On behalf of the entire CCC editorial board, I’d like to welcome you to the 2005 summer edition of CCC UpFront. Understanding, interpreting and affecting positive change is one of the most important currencies a company can possess—there is no room for complacency. There’s a tricky flip side of that, however, because it’s important to know when and what to change. What are the critical functions of your business, and will the proposed change make it better?

The first step in change is to understand your subject matter. To that end, CCC’s Director of Analysis and Reporting, Susanna Gotsch, opens up the issue by providing a data-driven snapshot of the auto-physical damage industry through the first quarter of 2005. CCC each year amalgamates overarching economic information with industry-specific data to develop a concise business picture. Once again, Susanna’s insight proves invaluable.

A further look at change, this time as it relates to vehicle repairability, is provided by Chrisa Hickey, our new Director of Launch. As manufacturer vehicle designs morph to achieve maximum safety and efficiency for us as drivers, it’s important to gain a past, present and future perspective on this evolution for us as involved parties in the industry. Chrisa’s article gives us a great view into the overall effect vehicle construction has on the vehicle claims and collision repair industries.

Related to Chrisa’s article is my feature on the future of education within our industry. As is indicated every year—and backed by myriad industry studies—there is awareness within the industry about a shortage of skilled technicians. This article covers what’s being done about the discussed shortage, and how our future technicians are getting the information and experience they need to work in this growing arena.

Another subject that is continually tacking course is one that affects us all—replacement parts. CCC’s Market Development Manager, Jeff Nystrom, spent some time discussing this topic in a round-table with a group that represents virtually every segment in the parts supply industry. This diverse group communicates their thoughts on the key issues of the day, including the effects of recent economic trends and the impact of technology within the industry.

In closing, I’d like to use an old line that has been put to effect—please share with us any questions or comments by sending them to cccupfront@cccis.com.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Jim Dickens
Editor-In-Chief