Moves (December 01, 2006)

ARI Financial Services Inc., a fleet management company, has partnered with the CertifiedFirst Network. CertifiedFirst will serve as ARI’s collision repair service provider. Operated by PPG Industries, CertifiedFirst says it offers the breadth of coverage and service excellence to put ARI vehicles back where they belong–on the road. “This agreement promises tremendous benefits to both the CertifiedFirst Network and ARI… offering drivers the convenience of knowing exactly where to call in the event of a collision will reduce driver anxiety and downtime,” Lee Smith, director of PPG Refinish, says. As a preferred supplier, the CertifiedFirst Network will now be accepting ARI Maintenance credit cards, as well as the ARI MasterCard for collision repairs.

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The Portuguese Insurance Professionals Association (PIPA) is recruiting new members. PIPA membership is open to insurance professionals of Portuguese descent and to those who have married into that nationality. PIPA is an apolitical association with the following goals: (1) to foster and promote professionalism by providing an outlet to develop and solidify networking opportunities and relationships in the insurance industry; and (2) encourage and support academic excellence by providing a scholarship to a student involved in insurance courses or degree through a college or university. For more information about PIPA, please contact Mario Sousa at msousa@elliottsr.com or Lucy Sousa at lucys@jdimi.com.

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Beginning in mid-2006, Discount Car and Truck Rentals and the CertifiedFirst Network of collision repair centres initiated a Canadian partnership agreement. Under the agreement, Discount delivers vehicle rental and replacement service vehicles to CertifiedFirst Network auto body repair shops throughout Canada. “This partnership enhances both our organizations, combining the commitment to customer service both organizations actively promote,” Norm Angrove, national manager of the CertifiedFirst Network, says. “With this agreement, no matter where you are in Canada, Discount will pick you up while CertifiedFirst repairs your car.” The two companies will combine resources to promote the preferred provider program both within their organizations and with new and existing clients. The CertifiedFirst Network is made up of more than 1,950 quality-rated dealership and independently-owned auto body repair centres in North America, including 161 in Canada. The CertifiedFirst Network is a division of PPG Industries Inc., a manufacturer that supplies products and services to a wide-range of industries worldwide, including the automotive aftermarket. Discount Car & Truck Rentals is a privately-owned company. It was established in 1980 by Herb and Rhoda Singer in Hamilton, Ontario. The company has over 300 locations in Canada.