Automotive Refinisher May-June 2014 by Automotive Refinisher magazine

AR COVER M-J 2014_NOV/DEC COVER 05 2014/05/13 2:58 PM Page 1

UTOMOTIVE R

MIRKA ABR

RASIVES

T H E V O I C E O F T H E I N D U S T R Y May - June 2014

Edition 173

TOP SHOP

FINLAND

PARAMOUNT TRAILERS

GLOBAL RECALL TREND

IN THIS ISSUE >> >> >> >>

CRA NEWS TOP SHOP DID YOU HEAR? SPRAYGUN SET-UP

COLLISION REPAIR ASSOCIATION 2_Layout 1 2014/03/19 11:25 AM Page 1

Enjoy the recognition you deserve.

In the last two decades the South African collision repair market has really come of age as right across the country top independent repair concerns have moved forward to embrace the changing technology of todays complex modern vehicles. One of the foremost concerns in recent years has been the constant bottom line profitability erosion partially due to the lack of standards which has lead to a over-traded repair environment. Top class independent shops have been left with only policies of a reactive nature and much difficulty in finding a proper return on their investment through a lack of recognition of the standards needed to run a professional repair facility. The Collision Repairers Association has adopted an entirely new approach to the industry and some of its challenges by recruiting the cream of the crop of the repair industry who have invested in standards and continue to put out quality repairs with the aim to please customers. The vast knowledge of the officials and staff will drive forward a strategic plan to improve repairer profits and gain recognition for the vast number of independent key role players in every area of activity in collision repair in South Africa.

The CRA over the past year have worked closely with some major insurers in putting together guidelines to progress the needs of both the insurance and repair sectors. The time has come for major structural repairers and the smaller nonstructural repair shops to have a dedicated voice at the negotiating table. Not only do we have to understand the insurance industry and some of their unique challenges, but we need to also offer long term sustainable solution to problems that have existed over the past 3 decades. The CRA is also driving a recognizable legislated standard via the DTI that will become compulsory for any repairer to trade in South Africa. This should see the repairers that have already invested in standards gain the recognition they so rightly deserve. The industry has certainly been begging for change and change has arrived in the form of the CRA. So call us soon to gain your place on the road forwards with the new trade organisation of the future in collision repairs. JOIN THE CRA AND GET THE RECOGNITION YOU DESERVE!

T he

benchmar k

quality

Call us on 0861 726 272 or Visit www.crasa.org.za

CONTENTS MAY-JUNE 2014_Layout 1 2014/05/19 9:06 AM Page 1

Contents MAY - JUNE 2014

CRA UPDATE

Big Plans Ahead

QASHQAI PRODUCTION UK Focus

ANEST IWATA Industrial Distribution

HENKEL

Loctite Sponsorship

PARAMOUNT TRAILERS Commercial Focus

NEW A.N.I. SPRAYGUN Chemspec Distribution

NACE

Takes Shape

DEVILBISS

Correct Set Up

VERMONT Trade Day

MYSTERIOUS COLOURS De Beer

NEW PRODUCTS Review

4 6 15 24 34 38 46 50 58 78 81

Front Cover & Contents: Front Cover: Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo concept, from Audi TT Quattro Sport Concept Playstations GT6. Below: Land Roverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Discovery Vision Concept, (420hp) alongside a full-scale replica of Virgin Galactics SpaceShipTwo VSS Enterprise - the world's first commercial spaceship.

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LATEST NEWS PRODUCT NEWS

PRESTA - FINEST OF FINISHING PRODUCTS

amily built on a rich tradition of commitment to customer care. Through the years we have built a definition of success that includes a strong, committed group of employees, innovative product development, quality manufacturing processes and customer satisfaction. The Presta line of products has been specifically formulated to deliver exceptional results on all painted surfaces.

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Whether your paint is clearcoat or single stage, whether new or old, Presta products will help you create a dazzling, mirror-like finish. In addition, Presta is the perfect choice for gel coats, mould refinishing, composites, Plexiglas and fibreglass. Our unique system of color-coded chemicals and buffing pads is easy to understand and helps ensure an optimal finish is achieved with each product. All of our compounds are water based, VOC

compliant and easy to clean up. They contain no waxes, silicones or fillers to hide scratches so the finish observed after buffing stays true. With features like these, it’s easy to see why Presta is “The Finest of Finishing Products.” If you would like to learn more about the Presta product range, please contact Bulldog Abrasives on +27 (0)11 786-5991 or sales@bulldogabrasives.co.za.

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FUTURE TECH - by Andrew Marsh

GLOBAL RECALLS A NEW TREND?

Toyota has identified a possible issue affecting the spiral cable assembly in the airbag module fitted to some RAV4 and Hilux models. Due to the shape and location of a retainer for the Flexible Flat Cable in the airbag unit, there may be a risk when the steering wheel is turned of damage to certain circuits that provide connectivity to the airbag.

ne facet of an established automotive business operating in an ever-extending global market is rationalisation of products, components and business systems. All good – except when a problem occurs. A long, long time ago the first automotive company to take global marketing by storm was Daimler-Benz who understood that the product as well as the support was only as good as the weakest link. The result was a series of vehicles with often seriously over specified components and business systems based on licence holders paying for goods in advance of receipt. Effectively the business was shaped by the limitations of the market. To this day the national importers for Mercedes-Benz have to sign up to the vehicle delivery plan up to one year in advance, and cash is paid for those vehicles in advance too. This places unusual pressure on the national sales team, since an error in forecasting will cause huge issues for the national importer. In the UK many decades ago Mercedes-Benz boosted their heavy goods vehicle order just as the whole market peaked and then started its cyclical decline. The result – the import centre awash with unsold trucks and the HQ left with a huge hole in the balance sheet. The solution? That year the UN got a great deal on Mercedes-Benz trucks. Most of the automotive industry has business practice still recognisably based on systems from the 1960s and 1970s. Sure the dressing with social media, the very latest marketing techniques and more besides all exist – but the process of placing an order for a vehicle and completing that order has only really been mildly tweaked. This was in spite of huge efforts to alter the process to make it faster. The problem is vehicle design/development still takes pretty much the same time as it ever did, even though the products are many times more sophisticated, there are many new systems on board and the computing power to simulate the design as well as development process has given immense power to companies. There are two facets to this – a motor vehicle can have anywhere between 5 000 and 25 000 components, each of which needs to be specified as well as ordered. The second facet is the process to produce a really new vehicle is between four and seven years – yet the next big thing we 28

use apart from cars – phones – re-invent themselves every few months. Some manufacturers change visible parts on a regular basis (18 months or less) and so over four to five years end up with a vehicle barely related to its ancestor whilst others perform a mid-life facelift after three years to extract cost and then introduce the allnew vehicle at the fifth to seventh year of manufacture. The first strategy makes revolutionary design change difficult, whilst the latter is more challenging to ensure unforeseen bugs are not introduced. There are some parts that are mostly not worth re-engineering. Door locks and wheels are two examples – because the specialist knowledge inside the suppliers far exceeds the vehicle manufacturer knowledge, and the components are pretty well at the lowest commodity price point anyway. Why would a manufacturer play with such parts? Perhaps only to gain a competitive advantage in terms of component performance and/or price. GM, for example, decided to take engineering an ignition lock switch in-house and eventually built 1.8 million vehicles while using a supplier who had all the capability to do the job themselves. This ‘build to print’ project ended badly with product redesign which has no traceability, and no definitive recall until a few weeks ago. GM is not alone. The number of recalls and the rate at which they are landing would suggest two things: • Vehicle manufacturers are being more open about problems, sooner. • The vehicle design/development process is not working well enough. Think back to 2000. • BMW owned BMW. Now it has ‘i’ brand, Mini and Rolls-Royce. It also has split coupes/cabriolets into new groups, and added a gaggle of SUVs too. • Audi had just five model ranges with 10 body shapes in total. Now it has 12 model ranges with 22 body shapes in total. They are not alone. Almost every single vehicle manufacturer has decided to target ever-decreasing niche sectors with specific models, in the hope that one or more will become a huge success in its own right. Such as the Peugeot 208 or the Mini range, for example. This induces three tension lines inside the vehicle

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www.autoindustryinsider.com design/development process: 1. Increased simulation capability has cut the level of physical testing required on expensive prototype parts. However, such tools are badly exposed where the component is made in a new way, where there is no ‘base line’ data to work from. 2. Increased component sharing between vehicles leads to potentially huge profit gains – but again correcting an error on parts fitted to 100 000 vehicles is less challenging than those fitted to 1 million vehicles. For this reason the proving process should be proportionally more intensive – but the recall evidence would suggest normal proving processes are used instead. 3. Cars – especially cars – are design led products and so an extension of fashion. The problem is the fashion cycle is trying to speed up, and the business delivering functioning product cannot keep pace. Something has to change. Toyota hit trouble because the company ran faster than it could really cope with, and the mistakes were simply gigantic. Many other vehicle manufacturers have had rather less well publicised but otherwise identical experiences. The increasing number of models is set to rise over the next few years simply because many of these vehicle programmes are too late to cancel. In addition some manufacturers – forced by the economic crisis of 2008 – have broken the cycle. Faced with delaying new products they extended existing vehicles way, way beyond the planned replacement date. And the world did not collapse. Suddenly the process that Peugeot used to use decades ago has come back into vogue. Replace vehicles that need to meet new legislation or are failing in the market, but leave successful ones alone. The challenge for the repairer is that this whole story – from product proliferation through to less than robust build quality – will hit the entire sector for more than a decade to come, and yet the correction from the vehicle manufacturers is already underway. The challenge will be to keep up with the blizzard of correction notices and recalls. The sad fact is no matter how hard Government agencies or vehicle manufacturers try, not one recall is ever 100% complete.

General Motors have specified that they have expanded the recall effort to include replacement of the ignition lock cylinder on some models already included in the switch recall. The added repair will alleviate the possibility that ignition keys could slide completely out while the vehicle is being driven. Life will be anything but dull over the next decade in the vehicle collision repair business. About Auto Industry Consulting A uto Industry C onsulting is an independent provider of technical information to the global collision repair industry. Products include Ezi-Methods, our on-line collision repair methods system and A uto Industry Insider, our collision repair industry technical information website. Fo r mo re info rmatio n please visit the w ebsites: www.ezimethods.com and www.autoindustryinsider.com or contact ben.cardy@autoindustryconsulting.com

PHOENIX EXCHANGE AD M-A 2013_Invoice TOYOTA 16-8-05 2013/03/18 1:38 PM Page 1

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INDUSTRY NEWS TRENDS

VW REPLACES ALUMINIUM WITH STEEL

n its quest to save weight Volkswagen is ripping aluminium out of plans and bills of material to replace it with steel. Not, just good oldfashioned steel, they will replace it with much better new type of steel. Volkswagen AG is using new high strength steel to make cars lighter to comply with strict emissions rules confounding forecasts that aluminium would be the metal of choice for reducing weight. High tensile steel is up to six times stronger than conventional steel and helped Volkswagen reduce the new Golf’s weight by about 100 kg while also saving money. Aluminium is about a third of the weight of conventional steel but costs three times as much. “Volkswagen is using high strength steels in increasing amounts. It is a very cost effective way of reducing weight. Using new innovations in steel engineering it is possible to reduce weight without the use for more costly materials such as aluminium and carbon fibre,” Armin Plath, VW’s head of materials research and manufacturing reckons. “Volkswagen uses hot formed, advanced high strength and ultra high strength steel. Other companies also increasingly use these materials. However, Volkswagen may have to change its mind after all,” he continued. As a result of the high demand for the new Golf throughout Europe, with more than 100 000 orders, Volkswagen is planning additional special shifts at its main plant in Wolfsburg. The plans included three additional early shifts on Saturdays in the first quarter of the year, producing 2000 additional vehicles for the European market. The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf has got off to a successful start on the market. Despite the technical modifications to production equipment required at the Wolfsburg and Zwickau plants, more than 800 000 Golfs were once again delivered in 2012. No other European car is more successful or more popular. For more than nine years, the Golf has headed the list of best-selling cars in Europe without interruption. In Germany, the Golf has been the market leader for 37 years. Bloomberg reported that carmakers from Ford Motor Co to Audi AG and Jaguar Land Rover Plc are using record amounts of aluminium to replace heavier steel providing relief to producers of the metal confronting excess supplies and depressed prices. According to Gayle Berry, a London based analyst at Barclays, aluminium content in vehicles is rising about 5% a year and growth will accelerate in the next decade as drivers seek improved fuel economy and lower emissions.

US NEWS

AXALTA COLOUR POPULARITY REPORT

xalta Coatings Systems releases the International Colour Popularity Report. This report is the longest running, most comprehensive in the automotive industry. They are an authority on colour and colour trending information for the automotive industry. “Our global team of colour specialists rely on our advanced forecasting to formulate the next generation of coating colours. The result is an ever-evolving colour palette for automotive designers. As the industry continues to evolve and strives to innovate for customers worldwide, Axalta is committed to partnering with our customers to provide the best possible coatings available,” said David Fischer, vice president of Axalta’s global OEM business. International World Colour Highlights White strengthened is position as the most popular automotive colour among consumers worldwide, growing in popularity by six percentage points over the prior year. Within the white space, 22% of vehicles were solid white and 7% were pearl white. Black was the second most popular colour globally, with 20% of sales, but effect black was preferred more than solid black. Silver at 15% and grey at 12% waned in popularity, while red held steady at 8%. Blue and brown/beige spaces each held 5% of the global market. The remaining colour choices revealed low popularity for green, orange, purples and other spaces, although there was a small increase in the yellow/gold area. Overall, neutral colours have been widely popular over the last decade and make up 76% of todays vehicles. North America, at 26%, white continued to increase in popularity and remained the most popular colour choice for the seventh consecutive year. At 20%, black also increased in popularity as consumers gravitated towards black effects in the luxury SUV segments. Silver has continued its slow decline along with grey. The two most popular chromatic colours choices are red at 9% and blue at 7%,

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Mexico prefers the lighter neutrals with white at 32% and silver at 18%. Black falls third at 17% in Mexico. Other colours in Mexico fall in line with the overall North American trends. Europe: preference for white increased 5% in 2013 to capture 29% of new car sales with solid white being the most popular variant. At 21%, black was the second most preferred colour, but decreased in popularity compared to 2012. Interest in grey and silver waned in 2013 in line with global trends. Blue decreased slightly and red slightly increased to bring both to 7% levels. Asia: in Asia, neutrals reached 75% of the market, a 2% point increase over 2012, still short of 2001 levels when neutrals made up 86% of the palette. Red was the most popular non-neutral colour used on vehicles. Japan continued to report white as the most popular colour for the seventh year in a row, followed by black and silver. Grey’s popularity at 7% was low compared to other world trends. Blue was the most colourful choice at 7% of the market. In China, black continued to remain strong, especially on luxury vehicles. However, interest in white increased in line with its overall global popularity. Blue, green and yellow were low in popularity compared to colourful reds and browns. In South Korea, white remained the number one preference at 32% of the market. Silver was a distant second at 18%. Grey held third place followed by black as the lighter colour spaces dominated the market. Silver remained the most popular colour in India at 30%. White was a close second at 28%, as these light colours proved to be popular in the warm climate. Browns/beiges were popular at 10% but darker colours like black received little interest, holding only 7% of the market. South America, at 29%, white eclipsed silver to take top spot for the first time since 2001, followed closely by black at 14%. Grey and red followed in popularity at 9% each. Red remained the fifth most popular colour since 2002. Other Countries and Regions In Russia, white held the top colour space at 18%. In contrast to other countries, green proved popular in Russia with 8% of the market. Light colour spaces dominated Africa with white, silver and grey at the top. 31

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LOCAL UPDATE

by Dave Fall

PRODUCT PROFILE

A FAMILY AFFAIR

he success story for City Paint & Hardware, the automotive and refinish specialists based in the Mother City, is surely set to continue for Gavin Kinnear and this familyrun business by recently celebrating their 10th anniversary with the opening of an allnew branch found at the corner of Koeberg and Royal roads, Maitland, Cape Town. Gavin felt the time was ripe to expand the business – no easy decision in today’s world – but this hands-on family concern know a thing or two about what makes an enterprise such as this work well. “We are never afraid to ask questions from our clients and customers, we really want to help the smaller guys who are possibly starting out in their new business ventures by offering friendly advice, sound products and an over-the-counter automotive and refinish experience second to none.” Just a few weeks down the line and already the new store is undertaking 20 to 30 mixes per day from the Maitland outlet, under the watchful eye of colour match expert Louis Hess, who has been with the company a number of years. Finding the right premises in the heart of busy Maitland, the hub of the smaller entrepreneur, has taken Gavin 12 months to locate and finally secure but now feels the existing store at Okavango Junction, about 25 kilometres to the north of the Mother

Owner Gavin Kinnear has opened up an all-new automotive and refinish supply shop in downtown Maitland, Cape Town. City, and adjacent to the busy N1 highway and manned by 11 staff members, is perfectly capable of standing on its own two feet these days. “Meanwhile, there’s lots to offer customers at the new premises, along with support and expert advice and a good choice in etch primers, masking film/tape, air hose, spray guns, body fillers, a good range of power tools such as orbital sanders, grinders, spray guns and, of course, fine

quality automotive paint and industrial coatings to undertake that really excellent paint finish – all courtesy of Kapci Coatings, his preferred paint supplier.” • Gavin and his team can be located at City Paint and Abrasives, Okavango Junction, +27 (0)21 981 2112/3, fax: 086 555 2425 or from their new premises at Koeberg Road, Maitland. Phone Gavin at 082 853 9297 for further info.

WHAT’S NEW AT KAPCI COATINGS?

apci has a welcome addition to their range of putties in the form of the new K360 Polyfibre putty. This is a transparent two-pack product in one kilogram cans for ease of use, and is specifically designed to cater for repair work on fibreglass substrates such as canopies, etc. This quickdrying product saves at least a day normally spent in applying the traditional fibreglass matt and resin, as it dries within 15 minutes and is ready to flat. In addition, one can mix a small amount to requirement and not run the risk of the whole can of product drying out, as happens with traditional fibreglass resin. It goes without saying that this putty can also be used on other substrates with equal success. Welcome news indeed for those of you struggling with fibreglass repairs on a regular basis. K355 Elastic Putty Kapci continue to grow their range of putties with the recent addition of the new K355 Elastic putty. This polyester putty is a dark grey twin-pack product in one kilogram cans with a catalyst in tubes. It is an extremely flexible product, specially designed to repair any kind of plastic surface, and is also suitable for the repair of polyester components. The dark anthracite colour is intended to closely replicate the original material, that then makes the whole process of recoating the plastic part with a standard primer filler so much more uncomplicated. If the popularity of the other putties in the Kapci range is anything to go by, this new addition should find its’ own place in a very short space of time. 32

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KAPCI COATINGS Tel: +27 11 834 1252 Fax: +27 11 834 1259 Email: info@kapci.co.za

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LOCAL INSPIRATION COMMERCIAL FOCUS

PARAMOUNT TRAILERS HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL

aramount Trailers are based in a new 72 000m2 manufacturing facility in Midvaal, south of Johannesburg â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a far cry from where business began in Alrode in 1997. Even though the company has grown in size and numbers, the family-run feel still holds strong. Fernando Marques, CEO, has always been in the transport industry. Warren Marques, Fernandoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son, joined Paramount in 2014 as managing director. Their core business is the manufacturing of new commercial trailers while repairs, servicing and refurbishments form part of their support infrastructure. Their 300 employees and on-site design team enable any customer to design their own custom made trailer for their business. Their team has significant industry knowledge that allows for the best guidance on the design of any trailer. The new workshop was designed in-house by the senior management team, right alongside the architects. They already had an end goal in mind of what the new premises needed to offer the business now, and into the future. Four spraybooths were installed from Ultimate Spray and Blast Equipment. Quick drying paint is used to match any colour the client wants. TST Chassis Straightening are used for any chassis straightening on the trailers that need repair. Repair numbers vary on a monthly basis as well as the severity of repair. Paramount Trailers currently manufacture approximately 80 trailers a month and are looking to grow this number to 100 a month by early 2015. Their training remains fairly informal and is heavily reliant on their workshop managers to provide on-the-job training. They have entered into a relationship with the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) and are currently training students. With Paramount Trailers already enjoying their new premises, they are looking for opportunities to grow even more and have launched a new Paramount Truck Centre for the trading of used trucks and trailers. The proverb that says from small beginnings come great things is surely true for the hard working Parmount team. 34

Paramount Trailers have a full production line concept running in the new factory in Midvaal.

Using state-of-the-art laser plasma cutter panels are always accurate.

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Story by Claire Macfie & pics by Ian Groat

The Paramount Trailer Management team from left: Paulo Ribeiro, Fernando Marques and Warren Marques.

Expanding with greater investment has been a big focus point for this companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business of trailer making.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a labour intensive business making trailers of all types and sizes. The company is supported by a skilled workforce.

Descaling and final fitment underway and ready for the painting process.

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GLOBAL NEWS Paint & coatings demand (thousand metric tons). Annual growth in %

2007

2012

Paint & Coatings Demand

34 980

43 130

51 600

2/8

5.2

North America

7 825

7 065

8 660

-2.0

4.2

Western Europe

6 575

5 560

6 140

-3.3

2.0

Asia/Pacific

12 255

18 465

25 800

8.5

6.9

Other

8 325

9 040

11 000

1.7

4.0

REFINISH INFO

GLOBAL DEMAND FOR COATINGS TO REACH 51.6 METRIC TONS BY 2017

he Freedonia Group forecasts the paint and coatings demand by region until 2017. Source: The Freedonia Group "Advances will be driven by a strong rebound in global building construction, particularly in North America, Europe, and Japan, which will fuel increased demand for architectural paintâ&#x20AC;?, according to analyst Kent Furst of The Freedonia Group. Manufacturing and specialty coatings demand will also grow at a more rapid pace compared to recent historical trends, benefiting from an improved outlook for motor vehicle production and overall industrial output. However, gains will be limited by the increased use of higher quality coatings in both the developed and developing world, reducing the volumes necessary to complete a given paint job. Water-based coatings and other high solids formulations will gain share over solvent-borne products in virtually all world markets, as paintmakers continue to reduce emissions of volatile organic

compounds in coatings to comply with government regulations and consumer preferences. These and other trends are presented in World Paint & Coatings, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm. Asia/Pacific fastest growing region The Asia/Pacific region will continue to be the largest and fastest growing coatings market through 2017, rising to account for half of global demand. Gains will be led by robust growth in China, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest national coatings market, although advances will slow somewhat from the double-digit annual pace of the 2002-2012 period. Even faster growth is forecast for the large Indian market, while other countries in Asia such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam will see strong gains as well. In North America, a marked turnaround in building construction activity will fuel healthy growth in coatings demand, while Western

2017

20072012

20072017

Europe and Japan will see similar (though slower) rebounds in the coatings market. Achitecture Architectural markets will continue to account for the majority of paint and coatings demand in 2017. Demand for architectural paint will be fuelled by an improved outlook for residential building activity in high income countries, as well as rising urbanization and housing construction spending in the developing world. Coatings demand in manufacturing applications will benefit from an uptick in world motor vehicle production, while an improvement in building construction activity will boost demand for furniture coatings. Maintenance and specialty markets will be driven by rising demand for protective coatings in industrial and oil and gas applications, while increasing rates of motor vehicle ownership in moderate income countries will benefit demand for auto refinish paints and road and bridge coatings.

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOT?

NIGERIA SET TO BE A LUCRATIVE MARKET FOR COATINGS

he sales volume of industrial paints and coatings across South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya is estimated to reach 142.1 million litres in 2017. The increase in infrastructure and maintenance spending by the private and public sector in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya is lending momentum to industrial markets of those countries. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, analysis of the industrial paints and coatings market for South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya (soon to be released), finds that the sales volume of industrial paints and coatings across the three countries stood at 101.2 million litres in 2012. This is estimated to reach 142.1 million litres in 2017. The study covers wood, powder, can and 36

coil, marine, and industrial protective coatings. Powder, marine and industrial protective coatings represent key growth areas within the market. The increase in infrastructure and maintenance spending by the private and public sector in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya is lending momentum to the industrial paints and coatings market in these countries. Nigeria presents the most opportunities due to the Government's success in stimulating private and public involvement in development projects, such as the landlord management model, introduced in 2006, to enable private companies to handle operations at Nigeria's ports. With the expected rollout of several new

development projects by the Government as well as private players, the local production capacity utilisation of paints and coatings in Nigeria will increase significantly from its 2010 level of 35 to 40%. However, the rising price of raw materials is pushing up the cost of industrial paint and coating production. The fluctuating exchange rates are also a cause for concern especially for Kenyan industry participants, as most raw materials used in the manufacturing of paints and coatings are imported. Furthermore, the influx of competitively priced paints and coatings into South Africa from countries such as China and India is diverting customers from local manufacturers.

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LOCAL NEWS SPRAY EQUIPMENT

A.N.I NEW GENERATION SPRAY EQUIPMENT NOW IN SOUTH AFRICA

ounded in 1962, A.N.I. S.p.A. produces and distributes accessories for compressed air systems and equipment for use in automotive repair, hardware and tool making applications under its own name. The company is an international leader in its specific sector and is represented all around the world. The A.N.I. premises in Italy covers a total surface area of 10 000m2, and has approximately 90 employees and 40 agents world-wide, which reflects a strong focus on exports which comprises roughly 60% of its production to nations all around the world.

Made In Italy Production is guaranteed by sophisticated and modern machine tools, such as combined automated machines for automatic assembly, multi-spindle lathes for high production, numerical control work units and seven robots. In order to assure best quality all products are tested at the end of the assembly phase. The final testing of professional paint spray guns is even more rigorous. It is performed on every single gun with paints in a spray booth in order to ensure the best performance to the final user. During the different production stages, the products are constantly monitored so as to avoid problems that can compromise the quality of the end product. Accurate control of raw materials and a well-trained workforce, helped by three-dimensional electronic measuring instruments, delivers a constant best-quality production level minimal wastage. Quality In 1996 ANI’s Quality System was certified for the first time to conform with the ISO 9000 standard and in 2002 ANI renewed the Quality System according to the new ISO 9001:2000 regulation with certification from the Bureau Veritas Quality International Italia. Rigorous testing of incoming materials and production, careful selection of reliable suppliers, maximum support to customers and highly efficient internal working methods, are fundamental for the organization of the Company and ensure maximum production efficiency in all sectors at all times. Exciting Chemspec

New

Partnership

With

A.N.I. S.p.A is proud to be associated with Chemspec, the New Generation Coatings Company everyone is talking about. Established in 1957, ChemSpec has focused on the high technology sectors of automotive paint, wood finish and industrial coatings. Down the years the company has pioneered several firsts in these categories, and are well known in these markets for their technical prowess. ChemSpec are SA’s only exporter of automotive paint, and their operation in the lucrative USA market imports paint systems from SA, as well as manufacturing a variety of ranges at the factory in Ohio. ChemSpec has enjoyed significant acclaim in this market with the development of their environmentally friendly HYDROLUX waterborne auto paint brand, which is considered to be the benchmark in the 38

waterborne category. Our strong focus on international partnerships with technology-leading, innovative associates is proved by relationships with companies such as Akzo Nobel, a Fortune 500 company and the largest paint and coatings company in the world, whose SIKKENS car refinish brand is the official technology partner to the McLaren Formula 1 team. Other partnerships with leading international coatings companies also include full licence agreements with Hesse Lignal, Germany’s largest woodfinish company, and Transocean Coatings, whose extensive research and development has since 1959 yielded a range of the highest quality coatings to the entire world. ChemSpec is listed on the JSE Alt-X and are the largest South African-owned coatings manufacturing operation. The company is very proud of their SA roots and enjoy the fact that their locally developed ranges compete head-on with some of the largest brands in the world, even in developed markets such as the US, Australia and New Zealand. All eyes are on this new generation coatings company as they enter a new era in their development.

The A.N.I gun has a state-of-the-art detachable digital air pressure gauge which greatly assists in the spraying set-up.

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AFRICA NEWS KIA “GREEN LIGHT” PROJECT

WHAT’S HOT?

KIA LAUNCHES ‘GREEN LIGHT’ PROJECT IN MOZAMBIQUE

ia supports the new Green Light School in latest global CSR project. The project focuses on education and health and is supported by a school bus and ambulance service. Kia is to support this project for next five years with a $14 million US investment. Kia Motors Corporation announced the expansion of its ongoing global CSR programme, the ‘Green Light Project’, as it celebrated the grand opening of a new Green Light School in Helene, Mozambique. The ceremony drew an attendance of 1 500 local residents and dignitaries, including Agostinho Trinta, national director of Mozambique’s Ministry of Education, and Regina Miguel Langa, provincial director for Education. Key Kia figures behind the project also attended the grand opening, including Mun-Yong Chung, president of Kia Middle East & Africa regional headquarters, and Chang-Muk Choi, Kia Motors Corporation’s head of CSR management team. Since its establishment in 2012, Kia’s Green Light Project, a global social mobility programme – has sought to improve the accessibility of health and education for disadvantaged youths in some of the poorest regions in the world. Kia’s latest Green Light School initiative is the first in Mozambique, and follows two years of investments in Tanzania and Malawi.

This new initiative was accompanied by vehicles to support the school’s operation including school buses and an ambulance service. The first stage of Kia’s project in Mozambique will continue until 2018. Kia expects to make a total investment of $14 million US in the project over the next five years. In addition to supporting the educational facility with new infrastructure, Kia plans to invest in the school itself over the next five years by providing educational materials and medical treatments, particularly anti-malarials. Additional support for local officials and residents will help ensure the Green Light School’s independence in future. Chang-Muk Choi commented, “Since 2012, Kia has invested approximately $2 million every year into its Green Light Project, and we plan to initiate two additional projects this year across Africa. Through these projects, we hope to create greater opportunities for underprivileged adults and children in these regions, and improve their quality of life as a result.” In August this year, a number of volunteers from Kia’s global network will visit the site of Kia’s first Green Light Project, Tanzania, to participate in community service activities with local residents. Kia also plans to expand its Green Light Project into Ethiopia in the next 12 months.

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AFRICAN UPDATE WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOT?

ZAMBIA ON INDUSTRY STANDARDS CRUSADE

ollowing the increase of motor vehicles and the subsequent increase in demand for professional repair works in Zambia, the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), has developed standards for managing and classifying collision repair centres that carry out accident damaged vehicles. The standards are intended to assist the service provider to develop and improve service delivery while it also helps the customer identify a service provider that would meet the collision repair needs. ZABS is a Statutory Organisation established by an Act of Parliament Cap 416 of the laws of Zambia, responsible for the establishment and promulgation of Zambian Standards. They held a series of two day workshops in Lusaka, Livingstone, Kitwe and Mpika in May. The Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications being in charge of all government motor vehicles has been identified as being of valuable

From left to right: FNB Zambia Head of Vehicle and Asset Finance, Cleaphas Takaiza, Director of Standards at TEVETA, Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication and Captain John Kasanga, Controller of all Government Transport. They are listening to Aer-O-Cure boss Walter Lenaert, second from right, as he explains the quality product range of equipment.

importance towards the implementation of these standards. The ZABS has requested each government ministry, agency and state owned enterprises to nominate transport and procurement officers so that they can familiarise themselves with the standards. This programme is expected to be rolled out to all insurance companies soon. The inaugural Zambia Automotive Exhibition Conference takes off on the 2829 August 2014. Collision Repair Industry standards will be one of the highlights of the event. Derrick Mwango has organised a full line-up of events related to the collision repair industry involving the Insurance

Association of Zambia, ZABS and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Going by the recently gazetted collision repair standards, it is clear that the sophistication now being employed in the collision repair will require any forward looking body shop operators to invest and upgrade their facilities in new environmentally friendly refinish paint systems, while keeping abreast of new electronic body measuring equipment coming onto the market. For more information contact Derrick Mwango@hotmail.com

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DID YOU HEAR? by Roger McCleery

WALKER REUNITED WITH HIS FATHER’S RUDGE Renowned motorsport commentator Murray Walker was surprised and overwhelmed when as guest of honour at a Royal Automobile Club dinner, he was reintroduced to one of his father’s old racing motorcycles. To millions, the name Murray Walker is synonymous with Formula One, but as the son of Graham Walker, a successful motorcycle racer in the 1920s and ‘30s, his first love was bikes and his early career centred around motorcycling. Indeed the doyen of F1 commentary often said, “Four wheels good, two wheels better.” Murray was obviously deeply moved by the sight of the old racing warhorse. “For once I’m almost speechless,” said the 90-year-old broadcaster. “This is absolutely astounding. My father was a great man to me. I have 15 silver replicas of his TT bikes and to see these here together after all these years is overwhelming.”

DID YOU HEAR? by Roger McCleery Listen to Ro ger McC leery every Tuesday o n Radio To day (1485 A M) at17h30 fo r everything abo ut SA mo to ring.

ehicle sales in March held up compared to February. 55 363 vehicles were sold in March, compared to 51 794 in February. Exports also did well, going up by 2 500 units. This is all despite the industry basically forecasting a drop perhaps of 3%. Generally the tough months ahead start in July when sales do historically take a dip. Anyway, it is better than all of us thought. Biggest sellers in the market were Toyota with 11 688 and 8 000 exports. Volkswagen was the biggest passenger car seller with 8 800 and 6 200 exports. Then came Ford (6 289 sales, 2 851 exports) and General Motors with Isuzu, Chev and Opel hitting 5 165. As always, biggest-selling vehicle was the Toyota Hilux, followed by the Volkswagen Polo Vivo at 2 553. Francis Harnie is now the MD of both Peugeot and Citroën in

Tel: 011 425 4062 Franz: 082 463 6284 Email: info@specialheat.com 1 Madeley Street, Rynfield, Benoni

South Africa. Other good news from Peugeot is that they are thinking of assembling a Peugeot 301 in South Africa in the not too distant future. Could start as a SKD unit and changing to CKD when the volume goes up. Hyundai is back in World Rallying. They entered three Hyundai i20 rally cars in the third round of the World Rally Championship in Mexico and finished on the podium. It’s official. Honda’s 1000cc 109 hp Mean lawnmower set up a new Guinness World Record. It averaged 187.6 km/h to break the previous record by over 45 km/h. This all happened in Spain with Piers Ward of the BBC’s Top Gear magazine at the controls. The Mean Mower was designed and built in the UK by Honda’s British Touring Car Championship partner, Team Dynamics. The engine

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came from a Honda VTR Firestorm motorcycle with wheels from an ATV. Hyundai has just launched an Accent Hatch. It’s good looking, with all the bells and whistles. The six-speed manual retails at R235 000 and the four-speed Auto sells for R245 000. It uses a 1.6, 91kW engine. Fits in nicely between their small i20 and i30 models. Toyota has given their iconic Hilux the Dakar treatment to pay homage to the success they have had in the world’s toughest race – the Dakar. It’s is a limited edition with lots of styling changes. If you have got a 1984 or older motorcycle and want to get a good price for it, then Mike Cox is your man. He has found a ready market for them in the UK. Get hold of him at the Historic Motorcycle Club. Mahindra has celebrated 10 years of increasing successes here in South Africa. They started with the Bolero pick-up and 7-seater Scorpio SUV and have now sold more than 25 000 vehicles here. In 2012 they were declared the fastest growing brand in South Africa. Audi, having record-breaking sales each month, have produced a more powerful engine for their A8. They have three models: a 3.0-litre diesel Quattro, a 4.2-litre Quattro and an S8 4.0-litre petrol turbo Quattro. They are magnificent cars to drive. GWM (Great Wall Motors) after starting here in South Africa selling bakkies, have increased their range to include well priced and well specced hatches. They have introduced two new compact sedans for the first time – a new C30 and C50. Quality features and silence of operation are right there with the best. China is not lagging behind anybody. Volkswagen Golf has celebrated 40 years, (36 years in SA), as one of the most successful models of all time. 30 million models have been sold worldwide, including 705 000 City Golfs locally. SsangYong, the South Korean vehicle manufacturer, now part of the Mahindra empire, has received rave notices from German magazines. Their Rexton W is rated second best offroad SUV in a comparison test with the Land Cruisers, Wranglers and Defenders. Fuel consumption, good engine performance and an affordable price did it for them. They also received the Irish Motoring Writers’ SUV of the Year Award for 2014. Geely, currently with styling studios in Germany, Spain and the US and owners of Volvo, are coming out with new small turbo engines and a new luxury sport sedan, the EC9. Last year Geely sold 550 000 units and expect to go up by 6% this year. They also own the London Taxi Manufacturer Co. So they are really going places. Volkswagen’s Auto Pavilion in Uitenhage has in 10 years received 450 710 school groups, students, foreign and local, to see the genuine Volkswagen history in South Africa. The last Beetle manufactured in Uitenhage is currently on show. You think cars have good warranties these days, like looking after you for five years over enormous distances. They pale into insignificance with the Freightliner trucks. They are now introducing a five-year or 800 000km warranty on their trucks. Beat that if you can. Suzuki is going places with their new SX4. This is a cross-over four-wheel drive which shows off Suzuki’s compact car knowhow with technologies honed for sport utility vehicles. Remember, the Jimny was their entry into this off-road market ages ago and still sells nearly 100 per month. The SX4 with its 1.6 litre engine is impressive. All Suzuki products sold in SA are now united into a single business entity owned by Suzuki themselves. That is cars, motorcycles, all terrain vehicles and outboards. All express the “Suzuki way of life”. The all-new Ford Mustang made its silver screen debut in March in a new film called “Need for Speed”. It is like a video game played on a big screen. The “Need for speed” game has sold more than 120 million units. Cayenne Motorcycles, who are Honda’s biggest dealer in the country, also import the MV Agusta. From the 12 models sold previously per annum, they now sell 200 per year. They are bringing in the iconic Norton brand as well plus the Italian Beta, Bimoto and a stack of secondhand motorcycles at great prices.

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HD KOREK

An all new straightening system for heavy duty vehicles Fully approved by Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles

The compact Korek HD floor frame features a double layer ground frame for robust performance and easy set-up. The flexible tower assemblies are highly mobile. It offers extended cab tower pulls with traction pulls of 20 tons per basic tower. The towers are simple to fix as they operate on rollers and are fixed to the HD Korek frame by four wedges with three main stands on offer. This is coupled to 30 ton composition hydraulic sets. The options for a perfect chassis cab and frame straightening job are endless as well as painless. As far as speed of output and profitability are concerned, the HD Korek offers major profitability at a reasonable entry level cost. It is ideal for both CV repairers and large fleet operators as an investment in Truck repair. 30 Ton Stand

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LATEST NEWS TECHNICAL UPDATE

New spray guns employ cutting edge fluid dynamics in coping with various viscosity materials.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CORRECT SPRAY GUN SET-UP

hil Merrifield has worked with DeVilbiss Automotive Refinish and the leading automotive refinish paint manufacturers in training and product development for more than 25 years. Phil has made it perfectly clear that the days when professional automotive refinishers could use a tatty old primer gun and a “decent” top coat gun to paint every vehicle that came through the bodyshop are long gone. So, we let Phil explain the importance of the correct set ups for your spray gun. Today, professional refinishing materials can range from low viscosity wash etch primers, to higher viscosity filler primers and ultra high solid clears. In addition, there are the combinations of waterborne basecoats and filler materials, which all atomise differently and can be dramatically affected by humidity and temperature. This is the reason why the DeVilbiss GTi Pro LITE gravity spray gun was developed with special focus on atomisation, working with the full range of refinish products from all the leading refinish paint manufacturers. The range of air caps and fluid tips working with the one common fluid needle has been the subject of continuous development for almost a century and that continues today as DeVilbiss ensure that todays’ professional refinishers have the control they need to apply every refinish material accurately, whilst maintaining optimum material transfer and the speed they need to reduce process times that are key to bodyshop profitability. Computational Fluid Dynamics has played a vital role in the development of the air cap, fluid tip and needle profiles of the Pro LITE gravity spray gun and the importance of “the front end” as we call it, is the key to the painter choosing the correct set up for the material being sprayed. In addition, by using the correct combination, painters can adjust their spray gun performance, including air flow and fluid flow to suit cold, wet conditions from a French winter to the warm, dry conditions of a Spanish summer. This flexibility is of vital importance to both bodyshops and the paint companies as the Pro LITE is the first spray gun to be designed on a global basis, to work in every environment, virtually regardless of temperature and humidity, which is particularly important when spraying waterbornes. Even solvent based clearcoats can be influenced by climatic conditions, though. In Norway the spray viscosity will be different to

Improved fit and feel are important to avoid fatigue while spraying. Lightweight construction is a key factor in all this. 50

that when spraying in the warmer Saudi Arabian climate and the correct set up can ensure optimum performance of your spray gun regardless of where your bodyshop is situated, the weather or the material being used. As an example let’s take a look at the three most popular automotive refinish air caps and how each performs: The TE10 offers a comparatively low air flow of 270 litres per minute, which will give a finer, wetter pattern. The TE20 is a medium air flow cap, moving 350 litres per minute, which provides the sprayer with a balance or mid point, while the HV30, an HVLP air cap is designed to provide a high air flow of 460 litres per minute, which gives more drying effect. Meanwhile the fluid tips work in a similar way to give total flexibility and solving the temperature and humidity issues that can affect waterbornes. Therefore the 1.2 fluid tip gives a low fluid flow but the 1.3 gives a higher fluid flow, so the painter can alter the fluid flow to suit the application. For example, where you are painting waterbornes in high humidity, which slows the drying time, the painter should choose a small fluid tip size and a high air flow cap to provide drier application i.e. HV30-1.2. At the other end of the scale, low humidity speeds up the drying time, so the painter needs to select a large fluid tip and a cap with lower air flow for a wetter application i.e. TE10-1.3. Ambient temperature can also affect waterborne paint performance. Low temperatures slow the drying time, so once again a smaller tip size should be chosen, together with a high air flow cap for drier application. Naturally, high temperatures will demand the opposite set up for a wetter application. The PRi Pro spray gun fitted with a 1.4 fluid tip has been developed for the perfect application of wet-on-wet (non sanding) and wash/etch primers, while switching to a 1.6 or 1.8 fluid tip helps to improve the application of the higher viscosity filler primer materials – and this formula can be applied to any professional spray gun with the same range of set ups. Turning to the application of waterborne basecoats using the GTi Pro LITE, the painter should select the TE10-1.2 combination to give excellent metallic control and switch to the TE20-1.3 set up to give the gun the extra power needed to apply a high solids clear. For the full range of correct set ups for every leading automotive refinish paint manufacturer’s product, painters can download the paint set up data sheets at www.devilbisseu.com.

Make sure you use the recommended refinish set up for the material being used as atomisation varies on Mica, Basecoats, 2K Solid colour and high solid clearcoats for every rework being done.

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MIRKA FACTORY TOUR, FINLAND

A PIONEER IN DUST FREE SANDING

The new Mirka training centre features state-of-the-art refinishing technology and was commisioned one year ago at a cost of three and a half million Euro. It’s used for training customers and insurers on systems in automotive refinish and health and safety.

“A special range of both pneumatic and electric tools has been a major development in the Mirka brand”, says Joakim Asp.

Mirka are surface preparation trainers for many top paint manufacturers.

irka is a world leader in the manufacture of abrasives. The secret behind their success is down to two main factors: Mirka’s renowned capacity for innovation and the company’s focus on overall solutions. Mirka offers complete sanding systems consisting of abrasives, polishing compounds and tools, backed by a team of support specialists. “Close relations with end users is one of the cornerstones of our business. Most of our products were actually developed on the basis of customer feedback,” says the company CEO Stefan Sjöberg. In time for the company’s 70th anniversary in 2013, Mirka built a new technology centre at the company headquarters in Jeppo, Finland, a move that will strengthen the customer relations. The centre will fulfill the vision of combining product development, marketing and training by teaching customers and distributors from all around the globe how to use Mirka’s products. Thanks to the new 54

centre, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, it is now possible to train considerably more people than before. “Our goal is to train roughly 2 000 people every year. It is not enough that customers are simply buying our products, to reach the best results they must also be able to use them properly,” development director Mats Sundell emphasises. Today Mirka is the most important unit in the KWH Group, its parent company. However, that has not always been the case, for many years Mirka was merely seen as a small but promising company. The real breakthrough coincided with the turn of the millennium when Mirka presented something completely unique: a dust-free sanding system. The patented net sanding solution saves both time and money whilst making the work place environment healthier. So what exactly is the secret behind Mirka’s knack for innovation?

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The Mirka Abranet system reduces grit sizes to a minimum for stock holding optimization. The optimised ultrafine sanding processes save time and money in the workplace by using Abranet.

Large training practical sessions take place using latest technical theory. The state-of-the-art refinish centre enables attendees to get the very best Mirka abrasive polishing result. “We have highly motivated employees who are, in a good way, never satisfied. We believe there is always room for improvement. And despite being a global company with almost a thousand employees Mirka still retains the company culture of a family business,” Sjöberg states. Mirka’s biggest customer groups have traditionally been in industries working within automotive refinishing, vehicle manufacturing and wood processing. In the future the company expects to grow in sectors such as the abrasive grinding of engine parts and computer screens. The company’s research and development division is already experimenting with plastic printed film. Mirka has been exporting abrasives since the 1960’s but it is only in the last few years that it has established subsidiary companies around the world. Previously the company grew organically but now

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it has stepped up the pace. “You have to capture the market quickly in order to succeed. In India our timing has been perfect,” says Vinay Mathur, vice president, sales, Asia Pacific. Mirka’s fastest growth rate is to be found in the BRIC countries. A lot of this growth is due to the new sales structure. “We have a model that truly works. Thanks to our own sales offices we manage to stay close to our customers,” says Simon Bloxham, vice president, sales. Despite a strong global presence, Mirka’s entire manufacturing is still based in Finland. This is possible due to constant investment in automation and logistics. Mirka is also a forerunner in environmental issues. In early 2014 a new bio-energy plant opened at the factory in Jeppo. The plant converts waste from Mirka’s manufacturing, as well as wood chips and other waste-based fuels into energy. This investment considerably reduces the company’s carbon footprint. 55

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INTERVIEW STEFAN SJOBERG, MIRKA CEO

O Q

n a recent flying visit to the world renowned abrasive manufacturer, Mirka, the publisher got a chance to interview Mirka’s CEO Stefan Sjöberg on just what’s powering the KWH Group forward in global markets. Mirka Global exporters of specialised abrasives and other related collision repair products continue to grow despite the international global slow down, how is that happening? I feel that in the last few years Mirka have developed a very specialised focus on our automotive body shop repair side of the operation with a product range of systems that offer the end user real savings in both turn around times and lower input repair costs. Development of new ultra fine grits in our research division is forging a new pathway in the way that things get done in body repair. Customer value chain experience for those who are using Mirka products are increasing our core business on a year-by-year basis. The all new 3.5 million Euro training centre helps the roll out of Mirka technology where upwards of 2 000 customers will learn

about repair efficiencies. Each year in the Mirka way of doing things right the first time, our training of international trainers to gain the very best results has had a secondary spin off. We like to establish new export markets for the Mirka brand where companies fully understand what each company product does in improving the way forward. You have a number of different factory manufacturing sites in Finland. Just how did these production sites come into the Mirka business? Jeppo, Oravais, Karis, Jakobstad all produce different products for the group in micro abrasives, polishes and optimised net sanding, Abranet Abrasives, with our research and development and training division. There is also a planned in-house hotel to accommodate international visitors and trainees visiting Finland within our new areas of manufacturing to be specific. The all new electrical and pneumatic tool ranges which were only in start-up production a few years back already account for almost 10% of total

Q A

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company turnover so to be honest, developments in micro abrasives and say the polish making division will carry on with good growth as almost 50% of total turnover is automotive based products. It’s a big focus for us. We’re at levels of triple shifting 24/7 to keep pace with international demand. Do you see expanding the Mirka product line-up in abrasives polishing systems and small hand tools as ongoing development? In surface finishing the business is always going to be tied together with our historical abrasive outlook. It now extends into other value propositions that cover high performance surface repair hand tools where any operator needs to keep a strict control of repair output quality. So as the refinish brands move towards waterborne clearcoats and ultra hard ceramics Mirka needs to be in good shape to handle these new materials in the body repair work place. These are the business drivers right now in the high end of the business. Tell us a bit about yourself and how you found yourself at Mirka? I have a business marketing background and obtained a degree in this area and as a Business Master. I went on the back of my Masters degree in economics and enjoyed real time working exposure with other multinational companies, like Ericsson Telecom, including one of sail boat yacht building where the competition is always very intense and also the attention to final quality is all important, much like Mirka I might add. But I must say, I love this job right now. The quality of our people within the group is fantastic and one of the great things about the Finnish way is that right across the company and every stage of production or manufacturer, the sense of commitment is evident. That’s why we’re on top of the world markets. Building on that, Mirka have gone on to maintain local production despite other markets offering cheaper input production costs, why is this? It’s all about maintaining the quality of our brand as we continue to develop standard production methods. Your key people can’t be spread out too thin on world manufacturing plants and our labour and its intellect and commitment to overall Mirka brand leadership is made huge by mechanising our manufacturing process technology. By doing this we have been able to keep costs at competitive levels. A major investment has seen the all new training building come into being last year. Do you feel the rewards will be seen from this big spend? Yes, its absolutely the very best of everything with the newest equipment standards, auditoriums and practical plus theory training. We have designed it for many years of success ahead. Mirka feel that our competitors edge lies in the area of surface preparation in the vehicle repair process. So when you can train up to 1 500 to 2 000 people the correct way each year the business both expands and the technical staff fully understand the process we embarked upon. Which is the biggest challenge facing Mirka and its brands right now going forward? Right now its got to be exchange rates. We’re operating in 93 world markets and 60% of total revenue of sales is within the EEC markets. Unfavourable exchange rates hurt our profitability and also decrease demand from some markets because we’re not always able to be competitive. The Euro is very high right now, so it’s a tough set of conditions to operate within. Tell us about the technical developments that are under way in research and development and what keeps you ahead? The research budget at Mirka has always been a big component of our business, so the focus remains on overall value proposition based on improved process efficiencies and cost savings for the body shop. Our market activities in South Africa are most positive showing good growth and the national distributor Bulldog Abrasives have themselves built up an enviable reputation for the Mirka brands with their own fully kitted out training centre. At Mirka we are like a big family where everyone gets treated with respect and continue to do business in the most ethical manner. We are in it for the long haul for our staff and our customers at Mirka.

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LOCAL NEWS HOW IT’S DONE

OPEN DAY SUCCESS FOR VERMONT SALES

ermont Sales recently held their annual open day for customers at the company headquarters in Midrand. Some of the latest innovative developments in the company’s huge range of brands that cover a range of primer tool accessories were on display. The two-day expo saw over 500 specially invited guests come to take in the new products on offer. “The automotive section of Vermont’s business continues to grow at moderate levels,” says Ryan Hunt, “and with the new plastic repair package from France, The Magic Stapler gaining market penetration, saving and repairing experience plastic hang on parts has become a vital part of keeping vehicle repairs lower.” This in some cases avoids write off situations for some insurance claims. The totally portable stapler gun offers simple, quick and cost effective plastic repairs to body shops. Also being demonstrated was the new Vermont P0103 polisher. It is a high quality industrial unit that uses the popular 150mm polishing foam or lamb’s wool back up polishing heads. It also comes with a robust side handle for ease of use. Vermont continue to expand their popular Tork Craft brand range as well as importing world class Flexipads, and with the top Spanish spray gun maker, Sagola who offer the full range of top coating spray guns with international homologations. Company founder Roland Hunt remains upbeat about market conditions in South Africa especially in the hobbyist wood finish market where clients present a money’s-no-object to getting the power tools of their choice. “We’re seeing a big sales pick-up in this area of our operations,” says Hunt. It’s very nice to see such a successful family owned and managed business applying a business principle that their customers are in reality often treated in the role of an extended family in the way business is conducted. It’s a full supply partnership philosophy at Vermont and a mix of business and pleasure that’s a stand out model for other concerns to emulate in the local market in the supply of major refinish brands.

A host of industrial, automotive and hobbyist brands are imported and distributed by Vermont Sales nationally.

Over 500 specialised dealers and customers attended the Vermont Open day.

Ryan Hunt (left) with Phiillip Gazzera from France showing the well received MaxiPlast system for plastic repair.

It’s a big team effort at Vermont Sales with all the new products on show in each brand they stock. 58

Company founder Roland Hunt (centre) says that the open day is a good customer function and clients can take their time to get some networking done in a relaxed atmosphere. UTOMOTIVE

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GLOBAL SHOP ERIKSSONS - YTTERESSE, FINLAND

FINNISH REFINISH

“With modern car construction designed to crumple like tissue paper, the only way out to save vehicles that hit large animals is to cut off the front end completely and jig back the fender carriers and rebuild it totally,” say the Finns.

A modest staff total of 10 people produce up to 60 repaired vehicles per month on average.

t’s always a bit of a thrill to parachute into another country’s repair trade, so on my recent trip to Finland, my host Jarri Kokko suggested that we stop off to see a local body shop repairer. Eriksson’s is a father-and-son team who operate in a rural business environment, and according to Petter Eriksson, he has been busy for many years. Accidents are mainly due to the severe weather conditions and hitting reindeer on the roads. The speed limit is only 60 km/h and rising to a heady 80 km/h in summer conditions, no one is going anywhere quickly across the vast land of lakes and pine forests. Today’s temperature is a mild 0.2°C but the heating bill when temperatures plummet to -28°C in the winter remains one of the largest input costs for the business to live with its oil fired heaters to keep warm. With a staff complement of around 10 people the Erikssons turn out over 60 cars per month on average. The body shop business is heavily legislated in terms of health and safety laws and inspected on a regular basis for compliance issues. Talking staff ‘comforts’ it’s a world apart from South Africa for they all sit down together for a cooked lunch every day. The main panelshop here uses a full Car-O-Liner Euro package

Heavy legislation on emissions sees a number of extraction systems in the workshop being used.

for the animal hits are often major surgery in metallic terms needing a good jig system to get things back in the correct order. Colour back-up is handled by Spies Hecker and the building contains many specialised extraction systems to reduce exhaust smoke. They have all the latest welding technology and Petter says that since his father started the company they have had a policy of ploughing back all the profits into constant equipment upgrades. It’s a policy not dissimilar to that of many South African operators. It’s always nice to see a company running in harmony, and at this familyowned business all departments are humming along. They use an Italian Termomeccanica GL combustion spraybooth and their spray painter turns out to be a kindred spirit of mine, for he races old British bikes. We’re soon caught up in talking about oilleaking old clunkers. All in all this operation doesn’t miss a trick for not only is it very compact, all workers carry out their own basic labour tasks themselves and the company customer repeat business remains at very strong levels. For this management team its time well spent for the last three decades. For an outsider like me it looks to be the perfect set up for collision repair activities.

AUTOMOTIVE R E F I N I S H E R

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Spies Hecker are the system of choice for the body shop.

Erikssons is a waterborne shop powered with all the latest equipment.

Keeping everyone warm in the winter remains Erikssons biggest expense.

Bosses and staff enjoy a cooked lunch everyday.

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PRODUCT NEWS SANDER PROFILE

3MTM RANDOM ORBITAL SANDERS ELITE SERIES

M Elite Series, random orbital sanders have been designed to deliver productivity with operator comfort. The sanders come with a choice of three orbits; 2,5 mm, 5,0 mm and 8,0 mm. The lightweight design includes an aluminium casing and internal muffler. The equipment is designed to operate at an air supply pressure of 6,2 bar and has a thumb wheel speed control for speed adjustment. Dust free sanding is achieved via attachment to a vacuum machine using standard sized, center mounted exhaust. A self generating vacuum model is also available. The machine is supplied with a standard, low profile back up pad. 3M also offer firm and soft density back up pads which can be used where less aggression is required. It is advisable to use a soft interface pad on contoured surfaces. For more information please contact Stuart Parmenter, Technical Manager Automotive on +27 (0)83 604 2395 or send a mail to sparmenter@mmm.com

SPECIFICATIONS Max rpm Orbit options Pad size Pad screw thread Weight Vibration level Air Pressure Airflow rate

12,000 2.5, 5.0, 8.0mm 150mm 5/16” 830 – 860gms 3.3m/s² 6.2 Bar 17 CFM (481 LPM)

GOOD NEWS

TRUCKING AFTERMARKET DONATE BIG

fintaPart, a Midas Group-owned truck parts distributor that supplies genuine parts from OE and quality guaranteed replacement parts for light and medium commercial vehicles, has donated 150 booster car seats to the Wheel Well store in Brightwater Commons Shopping Centre, Randburg, highlighting the ever-increasing need for all spheres of civil society and business, regardless of size and influence, to do everything they can around road safety-related issues. Releasing road death statistics in January, shortly after the high-season festive period, Transport Minister, Dipuo Peters reported that 1,376 people were killed over the festive season alone, a staggering number when considering that South Africa’s road deaths rank twice as high as developed countries like North America and Australia. “What many people don’t realise is that the economic cost of road fatalities over an extended period is far more of a burden than we care to think,” says Director of AfintaPart, Wayne Lodder. With the figure being an estimated R307-billion each year, this is the same if not marginally more than 64

A very happy Peggie Mars (left), Director of Wheel Well is seen here alongside Wayne Lodder, Director of AfintaPart (Pty) Limited. what Transnet has budgeted for its sevenyear infrastructure development programme. Resultant life-long disabilities and the appropriate need for medical care after road accidents are factors that many do not realise must be accounted for. Roads are purported to be the single biggest killer of young people over the age of 10 and locally three children under the age of 15 die each day on our roads. There is a critical need for booster car seats to be

made available wherever possible. They have been scientifically proven to reduce the need for hospitalisation by 60%, by holding children in position during a crash, which would otherwise see a passenger being thrown into the instrument panel, windscreen or other parts of a car. “We are pleased to have played a role in making road trips safer, especially for children,” added Lodder.

AUTOMOTIVE R E F I N I S H E R

GENERAL New AD_Invoice TOYOTA 16-8-05 2014/02/07 11:41 AM Page 1

General paints have a very successful track record and supply over 56 countries across the globe with a full range of 92 toners - 39 standards, 16 pearls, 6 xyralics and 29 2K. These high cover toners ensure a perfect result everytime. General Paints also offer a complete colour support package with their colour box of 8000 colour formulas backed-up by GPC pro computer software which has close to 70 000 international car colour formulas in different variable shades. The General refinish range includes rapid primers and high solid clearcoats which have been extensively researched to provide you with a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;One Stop Shopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; philosophy. General paints are designed to improve body shop profitability and shorten process times.

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DRIVEN MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

hey say life can take many roads so it make’s sense to own a vehicle that can easily take you there. Combine features such as rallytuned suspension, enormous interior space that culminates in seating for seven; along with safety rarely experienced in a 4x4, and you’d be hard pushed to do better than the latest version of the Mitsubishi Outlander as the ideal all-rounder. Quietly going about their business the Mitsubishi Corporation certainly know how to produce excellent vehicles, the Outlander model being a case in point. All right, I’ll come clean: I have a lot of time for Mitsubishi products. It must be an amazing company, I reckon. They build family cars, sports cars, commercial vehicles and trucks in all shapes and sizes; while aeroplane manufacture has also figured in their inventory. Back to the future and the launch of the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander that been around in name for more than a dozen years now. There are subtle design tweaks in terms of styling and aerodynamics to be discovered, as well as a reduced drag-co-efficient that further increases all-important fuel efficiency costs. Gladly, at a quick glance there’s very little outward difference to the latest

Outlander – but why change something for no reason if it’s working well? Generation six is still arguably the ‘realdeal’ SUV in the South African marketplace, one that now sports seven seats spread over three rows for starters, has Bluetooth/hands free voice control, a rearview camera, and an electric tailgate – plus more comfort features than you can shake a stick at. Perhaps the real attraction of owning the latest Outlander over its competitors, however, is the excellent level of standard equipment offered. This includes leather throughout, classy wood-capping detail throughout the cabin, a dual zone automatic air conditioning system, keyless operating system, a high quality touch screen audio system, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, paddle shifts and an information system. There’s also Bluetooth with hands-free voice control for cell phone use; a USB port and a retractable tonneau cover over the spacious luggage compartment plus the very best sound system that money can buy in the form of a Rockford Fosgate audio system, complete with nine speakers. It also features a rear-view camera, glass sunroof and electrically operated tailgate as well as a rear entertainment system for the kids,

by Dave Fall connected via wireless headphones. At launch, even though the test route was extremely short (35 kilometres), it was enough to discover just how good the Outlander continues to be. Under the bonnet is a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine developing 123kW of power at 6 000rpm and 222Nm of torque at 4 100rpm. Mitsubishi claim fuel consumption figures in the combined test mode of 8.2l/100km (emissions on this cycle are 192g/km), but I feel 10 or even 11 km/h to be nearer the mark in the real world. Claimed maximum speed, although largely academic in a vehicle of this type, is 195km/h. Of interest to caravaners, though, and those that like to tow a trailer there’s a maximum towing capacity of 750kg. The system permits an alphabet soup of acronyms such as 4WD ECO, 4WD AUTO and 4WD LOCK-UP modes to keep you safe. All of the above modes proved intuitively selectable through the simple push of a button. The 4WD system remains flexible, driver-friendly and provides great capability in off-road situations. The Mitsubishi Outlander GLS Exceed sells for R429 900 and is covered by a threeyear/100 000km warranty and 15 000 km service intervals.

AUTOMOTIVE R E F I N I S H E R

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INDUSTRY NEWS WHAT’S HOT?

NEW INNOVATION FOR VOLKSWAGEN GROUP

olkswagen Group South Africa has installed a new cutting-edge technology that is a first for its Uitenhagebased manufacturing plant. The Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) system replaced the old traditional roller conveyor and has dramatically improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the production process. The AGV is located at the Engine Sub-Assembly area in Final Assembly. What makes the new AGV unique to other AGVs is that it’s driven by induction cables under the floor. Two of those cables power it enough to drive the vehicle, so there is absolutely no contact with cables or tracks. Older versions of AGVs are battery-powered, meaning they need to be docked in a charging station at random intervals before being re-introduced into the production line. The Engine dress-up process on the AGV line has been introduced as a fully integrated system and total process security, meaning that a powertrain will not leave a station – unless all the bolts that need’s to be tightened are tightened. Only then does it proceed to the next station. The AGV was installed in preparation for new engines. It has already improved the lives of operators working in that area. "The biggest of these improvements is in the area of ergonomics. The project included aluminium rails for easier movement of tools and lightweight carbon fibre arms to act as a torque reaction device, reducing the force exerted on operators' arms. There is now greater accessibility to the engine and gearbox from all sides as it is on a turntable. This allows it to rotate to suit the operator. There is also a lifting table on top, making it possible to accommodate the different operator heights (the old conveyor meant operators had to climb on steel platforms)," explained David Powels, managing director: Volkswagen Group South Africa. Quick Facts on Volkswagen's manufacturing plant in Uitenhage l l l l the

103 378 Polos and Polo Vivos produced in 2013 151 737 engines produced in 2013 Over 4 000 employees work in the plant Over R5 billion invested in the modernisation of the plant in last five years.

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Teknikloth high-tech lint free surface cleaners are an absolute must for all paint shops and provide less wastage and linting than other systems of preparation. Teknikloth is available from: l All BASF Branches l l l l l l l l

All ABS Branches Auto Colour Matching Centre, DBN Auto & General, Jacobs Auto & Industrial Supplies, PMB All Balco Branches All PPG Branches Cape Auto Paints, Montague Capricorn Parts, DBN

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TRAINING UPDATE TRAINING

ALUMINIUM BOLT-ON SYSTEMS AVOID CORROSION PROBLEMS

s more and more motor vehicle manufacturers such as the new model Audi and Range Rover use close-out panels made of aluminium, the risk of galvanic corrosion increases. Aluminium bonnets and boot lids are now common on many vehicles. In addition to these we also see bumper beams and a range of different bolt on parts and panels. This combination of mixing steel and aluminium is great for reducing the vehicle’s weight and this has been successfully mastered at OEM. However, it does come at a risk if not done correctly when removing and replacing these parts in the aftermarket. Galvanic corrosion also called sacrificial corrosion is caused when dissimilar metals make contact with each other with the presence of an electrolyte. An electrolyte is a non-metallic conductor of electricity such as water. For example if an unprotected aluminium panel comes in contact with bare steel such as a nut or bolt the aluminium will corrode to protect the steel faster and this can result in very costly rework. To prevent this happening we must follow some basic rules when replacing parts that are of different metal combinations. Although there are varying methods of attaching aluminium panels and parts to steel such as clinching, hemming, adhesives and a range of different types of riveting, the most common method we face more than any other are mechanical fasteners such as nuts and bolts. This is where we can leave ourselves open for future problems and to avoid this we need to be sure that we follow the manufacturers’ recommendations. If these

Damaged nuts and bolts cause galvanic corrosion if used twice in some cases. Galvanic corrosion can be caused by mixing dissimilar metals. Always torque up nuts and bolts to avoid loosening damage.

prove difficult to find, we have some basic understanding on what to look out for when working with bolt on dissimilar metal panels. I imagine in many cases when removing an aluminium or steel bonnet or boot lid the bolts are carefully placed in a container so they don’t get lost. Well in many cases some of these nuts or bolts will require replacement and should not be reused. Steel nuts or bolts will mostly be used to attach aluminium parts to the vehicle. These bolts will be coated to act as a barrier between the steel bolt and the aluminium part. Do not reuse a nut or bolt if the coating is damaged. If there is any question of the coating being damaged, replace it with a new one. A “dracoment” coating can be used. This is a waterbased coating containing metal oxides, metallic zinc and aluminium flakes. It is cured at 321°C for 15 minutes and cannot be duplicated once damaged. Nuts and bolts should be torque tightened to the vehicle maker’s specification when installing. If the fastener is incorrectly torqued the threads could loosen or parts could be damaged from excessive tightening. To also reduce the risk of galvanic corrosion, plastic or rubber washers may have been used to separate the aluminium and steel parts. It is important that these are

replaced or reused when fitting parts. These plastic or rubber washers can often be very thin and difficult to recognise when removing parts, so care should be taken to check if they have been used and always replace the new ones. Only non-conductive materials should be used, carbon black materials are conductive and products containing this can be found in some plastics and adhesives. Protective coatings such as refinish topcoats, undercoating and seam sealers also provide a good barrier between the dissimilar metals. These products will seal out moisture and air preventing any pollutants that can cause galvanic corrosion. Aluminium is naturally corrosion resistant due to an oxidation barrier that forms immediately after it is sanded or cleaned then comes in contact with air. This barrier must be removed before any filling or painting can be done. Be sure that any product applied to the bare aluminium is the correct product and check that any sealers or primers are part of the paint system developed for aluminium. Failure to follow the basic steps required to prevent any galvanic action can result in corrosion of the aluminium around the bolted area. Given the right conditions this can creep rapidly under the paint surface requiring stripping, conditioning and refinishing the affected area.

Professional Portable Sprayer Now you can aerosol just about any paint finish for instant touch-ups. Use with acrylic, basecoats, dyes, enamel, epoxy, inks, primers, polyurethane, varnish and solvent based and water based coatings.

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WIELANDER AND SCHILL AD

1/31/12

11:21 AM

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Contact: Deon on 083 628 2288 or Andre on 072 463 9570 www.hurricaneauto.co.za

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DRIVEN FORD ECOSPORT

ased on Ford’s global B-segment platform, the EcoSport is a stylish choice with enough space for five adults. The SUV’s blend of practicality and smart connectivity will attract young, adventurous customers who not only live life to the fullest but also love exploring the world at large. The EcoSport’s high driving position, rugged capability, superior fuel economy, easy manoeuvrability, and convenient features make it the right vehicle for both city streets and adventurous pursuits. The well-rounded EcoSport is just as comfortable wading through flooded areas as it is entertaining the driver through handsfree phone calls and music selection. The smallest engine in its class, Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is big on power, torque and refinement. Producing 92kW of power with a peak torque of 170Nm, the quiet and smooth-running engine delivers power and performance that rivals traditional 1.6-litre petrol engines. The 1.0l EcoBoost engine has won the coveted title of International Engine of the Year for the past two years. With 25% fewer moving parts, the threecylinder EcoBoost is able to deliver superior fuel economy and lower emissions. On a

combined cycle run the innovative powerplant ensures minimal consumption of just 5.7l/100km. The EcoSport will also be available with the global 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which delivers peak power of 82kW at 6 300 rpm and peak torque of 138Nm at 4 400rpm. It uses an average of 6.5l/100km on a combined cycle. For customers who prefer diesel, the 1.5litre TDCi intercooled and turbocharged diesel engine fits the bill perfectly. With power rated at 66kW at 3 750rpm, the engine also delivers an outstanding 205Nm of torque from 2 000rpm to 2 750rpm. The result is strong acceleration from standstill together with the flexibility that can reduce the need for gearshifts. Fuel efficiency is a standout feature with a combined cycle figure of just 4.6l/100km ensuring the EcoSport is kind on the pocket. To further improve fuel efficiency, the five-speed manual transmission is standard on all models bar the 1.5-litre Petrol Titanium, which utilises the six-speed Ford PowerShift transmission. With its signature Ford face, dramatic rising beltline and a ready-to-pounce stance, the EcoSport conveys a dynamic spirit of energy in action. The spare tyre, with an

exclusively designed wheel, is mounted on the tailgate as a classic SUV cue. Inside, soft-touch fabrics and the global Ice Blue dashboard illumination all convey a feeling of superior quality and craftsmanship. Controls and knobs are ergonomically placed, while seats are designed to be soft enough for comfort and firm enough for the longer journey. Meticulous efforts to reduce noise, vibration and harshness ensure a quite cabin. Add to this a very effective climate control system, and the customer will be very comfortable in the EcoSport. The EcoSport has been designed to provide high levels of protection and driver support through a range of advanced features. About half of the urban SUV’s body structure is made up of high-strength steel and ultra-high-strength steel, such as boron steel, making the EcoSport’s frame especially strong yet lightweight too. The SUV’s array of airbags, including airbags for the driver and front passenger, as well as side airbags and curtain airbags, provides additional peace of mind. The EcoSport is available with a fully comprehensive 4-year/120 000km warranty and 4-year/60 000km service plan.

AUTOMOTIVE R E F I N I S H E R

HURRICANE NEW M-A 2014_Layout 1 2014/03/18 12:33 PM Page 1

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BUSINESS NEWS

by Kevin Rains

Customer retention and repeat client business is one of the biggest parts of keeping a business thriving in today’s ultra competitive business.

TRAINING

HANDLING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS

ot long ago, we had three of our customers calling their insurance agents because they were not happy with us. We had only had one instance like this in the entire previous year, and suddenly we had these three in one week. It was unacceptable. It was a wake-up call. In these situations, we have a choice in how we respond. We can play the victim and complain about how our customers can be a real pain, or we can look inward and see if we might be able to change something that would help our shops grow. In this case, we decided on the second option and started asking what we could do differently to provide better care for our customers. First, I had to know: What went wrong? Off the top of my head I came up with a few reasons why this may have happened: 1. The customers felt like they couldn’t get through to us. Oh, we would answer the phone and listen to them but they weren’t feeling heard. 2. They were no longer confident we were committed to resolving their issue, so they had to “go over our heads.” 3. There was no clear point person to talk to. They perceived an absence of leadership. The managers would not bother the owner with it and the owner (that’s me) was not available at the time of the concern. In essence, I wasn’t available and the managers weren’t empowered to resolve the issue. 4. They were negative, whiny people who are never happy or satisfied and always feel victimised no matter what the situation. 5. The customers were having really bad days and we got the brunt of their 72

frustration. Now, only so many of the things above can be controlled, but we better do a good job of controlling the things we can, because typically if two or three of the above elements are in play at one time, it will turn ugly. Staff Graphic Most of the issues in this situation turned out to be simple quality control issues that could have been easily managed or avoided with a little extra effort. We decided to implement a couple of extra measures to make sure problems didn’t happen again. Here’s what we came up with: 1. During our quality control checks, we try to see the car through the customer’s eyes. We may see the incredible structural repair and flawless paint job, but what the customer sees first is dust on the car seat that we forgot to vacuum. Turns out lots of kids are allergic to dust and mothers can be very protective (duh!). They probably will never fully appreciate the structural perfection or lack of fish eyes in the paint because all they want is to get their kid to ballet rehearsal without a coughing fit. 2. Double up staff on the quality control checklist. Have two people go over each car. Everyone sees things a little differently, so four eyes are better than two. This could be an estimator and detailer or a manager and estimator, or any other combination. If two people go over it, the odds of catching something are much greater. 3. Have only one person per file and customer who is responsible for listening to and caring for their concerns. If there are

multiple file handlers then no one “owns” it. This doesn’t mean multiple people can’t be involved in each file but one person is ultimately responsible for seeing the job through. 4. Empower the managers to make customers happy. For us this translates to a few hundred Rand and can make the problem go away (and it’s surprising how often that is the case!), they are allowed to make that call. Often this will involve paying a couple days rental when someone is paying out of pocket or offering to detail the exterior for free. I have learned that the vast majority of customer concerns go away for well under R1000. When we’re doing jobs in the R20 000 to R150 000 range, that is a small concession to make someone happy and earn their referrals and repeat business. 5. Be proactive, not reactive. If you sense someone is unpleasable and treating your shop unfairly even after attempting to help them, then call the agent (or other referral source) before they do. This proactive stance assures the agent that you really want to resolve the issue and have made attempts to do so. Trust me, they are well aware that some clients are completely unreasonable. They have been there, too. 6. After you’ve made reasonable attempts to satisfy them, don’t be afraid to fire customers. My dad taught me that 20 percent of your customers will cause 80 percent of your headaches. So get rid of them and focus on those who appreciate what you do and trust you completely. Chronic complainers get charged a premium for the extra hassle and work they create. They can either pay it or take the work elsewhere.

AUTOMOTIVE R E F I N I S H E R

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS MOTOR MAKERS

NISSAN STARTS EV PRODUCTION IN BARCELONA

issan has started the production of its second all-electric vehicle - the e-NV200 - which will be available as both a passenger vehicle and light commercial van. The ceremony was attended by Spanish Ministry of Industry, José Manuel Soria, Catalan president, Artur Mas; and the Mayor of Barcelona, Xavier Trias, who were welcomed by Nissan's chief planning officer, Andy Palmer. The Nissan plant in Barcelona will be the global production site for this zero-emission vehicle, which will be available as a light commercial van, passenger vehicle and electric taxi. Representing an investment of €100 million in Nissan's Barcelona Plant, as part of a wider €431m investment in its Spanish operations, the e-NV200 will initially be exported to around 20 international markets, including Japan. Just as with the Nissan LEAF introduction, the number of markets will grow after the initial launch, to continue the company's sustained electric vehicle expansion. Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. chief planning officer Andy Palmer joined the VIP list at the event, added, 'This is a great landmark day for Nissan, starting production of our second electric vehicle. This is at a time when EV's are now recognized as mainstream technology, many competitors are only just starting to launch their first EV and where Nissan has clear first mover advantage. We're proud that the Nissan LEAF is the world's best selling electric vehicle with more than 110,000 delighted customers enjoying the quiet and smooth ride of an EV.' Barcelona will be the first city in the world to introduce the eNV200 as a 100% electric taxi, an initiative Palmer believes is vital for the city, continued, 'This e-NV200 taxi has renewed significance in the wake of record levels of air pollution in London and Paris. Bringing a significant number of zero emission vehicles to Barcelona's streets will ensure cleaner air for every citizen, visitor and tourist, and we're confident that forward-thinking councils everywhere will be clamoring to bring these benefits to their municipalities in the coming years.' For the Mayor of Barcelona, the start of production of new allelectric van and the partnership between Nissan and Barcelona “is part of a strategy in Barcelona and its metropolitan area in order to consolidate Barcelona as the centre of a new urban economy model, based on innovation, technology and sustainability. In our city, we are strategically targeting sectors that are essential for the future, and electric vehicles are one of them. Furthermore, we are working to generate wealth in our city, strengthening our economy and the industrial sector; thus making a very important step ahead that will improve the quality of life for residents”. Frank Torres, managing director and vice president of Nissan Spain Industrial Operations said, “Barcelona has the honour of producing Nissan's second 100% electric vehicle, and this is a result of many years of hard work and quality improvements from the team here. This will be only the second time we have produced a model in Spain for export back to Nissan's home market in Japan and that is a fantastic achievement by my colleagues at the plant.” Barcelona is the only Nissan plant in the world producing the electric version of e-NV200, which means that it will be exported to all over the world, Japan included. The first vehicles exported to these markets will set sail in June.

AUTOMOTIVE R E F I N I S H E R

AR MAY-JUNE 2014 NAT_NOV/DEC 2005 paganation 2014/05/15 10:26 AM Page 25

WHAT’S HOT? RAND SHOW 2014

FRUIT OF THE VROOM!

his year’s Rand Show had a major motoring component with a host of unforgettable stunt car driving exhibitions for those who seek out high powered speed demonstrations, remained glued to their seats as the aweinspiring Denilo Cogrosssi showed some masterful moves behind the steering wheel with his pitbull international Xtreme motor show driving BMW 318’s and stunt motorcycles it was quite a sight. Hall 5 was all the hard work of motoring personalities Stuart Johnston and Hendrik Verwoerd. They assembled a sparkling team of classic cars ranging right from the humble Mini’s to iconic sports racing cars and outrageous dragster funny cars with specialist talks from Rob Green on his unique supercharger technologies. Indian motorcycles return to South Africa and even vintage grand prix motorcycles were on hand to talk to the huge throng of around 500 people per hour who came in to get a glimpse of this years Classic Works one day extravaganza. Hendrik went on to say that from an Internet lead it all proved to be the best ever event that he and Stuart had organised. We had a great mix of regular MG, Fords and Le Mans prototype racers to keep show attendees happy.

This huge Pontiac funny car has been a SA record holder for over two decades.

SLASH COSTS WITH THE SA STAR SPRAYBOOTH

Rob Green kneels in front of the supercharged BMW sports car. The unit spins very fast with the additional built in supercharging from RGM.

Bailey Cars put on an impressive display of exotic yesteryear prototype racer.

Stuart Johnston, (left) is seen with Peter Labuschagne and Hendrik Verwoerd. They joined dozens of celebrities at the show event.

ZENITH EQUIPMENT INTRODUCES THE SA STAR SPRAYBOOTH

With improved 50mm steel wall thickness and stateof-the-art colour matching fluorescent lighting and new safety features in the stainless steel burner and heat exchangers. The SA Star Spraybooth also incorporates both front and side doors for easy entry at a very competitive price. The spraybooth meets and exceeds health and safety standards.

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NEWS FROM THE ZOO - by Roger Houghton REGULAR BITS

A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME: FICKSBURG WELCOMES YOU

ransport heritage worldwide is a particular passion of mine and I was able to tick another box after a visit to the stunning Sandstone Estates near Ficksburg in the Eastern Free State recently. This is a treasure trove for anybody interested in steam trains, agricultural equipment, military vehicles and classic cars. The opportunity was the 10-day annual Stars of Sandstone festival celebrating transport through the ages, with the accent on steam trains running on a narrow gauge (2ft – 610mm) railway network on the farm totalling 26km. This beautifully manicured estate is home to one of the largest collections in the world of working narrow gauge steam locomotives and rolling stock. Many steam locomotive drivers and steam enthusiasts from the UK make the trek to Sandstone every year, as do a host of local enthusiasts and volunteers. The Sandstone Stars has rapidly built up a proud reputation among steam lovers all over the world and it also attracts many photographers – many of them from overseas – as the Eastern Free State is ideal for photographic shoots at this time of the year, with autumn colours, fields full of colourful cosmos, sunflowers and soya bean plants. Some of the photographers even used remote drones to get unique overhead shots. This is an exclusive event and one has to book in advance as the number of daily visitors is strictly limited. (A family ticket for a day costs R740, which includes lunch). I went there as a member of the Lotus Register, although none of us ventured there over the potholed roads in our Lotus cars or replicas. The driving force between this amazing collection of historic vehicles – most of them in working condition - set in the rolling countryside adjoining Lesotho is Wilfred Mole, who brought the Nokia cellphone brand to South Africa. What he has achieved is nothing short of amazing. Being a journey into the past I chose the latest arrival in South Africa from Peugeot, the 2008 compact cross-over, as the ideal way to get to Sandstone Estates. Not only was it a practical choice but Peugeot is a company with a very long history, stretching back more than 200 years. The original company was founded by the Peugeot family in 1810 to make coffee mills and bicycles. The first vehicle was a tricycle with a steam engine that took to the roads of France in 1889, to be followed by a car with an internal combustion engine in 1990. The Peugeot 2008 Allure was a revelation, being spacious for a vehicle in this category, with plenty of luggage space, a very comfortable ride, a willing 1.6-litre petrol engine that is also economical and a small, chunky steering wheel for a most enjoyable driving experience. Priced at R269 900 it is in a very competitive segment of the cross-over market but it is very well equipped with a host of convenience and luxury features so that it can take the fight to the opposition. The 2008 is Peugeot’s first foray into the compact urban crossover market, but it comes off a solid foundation in that the underpinnings are shared with the highly-rated 208 hatch. Initially it has come to SA only with the comprehensive Allure specification and a 1.6-litre petrol engine, so there is the possibility of the local

AUTOMOTIVE R E F I N I S H E R

Peugeot subsidiary adding more variants if demand requires a wider range. The willing Peugeot 2008 whisked my son, grandson and myself to Sandstone far quicker than we expected, although avoiding potholes between Bethlehem and Fouriesburg proved nervewracking. However we survived unscathed; unlike the current breed of small cars which have runflat tyres or just a repair kit and compressor and no spare wheel, while the 2008 at least has a Marie biscuit spare to keep one mobile. Driving down the gravel road to Sandstone one is immediately impressed by the neatness of the farm. However, the real eyeopener comes when you arrive at the railway station with its adjoining restaurant that is the hub of activities during this festival. Our first experience was a shortish trip on a train pulled by two Lawley locomotives that are more than 120 years old. The rest of the morning was spent walking about and studying a host of vehicles from steam tractors to a wide variety of military vehicles from Olifant, Sherman and Russian Tiger tanks to Saracens and Ferret scout cars with a host of others in between. We also walked through several of the sheds, which are actually huge, high quality aircraft hangars. The one housing the collection of more than 200 tractors was most impressive, but so was the one with the old combine harvesters and threshers – some of them made of wood! We were also able to see a couple of volunteers fitting a brand new, four-cylinder Rolls-Royce engine into a Ferret scout car. One can even go for a ride in a genuine ox wagon pulled by huge Afrikaander trek oxen, but we decided the pace would be too slow with so much to see and do. A highlight was the display by the tanks and other wheeled war machines in the afternoon which was then followed by the offer to “go for a ride”. There was no second bidding as we first “rode” on the Russian tank as its powerful V12 engine roared us around the test drive area. We also went on an Olifant tank as well as in a Ratel and on a Rooikat. What an experience, particularly for my eightyear-old grandson. A further walkabout amid the military vehicles and equipment – including looking at a 25 pounder cannon which I was involved with in my military training days – and the steam tractors revealed an amazing coincidence. The day before we went to Sandstone I had been chatting to Toyota’s president and CEO, Dr Johan van Zyl, at a Hino function at the Toyota HQ and mentioned I was going to Sandstone. He then reminisced and told me how there had been steam trucks doing the rubbish removal in Springs when he was growing up there. Low and behold at Sandstone there was not only a working Sentinel steam truck, but it carried a “TS” number plate, which stood for Transvaal Springs! A two-hour train trip with two big Garratt locomotives up front provided a fitting end to a wonderful day. After spending the night at the Fouriesburg Country Inn the next day saw us make an early start for a pleasant drive home in the Peugeot 2008, once again avoiding the potholes.

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Telephone: Facsimile: Web:

+27 (0)11 953 2576 +27 (0)11 660 5300 www.ppgrefinish.com

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PRODUCT NEWS WHAT’S HOT?

DE BEER MYSTERIOUS COLOUR TONERS

aunched recently by Dutch paint maker De Beer who are part of the giant Valspar paint organisation, a whole new approach to getting an exact original car colour match has been revealed. This compact range of just five concentrated toners will help in a big way to overcome the constant and ever expanding use of motor makers, it includes very exact toner bases to get more effect in the finished vehicles on showroom floors. Designed to be used on both waterborne 900 and Berobase 500 solvent based refinish, the new OEM toners come in Raw Forest, Valley, Tundra, Reed and Canyon shades. Cowley Automotive Paints’ Andre Coetze, the general manager, says that the new toner availability will become a reality later this year as the international roll out of the Mysterious colours gets underway. “These really do offer an amazing solution for special car colour

shades for they also come in small squeeze bottles that takes up almost no space in the workshop.” “De Beer recommend that colour matching should take place after a 20-second shake of the contents has been completed. De Beer have also recently included a state-of-the-art spectro colour analyser which delivers rapid colour formula identification for panel shop system users with OEM colour toner ranges. “Seeing over 179 different specialised toners in everyday use, the option of using an exotic shade these powerful concentrates to get the exact match on difficult mica and this stage paint work will become an immense help in all paint shops,” says Coetze. For more info on these latest products email Andre on andre@cowleysa.co.za for distribution opportunities on the CowleyDe Beer range of auto refinish products.

AUTOMOTIVE R E F I N I S H E R

DE BEER CLEARCOAT M-A 2013_Layout 1 2014/05/14 12:39 PM Page 1

The Clear Coats of De Beer Refinish are the crown on your work. These excellent products will give your car a glossy look. All De Beer Refinish Clear Coats are based on the most modern hydroxyacrylate resins. This gives a high quality varnish in terms of durability, chemical resistance and UV protection. This productline consists of both VOCcompliant and non VOC-compliant clear coats. The application of the clear coat, depending on object size and temperature, can be tuned by mixing the clear coat with the right De Beer Refinish hardener. Call for distribution opportunities in your area. Sole Importer Cowley Automotive Products Tel:â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;(016) 933 2233 email: sales@cowleysa.co.za COWLEY AUTOMOTIVE & INDUSTRIAL COATINGS (PTY) LTD

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AR M-J 2014 JAY_NOV/DEC 2005 paganation 2014/05/15 10:01 AM Page 1

NEW PRODUCTS THE PULSEMIG 270 AER-O-CURE Ideal for industrial manufacture workshops, the PulseMIG 270 is a three-phase, pulse inverter, synergic MIG/MAG welder featuring the latest technologies for professional welding. Professional Interface – Large colour display (14.5cm) for the best readability, controlled by two knobs for navigation. Arc dynamic control: In Synergic Pro mode, the whole welding cycle can be adjusted to: l Weld in areas with difficult access l Bridge gaps l Weld very thin sheets (Alu 0.8mm) with reduced distortion (15A) l Reinforce the arc to ensure stability and constant penetration synergic or manual – Synergic Pro mode: allows access to each element of the welding cycle (pre-gas, hot-start, upslope, downslope, burn-back, post-gas). Standard Synergic mode: will give you optimum results without the need to set the wire speed. Just select: l Wire/gas type l Wire diameter l Type of work The metal thickness to be welded as well as the arc length can be adjusted. PulseMIG 270 will automatically set: l The optimal wire speed l The % of pre- and post-gas l And burn-back Manual mode: Manual adjustment of the wire speed and welding voltage. This unit meets the requirements of most manufacturers welding requirements’.

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MIRKA’S UNIQUE ®

HANDBLOCK KIT 70X198MM

Mirka offers a large range of tools and accessories that provide a complete sanding solution and ensure that customers get the very best from Mirka’s abrasive products. The range is constantly updated as market needs change and new technology becomes available. Mirka’s new Handblock Kit is a multipurpose tool conceived for sanding on concave, convex and flat shaped surfaces, thanks to special plates attached to a hand block body. The replacement of the different plates is quick and easy – saving you valuable time. This kit

AUTOMOTIVE R E F I N I S H E R

contains a hand block body 70 x 198 mm, a hose adapter Ø 20/28 mm outer diameter and four changeable plates (Convex with R = 160 mm, Concave with R = 52 mm, Concave with R = 100 mm and Flat). For more information on this amazing new product as well as other products in the Mirka range contact the Bulldog Abrasives’ sales team on +27 (0)11 786 5991 or sales@bulldogabrasives.co.za. 81

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NEW PRODUCTS PERFECT-IT III POLISHING SYSTEM 3M 3M has launched the Perfect-It III Polishing System in South Africa. The product system consists of colour-coded compound, polishes and pads that have been developed in Europe. The system is ideally suited to the paint finishes found in South Africa. The “Vanity” promotional introduction kit has all the products that are required to achieve that showroom finish on all makes of cars. The removal of surface defects is simplified with the use of 3M Trizact abrasives. The defect removal and scratch refinement is achieved with Trizact P1500 and 3000. The use of these products will also assist in productivity by reducing polishing times. The Perfect-It III Polishing System comes with 150mm foam pads to make access into corners and recesses easy. New to South Africa is the 3M Trizact 6000 abrasive disc which is recommended for dark shade colours but will improve the finish on all vehicles. For more information contact Stuart Parmenter, Technical Manager Automotive. Email: sparmenter@mmm.com or give him a call on: +27 (0)83 604 2395.

PATENTED CAR BODY CLAMP SET CELETTE SA Several metal plates with an overall strength of 1.3 to 3.0 mm can be effortlessly fixed with the aid of these patented car body clamps. The clamps are manufactured from a special type of steel, are chased by a hammer over the plates, which are to be fixed and thus ensure the ideal conditions for the spot welding. Due to the narrow structural shape it is possible to fit in new parts much more effectively and to set the correct opening dimensions, due to the fact that the clamps leave space to close the doors, engine hood, etc. The extractor enables the rapid removal of the clamps. Eliminating the use of conventional pliers and grips, there are three different sizes of clamps to accommodate different metal thicknesses. Call Celette on +27 (0)11 334 1875.

CORNER GRINDER

The new Corner Grinder 1-9315 from Celette affords an ideal access to difficult to reach all areas. Screw connections of rear axles or exhaust tubes and exhaust tube clamps can be cut off very easily. It’s also used to cut off side frames and door sills or to remove rust and weld seams. Call Celette on +27 (0)11 334 1875.

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SPOT 14500 AER-O-CURE The Spot 14500 TRAFO is the ideal answer to the welding requirements of high strength steels (UHSS/boron), with a clamping force of 550daN with 8bars air pressure, and a welding current that can reach 14 500Amps. Its C clamp integrates a high-tech transformer and the machine also brings a solution to limited power supply issues, as it can operate with 16 Amps to 25 Amps fuses only. Its operation is extremely easy, thanks to the automatic welding parameters setting in auto mode. Approved by many car manufacturers. For more information contact Aer-o-cure on +27 (0)11 444 6454.

SATA® FILTER 200 SERIES BULLDOG ABRASIVES The SATA® Filter 200 Series is an economical fine filter unit used for the highest air quality requirements in paint spraying and fresh air supplied breathing systems. These filters are installed in paint booths, vehicle preparation areas and other workshop areas. These filters ensure excellent compressed air quality that effectively removes oil, water and particles. An activated charcoal filter cartridge (third stage) removes oil vapours and odours from compressed air for breathing purposes. They have large, highly functional, durable, wear and tear resistant filter components. They have enough air volume to supply two spray booths simultaneously with sprayable and breathable clean air.

81 The SATA® filter 200 series is available in three versions: 1) SATA® filter 244™: Combi filter unit complete with a fine filter and air outlet module 2) SATA® filter 264™: Filter module containing activated charcoal cartridge to convert SATA filter 244 combi filter into a SATA 284 triple stage filter 3) SATA® filter 284™: Triple stage filter unit complete with fine filter and activated charcoal cartridge with air outlet module. For more information on the SATA® Filter 200 Series contact Bulldog Abrasives sales team on +27 (0)11 786 5991 or sales@bulldogabrasives.co.za

AUTOMOTIVE R E F I N I S H E R

AR M-J 2014 CLAIRE_NOV/DEC 2005 paganation 2014/05/15 9:59 AM Page 5

WHAT’S HOT? JOBS, EQUIPMENT, SERVICES AND MUCH MORE

PROFINISHER PRODUCTS PAINT FILM THICKNESS GAUGE

INSPECTION LIGHT SCOPE Lightscope for 8 times magnifying of paint films

Measuring both ferrous and nonferrous metals

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UTOMOTIVE

May - June 2014 Edition 173

autoref@iafrica.com

www.autoref.co.za

OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS: Tel:+27 (0)11 949 4091 Fax: 27 (0)11 252 6844 Email: autoref@iafrica.com Publisher: Ian Groat +27 (0)83 290 2967 Editor: Claire Macfie +27 (0)83 260 1826 Accounts: Val Groat +27 (0)83 541 8878 Design: Jay Groat +27 (0)60 501 7450 Assistant: Nataschja Ferreira CT Journo: Dave Fall +27 (0)73 021 3076 European Technical Editor Andrew Marsh Central Africa - Derrick Mwango +260 96 327 5331

The views expressed in articles in Automotive Refinisher are those of the authors and shall not be construed to represent those of the Editor or the Publisher. Accordingly, Automotive Refinisher accepts no responsibility for claims and statements made by advertisers and independent columnists. Further, the appearance of advertisements herein does not necessarily indicate the approval by Automotive Refinisher for the product and/or service advertised. Material may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Publisher. Automotive Refinisher is dedicated to servicing the business interests of the collision repair industry.

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AR M-J 2014 CLAIRE_NOV/DEC 2005 paganation 2014/05/15 9:59 AM Page 6

WHAT’S HOT? JOBS, EQUIPMENT, SERVICES AND MUCH MORE

Suppliers of Automotive Repair Equipment The DENT PRO-PORTABLE DENT PULLER is a rugged locally manufactured electronic dent pulling unit; • Removes dents in body panels without needing to strip panels. • Will not damage sensitive electronic devices in modern cars. • Car batteries do not have to be disconnected. • 1 Year warranty from date of purchase with full service backup. • Excellent trade-in offers for your old Dent Pullers. • Call us now for a quote. • Free Delivery throughout SA. • New Dent Pulling Trolleys now available.

Call them on 082 452 6631, www.panelprotech.co.za Auto Industry Consulting provide technical information and consultancy to the global collision repair industry. Our subscription based website

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CUT THROUGH GREASE AND GRIME

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AR MAY-JUNE 2014 NAT_NOV/DEC 2005 paganation 2014/05/15 10:26 AM Page 29

AFRICAN PANORAMA - SHOCKING CUSTOMERS

eep down in the heart of the business was the dingy old spare parts division and Geoff, the boss’s son and heir, was doing time at grass roots level as his father was a great believer in work experience. The final leg before he hit the showroom floor to sell new kit lay ahead in a year of utter boredom for Geoff for he had little or no interest in selling spark plugs, gunk cleaner or counting up enormous amounts of loose change. Only Bob the one-eyed mechanic could brighten up the tedious days with a few jokes while Konkie Reeves, his personnel assistant, sniffed away his constant hay fever attacks. Arnold, the boss, had been in his own business for over two decades and it was showing. He was as bald as Kojak and had taken to walking the old boxer dog, Duke, down to his favourite bar each lunch time where he and Duke would drink cheap beer until about two in the afternoon. Afterwards they would sway back to work for an afternoon nap, fully clothed to wind the day down. The unfortunate downside of the dog and all the beer was his butt whispered out stale farts and stank the whole shop to high heaven before he got a kick in the rear and was shown the door. Duke died at eight years old and according to the vet he was suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. In this era of business activity no one really contemplated service delivery as customers were generally dealt with as 86

afterthoughts. Geoff was more concerned about his local football team’s performance since he had hit puberty. Talking to various new girlfriends took up plenty of his time each working day. It was a period of years where Geoff was finding out rapidly that so much of life is not about whether you’re good, bad, right or wrong or whether you can afford things or not, it’s mostly about timing. So that’s why he was stuck in the dark parts shelves with a dead end job. He was in some ways gifted with some sadistic tendencies and things took a turn for the better after his rummaging down in the spares racks turned up a giant magneto. No one knew where it came from but it soon had all his interest. Mending it at the front of the shop became a passion. The next stop for this weird adolescent was to wire an electrical lead up to the steel customer counter top where he discovered it could kill flies, nits and silver fish with one giant crank of a newly made handle. Moving on a bit Geoff wired it to some epoxied silver coins that were right in the eye of the customers on the counter top. His view was to blitz this soulless working life and move off to coin collecting while listening to loud music. This would prove to be difficult as he slept upstairs next to his parents and he had now grown out of popping wheelies on a push bike. Enter the great phase of electric shocks, practised on poor unsuspecting clients who arrived each day to purchase motor spares.

by Ian Groat

Geoff would simply look them up and down and decide who was going to get a shock from the magneto that day. Customers would drop their parts on the counter, place their hands on the coins and Geoff would reach down under the till and crank up the sparks. They would jump back in amazement, asking what the hell was that? Straight faced Geoff would calmly ask what the matter was as the clients reeled with amazement. This caused great mirth behind the counter but no one was allowed to laugh out loud so as not to give the game away. This was much better than making paper planes to while away the business day. It lasted for quite a while until Arnold, who had his nose in everyone’s business, came down to the parts division to inquire why the days taking in cash sales had diminished so drastically. Leaning on the counter, Geoff then gave him a giant shock to really piss him off. The entire team was given a huge reprimand for electrocuting the few faithful clients that the company possessed and Arnold’s rage saw him rip out the magneto and spoil Geoff’s fun once and for all. Geoff finally flew the boring business and entered the supermarket trade, but only on the premise that he would not shock the clients physically anymore. He did, however, retain special ways of dealing with shoplifters – but that’s another story.

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3M VANITY AD M-J 2014_Layout 1 2014/05/12 2:13 PM Page 1

Telephone: +27 (0)83 604 2395 Email: sparmenter@3m.com Website: www.3m.com

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