The International Detailing Association (IDA) officially formed last year, but the association and its membership appear to be growing deep roots that could help bring unity and decisive direction to the auto detailing industry.
Behind the vision of its executive director, R.L. “Bud” Abraham, the IDA is on an ambitious mission to support and promote the detail industry as well as “serve as a rallying point for collective action by both operators and suppliers” involved in the business, according to Erik Jeffries, current IDA president and director of sales and marketing at Cyclo Toolmakers Inc.
As of mid-September, paid membership stood at more than 100 members and includes a mix of operators, distributors and suppliers. In addition, the IDA already has attracted international attention and boasts members from Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico and Cyprus.
The association’s board of directors also recently voted to extend free IDA membership to former operator and supplier members of the National Association for Professional Detailing & Reconditioning through Jan. 31, 2010, Jeffries said. The NAPDR recently ceased operation.
Among the IDA’s key initiatives, as voted on by its members, are forwarding consumer education about professional detailing, professional training and education, government representation, safety and compliance, and providing information on eco-friendly detailing.
Central to its mission, however, is cohesive development within the industry, and the IDA’s leadership has established a two-phase certification program that officials hope will be implemented before the end of next year.
“The detailing industry has long sought some basic standards that all operators, suppliers and consultants could agree upon,” Jeffries said. “The IDA has been working with leading suppliers and professionals in the development of some baseline standards.”
Phase I of the program will be a knowledge-based series of online tests. Each will require a passing grade before applicants can move to the next test. Once online testing is completed, participants will proceed to Phase II where they must successfully complete a series of practical tests.
“Phase II will be hands-on sessions where the candidate’s detailing skills will be tested and judged by a panel of qualified judges in selected cities around the country,” Jeffries explained.
Environmental and regulatory compliance is certainly a hot industry topic, and the IDA has worked with leading industry professionals to assist members become educated on issues related to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and OSHA compliance, California’s Proposition 65, responsible water use and disposal, and green business practices.
“The environmental and regulatory committee is in the process of developing a set of priorities and a roll-out plan for educating operators as well as suppliers on many of these issues,” Jeffries said.
Although the association does not have its own trade show to act as a central forum for topics affecting the detailing industry, officials have plans to launch an IDA Road Show. The event will travel around the nation and offer a series of educational seminars.
The IDA also is working to partner with other association trade shows, including those in the carwash industry, to help build exposure and offer education to detailers and carwash operators who offer detailing services. In addition, the IDA’s Web site (www.the-ida.com) offers a members-only area that contains information on the latest detailing techniques, products and technologies; advice on marketing; educational articles and an online forum.
IDA membership is open to anyone involved in the detailing industry as either an operator (including fixed locations and mobile service providers), supplier or consultant. Detailing does not need to be the primary focus of a business, with the IDA welcoming automotive dealerships, collision repair shops and carwash operators.
SIDEBAR:
IDA Board of Directors
President – Erik Jeffries, Cyclo Toolmakers Inc.
Operator Vice President – Anthony Flammia, Gias Detailing
Supplier Vice President – Rick Goldstein, Ragg Topp
Treasurer – Prentice St. Claire, Detail in Progress
Board Member – Rick Sures, Allied Chemicals
Board Member – Skip Reisert, Skip’s Yacht Detailing
Board Member – Keith Duplessie, Detail Plus Car Appearance Systems
Related Articles: