Nadeem - I'm glad you put "mysterious" in quotes in your last reply because it made me realize that the title of that discussion not only fails to address the topic of a trade association, but would also make it hard to search for.

So, let's focus specifically on the trade association issue. For those of you new to the conversation, a previously published article by Nadeem addresses some key points of the issue:

Should Auto Trimmers Join SEMA PRO?

Nadeem and Fred mention important topics to consider when trying to figure how a trade association could benefit the average shop owner. I've thought a lot about Nadeem's point of joining an existing organization or starting our own. I actually joined SEMA Pro and was very discouraged about the lack of representation and recognition our industry has. There are people at SEMA who mean well, but when SEMA is dominated by the restyling industry (which is very different from auto upholstery), it is obvious that this would be their focus.





Nadeem also mentioned the possibility of working with UTIC (Upholstery and Trim International Council), which is part of the ACA (Auto Care Association). Like SEMA, the ACA represents manufacturers of automotive products, distributors and the shops that install them. These multi-level organizations seem like a good fit for our trade, but sometimes it's hard to get attention on the kinds of issues that affect us --mostly small, independent auto upholstery shops.



One trade association that addresses many of the issues that we shop owners deal with is the ASA (Automotive Service Association). Here's a section from their "About Us" web page:

What ASA Means to the Service Professional

ASA has the experience and knowledge to serve your needs. As a 64-year-old not-for-profit trade association, ASA has served the needs of mechanical, transmission and collision shop owners.

* ASA provides discounts on services you need to run your business. ASA’s benefits portfolio – the ASA Marketplace – offers more than 35 different programs from various leading organizations. Any one of these programs could easily pay for your yearly membership dues.

* ASA supports positive legislation and combats proposed legislation that could harm our industry. Our full-time lobbyist spends time on Capitol Hill fighting for your rights and fights for local groups when regional issues arise. There is strength in numbers. By adding your voice to our membership rolls, ASA becomes a more effective organization. Learn more at TakingTheHill.com.

* ASA reinvests your membership dollars in the industry through its legislative activities, annual trade shows and ongoing education initiatives.

* ASA strives to provide you with the best management training possible. We have partnered with and contribute financially to the Automotive Management Institute. AMI offers a wide variety of business courses, all designed to help you make a profit and succeed in business. Upon completion of course requirements, you receive the certification of Accredited Automotive Manager. This designation is the only one of its kind for our industry.

* ASA provides you with invaluable information. A monthly award-winning magazine, newsletters, a directory of members and a website with a consumer feature to find the nearest ASA shop are just a few of the tools at your fingertips. Many members say the information and research tools are worth the price of membership.

* ASA business meetings and networking functions are instructional and informative. In addition to the world’s largest collision repair event, the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE), ASA sponsors the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) for our mechanical/transmission members, and we hold an annual business meeting for members. Technical and management seminars are the hallmark of ASA’s meetings, providing you the opportunity to share knowledge and enhance business relationships.

* ASA can make the difference for you. Invest in the leading automotive trade association and let ASA work for you. If you want to be sure your views are heard and your membership dollars are used responsibly, join ASA today!

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It is pretty easy to see how a shop owner could effectively grow his business and by belonging to such a group. I talked to the presidient of ASA a couple of years ago, and he indicated that the group had been looking to reach out to other service professionals beside those in the mechanic and collision shops. ASA also has a code of ethics that reminds me very much of the code of ethics that we subscribed to as members of the now defunct National Association of Auto Trim Shops.
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ASA’s Code of Ethics

The owners and managers of automotive service businesses that belong to the Automotive Service Association (ASA) agree to adhere to a Code of Ethics. ASA’s Code of Ethics is the automotive service industry’s standard for professional business practices.

* To perform high-quality repair service at a fair and just price.
* To use only proven merchandise of high quality distributed by reputable firms.
* To employ the best skilled technicians obtainable.
* To furnish an itemized invoice for fairly priced parts and services that clearly identifies any used or remanufactured parts. Replaced parts may be inspected upon request.
* To have a sense of personal obligation to each customer.
* To promote good will between the motorist and members of the association.
* To recommend corrective and maintenance services, explaining to the customer which of these are required to correct existing problems and which are for preventive maintenance.
* To offer the customer a price estimate for work to be performed.
* To furnish or post copies of any warranties covering parts or services.
* To obtain prior authorization for all work done, in writing, or by other means satisfactory to the customer.
* To notify the customer if appointments or completion promises cannot be kept.
* To maintain customer service records for one year or more.
* To exercise reasonable care for the customer’s property while in our possession.
* To maintain a system for fair settlement of customer’s complaints.
* To cooperate with established consumer complaint mediation activities.
* To uphold the high standards of our profession and always seek to correct any and all abuses within the automotive industry.
* To uphold the integrity of all members of the Automotive Service Association.

If one of our goals is to be recognized on equal footing with other after market automotive service shops, then trying to incorporate these values into our business mode is a great way to achieve that.

Aside from joining an already existing trade association, I think it is worth considering the possibility of forming our own. As difficult as this sounds, remember that all of the big trade associations started somewhere. It would be important to reach out to related industries, and one of the most obvious to me is auto manufacturers and tier one suppliers of auto interior products (Lear, Johnson Controls, Faurecia). A partnership with the designers and makers of the products that we service seems like a natural fit. It could give all involved a deep base of knowledge from which to create training and education programs that lead to a broader pool of potential employees. If we continued this line of conversation and teased out the benefits for everyone involved, it's easy to see how funding such an organization would be easier than a $100 yearly membership from small upholstery shops.

I'm nearing the end of my career as an auto upholsterer, but I will always have enthusiasm for our trade. Throughout history, upholsterers have been in and out of the limelight. It wasn't long ago that trim shops like the ones many of us own and operate were an integral part of the auto manufacturing world. Have a look at one of our trade journals from 1921:

Motor Body, Paint and Trim

Many shop owners I have talked to over the years share the same feelings of frustration about our industry and have many of the same ideas about how things could be better. Conversations like these are where it all starts, but we all know that it's not where it ends. It takes effort, but the right team of people can do great things. Like Fred Mattson said, "Networking and training are key elements to a successful industry." Look at how shop owners in other industries benefit greatly from being part of a supportive network of like people who contribute knowledge, buying power, and opportunity, and you begin to realize that there are much better ways to grow your business than the way many of us have been doing.