Aluminum and Steel Experts Announced for OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit

Prosser, Washington, September 16, 2015 - On Thursday, November 5th, members of the collision repair community with an eye on the future will convene during the second annual OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit (Summit). The event is hosted by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the 2015 SEMA Show, and serves as the most unique networking and learning opportunities available to the collision repair industry. The program is  
designed to put Show attendees in a room with 
innovators in automotive structural design and technology to focus on emerging trends in vehicle construction and technology, examining how both of those aspects influence vehicle repairability and collision industry preparation. The program will explore how the intersection of automotive design and repairability impact the collision repair process and the professional businesses planning for their future in the ever-changing landscape of this industry. Registration for all SCRS education programs at the SEMA Show can be made at www.scrs.com/rde.

The Summit will feature a morning program on Advanced Automotive Technology featuring one panel discussions on advanced joining mechanisms such as riveting, welding and structural adhesives and another on the role of programming, diagnostics and calibrations in establishing post-repair road worthiness. The afternoon will host special presentations and panel discussions led by esteemed representatives of the aluminum and steel industries.  
 
SCRS is pleased to welcome back Doug Richman, Vice President of Engineering and Technology for Kaiser Aluminum and Technical Committee Chairman of the Aluminum Association's Transportation Group. Mr. Richman's presentation, The Future of Aluminum in the Automotive Industry, will offer insight into the technological advancements being made in the aluminum industry relative to use in the automotive market. The program will touch on safety, repairability and integration with automakers to address the growing demand for lightweight materials.
 
Richman joined Kaiser in 1996 and was appointed to his current position in 2001. Before joining Kaiser, Richman was vice president of Automotive Castings for Alcan Aluminum and his background also includes almost 20 years of experience in development and design management at General Motors.
 
SCRS is additionally pleased to welcome Dr. Blake Zuidema, Director, Automotive Product Applications for ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel and mining company. In his role, 
Dr. Zuidema leads a team in identifying new automotive product needs, piloting their development in the mill, breaking down the barriers to their application, and promoting applications of new and existing automotive steel products to the OEM and supplier communities. Zuidema will discuss The Continuing Evolution of Advanced Steels in Automotive Bodies, presenting research surrounding the development and properties necessary to make parts that meet the expectations of safer, lighter and more advanced automobiles. The program will elaborate on technological advancements in steel manufacturing that has driven changes in automotive structural designs, material developments intended to address future fuel economy goals for the automotive market and how cost and repairability plays a factor in their technological advancements.  
 
Zuidema joined ArcelorMittal's Automotive Product Applications division in 2003 as a staff consultant, was promoted to manager of the division in 2004, and then to director in 2005. After working six years in research and development in the aerospace investment castings industry, Zuidema joined the former National Steel Corporation in 1990 where he held management positions in primary steelmaking and steel finishing research. Zuidema received his Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1984.
 
Following each presentation, both Richman and Dr. Zuidema will invite a panel of automakers who extensively utilize their respective substrate in their vehicle construction to join on stage, and continue the conversation in a candid panel discussion focused on real world application from the automaker perspective. The discussions will revolve around innovative vehicle construction and changes in engineering that drive advanced repair approaches.
 
To register for the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, attendees can  click here, or enter the following URL into their browser: https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=242&site=SCRS&opts=OEM1,OEM2,OEM3
 
For more information about SCRS' Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series, and to register for other RDE sessions, please visit www.scrs.com/rde.
 
The 2015 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit is made possible with support from PPG Automotive Refinish; Toyota Motor Sales, USA; CCC Information Services; BASF; Ford Motor Co.; Global Finishing Solutions; General Motors Company: Customer Care & Aftersales and AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings.
 
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About SEMA and the SEMA Show: The SEMA Show is a trade show produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a nonprofit trade association founded in 1963. Since the first SEMA Show debuted in 1967, the annual event has served as the leading venue bringing together manufacturers and buyers within the automotive specialty equipment industry. Products featured at the SEMA Show include those that enhance the styling, functionality, comfort, convenience and safety of cars and trucks. Additional details available at www.semashow.com or www.sema.org, (909) 396-0289.
 
About SCRS' RDE Series: REPAIRER DRIVEN EDUCATION (RDE) series will feature 4 days of seminar offerings, many of which are uniquely designed and being offered only at the 2015 SEMA Show. Each of the courses has been individually selected or crafted by SCRS because the content specifically focuses on information that is relevant to the diverse array of marketplace perspectives within the collision repair industry. More information is available at www.semashow.com/scrs.
 
About SCRS: Through its direct members and 45 affiliate associations, SCRS is comprised of 6,000 collision repair businesses and 58,500 specialized professionals who work with consumers and insurance companies to repair collision-damaged vehicles. Additional information about SCRS including other news releases is available at the SCRS website: www.scrs.com. You can e-mail SCRS at the following address: info@scrs.com.

SCRS Admin Office

877.841.0660

877.851.0660 Fax

info@scrs.com

 

 

Aaron Schulenburg

Executive Director | Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS)

 

302.423.3537

877.435.6028 Fax

aaron@scrs.com