Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales (PARTS) Act--HR 3889
U.S. House Judiciary Committee Members Reps. Issa and Lofgren have introduced legislation to lower the exclusivity period that car companies have to sell collision repair parts in the U.S. from 14 to 2 ½ years. The name of the new bill is Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales (PARTS) Act--HR 3889, and is provided here for your reference.To help build momentum for the bill and garner consumer support, the QPC has launched the Write Congress widget on our website, powered by e-advocacy firm POPVOX.
We need your help, now more than ever. Please visit www.keepautopartsaffordable.org to tell Congress you support the bill and to spread the word to your networks.
- Following @QualityPartsQPC on Twitter and retweeting the post about POPVOX
- Posting a link to the Write Congress widget on your Facebook page and encouraging your friends, family and colleagues to support the bill
- Including a link to the QPC website in your email signature
- Posting one of the attached buttons on your organization's website linking back to the QPC site
Industry Report
Diamond Standard Brand Press Releases
February 10, 2012 - Diamond Standard Moves Forward Aggressively with CAPA Front Face BarsJune 24, 2011 - Diamond Standard Parts Adds Custom Cowl Hoods by Reflexxion Automotive Signaling Category Expansion Strategy Underway
May 23, 2011 - Diamond Standard Launches New, State-of-the-Art Website Based on Trusted, Tested, Certified Structural Bumper Components
May 2, 2011 - Diamond Standard Bumper System Components Prove Equivalent in Crash Pulse Performance
March 4, 2011 - Reflexxion Automotive Products, LLC, Pursuing Trademark Infringement Action Against Tong Yang Group
December 2, 2010 - Diamond Standard Equivalency Study Expands
October 1, 2010 - Like Kind and Quality = EQUIVALENT. What Does It Really Mean?
August 31, 2010 - Diamond Standard Full Assembly Stepbumper Systems Certified: VESC V-5 Federal Towability Standard Compliant
July 28, 2010 - Diamond Standard Considering Domestic Plant Dedicated to Quality Alternative Radiator Supports in Response to Capitol Hill Meeting & CIC
June 7, 2010 - Mike O’Neal and Diamond Standard Companies Awarded the ABPA Presidential Award for Bringing Forth a Standard for Structural Parts
May 13, 2010 - Diamond Standard Director of Engineering @ PBSI Division Elected to CAPA Tech Committee
March 25, 2010 - Diamond Standard Labeling Expands Part Traceability Providing Intensive Cradle-To-Grave Tracking Of Certified Parts
January 26, 2010 - Diamond Standard Parts to Expedite Safety Parts Certification
July 1, 2009 - The Real Measure of Alternative Safety Part Equivalency = $2 million Dollar Private Money Investment In Individual Part Crashworthiness Testing & Validation vs. OEM
June 8, 2009 - Diamond Standard Announces the Solution to Increasing Repair Cycle Times Driven by Part Availability
May 4, 2009 - Considering Part Availability During OEM Bankruptcy, Plant Shutdowns & Dealer Closings
March 30, 2009 - Total Losses & Roof Strength Standards
February 26, 2009 - Half Million New Car Shoppers Steered to Used Cars
February 17, 2009 - Tennessee DOCI (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance) Commissioner's Office requests Diamond Standard Brand Parts present their safety concerns on substandard performing safety parts to the Industry as they consider including safety parts and quality performance in State Regulations covering crash parts
January 26, 2009 - Response to "Total Loss Percentages" (Mitchell’s Regional Trend Report 2nd Half 2008)
January 1, 2009 - NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) taps Diamond Standard Brand Parts to review & propose changes to National Model Law regarding aftermarket part quality requirements
September 24, 2008 - Audatex forecasts an increase in total loss frequency for 2008 and 2009 which is a costly problem. Diamond Standard brand alternative safety parts are the solution!
July 15, 2008 - Response to ABRN ENews excerpt that appeared in a an article entitled “Bumper Times Have Changed”, dated July 1, 2008 and written by Bruce Burrow, AAM, who is ASE Master Certified and an instructor for the Automotive Management
June 25, 2008 - Response to "State Farm Announces Expansion of Parts Program, Shops Give it Mixed Reviews" by John Yoswick, dated May 28, 2008 on the partsandpeople.com website
June 20, 2008 - Response to aftermarket warranty article in May 2008 issue of Body Shop Business Magazine
Breaking News Stories
Mon, 13 February 2012
CAPA Certifies First Parts Under New Bumper Standard
Diamond Standard Parts, LLC has earned the distinction of being the first, and so far, brand of aftermarket bumpers certified to the new quality standards of the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) 501 Bumper Parts Standard. A little more than a year since CAPA announced that it would launch the certification standard for bumpers, a total of 31 Diamond Standard front steel bumpers/applications both chrome and painted have been certified with 13 available today, 12 available by February 17 and all 31 in distribution by March 1.
The newly certified parts are manufactured by Production Bumper Stampings (PBSI), a Diamond Standard Group Company with TS 16949 facilities located in Columbus, Ohio.
"To receive the distinction as the first aftermarket bumpers to pass CAPA Certification and scrutiny is an honor that validates the single minded purpose of Diamond Standard. Not only manufacturing the safest parts available which have been extensively tested, validated by crashworthiness experts and certified, but precision 'One Quality' parts built to exacting standards using correct material, tool building, stamping and quality process controls," said Mike O'Neal, President of Diamond Standard Parts, LLC.
Diamond Standard supports both the CAPA and NSF Certified Parts Programs.
According to Geoff Crane, Director of Industry Relations for Diamond Standard, the company's 'One Quality' manufacturing assurance is a distinction unique among all competitive manufacturers of structural parts. "It is most gratifying to see the same part tested, validated and certified meeting stringent quality and testing protocols whether MGA Research, CAPA or NSF," said Crane.
Recent CAPA reports had identified Diamond Standard parts using the internal manufacturing part number from PBSI. However, CAPA master parts lists now identify Diamond Standard Certified bumpers with the brand's unique part number system ending in DSC (Diamond Standard CAPA). Diamond Standard part numbers certified under the NSF program end in the letters DSN (Diamond Standard NSF).
The company stresses that if the part number does not have one of these suffixes, it is not an authentic Diamond Standard part and should be refused. Outer packaging is also heavily branded and labeled for easy identification. The physical parts are also branded and labeled permanently.
A list of the newly certified parts can be viewed by visiting the CAPA site www.capacertified.org and clicking on the Parts Database Search and selecting PBSI as the manufacturer and searching all parts.
For any insurer, independent adjusters or shop organization wishing to receive the monthly authorized master list of Diamond Standard certified parts, a CAPA certification timetable on additional Diamond Standard front bumpers or wishing to visit the Diamond Standard manufacturing facilities in Columbus, OH, contact Geoff Crane at geoff@diamondstandardparts.com
Mon, 02 May 2011
Report Details Crash Test Performance of Aftermarket Structural Parts
Aftermarket parts manufacturer Diamond Standard has published a new industry whitepaper detailing the results and expert reviews of crash tests designed to measure the performance of their parts in comparison to the OEM equivalents.
The paper, Equivalent Bumper System Crash Pulse Performance Through the Lens of Crashworthiness & Occupant Safety Experts, details a series of MGA Research Corporation FMVSS 214 fixed barrier tests designed to test the crash performance of the front energy absorber and bumper reinforcement system by measuring crash pulse management as well as vehicle occupant head trajectory. The tests were conducted using OEM service parts and Diamond Standard parts for a 2006 Nissan Altima.
The MGA Certified test results have been reviewed and validated by crashworthiness and occupant safety experts George Neat, Former Chief of Vehicle Crashworthiness Division, The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (DOT) and Dr. David Breed, the recipient of the H. H. Bliss Award as one of the inventors of the air bag. These credible third party industry experts and respected leaders in their chosen fields, add a strong measure of convincing defensibility for Diamond Standard Products.
And while the Diamond Standard parts compared very favorably to the OEM service parts in these tests, the company points out that the tests were conducted to prove the performance of Diamond Standard parts and were not meant to imply that parts from other manufacturers would perform as well. "The focus of the proprietary study is a direct comparative on functional bumper component performance between OEM service parts and Diamond Standard Brand alternative parts only. No statements or representations are extended to other manufacturers of aftermarket parts, which may or may not be acceptable for use," said Mike O'Neal, President of Diamond Standard.
A series of fixed barrier tests were conducted utilizing the absorber and reinforcement systems to measure load paths, crash pulse and ultimately occupant head trajectory movement of anthropomorphic dummies to establish the direct comparatives of performance and affect of the systems on head movement forward and vertically. They were conducted at MGA's Burlington, WI facility utilizing the FMVSS 214 sled protocol at a speed of 9.5 MPH, just under the threshold of the no-fire air bag velocity range.
According to James Hackney, Former Director of Crashworthiness, NHTSA and co-author of the "New Car Assessment - Five-Star Crash Rating - Vehicle Safety Performance Characteristics," who developed many of the test protocols utilized by MGA, "To measure load carrying characteristics and dynamic tests determining crash pulse and deceleration comparatives for structural parts, properly manufactured aftermarket parts can provide, at least, equivalent performance to OEM service parts they replace."
The first set of sled tests were conducted without an anthropomorphic dummy, providing system benchmark data comparatives including load carry capabilities, crash pulse and deceleration markers. George Neat, Former Crashworthiness Expert concluded, "The performance of the Diamond Standard alternative absorber/rebar can be expected to be very similar to the performance of the OEM equipment in a crash scenario." The second series of comparative testing inserted an anthropomorphic dummy in the test sled vehicle with the fixed barrier test faithfully repeated. The tests focused on and determined the affect of the bumper system components on dummy head trajectory measuring the "x" position for forward movement and "z" position for vertical movement.
Dr. David Breed concludes, "The Diamond Standard and the OEM bumpers are for all practical purposes identical in the region where the bumper determines crash pulse. It is unlikely that they would perform differently in real world crashes where an airbag deploys."
"As a manufacturer of quality structural parts, it is our job and responsibility to provide the highest quality parts that replicate the safety and damageability characteristics of the OEM original parts and are functionally equivalent to the service parts they replace period," said O'Neal. "Without hesitation, George Neat and Dr. David Breed provide a credible and qualified expert view. In validating Diamond Standard's equivalent functional performance as determined and certified by MGA, they provide a most compelling and convincing voice of reason for an industry seeking acceptable, equivalent performing parts today," O'Neal said.
Since the 2010 January CIC meeting, the industry has been embroiled with contrasting presentations on part quality pitting OEM vs. the aftermarket. Some insurers temporarily suspended authorization of aftermarket structural parts, and the call made for manufacturers and distributors to stop manufacturing, selling and distributing inferior structural parts. "Diamond Standard patently believes and supports the industry goal of achieving a complete, safe repair that restores the collision management system of the vehicle to pre-damaged condition with equivalent parts that limit collateral damage and vehicle totals in lower speed events and protect occupant safety in higher speed collisions," according to Geoff Crane, Business Development Manager of Diamond Standard Parts, LLC.
To obtain a copy of the paper contact Geoff Crane at geoff@diamondstandardparts.com
Publish Date: Mar 07, 2011
Source: Automotive Body Repair News
Diamond Standard Parent Company Files Trademark Infringement Lawsuit
Reflexxion Automotive Products LLC, a Memphis-based manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket automotive products, filed a trademark infringement lawsuit to protect its Diamond Standard line of bumpers and structural parts.
The lawsuit alleges that Tong Yang Group, a Taiwanese company, as well T.Y.G. Management, Inc, and T.Y.G Products, LP both headquartered in Texas, have infringed Reflexxion’s “Diamond Standard” Trademark through their use of the confusingly similar “Diamond Quality” mark for “after-market” automotive products, including bumpers and structural parts.
Reflexxion seeks both monetary damages and injunctive relief in order to protect itself and its customers, who have come to value Reflexxion’s tested and certified “Diamond Standard” products, from confusion with Tong Yang’s products.
The case is before Chief Judge McCalla in the United States District Court of Tennessee, Western Division, Docket No. 2:10-cv-02633-dkv.
Mon, 07 March 2011
Reflexxion Automotive Products, LLC, Pursuing Trademark Infringement Action Against Tong Yang Group
Reflexxion Automotive Products, LLC, one of the U.S. based manufacturers behind the Diamond Standard brand of aftermarket parts, has filed a Trademark Infringement lawsuit against Taiwan-based aftermarket parts maker Tong Yang Group, for that company's use of the brand name Diamond Quality.
The lawsuit alleges that Tong Yang, along with T.Y.G. Management, Inc, and T.Y.G Products, LP (U.S. based affiliate companies), have infringed Reflexxion's "Diamond Standard" Trademark through their use of the confusingly similar "Diamond Quality" mark for their aftermarket automotive products, including bumpers and structural parts.
Reflexxion said it filed the suit in order to protect the integrity of its "Diamond Standard" line of bumpers and structural parts. Reflexxion seeks both monetary damages and injunctive relief in order to protect itself and its customers from confusing the tested and certified "Diamond Standard" products, with Tong Yang's products.
Until recently, Diamond Standard had been the only brand to secure certification for reinforcement bars under the relatively new NSF program's Protocol P368 for Vehicle Reinforcing Beams (Rebar).
Now, Tong Yang Industry Co., Ltd. has secured NSF certification for its first front reinforcement beam. The part is listed by NSF as fitting the 2001-2003 Toyota Prius, and Ton Tang submitted the part under the brand name "Diamond Quality." It is, so far, the only Tong Yang reinforcement beam certified by NSF.
The Reflexxion case is before Chief Judge McCalla in the United States District Court of Tennessee, Western Division, Docket No. 2:10-cv-02633-dkv.
Mon, 13 December 2010
Auto Recyclers Pounce on Toyota for Salvage Parts Position
The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) took offense when Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. recently released its new position statement regarding the use of alternative replacement parts. The ARA is saying that if there were a "Chutzpah of the Year" award, it would surely go to Toyota for the position it took recommending against the use of salvage parts for use in repairing its vehicles.
Toyota cited safety concerns over the use of some salvage parts stemming from the possibility that those parts may have sustained hard to detect collateral damage when the donor vehicle was impacted or the part may have been subject to extreme weathering, corrosion or other detrimental environmental exposure.
What follows is the statement issued by the ARA:
Use of automotive recycled parts has been widely accepted for decades and there is a very long track record of their successful and safe use. Instead, Toyota launched into what seems to be a rather transparent attempt to boost sales of expensive new parts and malign perfectly good parts. In light of the 14 million Toyota recalls this past year alone (25.67 million units since 2005), it would seem that Toyota would be better served focusing more internally on Toyota's own "genuine" safety concerns and quality control.
Recycled parts are original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. They are fully functional and are in many cases identical to original parts. Recycled parts were new OEM parts at some point, yet Toyota is calling for the use of their own new parts in repairs.
"Following the logic held by Toyota, the warranties of every one of their vehicles that has been involved in an accident could be in question given their assertion that parts that remain on a vehicle post collision 'may' only 'appear equivalent,'" says ARA's Chief Executive Officer Michael E. Wilson. Wilson goes on to state, "Toyota's press releases have failed to cite any statistics indicating that recycled parts are more dangerous than new parts. What probabilities of safety issues with recycled parts is Toyota working with?" Is Toyota really asserting that their vehicles are manufactured in such a way that if someone gets into an accident with a Toyota or Lexus that every single part of the vehicle is compromised, even if the accident only affected one part of the vehicle? ARA hopes that is not what Toyota is asserting, but it seems to be the logical conclusion from its stated position on recycled parts, regarding its own vehicles.
Continued efforts to limit collision repair choices will only lead to higher repair costs and insurance premiums for consumers. Recycled parts are quality alternative that provide consumers significant additional benefits compared to new OEM parts:
- Recycled parts allow consumers to save on costs while using parts identical to new OEM parts
- Recycled parts are much better for the environment, since no additional resources or energy were used to create an unnecessary new replacement part
- Auto recyclers provide warranties on recycled parts used in a repair, indicating that recycled parts are not used in an attempt to cut corners with customers
ARA sincerely hopes that Toyota and other manufacturers cease their current activities related to maligning the very parts that they have manufactured.
Mon, 04 October 2010
Defining Like Kind and Quality
What does it mean when an aftermarket part is said to be “equivalent” to OEM?
The July Collision Industry Conference presentations on various aftermarket parts heightened the call to mandate that aftermarket structural parts manufacturers ensure that they produce safe, quality parts to a standard specification that includes proper material, dimensions and form process. A case was presented at that meeting indicating that the use of material, form and thickness different than the OEM original part could lead to increased damageability or affect the vehicle's restraint systems. The conclusion to be drawn was that aftermarket structural parts must be manufactured to be of like kind and quality, or "equivalent," to OEM in order to perform like OEM.
Equivalent to OEM, or like kind quality with respect to replacement parts, is specified in regulations in 20 states, and in defining the term like kind quality, the OEM representative at CIC stated that in order to qualify as like kind and quality, a replacement aftermarket part must be "equivalent" to the OEM branded part. But what does equivalent mean?
"Which parts are being referenced, the original production parts or OEM service parts? These questions are raised by Diamond Standard after a study of four OE manufacturers' data for front bumper weight, thickness, tensile and yield strength properties to gauge their interpretation of equivalency in creating a certifiable alternative part," said Mike O'Neal, President of Diamond Standard.
Aftermarket parts manufacturer Diamond Standard has published the results of a series of tests on OEM parts conducted to measure their characteristics including dimensions and material strength, in order to illustrate the variances that exist in OEM factory parts.
In this example, the weight of the OEM part falls within a range that can vary by plus or minus 3.3 percent. The material thickness varies by five percent, and the tensile strength shows a variance of plus or minus 11 percent from average.
The examination of OEM parts shows that there is no single measurement of strength or dimension but there is a definite range in the parts that must be viewed as equivalent or acceptable and would not affect part performance, restraint systems and vehicle safety. Diamond Standard explains that the ranges are the realities of the initial production run on the part moving to the shorter runs of service parts or even the use of different tier 2 or 3 suppliers to manufacture the parts. Raw material spot buying, the state of the economy and volatility of the steel market can also contribute to normal and acceptable variances in material.
Equivalency is shown by this study to have a definite range. According to Diamond Standard, these results are not mean to imply that OEM manufacturers or their suppliers are in any way not diligent in their pursuit of safe, reliable and consistent quality replacement parts. Nor does it attempt to defend those aftermarket manufacturers who are knowingly not diligent in replicating the quality or safety of structural replacement parts.
"The charge for Diamond Standard is to follow the criteria built within the original part and fall within the 'acceptable' mean values of the production and service parts," said O'Neal. Achieving that mark of quality through vigorous third party testing provides the industry a true alternative to the part it replaces. "This is our assurance to the industry that Diamond Standard parts are safe and reliable alternatives to use," said O'Neal.
Download charts that show a sampling of the results obtained by Diamond Standard's examination of OEM parts across multiple lot numbers, years and manufacturers from production parts to current service parts.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 1, 2010
Contact: Geoff Crane
Phone Direct: 1-901-398-5759
E-Mail geoff@diamondstandardparts.com
Like Kind and Quality = EQUIVALENT. What Does It Really Mean?
Memphis, TN - October 1, 2010 - The reports following the July CIC presentations on various aftermarket parts highlighted the mandated need for structural parts manufacturers to ensure they produce safe, quality parts to a standard that includes proper material, specifications, thickness and form process. A case was presented that use of different material, form and thickness could lead to increased damageability and impact restraint systems. EQUIVALENCY in replacement parts was stressed both in terms of parts meeting the regulations in 20 states which call for equivalency and addressing occupant safety by meeting the dimensional and material properties of the OEM part.
“In defining the term like kind quality or equivalent, the OE representative stated that a replacement aftermarket part must be equivalent to the OE branded part. Which parts are being referenced…the original production parts or OEM Service parts? These questions are raised by Diamond Standard after a study of four OE manufacturers data for front bumper weight, thickness, tensile and yield strength properties to gauge their interpretation of equivalency in creating a certifiable Alternative part” said Mike O'Neal, President of Diamond Standard.
The following charts are based on randomly chosen OEM parts across multiple lot numbers, years and manufacturers from production parts to current service parts. There is a definite range in the parts that must be viewed as equivalent or acceptable and would not affect part performance, restraint systems and vehicle safety. The ranges are the realities of the initial production run on the part moving to the shorter runs of service or use of different tier 2 or 3 suppliers. Material spot buying, the state of the economy and volatility of the steel market all contribute to normal and acceptable variances in material. (See Attached)
Equivalency is shown by this study to have a definite range. This does not mean to imply that OEM manufacturers or their suppliers are in any way not diligent in their pursuit of safe, reliable and consistent quality replacement parts. Nor does it attempt to defend those aftermarket manufacturers who are knowingly not diligent in the quality or safety of structural replacement parts.
“The charge for Diamond Standard is to follow the criteria built within the original part and fall within the “acceptable” mean values of the production and service parts” said O'Neal. Achieving that mark of quality through vigorous third party testing provides the industry a true alternative to the part it replaces. “This is our assurance to the industry that Diamond Standard parts are safe and reliable alternatives to use.” said O'Neal.
About Diamond Standard: Diamond Standard is a BRAND and series of copyrighted safety part protocols based on one principle. The Original Equipment Manufacturer's part (OEM) that came on the vehicle from the factory is the standard for safety and damageability. Our role as a supplier of quality structural parts is to create and repeatedly manufacture structural parts which replicate the OEM part's safety and damageability characteristics support the industry goal of providing a complete and safe repair that restores the vehicle to predamaged condition with equivalent parts. Diamond Standard Brand manufactures a list of certifiable structural parts that include steel front bumpers, high strength steel and aluminum reinforcements, high density energy absorbers, front bumper top pad fascias, bumper brackets and full assembly step bumper systems. Diamond Standard parts and bumper components are available in the USA and Canada through limited quality distributors, including the AQRP quality assurance program at Keystone, an LKQ company.
(See link at bottom of article to download the following charts.)
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 31, 2010
Contact: Geoff Crane
Phone Direct: 1-901-398-5759
E-Mail geoff@diamondstandardparts.com
Diamond Standard Full Assembly Stepbumper Systems Certified: VESC V-5 Federal Towability Standard Compliant
Memphis, TN – August 31, 2010 – Diamond Standard announces its 281 full assembly skus and multi-purpose vehicle applications are Certified compliant to the Federal Standard – VESC (Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission) V-5 Towability, a requirement of the NSF Automotive Parts Certification Program and federal regulation. “A documentation of stepbumper certified test results and assembly system performance to the federal standard can be accessed by visiting the Diamond Standard web site – www.diamondstandardparts.com . To our knowledge, we are the only manufacturer of Alternative parts publishing our part’s test data” said Mike O’Neal, President of Diamond Standard Parts, LLC.
The VESC regulation requires each manufacturer offering a stepbumper assembly incorporating a towing capability feature must be responsible for and must pass the Federal Standard for towability. Meeting the standard requires each hitch is capable of withstanding the tow forces applied without causing permanent deformation of the ball platform which in final position the ball may not depart more than the allowable 5 degrees from the original position.
“We patently believe the individual part criteria established by OEM in its original parts created the standard to which all bumper structural parts must be held and certified by a credible and accredited independent test facility” stated Mike O’Neal, President of Diamond Standard Parts, LLC.
Certification of Diamond Standard full assembly stepbumper systems’ performance in meeting the VESC V-5 Towability Standard is conducted by MGA Research Corporation, Burlington, Wisconsin; an industry accepted, accredited independent test facility calling virtually every OE manufacturer, the aerospace industry, IIHS and the U.S. military its clients (www.mgaresearch.com).
About MGA Research
We provide services for virtually every global vehicle regulation from full-vehicle level to component-level certification of interior and exterior components. With over 30 years of government compliance, homologation, and product validation testing projects, MGA is well suited to helping you with your needs.
MGA Research Corporation is an accredited, recognized worldwide leading independent provider of engineering consulting, automotive testing technologies and state-of-the-art facilities and staff of test experts. MGA's global footprint offers the automotive industry a comprehensive array of products and services related to consulting, testing and government compliance issues supported by five (5) facilities in the United States with additional facilities in So. Korea, Japan, China, India and Brazil. The MGA client base includes virtually all original equipment car manufacturers, the aerospace industry, IIHS and the U.S. Military providing services for every global vehicle regulation. The MGA expertise includes conducting safety and reliability tests for North America (FMVSS and CMVSS), European (EEC and ECE), Australian (ADR) and Asian (TRIAS, GB) markets and supports other activities related to testing, validation and the documentation and certification of test results.
Fri, 30 July 2010
NSF Certifies First Aftermarket Parts Through New Program
NSF International has completed the certification of the first group of parts through its new Automotive Aftermarket Parts Certification Program.
NSF's Parts Certification Program was launched in order to offer independent, third-party testing and certification of only those aftermarket structural parts that replicate the safety and damage criteria design of the original vehicle part.
Diamond Standard Parts LLC's front steel bumpers, manufactured by Reflexxion Automotive and Production Bumper Stamping, Inc. (PBSI), became the first automotive aftermarket parts to earn certification under the NSF Program.
To obtain certification, Diamond Standard Parts front steel bumpers were independently reviewed, tested and compared by NSF to original equipment (OE) service parts. NSF International inspected Diamond Standard's OE-ready manufacturing facilities and quality systems that meet or exceed each of the stringent requirements. The inspection verified that Diamond Standard manufacturing facilities have a process in place for monitoring and handling customer inquiries and a robust part traceability program.
To maintain their certification, Diamond Standard will undergo quarterly facility inspections and random, in-market part testing, validating part quality and integrity.
Diamond Standard Parts' front steel bumpers will now be authorized to display the NSF Mark, which indicates they have met NSF International’s certification requirements. They also are listed on NSF's certification listings webpage.
‘The web page currently lists 11 part numbers for bumpers fitting various domestic truck models.
“Independent certification is essential as it will help assure the consumer, collision repair shop, independent distributor and insurance industry that the automotive repair parts maintain the integrity of the original collision management system," said Geoff Crane, Business Development Manager, Diamond Standard.
"The NSF Mark is a sign to any body shop that an NSF Certified part meets the industry's highest standards for safety, quality and performance," said Bob Frayer, Director of NSF International’s Automotive Aftermarket Parts Certification Program and Engineering Laboratories.
Manufacturers of parts seeking information on NSF International’s Automotive Aftermarket Parts Certification Program can visit www.nsfautomotive.com or email autocert@nsf.org.
Fri, 30 July 2010
Diamond Standard Considering New Domestic Aftermarket Parts Plant
Diamond Standard Parts said it is considering locations for a new U.S. based aftermarket parts plant after a meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and recent events at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC).
A July 20 meeting on Capitol Hill was held on alternative parts and parts testing and to address concerns over substandard parts. Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA) and Congressman Steve Cohen (TN) met with MichaelO'Neal, President of Diamond Standard Parts. During the discussion, Speier asked, ''What do we need to do to get you to bring more jobs to the USA?"
“I’m pleased to announce, in response to the good Congresswoman's question, that while attending CIC in Chicago last week a presentation highlighted the glaring need for a quality aftermarket provider of radiator supports and we will look to answer that need on U.S. soil," said O'Neal.
California, Ohio and Tennessee are the three areas under consideration for the facility.
“I would highly recommend CIC conferences as a think tank for ideas on how to help the collision parts industry. The OE's introduction of Computer Aided Engineering technology to simulate crash performance of parts is a welcome addition to our testing arsenal that includes both dynamic, sled and quasi static crash testing. The acceptance and use of the CAE program by the OE's certainly will aid our development and parts certification and I thank them for finally addressing individual parts testing," O'Neal stated.
Diamond Standard companies are based in the USA and manufacturing and production facilities are located in Memphis, TN, Columbus, OH, Troy, MI, Lawton, OK and Taiwan, ROC.
Wed, 09 June 2010
ABPA Recognizes Mike O'Neal and Diamond Standard Companies
The Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) recently recognized Mike O'Neal and his companies for their work in bringing standards to the aftermarket parts industry. O'Neal is president of Reflexxion Automotive and Diamond Standard.
At a ceremony held in Indianapolis, O'Neal was presented with the ABPA Presidential Award. According to ABPA President Delores Richardson, "There was no doubt in my mind as to which company was most deserving of this honor. O'Neal's companies, especially Diamond Standard, were specifically designated for its work in bringing forth an industry standard measuring the quality of structural rebars in February 2010.
Diamond Standard protocols have also been developed for front steel bumpers, high density foam energy absorbers, full assembly step bumper systems and bumper brackets.
"The copyrighted Diamond Standard parts protocols/standards anticipated and answer the industry's need for clarity with quality tested parts based on the manufacturer replicating the original OEM part safety and damageability characteristics from material to crashworthiness performance," said Geoff Crane, Business Development Manager of Diamond Standard. With the NSF, International Automotive Parts Certification Program in place and Diamond Standard parts being the first manufacturer parts certified, insurers and body shops have an assurance of quality alternative parts to OEM that are consumer friendly, tested and cost effective.
"To receive the highest award extended by the Automotive Body Parts Association is an honor that validates the single minded purpose of Diamond Standard to not only provide the best parts available but to seek the elimination of dual quality offerings in the structural parts industry. To follow the previous respected leaders of the alternative parts industry in accepting this recognition is truly a special event in our mission," said O'Neal.
Diamond Standard structural parts undergo a rigorous testing and certification procedure and are dynamically and third party tested vs. OEM service parts at MGA Research, an accredited industry leader who certifies the test data is complete and accurate.
Tues, 18 May 2010
Diamond Standard Comments on Hoyle's Election to CAPA
The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) recently announced the election of Fred Hoyle to their Technical Committee. Hoyle is Diamond Standard's Director of Engineering at the Production Bumper Stampings Inc. (PBSI) manufacturing Division.
"Fred brings to the table over 30 years of experience and demonstrated knowledge in automotive OEM tool & die design, as well as, precision engineering product development process techniques for alternative structural parts," said Geoff Crane, Business Development Manager of Diamond Standard Brand. Hoyle has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility in a TS 16949 certified environment ranging from Tool and Die Builder to Quality Manager to Director of Engineering.
"In his current position, Fred has brought his experience and excellent communication skills to bear on technical writing part specifications and was instrumental in the development of the copyrighted Diamond Standard Brand part protocols/standards finalized in January, 2010," according to Crane. Hoyle has 20 patents to his credit covering bumpers and hoods.
Mike O'Neal, President of Diamond Standard Parts, LLC said, "We hope that Fred's addition will be a valuable voice from our Diamond Standard group which has been involved with structural parts both OEM and Aftermarket for the last 50 years. I have no doubt he will be very helpful in the technical aspects of the structural parts models being developed."
Diamond Standard and its associated manufacturers Reflexxion Automotive and Production Bumper Stampings, supply a variety of aftermarket parts that include steel front bumpers, high strength steel reinforcements, high density energy absorbers, bumper brackets and full assembly step bumper systems all designed to meet or exceed the performance of the original equipment parts they are intended to replace.
Diamond Standard structural parts undergo third party testing conducted by MGA Research, an accredited industry leader who certifies the test data is complete and accurate.
Mon, 29 Mar 2010
Diamond Standard Announces Aftermarket Parts Labeling Standard
Diamond Standard announced the availability of an aftermarket parts labeling standard that will have the ability to provide end users with what the company describes as "cradle-to-grave traceability."
Mike O'Neal, President of Diamond Standard, explained, "In response to the industry need to control structural parts' substitution, facilitate correct parts identification for shops and provide cradle-to-grave traceability, Diamond Standard created a Labeling Standard considered by NSF as 'medical grade.'"
NSF International is the company that announced the launch of a new safety parts certification program in February.
The Diamond Standard Safety part identification standard includes permanent manufacturer identification, lot number and part number engraved or embossed into each Diamond Standard part.
The standard also includes a two-part tracking label affixed to each Diamond Standard Safety part. The lower portion of the two-part label can be placed on repair orders or estimates as proof of use of the Diamond Standard part. The two-part label carries a unique serial number which provides traceability information linked to each individual part. This information includes:
- material identification
- material certification analysis
- lot history
- manufacturer/date
- final inspection report
O'Neal said Diamond Standard's labeling standard provides the industry a mechanism to prevent part substitution, facilitate correct part identification and provide maximum traceability. "The maximum traceability feature built into each unique serial number on each Diamond Standard Safety part is unprecedented in its intensity within the industry and can be accessed at any time," said O'Neal.
The Diamond Standard Parts brand and its associated manufacturers group, Reflexxion Automotive and Production Bumper Stampings, manufacture a variety of parts that include high strength steel reinforcements, front steel bumpers, high density foam energy absorbers, full assembly step bumper systems and bumper brackets.
The company does not private-label parts for other companies nor does it make a dual line of cheaper grade parts. Diamond Standard facilities are managed in a quality system that is both unique and unparalleled in the aftermarket.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Further Information:
Aaron Schulenburg, SCRS Executive Director
Phone: (302) 423-3537 or Email: aaron@scrs.com
SCRS Welcomes Diamond Standard Parts as Its Newest Corporate Member
Prosser, WA, March 2, 2010 - The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) is pleased to announce that Diamond Standard Parts has stepped forward as the Society's newest corporate member.
Diamond Standard Parts is a U.S.-based parts manufacturer. For over a decade the company has been a champion for aftermarket parts quality, exemplifying its commitment by applying the highest possible standards to its own set of products.
"The reputation of the aftermarket parts industry suffered for years because of inconsistent or non-existent manufacturing standards," explains Diamond Standard President Mike O'Neal. "Increasing use of high strength steels, foams, and other new vehicle construction materials at the turn of this century made poor standards even more of an issue, motivating us to establish Diamond Standard as a brand meaningfully associated with quality."
Today Diamond Standard submits all its parts to a rigorous testing and certification procedure, the results of which are fully documented. Tests are conducted according to federal standards of crashworthiness and carried out at MGA Research Corporation, an independent test facility used by virtually all original equipment manufacturers. Results are validated by former crashworthiness experts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Volpe Center, a federal fee-for-service organization that is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
SCRS has long advocated for branded standards in the aftermarket, and welcomes Diamond Standard's efforts in helping advance that goal. "Diamond Standard has been forthright in their stated objective of producing parts held to a higher standard of quality through testing and focused research," says SCRS Chairman Barry Dorn. "It is imperative to us and our membership that parts suppliers invest in enough research and testing to ensure that end users are confident in the ordered part; that they are certain it has met stringent requirements before being made available for purchase."
O'Neal believes a close association with SCRS will benefit his company. "The collision repair industry is the most important link between our organization and the vehicle owner," he says. "Repairers perform hands-on work with our products, which makes their feedback on testing and interpretation of test results critical to the development of our manufacturing protocols. In addition, SCRS has the ear of the industry, which exposes us to the industry's concerns and perceptions and makes it easier to spread the word about what we produce and how we produce it."
SCRS is thankful for Diamond Standard's support. "The pursuit of solutions to industry issues often brings together organizations that compliment each others efforts," states SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg. "It is our hope that with the support of Diamond Standard Parts we can accelerate progress toward solutions that benefit the collision repair professional and our customer base. We appreciate Diamond Standard's belief in what SCRS accomplishes on behalf of the collision repair industry."
About Diamond Standard Parts: Diamond Standard Parts brand, and its associated manufacturers Reflexxion Automotive and Production Bumper Stampings, supply a variety of parts that include high strength steel reinforcements, front steel bumpers, high density foam energy absorbers, full assembly step bumper systems and bumper brackets. These parts replicate the safety and damageability characteristics of corresponding OEM parts, and are dynamically and destructively third party tested vs. OEM service parts with test results validated by former crashworthiness experts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
About SCRS: Through its direct members and 39 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 Web site: www.scrs.com. You can e-mail SCRS at the following address: info@scrs.com.
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Mon, 08 Feb 2010
Aftermarket Parts Certification Program Launched by NSF International
ANSI accredited certifier expects tested bumper parts to be available in 6-8 weeks.
NSF International today announced the launch of a new Automotive Parts Certification Program to address concerns regarding consumer safety and compromised automobile crashworthiness from the use of untested aftermarket structural parts. NSF says the one-of-a-kind program verifies both the quality and performance of aftermarket parts through testing and inspections that compare the parts to original equipment (OE) parts across dimensional as well as material attributes.
NSF has already completed protocols for the certification of five categories of parts and according to Bob Frayer, Director, NSF International Engineering Laboratories, the first NSF certified parts may be available for installation in as little as six or eight weeks.
The NSF Automotive Parts Certification Program offers independent, third-party certification of steel bumpers, step bumpers, absorbers, reinforcement bars and brackets. Certification has never been available for these bumper system components. The program offered by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) currently certifies plastic bumper covers and facias but not reinforcement beams, brackets, or energy absorbers. CAPA currently certifies just one of the five categories of parts identified by the Auto Body Parts Association (ABPA) as a structural part: radiator core supports.
Like CAPA, NSF International is an accredited standards writer through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). However, unlike CAPA, NSF International is also accredited by ANSI as a product certifier. As one of only 57 ANSI accredited product certification companies NSF International operates ANSI accredited product certification programs for numerous industries.
The auto parts certification program, for which NSF will also be pursuing ANSI accreditation, will require the highest level of performance in terms of form, fit and function, in addition to on-site inspection and approval of the manufacturing facilities' production and quality systems. According to NSF, the certification program includes:
- On-site inspection of the manufacturers production and quality system
- In-plant part quality assurance requirements
- Rigorous part testing to ensure the highest levels of performance
- Comparison to OEM parts across dimensional and material attributes
- Ongoing monitoring of certified parts through quarterly facility audits
- Random, in-market part testing
- An ongoing process for monitoring and taking action regarding customer complaints
- A traceability requirement that allows for an effective recall process
Michael O'Neal of Diamond Standard parts stated, "The events of the last few weeks concerning crash related safety parts illustrate the glaring need for certification to assure the consumer, collision repair shop, independent distributor and insurance industry that the parts utilized for the repairs of a vehicle maintain the integrity of the original collision management system. NSF International's 65-year history of certification, testing and inspections coupled with its extensive automotive industry experience, provides the confidence that the collision repair industry can rely on."
"When any collision repair professional or insurance company sees the NSF Mark on an automotive part, they can be confident that the part meets the industry's highest standards," said Bob Frayer, Director, NSF International Engineering Laboratories. "NSF Certification also allows manufacturers to demonstrate their commitment to product quality and safety."
NSF International has over 1,100 automotive clients, operates in over 120 countries worldwide, and certifies more than 275,000 products. NSF International has been providing automotive services since 1996.
More information on NSF International's Automotive Parts Certification Program can visit email autocert@nsf.org or visit the NSF International Web site.
The five aftermarket parts protocols developed by NSF include:
- NSF P367: Step Bumper Multi-Purpose Vehicle Protocol
- NSF P368: Vehicle Reinforcing Beam (Rebar) Protocol
- NSF P369: Vehicle Bumper Brackets Protocol
- NSF P370: Vehicle Energy Absorber Protocol
- NSF P371: Front Bumper Multi-Purpose Vehicle Protocol
Diamond Standard Expedites Safety Parts Certification
Publish Date: Feb 11, 2010
Source: Automotive Body Repair News
COLLISION REPAIR: NSF International Launches Certification Program to Verify Safety of Aftermarket Parts
NSF International announced the launch of a new Automotive Parts Certification Program to address concerns regarding consumer safety and compromised automobile Crashworthiness centered on the use of certain aftermarket structural parts. The program Verifies both the quality and performance of aftermarket auto parts via testing and Inspections, the company said.
The NSF Automotive Parts Certification Program offers independent, third-party certification of steel bumpers, step bumpers, absorbers, reinforcement bars and brackets to ensure that high-quality aftermarket safety parts are available. NSF’s certification criteria require the highest level of performance in terms of form, fit and function, as well as the production facility’s quality systems, the company said.
The certification program was developed to counter the growing concerns that lower quality parts were being used in the automotive repair industry. Certification from an accredited third-party, such as NSF International, helps ensure that an aftermarket auto part meets rigid quality, safety and performance standards, the company said.
Reflexxion Automotive and Production Bumper Stamping Inc. (PBSI), which Manufacture Diamond Standard brand parts, are the first companies to participate in NSF International’s Automotive Parts Certification Program. The certification program includes:
- On-site inspection and approval of the manufacturing facilities' production and quality system
- In-plant part quality assurance requirements
- Rigorous part testing to ensure the highest levels of performance
- Comparison to original equipment (OE) parts across dimensional and material attributes
- Ongoing monitoring of certified parts through quarterly facility audits
- Random, in-market part testing
- An ongoing process for monitoring and taking action regarding customer complaints
- A traceability requirement that allows for an effective recall process
- Automotive parts that complete the requirements of this NSF certification program will bear the NSF Mark
“When any collision repair professional or insurance company sees the NSF Mark on an Automotive part, they can be confident that the part meets the industry’s highest Standards,” says Bob Frayer, director, NSF International Engineering Laboratories. “NSF Certification also allows manufacturers to demonstrate their commitment to product quality and safety.”
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., NSF International is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited standards writing organization. NSF International has more than 1,100 automotive clients, approximately 700 employees, operates in more than 120 countries worldwide, and certifies more than 275,000 products. NSF International has been providing automotive services since 1996.
Manufacturers of parts seeking information on NSF International’s Automotive Parts Certification Program can visit this link or e-mail autocert@nsf.org.
For information on Diamond Standard brand parts, visit www.diamondstandardparts.com or contact Geoff Crane at geoff@diamondstandardparts.com.
Publish Date: Jan 28, 2010
Source: Automotive Body Repair News
Diamond Standard Parts Expedites Safety Parts Certification
In response to an alert by the aftermarket presentations at NACE in November 2009, and CIC in January 2010, Diamond Standard (a U.S.-based manufacturer of high strength steel reinforcements, front steel bumpers, high density foam energy absorbers, full assembly step bumper systems and bumper brackets) has accelerated the time frame for full certification of safety parts.
One or more worldwide recognized certification firms capable of ANSI standard writing and certification auditing and monitoring continuous part quality will be involved in the process.
Diamond Standard, as a supplier of parts that replicate the safety and damageability characteristics of the OEM part, is considered to be the standard for safety and damageability. Diamond Standard parts are dynamically and destructively third party tested vs. OEM service parts with test results validated by former Crashworthiness experts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administraton (NHTSA).
One of whom, Jim Hackney, co-authored “New Car Assessment-Five Star Crash Rating-Vehicle Safety Performance Characteristics."
As pointed out by Mike O'Neal, president of Diamond Standard and Reflexxion Automotive, “The presentation at CIC and industry alerts by Diamond Standard for five years show a problem exists with safety parts from manufacturers who substitute both non-OEM material and parts manufacturing process to provide 'replacement' parts. It's on the manufacturers, period. They provide zero backup test and material data to large and small distributors who rely on them to provide a comparable part."
The good news for the industry in light of the current developments is quality Diamond Standard Safety parts are available from Keystone locations nationwide. A special master data base for Diamond Standard parts has been filed with CCC and expansion to other estimating systems such as Audatex is imminent.
The Diamond Standard policy on safety part replacement is OEM or Diamond Standard for the assurance that a repair using these safety parts will restore the collision management system to predamaged condition when properly installed.
For more information, visit www.diamondstandardparts.com.
The interest in these stories has been phenomenal to say the least. It speaks to the strength of Collision Week as a leading source of information and news that impacts everyone concerned with safety and quality in the marketplace. - Geoff Crane
Thu, 02 Jul 2009
Testing is the Real Measure of Aftermarket Part Equivalency
Aftermarket parts manufacturer Diamond Standard is one company that takes issue with the idea that aftermarket parts cannot equal OEM. The company says there absolutely are some aftermarket parts that are the equivalent of OEM, and they have the testing to back it up.
According to Geoff Crane, Business Development Manager, Diamond Standard, the company has invested in excess of $2 million dollars in dynamically and destructively testing its parts vs. the OEM part. "Our tests are conducted according to Federal Standards of Crashworthiness, employing IIHS protocols vs. the OEM part standard at MGA Research Corporation, an independent test facility in Burlington, WI. MGA is used by virtually all original equipment manufacturers," said Crane. "To our knowledge our testing of individual parts and systems is unique among all aftermarket manufacturers of safety parts and OEM relative to testing service parts," indicated Crane.
On new cars, the Original Equipment Bumper System components defined as bumper fascias, high strength steel reinforcements and high density foam energy absorbers must comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards under the NHTSA in CFR 49, Part 581.
"We at Diamond Standard patently believe the individual part criteria established by OEM in its replacement parts created the standard to which all safety parts in collision must be held. The same standard of functional performance is required to properly and effectively restore the function of the system to predamaged condition. Regarding the matter of safety performance of the vehicle, restoring system function achieves minimization of damage in lower speed events, preventing energy from being transferred into the passenger compartment and in the case of frontal events, assist the proper performance of the air bag deployment system", said Geoff Crane.
Importantly, "Diamond Standard takes the additional and very necessary step to validate the test results with former crashworthiness experts from NHTSA and the Volpe Center, one of whom co-authored the Federal Standards of Crashworthiness to provide the further assurance of functional part performance to the OEM part," Crane said.
Crane says anyone can claim their part is a replacement for the original safety part but unless that part has demonstrated its ability to match functional performance there is risk inherent in its use. Risks include increased damageability, contributing to greater total losses and potential occupant safety issues.
"We at Diamond Standard believe that a safety replacement part [must provide] the intended functional performance of the original part standard to ensure the vehicle operates safely and as designed to withstand future collisions and protect the consumer's property….it is a matter of conscience," stated Crane.
