Ottawa, Ontario — June 28, 2016 — AIA Canada announced earlier in June that it would create a new accreditation program for the collision industry. A “made-in-Canada” solution, the goal of the Canadian Collision Industry Accreditation Program (CCIAP) is to establish a core shop standard for equipment, training, procedures and general business requirements. For more on this, please see “AIA Canada to offer ‘made in Canada’ solution to shop accreditation.”
Set to launch in the fall of 2016, the program has already garnered significant industry support. Canadian collision repair networks Assured Automotive, CARSTAR Canada, CSN Collision Centres and Fix Auto Canada have declared their support for the upcoming CCIAP.
Comprising over half of the collision repair business in Canada, the networks have unanimously voiced their backing for a shop accreditation program built by Canadian industry and for Canadian industry. Steve Leal, President and CEO of Fix Auto, captured the intent of the group. “We’ve had tremendous success by using our national association, AIA Canada, to build and deliver critical programs like I-CAR Canada and the Canadian Collision Industry Forum. AIA is not-for-profit and serves our unique needs.”
Flavio Battilana is the Chief Operating Officer of CSN Collision Centres. He points to what he sees as the benefits for all stakeholders. “Not only will all shops–whether banner or independent–benefit from a highly credible and not-for-profit third-party accreditation program, but our suppliers and our customers will see the advantages as well. In particular, our insurance partners will be able to draw on the program to verify the highest quality of repair service.”
AIA Canada has stated that the CCIAP will establish a national field staff of auditors with a rigorous set of audit standards, but will also measure shops against participating OEM requirements. The program will thus serve vehicle manufacturers who are seeking shop audits to support their certified repair network programs.
Tony Canade, President of Assured Automotive, commented on the Canadian element of the program.
“We need a shop accreditation program that is built by Canadians, for Canadians,” said Canade. “Our industry is unique in the world.”
Michael Macaluso, President and CEO of CARSTAR, also pointed out the distinctiveness of the Canadian marketplace.
“We operate with both public and private insurers. We have intense industry consolidation but also a strong and healthy independent repairer constituency,” said Macaluso. He also noted that “no country in the world has demonstrated collision industry partnership like Canada. We should build on that when it comes to shop accreditation.”
For more information on the Canadian Collision Industry Accreditation Program, contact Andrew Shepherd, Senior Director Industry Programs, AIA Canada, at andrew.shepherd@aiacanada.com.
