MOOSE JAW — A provincial automotive organization plans to help its members better understand changes in the industry and give them hands-on opportunities to learn during an upcoming meeting in Moose Jaw.
The Saskatchewan Association of Automotive Repairers’ (SAAR) annual general meeting takes place on Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22 at the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa and Hotel and A.E. Peacock Collegiate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nearly 200 people will connect with industry experts to learn, network and practice the skills presented during the conference.
“It’s an exciting thing,” Terry Beattie, president of SAAR and owner/operator of LB Beattie Autobody, said about the two-day event.
“And myself being from Moose Jaw, born and raised, I’m really proud that we’ve always chosen Moose Jaw for our spring conference,” he continued. “And I look forward to everybody coming to Moose Jaw and some time for Moose Jaw to show off what it’s got.”
SAAR is the source for the collision repair industry in the province and aims to provide educational activities for managers and repairers, Beattie explained. Most importantly, the organization works closely with Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) to ensure the industry remains aware of major changes with technology and repairs.
The spring AGM — SAAR has held the event in Moose Jaw for years — aims to provide plenty of content and present knowledgeable speakers to help members stay on top of those changes, he said.
For example, a “glue pull training” clinic will be held at Peacock Collegiate to highlight this new and emerging technology. The clinic will discuss the pros and cons of using this method, the preparation process, types of dents that can be addressed, the types of glue to use, tips and techniques, how to remove the glue and hands-on strategy applications.
There is also a clinic focusing on body shop management, with topics including using a financial tool to drive and enhance performance and using a scheduling tool to achieve level flow.
One major change that happened in the industry a few years ago is that manufacturers wanted a bigger say in how their vehicles were repaired, Beattie said. This forced shops to invest in new tools and training and colleges to update their training programs, while shops must now research how the manufacturer wants that vehicle fixed.
“And it’s all because of the technology in those vehicles … . These are very finely tuned instruments going down the road these days,” he continued. “And you have to know how everything is precisely put back together and calibrated so those people driving those vehicles are safe.”
Beattie — SAAR’s president for more than 10 years — expected 166 people to attend, although that number could increase to 175 due to last-minute registrations. He noted that half of those attendees are people who work on vehicles and the other half are industry suppliers.
Similar to SGI, it’s good to have positive relationships with suppliers, along with the wider network of automotive-focused training organizations like Saskatchewan Polytechnic and high schools, he said.
Beattie commended Peacock Collegiate for its automotive repair classes and praised teacher Theran Bloudoff for his work educating students about this industry.
SAAR regularly holds its spring AGM in Moose Jaw because it’s a central location in southern Saskatchewan, while it holds its fall meeting in the Saskatoon area for automotive repair employees in central Saskatchewan, said Beattie.
Meanwhile, he expected the spring AGM to inject roughly $100,000 into Moose Jaw’s economy based on attendees’ families exploring the community’s tunnels, trolley tours and downtown.
“It’s always a hit for the industry to come to Moose Jaw for this event,” Beattie added.
