Who's Who in Collision?

This month Joe McFadries of the National Collision Repairer spoke to Paul McMartin, Director The SAPE Group.

NCR : By way of introduction, tell us a bit of background about SAPE and how it came to be.

PM: Sydney Automotive Paints & Equipment, now known as SAPE, was established in 1976 by Ray McMartin. In the early years it traded as a local Auto Paints Store based in Marrickville, NSW, supplying the then popular Dulux Duco to body shops in both Sydney Metro and Regional NSW. Fast-forward to 2021, and our growth has been significant, as today we have a team of 90 staff members across six facilities: Sydney, Gosford, Newcastle, Canberra, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

SAPE is a leading distributor of Glasurit and baslac paints for BASF Australia, as well as Spies Hecker for Axalta Coating Systems through our subsidiary company, Automotive Colour & Equipment – known in the industry as ACE. Our focus in developing our equipment business has resulted in SAPE becoming the sole national distributor for some of the world’s most recognised collision repair brands, including GYS, Celette, Spanesi, Jollift, Autorobot, IRT, Drester, Herkules, Scangrip, CarSystem and Wielander & Schill.

These relationships have been forged over 45 years and have allowed SAPE to bring to market products that would otherwise be unavailable to the collision repair industry in Australia – a feat that we don’t overstate, but of which we are quietly proud!

NCR: And how – and when – did you become involved in the business?

PM: I’ve always had a passion for cars and decided to get into spray painting. I started my apprenticeship in 2002 and became a tradesman, but then I decided to take a different path and studied Marketing and Management.

In 2007, I enlisted in the Royal Australian Regiment (Infantry), a career that spanned five years and three deployments to Afghanistan and East Timor, before returning to the industry, joining the company in 2012. I started in the warehouse, progressed in the business through various roles, including operations, purchasing and marketing, through to my current role as Director.

NCR: OEMs have become increasingly active in the collision space – how has this impacted the SAPE Group?

PM: SAPE has always believed that the supplier-OEM relationship is one that needs nurturing, trust, and mutual understanding, which is why we have a close and longstanding working relationship with many of the major OEMs both at a local and international level. We understand the importance that OEMs place in correctly repairing vehicles, which is essential for the safe and reliable operation of all vehicles as well as the personal safety of the driver and passengers.

This is why we source OEM-approved equipment from some of the industry’s global giants, such as Spanesi, Celette and GYS just to name a few. The products are always of the highest grade and quality, and meet the specification needs of the repair.

NCR: And I also believe you have invested heavily in training facilities.

PM: SAPE saw an increasing demand within the collision repair industry for highquality training, particularly training based upon OEM repair procedures. As there were limited suitable existing facilities, with many lacking the depth and range of equipment found in many modern OEM repair facilities, we engaged several OEMs and key industry stakeholders with a view of developing a world-class training facility in the heart of metropolitan Sydney.

SAPE’s Training Academy now offers three spaces that create a virtual workplace that allows participants to confront the challenges of a real body shop in a risk-free environment. From theory and welding, through to structural repairs, our Training Facility allows for the creation of programs that engage and inspire like no other venue. NCR: You’ve also initiated a growth-byacquisition strategy. How is this going thus far, and what can we expect in the future?

PM: Since the beginning, we have grown consistently through a dual growth strategy: firstly and most importantly, through organic growth, and secondly by acquisition. Our recent acquisitions have included The Paint Depot on the Gold Coast, Auto Paint Supplies in Canberra and Peninsula Paint Supplies in Gosford, NSW.

There has been positive feedback to these acquisitions from local customers who are interested in the unique approach that SAPE brings to the supply of paint, consumables and equipment to the industry. Our aim is to make the transition seamless and to offer an excellent, streamlined and tailored service across all branches and channels. We are always on the lookout for the next growth opportunity and invite any distributor who is thinking of making a move to give us a call.

In addition, we have been a Capricorn Preferred Supplier of equipment for some time and have always found their finance package easy to use and highly beneficial to their Members. With our recent acquisitions, we are now also a Preferred Supplier of paint and consumables, further strengthening our partnership with Capricorn.

NCR: So, in closing, what is it about SAPE that makes you stand out from the competition?

PM: Due to the knowledge and expertise of our team, we offer a unique, market-leading approach to all aspects of the collision repair industry. From our supply chain to our operations and on to our customers, we are focused on offering a complete body shop solution. We are a one-stop shop that our customers can rely on, and we still stand by the same values today as we did when we opened in 1976.

Cairns Diesel Service:

60 years, still growing

Longevity in business doesn’t happen by accident – it requires making a lot of good decisions over a long period of time.

who joined Capricorn three years ago after a visit from an Area Manager. They said they enjoy the convenience and the access to suppliers that membership gives them.

The pair also take advantage of Capricorn Risk Services, saying not only are the prices competitive but being able to accrue Rewards Points is “a fantastic advantage”.

Daniel, Travis and their wives attended Capricorn’s Gala Night on the Gold Coast in 2019 and took part in the Townsville Trade Show.

“We recommend utilising the network opportunities available to Members,” the pair said. “This might be new customers or suppliers.”

If good decisions are the secret to a long and successful business, it sounds like Travis and Daniel are steering Cairns Diesel Services towards an even brighter future.

Cairns Diesel Service opened its doors in 1959 and has grown to become a prominent workshop in Far North Queensland for diesel repairs and diagnostics. The fully equipped garage provides fuel injection and turbo charger service, vehicle diagnostics and performance solutions for diesel applications.

In 2020, after 60 years in business, the company moved to new and larger premises — with room for all 12 employees and more hoists — and celebrated the refresh with new branding, too. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, which shut down manufacturing and disrupted both supply and freight, the business continues to grow.

Cairns Diesel Service is owned by Daniel Owen and Travis Briffa,

AUTOMOTIVE RIGHT TO REPAIR BILL PASSES THE SENATE

On 17 June 2021, the Australian Senate passed the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme Bill.

The amendment to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 ensures service and repair information provided to car dealership networks is made available for independent repairers to purchase at a fair market price.

The Federal government notes the new law is designed to provide better service and repair information for the 74 automotive brands available in Australia, in an industry worth $23 billion annually.

In Australia the motor vehicle servicing and repair industry involves nearly 35,000 businesses employing more than 106,000 Australians.

The new scheme will commence 1 July 2022 and be monitored for compliance by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.