please make one of your resolutions this: Fax back the enclosed “Who Pays for What?” annual survey. Without your input, INSIGHT cannot give you the reliable statistics you need about a very important part of the shop and insurer relationship - what P-Page items receive payment and what do not.

All of us at INSIGHT wish you and yours a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

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