Australian Automotive Aftermarket eMagazine - February 2019

BUILD A BETTER BUSINESS AAAE & CRE FREE SEMINAR PROGRAM

HANDTOOLS & DIAGNOSTICS: KEEPING ON TOP OF TECHNICAL NUANCES

JAX TYRES: TAKING TYRE RETAILING INTO THE DIGITAL AGE

ABOUT THE COVER The 2019 Bosch Automotive Technical Training Program is now available. View page 18 for more details.

REGULAR DEPARTMENTS New Members........................................ 4 AAAA Report ......................................... 5 Calendar................................................ 6 News..................................................... 6 Products.............................................. 22

Business Services................................. 70 Consumer Law...................................... 71 HR Matters.......................................... 72 Inside Inventory.................................... 73 4WD.................................................... 74

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KEEPING YOU INFORMED AAAA Innovation Lab project gaining speed................................................................... 5 Bringing Australia’s Automotive Trade Together............................................................. 6 Monroe Major Sponsor of Australia’s Largest Auto Expo.................................................. 9 Keeping The Mobility Revolution Moving..................................................................... 10 AusGarage Welcomes Monroe Shock Absorbers............................................................ 12 GPC Asia Pacific announces multi-year strategic plan................................................... 14 Build A Better Business - AAAE & CRE Free Seminar Program...................................... 16

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FEATURES Cover Feature: Bosch – Driven by a thirst for knowledge................................................ 18 R&D: Bendix – Going Behind The Curtain.................................................................... 20 Member Feature: Garrett - Burst & Containment: Ensuring Turbocharger Safety............... 51 Handtools & Diagnostics: Keeping on top of technical nuances....................................... 52 Fluids & Lubricants: All the latest on Fluids & Lubricants............................................... 60 Future Auto Innovations: The end of certainty – challenge and change for automotivity in 2019.............................................................. 66 Trade Talk: JAX Tyres – Taking tyre retailing into the digital age..................................... 68 Industry Awareness: Third Party Booking Platforms....................................................... 76

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Publisher Cameron McLachlan for The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association ABN 23 002 271 454

CAB Audited

Suite 16, Building 3, 195 Wellington Road, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia Phone: 03 9545 3333 Fax: 03 9545 3355

Official publication of the AAAA

Email: info@aaaa.com.au Website: www.aaaa.com.au EDITOR Allan Edwards

EDITORIAL Tel 61 3 9372 9125

PRODUCTION MANAGER Brigid Fraser, Tel 61 3 9505 0121

ADVERTISING Tel 61 3 9545 3333

NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER Cameron McLachlan

All material appearing in Australian Automotive Aftermarket magazine is copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without prior written consent. Contribution: Freelance contribution and submissions are welcomed by this magazine. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and transparencies. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the AAAA. All statements made, although based on information believed to be reliable and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.

AAAA NEWS

3D Photomation Pty Ltd Unit 4, 2 Garden Road CLAYTON VIC 3168 Ph: 1300 437 732 E:sales@3dphotomation.com.au AFI BRAKE (M) SDN. BHD. PT 21300-K, JalanGelam 2,21300 Kuala Terengganu TERENGGANU Malaysia E: export@afibrake.com Ageron Polska Sp. z o.o.

Aleja Niepodleg_o_ci 118a/ 11 02-577 WARSZAWA Poland E: a.wojciechowska@ageron.pl AGI Auto Parts SDN. BHD No.22 Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 12, KEPONG 52100 KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia E: atn118@hotmail.com Agri Tune Australia and Truck Tune Australia PO Box 12-1156 Henderson 06152 New Zealand E: nicole@agritune.com.au America’s Garage 4-5/ 34 Curtis Road MULGRAVE NSW 2756 Ph: 0415 519 519 E: darren@americasgarage.com.au Any Terrain Automotive 19 Hartnett Drive SEAFORD VIC 3198 Ph: 03 9786 6889 E: anyterrainautomotive@outlook.com Apex Tyre & Auto Unit 7, 38 Anzac Road LONG JETTY NSW 2261 Ph: 02 4334 4345 E: apex_automotive@yahoo.com.au ARNPRO 18 Coolstore Road CROYDON VIC 3136 Ph: 03 9839 8920 E: info@arnpro.com Australia Sedy Pty Ltd 1/ 2-8 Northey Road LYNBROOK VIC 3975 Ph: 03 9799 9888 E: clark@sedy.com.au Auto Agencies Ltd 77 Percival St RANGIORA 6400 NORTH CANTERBURY NZ E: djennings@autoagencies.co.nz Auto Change Pty Ltd 1/ 1 Pioneer Drive BELLAMBI NSW 2518 Ph: 0428 552 97 E: admin@autochange.com.au Autocare Centre 20/ 2 Kohl Street UPPER COOMERA QLD 4209 Ph: 07 5502 4370 E: info@autocarecentre.com.au Automac Transmissions 60 Norma Road BOORAGOON WA 6154 Ph: 08 9330 5105 E: automac@highway1.com.au AutooBH 14 Trinafour Street MOONEE PONDS VIC 3039 Ph: 0405 529 009 E: psui@autoobh.com Bendigo Tyre Centre 4A Wood Street BENDIGO VIC 3550 Ph: 03 5444 1545 E: scott@bendigotyres.com.au BG Automotive Ltd BGA House, Cheney Manor Industrial Estate SWINDON WILTSHIRE SN2 2DS United Kingdom E: mgreener@bgautomotive.co.uk

NEW MEMBERS

Boss Muscle Cars 30-34 Lynott Street HORSHAM VIC 3400 Ph: 03 5382 0033 E: lesterstehnbmc@gmail.com BTB 4x4 & Exhausts 17-19 Dawson Highway BILOELA QLD 4715 Ph: 07 4992 2133 E: admin@biloelatools.com.au Business Automotive Solutions 7/ 29 Bridge Road STANMORE NSW 2048 Ph: 02 9557 7794 E: accounts@basauto.com.au Car Pro Auto Parts & Acc. SDN. BHD No.22 JLN Murai Satu (Batu Complex) 51200 KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia Ph: 12 335 3821 E: tthtrd@yahoo.com Carklips Pty Ltd Unit D3, 15-17 Garema Court KINGSGROVE NSW 2208 Ph: 02 9759 6064 E: carklips@gmail.com Companion Brands PO Box 2186 BUNDOORA VIC 3083 Ph: 03 9468 4400 E: randall@companionbrands.com.au Custom Vehicle Services 5 Spyglass Close PEREGIAN SPRINGS QLD 4573 Ph: 0437 634 277 E: joe@customvehicleservices.com.au De Rosa Auto Repairs 7 Hayden Court MYAREE WA 6154 Ph: 08 9330 3822 E: john@derosaautorepairs.com Diesel Technic Asia Pacific Pte Ltd 5 Toh Guan Road East Jurong, 608831 Singapore E: e.merz@dieseltechnic.com FiiViQ Pty Ltd 6 Kimberley Creek Road UPPER COOMERA QLD 4209 Ph: 0451 913 776 E: mark@fiiviq.com Flexiglass 10 Fellowes Court TULLAMARINE VIC 3043 Ph: 1300 656 599 E: ann.sakhon@tjm.com.au Fulcrum Gold Coast 48 Boykambil Esplanade South HOPE ISLAND QLD 4212 Ph: 07 5530 1307 E: matthewmills13@hotmail.com Fulcrum Mackay 12 Chain Street MACKAY QLD 4740 Ph: 07 4944 4998 E: admin@mthautocare.com.au Garage76 Automotive Group 76-78 Parramatta Street PHILLIP ACT 2606 Ph: 02 6232 4062 E: accounts@garage76.com.au GC Suspension Steering & Brakes 72 Ferry Road SOUTHPORT QLD 4215 Ph: 07 5532 3772 E: matr@gcsuspension.com.au Geelong Performance Centre P/L 4 Tarkin Court GEELONG VIC 3220 Ph: 03 5277 2503 E: info@geelongperformance.com.au Genesis Equipment 2/ 67 Radley Street VIRGINIA QLD 4014 Ph: 1300 694 363 E: stephen@genesisequipment.com.au Grippaz Australia 4/ 387 Nepean Highway MORDIALLOC VIC 3195 Ph: 0425 817 613 E: mick@grippaz.com

Hacketts Discount Tyres 1/ 16 Boyland Avenue COOPERS PLAINS QLD 4108 Ph: 07 3162 6895 E: sales@hackettsdiscounttyres.com.au Hakon Suspension 15 Fleet Street SOMERTON VIC 3062 Ph: 03 9305 1448 E: sales@hakon.com.au KNT Automotive 5/ 22 Speedwell Street SOMERVILLE VIC 3912 Ph: 0428 003 464 E: kntautomotive@outlook.com Lowes Auto Repairs Shed 2, 23 Walsh Road WARRNAMBOOL VIC 3280 Ph: 03 5561 1277 E: tim@lowesautorepairs.com.au MAHA Australia Pty Ltd 68 Boyland Avenue COOPERS PLAINS QLD 4108 Ph: 1800 006 242 E: admin@maha.com.au Mainalign Suspension 4/ 10 Long Street SMITHFIELD NSW 2164 Ph: 02 9604 8155 E: admin@mainalign.com.au Mechanical World 362 Edward Street WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650 Ph: 02 6925 1040 E: chris@mechanicalworld.com.au Michelin 51-57 Fennell Street PORT MELBOURNE VIC 3207 Ph: 03 8671 1016 E: david.peck@michelin.com Midas Beenleigh 51 Logan River Road BEENLEIGH QLD 4207 Ph: 07 3287 2988 E: beenleigh@midas.com.au Motiv Engineering Pty Ltd PO Box 882 BLACKWOOD SA 5051 Ph:0407 725 261 E: pdegenhardt@motivengineering.com.au Motor Pro 823 Howitt Street WENDOUREE VIC 3355 Ph: 03 5338 1554 E: accounts@motorproballarat.com.au NOCO 30339 Diamond Parkway, #102 Glenwillow OH 44139 USA E: j@no.co Noels Progress Road Pitstop 6/ 2 Industrial Avenue WACOL QLD 4076 Ph: 07 3271 1509 E: jonica@noelpitstop.com.au Outgoingservices on site car wash and detailing 17 Pinetree Crescent LALOR VIC 3075 Ph: 0422 202 151 E: outgoingservices@gmail.com Ozbrakes Pty Ltd 76 Bartle Road MOUNT TAMBORINE QLD 4272 Ph: 1800 692 725 E: clagoon@ozbrakes.com.au Peninsula Performance 20 Bennetts Road MORNINGTON VIC 3931 Ph: 03 5975 2642 E: pgsaccessories@bigpond.com PERFEKT ANNA RUDZKA ul. Bitwy Bialostockiej 9, 15-102 Bialystok Poland E: biuro@perfekt-ar.pl Pinup Auto Parts PO Box 1059 WILLAGEE CENTRAL WA 6156 Ph: 08 6181 4115 E: kellie@pinupautoparts.com

Racecraft Unit 1, 7 Baling Street COCKBURN CENTRAL WA 6164 Ph: 08 9414 8666 E: gregg@autopacedistributors.com.au Racksbrax 84 Gresham Street EAST BRISBANE QLD 4169 Ph: 0499 007 396 E: bill.holz@racksbrax.com Repco Authorised Service Ellenbrook Unit 1, 11 Comserv Loop ELLENBROOK WA 6069 Ph: 08 6296 2718 E: pmmechservices@outlook.com Repco Authorised Service Taylors Lakes 25A Melton Highway TAYLORS LAKES VIC 3038 Ph: 03 9390 9600 E: lakesideautocare1@gmail.com RK Findlay Consulting Engineers 3/ 17 Pembury Road MINTO NSW 2566 Ph: 02 9824 5140 E: craig@findlay.net.au Rock Solid Industries 1/ 33 Brendan Drive NERANG QLD 4211 Ph: 0420 503 967 E: andre@rsismartcanopy.com.au Schmaco Auto Parts Industries Sdn Bhd Lot 18025A & 18025B, Jalan 2, 68100 BATU CAVES SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN Malaysia E: genevieve@schmaco.com.my Seaford A-Z Automotive 4/ 10 Peninsula Boulevarde SEAFORD VIC 3198 Ph: 03 9785 3987 E: elvisdedovic87@outlook.com SOFT99 Australia 172 Canley Vale Road CANLEY HEIGHTS NSW 2166 Ph: 0413 740 704 E: michael@soft99australia.com Sumner Park Tyre & Brake Cnr Spine and Neon Streets SUMNER PARK QLD 4074 Ph: 07 3376 2000 E: gysp@sptb.com.au Sutton’s Automotive Repairs 185 Walker Street CASINO NSW 2470 Ph: 02 6662 5671 E: autoworkshop01@gmail.com SWJ Industries Sdn Bhd Lot PT 37623 Jalan 2/ 37A 52100 KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia Ph: 36 280 2200 E: swjacsb@hotmail.com TASOTTI EDYTA CICHA Z_ota 34 - 38 62-800 KALISZ Poland E: info@tasotti.eu The 4WD Shed 66A Barry Street BAYSWATER VIC 3153 Ph: 03 9720 8783 E: sales@the4wdshed.com Treadworx Pty Ltd 25 Industrial Park Drive LILYDALE VIC 3140 Ph: 03 9739 5185 E: info@treadworx.com.au Valeo Service 70 Rue Pleyel Saint-Denis CEDEX 93285 France E:arnaud.le-meur@valeo.com Vega Middle East LLC Aljazeera Alhamra Industrial Park PO Box 31291, Ras Al Khaimah UAE E: exports@vegalube.com Zimbler Pty Ltd 889 Heidelberg Road IVANHOE VIC 3079 Ph: 03 8481 1000 E: jonathan.zimbler@zimbler.com.au

AAAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Graham Scudamore-Smith (QLD) Fulcrum Suspensions Ph: 07 3892 9000 DEPUTY CHAIRMAN Mark Pedder (VIC) Pedders Suspension Ph: 03 9706 3500 SECRETARY Guy Nicholls (VIC) Ryco Group Ph: 03 9243 3371

Stuart Charity Chief Executive Officer

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TREASURER Rob Cameron (VIC) GPC Asia Pacific Ph: 03 9566 5223

DIRECTORS Adam Pay (NSW) Kmart Tyre & Auto Service Ph: 02 9680 6500

Peter Rogers (SA) Inspired Automotive Marketing Ph: 08 8362 1225 COMMITTEE

John Benson (VIC), Davies, Craig Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9369 1234

Janelle Gonzalez (NSW), Blue Toro Ph: 1300 258 386

Wayne Bryant (VIC), Repco Ph: 03 9566 5223

Craig Magill (VIC), Burson Automotive Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9914 5555

Nikki Gerling (VIC), Robert Bosch (Australia) Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9541 3919

Darren Robinson (VIC), HELLA Australia Ph: 03 9581 9407

Graham Scudamore-Smith Chairman

AAAA REPORT

AAAA INNOVATION LAB PROJECT GAINING SPEED In October of 2018 we were very pleased to announce the establishment of an Auto Innovation Lab. The concept is based on the highly successful SEMA Garage in the United States, and will support the testing and development of new automotive aftermarket products by Australian advanced manufacturing businesses by giving them access to selected vehicles, vehicle data, special tools and equipment. In addition, testing facilities will form a core element of the facility’s offering to industry, as will the delivery of training.

The primary Innovation Lab will be located in Melbourne, while our Federal Funding also provides support for the establishment of an additional facility in South Australia to enhance the access and capabilities of the Lab program.

We are happy to report that already, the support for the concept is strong not only within the industry and AAAA membership, but in Government circles as well.

While initially we launched the project thanks to a combined funding contribution from the Federal and Victorian Governments of $1.2 million, soon after the Federal Government committed a further $3 million in funding to allow the concept to be expanded to include a South Australian facility, in addition to accessing a range of testing equipment – something we are very excited about.

The support for the concept is also strong out there in the automotive aftermarket industry. Over the last few months, Innovation Lab Project Manager, Luke Truskinger, has been on the road consulting with AAAA member businesses and our valued Lab Champions (initial project supporters) and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

This consultation process has played an important part in the development of the Lab ahead of its anticipated launch in mid-2019, not only spreading the word about what we are doing, but

also gathering feedback from our members as to what they want it to look like, what they think we should do, what equipment we should purchase, and so on – essentially, our members have been helping us ‘scope’ the Lab. This has been very important to us at the AAAA because the Lab is a co-operative effort for our members, so consultation will be ongoing.

For example, one of the lab’s key functions is to ‘fill in the blanks’ of the OE vehicle for the aftermarket with the Lab aiming to provide a detailed understanding of any technology that is present on an OEM vehicle to assist aftermarket manufacturers to fully integrate their products with the base vehicle.

Providing this information will help the aftermarket continue to produce quality and innovative products that are fit for purpose and provide the best outcome for the end user.

As part of this process, we will be buying vehicles for use in the Lab and we will be leasing other vehicles for more short-term projects. The decision as to what vehicles we buy and what vehicles we have on-hand for measuring sessions will be decided by the membership as we will reach out and seek feedback on what levels of

interest exist in vehicles as they come to market.

Essentially what we are building is a centre of excellence to showcase what the Australian aftermarket can do. This is also a place where if there is an industry issue, it can be fixed through testing and development in the Lab. As such it is important that we have the equipment, the tools, the services and the vehicles that industry wants.

If you haven’t spoken to Luke as yet about the Lab and you would like to provide your input, be that on the general concept or on specific equipment or vehicles, we invite you to contact him at luke@aaaa.com.au Luke is also hard at work currently searching for an appropriate location for what will not only be the Melbourne Innovation Lab facility but also eventually the new AAAA headquarters.

At the same time, he is coordinating the sourcing of tooling and equipment, working with members of our industry to ensure we have the best equipment possible for everything from hoists to 3D printers and scanners to basic tooling requirements.

These are definitely exciting times as we work towards creating the best Auto Innovation Lab we can for our industry.

To learn more about the Innovation Lab, contact Luke Truksinger on luke@aaaa.com.au or visit him at stand K28 at the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo at the Melbourne Convention Centre from April 4-6.

GRAHAM SCUDAMORE-SMITH Chairman

STUART CHARITY Chief Executive Officer 5

NEWS

CALENDAR 2019 Automechanika Kuala Lumpa Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia 21 – 23 March 2019 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com

Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo 2019 Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre 4 – 6 April 2019 www.aftermarketexpo.com.au

Collision Repair Expo 2019 Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre 4 – 6 April 2019 www.collisionrepair.com.au Taipei AMPA Teipei Nangang Exhibitor Center 24 – 27 April 2019 www.taipeiampa.com.tw/ Automechanika Dubai Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre 10 – 12 June 2019 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com AAPEX Sands Expo, Las Vegas, NV 5 - 7 November 2019 www.aapexshow.com SEMA Las Vegas Convention Center 5 – 8 November 2019 www.semashow.com Automechanika Shanghai National Exhibition & Convention Center, Puxi, Shanghai 3 – 6 December 2019 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com Performance Racing Industry Trade Show Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 12 – 14 December 2019 www.performanceracing.com

2020 Automechanika Frankfurt Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt, Germany 8 - 12 September 2019 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com 6

BRINGING AUSTRALIA’S AUTOMOTIVE TRADE TOGETHER Together, the AAA Expo and Collision Repair Expo will form Australia’s largest automotive industry trade event across April 4 to 6 Australia’s automotive aftermarket industry will proudly assemble at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in April for the 2019 Australian Auto Aftermarket (AAA) Expo and 2019 Collision Repair Expo (CRE).

All is set for this to be the most impressive Expo to date, with 93 percent of the exhibition space (almost 21,000 square metres) already sold out, featuring more than 400 exhibitors representing Australia’s and the world’s leading automotive parts, tools and workshop equipment brands and suppliers.

The Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo This trade-exclusive event will showcase Australia’s constantly growing automotive aftermarket component and accessory manufacturing sector, with hundreds of technical and product experts on hand to provide detailed information to the thousands of automotive repairers, parts re-sellers and managerial personnel who will be attending this important biennial event.

Members of the trade can take part in this comprehensive three day industry event free of charge with easy online registration now available.

The Expo will also include a dedicated Expo seminar program that will be geared to engage business owners and managers, repairers, resellers and technicians across a range of relevant topics. These helpful and informative seminars are always a popular and integral part of each Expo and are provided at no extra cost for members of the trade taking part.

With the inclusion of the AAAA Innovation and Excellence awards, presented through Expo linked major social events such as the Australian Auto Aftermarket Innovation Awards Breakfast and the Australian Auto Aftermarket Excellence Awards Banquet, this busy three day event in Melbourne provides many opportunities for business to business interaction.

This Expo provides a major overview of the people

and the premium quality products that form Australia’s automotive component industry that exports more than $1 billion worth of products and generates revenues in excess of $11 billion domestically each year, employing more than 40,000 people.

The Collision Repair Expo The comprehensive three day Collision Repair Expo will showcase the latest developments in collision repair technology, refinishing products, processes and equipment that Australia and the world has to offer.

CRE represented more than 30 percent of the total Expo attendees two years ago, with the 2019 edition of this biennial industry trade fair set to be the most comprehensive to date for all involved in Australia’s constantly evolving collision repair industry.

Leading local and international manufacturers and marketers will be on hand throughout this Expo, making it an essential event to align your collision repair business with the latest refinishing products, tooling and technology enhanced repair techniques for working with exotic new metals and composite materials.

All members of the collision repair trade are freely welcome to take part in this Expo to meet with expert exhibitor technical staff while also attending professional demonstrations with the use of the Low Bake Demonstration Spray Booth.

This fully functional spray booth enables every kind of surface coating product to be practically displayed, making it a well utilised promotional platform for exhibitors to showcase their latest surface coating products.

This integral business event for 2019 will also include a dedicated CRE seminar program designed to engage and assist collision repairers.

The 2017 Expo seminar program saw more than 2,500 members of the trade take part, highlighting the interest and importance being placed on learning about the latest development in collision repair technology. The 2019 CRE seminar program will continue to update and educate members of the trade with a number of the country’s most experienced industry identities.

You can register to attend the 2019 AAA Expo free of charge at www.autoaftermarketexpo.com.au

NEWS

MONROE MAJOR SPONSOR OF AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST AUTO EXPO

The leading ride performance products brand says the AAA Expo is extremely important for a number of reasons Monroe Shock Absorbers, Australia’s market leader in ride performance products, is delighted to be the major sponsor for the industry’s largest showcase event, the 2019 Australian Auto Aftermarket (AAA) Expo, for the fifth consecutive year in 2019.

Being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 4 to 6, 2019, this massive three day event is the total showcase of Australia’s ever growing automotive aftermarket component, tooling and accessory manufacturing sector, while also showcasing the best that the world has to offer in automotive parts, tools, equipment, diagnostics and related services across three jam-packed days.

With most of the available exhibition space already sold out and with more than 400 exhibitors set to take part, the 2019 edition of this outstanding biennial industry trade fair is set to be the most comprehensive ever in terms of

local and international auto parts manufacturer, distributor and re-seller involvement. This makes the 2019 AAA Expo an essential event for all involved in the automotive repair, servicing and parts trade to attend.

All members of the trade are freely welcome to take part in the Expo to gain the latest parts, products, tools and equipment information with practical demonstrations by technical experts also provided. There will also be a dedicated Expo seminar program geared to engage repairers, resellers and technicians throughout the event.

According to Monroe Marketing Manager, Brydon Tweddell, this trade expo is an extremely important industry event for a number of reasons.

“The ability to bring the entire industry together at the one major event is a feat within itself and the AAA Expo achieves this brilliantly every two years,” Brydon said.

This Expo has truly become world class in terms of its presentation and professionalism and we are very proud to once again for Monroe Shock Absorbers to be the major sponsor of this major industry event.

“Gaining face to face access with so many of our trade customers at the one event is an invaluable marketing benefit that also helps to develop strong, long term business relationships.

“We look forward to showcasing the Monroe ride performance product range at the 2019 AAA Expo and we encourage all in the automotive repair trade to take part.”

You can visit Monroe at the 2019 AAA Expo at Stand J28.

You can register to attend the 2019 AAA Expo free of charge at www.autoaftermarketexpo.com.au

CORRECTION In the article ‘Redarc Electronics Announces Strategic Partnership with DEFA’ published in the November 2018 edition of AAA Magazine, an error was made in the photo caption

The correct caption for the photo shown here is as follows: From left: DEFA CEO Bård Klungseth, Managing Director of Redarc Anthony Kittel and DEFA owner Didrik Eidsvig.

AAA Magazine apologies for any inconvenience caused by this error.

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NEWS

KEEPING THE MOBILITY REVOLUTION MOVING The global automotive industry faces a bumpy ride ahead in the next 10 years with wave after wave of new technologies disrupting the established landscape, says ACA Research ACA Research says any aftermarket business that plans to be in existence in 10 years should start the process now of reviewing the current state operating model, stress testing whether this will stand the test of time and identifying new areas of opportunity.

Among the key trends that are disrupting the automotive industry is the emergence of Mobility as a Service (MaaS), which transforms the business model for business and personal transportation from ownership to usage on demand.

Car sharing and ride hailing services such as Uber are both examples of MaaS. The MaaS model is appealing to businesses because more capital intensive assets can be moved off the balance sheet, assets can be utilised more efficiently, and fleet running costs can be reduced.

From a consumer perspective, the benefits of a pay-as-you-go model for vehicle usage are no long-term maintenance costs, more choice and greater freedom.

The questions to consider are: • What is the current state of adoption of these services? • What are the aftermarket implications of MaaS and what does this mean for vehicle servicing and maintenance?

Looking at the current state of adoption, ACA Research says its 2018 Employee Mobility Report shows that more than a third of businesses are using ride hailing services and nearly a quarter use car sharing services. Fleets with 20+ vehicles are significantly more likely to use both services.

ACA Research says that looking at the transport modes used by Australians, the ACA Research 2019 Consumer Mobility Report shows nearly a

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half use ride hailing services and around one in seven use car sharing services.

Both reports also point to a decline in the use of taxis and an increase in the use of ride hailing services.

In the near term, vehicle ownership will remain the norm for both private and business vehicle use but these preferences are likely to change in the longer term particularly for younger demographic groups and those living in urban areas.

Types of transportation used by businesses in addition to company vehicles (percentage using each mode of transport)

The rise of car sharing users, pooled business fleets and ride hailing opens up a number of new opportunities to rethink and optimise vehicle maintenance and repair services.

First, with a higher utilisation rate, vehicles will spend less time inactive. This means fewer vehicles are required for the mobility task, but each vehicle will cover more kilometres per month implying more frequent scheduled and unscheduled servicing and maintenance intervals.

Types of transportation used by Australians for personal use (percentage using each mode of transport)

Fourth, the aftermarket parts supply chain is likely to see greater vertical integration, stronger ties to workshops and improved logistics to ensure the needs of shared and pooled fleet managers are met.

car sharing companies into reliable customers for servicing their vehicles. This allows businesses to hedge their bets in the event of a restructuring of their customer base.

While this discussion has considered the next 10 years of the aftermarket, decisions should be taken now with the longer term in mind in order to stay ahead of the game and lead your business into its next stage.

This theme of building a better automotive business will be explored further when ACA Research presents the results of its latest research with workshops at the 2019 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo across 4-6 April This column was prepared for AAA Magazine

by ACA Research, our partners in the AAAA Aftermarket Dashboard, which is delivered to your inbox each quarter.

Finally, with a change in ownership, workshops may see the opportunity to turn ride hailing and

For more information, visit www.acaresearch.com.au or contact Ben Selwyn on bselwyn@acaresearch.com.au

Second, having vehicles unavailable during normal business hours for servicing and maintenance will be inconvenient and costly and hence managers of shared and pooled vehicle fleets are likely to look to workshops who operate out of hours.

Third, for more routine servicing and tyre replacement, there may be more demand for mobile mechanics and tyre fitting which helps to limit the time a vehicle is spending inactive.

NEWS

AUSGARAGE WELCOMES MONROE SHOCK ABSORBERS The digital agency has welcomed the renowned ride performance products specialist to its client list With more than 100 years of experience in ride performance product design, engineering and manufacturing, Monroe says it is one of the world’s leading shock absorber brands delivering premium quality and durability as well as superior ride and handling.

AusGarage Director and Founder, James Payne, says AusGarage is excited to be now working alongside Monroe Marketing Manager, Brydon Tweddell, in determining the creative strategy, direction and implementation of a content piece that will educate its 26,000 strong Australian trade customers and distributors about its range of premier quality automotive aftermarket ride performance products.

The video will offer insight to the best practice for shock absorber inspections while also touching on how important it is that consumers are educated on how critical shock absorbers are for enhanced safety on the road. The video will also highlight the fact that Monroe OESpectrum replacement shock absorbers are backed by Australia’s only

five year warranty, offering total peace of mind.

Since 1919, Monroe says it has continued to lead the way in ride control component innovation and design, spearheading developments that have enhanced the road safety of millions of road users worldwide.

“Monroe’s commitment to its trade network and providing valuable education opportunities is something we at AusGarage can definitely get behind,” James said.

“Working with a household brand name on an exciting training initiative has been a great pleasure for our team.”

Monroe is part of the global Tenneco Group, one of the world’s largest designers, manufacturers and distributors of automotive ride performance products and emission control products.

“This is an important communications project to ensure that we are providing the maximum possible support to our valued and highly loyal trade customers across Australia and New

Zealand,” Monroe Marketing Manager, Brydon Tweddell, said.

“Our customers select Monroe for its quality, which is supported by the industry’s only five year warranty. We are pleased to have worked with AusGarage to deliver this detailed content piece.”

For more from AusGarage, visit www.ausgarage.com.au For more from Monroe Shock Absorbers, visit www.monroe.com.au

NEW NATIONAL DIESEL SALES MANAGER FOR DELPHI David Waddell has been appointed to the position Delphi Automotive Systems Australia has announced the appointment of David Waddell to the newly created role of National Diesel Sales Manager.

David commenced his role in January and comes to Delphi after many years working for Diesel Distributor Systems.

David will be responsible for developing Delphi Diesel sales nationally, growing brand awareness and building on existing customer relationships.

His in-depth knowledge of the automotive diesel market will also be of immense value in growing the Delphi brand across Oceania, says the company.

“David brings a passion for customer relationships, his energy and enthusiasm towards the automotive diesel industry will ensure we can continue to offer our customers a service and experience per their expectations,” Delphi Automotive Systems Australia Managing Director, Shane Curley, said.

Delphi Technologies is a technology company focused on providing electric vehicle and internal combustion engine propulsion solutions, solving emissions and fuel economy challenges for automotive OEMs and providing aftermarket service solutions for the replacement market.

For more information visit www.delphi.com 12

NEWS

GPC ASIA PACIFIC ANNOUNCES MULTI-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN In 1980, a new car had relatively few parts, no on-board computers, and was repairable with a spanner Fast-forward to the present day and vehicles aren’t just driving technology, they’re driving themselves.

So, where to from here? One thing’s certain: as vehicles are evolving to become very complex machines, the distribution of automotive parts needs to be smarter, faster and less complex.

GPC Asia Pacific says that if it is to remain relevant to its customers, suppliers, and team members, it feels it must modify and adapt in anticipation of the changing automotive landscape.

“As a market leading business, our customers expect us to continue to meet their requirements as technology and the industry changes,” GPC Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Rob Cameron, said.

“Against that background, we are getting ahead of the curve by embarking on a multi-year, industry leading transformation program to reshape our business.”

Rob says that the customers of GPC Asia Pacific are front and centre in the company’s thinking and that great opportunities will be provided by the new strategy plan to them over the coming years.

“Under our plan, GPC Asia Pacific will be faster to market, and be more responsive to the changing needs of all of our customers; have the scale of a global organisation, with access to the latest products, solutions, technology and training that brings, but the pace and agility of a local business; be the automotive aftermarket parts distributor that delivers success to our supplier and customer partners; and be the employer of choice for automotive parts professionals,” Rob said.

“Throughout 2018 there was significant ‘behind the scenes’ activity to enable GPC Asia Pacific to commence implementation of our strategic plan early in 2019.”

Rob said that ensuring customers understand

the changes the new plan will bring is at the forefront of GPC Asia Pacific’s thinking, and that the company will continue to communicate with customers as the strategy unfolders. Further, he stated that in the meantime, it is “business as usual.”

For more information, GPC Asia Pacific has released a brochure outlining the new strategic plan which can be found at www.gpcasiapac.com/news/posts/2018/ december/the-sum-of-our-parts

RECORD FIGURES FOR AUTOMECHANIKA SHANGHAI The 14th edition of Automechanika Shanghai recorded an unprecedented rise in attendees Held in late 2018 and serving as a platform for both local and international players from the automotive parts, accessories, equipment and service sectors, the show’s final figures suggest visitor numbers rose by 15 percent over the 2017 show – reaching a total of 150,568.

As Asia’s largest automotive trade fair, organisers say they also received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants alike during the fourday period.

Key figures for Automechanika Shanghai 2018 included: • 6,269 exhibitors from 43 countries and regions (+four percent) • 350,000 sqm across 13 halls (+three percent) • 150,568 visitors from 145 countries and regions (+15 percent) • 162 buyer groups from 22 countries and regions (+nine percent) • 19 country and regional pavilions • 57 concurrent fringe programme events The news comes after the fair expanded many of its themed zones and areas. Other areas that proved immensely popular amongst participants were the collection of dedicated zones scattered across the halls, including the debuting Chain Stores Zone and the Remanufacturing Zone, as 14

well as the returning REIFEN (tyres) sector for the very latest tyre, wheel and rim products.

This year, a total of 57 fringe programme events ran concurrently with the main show. Throughout the fairground, each event continued to receive high praise from industry experts who took part and presented their ideas and visions for the future of the industry.

Many fringe events were also welcomed for the first time this year, such as the debuting Tomorrow’s Service and Mobility Summit 2018 and the Automotive Aftermarket Summit 2018, both of which reflected the themes and trends across the showground.

Organisers also noted an increase in international participation across the board. With 43 exhibiting countries and regions around the fairground, newcomers from Luxemburg joined the list of returning countries, along with the likes of the Czech Republic, Lebanon and Slovenia along with the other established overseas participants.

Overseas visitors also saw an upswing of 22 percent. Organisers say participants were particularly keen to express that this not only helped create new channels of communication for international buyers trading with Chinese firms, but also allowed for more business exchanges across other international exhibitors and buyers.

“It is always wonderful to see the fair come to life and be amongst those who are passionate about their products and services,” Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd General Manager, Fiona Chiew, said.

“Over the past few years, we have experienced a continued increase in leading market players in China and abroad join the show.

“They have used this platform to launch their products and services in the region, and through their combined efforts, emphasise the show’s significance around the world.”

The next edition of Automechanika Shanghai will take place from 3-6 December, 2019.

For more information, please contact Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd on + 852 2802 7728 or auto@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com

NEWS

BUILD A BETTER AUTO BUSINESS With the free seminar programs of the AAAA’s Auto Aftermarket Expo and Collison Repair Expo To be held concurrently across April 4 to 6, the 2019 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo and 2019 Collision Repair Expo form the nation’s largest and most important automotive industry event.

More than 400 exhibitors and in excess of 10,000 members of the nation’s automotive service and repair industry will descend on the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for the expos which will each feature a comprehensive free seminar series.

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Charity, said the comprehensive Expo free seminar series assembles a range of leading industry experts who will provide the tools and advice that the trade needs to build better automotive businesses.

“The comprehensive free seminar series being held across all three days of the Expo has something to suit every automotive business no matter how large or small,” Stuart said.

“While more than 400 exhibitors will be showcasing their latest products, services and technology on the Expo floor, the free seminars provide the knowledge, advice and strategies to help business growth and development.”

2019 Auto Aftermarket Expo – Free Seminar Program Professionally facilitated by AutoMate Training, these highly informative free seminars will take place across each of the three days of the event, following the overall theme of Understanding the Rapidly Emerging Trends and Developing Industry Leading Standards.

The free seminars start on the Expo’s opening day, with two informative presentations taking place on Thursday April 4 from 2:00pm. The opening seminar is titled ‘Accelerate Your Business Success’, and it covers the five key areas of business strategy that can shape your business future.

Thursday’s 3:15pm seminar is titled ‘How to Tune Your Business for Tomorrow’s Customer.’

The focus of this seminar is to keep your business aligned with changing automotive and consumer trends, thereby optimising your business for continued success and growth.

Day two of the Expo, Friday April 5, features a total of four important seminars covering a broad scope of industry and business development topics.

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Amy Frangos, Ryco Filter Executive General Manager, will start the day’s seminar activities at 11:30am with her presentation, which is titled ‘Innovation.’ Amy will share her thoughts on embracing business innovation during these rapidly changing times, regardless of the size of your business.

At 12:30pm on Friday, automotive aftermarket industry analysts Ben Selwyn and Steve Nuttall from ACA Research will present the 2019 Automotive Workshop Study - Build a More Profitable Business’ seminar. This session will identify the strategies required to help operators increase service bay utilisation, improve labour efficiency and ultimately build a more profitable business.

2.00pm Friday will feature a presentation by the AAAA’s Senior Manager of Government Relations and Advocacy, Lesley Yates, who will answer the important questions of what, when and how OEM technical information will be shared with independent workshops under a mandatory data sharing code. The second part of the seminar will feature Darren Todd from Robert Bosch who will provide a practical demonstration of passthru technology and how workshops can take full advantage of it.

Friday’s fourth seminar takes place at 4:00pm, titled ‘Vehicles and Technology: Tomorrow’s World Today.’ This informative presentation will outline the trends moving forward that will bring new challenges to automotive repairers, including electrification, mobility, connected cars and driverless technology.

The third and final day of the Expo, Saturday April 6, includes four highly informative free seminars, starting at 10:30am with ‘The Secrets to Building a Winning Workshop Team,’ presented by mechanic.com.au’s Neville Brady.

This seminar will provide the tactics for finding, developing and keeping the best technicians, which is without doubt one of the most crucial aspects affecting the long term profitability of any automotive workshop.

At 11:30am on Saturday we find out about the workshops of the future with a seminar titled ‘What’s on the Workshop Horizon.’ This forward looking presentation will provide a realistic view of where the automotive workshop is headed relating to technology and the considerations that need to be made in relation to upgrading your workshop’s capabilities.

At 1:00pm an expert panel will provide strategies

NEWS with Expo special guest Dave Luehr of Dave Luehr’s Elite Body Shop Solutions presenting a highly entertaining portrayal of his popular book, ‘The Secrets of America’s Greatest Body Shops.’

Dave will share the lessons that he has learned from successful collision repairers worldwide, with the main lesson being that shop leaders with the right mental attitude can achieve incredible levels of success. He will also use this seminar to explain “why right now is the greatest time in history to be in the collision repair business – if you have the right mindset.”

At 2:15pm on Friday, a special panel based discussion will take place titled ‘Ideas Collide.’

This seminar features five fast paced and thought provoking presentations that will include ideas and concepts that have the potential to revolutionise the collision repair industry. that workshops can adopt to embrace continuous professional development programs and a pattern of life-long learning. This seminar also focuses on the integration of the latest platforms for training technicians.

At 2:00pm on Saturday, the final Expo free seminar takes place with industry renowned Diesel expert, Clinton Brett from Diesel Help Australia presenting ‘Wrong Fuel in a Diesel Vehicle.’ This seminar is designed to educate automotive workshops on the potential harm to them, their business and their customers by adopting an incorrect procedure when trying to diagnose and rectify the wrong fuel in a diesel vehicle.

2019 Collision Repair Expo – Free Seminar Program This free seminar series has been assembled in partnership with ICAR and will follow the theme of Understanding the Rapidly Emerging Trends and Developing Industry Leading Standards.

“The collision repair segment of the Australian automotive aftermarket industry is constantly dealing with emerging technologies and repair techniques along with new and exotic

materials. This makes it particularly important for members of this industry segment to be informed and updated by the experts on the latest developments, along with gaining support to assist them in building bigger and better collision repair businesses,” Stuart said.

The seminars start with two presentations on the opening day of the Expo. At 2:00pm, Albin Hess, Kaeser National Design and Engineering Manager, will outline the importance of compressed air quality and the different compressed air treatment technologies that are available to produce dry, premium quality compressed air for collision repair workshops.

Subaru Australia then takes to the Expo seminar stage at 3:15pm on Thursday with the first of two ‘Repairability’ seminars to be conducted during the Expo. This seminar will highlight the importance of maintaining vehicle integrity in structures and driver assist technology. Specific collision repair requirements for the Subaru vehicle range will also be covered during this one hour seminar.

Friday April 5 features a total of four Expo seminars, starting with Understanding Volkswagen Repairs at 10:30am, presented

by Daniel Milutinovic and Santo Biviano from Volkswagen Australia. This seminar will outline the importance of repairers having the correct equipment, training and understanding of the materials used across their vehicle range.

Vehicle manufacturer representatives from Holden, Ford, Volkswagen and Subaru will present Friday’s second seminar at 12:00pm, titled ‘Repair and Prepare for the Future’. These OEM panellists will discuss the collision repair requirements that will be essential for future business growth, making this a vitally important seminar for collision repair business owners, managers, apprentices and professionals.

At 1:00pm on Friday, the first of two major international Keynote addresses will take place,

Friday’s fourth and final Expo seminar takes place at 4:00pm and is titled ‘Vehicles and Technology: Tomorrow’s World Today’ and it will be presented

by Bosch. This informative presentation outlines the coming trends that will bring new challenges to automotive repairers, including electrification, mobility, connected cars and driverless technology.

The final day of the Expo, Saturday April 6, features another four informative seminars starting at 10:30am with Mixed Materials, Repair Methods and Technology. Presented by a panel of vehicle manufacturer representatives, the how and why of collision repair methods, materials and technologies will be discussed from the OEM perspective.

The second international Keynote address of the 2019 Collision Repair Expo takes place at 11:30am on Saturday and it will address a very important current issue for repairers relating to ADAS and how cars fitted with this system are increasing repair technology demands. Special guest speaker Andrew Marsh, Engineering Director of Auto Industry Consulting Ltd will discuss in detail how the globally fitted ADAS systems are causing universal uncertainty relating to the requirement of enhanced electronics and software skills for collision repairers.

At 1:00pm on Saturday the Expo seminar stage hosts a second Subaru Repairability seminar that will outline on going developments along with specific collision repair and vehicle structure requirements for the Subaru vehicle range.

The final seminar for the collision repair sector takes place at 2:00pm on Saturday and it will be a second presentation of ‘Understanding Volkswagen Repairs’ presented by Volkswagen Australia.

Register now Members of the trade can register online at www.autoaftermarketexpo.com.au and www.collisionrepair.com.au free of charge.

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COVER FEATURE

DRIVEN BY A THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE?

Bosch is introducing two exciting new courses to its Technical Training Program in 2019.

The highly recommended program where technicians master new technologies and systems from global industry experts, is now open for enrolments.

Bosch has more than a century of experience as a leading full-range provider of automotive systems technology.

Every day technicians are faced with vehicles becoming increasingly complex and new technologies always present new challenges.

An investment in training equips you with the necessary expertise to perform diagnostic tasks, maintenance and repair work effectively and economically.

Motivated and trained technicians are an obvious benefit for automotive workshops.

Only the necessary expertise allows workshop technicians to perform the right diagnostics, maintenance and repair work to increase faster turnaround of modern day vehicles.

Optimal customer service, positive customer feedback/reviews, long-term customer loyalty and business success naturally follow, says Bosch, who have been providing automotive technical training in Australia for over 30 years.

Bosch explains that its Automotive Training

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Technical Program, featuring twelve courses in six categories, provides technicians with a thirst for knowledge and the skills to provide more effective service and faster fault diagnosis.

NEW COURSES This year, Bosch are introducing two new courses to the program.

Pass-Thru Programming: An ever-increasing number of vehicle issues can only be fixed by upgrading software.

Manufacturer’s updates are released to improve emissions, fuel economy, drivability and performance or for specific warranty issues.

The J2534 ‘Pass-Thru’ programming standard gives general workshops the ability to reprogram ECUs without the need for a special dealer-only tool.

In this course, participants will learn: • What is ‘Pass-Thru’ and why does the workshop need it?

• What is the J2534 standard?

• What tools do you need to perform the programming?

• How do you access the manufacturer’s software data?

• Practical examples

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are no longer just for high-end vehicles, they are filtering down into all models from all manufacturers.

ADAS includes emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection amongst others.

COVER FEATURE

There are major implications for the repair industry regarding calibration and replacement of radar and camera sensors. This can be as a result of even minor collision damage, windscreen replacement, sensor replacement, vehicle modifications and so on.

As a leading provider of this technology, Bosch says it is well-placed to provide the required information and service equipment.

In this course, participants will learn: • Driver assistance functions and variations • Sensor technologies used, operation and limitations • Why calibrations are required • Dynamic vs static calibrations • Equipment required for calibration

Flexible Delivery Bosch Technical Training Courses are available now at flexible times to best suit business needs.

country to ensure technicians from all regions have access and can benefit from our teachings.”

any workshop focused on customer satisfaction, productivity and profitability.

In 2019, face-to-face training will occur in five major cities around Australia from February to October.

Bosch Technical Training is available to all automotive workshops. Participants can either register for training via their employer or directly with Bosch.

The Bosch renowned trainers travel with the latest equipment at their disposal to provide participants with the knowledge and practical content needed to share their wealth of insider know-how and ensure the delivery of state-of-theart training.

Each course ends with an examination and participants receive a globally recognised certificate.

The completion of a special selection of training courses will entitle the participant to the ‘Bosch Certification in Vehicle Diagnostics.’

Bosch states an investment in training is what makes the difference between a tradesman and a technician and adds a competitive edge to

Bosch invites you to join the growing number of technicians who have benefitted from the program in the past.

With the knowledge and support of one of the world’s leading automotive innovators and manufacturers, Bosch says its Automotive Technical Training will provide you with that competitive edge needed in today’s modern automotive service and repair world.

To find out more about Bosch Automotive Technical Training, contact the training administrator at the Bosch headquarters in Melbourne on 03 9541 5553 or via automotive.training@au.bosch.com

Bosch says it understands that not all workshops can afford to give up technicians for a full day or days of training, so this is where the option of morning or evening times can benefit the workshop in both the short-term and long-term with technicians keeping up with the latest developments on an ongoing basis.

“Our team of trainers have long-standing experience and extensive know-how of all makes and systems which provides course participants with a high degree of knowledge and practical content for target oriented learning,” Bosch Technical Services Manager for Oceania, Chris Tourogianis, said.

“The acquired knowledge is known to facilitate the faster repair, maintenance and service work at workshop level; ensuring faster vehicle turn arounds and reduced wait times for customers.

“Our face-to-face training travels around the 19

PRODUCT R&D

GOING BEHIND THE CURTAIN Bendix provides a glimpse into its Research and Development Laboratories In this article, Bendix Head of Engineering, Andrew French, provides a deeper look at what goes into the research and development of brake components at Bendix’s Product Engineering Centre in Ballarat, Victoria.

Andrew explains that countless hours go into the research and development of brake pads and components to make sure they suit specific driving styles and perform to the highest standards. Components are tested to extreme tolerances to make sure they withstand anything that is thrown at them and then some more, he states.

The first phase of the process is developing the compounds to make up each particular brake pad. Each compound is developed to meet various customer needs: from those that simply drive their cars around town to the more extreme use of performance vehicles on the racing circuit.

Andrew advises that the Bendix formulations are developed right there in its Product Engineering Centre at Ballarat, where the brake pads are made and tested with the whole process occurring inhouse.

“Both international and special in-house procedures and guidelines are used to validate the materials to ensure that our brake pads are safe once installed in a vehicle,” Andrew said.

“They then undergo extensive lab testing both on hub dynamometers and on vehicles.”

The range of Bendix brake pads developed at the Ballarat plant caters for a wide range of driving

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styles and each brake pads type is developed differently to cater for these special needs, explained Andrew before going on to describe the range:

General CT Andrew states this is the bedrock of the Bendix brake pad range but “they are not just the standard OEM spec replacements, but an improved pad that is quieter, smooth across a wide range of operating conditions whilst also delivering low dust levels and consistent pedal feel.”

One feature pointed out by Andrew in the General CT pad is the specially developed Blue Titanium Strip. He explained this feature acts as an intermediate layer between the brake pad and the rotor and does away with the standard bedding in process, providing maximum friction and pedal feel right out of the box.

4WD/SUV “Our 4WD/SUV brake pads cater for the avid adventurer, providing rugged and reliable performance in the most extreme conditions.

We also understand that most off-roaders also spend a lot of time in urban surroundings so our 4WD/SUV brake pads are designed to deliver outstanding braking performance both on and off-road,” Andrew said.

To formulate the 4WD/SUV brake pads, Bendix has taken the General CT type characteristics and combined these with that of the Heavy Duty, with Andrew stating the result is that these offer low dust, low noise and very effective performance.

Heavy Duty “Our Heavy Duty brake pads cater for vans, trucks, utes and other load carrying vehicles operating under higher load and temperatures than your average road car,” Andrew said.

“Catering for these special needs the Heavy Duty pad is specially formulated to withstand high temperatures and loads. Ceramic materials wear excessively in high heat applications so a material with a high metallic content was needed to ensure performance and wear life is maintained in these conditions. The Heavy Duty pad is also available for most cars where loads such as heavy trailers are used.”

Euro+ According to Andrew, it can be tricky finding the right parts for European cars and this includes

PRODUCT R&D

brake pads. Fortunately, he says, Bendix has developed the Euro+ brake pads to meet and exceed OEM and European Union’s ECE Regulation 90 rules.

“These regulations stipulate that our brake pads need a plus or minus 15 percent performance against the OEM item,” Andrew said.

“To meet these stringent rules Bendix selects the right formulations to suit each vehicle and also includes all the hardware such as sensors and sundry components for an easy, stress free installation. Euro+ pads are also formulated to provide lower dust levels than the original pads.”

Ultimate and Street Road Track Bendix notes this is the formulation used for car enthusiasts who like to push their cars hard and has been specifically developed for performance

across all conditions to maintain high braking performance and resist brake fade at high temperatures.

“Because of this, the testing regime for our high performance brake pads is different to the testing done on our General CT pads. Standard strength testing is combined with additional testing on the dynamometer and also on the race track,” Andrew said.

But that’s not all…

Along with the research, development and manufacture of brake pads for passenger vehicles, brake shoe kits and brake linings are also manufactured for commercial vehicles such as long haul trucks, trailers and buses.

Bendix says the development of formulas for these applications draws on the learnings from

the passenger car brake pad research and development, adding materials for improved strength and wear life to meet heavy commercial use.

Dynamometer and extensive field testing is also undertaken with fleet operators around Australia, providing Bendix with real world conditions and feedback, comments Andrew.

“Our research and development also trickles down to our other brake products and accessories such as Ceramasil Brake Lubricant, Brake Cleaner, shims, sensors and clips, each tested to ensure long lasting reliable performance,” Andrew said.

To learn more, check out episode 107 at the BendixTV YouTube channel or visit www.bendix.com.au

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine Publisher, Cameron McLachlan, takes a look at the products driving the automotive aftermarket. cameron@aaaa.com.au 21

PRODUCTS

REPCO REGO SEARCH Changing the online ordering landscape Repco says it has introduced a game changing feature to its award-winning Navigator Pro suite: Rego Search.

It says releasing this single enhancement has not only sped up ordering and quoting for the workshop, but also massively simplified the customer experience.

With Rego Search, Repco says workshops no longer need to ask customers for the specific make/model details of their car, or request the 17 character Vehicle Identification Number. They can simply ask the customer for their registration number, enter it into Navigator Pro and have the exact vehicle returned.

Repco’s Rego Search feature works by looking up the vehicle details similar to how State Road authorities and Road statistics departments do. Through an API, it retrieves the vehicle information and automatically selects the correct vehicle in Navigator Pro. “With the proliferation of makes and models in the Australian market, many service customers aren’t sure of the details of their specific vehicle,” Repco Customer Connectivity Manager, Zac Walker, said.

“For example, when booking a car in for a service, the customer may be asked which of the multiple two litre engine variants their vehicle contains.

“Many customers simply don’t know, so the workshop staff are required to ask the customer for their VIN number which is often awkward to find and too long to memorise.

“With Rego Search, all the workshop staff need to ask for is the registration number, and if being serviced, the number of kilometres on the odometer or how long since it’s last service.

“We expect workshops will include this vital detail in their online booking forms and other digital contact points with customers.

“It’s all about making the discussion between the workshop and the customer easier, while still capturing all the required details” Today, when a customer requests a quote through an online form, they will include their vehicle make and model, sometimes with a year or other details. The workshop will then need to call the customer, often the following day to gain the remaining information to complete the quote.

By comparison, if the customer supplies their registration plate as part of the enquiry, it can be used to look up the exact vehicle in Navigator Pro, aiding to create an accurate quote. The quote can then be emailed to the customer immediately, without needing to wait for additional information from the customer or calling back during business hours.

“While the change may seem small, its impact goes beyond looking up vehicle parts and information,” Zac said.

“As consumer preferences move toward digital channels, we need to support workshops with technology to enable this.”

Most workshops now have a website to attract and present their business to customers, but still rely on phone calls to attain the business and get the customer in the door.

Helping workshops move to digital communication with Rego Search will assist in aftermarket workshops capturing new generation customers who prefer to interact through digital channels, says Repco.

When combined with Repco’s SmartQuote service quotation tool, Repco says the new Rego Search makes quoting even easier. With just the registration and mileage of the vehicle, the workshop can determine which services are required, how long it will take and the quote price in under 30 seconds. The customer can be

immediately informed of this information while on the phone, enabling higher sales conversion for the workshop.

Repco says Rego Search is just one of many new innovations it has offered in the workshop solutions space in recent years.

“We understand that it’s not enough to just supply parts in our industry, we need to support automotive workshops with the tools to run their businesses more smoothly while aiding in their efforts to support their customers with exceptional service,” Zac said.

Rego Search has been provided to Navigator Pro users at no charge. With unlimited usage, workshops are free to use the feature as much as they like within the Navigator Pro system.

Repco says thousands of Navigator Pro users have already started using the new feature, saving hundreds of hours in looking for vehicle parts across Australia.

Released as an immediate enhancement to the full suite of Repco systems, Rego Search is available in Navigator Pro, Smart Inspector and the Navigator Pro Mobile App. All current users were automatically updated in December 2018 so no downloads or updates are required to take advantage of the new feature.

For those without Navigator Pro, access is free for Repco Trade Account holders and can be registered for online at https://online.repcotrade. com.au Repco says that with continuous enhancements such as Repco Rego Search, Navigator Pro Mobile, Smart Inspector and integration with all the best Workshop Management Systems, it’s easy to see why it leads the market in online cataloguing and ordering solutions.

To find out more about Navigator Pro or any of Repco’s workshop solutions, visit www.repcotrade.com.au or call your local Repco store on 133 227.

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PRODUCTS

NEW FROM DAVIES CRAIG Digital Gauge Thermatic Fan/EWP Switch launched Australian automotive cooling manufacturer, Davies Craig, has announced the arrival of the new Digital Gauge Thermatic Fan/EWP Switch (Part #0500).

Davies Craig says the new digital 52mm round gauge fan and EWP Switch offers the state-ofthe-art digital features offered by the valuepacked #0444 Thermatic Switch and more: • Bright, attractive, compact high visibility 52mm round with LED digital display for mounting in the driver’s compartment • LED indicators for fan one and fan two as well as A/C + LED lights for operating condition • 12v and 24v compatibility • Built-in display dimmer with headlight trigger • Select either Centigrade or Fahrenheit temperature readings • Independent set/targeted temperature settings for both fan one and fan two • Independent control of A/C override (fan one or fan two or both) • Manually turns off either fan control by temperature’s functionality. Turns off each fan.

• Over temperature warning with audible alarm plus five minute snooze facility • Incremental push-button temperature detection range -0°c (32°f) to 130°c (266°f) • Transmission fluid temperature detection (requires the use of #0465 and a Sensor Adaptor - not supplied) • Temperature Sensor fault display • Interchangeable Sensor and replaceable probe Davies Craig explains the Digital Gauge Thermatic Fan/EWP Switch is equipped with its proven stainless steel temperature sensor probe which can be conveniently locked into the radiator fins close to the hot coolant inlet or placed into the top radiator hose for accurate coolant temperature readings (note: Part#0409, Temp Sensor Adaptor Kit – not supplied).

The Digital Gauge Thermatic Fan/EWP Switch must be mounted inside the vehicle’s driving compartment for easy reading and quick adjustment.

Convenient push-button controls allow you to

accurately set/target temperature for automatic activation of the Thermatic Fan one and Fan two at independent temperatures when extra cooling is required.

This flexible digital switch can also be used to activate an Electric Water Pump and/or an Electric Booster Pump.

The new Digital Gauge Thermatic Fan/EWP Switch complements the highly successful #0400 Combo, #0401, #0404 and #0444 Thermatic Switches and supersedes the Premium Digital Thermatic Switch, Part #0455.

For more information, visit www.daviescraig.com.au

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PRODUCTS

NEW YEAR FREE SAMPLES OFFER Wipertech is offering free samples of its entire product range To celebrate the new year, Wipertech is offering all dealerships, workshops and mechanics a chance to try its wiper blades and windscreen washer tablets.

The Melbourne-based company says it has been Australia’s leading online supplier of wiper blades for the last 10 years and is excited to get Wipertech products in the hands of as many people as possible.

placing a tablet in their customer’s cars at the end of every service. We think it’s a brilliant idea, and such a simple way to make a great impression on your customers,” Wipertech Marketing Manager, Sean Bolger, said.

Wipertech’s primary product is wiper blades, and Sean says its new washer jet tablets are the perfect way to complement Wipertech’s wiper blade range.

The offer includes Wipertech’s premium True-Fit and Multi-Fit ranges, as well as its new washer jet tablets.

Sean explains that for workshops and dealerships, Wipertech offers two ranges of wiper blades, its TrueFit Aeroflex range and its MultiFit Aeroflex range.

According to Wipertech, it’s recently launched washer jet tablets have been a huge success, with many mechanics appreciating the ease of use and not having to carry litres and litres of washer tank fluid stock.

“Both ranges offer beam blade, or ‘aero’ wiper blades made with the same high-performance premium Teflon embedded natural rubber, and will fit 99 percent of cars on Australian roads,” Sean said.

Wipertech says that with the innovative dissolvable tables you can now simply top up the tank with water and toss in a tablet, and you’ll have a perfectly clean and clear windscreen anytime you turn on your jets.

“The key difference is that each Multi-Fit blade comes with 10 interchangeable connectors, whereas the TrueFit range comes pre-fitted with the exact (non-interchangeable) connection point you’ll need for the specific car. Similar to what you’ll find on most OEM wipers.

“A few of our workshop customers have started

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“The TrueFit range is perfect for a dealership, or a workshop seeing a lot of similar cars.

Whereas the MultiFit (only 16 parts) is better suited to workshops who see a variety of cars and don’t want to hold stock of hundreds of parts.”

As Sean describes, Wipertech currently has “hundreds of happy dealership and workshop customers using either our Multi-Fit, TrueFit or a combination of both.”

“We’re proud to say we’ve got a perfect wiper blade solution for every workshop. Anyone who hasn’t tried our wipers or washer tablets yet should definitely get in touch,” Sean said.

To claim your free, no-obligation sample of Wipertech’s Aeroflex wiper blades or washer tablets, email sales@wipertech.com.au or call 1300 778 502.

PRODUCTS

JAYLEC EXPANDS AT COOLDRIVE With fuse kits and wiring heat shrink kits An extensive range of automotive fuse kits and wiring heat shrink kits are the latest offerings from CoolDrive Auto Parts.

Produced by automotive electrical experts Jaylec, the Fuse Assortment Kits come in a variety of fuse types and combinations, numbering anything from 68 individual fuses to 280, all packaged in a convenient clear container for quick selection and easy storage.

Jaylec’s Low Profile Fuse Assortment Kit contains 120 low profile fuses ranging from 3amp to 30amp, while the Mini Blade Fuse Assortment Kit has 82 mini blade fuses ranging from 2amp to 35amp, plus a fuse holder and fuse puller.

The Blade Fuse Assortment Kit contains 280 mini and standard fuses from 3amp to 40amp, while the Blade Fuse and Fusible Link Assortment Kit has 68 individual mini blade fuses, maxi blade fuses and fusible links, ranging from 3amp to 100amp.

CoolDrive has also added Jaylec’s new Heat Shrink Assortment Kits to its automotive electrical range.

Ideal for preventing shorts, protecting, insulating and organising wiring and providing the most professional possible finish, heat shrink is a superior alternative to electrical tape and just as easy to use.

Technicians simply need to slip the shrink wrap over the wiring join and then heat to provide a perfect seal.

Three Jaylec Heat Shrink kits are offered by CoolDrive, in black, red or assorted colours and thin wall wrap sizes from either 1.5mm to 13mm or 2.5mm to 20mm, all in a handy clear container for quick selection and storage. The Black and Red kits have 100 pieces each, the Coloured Kit has 95.

For further information on the Jaylec Fuse Assortment and Heat Shrink kits, visit your local CoolDrive branch or go to www.cooldrive.com.au 28

BOSCH SYSTEM IS ‘KEY’ TO PREVENTING DIGITAL CAR THEFT Bosch says its Perfectly Keyless system is as secure as a fingerprint It takes less than five seconds for a hacker to compromise a standard keyless vehicle entry system. Among experts, this is known as a relay station attack.

Bosch says its key app is going to change all that.

“Our Perfectly Keyless system revolutionises keyless entry systems. It is the ‘key’ to preventing digital car theft,” Bosch Automotive Electronics Division President, Harald Kröger, said.

Bosch says the special thing about the solution is that the Bosch technology works with a virtual key stored in the smartphone. Sensors installed in the car recognise the owner’s smartphone as securely as a fingerprint and open the vehicle only for them. Digital key management links the app and the vehicle via the cloud.

With Perfectly Keyless, Bosch says it is doing something that no other keyless entry system has done before, namely offering both convenience and security. The new smartphone-based key can be used in cars, entire car-sharing fleets, and commercial vehicles. Bosch believes this system with its built-in security lock has huge market potential worldwide.

With conventional keyless entry systems, the car key still needs to be carried in a jacket or suit pocket, for example. To open the door and start the engine, it communicates with the car using a radio signal in the low frequency (LF) or ultra high frequency (UHF) range.

In the race against thieves, the automotive industry is constantly refining existing systems.

It’s like a marathon, says Bosch.

“Now, with Perfectly Keyless, Bosch is launching into a sprint in the development of digital vehicle entry systems. Our motto is revolution, not evolution,” Harald said.

Instead of transmitting data via low or high frequency radio technology, the Bosch system uses the smartphone as a virtual key and Bluetooth as the transmission technology.

This means the car key can stay at home and thanks to its decades of experience in semiconductors, Bosch says it is in a position to make this connection as secure as a fingerprint.

Every smartphone contains tiny microchips to manage communication via Bluetooth, and these play a key role in the Bosch solution. Together with sensors installed in the vehicle and a special control unit, they form a system that opens the door only for the smartphone containing the

virtual key that fits in the Perfectly Keyless system’s digital lock.

The system blocks signals from other smartphones or from electronic devices that manipulate the radio transmission. In this way, Perfectly Keyless protects against unauthorised access.

A keyless journey Virtual vehicle keys on smartphones have long been a feature of car-sharing fleets. These vehicles don’t move until their operator authorises entry via the cloud; only then can a user unlock the vehicle, start it, and lock it again using an app.

This conversation between the phone and the vehicle uses near-field communication (NFC), a wireless protocol for sharing data over distances of a few centimetres. For this to work, users must take out their smartphone before each journey and hold it up to a marked area on the vehicle.

Only then can the system recognise the user and unlock the doors.

With Bosch Perfectly Keyless, the smartphone can also stay in its pocket. This means greater ease of use for drivers, and carsharing users benefit from the added convenience.

The Bosch solution also works in trucks and for entire fleets of commercial vehicles. That means no more manual administration of vehicle keys, physical handover, or hassle when a key is lost or stolen. If the smartphone is lost or stolen, and the Perfectly Keyless app with it, the digital key can be simply deactivated online, thus blocking access to the vehicle.

Being readied for volume production, the Perfectly Keyless system has become a global Bosch project spanning three continents. Bosch Australia has the responsibility for all the hardware required to implement the system within the vehicle including wireless connectivity nodes for locating a smart phone position accurately, safety and securely.

“Perfectly Keyless is an example of the high-value engineering work that can be done in Australia in a post-passenger vehicle manufacturing environment,” Bosch Australia President, Gavin Smith, said.

For more information, visit www.bosch.com

PRODUCTS

THE WORLD’S FASTEST TWO POST HOIST Now available from Burson Equipment Burson Equipment says it is pleased to introduce the “world’s fastest” two post hoist from Rotary, one of the world’s leading hoist designers and manufacturers.

The Rotary Shockwave SP0A10 Series workshop hoist sets a new benchmark in lift capacity, durability, speed and efficiency for Australian general automotive and collision repairers, says Burson Equipment.

Featuring a 4,500kg lift capacity and a lift and descent rate that is around double the speed of standard workshop hoists (25 second raise time and 19 second descent time), the Rotary Shockwave SP0A10 Series workshop hoist represents a massive leap forward in hoist design and technology.

Burson Equipment explains the speed and efficiency of the Rotary Shockwave SP0A10 hoist is achieved due to Rotary’s Patent pending DC power system that is charged through a 240 Volt electrical connection - thereby also not requiring three phase power.

This state of the art workshop hoist from Burson

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Equipment also features low profile TRIO load arms that offer three stages of flexibility in each two piece arm. This is another clever Rotary hoist design enhancement to easily and safely activate vehicle lifts regardless of the size or design of the vehicle chassis.

The Rotary Shockwave SP0A10 Series hoist also includes the company’s trademarked Spotline motion activated laser system that assists in ensuring that vehicles are centrally positioned on the hoist quickly and accurately the first time.

The inclusion of baseplate covers tops a list of features that make the Rotary Shockwave SP0A10 Series workshop hoist from Burson Equipment the logical solution for upgrading older, higher power consuming and slower vehicle hoists, or for the fitting out of new automotive and panel repair workshops, says Burson Equipment.

Burson Equipment can also offer affordable finance options to upgrade your workshop hoists to the latest technology, while also providing dedicated after sales support from the company’s nationally located team of Burson Equipment specialists.

To find out more about this and any other automotive workshop equipment requirements, call 1300 BURSON (287 766) or visit your local Burson Auto Parts store to find out more.

PRODUCTS

LED AUTOLAMPS CANBUS COMPATIBLE REPLACEMENT GLOBES The globes come with a 10-year warranty Automotive globe failure is not only frustrating, but can also cause costly vehicle downtime, extra costs with authorities and be dangerous to other road users.

LED Autolamps says it has addressed these issues by offering a brand-new range of high-powered, heavy-duty LED replacement globes which offer a long operational duty cycle of 50,000 continuous hours and are backed by an “incredible” 10-year extended warranty.

They also feature CANbus compatibility which helps to avoid computer error messages when fitting LEDs to newer style vehicles; as well as built-in reverse polarity and over voltage protection.

LED Autolamp’s latest range of high-powered replacement globes feature four different fitment types that consist of the following: intensely bright festoons with SV8.5-8 base and 31mm, 36mm, 39mm and 41mm lengths available.

These replacement lamps output 150 to 180

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effective lumens by using only three SMD LEDs giving a super wide 180-degree field of view.

They also run at a very low current draw of only 0.14A @ 12 volts and are available in a voltage range of 12-14.5 Volts. Festoons are commonly used to light interior, glove box and boot or trunk light compartments.

The T10 and T15s with a wedge fit, both have an intense 360-degree beam angle of clean white light in a voltage range of 12-24 Volts.

The smaller T10 has 10 SMD LEDs output 200 effective lumens while the larger T15 houses 15 SMD LEDs for 570 effective lumens of light output. LED Autolamps says the T10 and T15 globes are mainly used in park light, reverse function and license plate lamp applications.

Next is the rear function lighting: the T20 wedge fit lamps are available in three colours - Amber/ Indicator which outputs 380 effective lumens, Reverse/White at 570 effective lumens and StopTail/Red which offers 380 effective lumens at high power and 125 effective lumens at low power.

All come standard with a voltage range of 12-24 Volts and have 18 high powered SMD LEDs with an intense 360-degree field of view.

Completing the range, LED Autolamps also has the “old school” bayonet style fitting lamps, suiting the BA15S and BAU15S for the Amber/ Indicator, BAY 15D for the Stop/Tail and BA15S for Reverse. All offer the same high-powered lumen output and 360-degrees of illumination as the T20s mentioned before.

Available for order now, the globes are supplied in a retail blister with globe type lumen comparison chart and comprehensive details about each globe.

For further information, visit www.ledautolamps.com for your local distributor or call LED Autolamps 03 9466 7075.

PRODUCTS

V2 TOWSAFE PORTABLE WHEEL LOAD SCALES Checking your caravan weights has never been easier, says Intertrade With the release of V2 Towsafe Portable Wheel Load Scales, Intertrade says now you can have your own ‘portable weighbridge’ to ensure all towing weights are within their specified limits.

“Gone are the days when you had to travel miles and fork out hard-earned money at a weighbridge or use a bathroom scale, planks of wood and bricks to ensure your maximum towing weights were not exceeded,” Intertrade Director, Steve Nicholson, said.

“Now there is a product that is affordable, easy to use, portable and can accurately weigh your towing vehicle and also your towed vehicle.

Knowing your towing weights is critical, especially when loading up or adding additional weight to your towing vehicle or van.”

Intertrade is a West Australian company which says it was the first to develop a DIY Tow Ball Weight Scale, which was suitable for the Australian market back in 2013. This product was marketed under the Towsafe brand.

“We saw the opportunity to develop a low cost weighing scale that could not only weigh the Tow Ball weight, but also the ATM (aggregate trailer mass) of a fully loaded caravan,” Steve said.

“After a further two years of R & D, we finally introduced our first low cost portable platform weighing scale. These scales were highly sort after, we had sold out numerous times as they were

affordable, light weight and extremely accurate.

“During the past 12 months we have been developing and testing our new v2 model which has just arrived. This v2 model comes with front and rear ramps, a longer LCD display time to give you more time to take the measurements and also has 4 times more load cells which gives improved accuracy.

“Full scale, the accuracy is at 0.5 percent which is attainable when used on a level, flat surface.

The Towsafe platform scale uses the Static (Drive onto) weighing principle which has a far greater accuracy than other Dynamic (Drive over) scales on the market.”

Included with the scales is a two-direction spirit level to assist in ensuring your weighing site is level. The Towsafe Portable Wheel Load Scales have been tested to conform to the Australian and International standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005.

The scale is constructed from aluminium and stainless steel, with an LCD back lit readout.

The aluminium platform measures 305mm x 305mm and has a capacity of 1500kg per wheel.

This allows you to weigh a single axle van up to 3000kg, or a twin axle van up to 6000kg.

With the platform height being only 19mm, even though the scales are low profile it is suggested to use levelling pads to achieve maximum accuracy.

It’s as simple as switching the scale on and

driving the van or vehicle onto the platform, explains Intertrade. The reading from each wheel is then added together, giving you the vehicle or van’s GTM. To obtain a van’s ATM, you simply rest the jockey wheel on the scale and add this reading to the GTM total.

This Scale can also be used in the vehicle racing industry to set up the cars suspension and also for weighing vehicles after a GVM upgrade.

For more information, email info@misterhitches.com.au or visit www.misterhitches.com.au

GATES ONLINE CATALOGUE GETS AN UPGRADE Gates says the new and improved catalogue saves time and money with the latest updates in usability and functionality Gates Australia, a leading global provider of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions, has announced that the Gates automotive online catalogue has gone live with upgrades including new features to make it easier and more efficient to search for and find Gates automotive parts for specific applications.

As well as the existing ability to search for Gates parts by vehicle make, model or part number, Gates says a number of new features have been added: • Improved lookup functionality including hp, kw, model year and fuel type • Fully functional catalogue builder for the make and models you require which adds the date of creation for future reference • Recreational vehicle lookup added for Gates G-Force belts • Multi-lingual functionality • Region selection for Australia and New

Zealand, geo-location functionality will automatically assign your location to the correct region • Dedicated Heavy-duty lookup coming soon (Can currently find HD parts by searching OE part number through standard vehicle search).

resource for Gates distributors, workshops, mechanics and DIYers to save time and money by being able to identify the correct Gates parts for the vehicle and application they require quickly and easily. Data is updated every month ensuring you get the most up-to-date information.

The new and upcoming features are designed to make the Gates online catalogue a comprehensive

To visit and try the new features, go to www.gatescatalogue.com.au 35

PRODUCTS

THE LATEST TESA TAPES AT COOLDRIVE CoolDrive Auto Parts continues to add to its array of automotive parts CoolDrive Auto Parts has expanded its range further with the addition of automotive adhesive tapes from tesa.

Commonly used in European and Australian vehicles, these handy abrasion-resistant products meet stringent quality standards, with tesa’s major worldwide production sites certified under the international quality standards ISO 14001 and ISO T 16949.

Available now at CoolDrive is tesa’s SP9051 cloth tape for temperature resistance and high abrasion protection.

The 19mm wide cloth tape is ideal for engine bay applications and where extreme temperatures are experienced.

Available in black, the cloth tape has temperature resistance to 150°C, is flameresistant as composite, has a strong adhesive backing and is available in 25 metre rolls.

By contrast, tesa’s SP9052 fleece tape is primarily utilised for noise-suppression in automotive interiors.

Importantly it’s tear-resistant, is flexible and smooth for easy application and has a strong adhesive backing.

The fleece tape is 19mm wide and comes in 25 metre rolls.

Further information on the tesa range of automotive tapes available at CoolDrive is available at all CoolDrive branches or via www.cooldrive.com.au 36

CENTURY YUASA LAUNCHES MULTIPURPOSE AGM DUAL FORCE+ BATTERY You may hide it under the bonnet, but this AGM’s secret will be short-lived They say you cannot be all things to all people, but Century Yuasa says no one ever said that about its latest offering: the Multi-Purpose AGM Dual Force+ battery.

Utilising advanced Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Technology, the toughest internal lead components and latest design features along with being competitively priced, Century Yuasa says this offering is made for Australian conditions and is set to be one of the most versatile batteries on the market.

In 13 years with Century Yuasa National Marketing Manager, Andrew Bottoms, has overseen the launch of many batteries, but even he admits this battery offers everything you could want from an AGM. “Built strong for Australia’s harsh environment and tough operating conditions, the Century Dual Force+ AGM Battery is designed to provide superior deep cycling performance and long-lasting dependable starting power for a diverse range of recreational and commercial applications,” Andrew said.

“From 4x4s, recreational vehicles, golf carts, wheelchairs and mobility scooters to marine systems, dual-battery systems and industrial equipment: this battery has such diverse applications: it really is hard to beat.

“It has the ability to deliver steady power with long cycle life that makes the deep cycle battery an ideal solution for a range of both recreational and industrial applications. Deep cycle batteries provide sustained power over extended periods of time and are designed to be repeatedly discharged and recharged.

“It delivers on everything our customers have asked for. Our customers wanted an AGM with under bonnet capabilities. They wanted batteries that can take a beating whether that is towing your tinny over that corrugated dirt road to get to the beach boat ramp or a caravan being towed off road to a remote National Park – and the Dual Force+ delivers.

“Unlike many competitors AGM’s Century’s Dual Force+ is manufactured using a specialist hardwearing Polypropylene case which makes it ideal for use in under bonnet application where heat, fluids and other contaminants can damage products not built to the same specification.

“In the past it was strongly recommended you avoid fitting Deep Cycle AGM batteries under the bonnet of your vehicle as this could void the warranty due to the fuel, oil and other engine

lubricants causing damage to the ABS battery casing materials.

“Our reinforced Polypropylene case is a game changer: It assists with heat dispersion, essential for the under bonnet temperatures Aussie 4WDs can get to, along with providing vibration and impact resistance for extreme offroad conditions.

“The product is supplied with twin terminals, a dual warranty and an array of advanced design features to ensure long lasting dependable power.

“Being AGM Technology it also makes it safe for use in cabins and other hard to reach locations.

AGM technology acts as a sponge like material to suspend loose electrolyte within highly porous glass fibre mat separators.

“This eliminates the hazards associated with acid spills or leaks, whilst the sealed maintenance free design avoids the need for regular topping-up of electrolyte.

“The Dual Force+ also serves as a cost effective alternative to selected AGM products available in the market place and in many cases delivers improved performance specifications.”

Century Deep Cycle AGM batteries have low internal resistance and low self-discharge rates, enabling faster recharge and longer shelf life. When fully charged, they can be stored for extended periods of time and conveniently recharged using a range of AGM compatible chargers.

For more information on the Dual Force+ and the full range of Century batteries, visit www.centurybatteries.com.au or contact your Century Yuasa representative on 1300 362 287.

PRODUCTS

NEW FROM REMOTE KING Remote King has introduced two innovative new retail products Remote King says it has been at the forefront of innovation and the utilisation of modern technology for the keyless remote industry for the last 10 years.

Remote King is now introducing a line of smart, easy to use DIY products that offer solutions to every day snags like “I forgot my phone charging cable” or “I need another garage remote.”

inCharge inCharge is the smallest keyring charging cable available for all types of smartphones.

It snaps on to your keychain, so its never left behind.

Simply plug one end into any USB port and the other end into your phone to charge.

It is available for Lightning (Apple), USB-C (Android), Micro-USB (Android) uses, and there is even a universal version that covers both Lightning and Android.

A WIN-WIN IN SAFETY SERVICES Protect your customers and generate additional sales Very few car drivers will be able to recognise a faulty shock absorber; only a vehicle mechanic will be able to detect problems after a test drive and visual check on the lifting platform.

Bilstein estimates that around one in seven cars in its home country of Germany are travelling the roads with faulty shock absorbers. That figure equates to a total of around five to six million vehicles.

But about the situation ‘Down Under’? Bilstein says the conclusion that can be drawn from this situation is that a large number of necessary wear-and-tear repairs are not being performed, or are being significantly delayed.

With a little commitment and attentiveness, car workshops can therefore not only generate valuable additional sales, but also rescue their customers from a dangerous situation.

Biltsein reports that test campaigns in Germany have yielded concerning results. It states that in more than 50 percent of accidents involving a car more than 10 years old, it can be assumed that at least one shock absorber is faulty.

The effects of faulty shock absorbers can be fatal. Traction is lost when driving over obstacles and the braking distance can be increased by up to 20 percent. Safety systems such as ABS and ESP do not work properly, as they are only adjusted to intact shock absorbers; and during obstacle avoidance manoeuvres, the car can break away more quickly and the dreaded aquaplaning also occurs sooner.

Bilstein says its suspension experts therefore provide useful tips as to what needs to be noted: strong reverberations of the bodywork, a ‘bumpy’ suspension and sharp buckling of the vehicle during braking may be the initial indicators of a fault following a test drive, it says.

If a replacement is required, Bilstein says gaspressure shock absorbers are the first choice, stating that it offers these in OE (B4 + air suspension technology) or even improved OE

Face-To-Face Universal Garage Remote Quickly clone from your original remote up to four garage or gate remotes onto the one device.

It is compatible with most popular rolling and fixed code garage remotes.

Remote King says these products are a great addition to your existing retail products range.

For more information, visit www.remoteking.com.au or contact Remote King on 03 9705 0313.

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quality (B6). To protect against counterfeit products, Bilstein notes that suspension parts should only be purchased from a specialist dealer, and no products supplied by the customer should be installed.

The wear of a shock absorber is therefore effectively a gradual and imperceptible process.

As the load on the suspension as a whole is dependent on a number of factors, such as driving style, road surface and temperature, the shock absorbers should be checked at intervals of at least 20,000 km.

Here it is the responsibility of the workshops to regularly contact customers by telephone, post or email to enquire whether this check is required, as many are already doing when the main check-up falls due. Alternatively, other routine jobs that fall due, such as wheel changes or inspections, also offer ideal opportunities to bring up this matter.

Check of faulty shock absorbers • Visual check: oil loss, spring breakage, faulty pressure stops/shock absorber bearings/ protective tubes/dust caps • Test drive: suspension noises, lane keeping ability, braking behaviour, deflection behaviour, reverberation of bodywork In addition, Bilstein says its installation videos for B4 air suspension technology offer workshops detailed information for the air suspension systems’ growing market. It states the installation videos are very helpful, particularly for the dayto-day business as they audio-visually explain, in great detail, how errors can be prevented during installation and operation. It says they also ensure a trouble-free procedure through simple and understandable explanations and are therefore also very suitable for a mechanic’s further training.

Bilstein provides videos for the installation of air springs and air suspension modules so that no errors arise when installing, repairing or modifying them and so that the functionality of the air springs can be ensured.

To view the videos, go to www.youtube.com/user/BILSTEINde

PRODUCTS

NEW ICON SERIES HOSE RANGE Premier Auto Trade has launched the new Icon Series range of replacement automotive hoses The new range includes five specific hose types, offering different specifications of heat ranges, resistance and construction suitable for a range of vehicle applications; with all featuring OE form, fit and function.

The Icon Series Hose range includes Fuel and Emission Hose, Fuel Injection Hose, Transmission Cooler Hose, Power Brake Vacuum Hose and Power Steering Hose.

The Icon Series Hose is available in a range of sizes and is conveniently packaged in five metre pull-packs, with a colour coded product identification system for ease of identification, storage, and dispensing.

The Icon Series Hose is specifically designed and manufactured to meet applicable SAE standards, such as SAE J30 R7, J30 R9, SAEJ1532, SAEJ188 and SAEJ1403.

The Icon Series Fuel and Emission Hose is suitable for petrol and diesel fuels. It can be also used for lubrication oil, or vapours, present in the fuel system or the engine crankcase. It is available in eight sizes from 3mm to 10mm ID. formula (AEM) tube and cover. It is available in three sizes: 8mm, 10mm and 12.5mm ID.

The Icon Series Hose is also meter marked, making accurate measurement and cutting at the point of sale, or in the workshop, fast and easy.

The Icon Series Fuel Injection Hose is suitable for petrol and diesel fuels including ethanol extended fuel (E85). It can be used for lubrication oil, or vapours, present in the fuel injection system or the engine crankcase and features a special rubber (FKM) barrier, with a high tensile braided fibre reinforcement and heat resistant synthetic rubber compound cover.

Premier Auto Trade says the Icon Series Hose range offers high quality engineered hoses with superior performance, safety and longevity, developed to suit a wide range of temperature and pressure applications.

It is available in three sizes from 6.5mm to 10mm ID.

Premier Auto Trade distributes products throughout Australia via a network of specialised resellers and leading automotive groups.

The Icon Series Transmission Cooler Hose can be used for transporting automatic transmission fluid and features a high-performance synthetic rubber

For more information, visit www.premierautotrade.com.au

Premier Auto Trade says the Icon Series is an extensive offering representing Premier A uto Trade’s heritage in quality automotive products, and is covered by a two-year/40,000km warranty.

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PRODUCTS

REDARC LAUNCHES NEXT-GEN TOW-PRO ELITE The third-generation brake controller product is available now Redarc Electronics has released the nextgeneration of its award-winning electric trailer brake controller, the Tow-Pro Elite (product code - EBRH-ACCV3).

This is the third generation of Redarc’s Tow-Pro brake controller and retains the same name as its predecessor while continuing to set the benchmark in trailer brake control technology, says Redarc.

The main enhancements relate to the size and installation of the user interface (remote head) and compatibility with new vehicle technology. A change to the shape, length, size and depth of the remote head will allow a quicker and easier installation and also ensures the remote head will fit into thicker and curved dashes found in European vehicles and trucks.

The new installation process of the remote head requires only one hole to be drilled into the dash, delivering improved illumination, increased visibility and diffused light, ultimately providing better clarity of the braking force selected.

Software upgrades have also been included which will result in smoother braking for motorists towing heavy trailers and caravans.

Redarc states the third generation Tow-Pro Elite maintains the simple operation it is renowned for and industry-leading selectable modes of braking: ‘Proportional’ for highways and sealed roads and ‘User-controlled’ for off-road driving.

Like previous generation Tow-Pros, the Elite features proportional braking technology built from a patented algorithm, while the dash mounted remote head has been independently tested to meet stringent ADR21 safety standards. TowPro Elite V3 continues to be suitable for 12 and 24V vehicle electrical systems as well as electric and electric/hydraulic trailers with no user input required to select the mode.

“We are always striving for ultimate satisfaction for our customers and end-users, whether it be through delivering new, cutting-edge products or updating and improving existing products. We are always listening to what our customers say and ultimately looking to exceed their expectations,” Redarc Electronics Managing Director, Anthony Kittel, said.

“The new and updated remote head will benefit those who install the product by simplifying the

installation process, ultimately saving them time.”

Redarc says it has continued to develop a range of vehicle specific wiring kits that simplify installation via ‘plug and play’ style connectivity and switch inserts which allow the installer to create a seamless looking remote head mount.

Both products are compatible and continue to aid with the installation process of the updated TowPro Elite V3.

The Tow-Pro Elite comes with nationwide support including a two-year “hassle free” warranty, technical support and after-sales service.

For more information, visit www.redarc.com.au/tow-pro-v3

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PRODUCTS

SETTING A NEW BENCHMARK IN GRIP PERFORMANCE Designed specifically for mechanics and engineers Grippaz says its semi-disposable gloves have “revolutionised hand protection around the world.”

In most applications, the gloves can be used for a whole day or shift if required and the ‘cost per use’ is “massively reduced,” says Grippaz, “even when the gloves are compared with the cheapest disposable nitrile gloves available.”

The gloves have been designed specifically for mechanics and engineers rather than for the use of other professions such as nurses and dentists.

As such, they can resist most brake and clutch fluids as well as other chemicals commonly used in the automotive trade.

The gloves are made without silicone to prevent ‘fish eye’ in paint spraying applications and the ‘fish scale’ pattern offers superb grip when in contact with oils and grease, explains Grippaz, which states its gloves are also ideal for using touch screens.

Grippaz gloves are made with specialised

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formulations of NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) and according to Grippaz, the real innovative aspect of its product is the fact that the grip pattern is debossed onto the outside surfaces of the ambidextrous gloves.

This exterior grip pattern provides purchase against the object being held. Further, the grip pattern is also embossed onto the inside of the gloves to help prevent slippage against the skin and reduce sweating.

At the same time, the gloves are designed to fit snugly to the hand for maximum dexterity, while the nitrile compound relaxes as it warms in contact with the wearers’ skin, allowing it to conform to the shape of the hand to provide a secure yet comfortable fit.

According to Grippaz, the end result is that less force is required when wearing Grippaz gloves whether you are holding a dry or wet object or using a full hand grip or pinch grip as secure purchase is achieved with less hand fatigue.

For more information visit www.grippaz.com

PRODUCTS

NEW FROM LED AUTOLAMPS SAE/J845 Class One, extreme high intensity amber strobe emergency lightbars LED Autolamps says it is excited to release its new LB Series high powered amber strobe emergency lightbars.

Letting those around you know of a critical or precarious situation is essential to all breakdown, working or responding vehicles in today’s traffic.

Becoming more prevalent and certainly more required now are intensely bright warning lights atop these vehicles.

LED Autolamps says it has answered this issue by adding to its emergency lighting range with a set of three roof-mounted amber strobe lightbars which exceed ECE R65 and SAE/J845 Class One standards for brightness and intensity.

The LB series consists of three sizes: The smallest and most compact LB356AM measures only 356mm x 210mm x 45mm with 36 x high brightness one-watt LEDs at 2165 effective lumens.

Secondly is the medium sized LB744 which measures 744mm x 210mm x 45mm and houses 72 high brightness one-watt LEDs and outputs an impressive 4320 effective lumens.

Finally is the larger size LB964 which measures 964mm x 210mm x 45mm and has 90 super bright one-watt LEDs with an incredible 5400 effective lumen.

All three feature two main flash patterns that are ECE R65 and SAE/J845 Class One compliant.

They all come standard with a total 19 flash patterns to choose from and the LB356AM is also synchronise compatible when fitting multiple units to a vehicle.

LED Autolamps says these lamps are designed to not only alert but also withstand the rigors of heavy-duty use.

The clear lens cover is manufactured with UV resistant polycarbonate which is renowned for its strength and durability, protecting the internals from the environment. Its sleek low-profile design also assists in avoiding unwanted damage and helps with minimising roof wind resistance.

The base, which has either an aluminum bracket and single bolt for the smaller version or four super strong mounting feet for the larger sizes, consists of toughened ABS plastic. An aluminum base heat sink finishes off the design and ensures efficient thermal transfer that guarantees a long operational LED life span of 30,000 hours. They are also tested to the stringent IP65 water and dust ingress standards.

The high performing one-watt LEDs power through enhanced internal optics that amplify the light in an intense 360° omnidirectional output.

They also have a very low operational current draw of 2.4 Amps, 4.5 Amps and 5.8 Amps at 13.8 Volts respectively which is important to consider when running them from the vehicle’s battery electrical system.

LED Autolamps says they have been tested to comply with ECE R10 directives for electrical interference and won’t interfere with your vehicles radio or any other fitted communication devices.

An operational temperature range of -40° to + 60° makes them suitable for many high traffic working environments and will ensure total awareness of your intentions and assist to enhance workplace safety. These lamps also have a very usable voltage range of 10-30 Volts and are perfect for roadside breakdown or recovery vehicles, incident response, heavy haulage, trade vehicles or worksite vehicles or any application that requires intense distinct amber emergency lighting.

They are supported by an LED Autolamps fiveyear peace of mind warranty, and supplied in a colour retail box with comprehensive fitting instructions. They are available to order now.

For further information, visit www.ledautolamps.com for your local distributor or call 03 9466 7075.

FLEXIGLASS RELEASES NEW PRODUCT CATALOGUE “It has been a long-time coming, but it is worth the wait!

The newly released Flexiglass product catalogue is now available from your nearest Flexiglass branch or distributor and is also available for download from www.flexiglass.com.au The company says this publication features refreshed branding with a modern, clean and fresh approach.

Large clear images are used throughout the catalogue to show product detail and some typical product applications.

Flexiglass says this refreshed branding, along with a new look and feel, will help set the path for Flexiglass into the future.

Further, it states that with a new, soon to be released, website under development and outlet makeovers across the country already underway, the future of this iconic Australian brand is looking bright.

Along with the new look, you’ll find a brief history including the origins of the original canopy brand which commenced in Western Australia in 1949

when Harry Robins saw the first Holden car and identified the need for a station wagon. Also included is useful contact information for all Flexiglass branches.

Following the introductory pages is a range overview and an availability guide for products to suit dual cab and cab-chassis vehicles, making product selection a breeze.

Once you’re into the product section you’ll find two sets of helpful icons for each series, one set for product features and the other for available accessories.

Flexiglass explains the first product series is “the flag ship and industry-leading” FlexiSport Premium. This series features a sporty curved design with an integrated LED brake light spoiler, roof bars, all-round central locking, push button opening side windows, felt lined interior and more.

Please contact your nearest Flexiglass branch for more information on 1300 656 599 or visit www.flexiglass.com.au

The catalogue is rounded out with an extended accessories guide, so you can complete your

Flexiglass notes that distributor, dealer, general and trade enquiries are welcome.

package and select the right equipment for your application, whether it be for work or play.

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PRODUCTS

ENI I-SINT 5W-30 Suiting both diesel and spark-ignition engines Eni’s i-Sint 5W-30 is a fully-synthetic, hightechnology, eco-friendly oil which is said to offer superior durability, fluidity and protection.

Available through Chematek, Eni’s exclusive distributor in Australia, this premium-grade engine oil achieves advanced DPA performance and is approved for multi OEMs, including Volkswagens.

“It is especially ideal for Volkswagens as it meets the exacting requirements of the VW 504 507 standard, which demands high scores in relation to issues such as wear, sludge and fuel economy,” Chematek National Sales Manager, Cameron Laird, said.

“An engine oil that caters to the demands of your modern diesel or spark-ignition engine, regardless of the type of fuel it takes, Eni i-Sint 5W-30 allows you to achieve top-of-the-line performance and protection with advanced engine-cleaning properties.”

Chematek explains that i-Sint 5W-30 not only suits new, advanced VW engines, but also older engines, dependant on the manufacturers’ oilchange intervals being adhered to.

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Just one of the new-generation European lubricants available through Chematek, i-Sint 5W-30 is particularly beneficial to cars equipped with diesel particle filters, improving filter performance through the use of special ecofriendly additives.

Made from high-quality, low carbon-forming base oils that minimise deposits, Chematek says i-Sint 5W-30 is low in ash, making it the optimal choice when it comes to prolonging the life of existing complex emission systems and helping to reduce harmful CO2 emissions.

Key specifications and approvals for i-Sint 5W-30 include: ACEA A3/B4-04, ACEA C3 (performance), VW 504.00/507.00, MB-Approval 229.51, BMW Longlife-04 and Porsche C30. i-Sint 5W-30 is available in 205L, 20L and 4L bottles.

Chematek is a global company that opened its Australian division in 2017. It offers a comprehensive range of Eni lubricants, all backed by technical knowledge, specialised advice and fast, reliable supply.

For more information about Eni lubricants, or to place an order, call 1800-CHEMATEK or visit www.chematek.com.au Eni i-Sint 5W-30 is also available from a number of selected Chematek partners, including: • NSW/ACT: Atlantic Oils, 02 9829 7555, www.atlanticoil.com • National: Statewide Bearings, 08 9352 2200, www.statewidebearings.com.au • Perth: Matilda Auto Parts 08 9356 2922, www.matildaautoparts.com.au • Sydney: Peps Auto Spares Engadine 02 9520 5488 and Peps Auto Spares Narrelan, 02 4647 2855, www.peps.com.au • VIC: Sandwood Trading 03 9898 1022, email Sandwood@hotkey.net.au

SEMA - AAPEX FEATURE

AWARD WINNERS APLENTY IN LAS VEGAS Each year the SEMA and AAPEX shows are held concurrently in Las Vegas Part of Las Vegas’ Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week, together the popular SEMA and AAPEX shows bring together more than 160,000 industry professionals from across the world, including AAAA member companies.

A highlight of the shows are their respective award programs, with Turbosmart and OzCharge both recognised with new product awards. Pedders USA was also recognised with Platinum Status from SEMA’s Data Co-Op as part of the SEMA show.

OZCHARGE RESCUE MATE – AAPEX BEST NEW SAFETY PRODUCT 2018 Products had to be making their debut at AAPEX 2018 to be eligible as 2018 AAPEX New Products Showcase winners, with 231 products ultimately judged and voted on by AAPEX buyers in the lead-up to the awards ceremony.

“If you’re hoping to get noticed on a world stage this is certainly the event to do so with 167,000+ industry professionals from all over the globe attending,” Zylux Distribution Marketing Manager, Chris Lightfoot, said.

“While walking the SEMA and AAPEX show for the week you temporarily forget the definition of ‘normal’. To be noticed you have to be doing something different – something that makes jaws drop. For some companies it was powering a 1968 Ford Mustang with a twin turbo 4.3 litre Ferrari engine but for Australian company OzCharge it was by making the seemingly impossible, possible: behold, the battery-less jumpstarter!”

Instead of batteries, the Rescue Mate contains super-capacitors which have the unique ability to draw the residual energy out of a flat battery. The

Rescue Mate essentially trickle charges itself off the flat battery and once enough energy has been harnessed within the Rescue Mate’s capacitors, the energy is quickly released back into the battery, allowing the vehicle to rumble back to life.

This unique and Australian patented technology removes the requirement to keep the jumpstarter charged up, allowing the Rescue Mate to be stored in a vehicle or garage indefinitely without ever being charged. If you find yourself with a flat battery three, six or 12 months later, you can simply connect to the flat battery, wait 90 seconds as the Rescue Mate does its magic and press run.

likely to build listings from platinum suppliers than from suppliers with a lower data status.

“I’m so proud to have been able to achieve the platinum score card level with SEMA Data Co-Op with just over 12 months of data resources to build this platform. This speaks to the level of commitment that the Pedders USA Group has shown in providing consistently high-quality data to their receivers. Great data is a journey and beginning at Platinum level is a fantastic way to start,” Pedders USA’s Daniel Tong said.

“We have been doing this for a very long time, and we have received a lot of recognition from the people at SEMA over the years with a number of different awards, but this is something truly special and a huge honour,” Turbosmart Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Nic Cooper, said.

“The fact this is an Australian business with many centres of operation across the entire world is something we are very proud of. To receive an award like this helps us stamp our ongoing commitment of quality and performance to the entire international community of motoring enthusiasts throughout the world.”

Due to the existing patent-pending electronic actuation technology, the Universal Kompact EMBOV allows for seamless integration into vehicles which require actuation of the BOV to be controlled via the engine ECU without compromising flow or performance. The new universal Kompact EM range flows at higher levels than existing compressor cover solutions and provides an alternate option where hybrid turbochargers demand more flow to prevent the compressor falling into surge with rapid load changes.

The all billet construction and high-temperature seals allow for a leak-proof design which Turbosmart says will provide excellent results in all conditions. The body features a modular design where multiple fittings and ports can be swapped to make the unit as expendable as possible. Four equispaced bolt holes are located at the base of the body to allow for bracketry to be implemented and expanded and the units are available in Plumbback, Dual port and Supersonic variations.

For more from Pedders, visit www.pedders.com.au

For more information, visit www.turbosmart.com.au

To learn more about the Rescue Mate, visit www.rescue-mate.com

Also as part of the 2018 SEMA Show, Pedders USA was recognised with Platinum Status by SEMA’s Data Co-Op (SDC) – the highest ranking that can be achieved with the data management organisation. This status is awarded to SDC members with the highest quality catalogue and product data suitable for USA catalogue applications.

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A panel of automotive professionals selected winners from 3,000 new products based on a variety of factors that included superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal, marketability and more.

Turbosmart’s patent-pending Kompact Electro Mechanical Blow Off Valve was amongst the winners, recognised as the best New PerformanceStreet Product by the SEMA judges.

PEDDERS USA – SEMA DATA CO-OP PLATINUM STATUS Pedders explains that it offers thousands of parts for hundreds of vehicle models in the USA and is a world-wide leader in aftermarket shock absorbers, steering, suspension and brake components. The company says it knows how important it is to provide the most robust data in an efficient manner to customers and states that achieving Platinum status with SDC means it has provided every applicable data field in the SDC score card.

Platinum data provides nearly 60 PIES fields (product) and ACES data (application and fitment), making it a complete set of descriptions, images, videos, tariff codes and sales metrics. This data makes it easy for retailers to create impressive and informative product listings and these listings allow the consumer to gain a full understanding of what they are buying and how it will benefit them.

According to SDC, end-users of the data are more

TURBOSMART’S UNIVERSAL KOMPACT EM-BOV – SEMA PERFORMANCE- STREET NEW PRODUCT AWARD WINNER 2018

MEMBER FEATURE

BURST & CONTAINMENT: ENSURING TURBOCHARGER SAFETY “What would happen if one of the wheels in my turbo were to burst at speed? Would the housings be strong and resilient enough to contain all the pieces?”

Garrett – Advancing Motion says in motorsports, the likelihood of a compressor or turbine wheel coming apart can become very real, very quickly.

As the limits of today’s turbos are reached, they are subjected to higher speeds, hotter temperatures and severe duty cycles.

New wheels, housings and complete turbos are constantly being developed to outperform the previous generations. The temptation can be great to ignore safety and go for broke with the lightest wheels and thinnest housings possible, to get out every last bit of performance from the turbo and the race vehicle.

But if a turbo manufacturer focuses on performance only and does not qualify their products to contain both compressor and turbine wheel bursts, then there is no guarantee that the high-velocity wheel fragments will remain inside the housings if the turbo is intentionally or accidentally pushed past its safe operating limits.

Two major types of wheel burst: blade and hub A blade burst occurs when the centrifugal force at speed acts to pull the blades off the central hub and overcomes the mechanical strength of the root sections connecting the individual blades to the hub. Under these conditions if a blade root is too weak it could leave the hub as easily as a petal is plucked from a flower.

Hub burst, on the other hand, is the extreme case wherein the main hub that the blades are attached to reaches its ultimate strength limit and breaks into two, three or more large pieces through the centreline of the wheel. During a Garrett burst containment housing qualification test the hub is intentionally weakened to cause a worst-case scenario burst. Even though a hub burst is a rare occurrence, Garrett explains it qualifies its aftermarket and OE production turbochargers for the containment of a worstcase-scenario wheel burst.

What is containment?

During a wheel burst, whether turbine or compressor, blade or hub, the housing the wheel spins in is the main barrier between the flying

debris and the outside world. Containment is the ability of a turbine or compressor housing to successfully absorb the ballistic energy released during a burst and radially contain the fragments within the confines of the housing. The housing should also contain damage caused by loose wheels that have not burst, such as if the central shaft is overloaded and breaks or if the weld joint between the turbine and shaft fails.

Garrett Burst and Containment Qualification and Testing Every new Garrett aftermarket and original equipment turbocharger is qualified to contain compressor and turbine wheel bursts. But how is this verified? Garrett explains: when a new wheel is designed, testing of unmodified parts is conducted to determine the “natural” burst speed of the wheel. Turbochargers are built and instrumented with speed and temperature sensors and installed in a specially constructed containment stand that supplies hot compressed air to the turbine. The turbocharger is brought up to speed and temperature for a dwell period, and then intentionally and immediately sped up well beyond the qualified speed limits. Turbo shaft speed is recorded and a successful test will empirically reveal the natural burst speed.

When a new Garrett housing is developed, it is qualified in conjunction with the specific compressor or turbine wheel running inside of it. New combinations of existing wheels and housings are also qualified. If the housing in question is a compressor housing, the back plate is included as part of the qualified combination since it forms one wall of the diffuser (throat) and wheel fragments pass through this channel on their way to the containment shroud.

For completing a housing qualification, the first step is a detailed analysis of the wheel and housing to calculate the target burst speed, which is set at a specific percentage of the wheel’s inherent natural burst speed. The burst energy at this speed is determined and if the result is higher than previously qualified for the housing family, a physical test must be conducted.

Whether a compressor or turbine housing test, the wheel is prepared in order to force a worstcase-scenario hub burst and do the most damage possible to the housing. The test is carried out in the same dedicated burst test cell and the turbocharger is again instrumented with speed and temperature sensors. After a dwell period, the speed is ramped up and the burst is almost instantaneous. The turbo is allowed to cool down and then examined.

This is the result of a successful turbine burst containment test.

Note large chunks of wheel embedded in housing, and torn sheet metal heat shroud. Despite internal damage, exterior walls of the housing have remained intact.

A “verification shroud” made from thin aluminium sheet metal surrounds the housing during the test as a witness to the event. If this shroud is pierced in any way, the housing has failed the test and is not qualified. The housing will also fail if there is any separation from the turbocharger at the attachment joint or if there are any holes or material missing from the containment band area.

If the housing burst containment test was successful, the turbocharger is still not necessarily qualified as metallurgical analysis is required to verify material specifications after a successful test to show that the actual housing and compressor back plate (if applicable) that survived the burst were indeed made from the exact material alloys that were specified by engineering.

In Conclusion Turbochargers are generally very reliable, but even the highest quality turbos may fail when subjected to excessive abuse. A wheel burst is the extreme example of turbo failure but is a contingency that must be planned for with utmost care.

Using a non-burst containment qualified turbocharger presents a very real risk to the end user and their surroundings, especially in racing situations. Garrett performance aftermarket, replacement aftermarket and original equipment turbochargers are all qualified to successfully contain a wheel burst, as long as the specific combination of Garrett wheels and housings intended for the turbo remains unaltered. Using a genuine Garrett turbocharger for highway, street or racing use ensures a catastrophic wheel burst will be successfully contained by a high-quality housing that was designed and qualified from the ground up to do so, says Garrett.

For more information, contact your Garrett Master or Performance Distributer or email turbosales@garrettmotion.com or visit www.garrettmotion.com 51

HANDTOOLS & DIAGNOSTICS

RESOLVER SENSORS: DIAGNOSING HYBRID AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES

In this article, the team at AutoMate Training explore hybrid and electric-vehicle diagnostics, by unpacking everything you need to know about resolver sensor technology Winston Churchill once said, “however beautiful the strategy, one must occasionally look at the results.”

Well, after 20 years and 4.3 million+ sales, it’s fair to say that the strategy behind the Toyota Prius, the world’s original hybrid passenger car, has probably delivered even more than its makers could ever have hoped for back in 1997.

Despite a slow start, the Prius’ radical petrolelectric drivetrain has achieved what can only be described as the wholesale normalisation of hybrid cars, to the point where petrol-electric vehicles are now being hailed as the ideal stepping stone towards a full-electric future.

Today, the Prius’ unique selling point has become ubiquitous, with almost every manufacturer exploring semi and full-electrification as a way to meet incoming, increasingly stringent emissions regulations. Aside from regular, self-charging ‘full-hybrids’ like the Prius, there are now ‘plug-in hybrids’ that offer longer electric-only range, and ‘mild-hybrids’ which use a 48-volt architecture for more efficient engine stop/start in traffic and ICE-off high-speed sailing on the motorway.

So, given that hybrid vehicles have already been on our roads for over 20 years, and will continue to populate the automotive car parc over the next decade, it’s likely you’ll have seen one or more in your shop for service or repair – and if you haven’t, you certainly will soon.

This begs the question: are you ready to perform complex diagnoses on one of these vehicles?

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More specifically, just how much do you know about the sensors and controls used in a hybrid or electric drive system?

That last question is particularly pertinent given just how important sensors are to the successful operation of a hybrid or electric vehicle. It is crucial that powertrain’s central control unit is able to monitor the status of each electric motor in the vehicle, ensuring the correct delivery and application of torque across the drivetrain.

One of the sensors involved in this task is the resolver: a type of rotation angle sensor which determines the exact position, rotational speed and direction of an electric vehicle motor.

Variable reluctance resolvers are the type preferred by hybrid and EV manufacturers alike, due to their simplicity and the relative accuracy of the measurements they provide.

These complex sensors work using the blended operation of a transformer coil and an inductive speed sensor. So, before diagnosing resolver faults, it is important to understand how these two core components work.

Transformer coils use the principles of magnetic induction. When current flows through a primary coil winding, a magnetic flux is created around the winding - and that flux occurs relative to the current flow.

As a result, a change of direction in the current flow of the primary winding causes a direct and proportional change in the magnetic flux. This

current flow change is achieved either through the switching on and off of the DC supply voltage, or through the passing of alternating current through the primary coil.

In addition, an iron core is used to amplify and concentrate the magnetic flux across a secondary winding.

The movement of the flux causes current to be induced in the secondary winding, and this current is proportional to the magnetic field strength.

Transformer coils are generally step up types, where the secondary winding is manufactured with more coils than the primary. This means the current flow induced in the secondary winding will reflect the winding ratio.

Moving on now to the inductive speed sensors, which are notably of the variable reluctance type.

This means they will experience a frequency and amplitude change in relation to rotor speed.

These sensors are constructed with a central permanent magnet, surrounded by an induction winding, which together are referred to as the stator. The stator is positioned so that it has a very small clearance, or air gap, between its pole and the toothed rotor, itself known as a reluctor.

When rotating, the air gap between the pole and reluctor changes. As this occurs, the magnetic field from the permanent magnet expands and contracts.

Therefore, current is induced in the stator windings relative to the magnetic flux motion,

HANDTOOLS & DIAGNOSTICS

and so the frequency and amplitude will increase or decrease with changes in reluctor speed.

Once you’ve understood the operation of the core resolver components, it’s possible to explore the function of the VR resolver sensor itself.

As a rule, you’ll find the VR resolver attached to the rotor shaft of each electric motor, and it’s from here that it’s able to supply critical data about the position, speed and angle of the motor to the central powertrain control module.

It does this by providing a unique signal at every point through 360 degrees of rotation, and hence falls into the category of an absolute position sensor.

To put it another way, a VR type resolver is essentially a transformer coil with a rotating iron core. It uses a primary winding, known as the exciter or reference coil, and two secondary coils known as sine and cosine.

The secondary windings are arranged at 90 degrees to each other and are mounted in a radial stator. The powertrain control module creates a low voltage AC signal, which is directed through the Exciter Coil.

Through the principles of induction, the alternating current flowing through the exciter is induced into both secondary coils. Unlike a transformer coil, however, there is no step up or

down in the induced current from the exciter to the secondary coils.

The elliptical shaped reluctor sensor itself is attached to the motor/generator rotor shaft, and is positioned inside the resolver’s stator assembly.

The reluctor will then move with the rotor shaft, and is shaped so that when the low surface is positioned adjacent to the sine coil, the high surface is positioned next to the cosine coil.

If we apply the same principles from the magnetic induction sensor, it is possible to observe that by altering the flux, we can cause a change in the amplitude of the cosine and sine coils’ current flow.

The high face of the reluctor will affect the magnetic flux from the cosine coil, allowing for peak reluctance to be observed. At the same time this is occurring, the low face of the reluctor is adjacent to the sine coil. As there is a sizeable gap in the reluctor surface, the magnetic flux is affected.

The result? Well, it means that the resolver can precisely measure the angle of the electric motor’s rotor by simply plotting each point of the sine and cosine on a grid. The powertrain control module can then interpret each reference point through 360˚ of rotation and assign an angular position for each.

In effect, the resolver provides two voltages whose ratio represents the absolute position of the rotor shaft. By observing the sequence of reference points, the control module can determine both the direction and the speed of the electric motor.

So, with hybrid and electric drivetrains well and truly established in the automotive car parc, it’s crucial to understand how key systems like resolver sensors actually work.

Topics like this may seem complex and hard to understand, but there is a solution. By subscribing to AutoMate’s online, automotive training program, technicians receive access to over 400 high quality training videos on a widerange of automotive topics, including hybrid and electric vehicle diagnostics.

AutoMate’s Pro Training system encourages technicians to engage in continuous professional development, and subscribers receive new video modules every week which always feature cuttingedge 3D graphics, highly-experienced trainers and real vehicle analysis.​ The team at Automate Training encourages you to stay ahead of your customer’s needs and invites you to visit www.automatetraining.com for a free 14-day trial.

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HANDTOOLS & DIAGNOSTICS

GOVONI TOOLS COME TO AUSTRALIA Govoni tools are distributed in Australia through Specialist Tools Australia Specialist Tools Australia will be attending the 2019 Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo and says it is pleased to announce the introduction of Govoni tools to the Australian market.

Govoni tools are a leading manufacturer and designer of specialist automotive tools and are distributed in Australia through Specialist Tools Australia (STA), located in Canberra ACT. Specialist Tools Australia says it can supply tool kits to help the modern mechanic repair vehicles in a professional and timely manner, helping to reduce repair times and maximise cost to the repairer.

It supplies a range of specialist diesel engine tooling for the automotive technician, including seized diesel injector, glow plug and pump removal tools, Diesel Injector seat cutting, Engine timing tools for Diesel and Petrol engines and specialised diagnostic tooling.

Specialist Tools Australia says it prides itself on suppling only professional quality tools at

competitive trade prices and says “you can be satisfied that when purchasing tools from Specialist Tools Australia you not only get the knowledge that you are buying a quality tool that meets industry standards but you will receive technical support from qualified Automotive technicians in the correct selection and use of the tools for your application.”

Some of Specialist Tools Australia’s more popular kits include those used to remove diesel fuel injectors and glow plugs which have become seized in a vehicle’s cylinder head. It says that if you have ever experienced this problem, you will understand how difficult they can be to remove, and how costly it can become not only for you the repairer, as you may need to sublet the job out if it starts to go pear-shaped, but also for the vehicle owner if the injectors are damaged while removing or if the cylinder head needs to be removed.

According to Specialist Tools Australia, the good news is that by using one of its kits almost all injectors can be removed in the vehicle “without

damage, saving everyone time and money in the long run.”

Some other kits supplied by Specialist Tools Australia include diesel and petrol timing kits, specialised hand tools and the new and “innovative” Pneumatic Coil Spring Compressor workstation which incorporates a comprehensive safety concept which includes pneumatic cylinder, foot pedal, safety cage, shock absorber drop guard and pedestal to ensure maximum safety for the user.

All available products can be purchased from www.waterindiesel.com.au/specialist-tools-australia or call 02 62804334

CTEK’S PRO15S The recently launched CTEK PRO15S is a powerful and fully automatic 15A battery charger New YouGov research from CTEK has revealed that Australian motorists spent approximately $761 million on replacing their car battery in the last 12 months alone, with four million Australians experiencing a flat car battery in this time.

With more cars on the road, and demand for maintenance in the workshop ever-increasing, CTEK says it’s all the more important that Australian workshops have the right tools in place to meet the changing needs of both the motorist and the automotive industry.

CTEK has recently launched the PRO15S, a multi-use product to meet the needs of the professional workshop and is also compatible for cars, caravans and boats.

It explains the PRO15S is a powerful and fully

automatic 15A battery charger, compatible with any 12V battery, including Lithium-Ion (LiFePO4). Safe, strong and robust, CTEK says it can handle heat, dust and humidity and is perfect for the summer months when the car battery is at its most vulnerable to strain.

Lightweight and portable, the rugged, impactresistant casing means it can also handle the toughest environments.

CTEK states that advanced technology ensures that a safe, fast charge is delivered to exactly meet the needs of the individual battery, with a dedicated reconditioning programme to restore battery life and recondition flat batteries.

The PRO15S also has low voltage and current ripple, so it’s safe for both the battery and the vehicle’s delicate electronic systems. Fully automatic and easy to use, it’s also very simple to connect, is said to be spark proof and reversepolarity protected to safeguard the user and also the battery.

“The PRO15 is an exciting new edition to our award winning range of professional battery management products, and is the perfect tool for Australian workshops and sales floors, being both simple and safe to use, powerful and portable,” CTEK Director of Sales and Marketing, Asia Pacific, Robert Briggs, said.

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“Servicing modern vehicles is a highly demanding, customer-centric business with no room for error, and the PRO15S offers a quick and reliable tool to aid in servicing.”

The CTEK PRO15S is available in Australia via Bainbridge and the Ashdown-Ingram network.

For more information, visit www.baintech.com.au or www.ashdown-ingram.com.au

HANDTOOLS & DIAGNOSTICS

UNDER PRESSURE REDARC RELEASES SMARTCHARGE AC BATTERY CHARGER Monitor your tyre pressure at all times RANGE ARB says it has released a new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) which gives you all the information you need from the comfort of the driver’s seat.

Monitoring up to nine tyres (perfect for towing applications), ARB says the latest in TPMS offers pre-set on and off road pressure alarms for instant cross-terrain configuration.

Customers can choose between either an internal or external sensor set-up. The internal sensor kit comes with five sensors as standard.

Redarc has teamed up with DEFA to bring a co-branded battery charger range into the Australian and New Zealand market Redarc says it is proud to announce the release of its new range of 240V AC Battery Chargers.

Redarc has teamed up with Norwegian innovator DEFA to bring a co-branded battery charger range called SmartCharge into the Australian and New Zealand market.

Redarc says they are ideal for the maintenance charging of batteries in a range of automotive applications.

The Redarc range of SmartChargers by DEFA are an AC to DC battery charger designed to automatically charge and maintain most 12v automotive starter and auxiliary batteries including Lithium (LiFeP04).

Both sensors use audible and visual alarms for tyre leakage, low pressure, high temperature, high pressure, low battery voltage and variations of +/- 25% of the set monitored psi.

The capability to select between two profiles, on road and off road, offers a quick setting change for pressure monitoring without having to arduously change the TPMS to the on road or off road pressures.

The new ARB TPMS can monitor up to five tyres as standard, with an option to add the trailer repeater to monitor up to an extra four tyres.

Another feature is the ability to independently monitor front and rear axles, meaning you can now set different pressures on the rear tyres to the front and still benefit from the features of the TPMS. Every set up differs between users so to ensure your system is correct for the vehicle set up you need, please contact your local ARB store or stockist for more information.

For more information, visit www.arb.com.au 56

The SmartCharge range are the perfect battery chargers for people to keep in their home and garage or anywhere where you might need to charge a battery occasionally.

They are ideally suited for a wide range of applications such as cars, boats, motorbikes, scooters, lawnmowers and just about anything else with a small battery that isn’t used on a regular basis.

Available in four variants, four, six, eight and 10A they are perfect for charging car, bike and boat batteries; the eight and 10A variants can be used to charge bigger batteries used in Caravans, Campers and RVs. The main advantage of the SmartCharge range is that they recognise the type of battery that you are connecting to and adjusts their charging process to suit the battery’s charge status, size and ambient temperature conditions. They also have a clear display which shows the status of charge and battery charge level.

Simple to use and operate, the SmartCharge range has only one button: On or Off, with a user-friendly display which comes with an inbuilt backlight to improve legibility. Award-winning for its design and user friendliness, it is also rated to IP65 meaning it can be used in damp and outdoor environments.

The SmartCharge range is shockproof, sparkproof and is protected against reverse polarity meaning that nothing can go wrong. The range also has a practical integrated cable storage solution which allows the user to fasten the clamps to the unit

when they are not in use meaning you no longer have to store your cables in a pile.

“The addition of the SmartCharge range is a natural and logical fit to our existing power management product offerings,” Redarc Managing Director, Anthony Kittel, said.

“Fuelled by the enthusiasm Australian’s have for recreational vehicles such as 4WDs, boats and motorbikes, people from all walks of life would benefit from the flexibility and ease that the SmartCharge range offer.

“Redarc teamed up with DEFA as we share similar values between our organisations including a focus on continuous improvement, perpetual innovation and most importantly a drive to deliver great products of the highest quality.”

DEFA is an organisation operated out of Billingstad, Norway. Founded in 1946 they employ over 400 staff over three continents with products and services distributed in more than 30 countries worldwide. It provides a range of innovative products and services centred around charging, pre-heating and security of vehicles.

“The goal was to develop and manufacture the best battery chargers on the market in terms of quality, simplicity, efficiency and safety,” DEFA Group Chief Executive Officer, Bård Klungseth, said.

“We have seen major growth in market share in Europe and are pleased to be introducing these products to the Australian market with a professional and recognized partner such as Redarc.”

The SmartCharge range is covered by a five-year warranty.

To learn more, visit www.redarc.com.au/smart-chargers

HANDTOOLS & DIAGNOSTICS

AUTOLOGIC SUPPORTS TECHNICIAN WITH DPF BLOCKAGE The blockage was on a Ford Mondeo Diesel Engine 2.0 Duratorq TDCi Autologic’s OEM-Trained Master Technician recently supported a customer with a blocked Diesel Particulate Filter on a Ford Mondeo 2.0 Duratorq TDCi variant, however, the same diagnostic procedure can be applied to the Ford Diesel 1.6 Duratorq TDCi and 2.2 Duratorq TDCi which share the same DPF system.

Fault codes presented:

Using Autologic diagnostic software and extensive product knowledge for Ford, Autologic says it identified the following cause and steps needed to fix the problem.

The Autologic OEM-Trained Master Technician identified that possible causes were that the vaporiser was physically blocked, or a blown fuse due to a vaporiser component internal short circuit caused by the vaporiser glowplug overheating, or pump failure.

Issue: The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) was blocked and failing regeneration.

The customer indicated that the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) warning light was shown on the instrument panel cluster, and the car was experiencing restricted performance.

• P244C (Exhaust Temperature Too Low for Particulate Filter Regeneration) and/or, • P26A1 (Exhaust Aftertreatment Glow Plug Circuit/Open)

Cause

Action Autologic provided the customer with the following actions to find the fault and make the necessary repairs: 1. Gain access to the vaporiser, connect a vacuum pump (Mityvac) and see if the vaporiser holds a vacuum. If so, then the vaporiser is blocked and will need replacing.

2. If the fuse for the vaporiser glowplug or pump has blown, then test the glowplug resistance (Nominal 1.1 Ohms, if less than 0.8 Ohms or greater than 1.3 Ohms then the vaporizer glow plug is faulty and will need to be replaced).

3. If the value is within spec, then disconnect the fuel line from the pump and place the end of the fuel line in a clean container and run

the bleed/prime routine. If the pump is noisy, or does not run, then check the wiring to pump and that the fuel lines are not blocked.

Replace pump and bleed as necessary.

Result After clearing all fault codes and road testing the vehicle, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) warning light is no longer displayed on the instrument panel cluster, and the vehicle performance has returned to normal. No fault codes have returned.

For more information, visit www.autologic.com

INC-100 BATTERY CHARGER/POWER SUPPLY RELEASED From Schumacher Electric Schumacher Electric says it is proud to release the INC-100 Battery Charger/Power supply into the Australian market.

The INC-100 is a fully automatic microprocessor controlled battery charger which works with lead-acid, calcium, AGM, start-stop and Gel Cell battery types.

This charger has four separate functions: automatic charging, manual charging, desulphation and power supply.

While operating in the power supply mode, the charger offers an output of 100 amps for three minutes and a continuous current of 70 amps.

This allows the technician to maintain a stable voltage under varying loads that are present during major vehicle ECU reprogramming and diagnostic work, says Schumacher Electric.

The voltage can be set in between 13.0 – 14.8 volts.

When in battery charging mode, the charger can be set at four, 20 or 70 amps. The charger features a digital display showing voltage and amps and when using manual charge mode, the charger has a digital timer.

Other key features: • Microprocessor controlled operation • Patent-pending “Thermal Runaway” protection and algorithms which allow fast and safe charging • Heavy duty cables: five meters - two gauge • Heavy duty clamps with replaceable jaws • Large robust carry handle • Ability to permanently mount to a shop hoist

– adjustable mounting brackets included for easy installation to most size hoists or benches • Dual temperature controlled cooling fans • Durable aluminium case Since releasing the INC-100, Schumacher Electric says the market feedback and acceptance has been very positive, stating that the consistent message from customers has centred around ease of operation, high output and competitive pricing.

If you would like to know more about this new product, please contact the team at Baxters via www.baxters.com.au 57

HANDTOOLS & DIAGNOSTICS

AURODIAG INTRODUCES ITS OTOSYS IM600 TO AUSTRALIA Aurodiag is bringing the next-generation device to Australia with The Key Guys Aurodiag says its Otosys IM600 Auto Key Programmer and Diagnostic Tool is the next generation in key programming devices.

With its 10” Android-powered touchscreen tablet, it combines the most advanced key programming and immobiliser capabilities with OE-level diagnostics and service functions.

Designed for beginners and experts alike, the OtoSys IM600 is among the smoothest and most powerful immobilisers and key programmers in its class, and now Aurodiag is bringing it to Australia with The Key Guys.

No matter your level of expertise, Aurodiag says the IM600 is a user-friendly device that packs a punch. For everyday tasks, the IM600 operates in Smart Mode for guided and automated key learning, perfect for industry newcomers.

When operating in Expert Mode, it performs advanced key learning tasks including IMMO, EEPROM, BMW/Audi, and all-keys-lost, ideal for experienced users looking for a device that can keep up with them.

Such powerful functionality goes a long way for operating on a wide range of vehicles, it says. Featuring a UP400 key programmer and OtoFlash J2534 pass-thru programming device, the IM600 performs OE Diagnostics for over 80 models, as well as IMMO functions for over 60 worldwide models, making it the most comprehensive device of its kind, says those behind the product.

All of this is packed into a small, neat device

INTEREQUIP SCAN TOOLS Dealing with electronic controls and sensors is an inescapable part of servicing buses, light trucks or heavy vehicles Finding the right scan tool is a big part of the problem and once you’ve found the right tool, back-up is also very important.

Interequip says it has arguably the largest range of light truck and heavy vehicle diagnostic scan tools available in Australia, with three different brands to choose from and many tools within those brands.

Further, Interequip says it has a price range which suits everything from the smaller independent and fleet operator to the largest multi franchise dealers.

The brands include: Jaltest from Spain – Interequip says Jaltest is arguably the world’s finest multi capable diagnostic system available. From component pictures and locations to wiring diagrams, Jaltest works on Heavy vehicle, Off Highway Construction, Marine and Ag vehicles.

Carman from Korea – Carman has the new HD truck and bus diagnostic scan tool that will work on brands including - Allison Transmission, Benz, Bremach, Caterpillar, DAF, Detroit, ERF, Foton, Freightliner, Fuso, Hino, Hyundai, International Isuzu, Iveco, 58

Kenworth, Kia, Mack, Man, Maxxforce, Navistar, Renault, Scanina, Toyota UD, VOLVO, WABCO and so on.

Autel from China – Autel has a heavy truck tool which Interequip says is the ideal solution for independent repair shops, owner-operators and various sized fleets seeking a single scan tool for all their professional heavy duty needs.

Interequip are an automotive capital equipment company.

With products sourced from the US, Italy, Korea, Spain and China, Interequip says it can supply one of the most price effective 30 ton wireless column lifts in the market along with European made truck wheel balancers, tyre fitting machines and wheel aligners.

“We partner with some of Australia’s largest workshop fit out specialists which gives us not only a wider spread of products from quality manufacturers than any other specialist company but the ability to truly offer a one stop shop,” says Interequip.

For more information, please contact Interequip Pty Ltd on 18000EQUIP or info@interequip.com.au

with all the specs you need: Android OS, 15,000mAH battery, eight Megapixel camera, Wi-Fi capabilities, and 32GB SSD memory. Its service function menu, displayed on a crisp LCD touch screen, covers everything from Oil Light Reset and BMS and TPMS Sensor ID to advanced functions such as ECU Coding and VW/ Audi Component Protection.

For more information please visit www.thekeyguys.com.au or email sales@thekeyguys.com.au

HANDTOOLS & DIAGNOSTICS

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB Having the right tool for the job can make a world of difference By making sure you are using tools designed especially for the task you have at hand, you can save yourself time, effort and frustration.

Unique Auto Parts stocks a specialty line of tools that are designed specifically for European vehicles.

Even though Unique Auto Parts is known for supplying quality parts for Mercedes Benz, BMW, Mini, Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, Peugeot, Renault, Citroen, Porsche and Volvo, it explains it first began as a workshop and therefore has a high understanding of just how important using the correct tools can be.

If you are after a tool for a general service, Unique Auto Parts says it has you covered with oil filter removal tools, alternator pulley removal tools and spark plug sockets.

If you’re in need of something more specific, it says there is a wide variety of timing tools ranging from camshaft locking, adjustment and alignment

tools, timing tool kits, crankshaft pulley holders and guide rail pin pullers available.

Unique Auto Parts also has tools for all of your suspension and engine needs including, but not limited to, spring compressor tools, ball joint socket and remover tools, rear axle bush and socket tools, injector nozzle pullers, fan wrenches and many more.

Also stocked are a number of other useful tools such as airbag removal tools, dash board tool kits, automatic transmission dipsticks and drive multispline bit socket sets.

In addition to its wide range of tools, Unique Auto Parts also stocks the parts to suit all your filtration, brake components, mechanical, cooling, steering and suspension, electrical, sealant and gasket and lubricant needs.

Delivery is available from five conveniently located stores and freight is dispatched Australia wide on a daily basis.

To be connected to your nearest store, call 1300 864 864 or visit www.uniqueautoparts.com.au for more information.

CTEK CHARGER WINS GLOBAL ACCOLADE The CTEK CT5 Time To Go charges, conditions and maintains all types of 12V lead-acid batteries The CT5 Time To Go charger from CTEK has been awarded the Autobild ‘Highly Recommended’ award.

The award follows a comparative product test undertaken by independent testing organisation GTÜ.

The test included assessing quality of charge and charge retention, charger functionality, chargeability of deeply discharged batteries and build quality. The CT5 Time To Go charger won the test with the highest overall score across all of the categories.

CTEK says that by scoring maximum in the electrical tests stage, in quality of charge and charge retention, as well as adaptive charging for different battery chemistries, the CT5 Time To Go charger impressed testers with its ability to charge deeply discharged batteries, automatic battery detection and overall quality of battery charge.

“We are delighted to win this highly prestigious award once again. It’s a reflection of our continuous commitment to bringing innovative, high quality, safe and reliable products to the market,” CTEK Director of Sales and Marketing, Asia Pacific, Robert Briggs, said.

“We recently commissioned research by YouGov that revealed Australian motorists spent an astonishing $761 million on replacing their car battery within 12 months, with four million Australians experiencing a flat car battery in this time.”

The 2018 CTEK Battery Check Survey looked at the impact of flat car batteries on consumer’s time and wallets.

The survey also found that in the past year alone, the nation spent approximately eight million hours roadside waiting for a car battery replacement, with these car battery failures leading to one-inthree Australians being late for work.

“With many Australians now heading back to work following the holiday period, it is important Australian workshops are educating motorists on

how to avoid a flat battery disaster, with the right gear,” Robert said.

“Regular charging of your car’s battery can prolong its life by two to three times, ultimately saving you money by reducing the frequency of having to buy a new battery.”

The CTEK CT5 Time To Go charges, conditions and maintains all types of 12V lead-acid batteries. CTEK says as is the case with all of its products, the CT5 Time To Go is fully automatic, fool-proof to connect, spark proof and reversepolarity protected for user safety and comes with a free five-year manufacturers warranty.

The CTEK CT5 range starts from $169 RRP, and is available to purchase from Repco and Battery World stores nationwide.

For more from CTEK, visit www.ctek.com 59

LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS

LIFEGUARDFLUID JLM LUBRICANTS APPOINTS GCG GCG Turbochargers is now JLM Lubricants’ distributor in Australia and New Zealand OILS FROM ZF ZF says its Lifeguardfluid oils provide the “Ultimate Transmission Protection” ZF-Lifeguardfluid is a premium grade range of transmission lubricants designed to optimise shift quality and maximise service life, thus extending maintenance intervals and reducing operating costs.

The ZF-Lifeguardfluid lubricants have been developed specifically for ZF’s range of high-technology four-, five-, six-, eight- and nine-speed transmissions.

The result of extensive research and development, it contains a matchedcombination of high-quality base oil and special additives, to ensure excellent lubrication and friction properties in even the most demanding operating conditions.

Today’s automotive transmissions are more complex than they have ever been, with evergreater operational demands placed on them, which is why ZF developed its range of ZFLifeguardfluid lubricants for specific gearbox applications, to maximise every aspect of its mechanical performance, it says.

The global lubricants and additives manufacturer, JLM Lubricants (JLM), has announced the appointment of GCG Turbochargers (GCG) as its distributor in Australia and New Zealand.

JLM now has distributors in all EU countries and its network is steadily growing in other regions as well, including Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brazil.

“Finding the right distributor in Australia and New Zealand has been a personal priority for several months,” JLM Lubricants Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Gilbert Groot, said.

“From grass roots research in these countries and anecdotal feedback, we knew there was a clear need for our products not least because they’re designed to perform in the most exacting and diagnostics driven workshop environments.

“In GCG we have found a distributor supremely qualified to distribute our full product range through their established network.”

GCG Turbochargers Australia was formed in 1979 with the sole remit to sell and service turbochargers, directly to the Australian aftermarket.

The family owned independent business has grown to today be one of the most respected turbocharger suppliers and re-manufacturers in Australia, with a collection of industry-respected awards and a global customer base.

As Master distributors for iconic brands including

Honeywell Garrett, BorgWarner and IHI, GCG says the agreement with JLM will enable it to satisfy an increasing demand from the professional automotive technician for workshop quality products.

“We are delighted with the new partnership with JLM,” GCG Turbochargers Managing Director, Brett Lloyd, said.

“They are one of the world’s most innovative lubricants and additives producers, and the product sits perfectly alongside our current aftermarket offerings.

“We have an established distribution network which we’ve built on a strong platform of anticipating and satisfying customer demand.

So, it’s a winning combination.”

Established in 2010 JLM Lubricants designs, develops and manufactures a wide range of premium products for the automotive industry primarily aimed at the professional motor mechanic working in an increasingly diagnostics based environment. ‘ For more information, visit www.jlmlubricants.com or www.gcg.com.au

DAYCO COOLANT EXPANSION AND OVERFLOW TANKS To suit popular Australia makes and models For any of today’s high-tech transmissions, a well-matched, high performance lubricant can offer several operational benefits that include reduced fuel consumption, lower CO2 emissions and improved reliability over a vehicle’s lifetime.

Nonetheless, ZF says it recommends a lubricant change is performed every 100,000 kilometres or after eight years at the latest for passenger cars, as vehicles can age prematurely due to above-average mileage, excessive loads such as frequent towing, or regular high-performance driving.

ZF-Lifeguardfluid is available from ZF Services Australia in a range of package sizes to suit workshop or customer requirements.

For more information, visit www.zf.com/lubricants or call 1800 ZF SALES (1800 93 72537).

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Dayco Australia says it offers a vast range of premium quality aftermarket coolant expansion and overflow tanks to suit a wide range of Australian makes and models.

As modern engines generate enormous heat, to ensure efficient thermal management all modern cooling systems are heavily pressurised.

As the engine coolant heats up, it expands and creates significant pressure within the radiator.

The primary function of the coolant expansion tank – or as it is widely referred to, the radiator overflow tank – is to retain lost coolant due to this expansion and to return the coolant to the radiator when it cools down and shrinks.

Dayco says its coolant tanks provide a high point in the engine coolant system which also allows a cushion of air to be present which serves to

ensure that pressure within the cooling system does not become too great, while also ensuring that engine coolant is not lost due to expansion.

The Dayco range of radiator coolant tanks include pressure rated caps and hoses where required to ensure maximum engine efficiency and reliability.

To find out more about the Dayco Australia coolant tank replacement range, contact your Dayco distributor or visit www.dayco.com.au

LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS

NULON RACING OIL The range of racing oils developed by Nulon is making steady inroads into the Australian motorsport scene Nulon says the new range of racing oils developed delivers the ultimate performance and protection for race and highly modified street engines in high temperature, high stress motorsport conditions.

Launched in 2017, Nulon explains its Nulon Racing Oil utilises the most advanced engine oil technology available and states the world-class race oils have found their way into many forms

of professional motorsport: including running in several Supercars at the 2018 Bathurst 1000.

Nulon explains teams such as Big Mate Racing reported vastly improved oil pressure throughout the event, while maintaining the same power increases they were seeing on the engine dynos for the duration of the race.

Formulated to protect at extreme temperatures and sustained high RPM, Nulon Racing Oils were developed from high quality Group IV Poly Alpha Olefin (PAO) and Group V Alkylated Naphthalene (AN) base oil stocks.

PAO and AN base oils deliver superior thermal and oxidative stability, whilst promoting engine cleanliness, explains Nulon.

Combining the outstanding base oil technology with a high-performance Moly DTc and zinc additive package has created a shear stable engine oil that protects at the extreme limits of high heat and high load conditions.

Initially designed for racing applications, Nulon Racing Oil is also suitable for highly modified street engines, with the unique combination of PAO and AN providing the ultimate protection for vehicles running ethanol (E85) and other highperformance fuels operating under sustained high RPM and load conditions.

Partnering with KRE Race Engines, who have built eight out of the last 10 championship-winning engines in the Virgin Supercars Championship, the Racing Oils have been put through a rigorous testing program before they have made their way into these engines.

“We’ve been testing Nulon Racing Oil for over 12 months in our Supercar and Sprint Car program,” KRE’s Ken McNamara said.

“The ability to handle harsh testing on our engine dyno without dropping oil pressure is the first sign of a good oil, but the way this oil combats fuel dilution while maintaining film strength is the reason this oil is a perfect fit for endurance racing”.

In one-litre and five-litre tins, the race-bred oil is available in five viscosities: 0W-20, 5W-30, 5W40, 5W-50 and 10W-60.

For more information, visit www.nulon.com.au

UAP HAS YOUR OIL AND LUBES NEEDS COVERED In recent years Unique Auto Parts has introduced Carlube oils and Bluecol coolants to the Australian market Unique Auto Parts says it has become well known in the industry over the years for supplying top quality new parts for European makes including Mercedes Benz, BMW, Mini, Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, Peugeot, Renault, Citroen, Porsche and Volvo.

What you might not know however, is that they also stock high-quality lubricants and fluids.

Unique Auto Parts says it has got all bases covered with products available for application areas such as engine, transmission, differential, power steering and brake systems as well as fuel systems, engine cleaners and windscreen fluid.

In recent years Unique Auto Parts has introduced Carlube oils and Bluecol coolants to the Australian market.

Unique Auto Parts explains that Carlube oils are OEM quality and are not only recommended for all modern vehicles with a specific focus on European makes, they also come with approval from some of the world’s leading car 62

manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz, Renault, Volvo and many others.

Unique Auto Parts stocks a wide range of Carlube low ash/low SAPS oil, fully synthetic and semisynthetic oils that are suitable for a large variety of passenger and commercial vehicles.

It says all Carlube engine oils are manufactured using the highest quality refined ingredients, ensuring all requirements meet and, in many cases, surpass the stringent requirements set forth by car manufacturers.

They are also formulated for maximum fuel efficiency with added environmental benefits without compromising lubricant durability.

The Carlube Driveline range covers transmission fluids for both automatic and manual transmissions as well as power steering and brake fluid. Driveline fluids are designed for exceptional wear and tear protection and temperature control, they also help to prevent bearing failure and offer corrosion protection.

In addition to a wide variety of oils, Unique Auto Parts also stocks selected Bluecol coolants and a number of Carlube additives designed to clean and improve efficiency and performance including fuel system cleaner (petrol and diesel), carburetor and engine cleaner.

Unique Auto Parts says each of its warehouses are fully stocked with all of these great products as well as many others, with premium delivery service available from all five locations around Australia.

To be connected to your nearest store, call 1300 864 864 or visit www.uniqueautoparts.com.au for more information.

LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS

WHY DSGS NEED DIFFERENT FLUIDS Fuchs Lubricants says it works closely with a number of OEMs to develop fluids to excel Fuchs Lubricants explains that effectively, a DSG or Direct Shift Gearbox (also known as DCT - Dual Clutch Transmission) is the clever adaptation of the best technologies from both Manual and Automatic transmissions.

Providing the economy and performance of a well driven manual transmission with the relative ease of an auto, the transmission looks after the clutch operation and timing.

This is a relatively new and evolving approach to power-train design, and as such the engineers from various OEMs are devising different ways of addressing the numerous technical challenges.

Fuchs asks you to consider what these fluids are expected to do: they need to provide the lubricity and shock load protection required to keep the manual gear-train operating, while assisting synchronisers to speed match the gears on shift to provide smooth shifting.

Additionally, they need to perform the function of a hydraulic fluid to operate the clutch pack

systems, providing actuation forces and control to apply the clutches while also being the friction fluid between the clutch pack elements. This ensures smooth and consistent operation of these critical components throughout their service life.

Each OEM employs different controls and materials for the clutch packs (even between their own range), so this drives the need to design different performance characteristics into each of the fluids.

Fuchs Lubricants says it works closely with a number of OEMs to develop fluids to excel at the various requirements of each OEM’s design. As such, it says this means it is able to offer the right fluid to support the requirements of the majority of transmissions in the market, ensuring the expected performance, durability and feel of the original design is maintained.

For more information, visit www.fuchs.com.au

LUBRICANTS AND THE MODERN ENGINE The key is understanding customer requirements and selecting the appropriately specified lubricant, says Fuchs Today’s high-performance engine oils are fundamentally linked to the modern developments in the automotive industry and engine technology.

The complex design of engines together with huge power increases relative to capacity, coupled with the need to optimise fuel economy and reduce emissions, requires the maximum performance from suitable lubricants in areas such as oxidation stability, deposit control and wear protection.

The unfortunate thing is that for most engine manufacturers, out of all the considerations of design, material selection, manufacturing processes and end products performance and durability, the engine oil can be an afterthought.

This means the final piece of the puzzle – the lubricant – has to be engineered to fit in and work with all of the engine hard parts; a liquid part, needing to work in harmony with all of the engine’s hard parts.

This requirement has resulted in some manufacturers establishing their own standards, tests and licensing regimes to suit their own requirements, and industry bodies at the same time doing their best to harmonise 64

and standardise these changing needs and expectations for the industry.

Hence, the result is what we have today, says Fuchs: multiple and evolving industry specifications, complex and at times competing manufacturer approvals and recommendations – many of which are actually mutually exclusive, meaning it is not possible to service all requirements with just one or two oils.

But don’t be deterred; the key is understanding the customers’ requirements and selecting the appropriately specified quality lubricant.

Lubricates are much more than the type of base oil used, they are a formulated and tested combination of additives and base oil matrixes tailored to meet the requirements of these modern engines.

To this end, Fuchs Lubricants says it works closely with a number of OEMs to develop lubricants which will excel at the various requirements and approvals of each OEM’s design.

Fuchs says this means it is able to offer the right lubricant to support the requirements of almost every engine on and off the Australian road.

As an example, a relatively recent Ford engine

oil specification WSS-M2C950-A is becoming common place within the Ford vehicle line-up.

Drawing on their global recourses, Fuchs says it released TITAN Supersyn F Eco-FE SAE 0W-30 which meets this specification.

In addition, TITAN Supersyn F Eco-FE SAE 0W-30 also meets the ACEA C-2 specification and is therefore ideally suited to service SAE 0W-30 requirement now commonly found in the Toyota diesel range, as well as many others, says Fuchs.

Given the typical applications included for many of the popular light trucks in the market today, such as the Hi-Lux, Land Cruiser, Ranger and BT-50, along with passenger cars such as Focus, Mondeo, Stinger and Forester, it is sure to sure to have an increasing requirement in most mechanical workshops, says Fuchs.

For more information visit www.fuchs.com.au

LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS

CRC AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS CRC Industries is a supplier of speciality products for the Automotive industry CRC Industries Australia celebrates 50 years of manufacturing in 2019, marking a special milestone for the Australian division of the global CRC Industries company.

While CRC was first established in 1958 in a small Pennsylvania garage, the company started manufacturing in Australia after being incorporated as a propriety Company of Australia on 13 October, 1969.

CRC’s journey ‘Down Under’ actually began almost a decade earlier, with CRC product distributed within Australia from the United States throughout the 1960s by the Balfour Buzzacott Division of Email Limited; which also distributed the product of the well-known Dymo Labels.

Following the incorporation of CRC Industries Australia as an Australian Company, the business model switched to a focus on manufacturing and facilities at North Ryde in Sydney were established.

By 1974, the installation of aerosol and bulk filling lines were completed, allowing locally manufactured CRC product to be sold throughout Australia and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.

The company enjoyed such growth that by 1980, a larger facility was needed and was opened in Castle Hill in Sydney’s north west region.

Progress continued for the company and in 2004, CRC Industries Australia acquired iconic Australian auto care brand Kitten. CRC Industries Australia says that to this day, Kitten sits amongst a full range of CRC products which are produced and packaged in the Castle Hill factory including CRC’s 5.56, Brakleen, Penetr8 and CO Contact Cleaner.

CRC Australia says it has also been proud to establish export agreements with more than 15 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

“What an exciting time this is for all involved in CRC Industries Australia,” CRC Industries Australia Managing Director, Shona Fitzgerald, said.

“Fifty years of manufacturing is a tremendous milestone and one that we are very proud of.

From the establishment of a small operation in Sydney in 1969 just 11 years after the global beginnings of the company, CRC Industries Australia has experienced exponential growth to

today be a market leader and a key contributor to the global success of CRC Industries.

“Our mission is to satisfy the needs of our customers with the highest quality speciality chemical products while always remaining customer focused. We do this in a forward-thinking and creative manner and with a keen focus on innovation and R&D. We empower our employees and support our communities which has allowed us to prosper where many others have failed.

“Our growth and longevity here in Australia is a true testament to the efforts, dedication and skill of all involved in CRC Industries Australia and I send my thanks to our employees, our suppliers, our distributors and our partners for the roles they have played in bringing us to where we are today.

The future certainly looks bright and we can’t wait to see what we can achieve over the next 50 years.”

For more information, visit www.crcindustries.com.au

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FUTURE AUTO INNOVATIONS

THE END OF CERTAINTY – CHALLENGE AND CHANGE FOR AUTOMOTIVITY IN 2019 In this article, AutoMate’s Harrison Boudakin looks ahead to some of the important trends, questions and discussions which will characterise tomorrow’s global car market A glance back across the automotive landscape of 2018 shows that last year, the only constant for car makers was change.

New battle lines continued to be drawn across the face of global mobility, meaning automakers spent the last 12 months fending off challenges on multiple flanks: tougher legislators on one hand, rising marketplace disruptors on the other.

Couple that with the dampener that was put on global trade as the tariffs walls rose alongside the general softening of the consumer economy, and the result was quite a challenging environment in which to set strategy and steer a course for automotive success.

In a nutshell, 2019 looks set to follow a similar prescription. For automakers staring at the chess board and weighing up the state of play, there are now some questions to consider, and we in the automotive industry will begin feeling the effects of the decisions they make in relatively short order.

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So what are the big-ticket items on the automotive change agenda for the next 12 months? And where do the heavyweights of industry see their companies – and their competitors – heading?

In terms of setting a global pace and rhythm for motor manufacturing, it is always worth starting with the place that started it all: Germany.

Having battled through the lingering entrails of the diesel emissions scandal in 2018, going forward the big German automakers now hope to clear the cobwebs and really get back to the main game of making world-class automobiles.

But as they well recognise, that main game is now crowded out and complicated by some key push factors.

Electrification is now firmly on the cards, with Audi and Mercedes preparing to lean heavily on two new SUVs (the E-tron and the EQC 400) for

an initial push into mainstream electro-mobility.

These two vehicles will form a valuable proofof-concept for the conservative Germans, whose management are loathe to jump the EV shark and get too far ahead of the market on a loss.

Launching these vehicles presents a complex, expensive, but ultimately necessary challenge: EVs’ battery cells have not yet reached price parity with ICEs; the charging infrastructure is hugely variable from nation-to-nation and even region-to-region, and the EV supply chain is a new and unfamiliar beast.

Even so, the trend towards electrification in the global market is undeniable – in Europe alone plug-in and full electric sales increased 37 percent last year and most of the major players are gearing up for big offensives. BMW plans to offer 12 full-electric vehicles by 2025; meanwhile

FUTURE AUTO INNOVATIONS

Volkswagen has ‘booked’ its new modular MEB platform for 15 million vehicles worldwide.

That includes having sourced the battery cells for each one of those 15 million cars, the first of which will be the Golf-sized I.D, set to launch late this year. Alongside the Tesla Model 3 (whose influence as a semi-affordable EV will be determined largely by its maker’s ability to deliver them on time and ‘on-quality’ to eager customers), the I.D looks set to be a real pacesetter: offering a 400-600km of range, fast, with Passat-rivalling interior space and a price to match an equivalent diesel hatchback. With the right infrastructure and sales pitch, it’s not beyond the wit of man to imagine this car doing well in major cities across the world; including in Australia.

In fact, Australia will be playing perhaps more

of a role in getting the EV revolution up than you might expect. The icons of our old carmanufacturing industry may have long closed their doors, but the global race to normalise electric motoring has created a massive spike in demand for lithium, of which Western Australia alone produces more than half the world’s supply. Over the last two years, exports have now increased by a factor of six, and show no sign of letting up as the automotive superpowers quench their EV thirst. Better still, lithium processing has also taken off in WA, with an AustralianAmerican-Chinese joint venture now the world’s largest lithium-processing plant.

In that sense, Australia is in ‘pole position’ to benefit from the growth of EVs, not just in Europe, but more importantly in China, whose market is now the world’s largest for EVs and for EV battery

production. Witness, for example, the rise of CATL, the Chinese firm whose enormous Fujian plant currently supplies batteries to Nissan, Mercedes, the VW Group and BMW. CATL has now signaled a desire to expand with a factory in the European market, prompting calls from the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, for the EU’s car manufacturers to “get their act together” on their own form of local battery production.

Her government’s fear is that Germany’s automakers are becoming too dependent on Chinese batteries for their EVs, and have shown little interest in establishing a local supply chain in the face of China’s established success with battery production. Merkel’s calls for a “Airbus” of battery manufacturing, referencing the successful pan-European effort to take on Boeing, are a sign of just how broadly the EV issue reaches, pulling in interests from all corners of the political, economic and social spectrum. Trying to reconcile all these will be a key determinant of whether not just Europe’s but the world’s auto-manufacturers succeed beyond 2019 with their strategies to re-point the raft more clearly and firmly towards an EV orientation.

Or to put it another way, as VW’s CEO said, “the low-hanging fruit is gone.” Gone are the days of easy, evolutionary progress in the industry, where tried and tested ideas were (often greatly) improved upon, but never fundamentally challenged. In 2019, the automotive metronome is set fast; and it is not so much a question of if the radical change will come, but rather, how soon, and who will succeed when it does.

Written by Harrison Boudakin for AutoMate Training, an industry leading provider of online, on-demand digital training.

Visit www.automatetraining.com for a free 14-day trial.

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TRADE TALK

TAKING TYRE RETAILING INTO THE DIGITAL AGE JAX Tyres is one company leading the way in innovation and future trends in the tyre retailing market JAX Tyres Chief Executive Officer, Steve Grossrieder, is not afraid of innovation and change.

Its latest development is the launch of the brand’s first free electric charging station (see breakout) in the Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba.

“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” said Steve when he was asked for his advice to his peers within the automotive industry.

The tyre retailer has also gained a competitive advantage thanks to its push into the digital age.

“We are working in a globalised and everchanging market that requires us to be agile, innovative and resilient.”

Born and raised in Sydney, Steve says he knew he wanted to work in management within the automotive industry from the age of 21 when he was given the opportunity to step up from the workshop floor where he had trained as a mechanic.

His first job was as the local paperboy, but he was always into “all things automotive” and so naturally found himself gravitating towards becoming a mechanic.

“My career progressed with each role due to opportunities that were forthcoming and I was lucky enough to take on those opportunities and progress to where I am today,” he said.

The motorcycle riding enthusiast describes his strengths as being innovative, accountable and a team player. And he certainly lives those attributes.

Under his watch, JAX Tyres – which opened its first store in 1949 (Norton Street, Leichardt) before expanding in 1972 ahead of introducing a franchise system in 1994 – has become a forward-thinking company which is not scared to embrace innovation.

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In order to meet shifts in consumer behaviour, it has recently developed an e-business omni channel, which includes an e-commerce platform.

The new platform provides customers and JAX Tyres retailers with access to real-time prices for 13 tyre brands and 18 different wheel brands, along with appointment availability and promotional offers.

Steve describes “digital disruption” as one of the big challenges facing the industry and JAX Tyres as a business, along with “a rapidly evolving industry, franchise industry regulators, movement in major tyre retail players and the rise of car dealerships seeking ‘whole of life’ capture.”

“We need agility to service all technologies moving forward, especially in the automotive race to zero-emission targets,” he said.

Steve says JAX Tyres’ biggest strength is its trusted and long-term relationships.

“JAX Tyres has a very solid service network through our best-in-class franchisees and longstanding relationships with our trusted group of global leading brand suppliers,” he said.

“Through these relationships, JAX Tyres will keep its position as a leading innovative technology driven retailer and maintain our commitment to delivering market-leading customer services.”

JAX Tyres CEO, Steve Grossrieder

Under Steve’s guidance, JAX Tyres is expected to grow both locally and internationally.

“Our first goal is to expand nationally with our JAX installation footprint, to maximise our digital omni channel and then expand internationally with strategically selected expansion opportunities,” he said.

“We are thrilled to be launching JAX Tyres into Western Australia for the first time, bringing the best brands, advice, service, knowledge and price to customers on the west coast,” Steve said.

“With Kwinana (Western Australia) being our 86th store since JAX Tyres was founded in Australia in 1949, we are looking forward to expanding our strong retail network and providing our first-class tyre and car expertise.

“Our customers were initially in New South Wales and we then expanded across the east coast of Australia. We are currently in the process of expanding nationally with the expansion of our footprint into not only Western Australia, but

TRADE TALK

JAX TYRES LEADS AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION PUSH The company has launched its first retail charge station

also South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania.”

He says the company’s biggest competitive advantage is its vehicle inspection program.

“Every one of our customers receives a complimentary vehicle inspection and detailed report,” Steve explains.

The self-confessed fitness fanatic says the construction of a franchise model that promotes joint business performance is one of the reasons for the continued success of JAX Tyres, along with continued support from the AAAA. “To deliver on our growth strategy we need strong business partners, suppliers and relationships,” Steve said.

“As a member of the AAAA, we are able to have access and network with a vast and diverse range of industry experts that can be leveraged across our business.

“This also includes a variety of benefits and relevant industry information.”

For more from JAX Tyres, visit www.jaxtyres.com.au

Left to Right: JAX Tyres Product and Pricing Manager April Harwood, EVolution CEO Russell Shepherd, JAX Tyres CEO Steve Grossrieder and JAX Tyres Regional Operations Manager Mike Yusiw at the launch

JAX Tyres has launched the brand’s first, free, electric car charging station for the public at 98 Logan Road, Woolloongabba, in South Brisbane.

The station is part of a 2019 nationwide rollout by JAX to future-proof its 86 stores in partnership with electric car utilities experts, EVolution, says JAX Tyres.

This will be the first station for a tyre or mechanical store in Australia as the industry adapts to the technology changes that are disrupting the automotive market, including new types of fuel and energy storage solutions, as the automotive race to zero-emission targets ramp up.

Australia will be equipped, ensuring they can continue to serve customers into the future.

JAX Tyres Chief Executive Officer, Steve Grossrieder, believes diversification is a good thing for the automotive industry and that JAX Tyres is ahead of the market in providing solutions for their customers.

“We’re very excited to be a part of JAX’s plans for a sustainable future. Drivers will be able to charge their cars either as JAX customers or as passers-by,” EVolution Chief Executive Officer, Russell Shepherd, said.

“JAX Tyres has long-standing relationships with trusted suppliers, including EVolution,” Steve said.

“Furthermore, and unique to JAX Tyres, any electric vehicle will be topped up via portable chargers while being serviced.

“Choosing the right partner is critical and EVolution have the expertise and access to the best quality equipment on the market.

“The public JAX Charging network will be made up of a combination of Charge-Amps AURA Dual Port AC 22KW EVSEs and Tritium DC Fast Chargers.

“Through this relationship, JAX Tyres will keep its position as a leading innovative technology driven retailer and maintain our commitment to delivering market leading customer services.”

Steve confirmed that the diversification strategy will continue throughout 2019 and that new JAX Tyres stores in South Australia and Western

“Once complete this will be the largest retail based EV charging network in Australia. All charging will be ‘free forever’ and accessible without the need for swipe card or mobile phone app.”

For more from JAX Tyres, visit www.jaxtyres.com.au 69

BUSINESS SERVICES

INDUSTRY LEGAL GROUP: REPRESENTING AAAA MEMBERS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS Industry Legal Group recently assisted a customer of Autodelta (a AAAA member) find a resolution when a manufacturer would not honour her warranty In early 2018, Autodelta customer Connie struck trouble when the Fiat dealership she had taken her Fiat Romeo to for a service refused to fix an issue they uncovered within the warranty period.

After she had taken the issue all the way to Fiat Chrysler with no resolution, Autodelta referred Connie to the AAAA’s Mike Smith and then, Industry Legal Group.

“The dealership discovered there was a leakage during a service under warranty but did not fix it, and when I took it back they refused to do it, saying the warranty period had expired and they weren’t responsible,” Connie explains.

“I had proof from the service report that they had discovered the issue during the warranty period and neglected to fix it at the time. They then wanted to put it through as a ‘goodwill’ repair and

not a warranty claim. This started a long period of arguing which included them demanding I pay $75 for parts, keeping my car for longer periods of time than agreed, and generally refusing to do the work.

“I attempted to take it up the chain to Fiat themselves after being told by the dealership to ‘take it further if you want’, but they refused to return my calls and when I tried speaking to another Fiat dealership for help, I got the distinct impression they had been told not to speak to me.

“Amidst all of this, Autodelta discovered that the problem was actually so much worse, and Fiat said the cost of repair would be $8000 and they would cover zero percent of labour costs and only 30 percent of the dealer costs at dealer net price, totalling a maximum of $2,608.85 and I would have to pay the remainder.

“Thankfully at this point after talking to Autodelta further, they put us in touch with Mike at the AAAA who came out to our house and had a look at the car, which he called ‘immaculate’. After helping us as much as he could, he then put us in touch with Emma Dalley at Industry Legal Group.

“For around 10 months, we continued to go back and forward with the dealership as to what would happen and after a long process, eventually they came to the party.

“I could not have done this without the AAAA and Industry Legal Group – I did try to because I didn’t know any better, I didn’t know where to turn; but I never would have had this resolution without their help, I would have had to give up.

“At absolutely no cost to me, Mike and Emma were absolutely wonderful and I cannot thank them enough for their help and their service.

“The best part is that Autodelta are pretty happy with the work that was done at this stage too. I really can’t thank the AAAA, Industry Legal Group and Autodelta enough for all of their help.”

Industry Legal Group provides legal advisory services to all AAAA members across Australia. Industry Legal Group assists members by providing practical legal advice and services in the areas of corporate, commercial, competition and consumer law.

For more information, visit www.aaaa.com.au/about/ member-benefits/industry-legal

FILTERS PLUS TALKS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS The owner of Filters Plus was recently interviewed by Jiwa Financials regarding his use of its products For any small but growing business, there comes a time when at least one of the software systems that keep operations running smoothly and efficiently is no longer up to the task.

Jiwa Financials says this was the case with Filters Plus, a Perth-based distributor of air, fuel and oil filters as well as related products.

It explains that in 2016, Brendon Robinson, the owner of Filters Plus, decided that his company’s financial management system had to be replaced.

“There was a set criteria that our new solution had to meet, and Jiwa stood out amongst the others for its feature-richness, affordability and ease-of-use”, Brendon said.

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“Inventory control is a big thing for us, and Jiwa allows us to do a lot that we couldn’t do before.

“For example, we used to shut down operations to do a stocktake, whereas now we can do rolling stocktakes whenever we want to.

“With the press of a button we can produce a stocktake report and know that the information that comes out is timely, accurate and comprehensive.”

A distribution company runs best when its inventory is always where it’s supposed to be, and can be seen to be where it’s supposed to be – a task Jiwa says it achieves with the help of its multi-warehouse toolset.

The efficient management of backorders can be a challenge for a distribution business also.

“Prior to Jiwa our backordering processes were clunky, to say the least,” Brendon said.

“But now it’s very simple – we log these orders in with the press of a button and when the products come in, I email the sales people to tell them the orders are past due and it’s time to get them out.”

For an obligation-free demonstration, Jiwa Financials encourages you to please contact David Fisk on 0452 215 492 or via aaaa@jiwa.com.au

CONSUMER LAW

NEW MANDATORY WARRANTY WORDING FOR SERVICES Due to recent amendments to the Competition and Consumer Regulations 2010 (Cth) (Regulations), businesses providing warranties against defects to consumers in relation to the supply of services will be required to include mandatory wording in the warranty This mandatory wording will be in addition to the existing requirements already set out in the Regulations.

Businesses must include the following mandatory wording when they provide a warranty against defects in relation to services:

Our goods and services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. For major failures with the service, you are entitled: 1. to cancel your service contract with us; and 2. to a refund for the unused portion, or to compensation for its reduced value.

You are also entitled to choose a refund or replacement for major failures with goods. If a failure with the goods or a service does not amount to a major failure, you are entitled to have the failure rectified in a reasonable time. If this is not done you are entitled to a refund for the goods and to cancel the contract for the service and obtain a refund of any unused portion. You are also entitled to be compensated for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage from a failure in the goods or service.

When do I use the mandatory wording?

Previously, mandatory wording was only required where a warranty was provided in connection with the supply of goods.

The mandatory wording is intended to alert consumers to their rights under Australian Consumer Law (ACL) which include consumer guarantees which cannot be excluded by the warranty.

When does the amendment come into effect?

The amendment requiring the mandatory wording will come into effect on and from 8 June 2019.

What is the mandatory wording?

Our services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. For major failures with the service, you are entitled: 1. to cancel your service contract with us; and 2. to a refund for the unused portion, or to compensation for its reduced value.

You are also entitled to be compensated for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. If the failure does not amount to a major failure you are entitled to have problems with the service rectified in a reasonable time and, if this is not done, to cancel your contract and obtain a refund for the unused portion of the contract.

Businesses must include the following mandatory wording when they provide a warranty against defects in relation to goods and services together:

If a warranty against defects is provided for a service (or goods and services together), the above mandatory wording is required to be included in the text of the warranty on and from 8 June 2019.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission defines a warranty against defects as follows:

A warranty against defects is a representation communicated to a consumer that if the goods or services (or part of them) are defective, the business will: • repair or replace goods (or part of them) • resupply or fix a problem with services (or part of them) • provide compensation to the consumer.

A representation will only be a warranty

against defects if it is made at or around the time that goods or services are supplied.

A promise about what you as a supplier or manufacturer will do if something goes wrong with a good or service can be a warranty against defects under the ACL even if it is not provided in a formal document.

Any material with writing on it could evidence a warranty against defects, for example wording on the packaging or on a label, if those words contain such a promise.

It is relevant to note that regulations relating to warranties against defects only apply where the warranty is given to a consumer in connection with the supply of goods and/or services.

A person will be considered a consumer under the ACL if they purchase: 1. goods or services that cost less than $40,000; 2. goods or services that cost more than $40,000 but are of a kind ordinarily acquired for domestic, household or personal use or consumption; or 3. a vehicle or trailer primarily used to transport goods on public roads.

A person will not be considered a consumer if the goods are acquired for the purpose of resupply or for the purpose of transforming them into a product that is sold.

Businesses who provide a warranty against defects which does not comply with the requirements prescribed in the regulations (and who are not otherwise exempt) will be guilty of an offence under ACL.

NEED ASSISTANCE? Industry Legal Group provides advice on all issues relating to the Australian Consumer Law. For assistance with ensuring your warranties are compliant, please contact Industry Legal Group on 1300 369 703 or aaaa@industrylegalgroup.com.au 71

HR

UPDATE – NEW REGULATION ALLOWS EMPLOYERS TO OFFSET CASUAL LOADING Last year Employer Assist released an article updating members on a recent case, WorkPac Pty Ltd v Skene [2018] FCAFC 131 In that case, the Full Federal Court held that an employee who was classified as a ‘casual’ was in fact a permanent employee due to their regular and predictable hours and expectation of continuing work.

As a result, the employee was entitled to be paid annual leave in addition to their casual rate of pay.

This decision was controversial as it raised the possibility of incorrectly classified casuals being able to ‘double dip’ by claiming permanent entitlements (for example, Annual Leave) in addition to the casual loading that they had already received.

For obvious reasons, this would have significant financial consequence for employers who have mistakenly classified their employees for a number of years.

NEW REGULATIONS Thankfully, in response to concerns raised about the above controversial decision, the government varied the Fair Work Regulations 2009 (FW Regulations) with the Fair Work Amendment (Casual Loading Offset) Regulations 2018 to clarify that in certain circumstances employers may claim that an employee’s casual loading should be offset against certain entitlements owing to the employee.

The below regulation will be added to the FW Regulations.

2.03A Claims to offset certain amounts (1) This regulation applies if: (a) a person is employed by an employer on the basis that the person is a casual employee; and (b) the employer pays the person an amount (the loading amount) that is clearly identifiable as an amount paid to compensate the person for not having one or more relevant NES entitlements during a period (the employment period); and (c) during all or some of the employment period, the person was in fact an employee other than a casual employee for the purposes of the National Employment Standards; and (d) the person makes a claim to be paid an amount in lieu of one or more of the relevant NES entitlements.

Note 1: This regulation is intended to apply if the person has been mistakenly classified as a casual employee during all or some of the employment period.

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Note 2: For the purposes of paragraph (b), examples of where it may be clearly identifiable that an amount is paid to compensate the person for not having one or more relevant NES entitlements include in correspondence, pay slips, contracts and relevant industrial instruments.

(2) To avoid doubt, the employer may make a claim to have the loading amount taken into account in determining any amount payable by the employer to the person in lieu of one or more relevant NES entitlements.

(3) This regulation does not affect the matters to which a court may otherwise have regard, at law or in equity, in determining an employer’s claim to have the loading amount taken into account.

(4) A reference in this regulation to a relevant NES entitlement is a reference to an entitlement under the National Employment Standards that casual employees do not have.

The new regulations are effective from 18 December 2018 and apply retrospectively.

Mistakenly classified employees Although the above new regulation provides clarification on an employer’s ability to offset the casual loading, employers should be aware that the casual loading may not be sufficient to totally offset the amount of a claim brought by their employee.

Also, employers who mistakenly and/or incorrectly classify an employee may also be ordered to pay pecuniary penalties for contravening the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act) and National Employment Standards (NES).

Employers should take the WorkPac decision as a warning of the potential consequences of incorrectly classifying permanent employees as casuals which is considered to be a serious contravention. The fact that an employer was ‘unknowing’ or ‘mistaken’ as to the actual effect of the employment arrangement will not excuse the failure to comply with their obligations.

What is a ‘Casual’ The main consideration on whether an employee is casual is the ‘absence of an advance commitment and indefinite work’, which is considered by looking at the surrounding circumstances around the employment contract, regulatory regimes (including the FW Act, awards and enterprise agreements).

The key circumstances are: • Irregular work patterns; • Uncertainty, discontinuity, intermittency of work; and • Unpredictability.

Recommendations It is prudent for employers to review the current employment status of their employees to ensure that they have not mistakenly classified any of their employees as casual. Further, employers should implement appropriate systems to ensure that the status of their employees is reviewed systematically (for example, bi-annually).

As part of the review, employers should consider and evaluate the nature of their casual engagements. If a casual employee has been working regular and predictable hours on a continuous basis, the employer may be required to convert the casual employee to a permanent position.

Further, contracts and payslips should clearly identify that a casual loading is paid to casual employees in lieu of NES entitlements. In the event of a dispute or claim, this will be used as evidence when attempting to claim the offset.

To be eligible to claim the offset, employers will need to comply with all of the requirements set out in the regulation above.

Employers should contact Employer Assist for advice on classifying or converting employees.

Need assistance?

Employer Assist can assist employers with reviewing their employment contracts, provide advice on classifying their employees and assist with converting employees to permanent positions if required.

Employer Assist can also provide representation in the event of a claim.

If you require assistance, we encourage you to contact Employer Assist on 1300 735 306 or aaaa@employerassist.com.au

INSIDE INVENTORY

NEED MORE HANDS? There are times when it all seems too much.

Oh, for another set of hands Just think for a moment about the idioms we often cite: I have worked my fingers to the bone; I am hanging on by my fingernails; my hands are full; I would give my right arm….well, what would you give your right arm for, and more importantly, why?

Why is it that we so wistfully think of seeing more people as the easy solution to our problems?

With inventory management unfortunately it is all too easy to have our hands full. There is the backlog of orders that we have to place each day.

The excess report needs to be done, and all the actions agreed at the management meeting need to be implemented. Maybe it is time to step back and understand what is driving all the workload.

Let’s think about some examples.

Excess management needn’t be so hard Many organisations handle excess by producing a report of what is in excess and then try to figure out what to do with it. Unfortunately that is often after the stock has sat for some time and has become even harder to address. The longer it sits means the more times you have to count it and move it too. Excess management like this is really only good for writing stock off.

excess because they just might need it, it is too easy for that sort of culture to become all too pervasive. As an inventory management leader, it is important that everyone is aware of the benefits and the important part everyone plays in achieving them.

Even better, why have any excess at all? As described in the June article last year, “KNOW WHEN TO HOLD ‘EM AND WHEN TO FOLD ‘EM” ultimately it is far better to have never ordered the excess in the first place. It is far better that you never spend all that time in handling it, stocking it and writing it off - just do not order it in the first place.

Emergencies needn’t consume you Another thing that kills productivity and time is the management of emergency transfers and orders.

A far smarter approach is to recognise it and handle it as quickly as possible - don’t let it build into a big problem. Instead, try to fix it when it is a far smaller problem.

As a rule of thumb, emergencies typically take three times the effort and cost to process compared with managing replenishments on a more normal basis.

You could do this by moving it to the warehouse that has a higher chance of selling it early.

Postpone that decision, and you may well lose opportunities and be forced to carry more inventory while stock is already available elsewhere in your network.

Picking and shipping in bulk is much better than a single item in an air bag. You can manage with less people in the warehouse and all in all it can be a lot easier to manage.

This can be done. Every pocket of excess (and there will always be some) can be looked at every night and business cases constructed for all the excess and all the purchase orders and stock movements that might use that excess.

Rather than struggling to do this all manually, you can describe your thinking process and have the inventory management system do what you want for thousands of SKUs across your entire network … automatically, while you sleep.

There are some things you simply cannot and should not try to do yourself. You don’t need to add more hands – simply multiply yourself!

Now of course, people can frustrate such an automated approach. Everyone knows the saying “many hands make light work.” That is however only if people work together.

As soon as a branch manager insists on keeping

Of course you cannot get it perfect and there will always be the order that was just way bigger than ever expected; and no matter how well you manage your supplier relationships, sometimes the weather and other natural events will delay stock receipts and you simply cannot do anything about that either, or at least not in any financially viable way.

The trick however is to get the balance right.

Fortunately you can model the different choices you can make and see how to create a supply chain that not only does not consume you but can also deliver what you want in terms of customer service and inventory turnover.

After all, what is the probability of someone wanting to order in the next seven days? It will be a very low probability if on average you might only sell one piece of stock every 100-150 days? Given this, it is far better for everyone to emergency transfer the stock only if a real customer wants it - if they are desperate for it, they will pay more for it anyway.

Time to ratchet up your performance So is it time for more hands?

Well, if you approach things differently then maybe not. Consider the value of a ratchet spanner compared to a normal spanner when trying to tighten a nut in a difficult place – you could use a normal spanner and put it on, turn, take it off, put it back on, turn again and again, knocking your knuckles each time. It is better to put it on once, and use the ratchet to quickly tighten the nut.

With better tools and better approaches using these tools, you can achieve significant leaps in productivity. You can stay on top of excess, and even help avoid it all together while getting the balance right to manage normal replenishments versus the necessary emergency stock transfers.

Model the results that good behaviours can achieve and see what can easily cause everything to come undone and if a tool is much better, make sure that everyone understands how to use it.

Is it time to tighten up your procedures? Time to make sure they are followed? Who should drive all this? Well you of course – if the right tools can free up your time.

So is it time to invite some safe hands on board?

It does not have to be All Hands on Deck – maybe someone can pass you a better tool or way of doing things; maybe you can then turn your hand to what you really could be doing?

Again however, everyone needs to play their part.

If a branch only sells a part two to three times a year and only carries one in stock, does it make sense to emergency stock transfer a replacement just to cover for the seven days that you might have to wait for a normal replenishment?

For further information consult www.horizoninventory.com.au or email info@horizoninventory.com.au 73

4WD

STEEL BULLBARS

By Opposite Lock When looking for a bullbar to fit your vehicle, it is important that the retailer takes the time to understand how and where you will be using your vehicle and what other accessories you are planning on fitting, as there are lots of different materials and configurations on the market.

Bullbars can be made from steel, alloy or polyethylene and each type has pros and cons depending on the type of vehicle, what you will be using it for and even the loaded weight of the vehicle when you are heading off on your adventure.

Steel Bullbars from Opposite Lock Bullbars are designed to protect your vehicle in the case of an accident, and steel bars generally provide the best protection for your vehicle, says Opposite Lock.

Opposite Lock explains there are a host of other benefits to steel bullbars too: • They are designed tough and are harder to dent or damage when you head off-road.

• A winch-compatible bullbar will have mounting points to help get you out of those sticky situations.

• If you do happen to have an accident in the middle of nowhere and your bar does need to be touched up to get you going again, you are more likely to find someone that can weld steel rather than alloy.

Steel bars are heavier and Opposite Lock cautions you need to take the bulbar weight into account when calculating your GVM. Due to the increased weight, you may also need to upgrade your suspension when installing a steel bullbar, it says.

Opposite Lock stocks a wide variety of steel bullbars for most makes, models and applications with its own Opposite Lock Australian designed and engineered brand.

For more from Opposite Lock, visit www.oppositelock.com.au 74

PIRANHA’S IGNSENSE MAKES SENSE The IGNsense provides a solid ignition sense while the engine is running Piranha Off Road says it is proud to launch a revolutionary new product which it says is going to change the way dual battery systems and 12 volt auxiliary products and more work on modern vehicles.

The IGNsense is a universal 12 volt sense unit which has been designed and manufactured right here in Australia.

Piranha Off Road says what is so exciting about this unit is that it’s small, easy to fit and has a range of applications from motor vehicles to boats and mining vehicles and even earth moving equipment.

In many of today’s modern vehicles, getting an ignition sense to run auxiliary lights and dual battery charging systems is tricky and it can take hours and hours to find something that works.

Once found, it then often means cutting into the vehicles electronics which can be disastrous and cause major warranty issues.

The IGNsense does away with all this pain and provides a solid ignition sense while the engine is running. The unit requires the use of a 40amp

relay to provide the sense to the 12 volt accessory and comes with simple fitting instructions.

Other features of the IGNsense include a fully electronic microprocessor design and a 100 percent waterproof over-moulded case. Piranha Off Road explains it is totally independent of vehicle type and it can activate the relay while the motor is running or deactivate the relay as the motor is switched off, which makes it “super safe.”

The IGNsense retails for $185 including GST and is covered by a 12 month warranty.

Key features and benefits: • Universal 12V ignition sense • Safe to use with all 12V vehicles • Ability to power many types of 12V accessories • Will not void manufacturer’s warranty • Will detect when your vehicle is on and off To find out more information on the IGNsense contact the team at Piranha Off Road Products on 03 9762 1200 or visit www.piranhaoffroad.com.au

HUMMINGBIRD’S GPS TRAILER ODOMETER Accurately measure distance and ultimately improve the maintenance of your trailer Hummingbird Electronics says it is excited to announce the release of its GPS Trailer Odometer.

The Odometer device (Part Number: HMOD1000) is permanently mounted to a trailer – namely a caravan or camper trailer – with the sole purpose of recording the distance travelled.

Traditionally, trailers are not manufactured with odometers which makes it difficult to accurately and conveniently maintain a log of distance travelled.

This can make it much more difficult to schedule routine servicing and as a result, potentially compromise the lifespan of your trailer.

The HMOD1000 comes supplied with an easyto-read colour screen which notifies the user when a service interval has been reached. It also comes with a standard GPS bulk head antenna and mounting bracket.

It incorporates customisable service intervals, allowing the user or service agent to set a specified date for a reminder and/or set a distance

travelled with adjustments between values of 100km, 500km, 1000km and 10,000km.

An internal buzzer can be set to provide an audible warning of when a defined distance has been reached. There is also the added ability to display a trip A or B, enabling the user to record individual trips travelled.

The HMOD1000 GPS Trailer Odometer is the perfect device for manufacturers, dealerships, rental businesses, service agents and end users who wish to accurately measure distance and ultimately improve the maintenance of their trailers, says Hummingbird Electronics.

Hummingbird says that like all of its products, the GPS Trailer Odometer has been designed and manufactured in Australia to the highest standards of quality.

For more information on this and other like-minded products, please visit the Hummingbird Electronics website at www.hmbe.com.au or call 1300 155 541.

4WD

79 SERIES LANDCRUISER COIL CONVERSIONS A weld in conversion kit with all the comforts included The 4WD Shed invites you to convert your leaf sprung Landcruiser 79 Series Ute to a more compliant ride with better handling both on and off-road with one of its Superior Engineering Coil Conversion Kits which have been designed, tested and manufactured in Brisbane to suit all Australian conditions.

It says Superior Engineering has developed a new heavy duty, rear coil conversion kit for the 79 Series, designed to improve ride, handling, comfort and off-road capability whilst also increasing wheel travel and articulation.

The 4WD Shed says it has done many of these conversions now in its workshop and its customers love having the well-known workhorse of the Ute world with all the comforts a coiled ride can bring.

The weld in coil conversion kit includes coil spring, nitro gas shock absorbers, heavy duty swaybar, side chassis strengthening brace, coil tower brace, adjustable upper control arms, 40mm lower control arms, heavy duty 350 grade steel mounts and more.

The kit is prefabricated utilising factory mounting points for installation. This kit is manufactured in Australia and the 4WD Shed says it is 100 percent Street Legal and Compliant (approval under VSB LS Codes).

Features Include • • • • •

Full rear Coil Conversion GVM upgrade -extra 360KG MDT Tru Track correction Victorian VASS Engineered Fully Certified Remote Reservoir Shockers and 4 link Rear

The 4WD Shed is an authorised Superior Engineering Stockist and Fitter and says the weld in kit is a perfect addition to your 4x4. It says that when fitted by its qualified staff, it will also organise for your vehicle to be engineered and street legal with the new upgrades and will also do all the legwork and “paper pushing” for you.

Weld in kits are also available for the PX1 and PX2 Ranger, including vehicles with VSC. For more information, visit www.the4wdshed.com and check out the Shed News section or call Phill on 03 9720 8783.

IRONMAN 4X4 EMBOSSED MUD FLAPS

Universal mud flaps to suit 4WDs, Trays, Caravans, Off-Road Trailers and Light Trucks Ironman 4x4 offers premium embossed mud flaps manufactured from premium grade rubber which has been 3D embossed with the Ironman 4x4 logo.

With an approximate fitting time of only 20 minutes, the mud flaps are heavy duty to outlast extreme conditions and are ideal for 4WDs, trays, caravans, off-road trailers and light trucks.

Ironman 4x4 says the mud flaps are sold in pairs and protect your vehicle, other vehicles and pedestrians from mud and other flying debris which is thrown into the air by your vehicle’s tyres.

For more information, visit www.ironman4x4.com 75

INDUSTRY AWARENESS

THIRD PARTY BOOKING PLATFORMS In this article, Craig Baills of Highfields Mechanical takes a look at the Pros and Cons of Third Party Booking Platforms Our industry is awesome, and changing at a rapid pace, quicker than we have ever seen.

If you are like me, you will share a strong passion for our trade, the cars, the customers and the satisfaction that our set of unique skills can achieve.

Keeping up with this change and being aware of the future is something we dare not fall asleep on.

Let’s talk third party booking platforms: love them or hate them, agree or disagree, these platforms exist.

WHAT ARE THEY? Similar to the hotel, airline and insurance industry online booking websites we are seeing, similar platforms take aim at our industry.

As the name suggests and with reference to our industry, a third party booking platform is an agency that signs workshops up to supply you with customers that book online through the agency.

This process gives the consumer the option of booking the vehicles online, at their convenience, and the ability to select the workshop and advertised price of service that suits their requirements and finances.

This all sounds pretty easy if you are the customer and seems reasonably attractive if you are the workshop, delivering extra work for next to no effort on your part.

PROS AND CONS Through this article, I want to explain the pros and cons of these sites and how it may effect your business and our industry.

Pros These booking portals will do the following: 1. Sign your business up and allow you access to their website and marketing programs 2. Reach a large volume of customers in your area and hopefully bring work through your door

3. Allow you to individually quote customer enquiries 4. Allow the client to leave a review on your business on the booking platforms site

Cons They can also: 1. Set your pricing and advertise it to the consumer along with the advertised price of other local workshops in your area that are part of the platform, essentially driving prices down 2. Charge monthly subscriptions and commission fees that are a percentage of the sale and eat into your already depleted profit margins 3. Collect and keep your clients data 4. Take over any google ranking that you may have established on various Search engines 5. Educate your customer to shop for the cheapest price These are the basic pros and cons of these platforms, and it is up to the individual workshops to become more aware of how they may or may not benefit your business and our industry.

I am a massive advocate for the future of our industry, looking 10 years and beyond, and ensuring we are acting to keep it profitable, productive, educated and sustainable. As part of this column, I want you to consider the following: 1. Are these platforms going to help our industry in the next 10 years and if so how?

2. Will they monopolise how our customers find a workshop and dictate the price at which they purchase from you?

3. Will they overcome your online presence taking your business out of play on google searches?

4. Will these platforms improve our hourly charge out rate or will they drive it down?

Craig Baills, Highfields Mechanical 5. Will they help us in attracting new blood to our industry or will the wage rate remain so low that they continue to go elsewhere?

6. What happens with your and your customers data and information once signed up to the platforms?

7. What will the customers’ expectations on pricing become?

There are many opinions floating around on all of the above. One thing is certain though, we all need to become very well educated on what these platforms may or may not bring to the industry.

Do they have the industry at heart or their own back pockets? Do they care about your business or do they care about making money from your business? Have you fully read and understood all of their terms and conditions?

Before committing to any of these booking platforms, ask yourself the questions above and think about the future. When you google search your business, do you want to see your business on the front page of google where you have already spent your hard earned cash on SEO or do you want to see the booking agency take over your position.

I feel that once booking agencies gain traction and become the ‘go to’ for online enquiries, you have then lost your edge and the uniqueness that you have worked so hard to develop and quite possibly entered into a race to the bottom that is endless.

With any new changes that are coming our way, big or small, I ask you to consider how it effects Your Future, Your Business and Our Industry and encourage you to look for long term solutions that enhance your business profits, position and sustainability. Essentially, be sure to ask questions, seek advice and avoid falling victim to short term propaganda.

Here’s to a great future.

Craig Baills, Highfields Mechanical Member of Automotive Repairer Council of Australia (ARCA) Committee

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