Refinisher Vol66 Issue 2 2023

VOLUME 65 • ISSUE 2 MAY 2023

Surtees passion for fishing, boating and PPG colour! ALSO INSIDE: THE ELECTRIFYING SOLUTION TO MODERN SANDING

• PPG TAKES THE SUSTAINABILITY LEAD • NEW PPG UV SOLUTIONS LETS YOU THINK BIG • SHOULD YOU SWITCH TO A FOUR-DAY WEEK?

Laying the foundation for an epic new Amarok

Mirka® Galaxy

Self-sharpening grain technology Where regular abrasives wear and fade during the sanding process, Galaxy has been engineered with unique, self-sharpening ceramic grains so they continue to cut long after others have given up. This new MIRKA developed technology means that every time the edge of an abrasive grain is broken off, the grains underneath simply form new cutting edges and the sanding process goes on. As well as a faster cut from edge-to-edge and excellent edge wear resistance, Galaxy abrasives continue to retain that sharp feel for longer which significantly extends the lifespan. As an added bonus, the scratch pattern of finer Galaxy grits is especially quick and easy to polish out. Mirka® Galaxy – Non-sticking • Self-sharpening • Long-lasting.

AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL MIRKA DISTRIBUTOR

CONTENTS 2 ISSUE

MAY 2023 VOLUME 65

MAGAZINE

Editor-In-Chief Andrew Blake

Editor John M Stanley Creative Director Dean Parrott Published for and on behalf of PPG Industries Pty Limited by

Kisschasey Creative Pty Ltd Telephone (03) 9421 3311

Australia Head Office Locked Bag 888, Clayton South, Victoria 3169. McNaughton Road, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3168 Telephone: 13 24 24 www.ppgrefinish.com.au New Zealand Head Office 5 Vestey Drive, Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand. Toll Free Telephone: 0800 320 320 Victoria 104-106 Woodlands Drive, Braeside, 3195 Telephone (03) 8586 0000 New South Wales 10 Peter Brock Drive, Eastern Creek, 2766 Telephone (02) 9854 6600 Queensland 18 Breene Place, Morningside, 4170 Telephone (07) 3823 8000 South Australia 97-105 Bedford Street, Gillman, 5013 Telephone (08) 8346 6870 Tasmania 136 Invermay Rd, Invermay, 7248 Telephone 1300 305 699 Western Australia Unit 2/6 Colin Jamieson Drive, Welshpool, 6106 Telephone (08) 9256 3920

PPG Logo, Delfleet, Deltron, Envirobase, Global Refinish System, Harlequin, PaintManager, Prizmatique, Radiance, RapidMatch, Startline and ‑ are registered trademarks and We protect and beautify the world, Crystallance and RapidMatch are trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc. SATA and SATAjet are registered trademarks of SATA GmbH & Co. KG. Third-party trademarks referenced in this magazine are the property of their respective owners.

SC A N TO R E A D T HE REFINISHER ONLINE

features regulars

Editorial Co-ordinator Chelsea Hilsberg

4 News + Reviews 6 MIRKA Galaxy –

light years ahead! Self-sharpening, non-stick, long lifespan

10 Far northern exposure Quality repairs on the Cassowary Coast

16 Tribal culture

More than just being ‘built to fish’, a Surtees Boats is a ticket to a lifestyle and adventure experience. As it celebrates its 30th Anniversary milestone, a close PPG partnership continues to ensure a paint process that delivers an epic finish and long-term durability

22 It’s a kinda magic

PPG MagicBox™ and PPG LINQ Color™ expand the digital eco-system

30 Five into four

Is a four-day week right for your business?

32 Dual action

A long-term OEM partnership that is laying a strong foundation

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REFINISHER NEWS

Visit PPG onsite at Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo B

illed as the largest show of its kind in NSW, the Sydney Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo (May 27-28, 2023) is shaping as another epic event. Around 15,000 people are expected to flood through the gates of the magnificent Rosehill Gardens Racecourse to witness a cavalcade of elite level hot rods, custom vehicles and motorcycles that showcase creativity and

craftsmanship. Another treat for show visitors is the ability to drop into the PPG stand where you can talk one-onone with an expert about what actually goes into creating a top-level colour and finish. As well as being packed with colour samples, including from the versatile and flamboyant PPG VIBRANCE COLLECTION® range of custom paint finishes, the onsite team will also run regular demonstrations of the all new MIRKA

Galaxy abrasives range. As if that is not enough, show car building legend, Howard Astill, will make regular appearances at the PPG stand to chat with visitors and pass on his vast knowledge. For more information go to www.hotrodandcustom.com.au. R

Team Penske / PPG partnership set to hit 40-year milestone

www.airvolution.com.au ANYWHERE, ANYTIME ON YOUR DEVICE

FREE ONLINE AIRBRUSH MAGAZINE IT'S ALL ABOUT THE OZ AND NZ AIRBRUSH COMMUNITY

ince 1984, PPG has provided Team Penske with high performance paints and the partnership continues to flourish. A multi-year extension will now see the distinctive and popular blue and white PPG paint scheme feature on Josef Newgarden’s No. 2 PPG Chevrolet for the 2023 INDYCAR® Series and into the future. In addition, PPG will continue to be an associate partner across the rest of Team Penske’s IndyCar and NASCAR® programs. “We are entering our fourth decade together and we take great pride in the successes we have had together with PPG on and off the race track,” says Team Penske President, Tim Cindric. “Our vision for the future remains aligned across all of our businesses, while we continue to strive to add more iconic paint schemes to our storied R on-track legacy.”

REFINISHER NEWS

REFINISHER

DRIVE THROUGH I

f you go to all the effort of setting up a modern collision repair business, chances are you are not just planning to offer a quality service to customers – you also aim to make a reasonable profit. However, given the dollar value for each repair job typically comes under tight control from work providers, the level of profit you can generate is largely governed by how efficient your processes are. This is why PPG focuses on customer partnerships where it’s not just about selling a ‘tin of paint’. It’s actually about offering a set of diverse tools customers can use to continually improve efficiencies and, hence, profitability and this issue is packed with examples.

WITH ANDREW BLAKE REFINISH MARKETING DIRECTOR ANZ

For a start, there are technological solutions, such as PPG MagicBox and PPG LINQ Color (pg 22), which build on the amazing PPG LINQ digital eco-system that makes the colour matching and mixing process quicker, more confident and more accurate. Then there are products, such as MIRKA’s new, ‘self-sharpening’ Galaxy abrasives (pg 6), the growing advantages of electric sanders (pg 20) and the launch of the spray gun applied, SU1280 UV-Cured Primer Surfacer (pg 8) with its super quick, three-minute cure time. And don’t underestimate the group sessions (pg 14) run by the MVP Business Solutions teams which let repairers work together to share ideas and develop efficient new solutions. Finally, you can read about how PPG partnerships have positively impacted various customers (pg 10, pg 16 & pg 32). At the end of the day, it’s all about creating win / win partnerships!

PPG amongst America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women N

ewsweek magazine has recognised PPG by placing it on its 2023 list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. Being honoured on this prestigious list also fits perfectly with PPG’s own 2025 diversity, equity and inclusion commitments. PPG has set a goal to achieve 34% to 36% representation for female professionals globally and, as of January 2023, that figure

sits at 31% and the company is on track to achieve the 2025 target. In addition, PPG’s global Women’s Leadership Network has more than 5,100 members across 53 countries. The network focuses on advocacy and influencing change, as well as attracting, retaining and advancing women by creating connections for them to discuss vulnerable and difficult

topics. “At PPG, we take pride in our workplace and the performance of our employees around the world,” said Kevin Walling, PPG Chief Human Resources Officer. “This year we celebrate 140 years of ‘protecting and beautifying the world’ and this recognition underscores our commitment and our progress in making PPG more diverse, inclusive and a great place to work R for all employees.”

Your video LINQ

s PPG LINQ™ introduces a host of paint-shoptransforming digital technologies, one of the best places to get a sneak peek is on the PPG Refinish ANZ YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@ ppgrefinishanz611/videos). Available 24/7, you can watch a step-by-step rundown on how the MoonWalk™ automated dispensing system

produces ultra-precise, time saving ENVIROBASE® High Performance colour mixes, even in tiny volumes or when miniscule amounts of tinter are required. You will also find videos on the revolutionary PPG DigiMatch™ spectrophotometer and PPG VisualizID™ 3D colour visualisation software.

Rather than listening to hearsay or rumours, you get an accurate, easy to follow insight into how simple they are to operate and the positive impact they have on the entire colour matching process. Once you have checked out YouTube to see the incredible potential of the latest PPG

technology, it’s a simple matter to contact your PPG Territory Manager to arrange your own in-person demonstration – you won’t R be disappointed!

REFINISHER

MIRKA

MIRKA Galaxy light years ahead! The stars align as MIRKA’s tough, durable new abrasives range brings self-sharpening technology, a non-stick coating, excellent dust extraction and long-lasting performance.

ew products can often arrive with a whole lot of hype that, unfortunately, might not quite translate to the dayto-day workshop environment. It’s one of the reasons global surface finishing specialist, MIRKA, is taking a different approach with the launch of its all new Galaxy range of abrasives. While the brand is happy to give users the low down on all the cool technology that has been built into this new product, the key marketing strategy is to put examples of Galaxy into the hands of users and let them decide, says Peter Sadler (MIRKA Business Development Manager ANZ). “There is a real ‘wow’ factor with Galaxy. When we do a demonstration, there are no tag lines or sales pitches – we prefer to just put Galaxy in the technician’s hands and ask them to tell us what they think. When they keep on sanding and sanding and sanding and realise that it’s still cutting, they are amazed. Galaxy has a film-style backing material which is well suited to the

automotive repair segment. The latex film construction means it’s flexible but with an impressive robustness, particularly on the edge of the disc. When it comes to common collision repair tasks, such as sanding around sharp edges of panels, profiles, contours, etc. a paper backed abrasive is going to suffer but Galaxy is much better able to handle the punishment and just keep going and going.”

Grains that self-sharpen Instead of reducing the cutting performance as the abrasive wears, MIRKA has given Galaxy a very cool and unique MIRKA developed technology. Each of the individual ceramic grains is actually able to self-sharpen during the sanding process. Every time an edge of an abrasive grain is broken off, the grains underneath simply form a new cutting edge. The result is that Galaxy abrasives continues to have that sharp feel for longer which significantly extends the lifespan.

MIRKA

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Non-stick coating Because dust is a natural by-product of sanding, finding a way to efficiently remove it was a key factor in taking advantage of Galaxy’s longer cutting lifespan. As part of this, MIRKA’s R&D team chose to apply a special clog resistant coating to the abrasive surface. Rather than dust sticking to and clogging the abrasive surface, it tends to flow freely and can be more easily guided to the on-tool extraction system. As well as leaving a cleaner workplace, it also helps avoid frustrating and time-consuming surface defects, such as pigtails.

MIRKA Multifit™ – one fits all While Galaxy pairs perfectly with the range of high performance MIRKA tools, the R&D team has gone to great lengths to develop the Multifit™ system that makes it super easy to fit to any tool and achieve outstanding dust extraction. The ground-breaking design consists of 50 carefully spaced and sized dust extraction holes that take up only six percent of the abrasive disc surface area. This optimised layout not only gives Galaxy superb edge wear resistance and a perfect balance between long life and dust extraction, it also provides a ‘one fits all’ solution, says Peter Sadler. “From an old sander with just six dust extraction holes right through to the very latest models, Galaxy’s Multifit hole pattern is designed to suit any machine. Best of all, when replacing discs there is no need to line up holes on the backing pad – simply place the new disc on and the hole pattern is always correctly positioned for any machine. This makes Galaxy abrasives quick and easy to replace, leaving you to get on with the job knowing you will get excellent dust extraction.”

Get a boost with Net Interface Although Galaxy works exceptionally well when used directly against the sanding tool’s backing pad, adding a MIRKA Net Interface pad actually gives it an extra performance boost, particularly on finer grits from P320

upwards. This 4mm thick spacer features an open weave net construction which allows dust to easily flow through while, at the same time, providing a cushioning effect that helps the abrasive ride over surface contours and improve the cut.

Out of this world performance from panel to paint With a range that starts at P40 and spans right through to P2000, the new Galaxy range offers a high-performance solution that is just as effective in the panel shop as it is in the paint department.

As well as the popular 150mm discs there is also a selection of rolls and sheets to suit a variety of applications. Thanks to its impressive real-world performance, Galaxy actually offers the ability to remove whole steps from the sanding process. It headlines an exciting time for MIRKA, according to Peter Sadler. “Galaxy is about giving users excellent performance at a really good price and the message to everyone is simple – give Galaxy a try. To provide that opportunity, there will be Galaxy sample packs handed out. We are confident that, once people feel the Galaxy ‘wow’ factor, the product will sell itself.” R

REFINISHER

PPG PRODUCTS

Makelight

work

Formulated for spray gun application, all new SU1280 further extends the versatility of PPG’s advanced UV primer solution and its productivity-boosting three-minute cure time.

acked with features, including a remarkably fast curing time, impressive film builds and ease of use, along with a quality finish, PPG’s UV cured primer surfacer technology has proven to be a perfect fit for the modern refinish process. From its launch, around two decades ago, it has given repairers a highly effective product that can be used to cut cycle-time, improve workflow and increase profitability.

In fact, when you compare the conventional priming process with PPG’s UV technology that cures in just three minutes under an approved UV lamp, it actually offers the opportunity to work up to an amazing 70 percent faster. As a result, local repairers have flocked to the speed and convenience, making it a regional best seller!

ONECHOICE® SU1280 UV Cured Primer Surfacer lets you think big As the popularity of PPG’s UV cured technology has grown, so has the development and size of UV lamp technology. Increasingly larger UV lamps, along with long lasting and effective LED UV lights, have allowed larger and larger repair areas to be completed in a single curing phase. Recognising this trend, PPG has now launched SU1280 UV Cured Primer Surfacer, under the OneChoice brand, to join the existing market favourite, UV8080 UV Cured Primer Surfacer. Packaged in a one litre tin, SU1280 has been specially formulated to be applied with a spray gun, thus making it an excellent solution for a wider variety of refinish repair situations. To achieve maximum performance, SU1280 should be applied using a suitable spray gun, nozzle set and a blacked-out UV cup (PPG recommends the SATAjet 100 BF RP Digital with a 1.1 nozzle and a UV RPS Cup).

PPG’s complete UV priming solution While the aerosol delivery of the long running UV8080 product continues to make it an ideal option for small, spot repairs up to around A4 sheet size, as well as plastics, SU1280 opens up a whole new dimension. Its spray gun application makes it a more effective solution when the repair area gets larger. As a result, the ability to take advantage of SU1280 is only limited by the size of the UV lamp – the larger the lamp head, the larger the area which can be cured at one time. Alternatively, you can simply cure one area (in just three minutes!) and reposition the lamp to cure additional areas. Now it’s possible to enjoy the convenience and speed benefits of PPG’s UV priming solutions on anything from a small spot repair right through to a whole panel or more. SU1280 is also super easy to use. No mixing is required – simply make sure the product is thoroughly agitated before pouring it into the UV pot and it’s

PPG PRODUCTS

REFINISHER

ready to apply. A special, blacked-out UV pot is required to prevent the product going off due to the natural UV from sunlight. It’s important to note that, because it’s a different formulation, SU1280 should not used on plastic substrates – instead, use the convenience of UV8080.

Repairs at the speed of light Whether you are using SU1280 or UV8080 or a combination of both, PPG’s UV priming solutions have the ability to accelerate the refinish repair process up to lightspeed. No mixing is needed with either product, no flash-off is required between coats and amazing film builds can be achieved – up to 120 microns in a single application! Afterwards, it cures in an incredible three minutes under an approved UV lamp and the sanding / topcoat process can begin immediately. Any uncured overspray can simply be washed off. Not only that, when it’s cured, SU1280 and UV8080 leave a clear, transparent finish so the primer patch will not increase the size of the repair and this saves on topcoat application. Best of all, the dramatic reduction in cycle-time comes without sacrificing a quality end finish.

So many possibilities For any repairer who is on the lookout for ways to reduce cycle-time and increase workflow (and let’s face it, who isn’t!), SU1280 and UV8080 open up a whole range of possibilities. The ability to tackle both smaller and larger repairs 70 percent faster, makes PPG’s UV priming solution a very attractive proposition. Although there is an initial outlay for a suitable UV lamp, the ongoing time savings will deliver a speedy return on investment. Both SU1280 and UV8080 are fully compatible with PPG’s refinish paint systems, including the DELFLEET® Evolution paint system so it’s also easy for heavy vehicle repairers to reap the benefits. For more information about the amazing advantages of making the

jump to light speed with PPG, speak to your PPG MVP Business Solutions Manager, your PPG Territory Manager or the PPG Customer Service Hotline on 13 24 24 R (Aust) or 0800 320 320 (NZ).

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SHOP PROFILE

Far northern exposure

With three generations and a loyal team onboard, Milini’s Panel, Paint & Towing has been successfully supporting its far north Queensland community for over 45 years.

ituated about 140km south of Cairns and 210km north of Townsville, the town of Tully is nestled in a particularly beautiful part of the world, called the Cassowary Coast. Perhaps best known as one of the wettest towns in Australia (average annual rainfall is over four metres!), Tully is home to a modest population of less than 2500 people – including the Milini family. Today, the Milini name is well known around the region for quality collision repairs and it all kicked off back in 1977 when Robert and Kim Milini began operating from a workshop on the property where they lived at Silky Oak, about seven kilometres south of Tully. By 2009 it was time for the second

generation to take up the baton, with Raymond and Robbie Milini joining their parents to create Milini’s Panel, Paint & Towing and subsequently purchasing a workshop to move the business to Tully in 2011. These days, there is a team of 14 staff, plus Raymond and his wife, Dina, and Robbie and his wife, Carmen. Despite taking a step back, Robert is still very much involved, says Raymond. “Dad is old-school so he is here every morning at 6AM. We have our morning meeting where we discuss what is happening in different parts of the business and then he goes off to do our maintenance at the old workshop at Silky Oak. I left school and came to work here in 1996 – originally as a panel beater but

then I added spray painting so I have dual trades. Robbie is actually a chef by trade but he went into radiators and windscreen replacement. These days, he looks after the towing side and I look after panel and paint. Like any family, we have our moments but we were brought up with dad’s philosophy of saying what you need to say so that it’s out there. We are not rude but we are very straight with each other. Communication is the biggest thing for keeping things running smoothly.” Although it’s in a sparsely populated area, Milini’s Panel, Paint & Towing, has been able to used its excellent reputation to draw its customer base from a wide area, including Mission Beach to the east, Cardwell 45km to the south and Innisfail 55km to the north. Having said that, the family has still had to diversify wherever possible, such as with its long running towing service and the RACQ breakdown service contract which it took over in 2020. “In terms of bringing work into the panel shop, towing is definitely not what it used to be. We don’t see many of the mid-speed street accidents

SHOP PROFILE

REFINISHER

you would in a bigger town or city. We tend to either get carparking dings which can be driven here or accidents at 100km/h where the cars are usually written off. As well as that, we definitely get a lot of wallaby and pig strikes.” Despite being in an isolated location, the Milinis are determined not to compromise when it comes to giving their team the best facilities and processes. Along with a neat, well laid out workshop, this includes a partnership with PPG that goes right back to 1995.

“Any little bit of technology or training that can help us be more efficient and productive, I try to get onboard straight away. For example, some of the team have done a bit of I-CAR training and we take advantages of PPG courses when we can. Sometimes it means taking a flight but I find it’s time and money well spent. A few years back, PPG’s MVP Business Solutions team actually did a 5S methodology course in our smoko room and I felt we got a really positive impact with our team.”

With the recent arrival of PPG’s trailblazing digital technologies, in the form of the MoonWalk® automated dispensing system, the DigiMatch™ spectrometer and the VisualizID™ 3D colour visualisation software, the Milinis saw another opportunity, says Raymond. “I think Phil Taylor (PPG Territory Manager) was a bit surprised when we said we wanted a MoonWalk but, before we ordered it, I had already sat down and done all the sums on what it could save us. When you think about it, we have had to spend big money on an inverter spot welder which gets used about once a month so I thought it was crazy not to make the investment in a MoonWalk that is used five times a day! It keeps the paint shop cleaner, it saves time and, when you add DigiMatch and VisualizID, the painters love it. They were already good operators but I can now see the difference just walking into the paint shop. The ability to rely on this technology because you can visually see the colour comparison on screen, has definitely lifted the painter’s confidence that they are making the right colour matching choice. We also have Ben Doughty (MVP Business Solutions Manager QLD) helping us make use of the data MoonWalk is spitting out.”

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SHOP PROFILE

S H O P FA C T S Milini’s Panel, Paint & Towing Owners: The Milini family Staff: 18 PPG Product: Envirobase High Performance Territory Manager: Phil Taylor

Far northern exposure Apart from the occasional category five cyclone, there are very few downsides to living on the Cassowary Coast, according to Raymond. “Because it’s very wet around Tully and there are a lot of dirt road, every car has to be washed and it’s time consuming. As a result, we have put a process in place where one of the team gathers all the parts, organises the job card, takes photos and then washes the vehicle so it’s set up and everything is ready for the panel beater to begin working on it.”

“Parts procurement is also a little different. Often, our parts orders are coming from a warehouse down south in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, etc so there can be a delay of four to seven days for them to arrive.” While it can be hard to compete with the money being paid by employers in the local sugarcane and banana industries, Milini’s Panel, Paint & Towing has managed to retain a core group of skilled staff which it boosts with regular apprenticeship positions. “I know we all come here to earn money but I also want to enjoy it and I think our staff do, too. We have a fairly settled team at the moment and to give you an idea about their dedication, nearly all of them are here about half an hour before we officially start. We missed last year because of the after effects of COVID but we always try to put on two apprentices each year – one painter and one panel beater. Both Robbie and I have kids who are around school leaving age and my eldest son, Ethan, actually started with us in late January. He was the first grandchild so my father took him under his wing and he has grown up around the business. Ultimately, he is not sure what he wants to do but he can learn the ropes in different parts of the business and then go in the direction he wants.” As the third Milini generation starts to come through, you would not bet against a fourth generation ultimately joining the business to carry on the legacy of service R to the local community.

Solutions

MIRKA

Designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind, MIRKA’s new mobile workshop solutions offer cost effective ways to reap the rewards of being well organised and prepared.

ne of the keys to an efficient production process is to ‘have a place for everything and everything in its place’ and this is exactly what MIRKA’s latest workshop solutions are all about. These compact, mobile units take up minimal space yet are packed with clever storage solutions that keep everything at the technician’s fingertips. Being freed up to get on with the job, without the need to waste time or leave their workspace, helps boost productivity and quickly delivers a return on investment.

MIRKA Solutions Trolley Perfect for the panel, paint or detailing areas, the sturdily built MIRKA Solutions Trolley is designed to carry frequently used tools, equipment and consumable products right to the job. Along with a space to fit a MIRKA dust extractor unit, there are plenty of

REFINISHER

easy to access spaces in the top to accommodate the most commonly used items, such as various abrasive grades or polishing bottles and pads. MIRKA has also included handy storage frames to conveniently hang sanders when not in use, as well as space for three vacuum hoses. Two draws and a locker provide additional storage for extra tools or spare consumable products, etc. Once set up for the required task, the MIRKA Solutions Trolley gives staff a tidy and organised platform which can simply be wheeled to wherever it’s required.

MIRKA Work Station By clipping neatly onto a MIRKA Dust Extractor 1230 / 1242 Series unit, the new MIRKA Work Station features cleverly designed simplicity. This compact shelf and hook system instantly converts a humble dust extractor unit into a functional work station that can easily transport a range of tools and accessories from one job to the next. As well as convenient hooks for holding sanding tools and a vacuum hose when not in use, the MIRKA Work Station includes dedicated space for MIRKA Systainer style cases which provide a handy place to store spare abrasives, tools, etc. In addition, there is an upper shelf with space to hold four 150mm disc boxes so the most frequently used abrasives can be kept readily at hand. A square hole grid system allows for easy repositioning of components and extra shelves and hooks can be purchased and R added to suit your needs. These MIRKA accessories are available from authorised MIRKA distributors across Australia and New Zealand.

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MVP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

rom its very early days in the local market, around two decades ago, the MVP Business Solutions team observed something very interesting whenever they gathered a group of collision centre owners together. Without any external influence, they naturally begin to interact, according to Greg Tunks, MVP Solutions Manager ANZ. “Whenever the MVP Business Solutions team has run group sessions in the past, we have noticed how the participants tend to feed off each other and use that positive energy to develop new ideas and solutions. It doesn’t matter whether it’s one of the many MVP Business Solutions courses, a specialised program, such as Green Belt Training, or an organised

MVP group, such as our very successful MVP Round Table Groups, the phenomena is the same. When you see the results it can generate, you realise this is a very powerful force for good.”

Peer Performance generates people power Over the years, the MVP Business Solutions team has developed a variety of specialised initiatives where owners / managers could get together in group sessions under the guidance of an MVP Business Solutions manager. This includes MVP Round Table groups that were created in a variety of locations across Australia and New Zealand. Now, in an effort to offer the power of group dynamics to even more owners / managers, the MVP Business Solutions team is launching Peer Performance groups. As the name suggests, it’s all about giving individual collision centre owners / managers regular opportunities to come together under a format that helps develop solutions to everyday issues and this is a great driver of business performance, says Greg. “Choosing to be a member of an MVP Peer Performance Group is as simple as contacting your MVP Business Solutions Manager to reserve a place. What it’s

designed to do is give collision repairers regular exposure to ideas and concepts focused on improving performance across the full spectrum of business activities. We are planning to host MVP Peer Performance Groups across Australia and New Zealand and each one will have the guidance of one of our experienced MVP Business Solutions Managers. Although there will be themes for each meeting, it’s the members who will ultimately determine the topics that are covered. It could be any of today’s hot topics, such as developing a ‘traffic plan’, generating an emergency evacuation plan, how to recruit and retain good staff, what are the pros and cons of switching to a four-day week, creating workplace health and safety procedures, minimising cycletime, etc. We know from past experience that these group sessions will give members the unique opportunity to discuss strategies and share valuable experiences. After each session, the individual repairers can take that new knowledge back to their business and begin making upgrades. Throughout that process, they will have the ongoing support of their MVP Business Solutions Manager. At follow up MVP Peer Performance Group meetings, there will be the opportunity to share results and discuss potential refinements to ensure it becomes a continuous improvement process. We are confident that this will be a powerful tool for owners / managers but it’s also important to understand that members are not locked in – it’s up to you to decided how often you attend.”

MVP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

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Group dynamics banish isolation The nature of the collision repair industry can be particularly challenging, with each collision centre owner basically disconnected from their peers, often because they are competitors or they simply don’t know them. The opportunity to work together as a group lets everyone take advantage of the pool of talents and knowledge that each individual possesses, says Greg. “A lot of collision centre owners feel alone in their business. They work hard day-in, day-out to improve their business but any new ideas or solutions are basically left to them and what they can research. MVP Business Solutions groups offer owners / managers a unique opportunity to mix with other likeminded people. If one member is having a particular issue, it’s very likely that another member has already gone through that scenario and has a solution to overcome it. If not, the group will apply its collective minds to the problem and come up with a solution.”

Join the MVP Business Solutions team at the Supercars finale

A special MVP Business Solutions event has been organised to coincide with the final round of the 2023 Supercars season at the Adelaide 500, in late November. It’s anticipated that many members of the MVP Business Solutions Round Table Groups will attend, as well as members from the Peer Performance Groups, but other PPG customers are also welcome to come along as part of the company’s comprehensive support package. It will be a great venue to learn about the power of group dynamics, while enjoying special treats, such as behind the scenes pit tours with the cream R of the Supercars teams who choose to partner with PPG. The MVP Business Solutions program is available as part of PPG’s comprehensive support package for customers.

CREATING

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES

PROS & CONS OF A

4 DAY WEEK

RECRUIT Although there will be themes for each meeting, it’s the members

RETAIN

GOOD STAFF

who will ultimately determine the topics that are covered. It could be any of today’s

MINIMISING

CYCLE TIME

hot topics,

GENERATING

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANS

DEVELOPING A

TRAFFIC PLAN

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FEATURE STORY

Tribal culture For 30 years, buying a Surtees Boat has been more than just a means of hitting the water – it’s an entry into a closeknit tribe with a likeminded passion for fishing and boating.

fter selling her first Surtees Boat, Isabell Zitzelsberger admits she went through a grieving process. Although it was making way for a bigger, better Surtees model, Isabell confesses she was in tears when the new owner drove away. Not only did it give her a clear insight into the extraordinary relationship most owners have with their Surtees Boat, it also proved to be an ideal preparation for her current role as Surtees Boats Marketing Manager & Sales. “A Surtees Boat might be just an object but it gives you such amazing experiences and memories that it becomes almost like a family member. Surtees is quite a special business because it doesn’t feel like we have customers. Rather than selling a product, like a car to get you from A to B, we are selling a lifestyle. When someone approaches us about buying a Surtees Boat, we tend to click with them straight away because we have the same passion for fishing and boating. Customers actually describe it as becoming one of the Surtees’ tribe.” Introducing a range of customer focused interactive programs is a key way that Surtees gives owners an opportunity to share

Proud welders get to add their initials to each Surtees Boat

their passion with other tribal members, Isabell explains. “We run fishing competitions just for our owners, as well as other catch up events. We also do things like ‘electronics nights’ where customers can come along and expand their knowledge about using their onboard electronic equipment, such as sounders. At another time, we ran a bootcamp up at Waihau Bay – our biggest game fishing destination – and got guest speakers to inform our tribe members. Rather than just saying our boats are ‘built to fish’, it’s about supporting tribe members to actually fish better. That is how they end up buying a second, third or fourth Surtees Boat and staying part of the tribe.”

From zero to hero All of this would be pointless if Surtees Boats didn’t actually perform. The story of why they do, goes back to 1993 when Neil Surtees got into fishing and needed a vessel that could

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‘ B U I LT T O F I S H ’ F O R 3 0 Y E A R S

s Surtees goes into its milestone, 30th year, it’s important to celebrate, says Isabell. “Thirty years of Surtees Boats is just amazing! Bringing all these tribe members along on this journey is something Neil never thought he would do. It’s really exciting to see how the boats have evolved and how people have evolved with them. As part of our year-long celebrations, every customer order in 2023 can choose a limited edition 30th Anniversary package that includes a special paint job. Paul McKerrow from PPG worked with our paint team to develop the colour which is a distinctive black finish that features a gold metallic shimmer from bow to stern. The elegant look is finished off with a high-quality golden graphic on the hull, cabin and bait station, as well as 30th Anniversary badging and a special serial number. There is plenty more planned for our 30th Anniversary so keep an eye on our social media for details.”

comfortably handle the notorious Whakatane bar on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. After finding nothing suitable on the market, the experienced boilermaker set about designing and building the very first Surtees Boat. When it proved to be super successful out on the water, people noticed, orders began flooding in and the Surtees tribe was born. Back in the day, Neil’s innovative design concepts made Surtees a real disruptor in the aluminium plate boat sector. Where others used timber or rivetted aluminium in the boats floor, Surtees incorporated a super strong framework of aluminium beams (Tough Deck™), all of which were securely welded in place. In addition, Neil introduced the concept of having a water ballast system designed into the hull. It allows for a hull with more ‘V’ (Razortech™ Super Smooth Riding Hull) which provides better cut through waves and choppy conditions on the way to the fishing grounds. Once at rest, special cavities in the hull can be flooded with water ballast (Anti-Roll™ Stability Ballast Technology) to offer a more stable fishing platform. There is also the option of the Anti-Roll Lock™ Shut-off Gate which holds the ballast water in for additional stability when underway.

Built to last Today’s Surtees buyers have typically done plenty of homework and they understand they are choosing an extremely practical boat that is tailormade from stem to stern for the task of fishing. And, there is pretty much a size for everyone within a range that starts at 4.95 metres and spans right out to the epic eight metre, 800 Game Fisher. Thirty years down the track and Surtees Boats are still manufactured in the same rural location where it all started, about 35km from Whakatane.

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FEATURE STORY

Tribal culture

The company has invested heavily in plant and equipment to help drive productivity and quality and, nowadays, the 63 staff turn out around 300 to 400 Surtees Boats per year, depending on the mix of sizes – obviously larger models take longer to build. Importantly, Surtees has remained faithful to Neil’s craftsmen-built philosophy, says Isabell. “Surtees is probably one of the only boat manufacturers that doesn’t use a production line. Every single boat gets built by an individual boat builder. It starts in our parts department where they create all the puzzle pieces – the hull plates, the transom, the hardtop, etc – and they go to an individual welder who puts the jigsaw together. Our welders take a lot of pride in what they do and, at the end, they actually weld their initials into the back of the engine pod to show it’s ‘their boat’. Some of the best feedback we get is about how awesome the welding and construction is. When those comments come in, I pass them onto the welder or fitter, as well as posting it in the staffroom.” After construction, the fit-out department takes over, with one or two team members doing the entire fit-out, including options and accessories. There is even an upholstery department that sews items, such as seat squabs, canopies and storage covers, onsite.

Colourful partnership In line with its premium image, around 95% of Surtees Boats are painted and it’s here that PPG products have been the long-term choice. The partnership took a major step up in October 2012 when Surtees brought the paint process in-house in order to better guarantee quality and production output. The highly experienced, three-person paint team is led by Paint Shop Manager, Russell Allerby. “We chose PPG as our paint partner because of the durability of the Delfleet Evolution paint system for solid colours and the Deltron paint system for metallics, as well as the willingness of Autolink Distributors Tauranga to bend over backwards to help us achieve our quality finish. We also use SATA spray guns and SATA Air Vision 5000 hoods as, in our opinion, they are the best in the market. Quality of product and excellent technical backup are big factors for sticking with PPG for so long.” “Surtees has a really good paint team and it has been a pleasure to support them wherever we can”, says PPG Territory Manager, Paul McKerrow. “We have helped the Surtees paint team implement step-by-step processes so that everything runs smoothly and with maximum efficiency.” You can order your Surtees Boat in any colour you like but, because that can be a little overwhelming for people, the standard selection has been narrowed down to seven solid colours and seven metallics, Isabell explains. “Colour is the hardest decision that people struggle with. Colour gives the boat a character and it’s often a

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massive family decision. PPG makes some colour swatches for us which gives us a great tool to help people decide. Gunmetal Grey and Tasman Blue are the most popular colours but, in 2018, we launched the 540 model in a Candy Apple Red hero colour. It looked so cool everyone wanted that model in that colour.”

Challenges to opportunities Having spent decades establishing itself as one of the finest plate boat builders on the market, Surtees Boats had to face the challenges of the COVID pandemic, says Isabell. “We were thinking, OMG, no one will buy boats but, suddenly, the tables turned and the opposite happened – we were getting four or five orders a day just here at our factory sales branch. Huge supply-chain issues made it difficult to source some components – from glass to small but important parts – which meant we couldn’t finish boats and get them out the door to meet those orders.” “When COVID hit, we decided we needed to be closer to potential boat buyers so we opened a shop in Tauranga which is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing cities. It’s on a busy road so people sitting in traffic get plenty of time to look at the boats on display. For the past two years it has been crazy busy but we would never have opened that shop without COVID!” “I am a typical Surtees owner and I live and breathe the brand, particularly when I am talking to a potential customer about, say, the tuna I caught out on Waihau Bay or the awesome overnight trips to Mayor Island. As they listen you see people’s eyes light up and

they can imagine themselves in their own adventures in their Surtees Boat. Rather than just being a job, at Surtees Boats you feel like you are part of a very genuine business where the team is passionate about building great boats. It’s about continuing to carrying on Neil’s legacy and welcoming more members into the Surtees tribe!” R

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TALKING TRAINING

As modern panels get thinner and lighter, they have become more susceptible to the heat generated by pneumatic sanding. Is it time to switch to the latest electric technology?

C I T V PNEUMA

A hot topic with an electrifying ending A

growing trend in OEM vehicle construction is now causing a knock-on effect in the refinish process. Today’s vehicle crash structures are built around an immensely strong passenger protection cell and, because this does the heavy lifting during an accident, many of the exterior panels are now largely cosmetic. As a result, OEMs are taking the opportunity to reduce weight by making them from thinner gauge steel or lighter

materials, such as aluminium. Unfortunately, the PPG technical team is now seeing regular situations where these panels don’t deal well with traditional sanding with a pneumatic tool, resulting in a larger, more time-consuming repair or even making it unrepairable. The alternative is electrifying, says John Hristias, PPG Sales Director Australia.

Airing the issues

It feels like pneumatic sanding has been around forever. However, that doesn’t make it the best solution, particularly in the modern repair environment. There are a number of black marks against it: • Variable results – The operator, typically, has limited control. The tool usually spins at high rpm which can cause vibrations through the panel and generate heat. Nowadays, this can easily warp the panel and cause larger repairs than necessary. On a door, for example, the heat stress and vibrations can reach the intrusion panel on the inside. Once the outline of that intrusion panel shows through on the outside, it makes it extremely difficult to repair. • Air supply – A pneumatic tool is at the mercy of the collision centre’s compressed air supply so the performance can fluctuate depending

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on how much compressed air is being used elsewhere. Crucially, this also negatively affects the performance of another tool – the spray gun – and you don’t want to mess with that. • Ergonomics – The fact is, pneumatic tools are not pleasant to use. The compressed air is cold on the skin and there are plenty of vibrations and noise to deal with. Using one for long periods is both uncomfortable and tiring. • Maintenance – The internals generally need to be lubricated regularly or it will negatively impact the lifespan. That lubricant then introduces a potential paint shop contaminant.

Electrifying alternative If you haven’t checked out the latest in electric tool technology, you are in for a surprise. Industry leading brands, such as MIRKA, are offering compact, lightweight, powerful tools that have many in the industry taking notice. In fact, we have seen large MSOs switch entirely from pneumatic to electric because they recognised the advantages. • Control – Because they deliver high torque from almost zero rpm, electric tools are excellent for controlling the sanding process. Rather than the almost on / off switch action of a pneumatic tool, the

smooth electric power delivery means the operator can more accurately dictate the speed of the tool and, therefore, how much heat goes into the panel. • Faster sanding – It sounds counterintuitive but because an electric tool tends to spin slower and uses its torque, it actually helps the abrasives to provide a better cut and get the job done more quickly and effectively. And, because they are not being pounded at high rpm, the abrasives actually last longer. • Ergonomics – With their smooth, low vibration torque delivery, electric tools are far more operator friendly. • Minimising dust – By pairing extremely well with a dust extraction system, electric tools can significantly reduce workshop dust. • Maintenance – With the latest brushless motors and robust design, electric sanders are long lasting and require minimal maintenance. When they do require repairs, there are plenty of servicing businesses who will quickly repair them. • Connectivity – MIRKA’s latest electric tools feature Bluetooth connectivity which provides valuable data about how the tool is functioning and includes trouble shooting options.

• Options – As well as the traditional 150mm version, companies such as MIRKA now offer other sizes, including the compact 77mm and the 70mm X 198mm DEOS which has revolutionised blocking. There is even battery powered options. Electric power also frees you from accessing an air supply – it can be used wherever there is a power source.

Price versus value While pneumatic sanders tend to be the low priced, throw-away-when-it-fails option, electric tools counter by offering great long-term value. You can expect a MIRKA electric tool to last the equivalent of three or even four pneumatic sanders and still be going strong.

Industry trend Many of the main tool brands are switching to offering electric tools and that is not happening by accident. People prefer using electric sanders for all the reasons mentioned above. Importantly, they reduce the amount of friction and vibration which causes the panel ripple effect. This has the knock-on effect of reducing the size of the repair for body filler which reduces the time required for sanding and painting. If you haven’t at least looked at electric sanding, I would recommend getting a demonstration. R

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PPG LINQ

It’s a kinda magic Small but very powerful, PPG MagicBox™ makes mixing rooms smart by wirelessly connecting PPG LINQ™ Color to enable confident colour selections anytime, anywhere!

n the way to building a complete ‘digital eco-system’, the PPG LINQ™ brand has rolled out a range of trailblazing, interconnected technologies that are dramatically altering the paint shop workspace. The launch of the ultra-accurate MOONWALK® automated dispensing system was followed by the PPG DigiMatch™ spectrophotometer and the remarkable PPG VisualizID™ 3D colour visualisation software – but there is more to come! The latest phase sees the launch of two exciting new technologies in the form of PPG MagicBox and PPG LINQ Color.

Making mixing rooms smarter It may not be actual magic but MagicBox is PPG-developed computer wizardry at its best. This small piece of electronic hardware is a clever new gateway that wirelessly links all the paint shop devices together. Once it has been configured to the collision centre’s router or WiFi system, MagicBox is able to seamlessly connect the paint shop computer, the spectrophotometer and the scales so that information can flow smoothly between them. This means that the only device that needs to actually be in the paint mixing room is the one required to mix paint – the scales. This eliminates a computer and wires in the mixing room, leaves move space on the mixing bench and generally reduces clutter. The spectro and computer are then free to be placed in a convenient location outside the mixing room but the workflow essentially remains the same – it’s just streamlined. After a spectro reading is taking and downloaded, the information is wirelessly transferred to the computer via

Installation MagicBox. When the colour formulation is chosen on the computer, that information is then wirelessly transferred to the scales ready for the painter to mix. Note: The brainchild for MagicBox actually originated at PPG Australia’s Clayton, Melbourne headquarters. After a series of prototypes were used to prove the concept, it was taken up and refined by PPG’s global Digital Customer Experience team.

Available for a very reasonable monthly subscription, MagicBox will be installed by a member of the PPG team and in most instances won’t require an upgrade to the mixing room computer, scales, etc. It can be connected via the shop’s WiFi network, as long as it has a strong and reliable signal. Alternatively, it can be connected directly to the shop’s router via an ethernet cable.

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straightforward process of creating a user name, password, etc. Once logged on, you will find an enhanced user interface with improved functionality, along with a richer graphical representation of colours, etc that will be particularly handy for users of the innovative VisualizID 3D colour visualisation software. These features are combined with a logical workflow that is very intuitive to use, so making the most of LINQ Color quickly becomes second nature.

Cloud cover The cloud-based technology of LINQ Color is also designed to minimise downtime. For example, this isolates LINQ Color from frustrating computer issues that can happen from time to time, such as hardware failures or a Microsoft Windows update which could cause mysterious glitches to appear. In contrast, any potential technical issues that might crop up with LINQ Color or MagicBox can be easily resolved with support from the remote PPG helpdesk. Being cloud-based means that LINQ Color is not a program that needs to be loaded onto a desktop computer. In fact, you can choose to access LINQ Color on any suitable, internet capable device, including a PC, a tablet or even a smart phone. This means that should your internet access go down for whatever reason, you will still be able to use LINQ Color on your smart phone via the mobile network. By utilising the new PPG MagicBox technology, LINQ Color can wirelessly communicate with your spectro, as well as send formulas to your MoonWalk automated dispensing system or the scales in the mixing room. This leaves you free to make confident colour selections at anytime R and anywhere.

LINQ Color – your new link to colour In one easy step for PPG customers, the new LINQ Color digital colour software takes the heart and soul of PPG’s industry leading PAINTMANAGER® XI colour retrieval system and transfers it to a thoroughly modern, easy to access and use, cloud-based solution. Just like many other everyday services that have moved to the ‘cloud’, such as internet banking and many collision centre management systems, the LINQ Color features and data are available to be

accessed 24/7, anywhere there is an internet connection. As a result, instead of having to wait for your PPG Territory Manager to visit and perform an update, all the formulations, variants, specials, etc within LINQ Color are up to the minute at all times. No installation is required – registration is simply a matter of visiting the LINQ Color website and going through the

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MVP Business Solutions

More than just a long weekend By committing to the same working hours split over four days, rather than five, staff at both businesses are reaping more than just lifestyle rewards. “Each year, the team gets around 50 days of their life back so it’s very much about work / life balance for them and for me,” says Warwick. “Some travel 40 or 50 kilometres to work so they are saving one day of that time, as well as fuel use and vehicle depreciation.” According to Kip, it has been a welcome circuit breaker after the pandemic stresses. “We are really mindful of mental health and this was about providing better working conditions. Not only do staff have 20% less travel time and travel costs, they also have more time to enjoy their lifestyle. For one guy it was being able to walk his daughter to school on Friday, for another it was getting more surfing in and for others it was more family time.”

s well as causing plenty of upheaval, the pandemic has turned out to be a catalyst for change. Suddenly, existing work and lifestyle habits have been put into question. One interesting work concept to emerge is the four-day week but how would a collision repairer go about implementing it? What are the pros and cons for staff and business performance? In late 2022, two Queensland repairers took the plunge and they are not looking back!

Seeds of change It was a casual smoko room conversation that started the ball rolling for Iain ‘Kip’ Kippen at Bissell’s Panel & Paint, at Noosaville, on the Sunshine Coast. “Someone said it would be nice if every weekend was a long weekend and I said that is great but I could not afford it. Then they suggested doing four longer days and that really got me thinking. We had already spent a lot of time on efficiencies and structuring our workload and when I broke the weekly schedule down to ‘hours’, it didn’t really matter on what days those hours were done.” It was a similar story for Warwick Hawes, at Mellington Smash Repairs, around 35km south in Maroochydore. “Once I explained that their pay packet would not change, the entire team was sweet with it. We talked about the fact that the turnover and workmanship needed to be maintained but, if the work can be done in a four-day timeframe, it’s a no-brainer!”

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Business benefits While both Warwick and Kip were happy if shop productivity and turnover remained on par with a five-day week, they have actually seen an increase. “One of the ‘lightbulb moments’ was the ability to extend our paint shop hours”, says Kip. “Two of our four painters chose to start early and finish earlier, while the other two preferred to come in later and finish later. Now, my paint shop is running 12 hours a day, not 10 hours a day, and that helps us get an extra booth cycle in. When you look at the shop figures since we switched, every single month we have done more work than we did before. Overall, our turnover is up 20%, our team is happy, the insurance companies are happy and our customers are happy.” Over at Mellington Smash Repairs, there have also been welcome business rewards, according to Warwick. “To make this work you have to be seriously switched on when it comes to time planning. For example, one of the biggest challenges was getting our part suppliers onboard so that we received our parts at the right time to suit our new work schedule and opening hours. It’s still early days but I am seeing a 15% increase in turnover which

I think I could probably push to 20% with a bit of streamlining that would allow us to add a couple more cars per week. Our second shop, in Nambour, also switched to a four-day week from the new year.” In an extremely tight labour market, Warwick is already seeing another advantage. “There is a shortage of tradespeople in this country so having a point of difference is key. We have already had technicians approach us and say, if I can earn the same amount as I am getting now, the four-day week will make all the difference.”

Mindset and planning Both Kip and Warwick are quick to emphasise that it takes detailed planning to make a successful transition and Greg Tunks, PPG MVP Business Solutions Manager ANZ, agrees. “There are a variety of ways to implement a four-day week but the key is to have the right structure in place and the right mindset. Get it right and the overriding factor is that productivity and efficiency should go up, while key-to-key cycle time for customers is reduced. Contact your local MVP Business Solutions Manager who will be happy to provide support.” R

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PPG PEOPLE

Lauren Radnell Data Analyst & Product Administrator

s a result, in her final full year of university, Lauren took up a three-month internship in the Refinish Technical Laboratory at PPG Clayton where she worked on multiple projects, including testing new waterborne products. Subsequently, she joined PPG’s architectural division as a Colour Technologist. Over a three-year stint, Lauren boosted her experience in colour science, with the highlight of being part of the team that brought the innovative and very cool Coloursmith® project to market. Lauren has since moved to the PPG refinish marketing team in the important role of Data Analyst and Product Administrator.

P P G S TA F F P R O F I L E

Despite still being quite early in her career, Lauren has already gathered an impressive amount of experience. While completing a Bachelor of Science (with an extended major in Chemistry and a minor in Pharmacology), her interest in the paint industry was sparked by an internship at the Dulux Innovation Centre.

“My role has multiple aspects and I work with various different internal teams, such as product specialists, technical experts, supply chain, procurement, etc. as we work towards new product launches. Essentially, it’s about making sure the behind-the-scenes framework of data is correct so that everything can progress smoothly. The most challenging but also most rewarding part is to develop and improve the systems we use in order to best suit our needs. What I enjoy most is the broadness of this role. It allows me to do something different

each day with constant challenges which need to be overcome. Due to the wide range of responsibilities, I also get the opportunity to work with a large group of people outside of my immediate team and that makes every day interesting.”

MORE ABOUT LAUREN • Favourite hobbies/pastimes? Sport is always the highlight of my week, whether it’s playing netball, doing calisthenics or watching my favourite teams • Favourite food? Too many to list! I love cooking / baking and also appreciate anything that takes time to prepare and get just right • Favourite drink? Anything cold – smoothie, ice coffee / chocolate and cocktails • Favourite music / band? According to Spotify I listen to Bastille the most but I like a variety of artists • Favourite car / motorcycle? An old Nissan Z car like my dad used to race • Favourite holiday destination? Metung, in Gippsland, or Bright, in the Victorian high country.

PAINT SCORE ENJOY!

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PPG Australia McNaughton Road Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia 13 24 24

PPG New Zealand 5 Vestey Drive Mount Wellington, 1060 Auckland, New Zealand 0800 320 320

REFINISHER

PPG SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability

Right for the planet and right for business

What is sustainability, who is responsible and how is PPG supporting customers to play their part? We ask Jennifer Dodson, PPG Director, Global Customer Sustainability.

t PPG, sustainability is not just a word, it’s an emerging part of our culture. As a result, Jennifer Dodson transitioned to the role of Director, Global Customer Sustainability, in September 2022, leading a global team of sustainability business partners embedded in each of PPG's business units. She is also responsible for implementing and improving processes that

integrate sustainability into all aspects of the product life-cycle, including innovation through commercialisation and sales, and driving strategy toward a more sustainable portfolio.

What is sustainability? Sustainability is responsibly managing the use of earth’s resources for the simultaneous balance of environmental quality, economic well-being for current and future generations, and human health.

Is it different for individuals versus business?

At the most fundamental level, sustainability is tied to reusing and recycling, reducing waste, optimising water use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These principals can be achieved at an individual, small business or corporate level – just to different scales. Ultimately, corporations will be the biggest needle movers but everyone can make a difference.

What are the biggest sustainability challenges? It’s important for our customers to view PPG as an indispensable partner that

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29 will help them deliver on their sustainability goals. Longer term, I would like sustainability to be a topic that everybody in PPG understands and knows how they can make a difference. We need to be united as one ecosystem in helping to save the planet. Suppliers, customers, partners, employees and investors should all have the same understanding, purpose and agreement on what needs to be done to change the trajectory of climate change. We must hold each other accountable to move the needle.

What steps can collision repairers take? It’s important for collision repairers to prioritise health and safety, as well as reduction of waste and emissions. Collision repairers should also seek out sustainable products or processes, such as PPG’s ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne basecoat system, along with new digital tools and the innovative MoonWalk™ technology. Not only does it save labour and reduce waste, it also transforms the mixing room into a clean, safe environment, setting a new industry standard. Repairers benefit from the extreme accuracy of the automated mixing process, which improves speed, quality and colour consistency.

How is PPG driving positive change? Recently, PPG’s CEO, Tim Knavish, said that sustainability is not only the right thing to do for the planet, it’s the right thing to do for our

JENNIFER DODSON

business. The world is truly just beginning its sustainability journey and we need to work as one united front to progress. At PPG, we’re constantly learning, sharing and collaborating with our peers, customers, suppliers and partners. We need to deepen the relationships with our customers to understand their sustainability needs, goals and aspirations so we can identify existing sustainably advantaged products that meet their needs, or partner to develop new solutions. The biggest opportunity is to position PPG as a thought and action leader on topics related to sustainability so we become a trusted partner to our customers. PPG is doing a lot of work in this area and we want to let our customers, suppliers, shareholders and external trade partners know about it.

What has surprised you about the sustainability space? It surprises me to see sustainability claims being made outside of PPG that seem to be overreaching or not fact-based, otherwise known as ‘greenwashing’. There really is a lack of regulation currently. Having been a marketer for most of my career, I know the importance of substantiating and validating

language, so to see some of the claims brands are making has been surprising.

What sustainability changes have you made? I’m so much more aware of my personal consumption of single use plastics – where I once carried plastic water bottles, I now have a reusable water canteen. I’m also more aware of how I purchase online. I consolidate online purchases, minimise buying unnecessary items from Amazon, and try to make fewer, shorter trips if I'm going to the store. The actions we take today will impact the generations of our friends and family for decades and centuries to come. When I think about sustainability through that lens and what I'm doing to help my daughter, my nieces, my potential future grandchildren, it increases my sense of urgency to take action.

What do you enjoy about working in the sustainability space? It’s been incredibly rewarding to learn and grow alongside our customers in this space. We are evolving together and determining how we can make meaningful changes related to the reduction of energy use, emissions and waste. We are collaborating and working together to identify solutions that help slow the worst impacts of climate change for the betterment of our planet – and that is something we can all feel good about at the end R of the day.

On the right

wavelength UV coatings use a radically different curing process, compared with conventional two-pack refinish coatings, and that brings remarkable benefits in terms of speed and performance.

t can sound a bit like hocus pocus when you first start looking at coatings utilising ultraviolet (UV) curing technology. The concept of simply shinning a particular wavelength of light onto a liquid coating and having it fully cure in just minutes sounds too good to be true. However, when you take a closer look, it’s just good old-fashioned chemistry in action.

Cross linking reaction Apart from the fact that they both result in a cross linking of molecules within the coating, the curing process for UV versus two-pack products couldn’t be much more different. Two-pack products have a functional hydroxyl group in the resin in ‘part A’ which reacts with the isocyanate in the ‘part B’ hardener after it’s added. The result is chemical cross linking which cures the paint film, often with the assistance of heat (booth, IR, etc).

In contrast, UV curing is based on a photochemical reaction. The UV specific resin contains small molecules, called monomers and oligomers, which feature a carbon / carbon double bond. In addition, the formulation includes a small percentage of photopolymerization initiator or ‘photoinitiator’ which happens to be one of the key drivers in the UV curing process. As the name suggests, the photoinitiator is light activated so it won’t begin the curing process until it’s exposed to the right wavelength of high intensity UV light. Note: This is why you can apply a UV product and, if it’s never exposed to the appropriate UV light, it will never cure. When subjected to UV light, the photoinitiator forms ‘radicals’ which are highly reactive. They go to work to swiftly break down the carbon / carbon double bonds and allow the monomers and oligomers to combine to form big, long, chain-like molecules, called polymer.

UV – not just a speed freak Undoubtedly, the key advantage of using UV cured technology, in most applications, is speed. For example, by utilising the products available under PPG’s UV primer solution – SU1280 UV Cured Primer Surfacer and UV8080 UV Cured Primer Surfacer – users can have the primer cured and ready to proceed with sanding and topcoating after just three minutes under an approved UV lamp! Given this incredible speed, you might be forgiven for thinking there could be some downsides with the cured film but it’s actually the opposite. Because PPG’s UV coatings contain little or no solvent there is no flash-off required because there is nothing to flashoff. As a result, there is also no possibility of residual solvent being left in the cured film. This helps the curing process produce excellent cross linking which ensures the cured film has outstanding physical properties. This includes excellent adhesion and chemical resistance, amongst others. Because PPG’s UV coatings effectively contain virtually 100 percent solids, they also deliver exceptional film builds.

Environmental credentials In a world where sustainability and a minimised carbon footprint is becoming increasingly important, UV technology offers some very attractive advantages. In comparison to other technologies, the UV

curing process can be considered both low temperature and virtually solventless. The energy consumption of using, say, an LED UV lamp for as little as three minutes, is minimal – particularly when compared with conventional refinish technologies. Because the process is light rather than heat dependant, UV coatings will cure over a wide range of temperatures – the substrate does not have to be heated or cooled to a particular temperature. In addition, UV coatings contain little or no solvent so there is no problems with ventilation to remove evaporating solvent fumes and, ultimately, no environmental pollutants. One more small but worthwhile advantage is the reduced need for masking because any uncured UV overspray can simply be washed off with an appropriate UV cleaning agent.

PPE In the case of UV curing lamps for the refinish industry, they tend to emit light in the UV-A spectrum. Although there are precautions to be taken, this essentially means it’s safe to use when wearing he appropriate PPE (UV safety glasses or goggles, along with gloves and long sleeves). Note: Always refer to the Safety Data Sheet.

UV or not UV – that is the question Originally introduced in the 1960s, UV technology has since been widely adopted by many industries, including refinish, as a way to increase productivity, product quality and environmental performance. Although, complex shapes present challenges to get the curing complete, it can be a perfect solution for most vehicle panels where the UV light can get to all parts. Not only that, if the spread of your UV lamp is not sufficient to cure the whole job in one go, it can simply be repositioned – after just three minutes of curing! – to cure any remaining repair areas. With plenty of cycle-time busting advantages and minimal downsides, it’s no wonder that UV curing technology has become a favourite across R this region.

REFINISHER

OEM CONNECTIONS

Dual

he split personality of modern dual-cab utes has proven to be a major attraction for many Aussie and Kiwi buyers. While still meeting the work-a-day needs of tradies and other business ute owners, the latest dual-cabs are now comfortably capable of doing double duty as a family car. After scoring high marks for its car-like, on road behaviour and load lugging capabilities, the original Amarok became a popular choice locally and it was also a successful global model for Volkswagen, with over 830,000 sold.

Designed in Australia and Germany, built in South Africa and featuring the protection of PPG coatings, Volkswagen’s second-generation Amarok is the dual-cab that does it all.

‘Can do’ attitude Now the second-generation Amarok has arrived and Volkswagen says it’s a major step up in every aspect. For example, the look and feel of the interior materials resemble those of a premium SUV, such as the company’s own Touareg, and it comes packed with assist systems to make driving safer and easier. It’s also described as a ‘can do’ ute or an ultra-modern multi-tool on wheels, with claims that it’s ready to master every conceivable work and leisure time task you can think of. This has not happened by

accident. During its development phase, as a joint venture with Ford Motor Company, a team of over 20 Volkswagen designers and engineers were actually stationed in Victoria, Australia for more than three years working on and refining the look, feel and performance. According to Ryan Davies, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Director, this has seen the second-generation Amarok thoroughly honed to take existing Volkswagen ute talents and complement them with all new strengths. “The Amarok is a pioneer

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for diesel V6 performance and driving dynamics, in combination with the load carrying and towing capacities the segment expects, and these remain key requirements for our new Volkswagen ute.” Every millimetre of this new model has been reimaged and redefined, while being infused with Volkswagen DNA. It’s a powerful statement that makes it clear right away that this is an Amarok, according to Albert Kirzinger, Head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. “For the new generation we have significantly

modified the Amarok’s archetypal design. It’s now unambiguously more expressive and even more impressive.” The result is a second-generation Amarok that is so sophisticated, powerful and luxurious, you could easily forget you are driving a workhorse capable of lugging heavy loads or conquering gnarly terrain. With these attributes held in such high regard with local buyers, Volkswagen is actually expecting its all-new Amarok to sell in greater numbers in Australia than anywhere else in the world!

Joint operations As part of the overall joint venture that helped to spawn this next-gen Amarok, vehicles for around 100 global markets, including Australia and New Zealand, are actually being manufactured in South Africa, at Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant, in Pretoria. In order to prepare it for production of the new Amarok and the related Ford Ranger ute, the sprawling 156,942m² facility came in for a massive US $1 billion upgrade to manufacturing operations. The result was a major injection of new technologies

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and equipment that impacts every facet. With one of its key focuses being on quality, the upgrade program saw the Ford Silverton Assembly Plant expand on its partnership with PPG. Thanks to its strong local presence in South Africa, PPG has been a direct supplier to the Ford Silverton Assembly Plant since July 2012 and prior to this PPG products were supplied by a local distribution company. Over this time, the two companies have developed a mutual trust and a detailed understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the various key players in the partnership, according to Paul Ventor, PPG Market Director, Automotive OEM, South Africa. When it came to selecting a partner for the supply of the latest in electrocoat (e-coat) technology and process management, Ford Motor Company South Africa chose to take advantage of a special PPG service. The PPG Coatings Services division offers OEM’s around the globe a smorgasbord of options that can help lighten the load for vehicle makers by putting the coatings operation in the hands of the experts.

Within PPG Coatings Services there is the wide-ranging expertise and experience needed to design, engineer and integrate a solution which is fully tuned to the customer’s requirements and then deliver it as a turn-key coatings solution, or actually operate it for them. At the Ford Silverton Assembly Plant, PPG is now trusted to run and manage, as well as supply coatings for, an ‘INSITE™’ coatings system specifically tuned to Ford’s needs. It effectively brings together all the advantages of a dedicated in-house coatings system without the challenges of managing one. As the company that pioneered electrocoat in 1963, PPG has continued to set the global standard for e-coat performance, innovation and technical service. Throughout the decades, PPG electrocoat products have been responsible for protecting literally hundreds of millions of vehicles. PPG has been responsible for a host of important electrocoat product and process advances, including the ultrafiltration of paint to increase efficiency, the first commercialisation of cathodic electrocoat, the design and installation of the first anolyte

system to minimise waste and the introduction of the 6th generation Enviro-Prime® lead-free cathodic epoxy. It’s this latest PPG technology which is being utilised at the Ford Silverton Assembly Plant, in the form of Enviro-Prime EPIC e-coat. This water-based product helps automotive OEMs achieve superior smoothness and corrosion resistance for metal bodies and parts while saving money and complying with global environmental standards. PPG created a proprietary organic metal-free catalyst system that enables the e-coat to cure without the use of tin-based compounds. This improves product sustainability and environmental compliance for both PPG and its OEM customers. Today, PPG supplies 100% of electrocoat products to the main body line, as well as the chassis line at Ford Silverton Assembly Plant. In addition, a dedicated, onsite PPG team provide process management to key areas within the paint operations. This partnership has been instrumental in the plans to expand onsite production of the Ranger and Amarok.

Premium for the people Despite its working-class roots, the Amarok had been making inroads into the premium end of the dual-cab ute market even before the new model arrived. For example, in 2020, 58% of Australian Amarok buyers chose a high-grade variant and by 2022, that figure had leapt to 78%! As a result, the initial launch line up comprises the most sought-after specifications, in the form of the ‘Style’, ‘PanAmericana’ and ‘Aventura’. The more entry level ‘Core’ and ‘Life’ specifications are due to arrive in around mid-2023. The top end of the range offers buyers a well-defined choice, where PanAmericana has a more off-road focus, while Aventura has a little more on-road intent. It’s all about responding to customer demand for Amarok, says Ryan Davies, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Director. “Especially late in the lifecycle of the original Amarok we saw customer preferences move towards flagship models and this trend will continue. Our customers demand performance and value and that is what we are delivering for powertrain choice, engineering, safety and technology. With a new turbo petrol engine, steering and suspension tuned by the finest Volkswagen engineers and exclusive details, such as a leather-covered dash, premium audio and widescreen Digital Cockpit, this Amarok more than answers our customer R demands.”

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