ARA Divisions

Collision Repair

James Milacic,
Collision Repair Division consultant

Office: 604-432-7987
Fax: 604-432-1756

Chairman: Martin von Holst, Fix Auto Western Canada, Vernon
Vice chair: Wade Bartok, Elite Autobody, North Vancouver
Executive committee:
Michelle Rolls, Queensway Auto body, Prince George
Ralph Liedtke, Prospect Park Auto Body Ltd., Fort St. John
Chris Barker, CB Autotech Collision Centre Ltd., Victoria
Mike Srigley, Sunshine Auto Body, Langley
Gary Walker, No.1 Collision, Richmond
Kevin Machell-Cox, Craftsman Collision
Bobby Milacic, Marks Auto Body, Burnaby
Paul Tseng, AutoMind Collision, Vancouver
Blair Qualey, New Car Dealers Association of BC
Doug Clare, Superior Collision Repairs Ltd., Sidney
Rod Maclean ,Dueck GM, Vancouver
Bill Cunningham, BGC Collision Consulting
Pete Facinek, Kelowna Performance Collision, Kelowna
Carl Jamieson, Maximum Collision, Abbotsford
Bill Thomson, Boyd, Port Coquitlam

The ARA Collision Repair Division represents the interests of auto body shop businesses in B.C. and serves as the industry's negotiating committee with ICBC. It is this committee that participated in the crafting of the Collision Repair Industry Agreement (CRIA). Beginning in November 2007, the CRIA committee began negotiating a new agreement to replace the then-current one, which subsequently expired in March 2008. In September 2008 an agreement was finally reached, and CRIA III is the result. There were numerous hours of volunteer time our members dedicated in order to get CRIA III to where it is today. During the process, much groundwork for the next set of negotiations was laid. Currently, the committee is beginning negotiations for CRAI 4 and we encourage you to contact James Milacic with any comments and/or feedback.

Several other sub-committees are formed such as the Training Committee, MD Tech Committee, Recycler Committee & Materials Committee. It’s at these such committees where body shop owners volunteer their time and discuss common issues.

There are several issues of concern to auto body repairers in Canada these days. One is the new Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) reduction regulations from Environment Canada that are to take effect on January 1, 2010. To be in compliance most shops will have to switch to waterborne paint, which will require the purchase and installation of new equipment as well as having staff trained on their use.

Attracting new recruits into the industry is another challenge faced by body shops. High competition from the construction industry, coupled with an aging workforce in collision repair has created a huge need for skilled labourers in our industry. The CRD is involved with programs designed to entice more young people into the industry, as well as programs to help shops keep existing employees. However, with employee pay rates tied to charge-out rates, and charge-out rates dependent on what the insurance industry will pay, it is important for collision repair businesses to stick together through their association so that together they can match the bargaining power of insurance providers.

For more information, contact our Collision Repair Division consultant, James Milacic. His contact information is shown above.

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