National Collision Repairer June 2023

CollisionRepairer JUNE 2023

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News, views & information for the Collision Industry Professional

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Barry Edney discusses the hot topics facing collision repairers in Europe Jamie Carruthers reflects on his career as Max Autos celebrates 50 years We celebrate the VACC Industry Awards at the President’s Gala Dinner

Editorial with Joe McFadries

Milestones Marking your progress Perhaps it’s just me, but I seem to be getting more philosophical as the years go by. So much so that it has occurred to me that for the best part of my career, I have focused on the destination rather than the journey.

Of course, there are times when we all must focus on the end result, as in many cases achieving results is how we are measured and the means by which we get paid, which in turn enables us to maintain our desired standard of living. To a great extent, this is what society considers success.

Well, I did say I was getting more philosophical!

However, on reflection, perhaps we could all benefit from taking the time to enjoy the journey, celebrate the achievements along the way and mark the milestones on which we will inevitably look back with fondness.

But what is a milestone? Well, the definition that struck a chord with me is: “an important point in progress or development”, a definition that I noticed was conspicuous by the absence of a goal or an objective – essentially a focus on the journey and not the destination. Who would have thought I had it back to front all these years?

Anyway, enough philosophising (or was I rambling?) and on to this month’s issue, in which we have several articles that relate to milestones in the careers of people or events in our industry.

In my view, the most significant milestone is when a true doyen of the industry steps down after 55 years. This is why we caught up with Colin Edwards, 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award inductee, as he bows out with all the grace, class and dignity with which he has served the industry.

This is also a nice segue into our upcoming Lifetime Achievement Awards event, at which, by the time you read this, we will have announced the 2023 inductees, signifying a great milestone in their careers – being recognised by their peers. We will, of course, have the full story in the next issue.

We also chat with Jamie Carruthers, who shares his journey and discusses his current businesses as he celebrates the 50th anniversary of Max Auto Smash Repairs, a business of which he has been the custodian for the past nine years, maintaining the continuity of the brand. In addition, on the technology front, Axalta’s Mark Latham shares a few simple tips to enable you to maintain high-quality work during the winter months.

We bring you a report on the re-imagined VACC President’s Gala Dinner and Industry Awards function, where three great collision repair businesses, Essendon Panels, Euro Panels, and Autobody Solutions, won three of the six business categories. The president also recognised all the graduating

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apprentices and announced apprentice of the year awards for both Victoria and Tasmania.

Turning to another key event on the calendar, Owen Webb and I bring you all the great stories and pics from behind the scenes at Melbourne’s MotorEx, which was celebrating its 21st anniversary – what a great milestone when we consider its humble beginnings.

From around the globe, Barry Edney reports on some of the challenges and hot topics that collision repairers in Europe are facing against the backdrop of the broader post-Brexit economic climate.

Our OEM Snapshot takes another look at what’s happening in the world of the automotive manufacturers, and from the US, John Yoswick shares how some American shop owners are taking on the challenge of attracting and retaining the next generation of technicians.

In our Future Leader of the Industry column, we revisit 2018 inductee Cameron Killen, who stepped away from the family business and is now pursuing a career as a teacher at TAFE NSW’s Wollongbar Campus.

As always, we bring you all the latest local, global and product news to keep you up to date with what’s happening in our great industry.

Stay safe and well, and as always, happy to chat.

The National Collision Repairer magazine – Making a difference in our industry

“Staying Connected” To receive our weekly e-newsletter sign up at www.nationalcollisionrepairer.com.au or email: josephine@nationalcollisionrepairer.com.au

The National Collision Repairer – 1

Contents LATEST NEWS 4

Local News All the latest industry news, views and information from around the country as we approach midyear.

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SEMA News A preview of the Repairer Driven Education sessions at the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas from 31 October to 1 November.

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Global News Keeping you up to date with a selection of industry news and information from around the world.

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I-CAR Update and Training and Events Symposium23 l Cooly Rocks on l Red CentreNATS

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Product Showcase Bringing you another great selection of products specifically designed to enhance your business.

SPECIAL REPORTS 14

Europe Insight Barry Edney discusses a selection of the challenges and "hot topics” currently facing European collision repairers.

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Talking Shop We visit Max Auto Smash Repairs and chat with owner Jamie Carruthers who shares his journey as he celebrates Max’s 50th anniversary.

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REGULAR FEATURES

OEM Snapshot Yet another great summary of some of the developments within the world of the automotive manufacturers.

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SUB EDITOR: Joanna Dolan

ART CONSULTANT: Chris Stone (Stone Dezine) 0407 939 668 chris@stonie.com.au

ADVERTISING SALES ENQUIRIES: Joe McFadries 0458 588 333 joe@nationalcollisionrepairer.com.au

Josephine McFadries 0406 421 902 josephine@nationalcollisionrepairer.com.au

PUBLISHED BY: JMF Solutions Pty Ltd PO Box 1258, Kyneton Victoria 3444 0458 588 333

Future Leader of the Industry We catch up with Cameron Killen, who was inducted in 2018, and discover an unexpected journey into a teaching role at TAFE NSW.

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DIGITAL EDITOR: Josephine McFadries 0406 421 902 josephine@nationalcollisionrepairer.com.au

Industry Event We bring you the full story of the VACC President’s Dinner and Industry Awards night as the collision industry punches above its weight.

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EDITOR: Joe McFadries 0458 588 333 joe@nationalcollisionrepairer.com.au

The end of an era We chat with Colin Edwards as he bows out after 55 years in the industry, including 45 years leading the GPI Group.

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CollisionWeek

Custom Corner

Stateside A collision industry roundtable discusses ways to address the challenge of attracting and retaining technicians.

2023

HAMMER &DOLLY

Owen Webb and I bring you all the great stories and awesome pics from behind the scenes at MotorEx’s 21st anniversary show in Melbourne.

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Tech Tip Axalta’s Mark Latham shares some key tips to help you adapt to the winter conditions.

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Local News Maximise productivity this EOFY with Capricorn Finance Capricorn, Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, is helping its Members access the capital they need to expand through CAP ezi-finance.

According to Capricorn’s State of the Nation Report in 2022, 40% of Capricorn Members are planning to increase the capacity of their workshops. As the end of the financial year is near, Members looking to improve and expand their business are encouraged to use the end of financial year tax incentive opportunity and Capricorn Finance to ensure that their workshops are up to date with the latest equipment and tool technology.

“Capricorn understands that upgrading existing equipment or purchasing new equipment can significantly increase a workshop’s capacity and capabilities. Capricorn Finance is available to Members to help them achieve this,” explained Bradley Gannon, Capricorn CEO of Automotive.

Updating essential workshop equipment allows for increased customer capacity and the ability to work on more modern vehicles, while state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment ensures correct and timely parts replacements. Many Capricorn Members benefited from the 2022 end of financial year equipment loans. The most popular items purchased were hoists and lifts, diagnostic scan tools, tyre changers, wheel aligners and wheel balancers, aircon service equipment and brake lathes.

As cars become increasingly complex, electric vehicles become more prevalent, and technology advances, Capricorn Finance ensures workshops are equipped for success with industrycompetitive rates, zero set-up fees and the ability to earn 1.5 Capricorn Rewards Points on the value of any loan.

“Capricorn Finance is here to help our Members finance the equipment that they need to build a stronger business,” added Gannon.

Members should consider maximising the Federal Government’s Temporary Full Expensing incentive for business plant, tool and equipment purchases. Qualifying businesses can immediately claim the business portion of the cost of purchasing or upgrading an eligible asset on their next tax return.

Any eligible asset that is first used, held or installed and is ready for use for a taxable purpose before 30 June 2023 can be claimed. For full details, visit the Australian Taxation Office website: www.ato.gov.au.

Capricorn Finance offers all Members an easy way to purchase equipment loans, with some Members receiving pre-approval for loan amounts up to $30,000. Interested Members are encouraged to discuss their options with the Capricorn Finance team by calling 1800 327 437 or by emailing lending@capricorn.coop.

To be part of the Capricorn community and to enjoy the benefits of a Capricorn Membership, visit capricorn.coop

Auto Parts Group’s Women in Collision support initiative As part of its commitment to supporting the longevity of our industry, Auto Parts Group (APG), a leading Australian-owned supplier of genuine, certified aftermarket and aftermarket parts to the collision industry, is proud to announce its latest initiative focused on supporting the women of our industry.

APG will award 10 female apprentices in the collision repair industry with a $1,000 tool voucher redeemable for Würth tools.

Success in the collision repair industry requires focus and dedication to your craft. It can also be expensive, as owning your own tools can be difficult when you are just starting your career. Unfortunately, women have historically been underrepresented in the industry, and APG wants to play our role in supporting the next generation of women apprentices.

James Knox, CEO of Auto Parts Group, said: “At APG, we want to see female apprentice numbers grow within the industry. That’s why we decided to support this initiative.

Anything we can do to make life easier for repairers and contribute to the sustainability of our industry is important to the team at APG. We are proud to support women in collision.”

To enter, APG is asking repairers to nominate their

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apprentices by simply providing a creative 25-word statement showcasing the apprentice’s passion, commitment, and vision for the collision repair industry as a female apprentice.

APG will select 10 apprentices based on the submissions to receive a $1,000 Würth tool voucher. Entries close on 20 August 2023.

For more information, visit: www.autopartsgroup.com.au/women-in-collisionutm

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Local News AMA Group welcomes 30 international recruits AMA Group recently welcomed 30 skilled migrant panel beaters to Australia. They will be warmly received at the Group’s repair centres across Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and South Australia.

“Global talent search is a key pillar of our talent acquisition strategy, and the arrival of our newest cohort of team members is important to our business in this labour-constrained industry. While this doesn’t solve the problem, it is certainly a step in the right direction,” said Carl Bizon, AMA Group CEO. The shortage of skilled trades has been a long-term and significant issue in the collision repair industry. AMA Group has invested in skilled migration, sourcing top talent globally and ramping up this strategy since the reopening of international borders to skilled migration in Australia in February 2022.

Like many Australian employers, AMA Group has tackled ongoing challenges with delays in the visa process. Vetassess, which is the only approved skills assessment body for panel beaters and spray painters, has recently advised that “an increase in demand for these occupations along

with a shortage of qualified assessors in Australia has resulted in extended processing times.”

AMA Group continues to lead the industry in talent acquisition innovation by searching the globe for top talent as well as recruiting “more than their share” of apprentices to address the industry labour shortage long-term.

Monique Hislop-Reynolds, AMA Group’s talent acquisition manager, said: “We are delighted to welcome our newest cohort who see joining the

Group as a great opportunity to build their career with Australia’s largest collision repair network. All new employees who arrived this week have settled in nicely into homes that have been organised by AMA Group, ensuring a smooth and welcoming onboarding into the Group and Australia.”

As the largest collision repair network across Australia and New Zealand, AMA Group has a range of opportunities available.

For more information, visit: https://amagroupltd.com/careers

Anthony Barnes of Capital S.M.A.R.T welcomes several new team members at Brisbane airport.

Battle to become Australia’s Champion Tradie The inaugural Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards Australia’s beloved tradies are set to battle it out for recognition as the best of the best at the inaugural Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards, to be held at Western Sydney Conference Centre, Penrith, on Friday, 22 September 2023.

As Australia’s only dedicated awards for trades, the aim is to support and celebrate the vital contribution that trade business owners make to the local community, in service and in generating employment for millions of Australians, as well as their commitment to the Australian economy.

There are 44 industry categories in which trade businesses can be nominated, as well as individual awards for Apprentice Champion, Trades Entrepreneur, Trades Champion Leader and Champion Tradie.

Awards founder and managing director Steve Loe said it is all about giving Australia’s tradies the recognition they deserve.

“Tradies are the backbone of Australian society and an integral part of the small business sector. A third of Australia’s workforce is in a trade, and the Awards give them the opportunity to be publicly acknowledged for their hard work and service,” he said.

“A trades career can often mean early starts, long days and exhausting manual labour. It’s a very physically taxing career, and those who perform to a high standard deserve to be recognised for their contribution to the community and exceptional customer service,” continued Loe.

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Businesses will be assessed on criteria including customer service, quality of products, staff training initiatives, environmental sustainability and contribution to the community by 30 judges representing a variety of trade industries.

Eligible businesses must be based in Australia and suit a listed category (which includes automotive), a trade retail or service business with 40 employees or less, or a trade manufacturing business with 100 employees or less.

Entries are open now and close on 27 July, with finalists set to be announced on 16 August. For more information, head to www.tradesbusinesschampions.com.au

Local News Ford Driving Skills for Life Hands-on night-time driver training launches for 2023 Research conducted by the Victorian Government and Transport Accident Commission indicates that P-plate drivers are seven times more likely to be killed or injured when driving in the dark compared to fully licensed drivers.

To address this, the free Ford Driving Skills for Life program hits the road from June to September 2023, visiting regional and metro locations across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria. The program will be delivered by Driving Solutions and is specifically tailored to new and young drivers.

Ford Driving Skills for Life involves practical training with expert instructors to help participants become more skilled and safer drivers. The program covers techniques that are not typically covered in L-plate driver instruction, and this year is particularly focused n the risks of driving at night on Australian roads, such as emergency braking, steering and vision, cornering, parking and a “fatigue suit” designed to demonstrate the dangers of driving when sleep deprived.

According to the NSW Government, fatigue accounts for around 20% of road deaths in NSW, and the risk of having a fatigue-related crash is four times greater late at night or early in the morning. Students who tend to stay up late are among those most likely to feel fatigued and, therefore, at greater risk of being

involved in an accident after dark.

“There’s nothing more important on the road than safety, and that’s why we found the statistics around how many more young people suffer injuries and fatalities at night so concerning,” said Andrew Birkic, president and CEO of Ford Australia and New Zealand. “We’re hoping that by teaching young drivers practical night driving skills, we might help keep them just that bit safer on the road.”

A signature program of the Ford Motor Company Fund, Ford Driving Skills for Life teaches newly licensed and teen drivers the necessary skills for safe driving beyond what they learn in standard driver education programs.

Ford Driving Skills for Life has provided free, advanced driver education to more than one million people worldwide since it was founded in 2003.

Ford Driving Skills for Life captures teen and parent interest with hands-on

driver training clinics that pair newly licensed drivers with professional instructors, focusing on the issues and obstacles drivers face that cause crashes, including hazard recognition, vehicle handling, speed management, space management and distracted and impaired driving.

Driving Skills for Life 2023 event dates: l Victoria: Melbourne International Raceway, Friday 21 July l NSW: Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek, Friday 18 August l NSW: Lithgow, Saturday 19 August l Queensland locations to be confirmed.

Driving Skills for Life is a free course delivered by professional driving instructors around Australia. The program is open to drivers aged between 16 and 24 who hold a valid learner’s permit or driver’s licence.

Registrations are now open at www.FordDSFL.com.au

EVC targets one million EVs by 2027 The Electric Vehicle Council has launched a new national advertising campaign promoting the benefits of switching to electric and urging Australians to make their next car an EV. The campaign, which features the tagline “my next car will …” seeks to capitalise on the rapidly growing consumer interest in EVs. The ads also feature a cheeky reference to former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s 2019 claim that EVs would “ruin the weekend”.

“We know Australians are eager to make the switch to cleaner driving that would free

8 – LOCAL NEWS

them from dependence on volatile imported oil. We believe that the more Australians understand the advantages of EVs, the more likely they are to make the switch,” said EVC chief executive Behyad Jafari.

"The ads call on Australians to get behind the push to have a million EVs on Australian roads by 2027, which coincides with the federal government’s plan to introduce strong fuel efficiency standards.

“We need to incentivise car makers to make their best range of EVs available to

Australians so that Australian consumers have the same choice as drivers in the United States or Europe.

“Every time a driver chooses an EV, they help themselves, and they help the nation. If we can accelerate this transition, it will lead to substantial benefits for the Australian economy and environment, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved city air quality and energy security.”

The advertisements started running nationally in May. To view the ad, visit: youtu.be/0-1hL2ZPTao

Electric Vehicle Council CEO Behyad Jafari.

Local News Mirka Galaxy stars against rivals Featuring self-sharpening tech, durability and a long lifespan, along with great pricing, Mirka’s new Galaxy abrasive has outperformed rivals during exhaustive local trials.

Work your way through its long list of features, and Mirka’s all-new Galaxy abrasive range sounds like a dream come true for technicians in both the panel and paint departments. Its robust yet flexible latex film construction makes it ideally suited to the collision repair sector, particularly in terms of edge wear resistance. Thanks to Mirka’s R&D team, Galaxy comes with a long list of clever features, including self-sharpening technology, a special clog-resistant coating and a ground-breaking Mirka Multifit design that delivers excellent dust extraction and a “one fits all” solution. However, as good as these credentials sound on paper, the real test came when it was put through a punishing series of local trials against the cream of its direct competitors in the ANZ market. Matt Sbizzirri, PPG’s product specialist for Associated Products, said that the aim was to assess the real-world sanding performance.

an opportunity to achieve its best results.

Trials were also done blind, so the person performing the task didn’t know what brand they were actually using each time. This ensured we got meaningful results, and when we tallied up the numbers, it was Galaxy that came out a clear winner. For example, in one test, Galaxy actually came away 12% more efficient than even its big brand name competitors!”

Dux of the class “We carefully designed trials that were repeatable, unbiased and gave each product

Competitive pricing “If you are attracted by all the outstanding traits Galaxy offers, you are

Galaxy stars “Based on those results alone, it’s a nobrainer to at least give Galaxy a try.

Wherever we have demonstrated Galaxy and let people feel the cut consistency and smoothness of Galaxy for themselves, the reaction has been ‘Wow!’ And it just lasts and lasts thanks to the unique Mirka self-sharpening technology – every time the edge of a ceramic grain is broken off when sanding, the grain underneath just creates a new cutting edge, and it keeps cutting. Galaxy comes in P40 through to P2000 and in the popular 150mm discs, as well as rolls and sheets for various applications.”

going to be amazed by the pricing! In fact, the Galaxy range is very competitively priced against rivals that it actually outperformed in our trials. At the end of the day, we believe that the invoice price will become irrelevant once consumers feel the way Galaxy keeps on cutting, the excellent edge wear resistance and the overall process efficiency gains it gives them.”

PPG is the exclusive distributor of Mirka products in Australia and New Zealand. The Galaxy is available from authorised Mirka distributors.

Independent review recommends improvements to “The Code” The Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry (MVIRI) Code of Conduct Committee (CAC) has received Dr Michael Schaper’s final report on the independent review of the MVIRI Code of Conduct (the Code).

The report provides 15 recommendations in response to the review’s terms of reference, which focused on: 1. The effectiveness of dispute resolution processes under the MVIRI Code.

2. Awareness and accessibility of the Code.

3. Compliance with the Code.

4. Governance of the Code and the CAC. 5. Other issues pertinent to the effective governance and operation of the Code.

Dr Schaper said the review has also highlighted the importance of the motor vehicle insurance and repair industry to the broader community. “A thorough review of the code is important because

we are in a time of significant change.

The Code is mandatory in New South Wales and South Australia, and a review of the Code by the Tasmanian Government is underway.”

A range of stakeholders were consulted in the review process, including government bodies, regulators such as Small Business Commissioners, members of the Code Administration Committee, as well as the insurance and repair industry. The CAC will now work with its membership bodies to review Dr Schaper’s recommendations.

Since its inception in 2006, the MVIRI Code of Conduct has undergone multiple reviews to ensure it remains fit for purpose, with the last review undertaken in 2017. Motor vehicle repairs are the largest single insurance claim for Australian consumers, with 1.76 million smash claims in the 2020–21 financial year alone.

In December 2022, the CAC

announced Dr Schaper was appointed to conduct an independent review of the Code. The MVIRI Code Administration Committee acknowledges and thanks Dr Schaper for his work in delivering the review.

Dr Michael Schaper.

A copy of Dr Schaper’s report can be found on the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct website at www.abrcode.com.au/resource-centre as well as the MTAA website www.mtaa.com.au and the ICA website at www.insurancecouncil.com.au.

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I-CAR Gold Class for AMA Group’s H Harvey Prestige I-CAR Australia and AMA Group are pleased to announce that H Harvey Prestige has been awarded the prestigious I-CAR Gold Class Collision status.

“With the introduction of ADAS, EV and new substrates into modern vehicles, it is now critical that all AMA Group’s estimators, technicians and managers are up to date with the latest technology,” stated Scott Donnelly, Technical Training, Prestige & OEM manager at AMA Group.

Discussing the achievement, H Harvey Prestige Centre manager Glenn Harvey explained: “The endorsement of I-CAR training from our OEM partners has been very beneficial. Training with I-CAR’s Industry Training Alliance partners, such as BASF, Car-O-Liner, Porsche and Tesla, has helped us gain the training recognition required for the Gold Class program. The Porsche Steel Advanced and Multi-Material Expert programs allowed staff members with a range of skillsets the opportunity to expand and grow their knowledge.

Through the completion of such programs, we began to see some of our techs achieving their own personal I-CAR Platinum Individual status. The feedback from my staff has been

nothing but positive. It has definitely been a team effort and has noticeably boosted morale within the workplace.”

Harvey continued: “I would recommend the Road to Gold program to other colleagues because of its diverse range of training and relevance to our industry. There is a great range of learning opportunities – from basic online courses to advanced face-toface options. Delivery methods are great, and I-CAR understands the cost to the business of having techs off-site, so it is great to have access to online/virtual training options that work towards the accreditation.”

H Harvey Prestige is widely recognised and respected as one of Australia’s leading collision repair

businesses. Its commitment to quality is exemplary and achieving the I-CAR Gold Class designation further enhances that reputation and is reflected in the improvement in the knowledge and skills of its valued staff members.

“I-CAR’s comprehensive range of training is uniquely created by the industry, for the industry. H Harvey Prestige has taken full advantage of the opportunity to blend OEM and refinish training with the technology training available from I-CAR to ensure their training program has met the full requirements of the business. Congratulations to everyone involved,” commented Gary Wood, senior technical advisor at I-CAR Australia.

SEMA News

Las Vegas – the place to be in 23!

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2023 SEMA SHOW IS NOW OPEN, WITH DISCOUNTED FEES FOR REGISTRATION AND REPAIRER DRIVEN EDUCATION SESSIONS. The show features thousands of exhibitors and brands, and so far for 2023, SEMA told Repairer Driven News that there is already almost a 5% increase in the number of collision repair and refinish company exhibitors and a 15% increase in the number of tools and equipment exhibitors.

More than 2,000 exhibitors are participating in booth place selection, with more exhibitors expected to sign on leading up to the show. The floor plan can be viewed at semashow.com/floorplan.

“The industry’s support for this year’s SEMA Show has proven and shown that people are focusing on the next three to five years, with plenty of new products and innovation,” said SEMA vice president of events, Tom Gattuso. “We’re excited to see it all on the SEMA Show floor this November.”

The show will be held from 31 October to 3 November at the Las Vegas Convention Center to showcase products and tools for automotive customisation.

SEMA said it is committed to providing the greatest ROI to SEMA Show attendees by offering, among many other things, a comprehensive education program presented by a broad cross-section of industry experts.

This includes the Society of Collision Repair Specialists Repairer Driven Education (RDE) and IDEAS Collide sessions and special features such as the New Products Showcase, SEMA Electrified and electric vehicle displays, and Collision Repair Stage.

IDEAS Collide, an annual slate of several 10-minute information-packed presentations, offers a range of learning opportunities. Topics covered in the 2022 showcase ranged from glass replacement tips and techniques, spray gun science and setting up ADAS calibration centres to employee hiring, business financial planning, and much more. The full playlist of last year’s IDEAS Collide is now available for free on the SCRS YouTube page (https://youtu.be/-PJsTg6LZgQ).

Aaron Schulenburg, executive

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director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, summed up the 2022 sessions: “The RDE sessions were packed, and we actually surpassed registrations from our best year ever by almost 20%. I think the industry is still feeling the overwhelmingly positive experience, and I’m thrilled to say, ‘We are back!’ on the heels of what marks the largest trade show in the US for the year!” The videos of all 2022 RDE and OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit sessions are available for purchase at rde.scrs.com.

Gearing up for this year’s SEMA Show, Gattuso said the association is “committed to ensuring that participation in the SEMA Show is easy and affordable.”

A $40 fee for qualified buyers is available until 30 June. Deadlines and fees for other registration categories can also be found at semashow.com/register.

Repairer Driven Education (RDE) sessions will increase to full price on 29 September.

A single registration includes: l Four days of access to the trade-only SEMA Show floor, where manufacturers are prepared to provide product demonstrations and answer technical questions about thousands of products. l Inspiration from leading innovators and celebrities sharing their personal The SCRS Team.

messages at seminars, keynote addresses and other special events. l Insight into new technology, such as alternative fuel, electric vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems, and more l Emerging trends shown on the worldclass vehicle build debuts throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center l Meaningful connections and partnerships with professionals from all around the world, which can only be accomplished through face-to-face conversations and gatherings.

On the Friday night, the SEMA Show will close with the traditional SEMA Ignited, incorporating SEMA Cruise on the streets of Las Vegas, which, once again, is expected to be an awesome finale. The deep-throated rumble of the engines and the “intoxicating aroma” of burning fuel will hang in the Las Vegas air once again. Every year, SEMA Cruise exceeds the expectations of the hypercharged crowd, and 2023 should be no exception.

“Making the annual trade show accessible to the worldwide marketplace is what helps make the SEMA Show the best place to connect with the industry,” said Gattuso. “It guarantees that the best products, the most innovative ideas, and emerging trends are at the show.”

Industry Milestone with Frank Grice

Colin Edwards ‘The guy from GPI’ bows out after 55 years WE CAUGHT UP WITH COLIN EDWARDS, FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE GPI GROUP OF COMPANIES, AS HE RETIRES AFTER 55 YEARS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, INCLUDING 45 YEARS WITH HIS HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT GPI. Late last year, we reported that Colin Edwards had sold the GPI Automotive, Fitness and Corporate divisions of the GPI Group of Companies to Melbournebased Collins Street Asset Management for an undisclosed sum.

Although Colin initially planned to continue as Group CEO for two more years, he decided to retire in April, just 10 days after celebrating his 55th anniversary in the refinish industry. Colin will continue in a consulting capacity for GPI in relation to international shows and overseas suppliers.

Colin’s journey began in 1968 when

1 4 – INDUSTRY MILESTONE

he joined General Paper Industries, which sold cartons and, by natural extension, a range of packaging tape.

The refinish industry was a large user of masking tapes, and he saw the opportunity to expand their small automotive business by selling it directly to the end-user.

However, Colin recalls that at the end of 1976 the Australian dollar collapsed, and as an importer competing with local manufacturers, he knew the business would be in trouble.

General Paper Industries decided to close the doors on the automotive

division and throughout 1977 the business began to wind down. Although Colin entertained the prospect of continuing his career with Carborundum, it was not to be.

However, in 1978 General Paper Industries decided to close the automotive division and Colin made an offer to take over the automotive division on a walk-in walk-out basis.

With a focus on growth through new and innovative products, Colin turned his attention to international suppliers in the early eighties with his first visit to NACE and Automechanika.

This has become an annual quest, as have Colin’s visits to the Taiwan market.

Over the years, global suppliers such as

Colin Edwards.

A reflection of the man at the top.

Gerson, Tetrosyl, Loy, Dominion and Eezer came on board and as the demand grew, so did the company, which in turn led to even greater growth. “I remember my accountant in the mid-eighties looking at the business and telling me that we would never get any bigger than a $4 million turnover as we would not be able to finance it. Well, we are now many multiples of that.”

As the business continued to expand, so did the demands for warehouse space and, on his bank manager’s advice, Colin bought his first factory in West Heidelberg in 1985, subsequently leasing the adjoining four buildings as the business continued to grow. In 1992, an opportunity arose to buy a large factory in Mulgrave which, at the time, was too large but seemed the right thing to do. It has been the GPI Group head office ever since.

Fast forward to 2013, when Colin was nominated for a National Collision Repairer Lifetime Achievement Award and was subsequently inducted at the Melbourne awards ceremony. I had the privilege of being a guest on that day, and I can honestly say that even then, he was NOT lost for words.

In addition to a strong focus on gross margin, diversification has also been a key to the success of the Group, recognising the protection provided when you spread the risk over different products and market segments. When we interviewed him in 2018 for his golden anniversary, he outlined his business philosophy: “It’s important to be able to recognise opportunities and be brave enough to ‘take the punt’.

Having a positive, can-do attitude and the right mindset is a critical aspect in business, and in life in general.”

Colin also highlighted some of the characteristics that have made him and GPI successful over the years, although he would hardly classify them as the secrets of his success. “Perseverance, taking considered risks, turning opportunities into successes, personal drive, the desire to succeed and understanding the business intimately have all been important over the years.

It all comes down to work ethic, which is really in the genes.”

It is also clear that Colin spent a great deal of time on the people side of his business throughout his extensive career. “It is important to treat your staff as you would want to be treated, have a solid structure and a reliable management team. By focusing on these fundamentals, we have a strong

retention rate, and, in fact, some people have left the business for greener pastures only to return to the fold.”

Colin takes the responsibility for the staff and their families very seriously.

“I support the people who have and continue to support us. I have an opendoor policy, and I’m always happy to hear from my staff, whether it’s good news or not.”

As I write this article, I am reminded of a discussion I had with Colin in 2019 related to business principles. At the time I wrote: “Principles, of course, are not just the rules and regulations of your organisation, whether it be a multinational or your own business.

Principles are based upon what you, the individual, believes and how you choose to conduct yourself in both your private and your business life, irrespective of your differences of opinion.” Colin has always been true to his values throughout his career, and he even developed a set of principles by which he and his staff do business at GPI. When I asked Colin about the

highlights of his career, he was reluctant point to anything in particular. When pressed, he suggested: “Buying the Mulgrave site and centralising our businesses in 1992 was major step forward. However, rather than identify milestones, I like to think more about the journey and the experience through the years and all the great people with whom I have had the privilege of working.”

The phrase “doyen of our industry” is often over-used; however, in the case of Colin Edwards, it has never been more accurate. Colin has always been true to his values throughout his career and even developed a set of principles by which he and his staff did business at GPI. So, on 28 April 2023, Colin Edwards bowed out of the collision repair industry with all the grace, class and dignity that he embodied for 55 years in the industry, 45 years of which was leading The GPI Group.

Editor: All of us at the National Collision Repairer wish him every success in his retirement.

The GPI Group head office for over 30 years.

The National Collision Repairer – 1 5

Europe Insight with Barry Edney

The view from up here The hot topics challenging the collision repair industry in Europe Introduction A few months ago, I wrote about the many challenges repairers face here in Europe. We all know that there has been a lot for all of us to deal with, especially the disruption from the pandemic and the impact of a volatile energy market. In Europe, of course, we have the added friction of the new trading rules with Europe post-Brexit, which has also impacted supplies of parts and consumables.

All these disruption factors are common to a greater or lesser degree to many in our industry around the world, so this month, I am looking at the “hot topics” for repairers here in Europe. This is not intended as an in-depth look at the challenges the industry faces but to raise awareness and show that, regardless of the country you operate in, we all face the same or similar business challenges.

1 6 – EUROPE INSIGHT

Parts availability – the hottest of hot topics This has been a global challenge as a high percentage of the replacement parts we need are made in China, and with China’s zero COVID policy, most of the factories were closed for an extended period. Add to this the disruption of the Suez Canal closure and the low availability of ships and containers driving high shipping costs, and the results were long lead times and high prices.

In Europe, there are other factors around the changing distribution policies of the vehicle manufacturers’ parts organisations, which have also added to the disruption. Most are confident that the supply pressures will ease soon as manufacturing and shipping catch up with the COVID-induced backlog, but exactly when we will see “normal supplies” isn’t clear just yet.

To fill this void, there has been an uptick in interest in reclaimed or recycled parts. Of course, insurers are keen to encourage their use as it can reduce costs and lead times. There is also quite a focus on the environmental benefits of using reclaimed parts. As more parts are re-used, the less nonrecyclable parts will be crushed and sent to landfill.

The challenge, of course, is to obtain the right parts, in suitable condition, at the right time to complete the repair to the right standard.

A late 2022 UK survey by e2e (formerly National Salvage Association) and the Auto Body Professionals Club (ABP) members revealed some interesting feedback. For example, the majority of responses indicated that typically, reclaimed parts are only used on less than 10% of repairs.

Interestingly, 14% of responses suggested reclaimed parts could be used on up to 100% of repairs. Ease of sourcing was highlighted as a key challenge in the survey, and 74% of repairers said they would use one seamless sourcing platform for reclaimed parts if one existed.

Not surprisingly, there was a big difference between the body shops’ and the insurers’ views on how advancing vehicle technology, such as ADAS, will affect the use of reclaimed parts. Increased usage due to technology is expected by 45% of insurers but only by 8% of body shops, whereas decreased use is expected by 52% of body shops and 33% of insurers.

Another aspect of the reduced availability of parts has been increasing reports of parts being stolen from cars when they are left parked up. This is not new, as highcost parts such as catalytic converters, electronic components, etc., have been the target of thieves for several years. A few years ago, a work colleague had his BMW 5 series

broken into overnight and found the thieves had stolen the complete dashboard assembly! Although not new, we have seen a marked increase in the range of stolen parts and the number of incidents since new parts became harder to obtain.

Skills and skills training This is a subject we hear repeatedly and, frustratingly, it seems to be getting worse, not better. There is a strong feeling amongst those I spoke to that the drive for efficiency by focusing on replacement rather than repair has made the situation worse. “No one can repair anymore” was the complaint I heard recently.

A year or so ago, I reported that some initiatives had been taken to support youngsters joining our industry as apprentices. AutoRaise, a UK charitable organisation working to encourage and support new apprentices, is doing a fine job but cannot support enough newcomers to meet the needs at body shop level.

In the same report, I noted that industry-specific bodies were developing apprenticeships rather than government-awarding bodies. This led to a much more streamlined and focused apprenticeship, but unfortunately, the view now is that it is focused too much on efficiency (replacing parts) and not enough on the repair skills themselves.

Training places at local trade schools (TAFEs) are rarer than hen’s teeth at the moment. Most of the apprenticeships available are by national providers, with limited or no local physical training facilities.

The only real training available currently is provided by the vehicle manufacturers for their dealership technicians. Independent repairers can send technicians on these courses for a fee, but, as you might expect, there are few spaces available as dealership staff have priority. Volvo supports apprenticeships in the independent sector, but again, there are too few per year to make a real difference across the whole industry. Without the training provided by paint companies and equipment manufacturers, independent repairers would struggle to obtain any real skills development at all.

The bottom line is that there is no longer the time to develop those repair skills in the time available. There are just not enough apprentices being trained on repair techniques by experienced technicians.

Labour shortage Back in November, I reported that average key-to-key times had increased from one week to two weeks. That situation hasn’t changed, and there are long waiting times for drivers to book their cars in for repair. A shortage of work is not a problem for insuranceapproved body shops.

This issue is mainly driven by the shortage of skilled and unskilled labour and the delays in finding parts. The resulting impact on work in progress, constrained output and cashflows continues to pressure most repairers.

Cost pressures This labour shortage, along with the extended period of inflation we are experiencing, is driving up labour costs.

On top of that, we are still experiencing high energy costs. Although base energy cost is reducing, this is at the same time as governments across Europe are reducing business subsidies, so there is little relief from the pressure.

The extended key-to-key time ties up a loan car for far longer each repair, on average doubling the loan vehicle cost. These cost pressures, together with the extended lead times and

The National Collision Repairer – 1 7

5

Minutes Europe Insight with ...

Chris Heath Capricorn Society When did you join the industry?

1989 What was your first job in the industry?

Apprentice Mechanic

The view from up here

increased work in progress, reduce cash flow and put pressure on a repairer’s finances.

Despite some work providers allowing £50–70 per repair as a cost offset, it is still a constant battle to justify costs. This extra focus on cost justification adds to the admin burden, which in turn adds to costs!

Capacity crunch The number of body shops in the UK has also been falling in recent years, and we saw quite a few shut their doors during the pandemic. The estimated number of shops in the UK in 2020 was around 3,000. The most recent estimate is 2,800–2,900 at most, with around 1,000 receiving the majority of insurer-directed work.

This capacity crunch has led to an average four-month waiting period before a repairer can book the vehicle in for repair. Unfortunately, this capacity crunch will likely worsen as more independent shops sell up or close. As repairers near retirement age, they are opting to exit the

industry rather than battle on.

Despite this environment, large multi-location repairers continue to focus on economies of scale and can spread costs over many more vehicles.

Many, such as Gemini and Steer Automotive, also have their own training teams, partnerships with external providers and staff development programs to ensure they can staff their facilities and continue to repair vehicles in high volumes.

In summary I was recently told that a body shop needs to be at least 130% efficient to make a reasonable profit. That is, billing 30% more hours than they use to repair cars. What is interesting about that number is that it is the same efficiency target body shops had when I started in this industry way back in 1987! That tells me that while our industry seems to be permanently under pressure or in turmoil, the fundamentals stay the same. The pressures may change and evolve over time, but we are a resilient bunch!

What do you like about the industry?

The people you meet and the fact that it is forever evolving/changing.

What do you dislike about the industry?

Nothing too much, sometimes information gathering can be a little harder than it needs to be.

What keeps you awake at night?

Prospects/Members not signing paperwork when target deadlines are looming.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My little mate Ron (my dad) If you could change one thing, what would it be??

My putts would go in.

What do you do when you’re not working?

Footy in the winter (Go Tiges) and cricket in the summer (still playing) enjoy spending time with family and friends and a bit of golf.

Who in the world would you most like to meet?

Billy Connolly.

Barry has extensive collision industry experience across Australasia, Europe and Asia Pacific. He is currently located in the UK and can be contacted on barry.edney@triple888.co.uk

1 8 – EUROPE INSIGHT

COLD GEAR UP FOR THE

Talking Shop with Andrew Minns

Max Auto Smash Repairs WE CHAT WITH JAMIE CARRUTHERS, WHO SHARES HIS JOURNEY AND DISCUSSES HIS CURRENT BUSINESSES AS HE CELEBRATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF MAX AUTO SMASH REPAIRS. Background Jamie began his career in the industry at a young age when his dad pulled him out of school and placed him with one of his friends’ collision repair shops, setting his son on the path to becoming a panel beater by the time he was 18 years old.

Over his journey, Jamie has owned and operated several shops, including Coastline Panel & Paint, which he has owned for the past 23 years. However, nine years ago, he saw that “the shop across the road”, Max Auto Smash Repairs, was not travelling so well, so he acquired the business, turned it around and relocated it to be side-by-

side with Coastline. Together, they have become known as CPMA (Coastline Panel & Paint Max Auto Smash Repairs), and they repair 45 cars per week with only 17 full-time staff.

Although it has changed hands a couple of times since the early 1970s, Max Auto Smash Repairs celebrates its golden anniversary this year, and due to the longevity of both facilities, Jamie operates both brands in the Tweed Heads market.

People in the business Jamie and his wife Michelle went into business together when they acquired Coastline and have worked together

ever since.

CPMA also has several long-term employees, including site manager Jason Mewes, a former facility owner and insurance assessor, panel beater Lindsay Brooks and spray painter Dean Morrow.

Jamie also reflects on the ongoing difficulty finding technicians, so he takes the “grow your own” approach and currently has four apprentices in the business.

Key supplier partners Jamie speaks fondly of his longestserving partner, who goes all the way back to the beginning with Coastline: The Paint Depot, which was acquired by the SAPE Group in 2018. This long-term

Getting started on a new job.

Michelle and Jamie Carruthers.

2 0 – TALKING SHOP

The Max Auto Team.

relationship extends to their paint brand, BASF’s baslac. Jamie holds both solvent and water-based and selects the system depending on the requirements of the repair.

The SAPE Group also supplies a full range of ancillaries, GYS welding equipment, and Autorobot straightening and measuring equipment, making it a one-stop shop for CPMA. In addition, with the added complexity of 45 cars now going through the shop, Jamie switched to iBodyshop when the two shops came together. iBodyshop does everything they need it to do, making the whole business much more efficient.

SAPE Group Queensland business manager Adrian Albany was pleased to offer the following comment: “Jamie’s dedication to the industry is not only proven through his local service and longevity in business through MaxAutos, but also through his ongoing commitment in employing the next generation apprentices. With additional support and training from BASF, Jamie strives to exceed the expectations of his customers in his fast-paced professional body shop.”

Secrets of success Jamie well recognises that 50 years in business doesn’t just happen by accident, and he puts the long-term success down to the people in the business, the quality of the repairs and the high levels of customer service.

“I believe I have three or four of the best technicians in the industry with great experience, not just on the tools, but in some cases owning and operating their own businesses. This makes a huge difference to CPMA.” Jamie added that these things make the business stand out from other collision repairers in Tweed Heads.

Jamie was also keen to point out that he is happy to work with multiple insurers and likes to ensure he maintains a balance in where the work comes from, giving no more than 25% of work to any one insurer.

He is a recommended Suncorp repairer, and a preferred Allianz repairer, in addition to working with IAG and RACQ, among several others.

“Insurers are key stakeholders in our industry, so it is in everyone’s best interest to work together for the greater good of the industry and

ensure the customer always gets a safe and proper repair.”

The changing face of the industry When it comes to dealing with the everincreasing technology on today’s motor vehicles, Jamie has a two-pronged approach. Internally, he is committed to maintaining the highest skill levels across his technician pool and is currently an I-CAR Silver Repairer. In addition, when it comes to collision avoidance technology, CPMA relies on its extensive network of OEM dealers to ensure that when all cars go back on the road, the safety systems operate as they should.

In summary, Jamie and Michelle are proud of what they have achieved and very pleased to be the current custodians of Max Auto Smash Repairs on the auspicious occasion of its 50th anniversary.

Editor: With so many ongoing changes and challenges in the industry today, it is so great to bring you this enduring success story.

Congratulations to Jamie, Michelle and the whole team at CPMA.

A great street frontage stands the test of time.

The National Collision Repairer – 2 1

OEM Snapshot Mustang Mach-E confirmed for Oz

Purpose-built vehicles for ride hailing

Pricing has been confirmed, and online reservations are open for the highly anticipated allelectric Ford in Australia.

Embodying the spirit of Mustang for an electric future, Mustang Mach-E will arrive in Australian showrooms late this year and will be available in three variants: Select, Premium and GT. “We’ve had a brilliant response to Mustang Mach-E since we confirmed it for Australia a few weeks ago and can’t wait to give customers the chance to get behind the wheel later this year,” said Andrew Birkic, president and CEO of Ford Australia and New Zealand.

From its modern take on Mustang’s iconic tri-bar taillights to its bold stance, astonishing performance and exhilarating driving dynamics, Mustang Mach-E builds on Mustang’s more than half-century heritage, readying it for an exciting new era.

Kicking off the line-up in Australia is the Mach-E Select, which boasts a 71kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery mated to a single electric motor that delivers 198kW and 430Nm of torque via the rear wheels. New for 2023, the LFP battery will allow Ford to offer the Mach-E with fresh technology proving exceptionally durable, using fewer high-demand, high-cost materials and the ability to sustain fast charging as it approaches maximum capacity. The Mach-E Select will offer a driving range of up to 470 kilometres.

All models feature Mach-E’s one pedal drive system, which, once activated, allows you to drive just using the accelerator. Take your foot off the throttle, and the Mach-E will begin slowing down, recapturing energy usually lost during deceleration, making it perfect for start-stop traffic.

Mustang Mach-E forms an important part of Ford’s electrified future in Australia, with a plan to launch at least five electrified vehicles Down Under by the end of 2024.

Kakao Mobility, South Korea’s leading mobility as a service platform company and Kia Corporation have announced a collaboration to develop purposebuilt vehicles (PBVs) optimised for ride hailing and new mobility services linked to PBVs. Under the agreement, Kia will develop customised PBVs using operation data of vehicles to meet the specific requirements of Kakao Mobility’s ride hailing services. The developed PBVs are expected to continue to capture operation data during their partnership, bringing further insights.

The two companies also intend to collaborate on planning specialised services linking software and vehicle data for Kia’s dedicated PBVs. The service includes enabling interaction between in-vehicle infotainment and the Kakao Mobility software platform.

In addition, the collaboration is expected to establish advanced ride hailing models that can evolve the mobility service market by providing highly personalised mobility solutions for numerous types of customers.

“We are confident that the collaboration will create the optimum synergies through Kia’s mobility technologies, including our leadership in PBVs, and Kakao Mobility’s expertise in software and platforms,” said Kia’s president and CEO Ho Sung Song.

“These synergies can create new value in the mobility service market and further accelerate Kia’s rapid transformation to a sustainable mobility solutions provider.”

Through the collaborative partnership, Kia and Kakao Mobility will complete the development of a standardised service model for ride hailing. The parties will then expand their services to various industries, including the lease and logistics sectors and areas for transporting passengers with specific needs, broadening Kia and Kakao Mobility’s offering to global markets.

In April this year, Kia celebrated a milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony of the new dedicated plant for its PBVs in Korea.

The facility is set to begin mass production in the latter half of 2025, with an initial capacity of 150,000 units for the first full year and room for further expansion in response to evolving market trends.

Robotic paint inspections Using robots to inspect, process and mark painted vehicle surfaces at its Regensburg, Germany plant, BMW says it is the first automaker in the world to use AI-based technology at this scale.

The OEM said AI-controlled robots are processing each vehicle individually in production to meet specified quality standards. The approach has proven successful by creating shorter lead times and a “consistently high level of vehicle surface quality”.

According to BMW, “The scene

2 2 – OEM SNAPSHOT

resembles a well-rehearsed play: Four robots stand in the processing booth, surrounding a freshly painted body. As if on command, the robots begin working on the surface of the body. They sand it, apply the polishing compound, polish, change the attachments and switch out the sandpaper.”

During the surface inspection, the system uses special technology to identify flaws. It does so by projecting black and white patterns onto the vehicle’s surface and allowing cameras to scan it to “detect even the slightest variation in the reflective paintwork”. The camera then logs deviations and transfers the data to a connected computer system, which saves the

coordinates and size of the flaws, creates a 3D image of it, and then classifies it.

The robots work on each body exactly where needed because the tiny specks and bumps that can appear after the topcoat is applied are in different spots on each vehicle. The use of AI allows them to work in such a tailored manner.

BMW channelled the experience of human employees to create the algorithm, which can now independently determine which areas need attention post-processing.

However, the robots can’t do everything, which means people are still required to make the finishing touches and give the body a final inspection.

Design combined with driving dynamics Alfa Romeo Australia has announced the updated Stelvio and Giulia models, marking a significant stage in their history, evolving both the brand’s trademark excellence – perfect weight distribution, driving dynamics, top-of-the-line technological and motoring solutions – and timeless design, which makes any Alfa Romeo vehicle a long-lasting moving work of art.

The design of the updated Giulia and Stelvio exudes the Italian character that has the power to turn heads.

The front grille and the lower grilles of the two main air ducts have been given a unique finish that provides a contemporary reinterpretation of the famous and distinct Trilobo grille.

The interiors have been updated with cutting-edge technology to ensure a comfortable experience while providing the trademark pleasure of driving an Alfa Romeo.

The most significant innovation can be seen in the centre of the instrument panel, characterised by the historic Cannocchiale design.

The driving dynamics of both vehicles once again

provide a visceral driving experience in authentic Alfa Romeo spirit. Creating a car representing the genuine Alfa Romeo spirit without compromise requires the right balance between Italian design, cutting-edge engine technology, perfect weight distribution, unique technical solutions and excellent weight/power ratio.

The driving performance is elevated through the on-board experience features that ensure a safe and comfortable drive.

A Level 2 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) is included, along with traffic jam/highway assist and traffic-sign recognition/intelligent speed control.

The on-board performance is further enhanced through additional safety and ADAS features that allow for a ride with ease, including active blind spot, lane keep assist, active cruise control, driver behaviour warning and forward collision warning, all making for a stressfree driving experience.

Autonomous braking will automatically activate upon emergency while parking and the overall vision of the vehicles remains standard, with front and rear parking sensors and a rear backup camera with dynamic gridlines.

Both models will be available in dealerships before midyear.

Genuine performance at MotorEx

The Trident to go all-electric

MotorEx 2020 saw the debut of Chevrolet Performance with an impressive display of genuine General Motors performance engines.

For more than 60 years, Chevrolet Performance has been known in the automotive world for its engines, engine blocks, transmissions and other Chevrolet Performance parts that are designed, engineered and tested by GM. Chevrolet Performance pioneered the high-performance crate engine half a century ago and continues to offer enthusiasts new and more powerful solutions for their bespoke projects.

“As part of the GM Australia and New Zealand family of brands, Chevrolet Performance is another excitement brand that aligns closely with Chevrolet Racing and our commitment to motorsport,” said Chris Payne, general manager of Aftersales & Chevrolet Racing for GM ANZ. “For many years, Chevrolet Performance LS crate engines have been the logical choice for builders of special project vehicles and have provided the right solution to repower the enormous population of Commodore and HSV vehicles in the hands of enthusiast owners.”

At MotorEx, no less than seven Chevrolet Performance engines were on display. These ranged from the powerful, durable and affordable SP350 (357HP) small block, designed as an affordable performer to match just about any budget, to the latest generation LT1 (460HP) and LT4 (650HP Supercharged) engines. Also on display was an LTRV8 from the Camaro ZL1 Supercar.

The Chevrolet Performance stand at MotorEx also featured the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Off-Road Racer concept truck from Chevrolet Racing, along with a special project truck built by Matt Stone Racing for NTI Truck Insurance. The 1954 cab over engine Chevrolet truck has been repowered with the latest Chevrolet Performance LT1 crate engine and has been built by NTI as their latest vehicle to be restored and raffled to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease research.

Maserati has chosen the fifth Motor Valley Fest, an open-air event held in Modena, to break news that is already becoming part of the history of mobility. It is celebrating the legendary 572-hp 90° Twin Turbo V8 engine before officially ceasing production at the Maserati factory in late 2023.

Maserati GranTurismo Folgore, the first 100% electric car in the brand’s history, and Grecale Folgore, the first full-electric SUV, are the first to bear witness to the process of change. The Trident has already carved out a pioneering role here, as it is in its DNA. The entire Maserati range will come in an electric version for every model by 2025, and Maserati will be full-electric by 2030.

It is a historic moment for the Modena-based company, which has always looked ahead without leaving its roots behind, and for those who love the history and modernity of the Trident’s models and their ability to ensure style, emotions and timeless performance. The same abilities will be maintained in the cars that will now become the new object of desire for collectors.

Since1959 when the Maserati 5000GT was created as the first car with a powerful V8, more than 100,000 units have been made and sold with an eight-cylinder engine; the latest editions of the Maserati Trofeo, Ghibli 334 Ultima and Levante V8 Ultima, will be unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2023.

The Trofeo range, featuring the Levante, Ghibli and Quattroporte in their Zèda edition, unique pieces celebrating the V8 engine, will reign over Piazza XX Settembre. The showroom on Viale Ciro Menotti hosted the celebration of the iconic GranTurismo, from its origins to the present day, with two classic models, together with the GranTurismo Zèda from the previous generation and the GranTurismo one-off Prisma.

The National Collision Repairer – 2 3

Industry Event with Glen Keddie

President’s Gala Dinner and industry awards There was a full house at Melbourne’s iconic Palladium ballroom last month for the 2023 VACC President’s Gala Dinner and Automotive Industry Awards. The Master of Ceremonies, VACC ambassador and media personality Shane Jacobson, kicked off the evening, recognising the importance of this reimagined occasion and introducing VACC president Chris Hummer.

Hummer welcomed VACC and TACC members, honoured guests (including the CEOs of the various MTAs from around the country) and, of course, the sponsors. He also congratulated the finalists in the six award categories and highlighted that each finalist was now among “the best of the best” with their commitment to the industry’s future and a continuous

improvement philosophy in their own businesses.

He also said that the automotive industry has never been more attractive, particularly with the accelerating growth of technology and the challenges, opportunities and exciting new roles being created. He added that even with the current skill shortages, the industry will thrive, and

The ambience was just perfect.

Michelle Ferbrache, Essendon Panels with Chris Hummer.

Jake and Carly Ruggeri, Euro Panels with Chris Hummer.

Bruce McIntosh, TACC with Chris Hummer.

2 6 – INDUSTRY EVENT

with the talent on show at the event, he was confident that the future will be in good hands.

Unbeknownst to Hummer, he would be called upon later in the evening by Illusionist Matt Hollywood to participate in entertaining the audience – but more about that later.

The Voices Supergroup, a who’s who of Australian rock, kept the atmosphere upbeat throughout the evening, covering a wide array of local and international rock classics.

As we moved on to the business awards, a quick scan of the finalists across all categories revealed that almost 30% were from the collision repair industry, well above the proportion of businesses in the market.

In fact, three of the six winners were from our industry, which really reinforces the calibre of collision repair industry business owners.

Best metropolitan small automotive business was won by Essendon Panels, which was accepted by managing director Michelle Ferbrache. This was the third consecutive award for

Master of Ceremonies, Shane Jacobson.

Ferbrache, which in previous years won back-to-back best body repair passenger vehicle small business.

Best regional small automotive business was won by Euro Panels, which was accepted by directors Carly and Jake Ruggeri, who are resolute in their belief that there is no shortcut to delivering a safe and proper repair.

Best small automotive business in Tasmania was won by Autobody Solutions, which was accepted by TACC state manager Bruce McIntosh on behalf of owners Ben and Kelly Jack.

Autobody Solutions specialises in both general collision repair work and classic car restorations.

One of the other winners that also caught my eye was Cooper Automotive, which was awarded best large automotive business in Tasmania. This award was accepted by Capricorn chair Mark Cooper, who has been involved in the automotive industry for over 40 years and currently owns and operates a number of mechanical services and repairs businesses. He became a Capricorn member in 1995, was first elected to the board in 2013 and became chair in 2019.

Now, back to the entertainment.

Illusionist Matt Hollywood performed several well-known illusions, including teleportation and levitation, both of which I saw live for the first time.

I would almost swear they were real – or magic! However, it was when Hollywood “invited” Chris Hummer to assist with a “song and dance act” that the audience really got involved. To his credit, Hummer, who is clearly a conservative character by nature, went along with the act, and the audience appreciated the commitment from their president. Sorry, no pics as you really had to be there!

Jacobson then announced the

apprentice of the year awards, inviting a round of applause for all the finalists who had chosen to join our industry and, as he put it, made a wise choice.

He pointed out that they are indeed the future of our industry and welcomed them to the automotive family.

Hummer then presented the President’s Awards to Employer of the Year Patterson Cheney and Employee of the Year Phillipa Gray-Finning of PJ’s Discount Tyre Service, both sponsored

by Denso. He also presented the President’s Award for VACC Apprentice of the Year to Zak Cretella of Bundoora BMW and TACC Apprentice of the Year to Ben Bailey, Hobart Performance Autos.

Jacobson, who displayed exceptional professionalism, class and character managing the “enthusiasm” of the audience throughout the evening, wrapped up the formalities by inviting The Voices Supergroup to return to the stage as we danced the night away.

Commenting on the event, VACC CEO Geoff Gwilym said the awards demonstrate both member and apprentice commitment and dedication to quality and customer service.

“It is a huge accolade to be named the best in Victoria and Tasmania.

These winners go above and beyond and have proved themselves more than worthy of these titles. Congratulations to all of our 2023 winners and finalists,” said Gwilym. “We recommend them to Victorian and Tasmanian motorists, so remember to look for the famous orange sign: the mark of the industry professional.”

Editor: We congratulate all the finalists and winners, and Geoff and his team on yet another fantastic event and, of course, the VACC for supporting and contributing to our industry for over 100 years.

Mark Cooper (second from right), CEO Cooper Automotive and Capricorn Chair.

The National Collision Repairer – 2 7

Tech Tip with Mark Latham

Axalta’s top tips for winter Despite the demanding conditions of winter, it is still possible to achieve outstanding refinish results! Experienced refinishers know the problem: as soon as winter is on its way and the temperature drops, refinish preparation work needs to be adapted accordingly. Using some of our simple tips, you can maintain high-quality work this winter.

Use faster drying products when temperatures are low In cold conditions, defects such as runs and drips can occur due to the cold temperature during and after application. Using a faster activator and thinner combination can shorten the drying time and allow the paint to dry quicker. But please consider the type and size of repair as you need to ensure optimal viscosity and sprayability.

Adjustment of equipment according to the temperature You can’t change the weather, but knowing the temperature in the spray booth ensures you get the correct panel temperature. Check the temperature surface you’re painting on to be sure it's the right temperature. An infrared thermometer gun can work well. If your painting surface is warm enough, then you can paint when it’s cold.

Choose the best activator and thinner combination An ideal temperature for mixing and applying paint products is 20°C, as cooler temperatures will affect

the paint’s viscosity and the overall finish. By using the temperature and humidity guides, you can select the most appropriate adjuster, activator and thinner to create a paint system that will perform best in the ambient temperature.

Allow adequate flash-off times in between coats. Not allowing sufficient time for solvents to flash off is just asking for trouble, such as solvent entrapment, “pinchback” of clearcoats and de-lamination.

Temperature plays a critical role in many chemical processes – and refinishing is no exception.

Make sure to observe the product’s pot life Each product’s TDS lists the pot life at a temperature of 20°C; however, using fast activators or accelerator thinners in cooler conditions can significantly reduce the pot life of 2K materials.

A mix that has exceeded its pot life will lose adhesion, overall performance and appearance, so use materials promptly during cool weather to ensure a high-quality finish.

If the material starts to thicken and is difficult to spray, then it has exceeded its pot life. In these cases, do not add thinner. Instead, discard the material and make a fresh mix. Do not dilute the product. Also, close your activator cans tightly immediately after use to prevent humidity from reducing the hardening effect.

For further guidance in this area, talk to your local Axalta representative or contact Axalta on 1800 292 582 or email: info-ANZ@axalta.com

Mark Latham is Axalta’s NSW Product and Training Specialist. With a trade background spanning more than 30 years, he thrives on working with customers to broaden their product and application knowledge.

2 8 – TECH TIP

Global News Public Company Board of the Year for PPG Board of Directors The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Three Rivers Chapter recently singled out PPG’s Board of Directors to receive the prestigious “Public Company Board of the Year” accolade.

The annual award is all about celebrating excellence in the boardroom among companies and directors of public, private and non-profit boards on which they serve, as well as advancing exemplary board leadership.

Representing more than 23,000 directors, NACD is seen as an authority on boardroom practices and is the leading organisation dedicated to enhancing corporate governance in the United States.

PPG president and CEO Tim Knavish said the company was honoured to be recognised for the Board’s strong governance and valuable contributions toward continuous improvement. “These awards celebrate directors who lead through innovation, courage, integrity and commitment, reflecting PPG’s dedication to our stakeholders by driving profitable growth, strengthening shareholder value and making a positive difference in our communities.”

PPG President and CEO Tim Knavish.

3M announces Q3 results and group restructure 3M’s chairman and CEO Mike Roman has announced the company’s first-quarter 2023 results, stating that they have continued their relentless focus on serving customers and aggressively managed costs. “Market trends were as we expected, and we made changes to improve our operations and position us for success as supply chains improve,” he said.

The company reported GAAP earnings per share of $1.76 and adjusted earnings per share of $1.97, excluding the impact of special items. Sales of $8.0 billion was down 9.0% yearon-year, with an organic sales decline of 4.9%, a 1.3% headwind from divestitures and a 2.8% headwind from foreign currency translation due to the strength of the US dollar. Operating cash flow of $1.3 billion was up 26% year-on-year, while adjusted free cash flow was $0.9 billion, up 24%. 3M returned $856 million to shareholders.

Regarding the restructuring actions, Roman stated: “To strengthen 3M for the future, we have also announced actions that will reduce costs at the corporate

3 0 – GLOBAL NEWS

centre, further simplify and strengthen our supply chain structure, and streamline our go-to-market business models, which will improve margins and cash flow. We will continue prioritising investments in high-growth end markets where 3M science gives us a clear competitive advantage.”

3M is taking restructuring actions that are intended to make 3M stronger, leaner and more focused. The structural

reorganisation will reduce the size of the company’s corporate centre, simplify the supply chain, streamline 3M’s geographic footprint, reduce layers of management, and further align business go-tomarket models to customers.

These restructuring actions are expected to affect all functions, businesses and geographies and will impact approximately 6,000 positions globally, in addition to the reduction of 2,500 global manufacturing

roles announced in January 2023. 3M anticipates annual pre-tax savings of $700 million to $900 million upon completion of these actions.

3M also affirmed its fullyear expectations for 2023, including the following: -6% to -2% adjusted total sales growth, reflecting adjusted organic sales growth of -3% to flat; adjusted earnings per share of $8.50 to $9.00; and adjusted operating cash flow of $5.8 to $6.3 billion.

Akzo Nobel to strengthen its business in China Akzo Nobel is to further enhance its China position after reaching an agreement with Sherwin-Williams to acquire its Chinese Decorative Paints business.* Completion, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected in the second half of 2023.

The business has an annual revenue of about €100 million and employs around 300 people. The transaction includes the Huarun brand, which has a long history and is well recognised in China.

“Acquiring the Chinese Decorative Paints business from Sherwin-Williams will help us to deliver our growth ambitions in tier three to tier five geographical areas in China. This intended acquisition is a strong strategic fit, and our current business is best placed to unlock the full potential, thereby offering new opportunities for employees and customers,” said Akzo Nobel CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume.

Commenting on the deal, Director of Decorative Paints North Asia, Mark Kwok, added: “Acquiring this business from Sherwin-Williams, and especially their renowned decorative paints brand Huarun, will strongly complement our

existing premium-focused Dulux product portfolio. This will give our customers access to a more diverse and stronger offering. We look forward to welcoming these employees to the Akzo Nobel China family and are excited about the opportunities we can achieve together.”

The intended acquisition follows a series of recent acquisitions by Akzo Nobel across paints and coatings, including Titan Paints in Spain and Portugal, New Nautical Coatings in the US, Grupo Orbis in Latin America and, most recently, Lankwitzer Lackfabrik in Germany. * The Chinese Decorative Paints business is known within Sherwin-Williams as the Chinese Architectural Paint business.

Akzo Nobel CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume.

Global News On the road to an automated future Thatcham Research and the UK insurance industry support the introduction of automated driving technology. Its arrival has the potential to transform road safety, but fully automated vehicles aren’t a reality yet. The most sophisticated driver aids currently available in the UK are classified as assisted driving technology because they require driver support.

Understanding is crucial to safe adoption For automated driving to deliver societal benefits, motorists must understand what the technology can do and how they should interact with it.

Education is key.

To gauge motorists’ current understanding of automated driving,

Thatcham Research commissioned its “Trust in Automation” survey, which polled 2,000 drivers in the UK and 2,000 road users in the US. The results concluded that drivers believe we are further along the road to automation than we are in reality and that all stakeholders must come together to instil trust in automation.

Key findings Self-driving hype: 52% of UK and 72% of US drivers wrongly believe they can buy a fully automated car today. This fundamental misunderstanding was more prevalent in younger age groups (77% of 17–24-year-olds) than among older UK motorists (41% of over 55s).

Drivers recognise benefits: 73% of UK motorists see the benefits of automated driving technology, with 21% citing

improved safety and 14% believing it could improve mobility for elderly or disabled motorists. However, few UK drivers saw freeing up time to work (3%), entertain themselves (3%) or sleep (2%) as advantages to automation.

Watching brief – consumers need convincing: 76% of UK drivers will keep their eyes on the road when the first cars with self-driving capabilities like automated lane keeping systems (ALKS) are made available to them, despite the tech allowing them to take their eyes OFF the road. 44% of UK respondents said they would wait for technology to mature before purchasing a car with self-driving capability, while 24% of those surveyed in the UK said they would completely avoid buying a car with self-driving capability.

Axalta launches a fully automated mixing machine Axalta Coating Systems has announced the launch of Axalta Irus Mix, a fast, efficient, fully automated and completely hands-free mixing machine for the automotive refinish industry.

Axalta Irus Mix delivers highly accurate colour and works with Axalta’s packaging to maximise profitability and provide sustainable benefits to help refinish customers meet or exceed key business and sustainability goals.

The company introduced the new technology in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Axalta Irus Mix is being rolled out across Europe from June 2023 and globally thereafter.

“At Axalta, innovation is central to our business,” said Troy Weaver, senior vice president of Global Refinish. “We constantly look for ways to help our customers to do business better, enabling them to work as efficiently as possible and to maximise their profitability. When we launched our digital end-to-end colour management process, Axalta Irus, we knew what the future held for the industry. Today, we are delivering technology so customers can automate and mix colour like never before.”

Axalta Irus Mix completes the simple three-step Axalta Irus digital colour management process of Scan – Find – Mix. The new technology enables customers to work more efficiently, profitably and sustainably. As part of an exclusive partnership with SANTINT,

3 2 – GLOBAL NEWS

a leading global equipment manufacturer, Axalta drove the concept, development, design and construction of Axalta Irus Mix. Axalta Irus Mix provides four key benefits: l Time advantage. It is a fast, efficient and fully automated mixing machine.

Based on Axalta’s trials, refinish customers can eliminate mixing time labour with Axalta Irus Mix. l Labour optimisation. Very simple to use and does not have to be operated by a technician. The process allows refinishers to do other key tasks while the paint is being mixed. l Waste reduction benefits. Designed to work with Axalta’s proven bottle

system, there is no need to refill or decant the product into special bottles. Additionally, bottles are fitted with precise dosing lids, delivering accurate colour without waste. l Sustainability. Axalta’s bottle system is made from 50% recycled plastic, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. Axalta’s premium basecoat qualities – Spies Hecker Permahyd Hi-TEC, Cromax Pro, and Standox Standoblue – are available in these bottles exclusively with Axalta Irus Mix. The Axalta Irus Mix system will be launched across Europe in June, followed by a global rollout.

BASF Coatings Division creates global automotive business units Effective 1 August, the Coatings division of BASF will implement global units for its Automotive OEM Coatings Solutions and Automotive Refinish Coatings Solutions businesses. With the new organisational setup, BASF will better serve its global customers, who increasingly ask for global support and services.

Patrick Zheng Yu Zhao will take charge of the new Global Automotive OEM Coatings Solutions business unit based in Hong Kong.

Prior to this role, he was senior vice president at Coatings Solutions Asia Pacific. Zhao started his career at BASF in 1999 within the Polyurethane business and held various positions across different divisions. He has an MBA from Donghua University and a bachelor’s degree in Polymer Science from East China University

of Science and Technology.

Chris Titmarsh will assume responsibility for the new Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Solutions business unit located in Münster, Germany. Most recently, he was senior vice president of Automotive Refinish Coatings Solutions EMEA, based in Germany.

Titmarsh began studying chemistry in 1992 and completed his postgraduate studies in business

Patrick Zhao.

management in 1999. In 2006, he started his career at BASF as a polymer research chemist. He held various positions in marketing and business management before moving to the Asia Pacific Automotive business located in Hong Kong in 2015.

Additionally, Frank Naber will assume responsibility for the Global Surface Treatment business unit, which operates under the Chemetall brand in Frankfurt, Germany. Prior to

this role, Naber was senior vice president at Automotive OEM Coatings Solutions EMEA. He studied business administration at the University of Münster and began his career at BASF in 2004.

He worked in various regional and global roles in the Polyurethane division and in 2012, joined the Coatings division in various roles in the Automotive OEM Coatings business unit in Münster and Hong Kong.

Chris Titmarsh.

Frank Naber.

Future Leaders Proudly sponsored by IAG

Cameron Killen TAFE NSW THIS MONTH, WE CATCH UP WITH CAMERON KILLEN, ONE OF OUR PREVIOUS FUTURE LEADERS AND NOW AUTOBODY TECHNICIAN, AND FIND HE IS DEVELOPING HIS CAREER WITH TAFE NSW. It all began for Cameron in 2016 when he was in his final year at school and still quite uncertain about what path he wanted to take. However, when he started casual work in the family collision repair business, he began to get a feel for it. He sought advice from his older brothers, Toby and Patrick, and ultimately decided he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and join Killen’s Smash Repairs.

Cameron studied at Glendale TAFE in Newcastle under the watchful eye of teacher Adam McDonald, who himself is truly passionate about the development of the industry, previously supporting students through the WorldSkills process. Cameron travelled to Newcastle for five days every five weeks to ensure he further developed the skills he was learning on the job.

When we first introduced Cameron in 2018, David Reddon, Killen’s Smash Repairs workshop foreman, said: “Although Cameron is the boss’ son, he gets no special treatment. In fact, we probably push him harder than we should, and he no doubt feels the weight of expectation. Although he is a junior member of a close-knit team, we as a group are completely focused on delivering for our customers.”

However, just when it seemed his career was all planned out at Killen’s, Cameron decided to give some thought to other opportunities. Following a strange chain of events, he relocated to the NSW northern coast, where he now teaches autobody repair at TAFE NSW Wollongbar Campus.

Alongside his colleague Evan Coleman in the refinishing division, they operate the collision repair department, teaching the next generation of apprentices. Cameron said the entire automotive team at the Wollongbar Campus has been great and shares all sorts of knowledge and information, such as ADAS and electronics, to maximise the experience of all automotive apprentices.

Cameron said: “At first, I thought I was too young to be doing this as it didn’t seem that long ago that I was doing my apprenticeship. However, by the time I completed my Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, which, together with my I-CAR Platinum Status, I knew I would feel comfortable in the role. The combination of my exposure to high-quality repairs at Killen’s, my training qualifications and my ability to communicate with the apprentices has allowed me to fit right in.”

We asked Michael Killen, Lifetime Achievement Award inductee, director of Killen’s Smash Repairs and, most importantly, Cameron’s dad, for comment: “Firstly, as the

manager of the business, we were disappointed to lose Cameron as he had developed into a very good tradesman.

However, I understood his desire to explore other opportunities. As his dad, I am thrilled that he has reconnected with the industry in a role that has re-energised him. I have every confidence that he is well on his way to becoming a very good autobody teacher.”

Cameron still juggles his time between quality time with his partner Lauren, developing his new career, living the beach life, and still tinkering with his Land Rovers. He is clearly living life to the fullest.

Editor: It is self-evident that Cameron was indeed a Future Leader of the industry back in 2018 and is a great example of how a career can develop in our great industry.

Cameron Killen (L) with colleague Evan Coleman.

IAG’s ongoing support and sponsorship of these awards is greatly appreciated, as is the support from I-CAR Australia, who donates two training courses valued at over $500 to each Future Leader of the Industry.

3 4 – FUTURE LEADERS

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Industry Training and Events proudly brought to you by I-CAR Australia

Are you still an expert if you don’t update your skills?

Having 20-plus years of experience does not make you an expert if you don’t understand the technology of the cars you are working on. You could be an expert at repairing mild steel-bodied cars, but unless you are in the restoration business, the majority of cars arriving at your workshop are made of a complex mix of materials, all of which demand very specific welding skills, intimate knowledge of their safety systems and total adherence to the manufacturers’ repair methods.

Experience alone can’t equip you to undertake safe repairs.

The reality is that ongoing training becomes a requirement for all collision repairers as vehicle technology continues to evolve. The process of repairing cars has changed significantly over the last 10 to 15 years and will continue to do so at an even faster pace.

As little as 10 years ago, HSS was seen as the major challenge in collision repair and, to a certain degree, it continues to challenge many within the industry. There is little understanding of how the effects of incorrectly welding – for instance, strengthening a section that has been designed to deform in a certain way during an accident – can compromise accident safety. Even a couple of extra spot welds could cause incorrect deformation and put the vehicle’s occupants at risk.

Steels are becoming stronger, in excess of 1,400 MPa, and are extremely susceptible to heat. Even attachment methods are changing from using only resistance spot welding or MIG brazing and not utilising steel MAG welding at all. Rivets and adhesives are also becoming more mainstream in many repair situations.

Of course, an experienced body repair technician has MIG/MAG welded their entire working career, so welding these steels should be easy. Right?

MIG/MAG welders can now adjust so many parameters for individual welding styles, positions and types of welds for different substrate strengths and thicknesses. The old days of dialling in your amps and wire speed as the only adjustment are long gone, and as a technician who welds, your understanding of adjusting settings is the key to delivering a strong weld – or not.

When we look at riveting and the various styles of rivets and guns, there may not be too many technicians who understand SPRs, solid rivets and the different styles of blind rivets and their specific uses. A rivet that is not set accurately is as dangerous as a poor weld and will not restore a vehicle’s structural integrity. How many of our technicians have used an SPR tool without the proper training regarding pressure or rivet size in a structural repair?

The onus lies with the industry to understand that new technology is just that – new technology – and all technicians need to invest in improving some aspects of their knowledge to enhance their abilities.

Added to this are the advanced driver

Contact: I-CAR Australia Office and Postal Address: Unit 1, 100 Park Road, Slacks Creek Qld 4127

3 6 – INDUSTRY TRAINING AND EVENTS

assistance systems (ADAS) in almost every new car today, and scanning, pre and post, as well as calibration, are the newest challenges facing the industry today and in the future.

The most concerning fact is that all the sensors, radars and cameras are in the most vulnerable positions in vehicles today. A simple task, such as removing a mirror from a door if the vehicle is equipped with blind spot detection, will require calibration.

As the vehicle owner expects these systems to work as per design, it would be most unfortunate when they next change lanes and run into something due to an uncalibrated camera. The point is that drivers of vehicles buy cars with these features to assist them in safer motoring. If our industry – all of our industry – does not recognise or accept the importance of these requirements, then we are not doing our jobs properly.

Knowledge of new features and the training to understand the huge number of potential hazards when repairing is a reality today. If decisions are made that disregard any training completed, then our industry will not move forward.

It is disconcerting that the majority of the collision repair industry receives or participates in very little or no training at all, and the perception of skills and ability is unrealistic when placed in the context of new technology.

There is so much that needs to be learned about new cars, and paying lip service to training and development is not the right way forward for any stakeholder in the collision repair industry.

I-CAR offers all repair technicians the ability to upskill through our comprehensive training catalogue. Visit our website to see all the courses available – https://i-car.com.au/course-catalogue/ – and to register your technicians for training.

Telephone: 07 3219 9088 email: admin@i-car.com.au

Calendar of events

Course Spotlight

KNOWING WHAT’S COMING UP AND WHEN IT’S ON

National Collision Repairer Symposium23 2 June 2023 – Sydney Cooly Rocks On 7–11 June 2023 – Coolangatta Red CentreNATS 1–3 September 2023 – Alice Springs

Training contacts 3M Australia George Di Scala Tel: 0400 382 649 AkzoNobel Paul Horvath Tel: (03) 9644 1711

PPG Australia Pty Ltd www.ppgrefinish.com.au/training VIC/TAS:(03) 8586 0000 NSW/ACT: (02) 9854 6600 QLD/NT: (07) 3823 8000 SA: 0412 832 919 WA: 0437 902 125

Axalta Coating Systems Product training Axalta services Tel: 1800 292 582

Protec Tel: 1800 076 466

BASF Australia Ltd James Green Tel: 0402 110 378

Saint Gobain Customer Service Tel: 1300 007 650 Michelle Morgan Tel: 0425 516 894

Dents R Us Training Academy Laury Chibnall Tel: 0438 383 555 iBodyshop E: seminars@ibodyshop.com Tel: 1300 361 541

Ford High Voltage Systems Safety Overview There are multiple devices incorporated in a Ford electric vehicle to minimise any danger from electric shock. To ensure your safety when working on high-voltage vehicles there are some critical safety steps that must be performed.

This course will describe these steps, as well as provide you with other important information that you must know when working around high voltage.

Course Code FO011E01

SAPE Automotive Training Academy Tel: (02) 9772 9000

Course Format Online Training with post-test

sia Abrasives Tel: 1300 742 123

I-CAR Credit Hours 1 Hour

I-CAR Australia Brisbane Office Admin Tel: (07) 3219 9088

Thatcham-Escribe www.thatchamescribe.com.au Tel: 1300 769 348

Stork Tactica (Fusor and Farecla) Tel: (03) 9560 6060

U-POL Tel: 0400 366 483

Mipa Australia Pty Ltd Tel: 1800 647 228

Sherwin Williams Tel: (02) 4368 4054

I-CAR Points 0.25 Pro Level Role Relevancy Estimator Assessor Non-Structural Technician Structural Technician

The National Collision Repairer – 3 7

Custom Corner with Owen Webb

MotorEx 2023

ONCE AGAIN, OWEN AND I CAUGHT UP AT THE MELBOURNE SHOWGROUNDS AND RUBBED SHOULDERS WITH THE CONNOISSEURS OF THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AS WE ALL BRAVED THE BLUSTERY CONDITIONS TO CELEBRATE WHAT WAS YET ANOTHER GREAT MOTOREX. MotorEx celebrated its 21st anniversary on 6 and 7 May, as it was back in 2003 that MotorEx morphed from the NSW hot rod show into the great event it is today. As it was originally the NSW hot rod state title show, it was held in Sydney at Homebush, where it stayed for 10 years, but due to rising venue costs, we decided to do alternate years between Sydney and Melbourne.

However, with the huge success in Melbourne, supported so well by

entrants, traders and the public, we decided to commit to Melbourne on an ongoing basis to secure its viability.

Also, the showgrounds in Melbourne gave us more options for growth and extra entertainment, so Melbourne has become the home of MotorEx. While there have been many highlights over the 21 years (keep your eyes peeled for another column in the future), I thought I would give you a few of mine: l 120,000 entrant vehicles

PPG and Mirka – an enduring partnership.

3 8 – CUSTOM CORNER

l 230 unveil vehicles l 500 Meguiar’s Superstars qualifiers l 400,000 spectators l $1.2 mil in prizemoney.

Another highlight for me personally was bringing Chip Foose, Jimmy Shine, George Barris and many other overseas personalities to the show. They added so much to the show and gave it credibility on the international stage.

All our visitors loved the show and delivered the message around the

The 3M Automotive Aftermarket team.

The crowd gathered around Mal Apps' '59 FC “Intrepid C”.

world, opening the door for our partnership with SEMA in the US. All of this has been going on behind the scenes, but at the forefront have been the incredible cars the builders have completed to grow the show and make it world class. As an event, MotorEx has provided the platform and facilities to show these elite vehicles and the opportunity for businesses to showcase and sell their products, but a lot of it has been about the people. The cars are awesome, and some wonderful owners, builders and people who are loyal supporters have become lifelong friends and will always be an important part of the event.

This year’s event was another huge success, despite the cold, wet weather trying its hardest to disrupt the outdoor section parts of MotorEx. Fortunately, Friday was clear, and the bump in of the 700 vehicles went well, filling the four pavilions and outside areas.

As it was the 21st anniversary, we invited 21 standout vehicles from the previous shows, including past Superstars winners and other significant cars.

I originally wanted just to display these cars, but the owners are still competitive and wanted them to be judged. Final judging was restricted to the 21 vehicles – 60% technical judging by the current

Peter Fitzpatrick's incredible FC Holden “Trilogy”.

team, and the remaining 40% from all Superstar entrants, Street Machine magazine and a couple of industry heavyweights supplying their votes.

The winner of this group was Peter Fitzpatrick with his incredible FC Holden “Trilogy”. He also won Superstar of the Decade in 2010, a truly remarkable effort for a car he has owned for over 40 years and also won six Summernats grand champion swords. The two runner-ups were also incredible cars.

Les Lawry’s ’31 Ford Victoria, which set new benchmarks for hot rod building in this country, was also the inaugural Meguiars Superstars champion. The

Owen's very own '69 Camaro, originally unveiled at MotorEx in 2010.

The National Collision Repairer – 3 9

Custom Corner MotorEx 2023 other runner-up was Mick Fabar’s “Zerod” XR Falcon, built to a zero footprint and was fully sustainable way before this became “fashionable”! There were so many comments from entrants, builders, judges and spectators that they loved the opportunity to see the cars for the first time or how well they were built and still relevant today.

There was so much going on, but the other main feature was Meguiar’s Superstars. We unveiled arguably the best custom car ever built in Australia, which I know is a big statement as we have had some amazing, well-built cars compete here and in the US over the years, but this XY Falcon is next level. It was built by Pat’s Pro Resto’s in Queensland over a 12year period with the vision and clarity that Pat and the owner wanted to achieve.

The XY “Forged” has amazing fabrication, engineering, innovation and detailed finish not previously seen in this country. Owner Dan Morton was quite emotional when he received every gold award, super 6 and

then the top prize, “Grand Master”.

There were plenty of other top cars, with Matt Macintosh’s Summernats top judged Statesman taking out plenty of awards and Steve Alldrick from Deluxe Rod Shop picking up a few with his five entries. Steve and his team are such great supporters of our events and always present great cars. He had two unveil cars this year, along with another 10 standouts from various owners.

Included in the unveils this year were two exceptional restored muscle cars, an XY GT by Grand Tourer in Melbourne and long-time builder Daniel Cassar from Fast Lane Speed Shop in Ballarat. Daniel’s LH SLR 5000 was among the best restorations I’ve ever seen, winning a few awards in Street Elite, including top paint. He was also the second top paint for a Monaro, a great effort and testament to his skill and passion for our industry.

The top car overall in Street Elite was Justin Gardiner’s EH Holden, a

stunning car superb in all areas, especially the Kandy paint laid down by Trevor Davis in Melbourne.

It was also great to see some of the movers and shakers of the automotive industry supporting MotorEx 2023, including the team from 3M Automotive Aftermarket, the combined PPG and Mirka interactive display, the range of genuine General Motors performance engines from Chevrolet Performance and the Garrett turbochargers technology mobile trailer unit.

Overall, it was another awesome show with standout vehicles, all the key traders, fantastic sponsors and great people. After four huge events back-toback, I’m looking forward to a lighter workload leading into Red CentreNats in September. This event is selling out, and I’m really looking forward to heading to Alice Springs again for our 9th event there. If you want a great automotive and holiday experience, think about the road trip – you won’t be disappointed.

Dan Morton's XY Falcon “Forged”.

Daniel Cassar's LH SLR 5000.

GMSV's Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Off-Road Racer.

Mick Fabar’s XR Falcon “Zerod”.

Owen Webb is a leading figure within the auto re-styling and vehicle modification industry and a Lifetime Achievement Award inductee. He is Technical and Training Manager at Concept Paints.

4 0 – CUSTOM CORNER

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• x1 Bench Platform • x1 Pulling Tower • x1 Control Cabinet / Motor Pump • x4 Wheel Stands • Clamps, Beams and Rubber Spacers • Air Pump with Hoses and Quick Coupler • Small Clamps and Accessories • Integrated Ramps (3.65m Bench)

Low pro昀le 10T Pull Post can be turned 360º around the platform and tilted 90º horizontally Comes with optional ramps that makes the loading of cars simple and easy

For any questions or to place an order, contact Matthew • mvandenbergh@risedistributors.com.au • 0407 443 122 or Nigel • nigel@ncsequipment.com.au • 0403 118 855

ncsequipment.com.au

risedistributors.com.au

Stateside with John Yoswick

The war for talent Where are they, and how do we find them?

REFLECTING ON THE DIFFICULTY OF THIS CONUNDRUM, US SHOP OWNERS DISCUSS THE CHALLENGE OF ATTRACTING AND RETAINING TECHNICIANS. A recent “Collision Industry Roundtable” conference call gave collision repairers in the United States an opportunity to talk about perhaps the biggest challenge facing shops: the technician shortage. Here is an excerpt of their conversation about recruiting and retaining the help they need.

Tiffany Silva of Accurate Auto Body in California said she’s on the advisory committee for the autobody training program at a nearby community college. The program is one of about a half dozen around the United States that use a “Collision Engineering Program” in which students rotate, spending eight weeks at school, then eight weeks working in a shop, over a two-year period.

“This apprenticeship program is phenomenal,” said Silva. “I have two students who are going to be graduating this [northern] spring, and they’ve been with me for a year-and-ahalf. I also have a new student who just started the program. They’re learning all the skills, and they come right to our shop and use those. We teach them our processes, our culture. When you graduate from the program, you’re allowed to keep the $5,000 worth of tools and toolbox. And you’re already

working in a shop because you’ve been there for several years.”

Also in California, Keith Hamm of AutoCraft Collision said he’s no longer looking for experienced technicians to fill openings at his 10-employee shop.

He has segmented roles to allow varying levels of technicians to focus on work for which they are best suited: disassembly and reassembly, metal work, structural, and so on.

“When I’m looking, I’m not looking for an A-tech who is going to do the job from start to finish,” he said. “I found it’s a lot easier to start someone in disassembly. You can pull in tire mechanics or anybody who is mechanically inclined because most of the jobs are 75% disassembly and reassembly. You can have an A-tech guiding them. Even if they get a better offer at another shop, at least I’m bringing more people into the industry.

If we can all do that, then we’re going to have an influx of people.”

Hamm also recruits from a college with an autobody program he’s involved with about 30 minutes from his shop and goes to high school job fairs.

“We start them from the ground up instead of trying to take fish out of everybody else’s pond,” he added.

Tiffany Silva.

Ted Culbertson.

4 2 – STATESIDE

Ted Culbertson of Top Gun Auto Body in Montana said that his shop uses a similar approach to Hamm’s in terms of segmenting tasks, which allows him to bring in entry-level workers – at a lower cost – to start doing disassembly work. “I’ve grown three A-technicians at this point out of my disassembly bay,” said Culbertson. “They’re learning how to use tools, read the estimate, and learn organisation. I think it’s a great place to start a technician.”

Zac Yates of Yates Body Shop in Montana also has responded to the technician shortage by developing techs in-house. “I have two apprentices, and one of them was 42 when I hired him,” Yates said. “So, it’s not just necessarily just young people. There are people coming from other industries. A lot of people are unsettled with the fallout of COVID, so you have workers moving around between industries. He’s been in my apprenticeship for three years and is coming along great. The key to that has been having a senior technician who is interested in mentoring. I would not have a successful apprenticeship without having that guy who has 28 or 30 years in the industry working with that apprentice and encouraging him. It gives the senior technician a new purpose in his career, to pass on his craft and create a legacy. He’s all in with that.”

Like the others, Frank Rinaudo of Frank’s Accurate Body Shop in Louisiana said he’s all but given up on trying to recruit journeyman technicians.

“Trying to find a seasoned A-tech is like trying to find a unicorn,” Rinaudo, whose shop employs 18 people, said.

“So, we’ve taken a little different approach. We seek out people who have a good attitude and are mechanically inclined. We feel we can teach them skills. We’ve brought in quite a few people that way, usually through social media. We offer them a tool allotment when they start. They sign an agreement: if they’re here after

Measuring Systems

Vision

informed me he’s colour-blind, so we’ll move him over to the body shop. We’re loading him up with I-CAR classes that he can do from home.”

In Massachusetts, Tom Ricci, owner of Body & Paint Center, has built a track record of recruiting students as they complete a training program at a nearby regional technical school. “Prior to about four years ago, we struggled, struggled, struggled,” Ricci said. “Could we still use a tech? Yeah. But what we have done is create a mentoring program where a student comes in and works with one tech who is a real good teacher. He really loves teaching the kids stuff. For four years in a row, we’ve brought in a student from the school where I’m the program advisory chairperson. All four are still here. The mentoring program has worked very well.”

Ricci added that the school has adopted the I-CAR curriculum, so the new technicians start work with some I-CAR credits. He said he also feels fortunate that about a year ago when he was standing outside the shop, a man asked him if he was looking to hire anyone. The man’s son couldn’t speak English, but Ricci paired him with another Spanish-speaking employee. “After two weeks, that tech told me, ‘Give me a year, and I’ll make him a body man,’” Ricci said. “He’s been here a little over a year now, and he’s made him into a very good B-level body tech.”

Editor: Once again, some innovative examples from those at the cutting edge of the repair industry in the United States.

CAR-O-TRONIC

R O 12 months, the tools are theirs. If they leave before that, the tools stay.” He’s also focused on retaining the staff he has. “Here in Louisiana, it’s 100 degrees in the summer, so the shop is airconditioned. Not a lot of shops here are, so that’s a definite plus for employees,” he said.

Rinaudo has also recently implemented a bonus system. “We’re all hourly. So, everyone in the building gets the same bonus based on sales and gross profit,” he said. “If we hit those two goals, everyone in the building gets the same exact bonus. I feel everyone influences the health of the company.

My goal has been instead of me having to police, they self-police each other.”

The bonus system is simple: everyone receives $1 for every $1,000 in sales above the monthly goal, and if the desired gross profit percentage is achieved, everyone receives a $250 bonus. “It’s worked out well. It’s easy to manage. They understand it,” Rinaudo said. “I didn’t want anything complicated because if they don’t understand it, they’re not going to trust it.”

Gigi Walker of Walker’s Auto Body in California said her business has an unusual mix of work that adds to the recruiting challenge. “We don’t just repair cars. We also do transit buses and box trucks,” she said. “So, it’s really difficult to find any technicians who can take these buses apart and put them back together. We have a young man here now that we’re training. We started him out in the paint shop. He’s only been with me for three months, and we have him priming. He just

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John is a freelance writer based in the United States who has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988, he is also the editor of the weekly Crash Network www.CrashNetwork.com

The National Collision Repairer – 4 3

CAR-O-LINER Head Office: Unit 1, 25 Industrial Road, Unanderra, NSW 2526

Ph: (02) 4271 6287 ▲ Fax: (02) 4271 7899 ▲ Website: www.car-o-liner.com.au ▲ Email: julie@car-o-liner.com.au ▲ NSW & ACT: Peter Pfenning – Ph: 0412 559 208 ▲ NSW & Tas: Sam Briggs – Ph: 0488 041 610 ▲ NT & Vic: Lindsay Batten – Ph: 0412 372 988 ▲ Vic: Michael Batten – Ph: 0412 668 447 ▲ Qld & SA: Liam Hugo – Ph 0403 455 914 ▲ Qld & SA: Karl Gutzeit – Ph: 0488 333 182

CollisionRepairer THE

NATIONAL

LIFETIME s d r wa Achievement

The National Collision Repairer Lifetime Achievement Awards, which began in 2007, was created to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the men and women who have contributed to the collision repair industry over and above their “day job” and which extends beyond the scope of their local area.

There are now 54 inductees on the Honour Roll, of which there are five international recipients, from the New Zealand, United States and Sweden, who have all not only contributed to the development of the industry in their own countries, but also left an indelible mark on the Australian collision repair landscape.

These are the changeagents of our industry who

A

have shaped, built, developed, influenced and, more recently, disrupted the industry, in many cases in the face of adversity and against staunch opposition. This award recognises the recipients’ perseverance, contribution and experience, which in total amounts to 1,900 years!

Importantly, we continue to attract sponsorship that is a veritable who’s who of the

collision repair industry, many of whom have been with us since the inaugural awards.

So, once again, we take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the individuals and their organisations who support this initiative that truly does “honour the past”.

The 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award breakfast.

The National Collision Repairer Lifetime Achievement ‘Honour Roll’ Richard Nathan 2007 ..................................

John Zulian 2012 ..................................

Garry Clear 2018 ..................................

David Weatherall 2007 ..................................

Tom Vukelic 2013 ..................................

Cec Simpson 2018 ..................................

Terry Flanagan OAM 2008 ..................................

Robin Taylor 2013 ..................................

Michael Wilkinson 2018 ..................................

Marshall Duncan 2008 ..................................

Ray McMartin 2013 ..................................

Mark Czvitkovits 2019 ..................................

Graham Winter 2008 ..................................

Colin Edwards 2013 ..................................

Martin Stone AM 2019 ..................................

Jeff Hendler (Int) 2008 ..................................

Ian Wilkinson 2014 ..................................

Julie Wadley 2019 ..................................

Max Chanter 2009 ..................................

Julie Thomas 2014 ..................................

Walter Zuber (Int) 2019 ..................................

John Howes 2009 ..................................

Brian Johnson 2014 ..................................

Brad Franklin 2020 ..................................

Robert Renwick (Int) 2009 ..................................

Terry Feehan 2014 ..................................

Jim Vais 2020 ..................................

David Newton-Ross 2009 ..................................

Owen Webb OAM 2015 ..................................

Jeff Williams 2020 ..................................

Wayne Phipps 2010 ..................................

Phil Nixon 2015 ..................................

Steve Economidis 2021 ..................................

Richard Pratt 2010 ..................................

Trevor Parkes 2015 ..................................

Garry Maher 2021 ..................................

Bob Rees 2010 ..................................

Tony Warrener OAM 2016 ..................................

Peter McMahon 2021 ..................................

Lance Weiss 2011 ..................................

Brenton Abbott 2016 ..................................

Rob Mildenhall 2021 ..................................

Mark Brady 2011 ..................................

Michael Killen 2017 ..................................

Tony Cafasso 2022 ..................................

Don Wait OAM 2011 ..................................

Carl Tinsley 2017 ..................................

Michelle Morgan 2022 ..................................

Tony Farrugia 2012 ..................................

Per Madsen (Int) 2017 ..................................

Peter Ruggeri 2022 ..................................

Bob Christie

Rex Crowther (Int)

Darren Wales

2009 Inductee – Max Chanter.

2012

2009 Inductee – John Howes.

2017

2009 Inductee – David Newton-Ross.

2022

2009 Inductee – Robert Renwick (Int).

Product Showcase Velox: the new high-efficiency primer from Roberlo A solution for increasing body shop productivity, achieving great quality finishes and saving energy.

Velox is the latest addition to Roberlo’s primer category, a 6:1 UHS solution that stands out thanks to the level of productivity and efficiency it offers the body shop. Its drying speed (ready to rub in 30 min), application without flash-off, single-step sanding process and great level of finish make it the best choice for body shops that value efficiency and productivity when repairing.

This primer offers a great covering capacity, resulting in a fine finish that allows the sanding process to be carried out in a single step.

The versatility of this solution allows for high-thickness, surfacer and wet-onwet applications. It is also very easy to

apply, which gives confidence and security to the body shop professional, reassuring them that the process will not need to be repeated and that a high quality finish will be obtained.

Velox is available in black and white and is compatible with the KX hardener

range, which it shares with various clear coats from the Kronox range.

For more information, contact Enric Lozano at Tel: (02) 9550 5997, E: elozano@roberlo.com or info_australia@roberlo.com, or visit: http://www.roberlo.com

Car-O-Data – the world’s largest vehicle measurement database The vast majority of vehicles on the road today can be found in Car-OLiner’s database. With crucial measurement references available at your fingertips, this is guaranteed to be a profitable addition to your business.

New and updated vehicle models are continuously measured by Car-O-Data’s international team of experienced engineers, supported by virtually every major vehicle manufacturer worldwide.

With the comprehensive measuring data, you will see an immediate improvement in the level of quality your technicians put into every diagnosis, which in turn gives shorter cycle times and improves your workshop’s bottom line.

The Car-O-Data Index, accessible from the Info Centre menu, lets you update your vehicle database instantaneously over the internet. New interim data sheets and reference data for numerous new and old vehicle makes and models are available for download every day.

Car-O-Data features and benefits: l World’s largest database for vehicle measurements, currently over 16,500 vehicles. l Photo-based, making it easy to find the correct measuring points. l Lower and upper body measuring points for fast diagnosis and repair. l Animated set-up/clamping position displayed for easy and accurate mounting

4 6 – PRODUCT SHOWCASE

point-to-point measurements for light trucks and SUVs. l VIN search function for fast vehicle identification. l Holding and anchoring data gives detailed clamping and set-up information. l New vehicle data for approximately 300 new vehicles per year for repair of the latest models. l Immediate updates of vehicle information released continuously online.

A Car-O-Data subscription gives you immediate access to new vehicle data through the Car-O-Liner Visionweb (Car-O-Liner’s customer support web), direct access to support, technical information, forums and the latest vehicle data, including dimensions and vehicle setup.

For more information, contact www.car-o-liner.com.au or call Car-O-Liner Australia on Tel: (02) 4271 6287.

Future technologies coming from Glasurit: dry at the speed of light Glasurit, BASF’s premium refinish paint brand, is committed to delivering a comprehensive range of innovative and sustainable solutions that help customers save time and money while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.

Later this year, Glasurit will introduce UV-A solutions to the Australian market that will use less energy on each paint job and finish each job faster whilst outputting less CO2, allowing customers to get more jobs done.

UV-A technology is a smart way to complete car repairs. It offers a vast array of benefits to body shops, from significantly faster curing times that use less energy to better hardness, durability and chemical resistance.

Highly efficient repair process Glasurit’s smart UV-A technology ensures quicker curing times than any other curing method used in body shops today. Plus, there’s no need to mix hardeners into the products.

Exceptional for the environment UV-A light offers a huge reduction in VOCs and CO2 emissions in the curing process – making it safer and easier for body shops to use and far better for the environment.

Reduces energy use Curing with UV-A light uses less energy and generates much lower surface temperatures, reducing the cooling phase. This allows painters to get straight onto the next repair stage and also reduces process times. You no longer have to heat the entire spray booth or vehicle for the drying process. Plus, it lowers the risk of plastic parts deforming during the refinishing process.

Safe for painters UV-A technology also enhances painter safety. UV curing lamps are fitted with a filter to block the UV-B and UV-C rays, so only UV-A wavelengths – the safest of the three wavelengths – are emitted.

Glasurit is looking forward to introducing the future innovative technology of UV-A solutions for the repair process to the Australian market this year.

Two great new products from SAPE CAM Bear Grip orange masking tape The all-new CAM Bear grip tape is suitable for all automotive masking applications. Offering superior water resistance, the CAM Bear grip tape is super-strong with clean and easy removal. The tape is UV resistant and is great for projects and repairs both indoors and out.

The adhesive resists bleed-through on smooth surfaces, as well as edge curl or lifting and is suitable for all surfaces. The tape is individually wrapped and is available in 18mm/24mm/36mm/48mm x 50m.

CAM Bear Cub sandpaper roll with multi holes The CAM Bear Cub range of paperbacked economy sanding discs has now been extended with the addition of a Multi Hole Sanding Roll. The roll features a hook and loop self-fastening system and comes in a range of grits in both 70mm and 115mm width in a 12m length. It is packaged in a dispenser, which makes it really easy to cut off a piece of paper.

For further information, contact the SAPE Group on (02) 9772 9097.

The National Collision Repairer – 4 7

Product Showcase Tricks of the trade from U-pol Heading into winter, paint curing slows and adds time and cost to the job. Time is money, as labour is the greatest cost to any business. 2K paints can take twice as long to flash off and cure when spray booth temperatures drop. U-pol has a costeffective and convenient solution.

Every year, demand for U-pol’s System 20 Rocket Paint Accelerator (S20ROC/M) goes through the roof as we head into the winter months, and that’s because adding a bit of Rocket to 2K paints speeds up the chemical reactions needed for curing.

Rocket falls into the category of products known as “tricks of the trade” – and for those in the know, it becomes a valuable part of their business over the cooler months. Our industry thrives on productivity and producing high-quality results in the shortest time possible.

Rocket is a liquid additive for use with 2K isocyanate hardeners to achieve rapid through-cure. It accelerates the curing of 2K primers, topcoats and clear lacquers, significantly reducing stoving times.

Rocket is added and mixed in with the hardener before combining the hardener with the paint. By volume, only about 2–3% of Rocket is needed to improve drying time by between 30 and 50%.

Rocket provides the following advantages: l Reduce drying time by between 30 and 50% l Speeds up demasking and overpainting when mixed with 2K hardeners

l Compatible with most 2K coatings l Delivers increased workshop productivity and energy

savings.

Rocket is designed for use with conventional isocyanate hardeners and should not be used with non-isocyanate hardeners or 2K air-drying hardeners. It is widely stocked by refinish paint distributors, but make sure you order early to ensure you are ready for winter.

For more information and to locate a stockist, visit https://u-pol.com/au/ or call U-pol’s dedicated technical and customer support team on Tel: (02) 4731 2655.

Great apprentice support range from SATA SATA’s special apprentice-friendly pricing lets budding tradespeople choose from an extensive list of exceptional spray equipment to help build a long, enjoyable and productive career.

From the very early stage of skills development, apprentice spray painters can really benefit from using top-notch spray equipment as they build a solid career foundation. It not only makes learning so much easier and more enjoyable, but it can also help accelerate their pathway to doing productive work in the refinish paint shop as soon as possible.

With this in mind, SATA and local distributor PPG got together to create a unique initiative that offers apprentices a range of SATA spray equipment at heavily subsidised pricing. The aim is to give apprentices more tool purchasing power so they can fill their toolboxes with high-quality yet affordable equipment that will support their careers long into the future.

This popular initiative has been running for around a decade now, and the choice of top-flight SATA products and the technology available has never been better.

4 8 – PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Indeed, the range comprises virtually all the significant equipment an apprentice is likely to need: l SATAjet 4600 B RP DIGITAL 1.3 l SATAjet 4600 B HVLP DIGITAL WSB l SATAjet 4600 B RP DIGITAL 1.2 l SATAjet 100 B RP 2.0mm spray gun with RPS l SATAjet 100 B F RP1.4 WOW gun l SATAjet 100 B F RP1.6 WOW gun l SATA MINIJET 4400 B RP 1.2 SR l SATA adam 2 digital air micrometer (complete) l SATA adam 2 MINI digital air micrometer (complete) l SATA adam 2 Dock l SATA adam 2 MINI Dock l SATA Vision 2000 Air Hood with filter.

Any vehicle painting apprentice at a training organisation around the country can take advantage of this offer. Simply get the necessary form from your TAFE instructor (information has been sent to TAFE colleges), a PPG or Protec Territory Manager, or by calling the PPG Customer Service Hotline (13 24 24).

After filling out the form and getting your teacher to sign it, just return it for processing and your items will be freighted to you.

THE

NATIONAL

CollisionRepairer A fully integrated business ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMEN G FUTURE LEADERS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT G MOVERS & SHAKERS G SYMPOSIUM

Acknowledged by the industry as the leading magazine

Network Connect Recognise www.nationalcollisionrepairer.com.au

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