"As with many businesses during these difficult economic times, I-CAR has had to re-evaluate its operating performance and its strategic position in meeting the training needs of the industry," said I-CAR Board Chairman John Edelen.  "Through this work, I-CAR has identified changes that must take place to ensure that I-CAR remains a viable organization and is positioned to be successful in the future.

"Through the most recent review of the needs of the organization and its staffing levels, we have found it necessary to consolidate some roles and activities, reduce resource levels in some areas, and to eliminate some roles," Edelen said. 

"This has resulted in the reduction of the overall staffing needs of the organization and the release of the employees affected by these decisions.  We want to acknowledge the years of service and contributions of these employees.

"I-CAR continues to have very respectable levels of revenue; however, I-CAR's revenue growth has been outpaced by the rate of escalation in our operating expenses," he said.  "By restoring a balance between revenue development and our operating expenses, we will ensure that there are sufficient reserves, should these adverse economic conditions persist.

"I-CAR's employees are its greatest asset, and employee salaries and benefits are its most significant expense," Edelen said.  "We owe it to the interindustry to ensure that we have the right level of staffing to meet the needs of our customers--not more and not less.  We must assure that we can continue to work effectively and efficiently while maintaining our position as a leader in providing training to the auto collision inter-industry."