AUSTRALASIAN
P&P FC_AS Feb 2018 HR.pdf
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22/2/18
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MARCH / APRIL 2018
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TECH TALK: I-CAR & AUDI
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MARCH / APRIL 2018 WWW.PAINTANDPANEL.COM.AU
NEWS 06
ASIC TAKES THE FIGHT TO INSURERS
Suncorp and IAG are forced to pay back millions.
08
IAG REVEALS ITS RESULTS
The insurer clocks a first half profit of $648 million.
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CAR CRAFT MOVES TO MELBOURNE
The group is set up to support Vicotiran members
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MASSIVE AMA GROWTH
Bears Groupis the latest to be absorbed by the consolidator.
14
STANLEY’S PANEL WORKS GOES GOLD
The North Queensland body shop achieves the prestigious status.
IN DEPTH 16
AUTOCARE 2018
The lowdown for this seminar based event
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NEW MTA CALCULATOR
Your businesses may cost more to run than you think.
28
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
We continue to celebrate great industry milestones.
32
TECH TALK: AUDI A7 SPORTBACK
We peel back and examine what’s behind the body.
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REGULARS 18 COOLING IT 20 SUPPLEMENTARY 22 TECH TALK I-CAR 30 BUSINESS STRATEGIES 46 PRODUCTS 50 FENDER BENDER
FEATURES 34
PAINT AND PANEL AWARDS
New awards, new judge and a change of scenery.
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MEASURE FOR MEASURE
Getting the right measuring and alignment system for your business.
46
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EDITORIAL
COMING TOGETHER
S
O THE 2018 awards are open and we’ve already had lots of entries. We’re proud to work on expanding and improving this program of recognising excellence in the industry each year. We want to include and celebrate as many autobody repair businesses and your great teams as we can. It’s fantastic that more and more of the industry wants to be involved too, and we have new sponsors and new awards this year. One of these awards is for an outstanding mentor – someone who goes the extra mile to support and bring on the next generation of technicians. Given the right start these apprentices will go on to have great careers in the industry, although not necessarily on the tools. We’ve been hearing about some great initiatives to encourage youngsters to consider autobody repair as their profession. I recently went to Melbourne and saw the highly successful and well thought out apprenticeship model that Capital S.M.A.R.T has developed and there will be a story about that in the next issue. Paint & Panel is planning to do our bit by producing a magazine which will essentially be a prospectus of careers in our industry made possible by undertaking an apprenticeship. We know that we are facing a skills shortage which on our current course will only get worse and we all have to do our bit to ensure that we can grow our own talent instead of relying on overseas technicians. Does your business offer work experience, have you been to your local school and talked to the careers advisor there? If not, why not? Yes you are busy and yes youngsters can be difficult but many people are finding that if they screen the apprentices first to make sure they take direction (and work experience is a good time to do this) and ask intelligent questions, that they are having much greater success. TAFE’s are telling us that they are having issues placing apprentices in shops – if they don’t get the hands on experience then not only will their skills gain be slower but they will be demotivated and more likely to drop out. The ball is in your court.
Sam Street Editor
AUSTRALASIAN
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4 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
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NEWS IAG $648M PROFITS
CAR CRAFT UPDATE
MASSIVE AMA GROWTH
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SUNCORP RECORDS A DIP IN PROFIT SUNCORP HAS ANNOUNCED group top line growth of 2.5 per cent, driven by good momentum across Home and Motor Insurance and Banking in HY18. Reported net profit after tax (NPAT) of $452 million for the six months to December 31, 2017, was down 15.8 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Suncorp attributed this to the impact
of natural hazards, timing of investments and increased regulatory costs. Suncorp CEO and MD Michael Cameron said an increased focus on Suncorp’s four strategic priorities, in particular, elevating the needs of customers, had helped deliver solid top-line performance. “In the first half, Australian Motor and Home Insurance gross written premium (GWP) grew by 4.7 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively, while the Bank achieved 8.7 per cent lending growth, well above system growth.
“Our work over the past 18 months on driving efficiencies in our claims processes, improvements in our customer experience, a hardening insurance market and our strategic investment programs, position the business well for the second half .” Despite the dip in profits, the Australian insurance sector of the business was up 3.9 per cent, driven by unit growth and price increases. However, CTP premium growth was offset by recent regulatory reforms in both NSW and Queensland.
ASIC MAKES INSURERS REFUND $118 MILLION SUNCORP WILL REFUND 41,428 add-on insurance customers $17.2 million for insurance bought through car dealerships that ASIC say provided little or no value to consumers. ASIC has repeatedly raised concerns about ‘add-on’ insurance, claiming that in many cases insurers were paying car yard staff big commissions to sell policies that were near useless to customers. Other insurers are have also been refunding customers for add on insurance since December last year. • Allianz refunds $45.6 million to 68,000 customers • Swann Insurance refunds $39 million to 67,960 customers • QBE refunds $15.9 to 35,000 customers • Virginia Surety refunds $330,000 to more than 500 customers In Suncorp’s case ASIC found that for sales of MTA Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance between 2009 and 2017: • It was unlikely that the customer would be able to claim on the insurance, because, for example, they may have paid a large deposit on the car loan, so that the insured value of the car was more than the amount borrowed. 6 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
• The cover under the GAP policy was unnecessary as it duplicated replacement vehicle cover held by customers under their comprehensive car insurance policies. • Customers were sold a more expensive level of GAP cover than they needed. • Many customers did not receive rebates under their GAP policies when they paid out their loan early, even though cover under those policies had ended. Details of how the other insurance companies’ policies were deficient can be found on the ASIC website. In response to ASIC’s concerns, MTA Insurance will: • Provide a refund to all customers sold GAP policies on new cars that remain in force as at 1 September 2017, with the amount of the refund depending on the premium paid by the consumer. Customers who receive a refund will not have their policy cancelled.
• Offer to refund life and trauma insurance premiums to customers who were 25 years old or less when the policy was sold to them. • Provide rebates to GAP customers who repaid their loan early. • Pay a $50,000 community benefit payment. ASIC acting chair Peter Kell said this large scale remediation sent a strong message to add-on insurers: “Add-on insurance has been under the spotlight for some time now. Insurers should be taking active steps to ensure their customers are not being sold products that provide little or no value. “ASIC’s work on add-on insurance is all about making sure customers are being sold insurance that meets their needs.” www.paintandpanel.com.au
T2018-009400 TOY0416
“With up to 30% off more parts, Toyota Genuine Parts always come first.�
Beau Yates Toyota Motorsport Ambassador Australian Drift Champion
The list of Toyota Genuine Parts with new competitive pricing keeps on growing. With boot lids, tail lamps, rear tailgates, diff carrier assembly, transmissions, drum brakes and disc brakes now added to two thousand plus parts already available. Contact your local authorised Toyota Dealership for the full range.
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NEWS IN BRIEF COLES UNDER FIRE
IAG has come under fire for ‘slyly slugging young male drivers twice the excess of what young women pay’. According to The Daily Telegraph, men aged 21 to 24 who make a claim on their Coles car insurance face an additional excess of $600; females of the same age only have to pay $300 extra on top of the standard excess paid by all customers, according to the story. IAG defended the practice by saying young men make more claims but pointed out that IAG’s sister brands don’t charge young men higher excesses than women and said that neither does any other insurer.
$648 MILLION FIRST HALF PROFIT FOR IAG IAG ANNOUNCED ITS first half financial results for 2018 – with a substantial upswing in profits compared with this time last year. Profits after tax were $648 million up from $475 million this time last year. Pre tax profits were 36.9% up on 2017 first half results. IAG CEO and MD said: “This is an encouraging result for IAG. It reflects solid like-for-like gross written premium (GWP) growth of nearly 4%, primarily achieved through rate increases in commercial and consumer, along with some volume growth in motor. At a reported level, our comprehensive reinsurance protection in the half saw net natural peril claim costs below allowance while a higher favourable credit spread impact and larger than
anticipated reserve releases also helped boost our reported margin. “Operationally, our optimisation program continues to track to plan and we have announced a strategic review of the options for our Asian businesses which we expect to be complete by the end of the calendar year. “We started to see a favourable impact over the half of a number of initiatives we have put in place. This included programs of work around combating claims inflation through our car hire initiatives and customer choice campaign, accelerating our partnering with global experts to simplify processes and reduce complexity, and the bedding down of the Australia Division, created in July last year.”
FORD ALUMINIUM ISSUES
Ford is expected to blame rising metals costs for its cut into profits, even as rivals say they have the problem under control. Reuters reports that aluminum prices have risen 20 per cent in the last year. Steel prices have risen just over nine per cent in the last year. Ford uses more aluminum in its vehicles than its rivals. Aluminum is lighter but far more expensive than steel. Ford’s disappointing earnings estimate for 2017 and 2018 was attriubted to the higher costs for steel, aluminum and other metals, as well as currency volatility.
IAG QUALITY REPORT
NCAP DELIVERS A ZERO
Euro NCAP has given the Fiat Punto the first zero-star rating since testing began 20 years ago. The car scored the rating due to poor crash performance and the absence of key technologies such as AEB and Lane Support Systems giving it an unprecedented 0% ‘Safety Assist’ result. 8 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
IAG HAS RELEASED its fifth Quality Report with annual data on property and motor repair standards. In 2016-17 IAG undertook 43,478 quality inspections of motor vehicle repairs. Quality issues were identified in 0.51% of authorised repairs and potential safety issues in 0.01% of authorised repairs. IAG Executive GM short tail claims Steve Fitzpatrick said IAG is focused on continually supporting its partner repairers to further enhance their ability
to deliver the highest quality repairs and service for customers. “Over the past financial year, we increased the number of inspections across all brands underwritten and backed by IAG, with just under 50,000 motor and property inspections completed,” he said. “We will ensure our Partner Repair Network continues to evolve to provide the best possible experience for our customers, with the delivery of high quality repairs and excellent customer service.” www.paintandpanel.com.au
“Fake oil filters? Don’t risk it.”
T2017-007765 TOY0358/C
Harry Bates Toyota Motorsport Ambassador Youngest ever Australian Rally Championship round winner
When it comes to replacement parts, it’s easy to think air and oil filters are all pretty much the same. Nothing could be further from the truth. Counterfeit filters often have ill-fitting seals and thinner filter papers which easily tear and clog – exposing the engine to damage from dirt and pollutants. Why expose your business to potential mechanical catastrophes when fitting genuine simply eliminates that problem? Buy Toyota Genuine Parts – only from authorised Toyota dealers.
toyota.com.au/parts
NEWS IN BRIEF TESLA’S SPACE ADVENTURE
Elon Musk has sent his red Tesla Roadster to the red planet, Mars. A new SpaceX jumbo rocket became the world’s most powerful launch vehicle in operation when it blasted off from Florida in February. The rocket is carrying Elon Musk’s own Tesla Roadster as a mock payload. Propelled by 27 rocket engines, the Falcon Heavy packed more than 5 million pounds of thrust at launch.
THATCHAM BACKS VOLVO SAFETY
Thatcham Research has encouraged manufacturers to follow Volvo’s lead when it comes to safety, after the XC60 collected the Safety Award at the What Car? awards in the UK. The five-door SUV impressed with the protection it offers to occupants in the event of an accident. Crucially however, it is also fitted with a host of pioneering Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) designed to avoid crashes occurring at all. Thatcham is also calling upon car buyers to make safety a deal breaker and either only buy cars which have AEB as standard or ask that it be added to the overall purchase price.
MTA BACKS EDUCATION
In the 2017-2018 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced the Industry Specialist Mentoring for Australian Apprentices program (ISMAA). The ISMAA will be managed by the Department of Education and Training. The initiative aims to increase apprentice retention rates, particularly in the first two years of training, and improve completion rates and support the supply of skilled workers in specific industries.
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CAR CRAFT MOVES INTO MELBOURNE
THE CAR CRAFT Group has established a base in Victoria with the group opening an office in South Melbourne at the Lakeside Business Centre. Car Craft Victoria’s Darren Curry said: “The group’s expansion across the country has been at a steady pace and now that we have a put a flag in the ground here it shows the group’s focus of supporting local businesses with a local presence. “It reinforces the group’s philosophy that the independent repairer is stronger if they are part of a network like Car Craft,’ he said. The group’s expansion across Australia continues in all states, with 98 repairers in the network. Brian and Janette Watts, owners of B Watts Panel & Paint Repairs, are the newest shareholders to Car Craft. Their business is located two hours south of Perth in Picton. Brian said: “Our company is a family business operated with an ethos firmly centred around creating and maintaining long term and mutually beneficial relationships with our clients.” Car Craft chairman Mark Brady welcomed Brian and Janette to the Car Craft Group. “We have seen fantastic growth in the south and with B Watts Panel & Paint Repairs in Picton joining, the Car Craft Group now covers Picton, Bunbury, Busselton, Vasse and Collie,” he said. Car Craft has also increased its corporate involvement with I-CAR by raising its membership status and becoming a Platinum Member, to support further professional industry development. I-CAR Australia CEO Czvitkovits said “The growth of Car Craft and the
Top: B Watts joins Car Craft. Above: Darren Curry in Car Craft’s Melbourne office.
commitment to providing a consistent standards across their organisation nationally is welcomed, and places their repairers amongst the leaders of the industry today. “I-CAR provides the industry’s own accreditation program for ongoing training and education, across all roles in the industry. The increased support of Car Craft to the I-CAR vision is a valued commitment and will assist I-CAR in achieving the important goals that underpin the I-CAR position in the collision industry in Australia.” Car Craft GM Peter McMahon said “As a long-term supporter of I-CAR and of AMBRA Shop Grading, the board took the easy decision to increase our support of I-CAR Australia. The support we have received from the team at I-CAR has made our acceleration in training requirements an easy transition, from the latest vehicle technical information to liaising with local training bodies to meet our demand for welding certification. Even the virtual courses have helped us meet demand.” www.paintandpanel.com.au
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CREATING PARTNERSHIP TOGETHER For Sikkens, creating partnership together goes beyond solving business challenges and developing new products. It is about forging long-term relationships with our customers, distribution partners, suppliers, OEMs, and other industry influencers, to share and build on our combined knowledge and expertise.
‘Creating together’ is a core value shared by the Sikkens team around the globe. Working hand-in-hand with our partners gives us a unique insight into the increasing demands and challenges they face. Backed by Sikkens and powered by AkzoNobel, our customers can deliver outstanding results, creating a strong foundation for future growth and business sustainability.
NEWS
TAKATA VICTIMS SECURE COMPENSATION A TOTAL OF 13 auto manufacturers will be required to contribute up to $AUD 164 million to compensate injuries caused by the Takata airbag scandal. According to Reuters, the funds will also allow for the sale of Takata’s non-inflator business to Key Safety Systems, for $AUD 20 billion. A further $AUD 157 million will be put toward a secondary victim compensation fund, which was established by the US Justice Department in 2017. One of the key manufacturers involved in the scandal, Honda, has instead opted to launch its own compensation fund.
MASSIVE AMA GROWTH
BEARS GROUP IS the latest AMA acquisition with the sale finalising in February. The group’s six locations will be swapping Bears orange for Gemini green over the coming weeks. “The Bears group has decided to move away from the smash space,” head of Bears Group, Steve Lozenkovski told Paint & Panel. “ We felt with a rapidly evolving industry we could focus our attention on other areas of interest. With the strong branding and culture that Gemini delivers we felt them to be a suitable candidate to further the service to clients we have provided in smash repairs for over 30 years. “Bears will now focus on the hail space nationally, a section of the industry that is still quite young and will give our small enthusiastic team an opportunity to explore some exciting prospects that would simply not be possible in smash.”
AMA group has been busy growing its automotive repair offering a national footprint of 106 sites. According to the group’s half-yearly report it has acquired 10 new business in the vehicle panel repair division, these include Bears Group, NSW Gemini Bunbury, formerly Fix Auto Bunbury in WA, AutoCo in ACT which has four locations, Californian Smash Repairs, Sydney, Alexander Bodyworks in Garbutt, Queensland and City Crash Repairs in Townsville. AMA Group recorded a spend of near $1 million on due diligence for Blackstone who owns US giant Service King Paint & Body and is interested in buying AMA. As far as operating results the group declared themselves to be happy with these. Reported earnings before EBITDA has increased from $18.357 million to $20.623 million; a 12.3% increase. Adjusted EBITDA has increased to $26.201 million; an increase of 27.5%.
RAC WA ACHIEVES GOLD CLASS INSURER STATUS RAC Insurance, WA, has been awarded the prestigious I-CAR Gold Class Insurer status. RAC assessing operations managers Denis Svilicic and Joel Carder said: “With a culture set around driving efficiency and quality whilst providing our members with utmost quality service, we are always looking for ways to effectively grow our team’s skills and strive for our ultimate goal of being the best Insurer in WA. “To ensure we keep technically proficient in our knowledge and understanding of motor vehicle repair, the Motor Assessing 12 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
team have been completing a comprehensive training program provided by the team at I-CAR Australia. The Assessing team as a whole has achieved I-CAR Gold Class status. This training has proven to be vital for our assessors in the drive to be leaders in the smash repair Industry,” they said. I-CAR Australia OEM & operations coordinator Jason Trewin, said: “RAC Insurance has shown a fantastic commitment to technical training and as a result have achieved I-CAR Gold Class Insurer status. The I-CAR Gold Class accreditation is the highest level of
Denis Svilicic and Joel Carder, Motor Assessing Operations Managers at RAC with Jason Tewin of I-CAR.
technical training within the industry and ensures that all assessing staff have the skills, knowledge and expertise to ensure safe repairs for their members. This is a great achievement by everyone at RAC Insurance.” www.paintandpanel.com.au
NEWS
REPAIR TRAGEDY STRIKES TOWNSVILLE
INTERNATIONAL NEWS UNITED STATES
Consumers in a lawsuit linked to State Farm’s use of aftermarket parts received a win as an U.S. District judge denied the insurer’s motion for summary judgment. The class-action Hale et al v. State Farm et al litigation involves everyone who twice won the Avery et al v. State Farm $1.05 billion lawsuit for State Farm’s use of non-OEM collision repair parts but who subsequently lost an Illinois Supreme Court decision following the election of allegedly State Farmbacked Judge Lloyd Karmeier. The Hale plaintiffs argue that Karmier should have recused himself or been prevented from hearing the appeal, as State Farm allegedly played a huge role in his campaign and contributed more than $4 million of Karmeier’s $4.8 million war chest, and then allegedly concealed their efforts from the State Supreme Court. State Farm denies those allegations. Source Fender Bender
A YOUNG MAN has died while repairing his car following a freak accident at his home in Townsville. The Townsville Bulletin reported that the man had been conducting repairs on his four-wheel drive, when a large brick wall collapsed and pinned him to the vehicle. A passing motorist stopped and unsuccessfully attempt to provide first aid assistance. Witness reports indicate that the man had his back to the wall and may not have realised it was teetering.
Video and images from the scene show that the vehicle was attached to the wall. Sources speaking to Paint & Panel revealed that the man, who has remained unnamed, was a repairer himself and was conducted a pull in his yard. The man was rumoured to have looped a chain through a hole he had drilled in the wall and attached it to his car. With such a tragedy to strike early in 2018, Paint & Panel would like to remind readers to adhere to the same safety regulations found within the workshop, at home.
UK
Autoglass, the UK vehicle glass repair and replacement company, has successfully trialled the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to assess the severity of vehicle glass damage and determine whether customers require a repair or a full windscreen replacement. Over the past year Autoglass has worked with Service Certainty imageproof to develop and refine a dedicated web app which customers can use to simply upload a picture of the damaged area of glass on their vehicle. The image is then instantly evaluated using AI to determine whether a repair or replacement is needed before being passed onto a technician. The AI tool is already being used by customers of Autoglass, processing up to 2,500 images a week with over 80% accuracy – a figure which continues to rise as the AI processes more data. Employees of Autoglass still provide a human ‘back up’ assessment in cases where the AI assessment is inconclusive. Source Bodyshop magazine
14 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
STANLEY’S PANEL WORKS ACHIEVES GOLD STANLEY’S PANEL WORKS, in north Queensland, has been awarded the prestigious I-CAR Gold Class Collision status. “Modern day crash repair technology is rapidly changing and evolving. It is critical to be aware and up with the latest trends and repair methods. To deliver the absolute highest standard of repair, investment in training must be undertaken. I-CAR Gold class reflects the commitment of Stanley’s Panel Works and more importantly their team members, to further
develop their skills and their ability to deliver excellence in collision repair," said David Leszczewicz of Stanley’s. Jason Trewin Director - OEM & Industry Relations said “Stanley’s Panel Works in Cairns made the commitment to achieving I-CAR Gold Class two years ago and have recently received their accreditation. It’s fantastic to see a front runner in the industry setting the standard for all those to follow, and by achieving I-CAR Gold Class Stanley’s Panel Works joins an elite group of repairers to be recognised with this certification.” www.paintandpanel.com.au
IN DEPTH AUTOCARE
WHAT TO EXPECT AT AUTOCARE 2018 We give you the rundown of the industry’s latest collision repair event held in Sydney. THE AUSTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has revealed the full details of the first Autocare 2018 convention. The event, targeted at the auto repair industry, will be held on May 4 and 5, 2018 at the Sydney International Convention Centre. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chairman Rod Sims will provide the opening keynote address at Autocare 2018. Sims will outline the major findings and recommendations arising from the market study into the new car retailing industry and its implications for the Australian automotive aftermarket industry, including the recommendation to introduce a mandatory data sharing scheme in Australia. programs, I-CAR has an integral involvement in the Collision Autocare 2018 will also welcome the United States based I-CAR Repair stream of this education-led industry event, together director of industry technical relations Jason Bartanen who will with many more major suppliers. provide a detailed presentation on Collision Repair Technology. I-CAR will be joined by Lowbake Australia who will have their A number of informative panels have also been assembled for portable spray booth in operation the Collision Repair stream of Autocare 2018. They will also be providing live demonstrations of refinishing These panel discussions will provide the collision repairers of technology at the venue’s unique outdoor deck display area. Australia with access to some of the most influential identities A who’s who of the collision repair industry will also have of the industry. trade display areas at Autocare 2018, including 1Q1, Axalta These include a Global OEM Panel looking at the impact of Coating Systems, Bodyline Imports (Autolac), Car-O-Liner Advanced Driver Assistance Systems which will provide Australia, Dent Wizard Tools, DNS Technology, Fix Auto attendees with an understanding of how this technology is Australia, GPI Automotive Products, Henkel Australia, Kemppi inter-connected within the vehicle, the importance of correct Welding Machines, Nippon Paints, diagnoses and recalibration, along with how this Quotimation, Saint-Gobain all relates to approved repair procedures. Abrasives, Sydney Automotive There will also be a separate panel of OEMs, “We are delighted to have Paints & Equipment, ThatchamSuppliers and I-CAR looking at the use of materials assembled such a strong Escribe, Truflow Spray Booths, that were once considered exotic such as stronger group of industry, business Valspar Automotive Australia and and lighter steel, aluminium and composites which many more. have now found their way into the mass-market. and research identities.” AAAA executive director Stuart This workshop will discuss the impact these Charity the scope and structure of materials have on the need for ongoing training Autocare 2018’s Collision Repair stream of presenters and panels and development of technicians and the necessity to follow is truly impressive. recommended repair techniques. “The bumper Autocare 2018 schedule of key note presentations and Insurers and industry associations will be present to debate collision repair industry sector focussed speakers combines the perennial question on choice of repairer as they attempt to outstanding global and local expertise with specific focus on market separate fact from fiction and provide greater clarity to not only research, customer trends and emerging technologies to ensure that the repairer, but also the car owner. attendees learn from their experiences and gain the knowledge A panel of industry consolidators will discuss the trend required to position their businesses to prosper in the future. towards consolidation in the industry. “We are delighted to have assembled such a strong group of This workshop is designed to provide a forum for the sharing industry, business and research identities for the inaugural of views to demystify the impact this has on the industry and Autocare Convention in Sydney next May, which should not be bring some reality back to the discussion. missed for those who seek a long and successful future in the Also included in the Autocare 2018 program is a Panel of Australian collision repair industry,” he said. Developers and Future Leaders, who will discuss the talent gap Paint & Panel will be there too, so make sure you come and say and what can be done to reduce it. hello. We’ll be reporting on AutoCare online. Australia’s pre-eminent provider of industry training 16 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
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WRECKING THE ENVIRONMENT A shocking number of total loss vehicles are simply venting CO2 and damaging the ozone layer because the air-con system hasn’t been drained. VASA’s Haitham Razagui reports. Citing “economic and technical barriers”, the Department IT’S COMMON FOR front-end smashes to damage AC components acknowledges that the reason for just letting all this harmful enough for the entire refrigerant charge to escape, but there are refrigerant to atmosphere comes down to dollars and cents: “The still plenty of cases where a statutory write-off is sent to the residual refrigerants are an almost valueless waste material in wrecker with an air-con system full of gas. the $2 billion dollar a year industry that recovers second hand The most commonly used automotive refrigerant, R134a, is auto parts and valuable metals from this waste stream.” 1430 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon And that’s despite letting R134a and R12 into the atmosphere dioxide. Its predecessor, R12, is around 10,000 times more potent being more than a little frowned upon by the Commonwealth. than CO2 – not to mention the fact R12 played a significant part Under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas in punching a massive hole in the ozone layer. Management Act, the “unlawful discharge of ozone depleting Given all we now know and do about protecting the environment, substances and synthetic greenhouse gases” is punishable by fines of it’s easy to assume that a written-off car heading away on its up to $63,000 for an individual or up to $315,000 for a corporation. low-loader ride to oblivion will have had all refrigerant In addition, under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic professionally and safely removed before being dismantled or Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations it is an offence carrying crushed. Well you know what they say about the word ‘assume’. a penalty of up to $2100 “for a person to make representations to A research report commissioned by the Department of the provide services involving the acquisition, disposal, storage, use Environment and Energy estimated that at least two-thirds of or handling of refrigerant the 658,000 vehicles retired from service in 2013 still without either holding an contained refrigerant and that only 10 per cent – at “66 tonnes of R134a and appropriate licence or most – were thought to have had their refrigerant 21 tonnes of ozoneengaging an appropriately recovered by licensed technicians. licensed person to provide The report says 166 tonnes of R134a and 21 tonnes destroying R12 were simply the service”. of ozone-destroying R12 were simply vented to vented to atmosphere” In August 2014 the atmosphere – equivalent to 200,000 tonnes of CO2 – as Australian Motor Industry the vehicles were dismantled or crushed. In the Federation published a discussion paper into ELV policy, which Department’s own words: “This is equivalent to more than 11 per concluded: “There is no single legislative instrument that cent of the estimated direct emissions from the entire stock of captures the safe disposal and recycling of ELVs. Currently, ELVs operating mobile air conditioning systems in 2013.” and their disposal are captured under a patchwork of Federal and As new-generation refrigerants such as R1234yf become more State regulation and industry led stewardship schemes,” it said. common, the environmental impact from end-of-life vehicles Essentially, enforcing the requirement to properly recover (ELVs) will reduce. But given the average lifespan of a vehicle in refrigerants from ELVs is categorised under the too hard basket. Australia is 18 years, and the majority of cars imported still use Ideas on how to address this problem circulate regularly, R134a, it is going to take a long time. including putting the onus on insurance companies to ensure What’s more, the Department’s report forecasts the amount of refrigerants are recovered from statutory write-offs before they ELVs containing R134a will not peak until 2025 – at around reach the wreckers. 800,000 vehicles – and will start to very slowly decline as we Can you imagine them agreeing to that? And besides, it does approach the year 2030. nothing about ELVs that are simply so old and valueless that they have become uneconomical to maintain. I’m sure repairers have many suggestions about what our industry can do about this avoidable environmental damage. If you do, I’d be keen to hear from you.
18 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
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SUPPLEMENTARY
IS REAL ESTATE WORTH IT? Finance guru Brad Mewes of Supp-co.com looks at the importance - or not - of property ownership in the industry. REAL ESTATE PLAYS an important role in any business. As a significant long term asset, real estate represents a major financial investment. Whether it is Brad Mewes owned or leased, real estate is one of the largest fixed expenses for many businesses. But is investing in real estate worth it? Unfortunately, many owners do not give enough thought to the role that real estate plays in their business strategy. Whether your plan is to stand put, buy or sell, the financial management of real estate plays a significant part in that strategy. Many owners I speak with are surprised when they learn that a potential acquirer has no interest in buying real estate. To an owner who has acquired a multi-million dollar asset by allowing a business to pay off the note on the property over time, the idea that a multi-million dollar institution would not be interested in acquiring land may seem outright strange. Consolidators such as AMA Group have not been buying the business property if it's available when buying a collision repair shop, they simply rent it.
that invests in commercial real estate. The nuances and risk factors involved in an operating business are unique to that business, and share little if any similarity with the risk factors associated in investing in real estate. Yet real estate remains a key part of any CONSERVING CAPITAL business. For many small business owners, it has It is increasingly rare to find “It is increasingly rare to been a great source of wealth creation over many businesses that acquire both real find businesses that decades. For business owners that are not estate and operating businesses. acquire both real estate constrained by managing an efficient portfolio of In an industry that is rapidly investments, real estate still provides some consolidating capital is often and operating businesses.” attractive investment features. But understanding scarce. Growth, especially growth the role real estate plays to other investors is through acquisitions, requires critical to maximising the value of that asset over time. significant capital. In an industry where rapid growth is key to But as the industry evolves capital requirements will continue to success, most consolidators are not interested in investing in increase as vehicles become more complex. Margins will continue to property. Real estate ties up large amounts of capital, is illiquid and be compressed. The pressure to expand to multiple locations to generates much lower returns relative to an operating business. remain viable will increase. Simultaneously funding growth while In rapidly growing industries, many large consolidators are investing excess capital in real estate will become ever more backed by large sophisticated private equity groups (PEG). While challenging. Small business will also face capital allocation decisions these PEGs have access to what at times seems like infinite capital, – choosing whether to invest in expansion or to invest in real estate. the reality is they also face constraints on the allocation of capital. Funds have very specific investment and growth strategies, and are often contractually obligated to invest in specific types of assets, Supplement is a US advisory firm focused on both transactions and conversely, prohibited from other assets. and consulting, specialising in the body repair industry. It These investment strategies are often carefully designed to works with clients to develop strategy, provide industry diversify specific risk to build an optimised portfolio of insight, and systematically pursue value building activities. financial assets. An investment fund that invests in operating Contract Brad Mewes: www.supp-co.com businesses, for example, is separate and unique from the fund 20 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
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Factory Backing With Holden Collision Support & Repair Information
On the race track - time is of the essence, it’s no different for every repair job, that’s why we provide support and thousands of repair procedures accessed through the resources below. ACDelcoTDS.com
GME-InfoTech.com
The ACDelco Technical Delivery Service (TDS) provides technical
General Motors Europe (GME) InfoTech provides service
information for Holden models from 2006 onwards.
information for European built Holdens.
Collision Support - Email
Holden CollisionTech
Contact Holden.repairinfo@gm.com to speak to Holden Engineers
Home to all Collision Repair technical guides for 2006-2016
and the Collision Team for all enquiries on body repair procedures,
Holden vehicles, training, news features and technical bulletins
Holden CollisionTech access and Holden Genuine Parts.
available through Holden Trade Club - holdentradeclub.com.au
Please Note: ACDelcoTDS.com and GME-Infotech.com are subscription based services where users need to register and take out a subscription.
OFFICIAL PARTNER
TECH TALK Alpha Romeo 4C relies heavily on carbon fibre and aluminium for its low kerb weight.
NEW MATERIALS IN VEHICLE DESIGN Mark Czvitkovits, CEO of I-CAR, looks at the implications of new automotive structural materials.
lighter and stronger and both types are used in both structural NISSAN HAS RECENTLY announced a new UHS Super High and non-structural parts. Formability (SHF) steel that is rated at 980 MPa for structural The resin component used in carbon fibre also varies and provides components within its vehicles. This new steel is not only easier different strength levels. Epoxy resin is the strongest compared to to form but is 15% lighter than the 980 MPa rated steel currently vinyl ester and polyester resins that are often used. Epoxy resin is used. What is also significant is that this steel has significantly generally used in repairs due to its strength and ability to bond to better formability which makes it a very attractive material for the substrate. The repairability of carbon fibre depends on a number providing even more structural strength in areas that require of criteria. With open weave exposed fibre, the repair is limited to more complex design and shape. SHF also has an improvement of scratches in the clearcoat and if these even just nick and touch the 18% elongation in testing compared with 8% of traditional 980 weave, the repair will be noticeable. Anything deeper will require a full MPa steels currently on the market. This allows SHF to be used component replacement. With a in areas that require more strength as well as a painted component or where higher degree of absorption, including front “If a carbon fibre panel repairs are concealed, more repair chassis rails. options become available based on This is the first step in producing lighter requires replacing and it is location and function of the and stronger steels with increased formability part of the structure, adhesive the part. Undertaking carbon fibre which has been in the development stage for bonding and, potentially, repairs requires vacuum many years by multiple steel makers. With the bagging to ensure all air is increased formability and better elongation rivets may be required.” removed from the resin, comes the opportunity to produce stronger providing a strong bond exterior panels, if required, that assist in between fibre and resin. Any air in the finished repair will providing a much safer and lighter vehicle body. potentially weaken the panel in that region. It’s important to Weldability will require specific tools and expertise and these match the direction of the fibre ply to ensure the strength is guidelines will need to be adhered to. As with all new advanced retained after the repair is completed. materials, it is vitally important that the technician If a carbon fibre panel requires replacing and it is part of the understands what is required and is equipped with the structure, adhesive bonding and potentially rivets may be required. knowledge and equipment to work with these new materials. The entire panel would be replaced at factory joins, unless a specific procedure is available. The correct adhesives and rivets must be used RESINS TO BE CAREFUL and changing this to a generic rivet or adhesive could mean the Carbon fibre is another material that is beginning to filter down, difference between a safe, complete and quality repair or not. we are seeing it being introduced into an ever-expanding range With the shift in technology and the requirement for of affordable vehicles. This man-made fibre that has a very high following procedures during repairs it would be irresponsible for carbon content, typically between 92-99% carbon – one of the any technician, owner or assessor to not fully understand the reasons it has a greyish-black look. The fibres can be weaved or complete process from start to finish when performing, chopped, similar to fibreglass, and its use is based on the estimating or assessing any repair today. requirements of the part. Weaved carbon fibre is generally 22 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
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AN INITIATIVE OF
IN DEPTH
BET YOUR BUSINESS COSTS MORE TO RUN THAN YOU THINK So you reckon you know your hourly rate? Have you factored ‘rent’ if you own the building or loan vehicle costs? MTA’s new calculator will make sure nothing is missed out.
“Too many motor body repair businesses, who have heavily THE MOTOR TRADES Association of Australia (MTAA) and its invested in training, equipment, tooling and in meeting the demands affiliated organisation, the Australian Motor Body Repairers of a rapidly changing automotive industry, are being forced to accept Association (AMBRA),has launched a new cost calculator tool that rates and charges demanded by work providers that simply do not will assist motor body repair businesses transparently identify their reflect the costs of their business and costs and a charge out hourly rate for their business. placing them at a significant The tool, which has been independently “It has really woken me disadvantage or even jeopardising their analysed by national business advisory and future,” Williams said. accountancy firm BDO, and examined by the up and made me think “Most work providers to the motor Australian Tax Office (ATO), enables all motor about changes I can body repair industry have their own body repair business owners/management to make to bring the hourly calculators or processes that are capture all of the costs associated in running required to be applied in order to their businesses. The tool also includes helpful rate down.” secure work. These tools or processes worksheets for profit and loss, tradespersons rarely capture the complete picture costs, and has the added potential of and contain elements or parameters designed to produce a highlighting areas of business operations where further pre-determined hourly charge rate outcome. efficiencies can be made and/or improvements to productivity. “This leads to different motor body repair businesses, with different AMBRA Chairman, Jeff Williams, said the cost calculator would capabilities or services, differing levels of staff and costs, and even help motor body repair businesses not only identify their actual different locations being subjected to a rate for their services which costs of doing business, but assist in determining a fair, are not reflective of their actual costs – even though they may have reasonable and transparent shop or business charge out hourly already made significant improvements, generated efficiencies and rate that was verifiable, defendable and in accordance with productivity enhancements to be competitive,” Williams said sound business and accounting practice. 24 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
www.paintandpanel.com.au
IN DEPTH
WHAT THE GUINEA PIGS SAY When it comes to publishing your business figures we know how shy you are. We talked to two bodyshop owners who ‘test drove’ the finished calculator to see if they were surprised by the results. They were happy to talk as long as we promised not to reveal their identities.
WELD#2 WELD THROUGH PRIMER
GUINEA PIG 1 “I had an idea about my hourly rate but wasn’t confident it was accurate. I nearly died when I saw the result. I thought I should be $100 per hour but mine came out at $132. “What’s brilliant about the calculator is that it’s so flexible. I needed to take on another technician but realised that would only put my costs up. Instead, I asked two of my technicians to work two hours overtime a day and that really brought my costs down and saved all the costs of putting on a new staff member. Plus they were happy to earn the extra dollars – a win, win. “There were items in the cost calculator that I wouldn’t have factored into my hourly rate such as loan vehicle expenses and my electricity costs. “I realised I was paying too much for my electricity and have since negotiated a better
rate. With some adjustments I have reduced the hourly rate to $106 and can continue working on ways to reduce that.”
GUINEA PIG 2 “I had a fair idea of my rate but I’d never sat down and calculated it. It was a really good exercise and now I have a better understanding of my costs. It came out a few dollars more than I thought it was and there were items in the calculator that I wouldn’t have factored in to my hourly costs. It’s great that you can update it every couple of months as your costs change. It was also really quick, it only took half an hour to enter costs. “It has really woken me up and made me think about changes I can make to bring the hourly rate down.”
MTAA CEO, Richard Dudley, said the development and provision of the cost calculator tool was an essential element in providing transparent competition in the motor body repair sector and had involved all MTAA associations and their body repair membership, as well as trusted partners and business associates. Dudley also highlighted the importance of Federal Government initiatives, particularly the ATO and ACCC programs, designed to improve the business acumen of small business. “The development of this tool highlights the value of relationships and collaboration by the MTAA and members with these departments and agencies to improve the sustainability and profitability of its business constituents. In particular, the MTAA is grateful for the work of the small business team in the ATO for providing essential feedback and suggestions for improvements to the tool,” Dudley said. The ATO acknowledged, “The challenge faced by the smash repair industry to influence and control profit margins in a competitive economic environment largely controlled by insurance companies is clear. Accurate calculation of direct and indirect costs places smash repair businesses in a more powerful and informed position to negotiate contracts, prepare quotes and ultimately operate successful businesses.” The calculator is available to MTAA members via the AMBRA website. www.paintandpanel.com.au
A high adhesion, super conductive primer offering excellent rust protection when applied to suitably prepared panels prior to SPOT, MIG and TIG welding.
• Fast drying • High concentration of zinc or copper in the dry film • Corrosion resistant
March / April 2018 PAINT&PANEL 25
ANNIVERSARIES
Left: Did you know PPG stands for Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company? Below: Valspar’s Richard Reneman in the early days of the company.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY This year Paint & Panel acknowledges suppliers, distributors and brands celebrating an anniversary. PPG CELEBRATES 135 YEARS It was John Pitcairn and Captain John B. Ford who formed the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, way back in 1883, with the aim of producing America’s first marketable plate glass. Not only did they succeed, the company now known as PPG, has since gone on a growth and transformational journey which has seen it expand its footprint across the planet. Today, PPG is one of the world’s largest global paints, coatings and specialty materials suppliers. 26 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
PPG’s vast and diverse range includes protective and decorative paints, aircraft cockpit and cabin windows, sealants, adhesives, metal pre-treatment products and specialty products. Customers choose PPG for an extraordinary range of applications, from cars, trucks and motorcycles to aircraft, ships, homes, commercial structures and everyday items, such as sports shoes, whitegoods, tennis rackets and beverage containers. While operating on a global scale, in over 70 countries, PPG also chooses to manufacture locally – there are more than 150 manufacturing sites worldwide, including in both Australia and New Zealand. As it takes a moment to reflect on 135 years of history, the global PPG team of approximately 46,000 employees continues to focus on providing customers with superior products and service. This commitment to excellence is aimed at ensuring that PPG is well positioned for the next 135 years and beyond.
GPI ENTERS ITS FORTIES February 1 is an important date for the GPI Group of Companies, it was on this day in 1978 that Colin Edwards commenced trading as GPI Automotive Products manufacturing the first Australian Lightweight Body Filler and Tuff Buff sheepskin buff pads. Colin worked from a rented 300m2 factory in Sunshine cutting the sheepskins and making the body filler with two female employees, one sewing the buff pads and one labelling the cans, cleaning the buff pads and doing some office work. 40 years later the company has grown into 8 entities currently employing 184 people and working out of 14 warehouses spread Australia wide GPI headquarters sit in a 18500m2 warehouse in Mulgrave, Melbourne. The GPI Group’s success has been partly brought about by the www.paintandpanel.com.au
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ANNIVERSARIES
Right: Colin Edwards, GPI; Right GPI HQ, Melbourne; Below: Valspar celebrates 20 years in Australia.
“Through my time within the company I have managed to forge many great friendships that continue to make coming to work a pleasure.” personnel employed with over 20 persons being with the company for over 20 years. The business today is not just automotive. He was on a buying trip to Taiwan 25 years ago, and while visiting one of his suppliers he noticed an exercise bike in the corner of the man’s office. He told the supplier he was sure he could sell a few and to send 50 over in the next container. Edwards now has a multimillion dollar fitness and bicycle business.
DEBEER CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN AUSTRALIA From humble beginnings in a backyard office to now being part of the largest coatings company in the world, DeBeer has seen immense growth over its 20 year history in Australia. DeBeer Refinish was introduced to the Australian market in 1992 by Crash Supplies in Sydney. After a very positive response from the automotive refinish market, it was decided on September 1997, the company owned DeBeer Australasia Pty Ltd was to be founded under the management of Richard Reneman. From humble beginnings with just four staff operating from a home office, the business grew rapidly in the Australian market. DeBeer experienced its first major change in January 2004, when DeBeer Lakfrabrieken joined the Valspar family through acquisition, which led to the business changing trading names to Valspar Automotive Australia Pty Ltd. The acquisition helped to catapult the newly acquired Valspar Automotive brands forward in the Australian market. With the 28 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
access to new technology and resources globally, rapid expansion quickly followed. Over the next decade, Valspar Automotive continued to grow through the addition of prominent global brands including; Valspar Refinish, Valspar Industrial Mix, LIC, Spralac, Octoral and USC. In June 2017, Sherwin-Williams completed its acquisition of Valspar and once again merging assisted in opening up new opportunities for growth. With over 60,000 employees globally, becoming part of the world’s largest coatings organisation highlighted the dramatic transformation of DeBeer in Australia. Given the strong brand recognition in the Australian refinish market, the business continued trading under the Valspar Automotive name. The momentous occasion of achieving 20 years as a company in Australia was celebrated at the Valspar Automotive distributor conference with a special presentation provided to Richard Reneman - Business Director, Valspar Automotive Australasia. Reneman said: “It is a great achievement to reach 20 years with any business, let alone one that our team introduced to the Australian market 20 years ago. Through my time within the company I have managed to forge many great friendships that continue to make coming to work a pleasure”. Valspar Automotive would like to thank all distribution partners and body shops that have given their support over the past 20 years. We look forward to celebrating further successes with you in the future. www.paintandpanel.com.au
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BUSINESS STRATEGIES
WOULD YOU LIKE STONE CHIP REPAIRS WITH THAT? The success of many of the world’s greatest businesses is understanding the difference between market share, and wallet share, say Ben Fewtrell. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN that it is easier to get an existing customer to buy from you again than it is to get a new customer, and once the relationship is established consumers are happier to deal with someone that they already like, know and trust than develop a new relationship. In most cases, consumers are willing to pay more, or simply won’t bother price shopping on subsequent purchases if they already have someone they feel can get the job done for them. The process of up-selling or cross-selling is common practice in many well-known food and retail outlets. The technique has successfully been introduced into just about every industry, and there is no reason why you can’t do the same in your business to increase your average dollar sale value. Why introduce an up-sell in your smash repair business? Simple, three out of 10 people say yes. Let’s say you have 100 customers a month, that would be 30 extra sales. Giving customers a convenient way to get additional work completed on their vehicle when it is out of action anyway, would appeal to many people. Ben Fewtrell 30 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
Using myself as a case study. I recently had to take my daughter's car for repair, my insurance company sent me to one of their approved repairers to get it fixed. My daughter’s car is about eight years old and suffers from typical aging car issues. It has stone chips, a small dent on the near-side rear wheel arch, a front windscreen rubber that is deteriorating and the roof has faded. On completion of the repairs I went to pick up her car. As I checked out the new pristine paint on the repair, it occurred to me that I could have got some of these other things fixed whilst they had the car. I scratched my head and wondered why the repairer didn’t even offer me the option? For me as the consumer, I am already inconvenienced by having to get the car repaired, and the repairer was a trusted referral from my insurance company. This is the perfect opportunity for me to leave the car a couple more days and get some extra work done. When I dropped off the car for repair the repairer conducted an initial inspection, they used a checklist to go over other areas of the car. The checklist was used to identify and note www.paintandpanel.com.au
BUSINESS STRATEGIES
any other damage, marks etc. I was made to sign to agree the damage was pre-existing, preventing them getting the blame for any of this damage when I came back to pick up the car. Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to offer additional services? If they had offered to repair the other damage, and charge me directly for it, I probably would have said yes.
“Why introduce an up-sell in your smash repair business? Simple, three out of 10 people say yes. Let’s say you have 100 customers a month, that would be 30 extra sales.” WHAT OTHER SERVICES COULD YOU OFFER? There are dozens of other products and services you could offer, here is a short list to get you started. Remember, it doesn’t have to be you that completes the extra work, you could partner with other local businesses to offer these services, and make an arrangement to share the profits or take a referral fee. • Window Tinting • Tyres and Wheel Alignments • Car Detailing • Scratch repairs • Stone Chip repairs • Repair Car Park Dings • Repair Etching from Bird/Bat Droppings • Replace broken parts • Alloy Wheel Repairs
• Upholstery and interior Repairs • Upgrade to audio systems • Bluetooth Hands- free Kits • Crash Cam supply and install • Reverse Camera Supply and Install • Bug/Tar removal • Supply and Install Roof Racks, Tow Bars and Bull Bars
HOW TO START UPSELLING IN YOUR BUSINESS 1. Create a list of all additional services you could offer. Put them in order of easiest to implement and start by offering these first. 2. Create a checklist to use when every customer arrives for their initial assessment. If you notice anything that you could repair whilst you had the vehicle, offer to quote on it. You may be surprised how many people say yes. 3. Let customers know about everything you have on offer. You could do this by email, a flyer, signs in your reception or verbally. 4. You’ll need to make it easy for your team to offer the additional services, and most importantly provide training for your team so they’re comfortable with the new process. Remember, 3 out of 10 people say yes.
Ben Fewtrell is the author of the Business Exceleration Blueprint, is a sought-after advisor, keynote speaker, podcast host and trainer. He has personally mentored and coached hundreds of business owners in dozens of industries, building his own multi-million dollar business in the process. Visit: Maxmyprofit.com.au www.paintandpanel.com.au
March / April 2018 PAINT&PANEL 31
TECH TALK
AUDI A7 SPORTBACK
The Audi A7 Sportback is a new style of Gran Turismo – it is loaded with the latest technology with mixed body construction, stacks of safety systems and digitalisation. WE'RE TALKING UP to 39 driver assistance systems in three packages available on the new A7 Sportback, including new systems such as the garage pilot and parking pilot and the crossing assist Talk about sensitive? It has a laser scanner, long-range radar and four mid-range radars, front camera, 360 degree cameras and ultrasonic sensors. Even the windscreen wipers are newly developed and are intelligently controlled. The spray nozzles lie in their arms, and the water is sprayed directly in front of the blades, always at the correct wiping angle. This uniform wetting, which also takes into account the driving speed, the outside temperature and the degree of soiling, cleans the windshield fast, efficiently and reliably. The Gran Turismo’s headlights are available in three sophisticated and complex versions: in LED technology, as HD Matrix LED and as HD Matrix LED with Audi laser light. The LEDs also act as cornering lights. With the top-of-the-line headlights, the lower segment also includes the laser spot with is X-shaped metal aperture and the blue light guide. The laser spot is activated at a speed of 70 km/h and doubles the range of the high beam. The Audi A7 Sportback stands for a new era in Audi lighting design – for aesthetics through movement. The HD Matrix LED headlights and above feature the coming home/leaving home function is used. When the car is locked and unlocked, the headlights and rear lights present dynamic lighting displays.
SO CONNECTED Audi connect also offers many other services, such as Twitter and email access. MMI navigation plus brings navigation with Google Earth, online radio and hybrid radio. The most important system in the Tour assist package is the adaptive cruise assist (ACA). It builds on the adaptive cruise
32 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
control (ACC) of the predecessor model and adds a lane tracking function that also supports traffic jams. At speeds between 0 and 250 km/h, the system keeps the new A7 Sportback at the desired distance to the vehicle ahead. It also uses slight steering interventions to help the driver to stay in the lane and supports them with longitudinal guidance in construction sites by means of the narrowed road assist. The City assist package includes the newly developed crossing assist. If the mid-range radars, which can look roughly 75 meters ahead, detect crossing traffic in front of the car, the system warns the driver and applies the brake, if necessary. The lane change warning alerts the driver of risks when changing lanes. The exit warning indicates vehicles or cyclists approaching from the rear when opening the door and briefly prevents this from happening. Cross traffic assist rear kicks in when the new A7 Sportback is backing out of a tight space.
AND THERE'S MORE... The safety systems Audi pre sense rear, Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense front are standard. They detect collision hazards all around the car and initiate targeted preventive measures – whether maximum braking, adjusting the seats or tightening the belts. Audi pre sense front includes a warning and braking function for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. The emergency assist brings the car to a stop if the driver is no longer able to do so. The park
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TECH TALK
assist, reversing camera, 360 degree cameras with 3D images and rims view and night vision assist are available as separate options. The latter uses an infrared camera to detect pedestrians and larger wild animals at long distances in the dark and warns the driver of their presence. These will be followed in the course of 2018 by the Park assist package, which includes the Audi (remote) parking pilot and the Audi remote garage pilot. Both systems automatically steer the car into a parallel or transverse parking space or into a garage and out again, operating the steering, accelerator, brake and automatic transmission. The driver monitors the manoeuvre and activates the systems via smartphone in the new myAudi app or via the button in the centre console. Behind the new assistance systems in the new A7 Sportback are the central driver assistance controller (zFAS), and a portfolio of sensors that complement each other. The big innovation here is the laser scanner, which covers a field about 80 meters in length and a wide angle of aperture of 145 degrees. Within this field, it detects objects with sharp contours, even in the dark. In bad weather, its front window is automatically cleaned and heated. Fully equipped, there is a set of 24 sensors in the new Audi A7 Sportback. The data from the various sensors flow together in the zFAS. With its high-end processors, the tablet-sized computer continually computes a differentiated image of the vehicle’s surroundings. This centralised environment model enables
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the assistance systems to further improve their performance compared to the predecessor model, for example, when they detect the end of a traffic jam and initiate braking. Also, navigation is even more precise, because the sensor data fusion locates your own car down to the exact lane.
STRONG IN BODY The body of the new Audi A7 Sportback consists of a mix of materials. As an ultra-high-strength composite, hot-formed steel components form the backbone of the passenger compartment, accounting for 23.9 percent of the weight of the structure. It is used primarily in the lower section of the front bulkhead, the side sills, the rear cross member, the B-pillars and the front zone of the roof line. Here and in other areas of the body Audi uses sheet metal blanks in many places with variable wall thicknesses between 0.75 and 2.05 millimetres. These tailored blanks (custommade sheets) are created by partial tempering and by complex processes during rolling or welding. The aluminum components in the body-in-white (the stage in manufacturing in which a car body’s sheet metal components have been welded together) together weigh 10.9 kilograms. The strut dome and reinforcements in the roof frame are made of cast aluminum, the strut brace in the engine compartment and the central cross brace under the floor of extruded sections. An aluminum sheet supports the B-pillars, and the upper shell of the rear roof frame is made of a new steel/polymer mix. Doors, hood and trunk lid are made entirely of aluminum. The newly designed structural front end and the torsion rings have a positive effect on rigidity. The significantly stiffer connection of the front axle improves handling and the acousticd. In a head-on collision, the three stress planes in the front end absorb the forces. The reinforcements of the longitudinal members have variable wall thicknesses, which leads to controlled deformation.
March / April 2018 PAINT&PANEL 33
2018 PAINT & PANEL BODYSHOP AWARDS
BIGGEST EVER PAINT & PANEL AWARDS Entries are open for the 2018 Paint & Panel Bodyshop Awards which this year has two new awards, new sponsors, a new judge and a change of state for our night of nights.
TOP TO BOTTOM: Industry comes together to celebrate. Damage Control national best shop with Steven Brett, Axalta on right; Fred Sleman, Five Star panels best boutique shop Vic in centre with Brenton Doley and Luke Delmo from Mercedes-Benz. Right, new judge Steve Lozenkovski. 34 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
DO YOU RUN a below average business with terrible staff? You don’t? Well why not throw your hat in the ring and nominate your business or one of your great team members for the 2018 Paint & Panel Bodyshop Awards? Our platinum sponsors Axalta Coating Systems and Compass are both major supporters of the awards for the third year running. A big thank you to both companies. Compass MD James Frape said: “Compass is delighted to be a major sponsor of the awards for the third year running. Each year it is great to see the shops that have gone above and beyond to create an experience that exceeds the customers expectations. “Its’ fantastic to have some new sponsors on board, helping promote the industry to a wider audience.” Axalta’s Steven Brett said: “Axalta welcomes the opportunity to again support the awards for 2018. We encourage all bodyshop owners to take this opportunity to nominate their business and to enter as many categories as possible and especially consider the Sustainability Award.” Welcome to AkzoNobel who came on board as supporting sponsors for a new award – digital excellence. AkzoNobel sales support manager Australasia Katia Gridina said, “Typically, when hearing ‘digital’ we think of a functional website and engaging on Facebook or Instagram, but the ‘digital’ culture runs deeper within a business, and advanced businesses challenge themselves on many other levels. You’ll need a minimum of a website and Facebook page and then the judges will be looking for other ways of engaging digitally from training to quoting to workshop management systems.” Speaking of judges, joining editor Sam Street and veteran awards judge Neil Powell is Steve Lozenkovski of the Bears Group. He’ll be heavily involved in judging our Best Practice awards. These include the Axalta Sustainability Award – which many winners have felt is the most important award of all as it demonstrates that they run a sound business that’s here to stay. Best customer experience is another one to proudly displa e, Rising Star for the under 35s, the Innovation award and Country Repairer of the year. Both Rising Star and Country Repairer are entered by making a video. We say it every year – we’re not expecting MGM studios production quality. You can make it with a smartphone – it’s the rising star or their country shop that we’re looking at. There are so many fantastic mentors in this industry who dedicate time to support and train apprentices and youngsters starting out in the industry. Do you know one? Then nominate them for the inaugural Outstanding Mentor award. We’ll be in touch with TAFEs initially asking them to nominate people from repair businesses who have excelled at supporting apprentices. However, if you want to nominate someone in your business or nominate yourself, you are most welcome to do so. We will be sending nominees and nominators a link to a www.paintandpanel.com.au
2018 PAINT & PANEL BODYSHOP AWARDS
Survey Monkey form to detail why the individual should be considered for the award. We will want you to tell us what level of onsite training is available, how apprentices are encouraged and what other learning and support is given. Apart from the video entries all of the best practice awards require each nominee to fill out a Survey Monkey form to tell us about what makes their business a winner in that category. Periodically we’ll be sending nominees emails to confirm their nomination and their willingness to take part in the awards. A short list will be created for judging and these state finalists will be notified when this will take place. The judges try to visit at least five shops per day and spend two days in each state and are therefore inflexible about the day and sometimes the time of the visit. Thank you to our supporting sponsors Car Craft Accident Repair Group, Norton St Gobain, AAAA, Glasurit, AkzoNobel and MTAA who make these best practice awards possible.
JOIN US FOR THE NIGHT OF NIGHTS Each of the winners is presented their award at a glittering gala dinner which this year will be held in Melbourne. The whole industry is invited to join us to celebrate excellence in the autobody repair arena. We know that it’s difficult for you to be constantly taking time out of the business to attend events so we’ll be holding our LIVE conference in the afternoon of Friday, October 12 and the awards gala in the evening. We are also planning shop tours for the previous day – one to visit some outstanding autobody repairers and one to visit outstanding retail outlets in case you would like to bring partners who don’t work in the industry and make a long weekend out of it. We’ll be announcing details online and in the next issue of the magazine.
The Mazzeo dream team from B&A who won best large shop Australia and Victoria
BEST BODYSHOP AWARD This award is not a beauty contest and the judges visit in working hours when you’re all flat out. Operating theatre cleanliness is not expected but neither is centimetres of dirt and dust. Paint rooms which look like they’ve been swarmed by birds with multi-coloured droppings from top to bottom and haven’t been cleaned for months are also unlikely to impress. We’re interested in a good working environment for your team, the equipment and training to carry out top notch repairs and reasonable customer facilities. You can check out videos of last year’s winners on our YouTube channel.
ALL INFO ON OUR WEBSITE Everything you need to know about the awards can be found on the Paint & Panel website in the awards section. This includes size categories and judging criteria.
WORLD CLASS SURFACE FINISHING Hi-Performance & Professional
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March / April 2018 PAINT&PANEL 35
MEASURING AND ALIGNMENT
HORSES FOR COURSES As cars become more sophisticated, so do the tools and equipment to repair them. But do you need to spend your hard earned cash on the top of the range, whizz bang latest? Sam Street reports.
THE AUSTRALIAN REPAIR industry has some of the most stunning repair facilities on the planet. That’s not just my opinion – many suppliers to the industry have worn out shoe leather all over the globe checking out overseas facilities. So many business owners put their heart and soul and every cent into the business to make it the best that it can be. After a spray booth, your welding and realignment equipment can make the biggest dent in your bank balance but are you buying the equipment you really need? Yes, the latest and greatest looks awesome in the workshop but the most successful operators only spend money on the right equipment for their workload.
KNOW THYSELF Be honest, how many prestige cars do you repair? How many 4x4s, how many vans? To buy measuring and alignment equipment that can be used for all of these, if you don’t have a significant volume, is an extravagance no business can afford. The major suppliers featured this issue all have an impressive array of equipment which ranges from a simple speed bench to an all singing, all dancing measure-to-within-a-hair-on-a-flea, print you out a report and practically hand the customer a bunch of flowers, top of the line model. These suppliers want to sell you the right equipment because it’s in their interest to help your workshop operate at optimum efficiency so that you come to them when you expand or need to upgrade. But you must be very clear about what you actually do in order for them to sell you the right product – not the work you want to do, but the work you actually do and are likely to carry out in the future. 36 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
MEASURE FOR MEASURE Having the right realignment equipment for those undertaking structural repairs has never been so important. As cars are loaded with more and more active and passive safety equipment, tolerances become tighter. What realignment equipment you need is dictated both by the type of vehicles you repair and the available space in your workshop. Every square centimete costs you money and you should maximise all of your space for optimum efficiency. Mixing and matching might be the right way to go – one type for light structural and another for heavy. Would it be better to have a unit you can easily move around the workshop? Ask suppliers and your technicians for their input to come up with the optimum solution.
TO WELD OR NOT TO WELD? We’re preparing a feature on welding for the May/June edition of the magazine but the same criteria applies to selecting the right equipment for the vehicles you repair. There are so many different types of steel, then there’s aluminium, carbon fibre and composite panels. The days of MIG/MAG welding are possibly on the wane with riveting and bonding shouldering their way in – but what is the cost to your business of having every piece of equipment just so you won’t have to turn away the odd job that you aren’t equipped for? This is especially true of riveting guns. Many suppliers will hire you specific kits for jobs if you have purchased some basic equipment from them – saving you the investment of buying a top of the range unit whose versatility you don’t need in your day to day business. www.paintandpanel.com.au
MEASURING AND ALIGNMENT
should be checking that the tool has an “Be honest, how many prestige cars extraction die also to do you repair? How many 4x4s, how remove existing SPRs many vans? To buy measuring and instead of having to grind or drill the old alignment equipment that can be rivets out. used for all of these, if you don’t “The biggest issue with have a significant volume, is an these rivet guns across extravagance no business can afford.” the whole range would be shops who don’t carry spare parts for them. Everyone will complain about a rivet gun supplier if half way While bonding and riveting was reserved for the higher through a job which has bonding agent curing they break an eschelons of the car market we’re seeing a definite trend towards insert die and the shop does not have any spares. So every kit use of materials that need this procedure in the mainstream should be monitored constantly for breakages.” he said. market. GM vehicles already require bonding and riveting and it’s no secret that Toyota and Mazda are looking into using aluminium in the near future. Ford is already using aluminium IT’S NOT WHAT YOU’VE GOT in the F150 but, of course, each manufacturer uses different BUT HOW YOU USE IT styles and sizes of rivets. We asked Geoff Mitchell Course Ok, so you have to have the right equipment but there’s no point Developer & Welding Certifier at I-Car about riveting equipment: in having it if your technicians don’t know how to use it “If technicians use the wrong die or don’t adjust the pressure to properly – in fact it will end up costing you more money if there allow for the different lengths, things will go wrong. If the are quality issues because the proper procedure hasn’t been technician uses the wrong die for the rivet it will not spread the carried out. Quality suppliers offer training but this is best shank correctly,” he said. received from a knowledge base already attained from either “Most importantly when purchasing an SPR gun shops manufacturer or I-Car training.
Sydney Automotive Paints & Equipment - Phone: (02) 9772 9000
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March / April 2018 PAINT&PANEL 37
MEASURING AND ALIGNMENT
TO BE PRECISE... There are a number of measuring and damage diagnostic devices on the market. What you need to check is the all of the vehicle data that you need is included in the device you buy. All of these these measuring systems can be used with any bench.
CAR-O-LINER CAR-O-TRONTIC VISION X3 This world-leading measuring system can be retrofitted to any existing bench. A database of over 13,200 vehicles forms the core of the Vision product. The database contains a comprehensive data set of measuring points, drawings and photos of each vehicle. Car-O-Liner’s close ties with vehicle manufacturers around the world means that data on newly released cars, trucks and SUVs are on the database as soon as these hit the dealer showroom. Vision’s Measuring Slide, a central component of this system has sensors in each joint (and a measuring head underneath), which wirelessly communicate real-time measurement data three times a second. A built-in remote control capability allows the user to manage the entire measuring process, without having to be in front of a computer. The entire repair process is documented in pictures, with the ability to send text and email files to insurance companies directly from within the software. Extremely easy to use, the user works with only two buttons. ASP allows the system to always select the right measuring point. Automatic centring and measuring capabilities, with user-friendly menus and access to the unique Infocenter, means there is less chance of operator error. Vision’s database includes measurements of the lowerbody, with mechanics in and out, the upperbody (not for full frame vehicles) and point-to-point (P2P) for both unibody and full-frame vehicles. There’s a free app for Vision available from the Car-O-Liner website. 40 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
CAR-O-LINER POINT X
PointX is a light and easy to use, hand held damage diagnostic tool.. The lightweight, efficient measuring arm, in combination with Car-O-Data combines as an affordable measuring system that allows you to accurately and quickly target measuring points. Constructed in super lightweight carbon fibre, the PointX measuring arm makes it easy for technicians to manoeuvre completely around the vehicles. Not only is PointX easy to operate, it is also driven with Vision2 Software, a photo-based system that guides the entire repair process.
SPANESI TOUCH Touch is a universal electronic measuring system, allows you to diagnose structural damage. It also helps with how to carry out the repair and documents the repair for your own and insurance company records. • Fast equipment positioning • Can be used with all equipment on or off bench • Easy to use with comprehensive software • Database contains all the main points of chassis and suspension • Can be customised • Use on assembled or diassembled vehicle • Simple diagnosis and certification printout • Real-time visualisation of the repair
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MEASURING AND ALIGNMENT
CELETTE NAJA EVOLUTION
GLOBALJIG LaserLock is Globaljig’s live-mapping, self leveling, multi-point scanner which loacks in 54 pre-defined high-tech targets in realy time. It’s quick with less prep time in creating fast frame measuring, estimates and precision repairs
FEATURES • Super accurate measuring out of level, simulatneous and continuous measuring. • Total live mapping system in portable workstation cabinet • Duel, high definition flat screen monitor • A comprehensive range of accessories • Laserlock uses Chief Thunderbolt specs which feature fram data for thousand of cars and trucks
EZCALIPRE
Autorobot EzCalipre is an advanced 2/3D measuring device for the exact verification of vehicle chassis and body condition and for damage documentation. The new tram gauge is easily portable and movable, it can be used for 2/3D measuring anywhere assisting in easy damage estimation. EzCalipre’s technique is supported by Autorobot’s own, very comprehensive vehicle data files (approximately 60 reference points per vehicle). Autorobot EzCalipre tram gauge uses wireless WLAN technique and it has a very unique capability to register height differences in vehicle measures.
CELETTE Naja Evolution 3D software utilises measurements from OEM-provided 3-D CAD drawings for what the company say is the most accurate measuring system in the industry. The Naja measuring system is composed of a graduated scale with sliding measuring arm connected wirelessly through Bluetooth. Enables measurements to verify and repair all vehicles, with or without mechanical parts installed. See vehicle real time measurments during pull process.
FEATURES: • Wireless Bluetooth Software • Diagnostics at 0.5mm Tolerance • Calibration Check Bar for ISO process • Vehicle Data, comparative and point to point data • Naja Evolution 3D Capabilities: • Dual Targeting • Real Vehicle Imaging • Add custom symmetrical points
FEATURES: • Applicable everywhere • Modern data transfer • Comprehensive damage estimation • Wireless data transfer • Control the whole vehicle body • Consistent quality control
LOOKING FOR AN EASILY MANAGEABLE SMASH REPAIR BUSINESS CLOSE TO THE CITY IN A RAPIDLY RENEWING AREA? • • • •
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• With distinctive signage, the building was purpose built for the business 15 years ago. • With approximately 500m2 incl workshop floor, a mezzanine office and upstairs storage of 120m2.
ALL ENQUIRIES TO MARK 0415613268 MARK@ODESSASMASH.COM.AU
www.paintandpanel.com.au 08386 APP Odessa Smash Business QPH.indd 1
March / April 2018 PAINT&PANEL 41 30/11/17 11:48 AM
MEASURING AND ALIGNMENT
MADE TO MEASURE We’re taking a different approach to measuring and alignment this issue looking at equipment that’s right for the vehicles you repair in your business. THERE’S A LOT to consider when choosing the best alignment bench for workshop. We are showing you a snapshot of what is available in the market from well known Australian suppliers who offer service, maintenance and training on their product.
MODEL
DESCRIPTION
PULLING FORCE
PLATFORM LENGTH
SOME BENCHES ARE ALSO SUITABLE FOR OTHER CATEGORIES. COLOUR CODE: MAINSTREAM REPAIRS STRUCTURAL REPAIRS RAPID REPAIRS PRESTIGE REPAIRS
PLATFORM WIDTH
LIFT CAPACITY
360° PULLING CAPABILITY
MAINSTREAM REPAIRERS
If you don’t specialise in any particular type or repair or the prestige market then these benches are great all rounders. CAR-OLINER QUICK 42
For light cosmetic and heavy straightening with drive on capability and optional mobility.
10 tons
4200mm
1110mm
3 tons
Yes
SPANESI 106 5M
Universal jigging system which allows upward thrusts and the crossbars moving of the jig itself.
10 tons
5000mm
1000mm
5 tons
Yes
GLOBALJIG EVOLUTION
Universal and versatile, designed to accommodate any type of uni-body or full frame vehicle.
10 tons
4500mm
1000mm
3 tons
Yes
AUTOROBOT XLS
The most prolifc bench in Australia – this versatile all rounder is a firm favourite.
10 tons
2400mm
2100mm
3 tons
Yes
STRUCTURAL REPAIRS
If your business specialises in bigger bashes and those that fall out of the scope of rapid repairers then check these benches out. CELETTE SEVENNE
A universal mobile bench, which can be upgraded to Rhone or Griffon. Anchoring can be achieved all around the bench.
10 tons
4350mm (Sevenne XL is available 5.80mm)
1200mm
2.5 tons
Yes
CELETTE RHONE
RHONE bench 380V Tri equipped with Sevenne pulling unit with 10 tons extension and safety cable + sill clamps + decking plates and access ramps.
4350mm
2050mm
2.8 tons
Yes
CAR-O-LINER BENCH RACK 4200-6300
A universal collision repair system for both cosmetic and structural repair for any type of vehicle
10 tons
4200mm, 5000, 1175mm 5500, 6300
4.2 tons
Yes
GLOBAL SUPER ROTAX
Super Rotax tilts to allow fast and easy loading of vehicle. The system comes as standard with the full Globaljig Universal Jig and accessories.
10 tons
4m or 5m
3.5 tons
Yes
42 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
3450mm
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VAS 811 017/1 APPROVED
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MEASURING AND ALIGNMENT
MODEL
PULLING FORCE
DESCRIPTION
PLATFORM LENGTH
PLATFORM WIDTH
LIFT CAPACITY
360° PULLING CAPABILITY
RAPID REPAIRS
So you have a rapid repair stream in the workshop or only carry out driveable repairs. Then these benches are ideal.
JOLLIFT 1330 BENCH
The flexibility of the modular design means that multiple benches can share one pull post, one set of clamps and one set of wheel stands, which makes it totally affordable for each work bay to have its own repair bench.
6 tons
2200mm
980mm
3 tons
Yes
MODEL – CELETTE X ONE
X-ONE is a lifting table specially designed for light and cosmetic impact repairs. Bench is able to empoly electronic electronic measuring and has BMW and Mercedes-Benz anchoring brackets available.
10 tons
3670mm
901mm
2.5 tons
No
GLOBALJIG KOALA
The Koala is a small versatile straightening bench. In addition to the standard equipment which includes 4 anchoring clamps, pulling tower and 4 wheel stands. It can accommodate accessories from the Globaljig Universal System.
10 tons
3500mm
1000mm
2.5 tons
No
SPANESI MINI BENCH
Multi Bench and Mini Bench Maxi Plus allow speed, practicality and universality. The vehicle positioning on these small benches is rapid and practical.
10 tons
2327mm
800mm
3.5 tons
Yes
CAR-OLINER SPEED
Multifunctional platform for effective repair of cosmetic body work.
5 tons
2510mm
766mm
2.5 tons
No (Speed Plus Yes)
PRESTIGE BENCHES All of the brands featured, with the exception of Jollift, have bench models which are approved by multiple car manufactures. VAG Group demands its own version complete with VAS part number. Be sure to check which model is approved for the prestige cars you will be working on. Some manufacturers approve multiple brands of benches. www.paintandpanel.com.au
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CLEAR SIMPLICITY WITH PE2600 FROM CHEMSPEC USA When it comes to versatile, easy-to-use clear, it's hard to go past Montana Big Sky PE2600 2K Clearcoat from ChemSpec USA. The PE2600 offers clear simplicity. This clear is renowned for being extremely user-friendly and can be applied under a range of conditions found throughout Australia – from the hot summers in Queensland to the cool winters in Victoria. Using quality urethane technology, PE2600 offers the flexibility needed for spot, multi-panel and overall refinishing. With a simple 2:1 mix ratio, a high film build can be achieved after application of just two full coats. The final result is a deep rich gloss with premium durability. PE2600 Clearcoat is conveniently available in a 5L pack with activators offered in fast and medium speeds. It is part of the Montana Big Sky product range, built on performance and value. You can be confident that our products deliver the results you are looking for. The Montana Big Sky line enjoys a long history of repeat customers due to our uncompromising quality and proven product performance.
PARTSCHECK EXPANDS INTO TRUCK INDUSTRY PartsCheck is proud to announce it is expanding its online parts sourcing platform to incorporate the truck and trailer industry. PartsCheck is the tool that is used by many Australian repairers and suppliers to make their businesses more efficient and organised. Using PartsCheck saves hours each week sourcing parts, entering data and tracking orders. Truck repairers can now access the same benefits of this free service and connect to your suppliers and other businesses through our online quoting platform. Suppliers will now have the opportunity to increase the number of quotes coming through as well as being able to market the business to a wider audience. PartsCheck has a dedicated team working behind the scenes, integrating the requirements of the truck industry into the already successful application. Steve Blissett has just joined the team and brings with him 22 years experience in heavy commercial. "Over the next few years it is expected that there will be an increase in the number of heavy vehicles on the road by at least 15 per cent - and that figure will keep climbing."
46 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
VALSPAR REFINISH RADICAL EFFECT TONERS Valspar Automotive is excited to announce the expansion of its Valspar Refinish product portfolio with the introduction of Radical Effect toners. The Valspar Refinish Radical Effect toners are highly concentrated effect toners designed to expand and enhance the colour space of the Valspar Refinish 888C88 Basecoat System. The four new toners increase the colour reach of Valspar Refinish, allowing for more than 80 special effect colours to be formulated. These include popular colours such as; Mystic Pearl, Fantasy Metallic, Jungle Fever, Poison Ivy and Chlorophyll Metallic. The toners come in a compact 110mL squeeze bottle which simply requires shaking before use. Given that no machine-based mixing is required, the new Radical Effect toners can be stored at alternative locations to the other Valspar Refinish toners, therefore saving space on your mixing bank. The new toner formulations are available in ICRIS Versions 14.4.7 or later. For more information on the Valspar Refinish Radical Effect toners or any other Valspar Refinish product, phone (02) 4368 4054 or contact your Valspar Automotive representative. www.paintandpanel.com.au
The excellence of innovation
THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW!
Upgrade your old measuring system to the latest Car-O-Tronic Computerised Measuring system ... Do you want to invest in your business on new equipment that can be paid off in less than one year! Then TRADE-IN your old computerised measuring system on a new, much faster, user friendly and much more productive piece of equipment that will only benefit your business. THIS SPECIAL TRADE-IN OFFER INCLUDES: ● We will TRADE-IN any measuring system including non Car-O-Liner systems. ● Car-O-Liner Measuring can be used on ALL benches including non Car-O-Liner benches. ● TRADE-INs available regardless of ‘Age or Condition’. ● We have available the largest data base in the world with approximately 15,000 measured cars. ● This SPECIAL OFFER is for a limited time only. ● Huge Savings available ... contact us NOW!
Head Office: Unit 1, 25 Industrial Road, Unanderra, NSW 2526 Ph: (02) 4271 6287 I Fax: (02) 4271 7899 I Website: www.car-o-liner.com.au I Email: julie@car-o-liner.com.au ● NSW & Tas: Fritz Pfeffer Ph: 0412 559 208 ● NT & Vic: Lindsay Batten Ph: 0412 372 988 ● Qld & SA: Liam Hugo Ph 0403 455 914
PRODUCTS
DEBEER SIMPLIFIES MATT REFINISHING
Reproducing OEM quality or custom matt finishes accurately has always been challenging. DeBeer's Refinish Matt Clear Coat System makes this much easier for body shops to achieve. The system was developed through extensive market consultation and the expertise of DeBeer Refinishes global research centres. The DeBeer Refinish Matt Clear Coat System is a high solids, VOC compliant, intermix system designed to provide a silky
NEW FINIXA TSP930 CONTROL SPRAY The newest product to hit the range is Finixa Control Spray (tsp930). This product leaves a temporary gloss layer that replaces the clear coat without leaving any lasting trace on the sprayed surface. Spraying a thin layer over control spray over a sample plate that has been sprayed in basecoat will create a temporary shine over the top. This layer of temporary clear coat allows the painter to directly compare the sample plate with the desired colour for inspection. TSP 930 is the perfect tool to detect any imperfections in your colours. The gloss layer works as a magnifying glass and it will allow for you to detect errors faster and easier, resulting in a more accurate final colour. As a result of applying the temporary clear layer to the base coated sample plate, sanding scratches (most of the time it will be visible after spraying a clear coat) will be detected early. Finixa control spray evaporates completely after use without leaving any residue on the sprayed surface (+/- 10-15min. at 20°C and normal humidity). Let the spray evaporate or accelerate by using a wide blow gun (WJE 05). 48 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
smooth matt finish for high productive automotive refinish and custom car work. The DeBeer Refinish Matt Clear Coat System consists of two clear coats, along with a dedicated hardener and thinner. The compact, dedicated system is easy to use and ensures consistent results, DeBeer says. The Matt Clear Coat System allows you to achieve a full range of sheen levels; from the mattest of matt finishes (0-10GU) through to high satin (60GU). The system is designed to give the flexibility to cover the gloss range currently offered by the automotive industry. The system is compatible with both DeBeer Refinish BeroBase 500 Series and WaterBase 900+ Series. The clear coat may be applied directly over these basecoat systems and does not require an intermediate clear coat. In addition, the system is suitable for use over all OEM substrates including ridged plastics. The system also features a Matt Clear Coat swatch which provides a visual guide to the range of matt levels achievable from the system. Swatches are available in both black and metallic silver with mixing ratios detailed on the back of each swatch. For more information on the DeBeer Refinish Matt Clear Coat System, visit www.de-beer.com or contact your local Valspar Automotive distributor.
NEW PROWOTECH MOBILE EXTRACTION SYSTEM This piece of equipment isn't going to win any beauty contests but it has been German engineered to make aluminium and carbon fibre dust extraction safe. There have been at least two instances reported globally of workshop fires caused by aluminium dust igniting. This unit cools the dust before it drops into a handy tray that can be easily emptied. It also extracts welding fumes. It includes a safety system to protect the air intake from hot steel sparks, a 5 m flow-calming section as well as adaptors to connect grinding tools and an accessory pack for cars. Features: • Explosion-proof enclosure • Additional fine filter stage according to "H" classifications required to operate the same machine with cancer causing plastic dusts. • The frictionless and sparkless cabinet consists of absorbable and glass fibre consolidated polyester Available from Sydney Automotive Paints and Equipment. Call: 02 9772 9000. www.paintandpanel.com.au
PRODUCTS
GYS HOT STAPLER Save time and money when repairing bumpers with the GYS Hot Stapler. The Hot Stapler for bumper repair is a repair system for all types of plastics using heated metallic staples. It allows quick repair of bumpers, spoilers, dashboards, headlights and more. A staple positioned on a stapler holder heats up under the effect of a current which flows through it. The heated staple penetrates easily inside the plastic to be repaired. It then becomes a resistant structure on the welded area. Staples of different shapes and diameters allow repair in all configurations: flat areas, corners and thicker plastics. Why replace expensive parts if you don’t have to? Just a few hot staples can save hundreds in replacement-part costs. Available now from Sydney Automotive Paints and Equipment.
PPG’S NEW PAINTMANAGER XI To ensure that both technicians and collision centre managers have all the advanced tools they require, PPG is rolling out its next-gen PaintManager XI. Users are welcomed by a fresh, visually appealing interface, along with a more intuitive workflow which gives easy access to a whole host of new functionalities and process improvements. For example, a new ‘smart’ search engine makes difficult searches easy, while enhancements to the ‘mix and weigh’ workflow help promote a ‘one step mixing’ process. An improved ‘Estimate Volume’ function reduces waste and saves time by helping to precisely estimate the volume of product to mix, including thinner, hardener and additives. PaintManager XI also brings the traditional spray-out card based painter’s library to life with the ability to ‘tag’ individual entries and then ‘search’ when required, as well as add spectrophotometer readings and share the library within a network or across multiple locations. Managers now get a suite of PaintManager XI tools to help monitor and understand paint shop operations in order to drive productivity and profitability. For example, the ‘Jobs’ function is a simple to use tool which tracks all repair orders and historical work. PaintManager XI also brings plenty of auditing options that
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provide flexible and customisable report cards to cover a whole range of paint shop operations. This straightforward, actionoriented information can be shared with staff in order to promote teamwork and develop best practice processes. For more information about PaintManager XI, contact your PPG Territory Manager or the PPG Access Hotline on (Aust) 1800 627 798 or (NZ) 0800 442 531.
March / April 2018 PAINT&PANEL 49
FENDER BENDER
MAZDA TAKES OUT TOP CONCEPT CAR ACCOLADE The Mazda Vision Coupe ha been named the “Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year” at the 33rd Festival Automobile International held in Paris, France. The award celebrates the freshest, most creative and most beautiful concept cars, as chosen by a jury of prominent designers working in fashion, architecture and other industries. Revealed in 2017, Vision Coupe is a design vision model for the next generation of Mazda cars. Featuring a simple and flowing “one motion” form. Mazda stated that the company opted for a simple form that strips away all non-essential elements to embody a “less is
more” aesthetic. The Vision Coupe takes cues from the Mazda Luce Rotary coupe and the Mazda R360, expressing elegant styling and projecting a premium feel. “Vision Coupe uses reflections to express a sense of vitality; the next step for KODO design,” says Ikuo Maeda, Mazda managing executive officer design and brand style. “This car embodies a delicate Japanese aesthetic, and to be recognised here in the ‘City of Art’ two years after RX-VISION was awarded the same honour is very gratifying. We want to retain our identity as a Japanese brand as we continue making cars with global appeal,” he added.
STANDOX GETS BEHIND THE COMIC BOOK HYPE
CANADIAN SNOWMOBILE FOOLED POLICE
The 2018 Standox Car Calendar is titled Comics and Cars. 1970s and 1980s automotive classics – with typical comic strip treatments – feature every month. Each of the calendar’s elaborately detailed images conjures up its own comic book story. Photographer Ramon Wink, who shot the 12 iconic cars featured in the 2018 Standox calendar, and his colleague Thomas Roth, who was in charge of the special post-production treatments, have combined two elements of global culture: comics and cars. The new calendar from Standox, turns automotive classics into the hero or super villain of their very own comic. The special visual effects are heightened by the cars’ gleaming paintwork, which is the focus of the calendar and what gives each photo its own particular ambiance.
A PRANKSTER IN Montreal, Canada has duped local authorities after creating a car made out of snow. Montrealer Simon Laprise, a 33-year-old machinist and woodworker, created the car as an overnight art project. Laprise decided he would see if he could fool local snow removalists but instead attracted the police. “I am passionate about building and designing stuff,” Laprise told BuzzFeed Canada. “I did the car to have fun expressing my creativity on that beautiful day. It’s illegal to park on the road during snow removal, and that’s what probably attracted the police.” Laprise uploaded photos to Facebook of the police investigating the vehicle. One officer got out of his car to take a closer look. After realising a fake car can’t be given a real ticket the officer left a fake ticket of his own. The ticket read, “you made our night”. 50 PAINT&PANEL March / April 2018
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A HIGH QUALITY, VERSATILE MATT CLEAR COAT SYSTEM
DEBEER REFINISH ACHIEVE THE FULL THE MATT SPECTRUM WITH THE DEBEER REFINISH MATT CLEAR COAT SYSTEM Mixing Ratios 8-407 HS Low Gloss Clear Coat (vol%)
8-409 HS Semi-Gloss Clear Coat (vol%)
0-10 70%
30% M1
Gloss Units (60°) 10-20 20-30 30-45 50% 30% 20%
50% M2
70% 80% M3 M4 Gloss Level
45-60
The DeBeer Refinish Matt Clear Coat System is a high solids, VOC compliant, intermix system designed to provide a silky smooth matt finish for high productive automotive refinish and custom car work. The new Matt clear coat system consists of two clear coats, along with a dedicated hardener and thinner. Achieve the full matt spectrum by mixing low gloss and semi-gloss clear coat to create the desired result. The compact, dedicated system, is easy to use and ensure a consistent finish.
100 % M5
To find out how DeBeer Refinish Matt Clear Coat System can benefit your business, contact your local distributor or Valspar Automotive.
Valspar Automotive Australia Unit 11/8 Kerta Road Kincumber NSW 2251 AUSTRALIA
T 02 4368 4054 F 02 4368 4215 valsparautomotive.com.au
SATAjet 1500 B SoLV SATA extends an invitation to technicians using solvent paint products who would like to take advantage of SATA’s quality and reliability at an affordable price. For those who have not used SATA spray guns before, step up and give the SATAjet 1500 B SoLV a try.
Product benefits
• Designed for Full System Application: solvent-based basecoats, sealers, wet on wet primers and clearcoat. • Nice-sized, even spray pattern • Wide air pressure range from 0.5 – 2.4 bar • Fast working speed • Smooth anodized spray gun body in a modern blue colour tone • Excellent value spray gun
SATA Gun Case is now available to order. For more information please contact your SATA Distributor. PPG Australia McNaughton Road Clayton South, VIC, 3168, Australia 13 24 24
PPG New Zealand 5 Vestey Drive Mount Wellington, 1060 Auckland, New Zealand 0800 320 320