Action stations

location, it falls so far outside the traditional cookie-cutter repair model you need people who share the vision. Darryle Browne (PPG Business Manager NSW) has been exceptional in understanding our business model, offering us the support we need and sharing knowledge. When we have needed them, PPG has been there. For example, throughout the Adelaide program we had PPG’s local team, Tyson Jak, Antony Minici, Evelyn Martin and Joe Esposito, onsite making sure we had exactly what we needed to get that volume of cars through and that allowed us to meet our customer’s expectations.”

Back in 2015, ASG invested heavily in developing and building their own transportable spray booths. These patented, fully certified units have proven very effective and have been redeployed time and again, including in Adelaide where they combined with the existing, onsite units, to give the team an incredible 12 booths to process work through.

It’s just one example of the search for high tech solutions, says Blackwell. “At the moment we are working with a scanning company and it has the potential to give us a real step-change in technologies. Rather than using a technician who might be tired, hungry, hot, cold, etc. it’s a scanning machine that identifies exactly where damage is and the size and then runs a report. It gives an accurate count that is repeatable time after time. Afterwards, we can do a second check to make sure all the repairs are completed and that goes hand-in-glove with our internal quality assurance program. We are also keen to take advantage when PPG introduces new technologies. For example, PPG’s new MOONWALK® automated dispensing machine has the potential to be a real game changer for us in the future.”

Apart from day-to-day operations, ASG faces a variety of challenge, such as negotiating the pathway out of COVID and dealing with spiralling inflation. This is why after each storm event and at the end of each storm season, the team get together to conduct a thorough review to determine what worked well and what can be refined. The drive for continuous improvement is embedded in ASG’s DNA, says Henningsen.

Shop Facts

Action Smart Group

Owners:

Adam Blackwell & Adam Henningsen

Staff: Up to 400

PPG Product: Envirobase High Performance

National Account Manager: Darryle Browne

“We really enjoy the thrill of setting up a new shop from scratch and creating a production environment that has the right processes and people in place. We are trying to do it better each time. The key that we believe sets Action Smart Group apart is ‘service’. Both Adam (Blackwell) and I come from a hospitality background so we understand what service is. I relate what we do to a restaurant. Instead of chefs working back-of-house, we have PDR technicians, panel beaters and spray painters and we have front-of-house people who deal directly with the customers. Meteorological forecasting models tell us that hail events are going to get worse but by making sure we keep up with technology, partner with likeminded companies and keep ourselves culturally aligned, we believe we can continue to deliver for our customers.” R

From a corner store to a household name, Taubmans paint by PPG celebrates a long heritage of developing and manufacturing premium quality architectural paints in Australia.