New Hampshire DRIVE VOL. 5 | NO. 06 EMPOWERING FUTURE TECHNICIANS $25K+ IN AUTO TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIPS
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New Hampshire VOL. 5 • NO. 06 PRESIDENT Dan Bennett, REM, IOM, CAE NHADA OFFICERS Marshall Jespersen, Chairman Jim Boyle, Vice Chairman Jeff Platek, Treasurer Shawn Hanlon, Secretary NHADA DIRECTORS John Sawyer, Jr., Immediate Past Chair MaryBeth Alosa, Heavy Duty Truck Vanessa Delegas, Franchised Tim Foss, Franchised Jason LaCroix, Franchised Mike Phillips, Independent Used Car Ron Poirier, Independent Repair/Service David Hammer, NADA Director George Mullin, Franchised/Independent Jessica Trask, Franchised Roger Groux, Advisory Director Mike Petell, Franchised/Motorcycle ©2023 New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association (NHADA) | The newsLINK Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Drive New Hampshire is published six times each year by The newsLINK Group, LLC for the NHADA and is the official publication for this association. The information contained in this publication is intended to provide general information for review, consideration and education. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need legal advice or assistance, it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as to your circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the NHADA, its board of directors, or the publisher. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements within this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product or service advertised. Drive New Hampshire is a collective work, and as such, some articles are submitted by authors who are independent of NHADA. While Drive New Hampshire encourages a first-print policy, in cases where this is not possible, every effort has been made to comply with any known reprint guidelines or restrictions. Content may not be reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission. For further information, please contact the publisher at 855.747.4003. 5 A Message From the President We Are Stronger as a Team By Dan Bennett, REM, IOM, CAE, NHADA President 6 A Message From the Chair NHADA Events Connect Members By Marshall Jespersen NHADA Chairman 7 NADA Update NADA and TADA File Motion to Stay the FTC’s Vehicle Shopping Rule By David Hammer, NADA Director 8 Empowering Future Technicians $25K+ in Auto Technology Scholarships 9 Scam Alert Fraudulent Vehicle and Parts Purchases and Attempts 10 Driving Workplace Safety The 2023-2024 Winter Weather Safety Contest Is Back! By Brian Duplessis, NHADA WCT Loss Prevention Supervisor 12 Terminating an Employee? Things To Consider To Avoid Litigation By Margaret (Peg) O’Brien, McLane Middleton, Professional Association 14 Automotive Instructor Training 2023: Successful For All By Adam Memmolo, NHADA Workforce Development Coordinator 15 NHADA Foundation Receives ApprenticeshipNH Champion Award By Adam Memmolo, NHADA Workforce Development Coordinator 16 Remembering Guenter Karl Mathoni Former NHADA Chairman 18 2023 Well-being Wrap-Up 20 The “Creeping” Cost of Cuts By Marta Silakka RN, BSN, CCM, COHN-S, Nurse Case Manager NHADA — WCT 24 Working Alone in the Automotive Industry How to Stay Safe and Connected By SafetyLine 26 LotDrop Apparel: The Winter Collection 28 By the Numbers 29 NHADA New Members 30 Thank You, 2023 NHADA Partners! CONTENTS 4
“Our Voice in Concord is Only as Loud as Your Voice at Home.” You are likely familiar with this mantra. It succinctly captures the essence of our grassroots strategy, particularly highlighting its significance in our home state of New Hampshire. The New Hampshire General Court, the state’s legislature, consists of 400 members in the House of Representatives and 24 in the Senate, making a total of 424 legislators. Given New Hampshire’s relatively small population of approximately 1.38 million, this results in a remarkably low citizen-to legislator ratio. Because of this, there is a real possibility that you or someone in your shop knows one of these folks. Making these personal connections is a key component in successful grassroots campaigns. Every year, we are faced with several issues at the Statehouse. These issues range from repealing or modifying the state’s safety inspection program to reforms to the state budget and everything in between. Soon, our Legislative Committee will approve our 2024 priority bills, which will be communicated to our entire membership. When faced with these issues, we lean on you to help make our case and move the needle in our favor. Your help can range from making phone calls to legislators you know to sending pre-composed emails through our grassroots advocacy website. When your help is needed, we will send out “Call-to-Action” emails alerting you of what needs to be done. Most of the time, you will be asked to make calls or send an email to your legislator(s), which is simple and only takes a few minutes to do. We also encourage you to engage your staff to do the same. Please note that all outreach to an elected official is important, but a personal call from a constituent is one of the most powerful things you can do. We look forward to sharing with you our 2024 Legislative Forecast which will include legislation that may impact your business and some which could be a direct threat. But we still ask that you respond. We need to respond to all issues as a unified front. We are stronger as a team representing the NH motor vehicle industry as a whole. If we start separating or cherrypicking issues, our message becomes weaker, and our grassroots campaigns are less impactful. It’s imperative that legislators hear from you! Remember: you and your staff are their constituents, not “hired guns” roaming the halls of the Statehouse. The decisions they make have a direct impact on your business. Let’s be loud; let’s be heard. This starts at home. Your voice is key to successful grassroots campaigns. As always, we are here to help. You can contact me at dbennett@nhada.com or (603) 224-2369. A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT WE ARE STRONGER AS A TEAM BY DAN BENNETT, REM, IOM, CAE NHADA PRESIDENT 5
BY MARSHALL JESPERSEN NHADA CHAIRMAN NHADA EVENTS CONNECT MEMBERS As we turn to the beginning of a new year, I’d like to take a moment to look back and highlight the outcomes of our events hosted by the association and NH Automotive Education Foundation (NHAEF): RAFFLE FOR AUTOMOTIVE EDUCATION In 2023, we hosted not one but two Raffles for Automotive Education, resulting in over $60,000 in scholarships for this school year and a fully replenished pool for next year’s annual giving. NHADA’S “ALPINE EXPEDITION” CONVENTION In June, we welcomed over 150 members, partners and their families to an “Alpine Expedition” style convention at the beautiful Mountain View Grand in Whitefield, NH. New this year was the VIP Chairman’s Cocktail Hour, followed by a few days of family activities, business sessions and networking, entertainment, and, not to forget, the industry panel featuring the NH DMV, DOS and State Police. DRIVE FOR A TECH GOLF TOURNAMENT Hosted at Pease Golf Course in Portsmouth, NH, our members came out in droves for our 27th Annual Golf Tournament. This event supports our education foundation and the growth of the NH’s automotive workforce. AUTOMOTIVE COLLEGE & CAREER DAY This year’s College & Career Day, hosted by Manchester Community College, drew a crowd of over 700 students from 17 schools. Also in attendance were several NHADA members, all five automotive NH community colleges and industry partners, all sharing a collective passion for the industry with our future workforce. One of the best parts of being an NHADA member is connecting with other members of our industry. Many of our members say the relationships they’ve created over the years are worth their weight in gold. If you haven’t participated in our events yet, I highly recommend you do. Take a look at the tentative 2024 event schedule provided below, and make sure to save the dates. Here’s to a successful year ahead! A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR 2024 EVENTS Business Conference/Expo May 15 at the Grappone Conference Center, Concord, NH NHADA Convention June 23-25 at Mill Falls at the Lake, Meredith, NH Drive for a Tech Golf Tournament September 13 at Pease Golf Course, Portsmouth, NH Automotive College & Career Day October at Manchester Community College (official date coming soon) Raffle for Automotive Education November (official date coming soon) 6
Recently, the Federal Trade Commission unexpectedly released its final Vehicle Shopping Rule, now called the Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Rule, which takes effect July 30, 2024. THE CHANGES In response to comments submitted by NADA and state and metro dealer associations, the FTC scaled back the proposed rule in several important ways. Among other changes, the FTC eliminated requirements that dealers: • Maintain on their website a list of all “add-on” products offered and the price of each such product; • Provide a series of written disclosures related to the sale of “add-on” products; and • Retain copies of “add-on” lists and documents describing “add-on” products offered to consumers. But, the final rule would still impose several new problematic oral and written disclosures, numerous ill-defined requirements and additional burdensome record-keeping obligations. AS A RESPONSE NADA and the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) filed a Motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to stay the July 30, 2024, effective date of the FTC’s Vehicle Shopping Rule. And, the Motion follows a court challenge to the rule that was filed last week by NADA and TADA. NADA will continue to provide updates on the litigation. Background • On Jan. 4, 2024, NADA filed a court challenge against the FTC over its final Vehicle Shopping Rule, which the agency derisively named the “Combating Auto Retail Scams Trade Regulation Rule” or “CARS Rule.” • The FTC claims its rule is in response to “chronic deceptive or unfair practices” in the auto retail marketplace. These assertions are misguided, completely unfounded, and do not reflect the modern auto retail industry. • The rule is now final. It contains draconian penalties and franchised dealers have been given less than eight months to comply with the significant and unnecessary regulatory burdens laid out in the final rule. Q: Why is NADA challenging the FTC in court? A: NADA is challenging the FTC in court to stop a rule that will add massive amounts of time, complexity, paperwork and cost to car buying and car shopping for tens of millions of Americans every year. The FTC’s Vehicle Shopping Rule is simply terrible for consumers. Q: Is a court challenge the best course of action? A: After a rushed, utterly flawed and we believe illegal process, the FTC issued its final Vehicle Shopping Rule in December 2023 and set a compliance deadline of July 30, 2024. Because the FTC has failed at every juncture to justify these wholesale changes to the way Americans shop for and purchase new cars, NADA was left with no choice but to seek legal relief to prevent this rule from taking effect. NADA UPDATE NADA AND TADA FILE MOTION TO STAY THE FTC’S VEHICLE SHOPPING RULE BY DAVID HAMMER NADA DIRECTOR NADA Press Release https://www.nada.org/nada/pressreleases/nada-releases-statementftcs-vehicle-shopping-rule Text of the Final Rule https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ ftc_gov/pdf/p204800_cars_rule. pdf#page=361 FTC Press Release https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/ press-releases/2023/12/ftc-announcescars-rule-fight-scams-vehicle-shopping FTC CARS Rule: Combating Auto Retail Scams — A Dealers Guide https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/ resources/ftc-cars-rule-combating-autoretail-scams-dealers-guide The new CARS Rule: What you need to know — A Customer Guide https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumeralerts/2023/12/new-cars-rule-what-youneed-know?utm_source=govdelivery GO DEEPER 7
EMPOWERING FUTURE TECHNICIANS $25K+ in Auto Technology Scholarships THANK YOU SPONSORS! Last November at the Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth, our education foundation was proud to award over $25,000 in automotive technology scholarships to young technicians pursuing a career in the industry. Each scholarship was in the name of Paul Holloway, Jr. (pictured to the right) to honor his legacy and passion for education in NH. Attendees were able to enjoy some great food, drinks and networking. Congratulations to our $10,000 scholarship winner, Jordan Lawrence, a senior at Nashua High School North who goes to Nashua Technology Center and works for Tulley Mazda. He plans on going to Nashua Community College this year. Kaden Miller from Concord Regional Technical Center and Matthew Olsen from Salem Auto Tech each received a $5,000 scholarship. Kaden is looking forward to attending Nashua Community College, and Matt has his eye set on Manchester Community College. Our other amazing students were given $1,000 scholarships, including Lilly Buxton from Seacoast School of Technology, Spencer Jones from Concord Regional Technical Center, Ethan Grande from Salem Auto Tech, Dominic Phillips from R.W. Creteau Regional Technology Center, Xavier Henderson from Nashua Technology Center and Justin Borders from Berlin Regional Career & Technical Center. We wish ALL of these aspiring technicians the best of luck in their future endeavors. We could not provide great events like these without the generous support of our members, partners and sponsors! Transmission Trailblazer Sponsor AutoFair Kaplan Auto Group Drink Ticket Sponsor Nancy Phillips Associates Entertainment Sponsor Nucar Automotive Group Napkin Sponsor GW Marketing Services Engine Enthusiast Sponsor Lovering Auto Group Table Top Sponsor Tyler, Simms & St. Sauveur, CPAs Wheel Wizard Sponsor Hampton Ford Hyundai ICL Autos McFarland Ford Quirk Auto Dealers Toyota of Nashua Volvo Cars Exeter Gurney’s Automotive AV Sponsor Central Park Garage Social Media Sponsor Dominion DMS Bathroom Sponsor North Country Ford Community College Sponsor Contemporary Automotive Belknap Subaru Crest Auto World Foss Motors Grappone Automotive Group CTE Sponsor Dennehy & Bouley Spark Plug Sponsor John Lambert Sullivan Tire®/Lift Works Corp. 8
Late last year, NHADA was alerted of fraudulent activity involving purchasing vehicles and parts from member businesses. CREDIT THEFT It has been reported that someone posing as Dean Hohenberg from Missouri has attempted to obtain financing for the purchase of new vehicles from Jeep, Ford, Range Rover and potentially other dealerships throughout the state. The individual in question has access to all of Dean Hohenberg’s personal information and is using false, inflated income values to secure financing. PARTS THEFT We have also received a report of fraudulent attempts at parts transactions. The caller, John Lounsbury, reached a member business from phone number (404) 647-1852 and asked for rear brake pads, a cabin filter, an air filter and spark plugs and provided the following VIN: 1C4SJVGP5PS558575. The VIN pulls a 2023 Grand Wagoneer sitting on a lot in South Carolina. When the member asked the alleged customer to pick up the parts in person, the caller hung up. The same individual (contact name John Lounsbury) has hit several other NHADA member businesses, completing parts orders amounting to over $20,000. In some instances, our members have stopped the order prior to pickup or delivery, and in other instances, the transaction was completed, and the parts were lost. It has been reported the individual is using third-party pickup services such as Uber to acquire the parts, and some delivery addresses are traced back to Lawrence, MA. Please remain vigilant and do not conduct business with John Lounsbury (jlounsbury418@gmail.com). If you were impacted by the above scams, NHADA encourages you to report the incident to your local police department. For questions or more information on these matters, please contact us at (603) 224-2369. We know the New England market and it's most qualified buyers and sellers. Thinking about buying, selling or determining the value of your dealership? SALES - ACQUISITIONS - EVALUATIONS Nancy Phillips President np@nancyphillips.com Carrie Phillips Forbes VP of Dealer Services carrie@nancyphillips.com Nancy Phillips Associates can help you determine the best course of action and guide you to success. SCAM ALERT Fraudulent Vehicle and Parts Purchases and Attempts
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Snow removal and storm clean-up days pose significant challenges for NHADA member locations. The relentless wind and freezing temperatures that accompany snowstorms, combined with the physically demanding task of clearing snow, create tough conditions for the staff. Unfortunately, these winter storms frequently result in a substantial number of employee injuries. How can you make the best of the cold, winter weather? Have a little fun by participating in the NHADA Winter Weather Safety Contest! The contest aims to raise awareness of winter hazards and document the extensive efforts made by NHADA members to keep people safe. How do you participate? 1. Review our Winter Weather Safety Guide by scanning the QR code. https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/ hubfs/4829685/SlipFallPrevention-Guide-P1.pdf 2. Share photos of your team taking proper safety measures by scanning the QR code for the contest web page (or email them to safety@nhada.com). https://www.nhada.com/winter-weather- safety-contest 3. EVERY entry wins a prize: gift cards, NHADA apparel/ swag, snow brooms, etc. 4. The GRAND PRIZE will win a company lunch catered by NHADA at your location! Last year’s grand prize winner, Nucar Automall of Tilton, hosted a great catered party. Nucar was chosen for their multiple entries showcasing creative ways to keep their employees safe last winter. Past grand prize winners include Quirk Automotive, Tri-City Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Carlson’s Motor Sales, Nashua Outdoor Power, Tulley Automotive and Manchester Collision Center. In an ideal situation, we would have very little snow to clear. However, when winter storms do occur, we highly recommend that our members participate in order to document the incredible efforts they put in to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. This also allows us to recognize and reward those hardworking employees who make it all happen! If you have any questions, please reach out to me at bduplessis@nhada.com or (603) 224-2369. DRIVING WORKPLACE SAFETY The 2023-2024 Winter Weather Safety Contest Is Back! BY BRIAN DUPLESSIS NHADA WCT LOSS PREVENTION SUPERVISOR 11
Terminating an employee is never easy. Whether the decision is driven by an employee’s performance problems or misconduct, the company’s economic condition or shifting organizational priorities, no one likes to deliver the termination message. Nevertheless, most employers will need to communicate this message at least once, and usually on multiple occasions, to members of their workforce. In order to make the termination meeting go as smoothly as possible, it is best to be prepared. Even where an employee is employed “at-will,” it is best to spend time carefully reviewing and planning for the termination meeting. By adopting some pre-termination protocols, employers can reduce the risk that employees will believe they were terminated for an unlawful reason and pursue litigation. With that in mind, employers should consider the following: BEFORE THE TERMINATION — CONFIRM THE REASON FOR THE TERMINATION • Review any applicable employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements or offer letters to confirm whether the employment is at-will or whether some other standards for termination apply. • Even when the employee is employed “at-will” — which means the employer can terminate the employee for any reason, or no reason, with or without cause — it is usually best to terminate for a reason related to performance, conduct or an economic reason. Having a legitimate reason for termination is helpful to avoid litigation and to foster a productive culture. • If the employee has reportedly violated a policy, review all applicable employment policies to be sure that the policy or standard the employee violated is clear and that you have adhered to any required procedures. Likewise, if the termination is tied to a performance issue, review the job description and any performance evaluations to confirm the employee has received proper notice of expectations. • Gather and review all of your documentation about the employee, including the personnel file and any notes, emails or other records. • Be sure to base your decision on information in the documentation and not on speculation or suspicion. If you do not have personal knowledge of the information in the documentation, do some due diligence to be sure that the documentation and any other information are accurate and provide you with the complete picture — including the employee’s side of the story. • Make sure the employee has had notice of and an opportunity to respond to any allegations of misconduct or poor performance and has been permitted time to improve sub-par performance. Notice of a problem and an opportunity to fix it is a workplace expectation for most employees. Ideally, an employee should not be surprised by a termination meeting. • Review your organization’s prior disciplinary history to ensure that this employee is treated consistently. • Assess if the employee is a member of a legally protected category (e.g., race, color, religion, national origin, sex, etc.), has engaged in any protected activity (e.g., recent medical leave, filed a TERMINATING AN EMPLOYEE? Things To Consider To Avoid Litigation BY MARGARET (PEG) O’BRIEN MCLANE MIDDLETON, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION 12
harassment or whistleblower complaint, etc.) or otherwise presents a risk for litigation (e.g., wage claims). • Review the termination decision with a third party, such as an employment lawyer, human resources or another member of management. • Plan the termination meeting, including who will attend and what will be communicated. Draft a termination “script” and stick with it. It is important to communicate a clear message that a decision has been made. • Prepare the employee’s final paycheck and, if applicable, a check for unused vacation or other paid time, as well as the federal COBRA notice (or notice of state law continuation coverage for employers with fewer than 20 employees). • Prepare a written termination letter to give to the employee and consider having the letter reviewed by counsel in advance. • Decide whether to offer severance benefits in exchange for a release and waiver of claims. Generally, severance benefits are not required, but an employer may elect to offer severance for litigation risk management purposes. DURING THE TERMINATION MEETING WITH THE EMPLOYEE — CONVEY A CLEAR MESSAGE • If possible, it is best to hold the meeting in person, with two people present in addition to the employee. If you’d like, you may offer the employee the option to “resign in lieu” of termination. It may help the employee transition to new employment quicker. • Communicate the company’s decision in a kind, direct and respectful manner. It is usually best to provide the employee with the reason(s) for termination, even if you are an at-will employer. • Confirm when the employee will receive payment for final wages and any benefits continuation information, and invite the employee to call you with any questions about COBRA or other benefits. • Offer an after-hours (supervised) time for the employee to pack personal belongings. • Get the employee’s key, phone, computer and any other employer property, and disable the employee’s computer access promptly. • Provide a written termination letter; although not legally required in New Hampshire, it is a best practice. AFTER THE TERMINATION — BE PREPARED FOR NEXT STEPS • Consider not contesting the employee’s application for unemployment compensation benefits. Former employees who are denied benefits are more likely to pursue other legal options. • After terminating an employee, be prepared to advise other employees about the change and where to direct questions or work that would have previously been handled by the discharged employee. Employers need to carefully balance explaining why an employee is no longer a part of the workplace with protecting the former employee’s right to privacy and reputation. • If you receive a request for a reference for the terminated employee, follow your reference policy, which for most employers means confirmation of dates of employment and position held. If you still have questions, please contact Peg O’Brien at margaret.obrien@mclane.com or any member of McLane Middleton’s Employment Law Practice Group. 13
Automotive Instructor Training 2023 SUCCESSFUL FOR ALL Recently, we held our annual automotive instructor training, connecting high school instructors with some of the industry’s top industry names, including Nissan, Ford, Subaru, ASE and Tru Video. Educators had the opportunity to tap into the latest insights and resources from participating industry trainers. From mastering cutting-edge vehicle technologies to enhancing instructional techniques, the event was productive and wellattended. Instructors got hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment that their future students will be learning on. Nissan showed off Nissan Lens, which allows technicians to communicate directly with the manufacturer when facing a difficult diagnosis. Also at the training, Ford announced the winner of the 2024 Ford ACE competition’s school will be awarded a 2023 Ford Mustang for their shop. Collaboration and innovation were at the forefront as instructors explored new teaching methods and exchanged ideas with fellow professionals. As we move forward, the impact of this training will resonate in classrooms and workshops, shaping the future of automotive education. Stay tuned for more exciting developments and educational opportunities from NHADA’s Foundation. For questions, please get in touch with Adam Memmolo at amemmolo@nhada.com or (603) 224-2369. BY ADAM MEMMOLO NHADA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR 14
NHADA Foundation Receives ApprenticeshipNH Champion Award During the National Apprenticeship Week Summit held at NHTI on November 17 the NH Automotive Education Foundation (NHAEF), along with 11 other participants, received a Champion Award in relation to our work with ApprenticeshipNH. In addition to receiving the award, we also were included as part of a panel for employers, students and educators to learn more about what ApprenticeshipNH is and how it works. This program that is administered with CCSNH was a perfect partnership for us and many other employment sectors in New Hampshire in support of training our future workforce. It is a structured education and work-based learning platform between post-secondary schools and the employer, which also includes funding support for individuals looking to get a jump start on a career. The versatility of ApprenticeshipNH allows each employment sector to be customized to match employer and educational needs in a specific industry. We were humbled to receive this award and look forward to continuing to build on such a great initiative that follows suit with our own mission and goals. BY ADAM MEMMOLO NHADA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR 15
REMEMBERING Guenter Karl Mathoni, age 92, formerly of Nashua, NH, passed away Friday, April 28, 2023. He was the son of the late Gustav Mathoni and Anna Mingers and was born on May 8, 1930, in Magdeburg, Germany. During World War II, the young Guenter fled to Bavaria when his childhood home in Hamburg was destroyed by fires following an Allied bombing raid. He attended high school in Hindelang, Germany, with continued studies in Hamburg after the war. He became a master technician and received degrees in automotive engineering and business. Upon gaining employment with Volkswagenwerk GmbH, he became assistant general manager of the Volkswagen distributorship with 2,000 employees. Thereafter, he was chosen to become one of the original 21 German engineers to organize Volkswagen of America, Inc. In 1962, he opened Gateway Motor Company on Amherst Street in Nashua. He continued to build the dealership by adding the Mazda franchise. Guenter was chairman of the New England Volkswagen Dealer Council, served on the Mazda Dealer Council, was a Volkswagen quality control dealer, served on the Nashua High School Advisory Committee, was chairman of the Mazda Advertising Association, served on the NH Vocational Technical College and Technical Institute Advisory Committee, served six years on the NH State Board of Education, served on the Governor’s Committee on NH Air Quality, was president of Nashua New Car Dealers Association, president of NH Dealers Association, vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Institute for Automotive Excellence-USA, chairman of the NH Automotive Dealers Association Insurance Trust, trustee of Daniel Webster College, member of Rotary, Member of Society of Automotive Engineers and Member of the 100 Club of New Hampshire. As a testament to his dedication to the automobile industry, he was the recipient of the TIME Magazine Quality Automobile Dealer Award. TIME Magazine also selected him as the best Automobile Dealer in the Northeast, and he received recognition by TIME Magazine as one of the top 10 automobile dealers in the U.S. After 32 years in business, he retired at age 65 to spend time with his wife Margot, who predeceased him. Married in 1952, he and Margot traveled and enjoyed 67 years of marriage. Guenter is survived by his two daughters, son-in-law and four grandchildren. GUENTER KARL MATHONI Former NHADA Chairman 16
1966-1978 NHADA Chairmen 17
Last year, we hosted several successful well-being webinars on the second Tuesday of every month at 10 AM. The webinars were approximately 30 minutes long and were recorded. The videos are available on our website (www.nhada.com/ our-solutions/insurance/well-being) or via the QR codes to the right. We had various topics from Adolescent Mental Health, Heat Stress, Medicare 101 and even Oral Wellness. We had 69 participants throughout the year attend our webinars. Each participant was put into a raffle to receive a well-being gift. We awarded 100 $20 Amazon gift cards to those who participated in the Oral Wellness Risk Assessment. Be sure to look out for upcoming webinars and events in 2024! Adolescent Mental Health https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=8dXg0JO2BWI Financial Wellness https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ERqwBETx4FQ Oral Wellness https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Au9VVhV52WE GetFitNH https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=n0SyUvagMOY Heat Stress https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wIH2eXpJKV4 Voluntary Benefits https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=_ejP0_DLdFE Enrollment Portal Training https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=elCQGzuzuPU Medicare 101 https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=yfTizHK8gX8 Harvard Pilgrim Behavioral Health https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=aP4xRInejL8 Winter Safety & Preparedness https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=b7KQaAXfr-c 2023 Well-being WRAP-UP 18
Plan ahead for your dealership’s long-term legacy Setting up a succession plan is an important consideration for the future of your dealership. Now’s the time to think about your priorities, such as maintaining control, taxes, liquidity, employees and family. What would you like the power to do?® Learn more with our comprehensive overview of Dealer Financial Services Succession Planning at business.bofa.com/dealer. “Bank of America” and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names used by the Global Banking and Global Markets divisions of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, other commercial banking activities, and trading in certain financial instruments are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Trading in securities and financial instruments, and strategic advisory, and other investment banking activities, are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“Investment Banking Affiliates”), including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp., both of which are registered broker-dealers and Members of SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. BofA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp. are registered as futures commission merchants with the CFTC and are members of the NFA. Investment products offered by Investment Banking Affiliates: | Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed| May Lose Value | ©2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. 4882341 05-22-0512
THE “CREEPING” COST OF CUTS BY MARTA SILAKKA RN, BSN, CCM, COHN-S NURSE CASE MANAGER NHADA — WCT Over the years — 23 to be exact — I have written many articles for our members on topics related to the need to seek medical treatment, the “who,” “what,” “where” and “when” of treating workplace injuries and the cost of medical care, just to name a few. I reviewed these past articles to see what has changed other than the date and the letters after my name. I was completely blown away by what I saw! The NHADA Workers’ Compensation Trust (WCT) sees literally hundreds of claims for minor cuts, scrapes, lacerations and puncture wounds. That statistic has not changed. The cost of these claims, however, has gone up exponentially. Based on this, it is time for some new information. It’s time for a review as to why being frugal when it comes to medical care is not the path to take and also a reminder of how something small can turn into something HUGE. In the automotive industry, it is not uncommon for someone to get minor cuts and scrapes on a day-to-day basis; most are an easy washing, antibiotic ointment and a Band-Aid and then back to work. This is the best-case scenario; unfortunately, not all simple cuts end with a Band-Aid. There is a lot to consider with work injuries, no matter how small. Remember, no matter how clean and great the shops look, the automotive industry can be a bit dirty. When a work injury occurs, a call should be placed to us; of course, in the event of a true life-threatening injury, always call 911 first and follow up with us afterward. When it is not life-threatening, the call to us will assist the injured worker in getting the most appropriate level of medical care and, in the long run, will avoid medical complications and save money. So, a simple cut has occurred at work; what now? • What To Consider ⊲ Is formal medical treatment really necessary? Calling NHADA-WCT and speaking to the nurse case manager gives the employer/employee and the nurse a chance to review the injury and determine if treatment is needed or if simple first aid at the workplace will do the trick. ⊲ Are sutures needed? When a cut occurs, a “timer” starts ticking. There is a window in which sutures can be placed to ensure appropriate healing. Missing this window could lead to poor healing, scarring and infection. Not sure if it’s that bad? Consider the alternative: avoiding a quick urgent care vs. multiple visits for an infected wound. ⊲ Is a tetanus shot needed? Most people cannot remember when they got their last tetanus shot. During annual physicals with our primary care provider, it will typically be addressed. Most adults get a tetanus shot every 5-10 years. These avoid complications from breaks to the skin that introduce bacteria and put you at risk. Not sure when you had one and have a minor cut or scrape; it’s best to be seen so a medical provider can determine if a tetanus shot is necessary. ⊲ Is the cut small but deep? A common misconception is a small cut or puncture wound that is deep is too small to suture, so why seek treatment? In this case, treatment is absolutely necessary. Deep cuts can damage muscle and even bone. Antibiotics most likely are needed to avoid serious infections from deep cuts. ⊲ Is it OK to just wait and see how it looks later? So many times, injured workers just do not want to take the time to get something that appears minor addressed. They are busy at work, they may be embarrassed to tell someone they got hurt and some feel they do not want their employer to incur costs for their treatment. Others just simply want to take the wait-and-see approach, and maybe they don’t need to go to the doctor. This is absolutely the worst route to take. The most minor cut can lead to complications that could include infection, scarring, loss of function and, in the most extreme but not completely unlikely scenario, amputation. • What Not To Consider ⊲ Skipping the call to the nurse because the employee or employer thinks it is so minor that nothing can come of it … because something will come of it. 20
If a complication arises with a simple cut, scrape, laceration or puncture wound, it can be a medical emergency. The risk of wound infections is high. Early signs of infection can be redness and swelling around the wound. This can then greatly worsen; there can be drainage from the wound and redlines spreading away from the wound. A minor infection can be treated with oral antibiotics and wound care, whereas a more severe infection may require IV antibiotics, hospitalization and surgery. With increased care comes time lost from work. A simple cut can become a lost-time claim quickly. The cost of medical care is skyrocketing. With personal health insurance, someone may be looking at co-pays, but with workers’ compensation, we are looking at full prices for care. NHADA-WCT has negotiated discounts with some providers, and per the Department of Labor, we pay what is reasonable. Discounts and reasonable charges can still leave us with large medical spend balances. When looking at the cost of medical care for lacerations, it is not uncommon to see a wide range of charges • Urgent Care ⊲ The average cost of an urgent care visit for a simple laceration with or without sutures is approximately $300.00-$800.00 or more. Costs include but are not limited to suturing supplies, wound care supplies, tetanus shots, prescription medication, X-rays and provider fees. Some facilities will also charge a “facility” fee. The radiologist may also charge a separate fee for reading the X-rays. 21
• Emergency Rooms ⊲ The average cost of an emergency room visit for a simple laceration with or without suturing is now approximately $2,000.00-$6,000.00 or even more in some cases. The care may be the same or like that of an Urgent Care, but the cost is much higher for the visit and any procedures done. There may be more than one bill as well, similar to the urgent care but again higher because now there are emergency room provider bills, radiology bills and facility bills but, again, at a much higher rate. This doesn’t include the other expenses that are associated with emergency rooms, such as lost time from work due to long waits to be seen. • Out Patient Follow Up Care ⊲ If a wound becomes infected to a point where oral antibiotics are not enough to treat the infection, IV antibiotics may be ordered. This will require the injured worker to return to the emergency room or outpatient center, sometimes daily, for IV treatment. A semi-permanent catheter may need to be placed for the infusions to occur. IV antibiotics are not the cost of a pill or capsule; they can run upwards of $5,000.00 per treatment, and again, there will be charges from the facility and provider. Some wounds will not close on their own and will require treatment at a wound center. These could be daily to weekly visits where specialists clean, debride and redress the wound to enhance healing. These visits, depending on how much treatment is needed, may run from $750.00 to thousands of dollars. Some of the equipment needed to treat wounds has to be purchased, versus rented, and a wound vacuum, which is often ordered, could be as much as $7,500.00. • Surgery ⊲ Infected wounds sometimes don’t respond to treatment, or treatment was so delayed that surgery will be required. Wound infections can spread to the bone and subsequently infect the bone and bloodstream. These are very dangerous complications that can occur from a simple cut. It’s difficult to fully approximate the cost of this, but surgery would include charges from multiple providers and may include a hospital stay, medical equipment, follow-up care and lost time from work. We have seen bills for this type of scenario go upwards of approximately $20,000.00 to $60,000.00. Now, if we look at all that has been presented here, we can take the “this will never happen to us” approach and just see how that next simple cut plays out, but unfortunately, we can report it has happened to NHADA-WCT members. We have had medical complications from infections that need oral antibiotics to the need for IV therapy to the need for surgery and the threat of loss of limb. These injuries creep … they creep up the severity scale, and they creep up the cost of care. We would much rather pay for an urgent care visit that the injured worker or employer feels is unnecessary than set someone up for pain, lost time from work, loss of their ability to enjoy hobbies and family, and not to mention the cost to the trust and the employer directly. We prefer that with every injury at work, the employer and or injured worker give us a call. Even if it is determined treatment is not necessary, we can start the paper trail. Deciding not to file an employer’s first report of injury because it is felt to be “too minor” and then later becomes a serious medical issue puts us all behind the 8 ball. Give me a call at (603) 224-2369, and together, we can put together a plan for the care and treatment of the work injury. WE WANT TO FEATURE YOU IN OUR NEXT ISSUE OF DRIVE NEW HAMPSHIRE Please reach out to us using this link: https://hipaa.jotform.com/223126815152146. We can’t wait to hear from you! 22
Is your business in the dark? ADVERTISE IN THIS MAGAZINE AND SHINE A LIGHT ON YOUR COMPANY. CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE. 801.676.9722 • 855.747.4003 sales@thenewslinkgroup.com QR Code: website /ad-space
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WORKING ALONE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY How to Stay Safe and Connected By SafetyLine The U.S. automotive industry employs nearly two million people. At some point in their jobs and careers, many employees will be required to work alone and in circumstances where help might not be accessible in an accident. DEFINING THE SCOPE OF WORKING ALONE What does it mean to “work alone?” Is it when you are the only employee working in a separate geographic location and have no coworkers around? Or is it when you perform your job near coworkers who cannot hear you if you call for help? Both of these familiar occupational environments are correct, requiring the person to work in a situation in which support is not quickly available should they need it. IDENTIFYING LONE WORKING SCENARIOS Within the realm of the automotive industry, numerous scenarios classify employees as lone workers. These can include tasks such as servicing or repairing vehicles at a customer’s location, delivering vehicles or parts to residences or businesses, acquiring parts from external sources or conducting operations in remote corners of expansive manufacturing facilities. DANGERS OF WORKING ALONE Despite the familiarity of such working environments, they pose several distinct occupational hazards, especially for those working alone. These risks can be broadly categorized into communication challenges, location-tracking obstacles and the potential threat of workplace violence. NAVIGATING COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES The most significant safety hazard is unreliable or nonexistent communication with the lone worker who may be in a location that does not have access to cellular and Wi-Fi networks. The lack of important information with limited communication can seriously impact the success of an emergency response or rescue. ADDRESSING LOCATION-TRACKING HURDLES Parallel to the need for robust communication, the ability to accurately pinpoint the location of lone workers is crucial for facilitating prompt emergency responses. In critical situations, every second counts, and knowing the precise location can make a pivotal difference in averting potential disasters. WORKPLACE VIOLENCE CHALLENGES You can be considered a lone worker even when in the presence of customers and members of the public. This is because occupational violence and assault are unfortunate realities and occupational hazards for those working with and around other people, away from coworkers. SAFEGUARDING LONE WORKERS WITH SAFETYLINE These safety hazards that lone workers face make them more vulnerable than employees in pairs or teams because it can be difficult for them to request urgent help. For lone workers, SafetyLine provides a reliable channel of communication for automotive workers to easily request immediate assistance while communicating their location to the employer or safety monitor. A “safety line” of communication is secured in highly effective automated safety check-ins at predetermined times that confirm the safety of the lone worker using a lone worker solution. EMPOWERING PROACTIVE SAFETY MEASURES Beyond its location-tracking capabilities, SafetyLine streamlines safety protocols through automated checkins, reliable text and voice messaging functionalities, and detailed safety reports. Such proactive measures significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents and enhance overall workplace safety. CULTIVATING A CULTURE OF SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY By integrating SafetyLine into your operations, you prioritize the well-being of your workforce and foster a culture of security that ultimately translates into increased productivity and employee satisfaction. As your team expands and evolves, SafetyLine seamlessly adapts to meet your changing safety requirements, making it a sound longterm investment in your organization’s future. Ultimately, SafetyLine serves as a reliable partner in ensuring the safety and well-being of lone workers in the automotive industry, paving the way for a secure and efficient work environment. For more information, visit safetylineloneworker.com or scan the QR Code. 25
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Interested in adding your logo/brand to any of the above items? Contact me at 603-224-2369 or cmarston@nhada.com. View the full catalog at apparel.lotdrop.com. 27
TITLE STATISTICS REPORT NOVEMBER 2023 NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY, DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES Current 12 months Prior 12 months % of change Nov. ‘22 Nov. ‘23 YTD ‘22 YTD ‘23 TITLES ISSUED FOR NEW AND DEMO VEHICLES 117,956 122,322 -3.70 7,192 9,510 114,884 108,745 TITLE ISSUED FOR USED VEHICLES 258,931 288,004 -11.23 17,529 22,283 265,923 236,994 TOTAL TITLES ISSUED 376,887 410,326 -8.87 24,721 31,793 380,807 345,739 TITLES ISSUED WITH A LIEN 9,949 12,336 170,451 142,815 TITLES ISSUED WITH NO LIEN 14,772 19,457 210,356 202,924 SALVAGE TITLES ISSUED 1,022 1,378 13,087 13,863 SALVAGE TAGS 116 294 2,169 3,223 HEAVY TRUCKS 1999 AND OLDER 22 33 357 365 HEAVY TRUCKS 2000 AND NEWER 149 190 2,725 2,743 TITLES ISSUED FOR TRAILERS 1,148 1,331 20,269 17,391 TITLES ISSUED FOR MOTORCYCLES 721 825 19,409 17,156 TITLES ISSUED FOR MOTOR HOMES 89 106 1,435 1,274 UNEMPLOYMENT RATES BY AREA August Sept. Oct. United States 3.8% 3.8% 3.9% New England 2.7% 2.7% 2.8% Connecticut 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% Maine 2.5% 2.7% 2.8% Massachusetts 2.6% 2.6% 2.8% New Hampshire 1.8% 2.0% 2.1% Rhode Island 2.7% 2.6% 2.7% Vermont 1.8% 1.9% 2.0% SAFETY/OBD II INSPECTION STATISTICS SAFETY Inspection Results Nov. ‘23 % of Total YTD ‘23 % of Total TOTAL 120,838 100.0% 1,459,382 100.0% PASS 101,033 83.6% 1,220,148 83.6% CORRECTED 10,954 9.1% 133,646 9.2% REJECTED 6,659 5.5% 79,225 5.4% UNTESTED 2,192 1.8% 26,363 1.8% OBD Inspection Results (20 yrs. old or newer) TOTAL 105,181 100.0% 1,246,515 100.0% PASS 93,434 88.8% 1,107,200 88.8% REJECTED 6,852 6.5% 81,419 6.5% UNTESTED 4,895 4.7% 57,896 4.6% BY THE NUMBERS 28
NEW MEMBERS LEWIS MOTOR SALES, LLC 317 South Rd. Brentwood, NH 03833 Phone: (603) 347-5140 Owner/Main Contact: Ryan Lewis A PLUS TRUCKS NH, LLC 187 Dover Rd. Chichester, NH 03258 Phone: (603) 961-0377 Owner/Main Contact: John Stowe MARK’S DISCOUNT TRUCK & AUTO SALES 214 Rockingham Rd. Londonderry, NH 03053 Phone: (603) 965-4589 Owner/Main Contact: Joe Young CAPITAL CITY KIA 158 Manchester St. Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 225-0200 Owner/Main Contact: David Rosenberg Enjoy your association news anytime, anywhere. Scan the QR code to visit our online publication to stay up to date on the latest association news, share articles and read past issues. drive-nh.thenewslinkgroup.org 29
These partners have answered the call and supported NHADA programs and events. Please consider your partners first when you need professional services for your business. To become a NHADA partner, please call Kaleena Guzman at 603-224-2369, or email her at kguzman@nhada.com. Companies endorsed by the NHADA are listed first within each association partner level. Learn more at nhada.com/partnership-program. THANK YOU, 2023 NHADA PARTNERS! Cross Insurance — ENDORSED for Dealers’ Surety Bonds ACV Aftermarket Specialists America’s Auto Auction Boston Auto Auction of New England Auto Use Bellwether Community Credit Union Brown & Brown Dealer Services Chase Auto Clean Harbors Environmental Services CM&B ConvenientMD Urgent Care Dominion DMS Drayton Distributors of New England, BG Products EasyCare New England Enterprise Rent-A-Car GW Marketing Services Horsch/Lappen’s Garage Equipment Huntington National Bank iHeart Media Jewett Construction Co. KeyBank Mike’s Equipment Repair Nancy Phillips Associates, Inc. Northeast Auto Auction North East Dealer Services Portfolio Primary Bank ProActive™ Leadership Group QB Business Solutions Right Direction Financial Services Holdings, LLC Rockland Trust Company Salem Co-operative Bank Sanel NAPA Santander Bank, NA Sullivan Tire®/Lift Works Corp. TD Bank/TD Auto Finance TR2 Corp./LSI Industries Triplet Computers, LLC ZURICH BRONZE NHAD Services, Inc., Insurance Division — ENDORSED NHAD Services, Inc., Products Division — ENDORSED NHADA Workers’ Compensation Trust — ENDORSED Gordon-Darby NHOST Services, Inc. WMUR-TV/WMUR.com New Hampshire PLATINUM DIAMOND Assurant Dealer Services — ENDORSED ComplyAuto Privacy, LLC Cox Automotive, Inc. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care — ENDORSED STAPLES Contract & Commercial, LLC — ENDORSED Bank of America Merrill Lynch Service Credit Union TRUECar Withum GOLD Northeast Delta Dental — ENDORSED Albin, Randall & Bennett Ally Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson, P.A. Devine Millimet & Branch, P.A. JM&A Group McLane Middleton Sheehan Phinney St. Mary’s Bank Tyler, Simms & St. Sauveur, CPAs, P.C. Wipfli CPAs and Consultants SILVER 30
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