August 23, 2016

Thank You to Our Sponsor of This Edition of CAWA Connections CAWA Announces Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. will be the Exclusive Sponsor of their 2016 Gala Dinner Once Again Held in conjunction with the annual AWDA, AAPEX and SEMA trade shows in Las Vegas, the annual gala event is the highlight of the year for the Association, and is dedicated to raising funds for the Association's scholarship programs. The gala will be held at Caesar's Palace on Sunday evening October 30, 2016. Additional information about the event is available by contacting programs@cawa.org or 800.332.2292 ext. 6.  "Motorcar Parts of America is committed to the auto care industry and we are honored to once again sponsor this year's gala as MPA's focus is aligned with CAWA's direction in supporting students and our future leaders," said Selwyn Joffe, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Motorcar Parts of America. "Education of the next generation of technicians and automotive professionals is important to the future of the automotive industry both in California and across the United States."  All proceeds from the event will benefit the CAWA Memorial Scholarship Fund which promotes quality and high standards through education within the auto care industry. David Finley of NAPA Auto and Truck Parts Sparks Nevada presents CAWA scholarship award. Chris Rice NAPA Distribution Center Phoenix presents CAWA scholarship award. Garrison Keller of Parts Authority Metro LLC, is Appointed to the Association's Board of Directors Mr. Keller graduated from California State University Long Beach majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in constitutional law. He worked for the California Senate for two years before accepting a management position in business. He has spent the past 20 years in planning positions with a leasing company, financial planning firm, a law firm, his own consulting firm, and with Metropolitan Automotive Warehouse. In Mr. Keller's current position with Parts Authority, he serves as the Strategic Operations Manager handling projects from insurances, to fleet needs, to setting up new locations for warehousing and distribution. He is a single dad with two amazing sons; Dylan 11, and Jacob 18. They enjoy surfing, snowboarding, golfing, camping, fishing, and trap shooting.  Should you be interested in a CAWA leadership position, please contact our President & CEO, Rodney Pierini at 800.332.2292, ext. 1 or admin@cawa.org. CAWA has Firms to Refer You to for Employee Classification Audits The Association wants to be of service to you. With the overtime rule changes soon to be upon you ( see the enclosed article here), CAWA has gathered a list of firms that do employee classification audits to assure you are in compliance with the new rules.  If interested in seeing the CAWA referral list, email admin@cawa.org and one will be provided to you. Another member benefit. Make Sure You Comply When Selling Automotive Refrigerant Products The primary regulatory burden falls on manufacturers; however, those who sell automotive refrigerant products to consumers who recharge motor vehicle air conditioning systems must also comply. Penalties may be assessed for any violation of this regulation pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 38580. Each day during any portion of which a violation occurs is a separate offense. This regulation, fact sheets, executive orders for the certified products, and report forms are available here. Also, for further details see this reference.  Should you have questions, contact our Director of Government Affairs, Jennifer Zins at Jennifer@perrycom.com or 916.871.0603.   Arizona Members Recall - Effective this Month Lead Acid Battery Deposits Change - Thanks to CAWA! Beginning on August 6 of this month, retailers in Arizona are no longer limited to the amount they can charge consumers for a refundable deposit on the purchase of a new lead acid battery. With the passage of HB 2132, sponsored by CAWA and enacted during the 2016 legislative session, the previous $15 cap has been eliminated and replaced with the authority that allows retailers to charge a deposit on a new lead acid battery that reflects a market-based approach.  As before, the deposit is fully refundable upon the return of a used lead acid battery within 45 days from the date of purchase of the new battery. Under the new law, market prices will determine the amount of the fully refundable deposit charged to consumers by retailers. The intent of the law is to protect retailers from being financially penalized in the transactions involving the sale of batteries. The legislation maintained the broader public policy focus of keeping used lead acid batteries out of the landfill.  For further information contact CAWA's Legislative Advocate in Phoenix, Stuart Goodman at sgoodman@goodmanschwartz.com or 602.277.0911. Another member benefit.  More Requirements on Employers - Be Prepared! Beginning January 1, 2017, employers with 10 or more employees are required to electronically submit employment tax returns, wage reports, and payroll tax deposits to the EDD. All remaining employers will be subject to this requirement beginning January 1, 2018. For more information, visit: E-file and E-pay Mandate for Employers (Assembly Bill 1245). How Your Staff Can Save 20-40% on Health Services and Childcare! One of the most underused employee benefits available is the "cafeteria" plan - which can benefit both the employer and the employee. These plans allow workers to withhold a portion of their pre-tax salary to cover certain medical or child-care expenses. Because these benefits are free from federal and state income taxes, their taxable income is reduced, which increases their take-home pay. For more detailed information, see the enclosed article ( here) and contact Mat Nabity, CAWA's insurance partner, for specifics to your situation. He can be reached at 866.340.2247 or mnabity@coremarkins.com.  Another member benefit.   What Leadership Needs to Know about Sales In the leadership role you probably already get that sales is the primary key to massive success and prosperity. As you know, the most successful companies sell better and more than everyone else. Starbucks doesn't have the best coffee, they've simply sold an enormous number of people on doing business with them. That said, to ensure colossal success for your company, here are the sales facts you want to ensure your company is living by. Source: John Chapin  Want to Save $$$$ on Your Workers Comp Insurance? CAWA members can receive significant dollar discounts on their workers compensation insurance and it costs you nothing to shop the Association's partner, Armstrong & Associates. See the enclosure ( here) to learn how and contact our insurance partner, Glen Dailey of Armstrong & Associates at 800.575.6891 or gdailey@armstrongprofessional.com. Another member benefit.

August 2, 2016

Thank You to Our Sponsor of This Edition of CAWA Connections CAWA June Leadership Meeting and Industry Summit a Success Industry speakers, business meetings, industry issue discussions with representatives from throughout the distribution channel and scholarship awards were highlighted at the CAWA leadership meeting last month. President & CEO of the Auto Care Association, Bill Hanvey, was the headliner at the Association's general session where three of the twelve students awarded scholarships this year were honored. The meeting ended with guest speakers on telematics and the repair shop of the future. The next meeting for CAWA is schedule for October 30, 2016, the Sunday night before AAPEX/SEMA. Notice will be out next month. For immediate information, contact CAWA's President & CEO, Rodney Pierini at 800.332.2292, ext. 1 or admin@cawa.org. CAWA members hear guest speakers at general session 2016 scholarship awardees with Greg Livingston Chair of the Board and Rodney Pierini President and CEO CAWA's Scholarship Fundraising Committee Seeks Prizes to Replenish the Association's Scholarship Fund Lauren Dissmore of MAHLE Aftermarket, Inc. is this year's Scholarship Fundraising Committee Chair. If you or your company would like to support this year's fundraising efforts to replenish CAWA's scholarship fund see the enclosure ( here). You can contact Ms. Dissmore directly at lauren.dissmore@us.mahle.com or 248.347.9714. All prizes will be auctioned and raffled at CAWA's annual meeting during Industry Week this year. Start Educating Your Workers on Affordable Care Act Tax Forms While we've told you about the various forms you will be required to submit as part of your responsibilities under the Affordable Care Act, your employees may not be aware of what's coming. Chances are, they'll likely be confused by the new form 1095-C, which you must provide to them along with their W-2 by the end of January 2016 - and about what they are supposed to do with it.  See the enclosed article ( here) for more information and contact our insurance partner, Mat Nabity at 866.340.2247 or mnabity@coremarkins.com with questions. Another member benefit.    Recommended Sales Contact and Communication Best Practices - What Repair Shops Want The Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN), a committee of repair shop owners notes that because the nature of their business means that every day is different based on customer needs, they need to keep in communication with their parts suppliers and other vendors to ensure they can provide the customers with best parts and service. As such, CCPN committee members appreciate the opportunity to share with manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers' representatives and others how they prefer to be contacted and communicated. Download their report ( here). Is Your Company's Trademarks and Copyrights Registered with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)? If you are importing and/or exporting auto parts you should know the importance of registering your company's trademarks and copyrights with CBP. Please note, the recordation of trademarks is good for 10 years. And, the recordation of copyrights is good for 20 years. You can find more information and the recordation process at the following site: https://iprr.cbp.gov/  Auto Parts Consumers Influenced by Recommendations, Price As you know, auto parts buyers can be a fickle group. They have divergent interests in many different types of cars - luxury, family, sport, economy - and can choose from a multitude of foreign and domestic brands. Trying to determine their auto parts buying preferences can be like attempting to catch a feather in a windstorm. But that's exactly what the Aftermarket Business World Consumer Attitude Study did at the end of last year. See the related post ( here) by Richard McKeon. CAWA has an Exclusive Dental Program for its Members Using the leverage and buying power of the Association, CAWA is able to offer its members 3 excellent benefit levels of dental coverage from a nationally known A++ rated carrier. See the enclosure for more details ( here) and contact our insurance partner, Mat Nabity, with questions at his toll free number: 866.340.2247 or mnabity@coremarkins.com. Another member benefit. It's Time to Address Telematics in Your Business Plan Telematics is growing. Aftermarket industry experts have been discussing the technology in varying forms throughout the last two decades. From discussions about the possibilities to mainstream adaptation to looking toward the future, telematics is an important topic and will become an even bigger piece of the aftermarket going forward. Read more here as posted by Richard McKeon. CAWA Committed to Educating the Industry Regarding Telematics For a basic yet clear understanding of what telematics means to the independent auto care industry, see the whiteboard on the Association's homepage at www.cawa.org. The leadership of CAWA is committed to educating the industry, government officials and members of the motoring public regarding the impact of telematics on where cars are serviced and parts are purchased in the future. Another member benefit. Here are FIVE Top Reasons to Post Your Position on the CAWA Careers Industry Job Board The Auto Care Careers Industry Job Board is not only a source for invaluable information, including standards, guidelines and education, but we are also one of the best resources for finding the most qualified candidates in the industry. With the Industry Job Board, you'll have the tools to find experienced applicants at your fingertips. For more information on this industry specific career center for companies recruiting and individuals looking to see what auto care jobs are available, contact our President & CEO, Rodney Pierini, at 800.332.2292, ext. 1 or admin@cawa.org. Another member benefit. 2016 Dues Non Deductibility Statement For federal income tax purposes, CAWA dues may be deductible as a business expense but not as a charitable contribution. CAWA estimates that 44% of your dues for 2016 are not deductible as a business expense because they are attributable to lobbying as is in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 6033. Contributions to the Political Action Fund are not deductible as a charitable contribution or as a business expense for federal income tax purposes. For more information, consult with your accountant or tax attorney.