Refinisher Vol63 Issue 3 2021

THE VOLUME 63 • ISSUE 3 NOVEMBER 2021

A Seoul kinda’ feeling

ALSO INSIDE: AN ‘ACTION PLAN’ TO ACCELERATE YOUR BUSINESS ON THE ROAD TO PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

• PORSCHE CELEBRATES 70 TH IN OZ • ELECTRIC FERRY MAKES A SPLASH • BARKER TRAILERS FOR THE LONG-HAUL

SATA® Loyalty Program coins & more

The SATA Loyalty Program coins & more rewards loyal SATA customers with SATA coins that can be exchanged for valuable rewards. SATA coins are collected by simply scanning a QR code applied to SATA products.

1 Download App & register www.sata.com/en/loyalty-ios

Scan QR code & collect coins

COINS

www.sata.com/en/loyalty-android

For full terms and conditions please visit: www.sata.com/en-int/service/coins-and-more

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

SATA coins 3 Redeem for rewards

A varied range of rewards from the multimedia, leisure and home & living sectors is waiting for you, together with selected SATA products. Selection of rewards may vary from country to country. Available rewards as well as the required number of SATA coins can be found in the SATA coins & more app.

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

contents NOVEMBER2021

SCA N TO RE A D T HE REFINISHER ONLINE

63 VOLUME

THE

REFINISHER

ISSUE 3

Editor-In-Chief Paul Galea

Editorial Co-ordinator Chelsea Hilsberg Editor John M Stanley Creative Director Dean Parrott

News

Your LINQ to the future Say hello to PPG’s revolutionary, end-to-end digital solution.

Published for and on behalf of PPG Industries Pty Limited by

Kisschasey Creative Pty Ltd Unit 113, 91 Murphy St. Richmond, Victoria, 3121 Telephone (03) 9421 3311

Victoria 104-106 Woodlands Drive, Braeside, 3195 Telephone (03) 8586 0000

Tasmania 136 Invermay Rd, Invermay, 7248 Telephone 1300 305 699

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.

Return match A PPG Colour Matching Competition for the COVID climate.

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.

Flow with the current Building an all-electric, zero emission, high performance ferry.

Queensland 18 Breene Place, Morningside, 4170 Telephone (07) 3823 8000 South Australia 97-105 Bedford Street, Gillman, 5013 Telephone (08) 8346 6870

Heart and Seoul After literally helping to put the wheels in motion for an emerging South Korean nation, Hyundai set its sights on an even bigger prize. In less than 50 years, it has become a dynamic global brand focused on taking automotive design and quality to the next level.

New South Wales 10 Peter Brock Drive, Eastern Creek, 2766 Telephone (02) 9854 6600

Quality street At Como Panel & Paint, quality is right up their street.

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

Pillar of the community Barker Trailers is a local hero.

NEWS REFINISHER

Rookie of the Year honour for McLaughlin A

fter entering his first full INDYCAR SERIES with high expectations, Scott McLaughlin has not disappointed. Despite the expected ups and down, the Kiwi ace racked up five top-ten finishes, highlighted by a brilliant runner up finish in Texas and an impressive 4th placing at the World Wide Tech Raceway, along with Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. Best of all, as the season wrapped up with the Grand Prix of Long Beach finale, Scott became the first Team Penske driver to ever win the prestigious

IndyCar Series ‘Rookie of the Year’ award, since the inception of the accolade in 1979! Scott is planning an intensive off-season program to get prepared for 2022. “I’m really proud of everyone on the PPG Chevy. I think the car has been awesome and I finally got it to my liking the last six or seven races. So, I’m really proud of everyone at Team Penske and I’m really excited for next year. This year was a foundation year; all about building and I feel like I’ve done that. Hopefully, I can be a little bit further R up next year.”

50 years of commitment... and counting A

lot has changed since 1971, when Edward (Ted) and Lorraine McCarthy threw open the doors to McCarthy Panel Works in the North Queensland town of Mackay.

For example, the way cars are built and repaired and the technology they contain has changed dramatically. However, what has not changed is the sheer hard work and commitment this family business has invested in supporting the local community, while continuing to grow and thrive. Over the past 15 years, Ted and Lorraine’s son, Craig McCarthy and his wife, Andrea, have continued the legacy. Recently they took timeout to celebrate McCarthy’s 50th Anniversary. “Reaching this milestone says a lot about our community and our commitment to provide them with a level of quality repairs they can have complete confidence in. Over the years, we have grown with the community and built a level of trust that transcends insurance recommendations and

approved repairer status. It’s built on the back of our hard work and genuine concern that every client gets the best possible outcome. Honestly, what we enjoy most is helping people – getting them through the insurance and repair process and giving back their vehicle is brilliant. Having celebrated our 50th Anniversary, we are going to continue to expand the skillset of our team so we are fully prepared for the new and exciting challenges our industry has coming. Following this … we might go fishing!” R

NEWS 5

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DRIVETHROUGH

Cover models

f you were blown away by the spectacular cover and feature article spread for the previous issue of The Refinisher (issue 2, 2021), you are not alone! The millisecond it was released on social media and in print, the positive feedback began flooding back, making it one of the most popular issues of The Refinisher ever. It’s not just the epic work of Graeme Brewer and his skilled team at

Down Town Kustoms, it’s also the fact that it has been so beautifully captured and showcased by ace photographer, Ben Hosking (www.hoskingindustries.com.au). Special thanks also go to Street Machine magazine for kindly allowing us to use the superb photos – check them out at www.whichcar.com.au/streetmachine or R on Facebook or Instagram.

MOONWALK scores another gong ®

ritical industry acclaim continues to flood in for PPG’s revolutionary, automated paint mixing system, Moonwalk. The most recent came via the British Coatings Federation awards which highlight excellence in companies and individuals working in the coatings sector. PPG actually won two distinguished 2021 awards

categories, including MoonWalk taking out the ‘Sustainable Innovation’ category which recognises commitment to sustainability through the launch of innovative sustainable products, processes or services. “The innovative PPG MoonWalk system saves labour, reduces waste and transforms the mixing room into a clean and safe environment, setting a new standard for the

with Paul Galea

ou have to respect Hyundai (feature article page 16). When South Korea was down and out, the fledgling company stepped up to support the nation’s industrialisation, ultimately helping it become one of Asia’s most prosperous. Hyundai’s prioritisation of design innovation and quality is a key to its continuing rise as a global car maker. More than two decades ago, this brought PPG into the frame as an ally in achieving those goals. Nowadays, PPG is a close partner, supplying Hyundai manufacturing facilities all over the world and helping the ambitious company spread its wings into sustainable mobility sectors. In a similar way, Porsche helped get Germany back on its feet after World-War II and it’s amazing to see it celebrate its 70th Anniversary of importing into Australia (page 8). It’s another example of a PPG partnership that began decades ago and has progressively gotten stronger and stronger. Whether it’s at the local level or on the global stage, our relationship with Porsche is one we are very proud of. A couple of other articles further highlight PPG’s ability to support OE manufacturers of all shapes, sizes and industries. Barker Trailers (page 32) in Victoria and the Wellington Electric Boat Building Company (page 22) in New Zealand might be in different countries, working on completely different projects, involving completely different materials, but they have both found PPG solutions that perfectly suit their needs. So, when you look at that shiny new car, truck, trailer, motorcycle, boat, etc, chances are PPG has played a part!

refinish market”, said Timothy Nevell, PPG Regional Business Solutions Manager, Automotive Refinish. “Paint technicians and bodyshop managers benefit from the extreme accuracy of the automation of the mixing process, improving speed, quality and colour consistency.” R

PPG LINQ REFINISHER

Sophisticated Connectivity Platform End-toend digital solution

Innovative Tools

Seamless Digital Interactions Customer Experience

Your LINQ to the future PPG’s revolutionary, end-to-end digital solution, PPG LINQ™, offers streamlined collision centre operations, improved partner relationships and expanded business opportunities.

e already know the collision repair centre of the future is set to shake off its dull, grubby image of the past to become a far more technology driven, efficient and exciting place in which to work. However, thanks to PPG, this transition has gone from a vision somewhere in the future, to arriving right now! Hot on the heels of the ground-breaking, MOONWALK® automated paint mixing system, PPG is taking another generational leap forward with the phased launch of PPG LINQ – a trailblazing, end-to-end digital solution specifically targeted at the company’s vast network of global automotive refinish customers.

Understanding the positive impact it can have on collision repair customers, PPG was determined to take a leadership role in developing innovative new tools, says Chancey Hagerty, PPG Vice President, Global Automotive Refinish. “At PPG, we see and recognize how digital solutions are transforming customer experiences and business operations all around us. Customers demand easy, seamless digital interactions and advances in connectivity, automation and artificial intelligence have transformed how businesses drive their operations.”

Streamlined Repair Process

End-to-end digital solution With in-depth knowledge and a strong background in innovation, PPG was in a unique position to create something truly revolutionary. Indeed, the PPG LINQ development team were able to utilise the company’s broad, cross-industry expertise as a global supplier in automotive coatings, along with digital colour matching technologies, in order to put together this sophisticated connectivity platform. For collision repair centres, PPG LINQ comes packed with features exclusively designed to improve all aspects of the customer experience, partner relationships and internal bodyshop operations. Streamlined repair process – Refinish customers will be able to streamline their entire repair process using the cloud-based PPG LINQ platform and its interconnected digital hardware, software and innovative services, leading to results that are more consistent and cost effective. In addition, the PPG LINQ platform includes a suite of end-to-end digital tools which are designed to increase throughput and improve profitability by minimising human error and increasing collision centre efficiency. By introducing efficient and effective operation at each step, the overall outcome is results that are not only more consistent but also more cost-effective.

PPG LINQ Maximise Waste Reduction

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Expand Business Opportunities Direct connection from repair facilities to Distributors, Manufacturers, Insurance Companies and end users.

Digital Journey

Launching Early 2022 M O O N WA L K F I R S T T O L A N D

Check out the PPG LINQ teaser video here!

Green options – As the industry adopts new sustainability solutions, PPG LINQ offers many benefits. With in-built features that provide the ability to optimise product consumption, while maximising waste reduction, the platform is set to offer customers the opportunity to improve the sustainability of their day-to-day operations as a way to minimise their environmental impact. Above and beyond – Along with all the features listed above, the PPG LINQ platform goes beyond the collision repair centre environment to directly connect repair facilities with key industry stakeholders, such as distributors, manufacturers, insurance companies and end users. As a result, the platform’s streamlined bodyshop processes and communication tools are also designed to enable improved relationships with various business partners. Ultimately, the processes and communication tools enable improved interactions with distributors, increased customer intimacy and enhanced visibility with aftermarket partners to better support informed decision-making and expand business opportunities.

Launching early 2022 The first set of PPG LINQ technologies and services will start to become available

PG’s MoonWalk automated refinish paint mixing system marked the first of many customercentric innovations that fall within PPG’s digital ecosystem powered by PPG LINQ. Shipments are arriving from Europe and MoonWalk units are already filtering out to collision centre customers across Australia and New Zealand. By automating the paint mixing process, MoonWalk takes many everyday paint shop ‘pains’ and turns them into ‘gains’. For example, MoonWalk takes the stress off painters by effortlessly performing absolutely precise mixes day-in, day-out. Painters are freed up to do other productive tasks and the colour mixing accuracy minimises wastage and reworks. Although there is a cost for this ground-breaking new technology, Return-On-Investment (ROI) is estimated at between 1.5 and 2.5 years, depending on the shop size. PPG’s MVP Business Solutions team has created a MoonWalk benefit calculator, making it easy to plug in specific data to calculate the ROI for an individual repairer. To place an order for your MoonWalk or for more information, contact your PPG Territory Manager or the PPG Customer Service Hotline on 13 24 24 (Aust) or 0800 320 320 (NZ).

beginning in early 2022 as part of a multi-year rollout. It promises to be the first step on an incredibly exciting pathway to the collision centre of the future, according to Denise Lu, Global Marketing Director, PPG Automotive Refinish business. “Since we place our

customers at the heart of everything we do, it is incredibly important to us that we enable them to be a part of our digital journey. We are heavily invested in providing sustainable and technologically advanced solutions to create the body shops of tomorrow which is a tremendous testimony to PPG’s dedication and commitment to serving R our customers on a global scale.”

OEM PARTNERSHIPS REFINISHER

magnificent decades Down Under Arriving in Australia in 1951, just three years after the first Porsche car was launched, the inexorable global rise of the iconic sports car brand has been mirrored in the local market.

ack in the early European summer of 1951, a pump distributor from Melbourne, named Norman McKinnon Hamilton, was on the way from Austria to Switzerland to research the latest in pump technology for Australia’s epic Snowy Hydro project. As he negotiated the 36 switchback corners of Austria’s famed Grossglockner Pass, Norman was passed by a low-slung silver sports car. Outside an inn in the next village, he came across the slowly cooling two-door machine and got chatting with German racing driver and Porsche tester, Richard von Frankenberg. After being shown around the sleek little car,

Norman made the spur of the moment decision to follow the German back to the Porsche factory, where he was formally introduced to the legendary, Ferry Porsche. Following a short factory tour, Norman was totally caught up in the Porsche magic, just as many other Aussies and Kiwis would later be. With just a handshake, he secured the Australian and New Zealand commercial rights to sell the rear-engine sports cars, becoming only the second Porsche agent outside of Europe!

Setting the stage In November 1951, nearly three years before the first Volkswagen Beetle arrived in the country, two 356 model Porsches took centre stage at the South Melbourne Town Hall. Compared with what Australians were driving at the time, they might as well have come from another galaxy. As the world’s first production right-hand-drive Porsche models, the burgundy 356 Coupe and Fish Silver Grey 356 Cabriolet were quickly turning heads and attracting plenty of attention. Although Porsche sales initially grew at a glacial pace, the foundations had been set for a unique and close relationship that continues 70 years later. Under the prevailing import restrictions of the time, vehicle numbers were related to retail prices, with the result that the number of Porsches that could be sold each year was initially limited to only 2.5! Just one more car arriving in 1952, another in ’53, five in ’54 and 15 in ’55, as the tally accelerated to 84 in 1959. In part, the ongoing rise in Porsche sales is thanks to 70 years of unbroken brand representation

OEM PARTNERSHIPS 9

which is amongst the longest and most enduring in the entire Australian automobile industry. In February 1992, Porsche AG took control of all Porsche operations in Australia, thus signing off on 41 years of Hamilton family control.

Indeed, Porsche Cars Australia recently reconfirmed the endorsement of PPG as ‘approved for repair painting’. The relevant information is included in the Porsche Workshop Information System, along with a Porsche Paint Guide based on PPG products and processes

At home in a wide brown land Over the years, Australia has played host to a variety of Porsche feats of

endurance, along with being an important part of pre-production testing of several new Porsche models, including the front-engine Cayenne and Panamera. Back in August 1953, Norman Hamilton entered the maroon 356 Coupé in the epic REDeX Reliability Trial, completing the car-breaking 10,400km course and causing Australians to take notice of the diminutive German sports cars. In 1999, a 911 Carrera 4 Coupe completed a crossing of the Simpson Desert and, the next year, a new all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo Coupe was driven all the way to the tip of the Cape York Peninsula – the first time a sports car had ever made these iconic off-road journeys. In 2009, Porsche also reprised

Special edition celebration the 1953 REDeX adventure by sending two of the new four-door Panamera Grand Touring models on a 19,767km ‘Right Round, Down Under’ trek.

Porsche / PPG partnership After decades of supplying products to Porsche production lines, the partnership between PPG and Porsche is not only enduring, it’s getting stronger. These days, PPG supplies a range of product technologies, including e-coat, primer and topcoat, to the iconic, premium German brand. In addition, there is a team of PPG technical experts who are dedicated to supporting Porsche, including with colour development. The partnership also flows over into the refinish sector where PPG products, including the advanced ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne basecoat system, have been approved by Porsche after going through the company’s gruelling assessment process.

With a nod to the very first car shipped to Australia in 1951, Porsche has created a special edition to celebrate the 70th Anniversary milestone. Designed in a collaboration between the Style Porsche design team, the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur customisation department and Porsche Cars Australia, the 911 GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition boasts a variety of unique exterior and interior features. It’s the first time Porsche has based a market-specific edition on a 911 GT product and the first time a special edition has been created by Porsche for R the Australian market.

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FEATURE PANEL SHOP REFINISHER

C O M O PA N E L & PA I N T

Quality street Exchanging one high profile Perth street-frontage for another, after 38 years, has allowed Como Panel & Paint to continue its focus on customer relationships and quality outcomes.

dam Harvey is absolutely certain about what keeps customers coming back to Como Panel & Paint, the business he co-owns with his brother, Jason. “On average, we turnover about 20 vehicles per week and I would know at least 15 of those owners personally. That is literally from doing business with them for the past 30 years and the most important factor in building those relationships is quality. We focus on quality and I can’t stress that enough. Our success is based on our attention to detail and focusing on areas that our valued clients come here for.” Adam and Jason grew up around the business after their father, Paul, bought Como Panel & Paint in the early 1980s. It’s perhaps no surprise that both brothers went straight from school to the workshop – Jason as a painter and Adam as a panel beater. As their father transitioned into semiretirement, the siblings took on more and more of the responsibilities and, by the time they bought the business in 2015, they had both invested over 20 years, says Adam. “Going right back, it has always been Jason in the paint shop and running the workshop and me in the front office doing

quotes, invoices, dealing with customers, etc. To be honest, when we took over, nothing really changed – we kept the Como name, the location and pretty much everything else and that made it an easy transfer. Jason and I have a good understanding and communication with each other. We both have decisions to make and we lean on each other. Having said that, we spend so much time together at work, the key is not to spend any time together outside of work!” From the beginning, one of Como Panel & Paint’s key assets was its location on a major thoroughfare at 270 Canning Highway,

Como. While being in this affluent inner-city suburb kept them close to their customer base, it also began to present problems, as local government restrictions put roadblocks in the way of proposed workshop upgrades. When a property developer wanted the location, it became the right time to do a deal and move on, according to Adam. “The facility might have been getting old and tired but the street frontage is something we had relied on for 38 years so not having that was a big risk. It was a real challenge to find a location that came close but one day we saw a for-sale sign on this facility – it had lots of potential but the key was that it’s on Welshpool Road, East Victoria Park, about six kilometres away. The location is fantastic and, to be honest, it has the same or even more drive-by traffic.” When it came to the floorplan for the new facility, Jason and Adam were able to call on their own experience, as well as support from long time paint supplier, PPG. “PPG were absolutely hands-on in designing the layout for the workshop. They submitted around eight floorplans and booth layouts that helped us decide the most effective places for work bays,

“PPG were absolutely hands-on in designing the layout for the workshop.”

FEATURE PANEL SHOP 11

a commercial vehicle sized spray booth, the mechanical area, etc. Once the plan was complete, the build process started. Timing for the move was crucial – we literally walked out of the old building on 22nd December 2019 and opened the doors here on 4th January 2020. After that, there was a lot of finetuning. We have now been in this

building for about 18 months and I reckon we have just gotten to the point where we need to be.” One aspect that transitioned smoothly to the new facility was the PPG partnership, according to Adam. “We have had a relationship with PPG nudging 30 years. As part of that, we have use Envirobase High Performance pretty

much since it arrived in WA. What sold us on it was the great colour strike, the efficient processes and that it’s user friendly. Everyone is looking for speed but it’s not necessarily how quickly you can pump a job through. We are looking just as much at the quality of the end finish, as well as longevity and lifetime warranty support – for us that is PPG. At the end of the day, PPG has been a great company to us and we just can’t fault the partnership. And the trust goes both ways with PPG trusting us to be part of a recent OEM program.” After purchasing Como Panel & Paint, Adam and Jason made a bold move to deliberately downsize, Adam explains. “We used to process around 50 claims per week and had 22 staff but we found that doing those sorts of numbers increased hours, increased staff and allowed room

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FEATURE PANEL SHOP 12

Quality street

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C O M O PA N E L & PA I N T

for errors and slip ups because it was just relentless. About five years ago, we changed the business model where we basically halved the staff numbers and halved the work turnover but the bottom line has remained the same. Nowadays, there are 11 of us, including Jason and myself. Doing something like this is always risky but it meant we could continue to focus on quality and really look after the customers from our geographical area.” “Our new business model also gave us the opportunity to streamline our processes and become more efficient. As part of that we installed a new collision centre management software system which allowed us to really reduce admin time, as well as helping get a handle on cost control and workshop management. One of the other things we focus on is doing everything in-house, including mechanical, suspension, wheel alignments, air-con, scan code clearing and glass. It’s very, very rare that a vehicle needs to leave this site.” Like other repairers in WA, where the lure of the mining industry is a major attraction for many tradespeople, Como Panel & Paint has found it difficult to find skilled

staff. Indeed, Adam says they have been searching for another panel beater and a painter for around 12 months without success. Although they don’t have any at the moment, in the past apprentices have successfully filled the gap – with several winning ‘apprentice of the year’ and one qualifying for the WorldSkills competition. Staffing is just one of the challenges to keep on top of in the modern industry, says Adam. “A lot of the guys have been with us long term and they do a great job but one of the biggest business challenges at this point is staffing. Another big challenge is adapting to change – it’s about having the right tools and equipment and choosing the

S H O P FA C T S Como Panel & Paint Owners: Adam and Jason Harvey Staff: 11 PPG Product: Envirobase High Performance Territory Manager: Mark Taylor

right scope of work that fits our business model, rather than taking in a wide spread of jobs. Our typical type of work ranges from driveable vehicles through to medium scope repairs. We have the equipment to do heavy structural repairs but we are not really geared to it. We believe it’s better to focus our efforts on a particular scope of repairs where we can excel and then market it correctly so we look after our loyal clientele in the best way we can. There is never a dull moment and adapting to what the industry wants is always a challenge and challenge is really the reason I get up every morning!” R

SUMMERNATS

Ready to rumble With entrants having had two whole years to prepare their cars, the focus is now on making the 34th Street Machine Summernats the biggest horsepower festival the nation has seen!

fter marking the dates in bold on their calendar, the PPG crew has joined entrants and enthusiasts across the Australia as they count down the days until the gates are thrown open at Exhibition Park, in Canberra, for Summernats 34 on 6th – 9th January 2022. Once again, a huge program of popular events is planned, including the Horsepower Heroes Dyno competition, Drifting, Show ‘n’ Shine, Burnout Masters, Skid Row, Elite Hall, City Cruise, Exhibitors, Judging, Awards and more. Given that enthusiasts have had a little extra time in their sheds working on their high-octane projects, it promises to be a Summernats to remember. For thousands of entrants and spectators, the running of the legendary event will be a welcome chance to get together with likeminded friends and fans from around the nation, says Summernats Co-owners, Andy Lopez. “Summernats is as much about seeing friends in the scene, as it is about the cars, and many people are really looking forward to this annual opportunity to catch up with mates in what has been a strange and difficult time.”

Unlimited PPG colour As a long-term supporter of Summernats, PPG is planning another epic, on-site display at its traditional ‘PPG Corner’ location. There you will find one of the event’s biggest marquees

packed with fascinating exhibits, says Sam Minter, custom vehicle enthusiast and PPG NSW Territory Manager. “We are offering plenty of reasons to drop into the PPG marquee but, perhaps the most important, is the opportunity to chat one-on-one with one of our expert PPG team. Not only can you get the benefit of their knowledge and advice to help tackle your latest build or dream project with confidence,

they can also guide you through the colour selection process so you get the exact finish you are after. And colour is something there is no shortage of at PPG!” “When it comes to incredible custom colour options, you can’t go past the PPG VIBRANCE COLLECTION® range. Whether you are looking to give your project a vibrant but subtle lift or you are after something totally wild, you will find the solution. And today’s Vibrance Collection is actually a complete package that includes specialised primers and a custom-focused clearcoat to take your project from start R to finish." Tickets and entries are on sale now and the Summernats crew is recommending you get in quickly to avoid disappointment. For tickets and information go to www.summernats.com.au or Facebook.

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SATA REFINISHER

Ground-breaking nozzle technology comes together with a high degree of colourful detailing to create a SATAjet® X 5500 special edition that will be your True Soul mate!

t makes perfect sense for a painter to choose a spray gun that gets the job done with speed and precision but it doesn’t hurt for it to come with awesome looks, at the same time. This is the catalyst for SATA’s regular special edition models which have become sell out success stories thanks to their combination of technology and colourful, vibrant design themes. Around 10 years ago, renowned American airbrush artist and owner of Finishline Design Inc, Leah Gall, inspired painters all over the globe

when she designed the legendary SATAjet 4000 B Heart & Soul special edition. Now, Leah’s talents have once again been put on display as she offers a glimpse into her colourful, multifaceted life with the new SATAjet X 5500 True Soul. This latest SATAjet special edition comes with a sophisticated, colourful, highly detailed and durable exterior finish that wraps right around the gun surface. Included are a series of wild, beautiful and vivid design elements, such as dragons, gorgeous women, exotic fish, eagles, a skull and a classic V-twin motorcycle engine. Although it’s designed to inspire painters with a little of the thrill, delight and excitement of the airbrushing artform, the SATAjet X 5500 True Soul offers much more.

It’s also a fully functional premium spray gun that is perfect for everyday use in the spray booth where it will quickly become your True Soul mate! Best of all, this special edition spray gun comes with all the high value features of the regular SATAjet X 5500, including the innovative and unique X-Nozzle System. It features two distinct spray fan shapes that remain constant right across the nozzle spectrum. This range of nozzle options makes it easy to perfectly tune it to suit a painter’s personal spraying preferences, the paint brand being used and application conditions ranging from a cold, dry Melbourne to a hot, humid North Queensland. Alternatively, the SATAjet X 5500 True Soul can also make an awesome addition to a collector’s display cabinet. Given the sell-out popularity of previous SATAjet special edition models, it’s best to get your order in ASAP at your SATA distributor to avoid disappointment. The SATAjet X 5500 True Soul is available in selected nozzle sizes, with the option of HVLP or RP technologies, as well as in non-digital or the hugely popular DIGITAL format with an air pressure gauge built into R the gun handle.

SATA 15

If your business enjoys all the paint shop benefits of SATA’s popular RPS Cups, you’d be crazy not to also take advantage of the revamped SATA Loyalty Program ‘coins & more’.

A more rewarding experience S

ince launching in 2018, the SATA Loyalty Program ‘coins & more’, has made double winners out of those using SATA RPS (Rapid Preparation System) Cups. Along with paint shop productivity gains from using this benchmark disposable cup system, customers can collect ‘coins’ via the app and then exchange them for

terrific rewards. And it could not be easier! Simply download the free SATA Loyalty App from the Apple Store or Google Play Store, set up a user account and start collecting. After purchasing SATA RPS cups, scanning the QR code on each box automatically credits ‘coins’ to your account. Look out for the special promotional periods to earn extra

coins! Let your ‘coins’ total build and, when ready, convert them into very cool rewards from categories, including Home & Garden, Electronics, Tools, Vouchers and Sports & Leisure, as well as selected SATA products. It’s simple, straightforward and free so why wouldn’t you start collecting?

Revamped advantages Recently, the SATA Loyalty App came in for a major revamp that delivers improved functionalities and services. • Navigation – A new table bar for direct entries gives easy access to the SATA Loyalty Shop or News and Services. The SATA coin account balance is always displayed top right, while entry to your account is top left. ‘Home’ now returns you to the start page from anywhere.

• New content – ‘Account’ lets you manage profile data, view orders and change consents, while ‘Services’ now contains content, such as competitions, surveys and a form to directly contact the SATA Loyalty Team. • Ordering single rewards – ‘Order view’ lets you select the order quantity and, if required, the model or variant of the reward, and then confirm your order. Your delivery address can be adjusted via the ‘Change delivery address’ link.

• New SATA Loyalty Shop – Accessed via ‘Rewards’ in the table bar, the SATA Loyalty Shop includes a ‘Filter’ to show the different store categories. A handy red status bar shows if you have enough SATA coins to order each reward. • All orders at a glance – Each reward is now ordered individually. Advantages include more transparency, such as showing the current shipping status for each individual reward under Account/Order History and access to the associated tracking R number and tracking link.

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FEATURE – OEM PARTNERSHIPS REFINISHER

Heart & Seoul Driven by a fierce determination to put South Korea on the map, Hyundai has accelerated from its first home-grown model to global automotive juggernaut in less than 50 years!

oday, South Korea is home to over 50 million people and is one of the wealthiest nations in Asia. However, just three generations ago it was one of the region’s poorest. July 27th 1953 marked the end of the devasting, three-year-long Korean War which came after decades of occupation by the Empire of Japan. Although it was poor, the fledgling Republic of Korea had a deep-seated resolve to lift itself out of this desolation. To do this it badly needed industrial leaders to help mobilise a whole nation, provide employment and drive the economy. Enter the Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company. Founded in 1947 by the eldest son of a poor farming family, Chung Ju-yung, it became instrumental in establishing the country’s transportation infrastructure in the following decades.

Mobilising a nation Hyundai basically translates to ‘modern times’. It comes from the Korean word ‘Hyun’, meaning modern or present, and ‘Dai’ which refers to era or generation. The company literally set the wheels in motion in 1967 with the creation of Hyundai Motor Company which cut its automotive teeth assembling Cortina models under an agreement with Ford. This set the foundations for Hyundai’s first home-grown product, the Pony which was launched in 1975, featuring styling by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro and contemporary drivetrain technology. As well as becoming the South Korean people’s car, it was also exported to take on the world and bargain basement pricing helped it establish a foothold. In 1986, a private importer introduced the secondgeneration Pony Excel (or just Excel for export markets) Downunder and, in a novel advertising campaign, Australian’s were invited to ‘say hi to Hyundai’. Beginning with the mid-sized Sonata, in 1988, Hyundai took its first steps on the pathway to full independence by introducing its own in-house developed technologies, ultimately resulting in its first proprietary engine and transmission in 1991.

FEATURE – OEM PARTNERSHIPS 17 SEOUL SISTERS

fter Kia was declared bankrupt in 1997, it was Hyundai who rode to the rescue thanks to an agreement to diversify by exchanging ownership between the two home-grown brands. Rather than absorb its fellow South Korean brand, Hyundai has given it autonomy while supporting its progress on the world stage. While the pair make sensible cost savings by sharing various vehicle platforms and technology, Kia has successfully built and maintained its own, individual brand identity.

Shifting mindset At first, Hyundai’s focus on moving large volumes via a cheap and cheerful strategy paid off with record sales in a variety of global markets. However, by the mid-90s, quality issues began eroding the brands good initial reputation. When Chung Ju-yung’s son, Mong-Koo Chung, was inaugurated as Hyundai Motor Group Chairman in 1999, it signalled a shift in mindset. Across its operations, the burgeoning automotive giant began to invest heavily in quality, innovative design and world class manufacturing processes, along with long term research and development. In 2001, this saw the opening of the Hyundai European Design Center, followed by the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center and the vast and fully equipped Namyang Design Center in South Korea. There was also a willingness to attract the world’s best design and engineering talent. For example, the influence of design guru

Peter Schreyer is clearly on display in the modern Hyundai / Kia / Genesis range. Lured from Audi to be Kia’s Head of Design, he has since become Chief Design Officer for the wider Hyundai Motor Group. In a major coup for engineering, former BMW M Division boss, Albert Biermann, was poached to become Head of Vehicle Test & High Performance Development. After putting his stamp on Hyundai’s ‘N’ performance division, he has since taken the reins as Head of R&D Division at Hyundai Motor / Kia Motors. P R O D U C T I O N VA L U E S

riginally established in 1968, Hyundai’s Ulsan assembly plant has grown to become the world’s largest integrated vehicle manufacturing facility. With an annual production capacity of a remarkable 1.6 million units (approximately one every 20 seconds!), it provides work for around 34,000 personnel. After rolling off the production line, new vehicles can roll straight onto vessels at the adjacent port facility operated by global fleet, Hyundai Glovis. Further up the value chain, Hyundai even produces its own steel!

REFINISHER

FEATURE – OEM PARTNERSHIPS 18

Heart & Seoul

REFINISHER

“PPG is considered a technological leader and we have been able to successfully introduce and launch PPG technologies in Hyundai / Kia paint shops all over the world, including high throw power e-coat, waterborne primer, high chromatic colours and waterborne Liquid Applied Sound Dampening. PPG products are currently suppled to N F O R N A M YA N G 11 plants around the world and this is supported by more than hen it burst onto the scene in 2017, Hyundai’s new 10 PPG sales people and over 30 ‘N’ high performance division gave the established PPG people who are exclusively players a very rude shock. With the ‘N’ providing a nod to involved in technical and service the company’s Namyang proving ground in South Korea, roles for Hyundai / Kia. We are the i30 N came ready-to-rumble with a fast, fun and now preparing the new chapter to charismatic package. More worrying for the competition Today, the impact of that support Hyundai Motor Company is that there is a whole range of ‘N’ models in the pipeline. philosophical shift made a couple with specialised coatings for the The future just got a little more exciting! of decades ago is obvious. Where electric vehicle, mobility and air once purchase price was the mobility fields.” main appeal, customers are now attracted by the sensuous styling, “There are three key points that have helped grow the business: engineering substance and depth of quality found in the current ‘Research & Development’ where we are able to develop and Hyundai / Kia models. Best of all, despite competing with the best in introduce technology on mutual sales value, ‘Engineering’ where their respective classes, they still enjoy an excellent value advantage. we constantly search for ways to improve productivity and share cost benefits, and ‘Purchasing’ where we aim to be a stable and Global partnership sustainable sourcing partner.” As part of its push for world class quality, Hyundai Motor Company PPG also plays a role in helping Hyundai Motor Company develop began partnering with PPG, starting in 1997 with e-coat supply to its vehicle colour palette. This includes annual colour shows for the Hyundai Motor India production plant. Nowadays, the strong North America, Europe and South Korea, to highlight new colour Hyundai / PPG partnership has expanded across the globe, including trends. With its strength in high chromatic reds and blues, as well a string of manufacturing facilities in Europe, Asia, South America as fine silvers, this has seen PPG provide leading colour initiatives, and North America. It has been a story of continuous growth, says especially for the North American and European markets. Albert Lee, PPG Global Account Director, Hyundai / Kia.

ISN’T IT IONIQ

ollowing its progressive spirit, Hyundai fully intends to become a leader in the fast developing, sustainable mobility sector. Indeed, the company has been dabbling in sustainably fuelled vehicles from as early as the late 1980s. In 2020, ‘IONIQ’ was named as the new sub-brand for Hyundai’s electric vehicles (EVs). The handsomely styled, mid-sized SUV, the IONIQ 5 was the first to be unveiled (set to arrive locally in 2022), featuring an all-in-one electric motor, transmission and inverter which were developed in-house by Hyundai. It will be followed by the IONIQ 6 sedan and the IONIQ 7 large SUV.

FEATURE – OEM PARTNERSHIPS 19

REFINISHER

Left: Third-generation leader, Euisun Chung

Local heroes

Upward trajectory

Not surprisingly, the close Hyundai / PPG partnership is repeated at the local level where PPG basically operates as Hyundai Motor Company’s paint expert, says Fabian Gaida, PPG Refinish Market Development Manager ANZ. “It’s fair to say that we have a strong, mutually beneficial relationship. Hyundai Motor Company definitely see PPG as a preferred supplier in Australia and we support them with everything to do with the paint finish. For example, we regularly run field training for Hyundai’s technical staff, as well as dealership personnel, such as in Pre-Delivery. We also support them with connections for warranty work and with colour matches for some of the more exotic Hyundai Motor Company colours. Then there are special projects, such as when Hyundai introduced two matt colours a few years ago. In conjunction with their local team, we developed a special paint care kit for customers of these cars and then followed up with training courses targeted at the dealers selling these cars so they could brief their customers on how best to look after the matt finish.”

In October 2020, Euisun Chung (son of Mong-Koo Chung and grandson of Chung Ju-yung) became the third-generation leader when he was appointed as the new Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. He takes the reins of the 5th largest car maker on the planet (global sales hit 6.4 million in 2020) and is keen to reinforce the growth of the premium Genisis brand, along with targeting opportunities in electric vehicles and mobility platforms. At the same time, new manufacturing plants have been confirmed for Singapore and the U.S. and, as a global partner, PPG will be working with the company to support this expansion. Where to now in Hyundai’s rags to riches story? With over 50 years behind it and a clear vision going forward, Hyundai Motor Company’s simple plan is to continue being a leading supplier of mobility solutions – in whatever form that may take R in the future.

Rather than put all its eggs in one sustainability basket, Hyundai has also introduced the hydrogen fuel-cell powered, NEXO model. To prove its impressive credentials, a NEXO driven by a team from Hyundai Australia broke the world record for the longest distance travelled by a hydrogen powered vehicle on a single tank when it recorded 887.5km from Melbourne to Broken Hill in early 2021!

TALKING TRAINING REFINISHER

Taking advantage of

their business. Therefore, it’s important to determine exactly how the new technology will fit into day-to-day operations so you get a Return On Investment (ROI) as quickly as possible. A great example of high-tech hardware arriving right now is PPG’s new MOONWALK® automated mixing system. It was conceived and developed by PPG in the European market but our local research shows it provides customers in Australia and New Zealand with the same impressive benefits.

a tech driven future Investment strategy

Collision repair is gearing up to welcome an exciting mix of technologies over the next decade – are you ready to embrace this wave of tech and enjoy the benefits?

Most new technology has a price tag which is fair enough as the developer needs to cover their expenditure in bringing it to market. However, a collision repairer should also see the cost as an investment in

Not an excuse for a cigarette break You could be forgiven for thinking MoonWalk is only for high-end shops but it’s far more than just a piece of gee-wiz technology. By automating the paint mixing process, it frees up time – our conservative calculations estimated it frees up between three and six hours of labour time per week, depending on shop volume. However, what are you going to do with that time? If it just becomes an excuse for a cigarette break, it’s a wasted opportunity. During our trials we found lots of real-world tasks to take advantage of that time, including: (see info graphic top right).

hat a great time to begin a career in the collision repair industry! The trickle of tech that has arrived over the past couple of decades (think Gas IR curing or advanced spectros, like PPG’s RAPIDMATCH® GO) is about to become a flood. Whether you are an early adopter or not, the key is to ensure that when you take the plunge, your processes and procedures are set up to take maximum advantage of any new technologies, says John Hristias, PPG Business Support Manager Asia / Pacific.

URS

OF LABOUR

TIM

EEK

UP BETWEEN 3 A

L PA I N T M I X I N

HRS

EES

1-6 HRS LK

NA O I T I

MOON

LABOUR HOURS

PER WEEK

TALKING TRAINING

• Mix and apply WOW primer

• Get your SATA RPS Cups ready for upcoming jobs

SAVE

• Clean and tidy the mixing room or spray booth

TIME • Do final masking on the next job

• Clean your spray gun

• Do spectro readings on upcoming jobs

overshooting. Let’s say a mix requires 0.3 grams of a tinter – you might think it’s not such a big deal to go over by just 0.1 grams but this is actually 33% too much! Do you recalculate which means going through the whole formula again and risking another overpour, as well as doubling the mixing time and increasing mix volume? MoonWalk takes minimal skill to operate, it’s accurate to 0.01 grams and it never makes a mistake.

Stress factor As a painter, you don’t realise the pressure and stress of the colour mixing process until it’s taken away. Even if you are highly experienced, the concentration level required to add small amounts of tinter is challenging, particularly over a long day. With MoonWalk on the job, it certainly made life easier!

FUL LY A U T O M AT E D M O O

N W A

Mixing colours has been a fundamental part of a painter’s role for eons and most would believe they do a good job. However, the results of our trials show it’s far from perfect. It found that less than 50% of mixes met accurate specifications and as many as 30% were well out of specification. And this was at well-run and respected repairers so there is every reason to believe it’s a reasonable representation of the wider industry. A number of factors are at play here. For example, a formulation can contain a long list of tinters and some are in tiny volumes so there is a high chance of

Accurate representation

One percenters A number of small but important factors highlighted MoonWalk’s technological advantages: • Stock control – It’s not uncommon to run out of tinter while mixing a colour. However, MoonWalk’s automatic stock control function actually informs you there is insufficient tinter before beginning the colour mix. • Cleaner workplace – Minimised waste maximises efficiency. • End of bottle wastage – Because MoonWalk dispenses tinters from an upside-down bottle, it effectively uses the entire contents. In contrast, a hand poured tinter bottle is typically thrown out with some remaining product because we are not prepared to wait for it to slowly flow to the spout. Trials showed a significant tinter wastage reduction of 6.2%! • Over mix wastage – If you overpour a tinter and decide to recalculate to a higher volume, this creates more product than required for the job. • Reduced colour matching time – Because every formulation is mixed with 100% accuracy, colour adjustments are required far less often. • Get on with the job – As a painter, applying a colour formulation that is 100% accurate makes life easier and means less rework. • Recruiting – An exciting, hi-tech future is part of the recipe to attract the right staff to the industry and retaining them for a long R and fulfilling career!

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PPG IN ACTION 22

W O L ING F

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with the current

A landmark electric ferry project in the Kiwi capital of Wellington is proving that sustainable transport solutions work just as well on the water.

f we are to have long term, sustainable solutions for getting people from point-A to point-B, it has to include movement by land, air and water. Doing this takes early adopters with a serious commitment to developing the necessary technology because one major obstacle is the lack of a blueprint to guide the way, like there is with established propulsion systems.

Harbouring ambitions Set around a natural harbour, the City of Wellington is a prime location for passenger ferry services and East by West Ferries has been operating on Wellington Harbour since 1989. Now the company is gunning to launch the first all-electric, zero emission, high performance passenger ferry in the

Southern Hemisphere, according to Jeremy Ward, CEO East by West Ferries. “East by West has been running this route for over 30 years and we knew it was time to think outside the box with our next ferry upgrade. We had to put a stake in the ground and find a new solution that was going to tick all the boxes - including our responsibility to the environment. We knew it was time to be bold!”

Energy efficient design Bringing this intrepid project to life saw the creation of the Wellington Electric Boat Building Company (WEBBCo), with master boat builder, Fraser Foote, at the helm. Specifications called for a 19-metre catamaran, carrying 135 passengers, three crew and an on-board café but, apart from that, it was a totally clean sheet design, Fraser explains.

“Through energy modelling and cost analysis it became apparent that energy consumption was a main driver in the ferry’s long-term cost. The electric propulsion and power management system was custom developed to suit the route and charging infrastructure and a key part was to minimise energy consumption by reducing weight – the lower the weight, the lower the resistance and the faster / further it will go.” “The team evaluated various construction options before settling on high-strength, low-weight carbon fibre. Developing the composite structure wasn’t just about a lightweight, robust solution – we also had to take manufacturing efficiency into consideration. The result is an innovative, modular carbon fibre panel system that allows rapid manufacture of the composite shell, reduced labour and tooling costs for the first vessel, as well as leap-frogging the initial setup phase that would have

PPG IN ACTION 23

Below right: Signing the design contract at the start of the project: Jeremy Ward, Fraser Foote, plus design partners McKay, Kit Carlier Design, SSC Marine and Gurit Fraser Foote and Jeremy Ward

strong durability Delfleet is known for. We also provided step-by-step processes and any other support WEBBCo needed throughout the project.” It’s an example of a great local partnership, says Fraser Foote. “The PPG solution exceeded our expectation for minimised weight and longlasting appearance and the product and technical support has been fantastic. I would have no hesitation in partnering with Union Hardware and PPG again in the future.” otherwise occurred. Each panel is vacuum infused to ensure accurate resin uptake and avoid excess weight and the decision to thermoform the foam also afforded a significant overall weight saving.” Although not quite to the level of an America’s Cup boat, Fraser admits the strict weight control comes close in places. Indeed, the innovative new ferry actually came in several hundred kilograms under the anticipated weight target!

Slim and looking terrific While pursuing its weight loss regime, the WEBBCo team’s attention to detail went as far as paint which introduced PPG to the build program, says Richard Jeffs, PPG Territory Manager Wellington & Wairarapa. “Our local distributor, Union Hardware, got us involved and we were able to provide WEBBCo with an accurate weight estimate of all the coatings layers using 100% DELFLEET Evolution products. They were very impressed because it was well under their expected weight target, yet it came with the excellent appearance and

Accelerating up the learning curve Being the first of its kind, one key challenge was to get the right team together, says Fraser. “At the beginning we ‘didn’t know what we didn’t know’ but, by getting a team of very smart people around us, we were able to calmly and methodically resolve issues while keeping a close eye on the big picture. Throughout the project it involved around 30 people, including 10 boat builders and five electricians, along with contractors and sub-contractors. Unfortunately, COVID-19 and shipping

delays from overseas blew the build timeline out from 18 months to 2.5 years but it’s great to now see it on the water.”

Sound of things to come Replacing existing diesel propulsion will massively reduce annual operating costs, not to mention eliminate emissions, but it also enhances the customer experience, says Jeremy Ward, CEO East by West Ferries. “With the new electric powered ferry, the only sound passengers will hear will be the gentle splashing of the sea – we may have to wake passengers on arrival!” It’s good news for the WEBBCo, too. Around 80 possible electric boat projects are in the pipeline and several clients are R jostling to be the next in line.

Photo credit – Simon Hoyle at Southlight Studio

REFINISHER

MVP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS REFINISHER

Audits& Actions

MVP – AUDITS AND ACTIONS

PART 2

After our previous issue looked at the ‘Audit’ process, we move onto the ‘Action Plan’ and how it provides a clear, step-by-step pathway to a more efficient business.

Different motives, same goals There can be many different motivations for a collision repairer to commit to an Audit and Action Plan process with the MVP Business Solutions team but, whatever they happen to be, these businesses are all searching for the same things. Inevitably, the aim is to identify issues and roadblocks in all areas of the business – administration, panel and paint – and then find effective solutions to rectify them. This is one of the reasons the Audit and Action Plan process has become one of the most popular and powerful resources in the MVP Business Solutions arsenal, says Greg Tunks, MVP Business Solutions Manager ANZ.

Call to action Although the Audit process typically identifies quite a lot of issues – some big and some smaller – we don’t dump them all into the first Action Plan we hand to the collision centre owner. Rather than overwhelm them with a long list of issues, we only give them five actions for each department. These are the five issues that we judge are the most impactful / important to fix. Typically, we try

to make the actions as easily ‘do-able’ as possible, as well as not requiring a significant financial outlay. Often, we are dealing with a collision repairer that has been doing the same things over a long period without keeping up with the times so there tends to be some pretty impressive gains to be made. Each of the five actions comes complete with a step-by-step pathway in order to rectifying it. Another key to getting a solution implemented is to include a timeline for completion of the task and a person within the business (not necessarily the owner) who is responsible for seeing it through. After the initial five actions (per

department) have been completed, a further five actions are added and so on. Of course, the MVP Business Solutions Manager is there to provide as much support as you need to get the job done.

Fundamentals The entire Audit and Action Plan process is based on sound, best practice business principles which are then individualised and tuned for each collision centre and each department in that shop. Because they tend to be isolated in their own business, it’s the sort of vital information that most owners don’t have easy access to. Whether you are running a large repairer or a small one, it’s

MVP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 25

about a fundamental core set of principles for running an efficient and profitable collision centre. It’s the basics that go into effectively repairing a vehicle and it doesn’t change dramatically from a large to a small shop. For example, if your parts department is disorganised it’s going to have a negative impact for both sizes of shop.

Communication Given that the points in the Action Plan will result in changes being made within the business, it’s crucial to make sure all staff members are included in the process. For a start, it’s important that they understand that the process is not about auditing people – it’s about auditing the processes, the flow and the functionality of the business. Some people are scared of change but if the process is explained (your MVP Business Solutions Manager will help here) in a way that shows it’s going to benefit everyone, team members tend to buy-in and be very positive. The overall aim is to remove roadblocks and frustrations for staff to allow them to be better able to do their job. Ultimately, a more organised workplace is going to be a happier and safer workplace.

Commitment Like anything worthwhile, going through the Audit and Acton Plan process takes a level of commitment to get the best out of it. For the most part, we find that the process

tends to get owners very enthusiastic and that is a very good thing for their business. From a personal point of view, it’s also a real pleasure to work with people who are excited by the possibilities on offer and are keen to run with the process.

Continuous improvement strategy The Audit and Action Plan process is not a one-shot fix – it’s actually designed to be a continuous improvement program. Once an initial audit is completed and the first five actions have been ticked off, the shop is given another five actions to complete and then another five and so on. At a certain point, it then becomes worthwhile for the MVP Business Solutions Manager to revisit and conduct another Audit. This works to kickstart the whole process again so it can continue targeting and fixing issues in order to help the business achieve its ongoing goals. Best of all, the Audit and Action Plan process is included in the package of support services you get as a PPG R customer!

REFINISHER

PPG PEOPLE REFINISHER

PPG Staff Profile

Fabian Gaida W

hether back in his native Germany, working in China or settling in Australia, Fabian career has been about taking opportunities and running with them. Having grown up in Wolfsburg, the home of Volkswagen, it’s no surprise he ended up working for the automotive juggernaut as a toolmaker. However, VW had bigger plans. The company funded a six-year Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree before the human resources department put Fabian on a career path that eventually saw him take up the reins as Paint Shop Manager at the vast VW Wolfsburg plant, encompassing seven production lines, coating 3,500 bodies daily, with 2,500 staff! When Fabian and his Australian wife decided to move their young family to Australia, it was through PPG that he first took an interim role in Shanghai, China, before later joining the PPG Australia team.

Favourite hobbies /pastimes? I love good beaches, I am a passionate pilot (mostly gliders) and I love riding my motorbike Favourite food? Something ‘different’ Favourite drink? Since COVID I have avoided alcohol and mainly drink water Favourite music / band? Heavy metal, hard rock or some good techno Favourite car / motorcycle? My BMW 1100 but I am looking forward to an electric car Favourite holiday destination? Alkimos, about 30km north of Perth

Market Development Manager “My first local role was to establish the PPG FleetPool Network in Australia. Later, I took over the strategic OEM links role. Because I know how cars are built that put me in a great position to help build strong partnerships between PPG and many of the OEM vehicle importers.

These days, my main role is market development and this covers a number of areas. It’s about identifying and targeting new business opportunities and, if necessary, providing specialist support for our state teams in order to establish partnerships with new customers. At the same time, I work with our key accounts to maximise opportunities for them. For example, I work closely with the PPG FleetPool Network on national commercial transport projects. Together, we prepare a competitive tender and follow the project all the way through to ensure work is allocated to the appropriate repairers and completed on time. It’s rewarding work and, I have to say, I am really enjoying being out meeting people, learning what our customers are doing and how we can actively support them and helping them solve problems.”

Here at PPG, we work to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 135 years. Have a career with us & you will find meaning in your work every day! You will engage in opportunities that will shape you both personally and professionally. We make it happen and seek candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our values, with the commitment and drive to strive today to do better than yesterday – everyday. PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others If you are passionate about the automotive and refinish industries, then PPG could be for you! Opportunities may include: - Technical Demonstrators - Retail Sales Assistants - Territory Managers - Key Account Managers - Customer Service - Business Support - New Business Development View our current opportunities https://ppg.referrals.selectminds.com/

PPG COLOUR MATCHING COMPETITION REFINISHER

Return match After making the difficult decision in 2020 to cancel the Colour Matching Competition for the first time in over 30 years, the PPG team was passionate about its return for 2021.

he PPG Colour Matching Competition has been an annual fixture for more than three decades – along the way giving each batch of apprentice spray painters an extra incentive to sharpen this crucial skill – so cancelling the entire event in 2020 was a very big deal. Unfortunately, COVID had taken another scalp. Despite the forced axing, the organising team led by Chelsea Hilsberg (Graphic Designer / Marketing Assistant) and Marissa Tasios (Marketing Assistant) from PPG’s Refinish Marketing department was determined to set its sights on a successful return for 2021.

Competition for the COVID climate

To help keep eligible apprentice spray painters engaged throughout 2020, an exclusive Colour Matching Competition Facebook group was set up, explains Marissa. “The special Facebook group was predominantly aimed at eligible apprentices from the 2020 cohort because they would remain eligible to compete in the 2021 competition. We were able to post a constant flow of content designed to keep colour matching front-of-mind and we got some really good engagement from that.”

Understanding that COVID restrictions were going to heavily influence what was possible, the organising team looked for ways to keep the long running event as close to normal as possible. This meant the traditional series of regional and state competitions could generally go ahead as usual. However, due to the challenges of getting all the state / region winners together in one place, a grand finale match-off wasn’t going to be possible. Instead, it would be the winning spray-out card from each state / region that made the journey to PPG’s Clayton Colour Laboratory where it would be ‘blind’ judged to see who would be crowned 2021 PPG Colour Matching Champion. It took a real team effort to make the plans a reality, according to Chelsea Hilsberg. “Our region wide network of PPG

PPG COLOUR MATCHING COMPETITION 29

training managers, as well as the Clayton Colour Laboratory team, play a key role so we engaged them early by scheduling more meetings than usual. The collaboration

between the entire internal team has been particularly good this year and, at each planning step, it allowed us to get good feedback on the direction we were going.” Navigating through the realities of today’s COVID climate took some creative thinking, along with a fair slice of luck, says Marissa. “Uncertainty was the biggest challenge! With lockdowns and different regulations in each Australian state and New Zealand, you never quite knew what you were going to get at any given time. For example, the NSW competition was completed just before their lockdown kicked in but then we hit delays to the Victorian comp due to an ongoing lockdown in Melbourne. When it came to Tasmania, none of the PPG team were able to travel so TAFE staff took it on and made the competition happen with Richard Harvey (PPG Refinish Colour Technologist) monitoring it via video link. It was similar for the Northern Territory where the team at Charles Darwin TAFE were very flexible and resourceful in getting it done. One of the unusual logistical challenges was to do with the set of SATA spray guns which are used for each competition. Because they couldn’t travel with a PPG team member to each event, it sometimes meant military precision was needed to ship them to the next competition and make sure they got there on time.”

Consistent feedback shows that the efforts have not gone unnoticed. This email from Damian Sexton (Technical Officer Auto Refinishing & Auto Body Repair, South Metropolitan TAFE Carlisle Campus), to Ruarc O’Connor (PPG Territory Manager WA) is typical. “I just wanted to give you and the other PPG guys a thank you for running the Colour Matching Competition here last Friday. I was really impressed with the professional way that it was set up and conducted. It was really good to see the engagement with our apprentices and I think they all enjoyed the challenge and experience.”

The final countdown As each region / state competition was being ticked off, the organising team were on the case, planning a finale to suit, says Chelsea. “Knowing we couldn’t fly everyone to one place for a final, we wanted to make it as exciting as possible. We have secured a special guest presenter who will announce the 2021 National Colour Matching Champion and placegetters via an online video premier. Along with the SATAjet X 5500 spray gun they each got for winning the state competition, our first, second and third in the finale also bag some great prizes (see below). I hope we don’t have to go through this again next year but at least we have proven that we can rise to the challenge of planning and executing a regionwide R event during COVID!”

Finale prizes 1st – PlayStation 5, a SATA Vision 5000 hood and a MIRKA DEROS Sander 2nd – Apple Watch and a MIRKA DEROS Sander 3rd – Sonos Roam Portable Bluetooth Smart Speaker and a MIRKA DEROS Sander

REFINISHER

Water

aint industry terminology can get a little jumbled up over time and as language evolves but one common area of confusion seems to be around what terminology to use for refinish coatings that involve water. The terms ‘water-based’ and ‘waterborne’ tend to get tossed around so is there a difference?

features Water-based versus waterborne – is this just another case of, I say ‘potato’, you say ‘potarto’, or is there more to this in terms of refinish technology?

Water-based In general, a water-based paint is formulated using resins that are actually soluble in water – much like salt or sugar will completely dissolve in water. However, the reality is there also has to be some level of organic solvents in the mix, too. After the paint is applied, the water and solvents evaporate leaving a dried paint film.

Waterborne When it comes to waterborne technology, it’s actually made up of miniscule ‘droplets’ of resin which are mixed into and carried in water. This is a ‘liquid in liquid’ suspension, called an emulsion (not to be confused with the common British terminology for a type of wall paint). When it’s applied, the water and solvents in the formulation begin to evaporate, the ‘droplets’ of resin get closer to each other and, eventually, fuse together to form a continuous, dried paint film. Because water is slower to evaporate than most organic solvents, using waterborne basecoats needs a small mind shift when it comes to drying. While temperature and humidity have a big influence on the speed of drying, air movement across the

surface is even more important. Use the right waterborne basecoat system, with the appropriate dry conditions and it can be as fast or even faster than traditional solvent-borne basecoat technologies.

Although water-based products may still exist in some low-end applications, the current crop of mainstream low VOC basecoat systems is virtually exclusively waterborne solutions.

Solvent-borne

Come in the water’s fine

It’s interesting to note that both water-based and waterborne coatings contain organic solvents, although much less than solventborne products. Given that it has been around for a long time and is still widely used today, it’s worth taking a quick look at solvent-borne technology. Solvent-borne basecoats not only have a much higher solvent content, they also contain much lower solids than any other layer of a refinish system. This is all about getting an even, mottle-free metallic / pearl basecoat finish. After application, the flakes of aluminium and / or mica are orientated randomly in the wet film. For maximum colour travel (the colour change from the face to the flip or flop angles) these flakes must lay flat in the dried film. The crucial transition from random flake orientation to lying flat on the surface occurs during solvent evaporation. If there is not enough solvent or the solvents evaporate too quickly, the flakes will be fixed within the film before they have a chance to align with each other. In this case, darker areas may be visible on the face tone and the flip will look too light.

Evolution Several decades ago, as the refinish sector began looking for a greener, more low VOC option than conventional solvent-borne basecoats, one of the first stepping stones was water-based technology. However, to really achieve the low VOC levels required, particularly in the European market, it took the next step to waterborne technology. Since the first prototypes back in the 70’s, waterborne basecoats have advanced significantly to become the dominant technology.

Since around the mid-2000s, an interesting phenomenon has occurred in the Australia and New Zealand refinish sectors. Despite there being no government regulations compelling them to do so, a large percentage of collision repairers have made their own decision to convert to waterborne basecoat technology. Indeed, today more than two thirds of PPG’s basecoat sales are waterborne, including what is officially the region’s most popular refinish basecoat system, Envirobase High Performance. Why has this happened? Initial speculation is that it was driven by vehicle OEM’s (particularly European brands)

switching to waterborne technology to paint their cars on the production line. As these vehicles began to arrive locally, collision repairers went in search of a waterborne basecoat solution that helped make it easier to mimic the factory finish in the refinish paint shop. The arrival of PPG’s Envirobase High Performance in 2006 played a key role in accelerating the trend. Over time, the word began to spread that this was a waterborne solution that is very easy to use compared to a solvent-borne system and it was fast. It came with excellent colour tools and collision repairers could rely on a terrific colour strike. These days, despite the higher cost per litre, waterborne technology is generally more efficient and leads to lower overall repair cost, compared with solvent-borne. As if that’s not enough, it’s a greener option which is a selling advantage for repairers. At the end of the day, repairers have recognised the sheer weight of advantages that come with waterborne technology which has added to the momentum and made the choice a no-brainer! R

CT PARTNERSHIPS REFINISHER

From its home in regional Victoria, Barker Trailers has manufactured world-class semi-trailers for the nationwide, road transport community for almost 50 years.

Pillar of the community I

n the Macedon Ranges region, centred around 70km north west of Melbourne, Barker Trailers is one of the largest local employers with around 110 staff at its headquarters in the picturesque town of Woodend. While staff numbers have fluctuated over the years, the company has been an integral part of the local community since brothers and skilled tradesmen, Ernie and Arthur Barker, manufactured the very first trailer that they put their name to, back in 1974. It’s a reciprocal community relationship - the leading trailer builder provides welcome employment opportunities for people in the region while, in return, Barker Trailers gets ready access to the skilled staff it needs to meet its quality and production targets. Apprentices have long played a key role, with around 20 progressing through their trade course – in welding, bodybuilding and spray painting – at any one time. Barker

Trailers remains a family run business and, indeed, there are currently six family members on staff in varying roles. However, being family doesn’t necessarily get you

any favours. For example, despite being the son of Arthur Barker, when Scott Barker left school to begin his career, it was on the production floor as an apprentice welder. That was over 30 years ago when the workforce numbered just 12. Since then, he has climbed the internal ladder to currently hold the role of Managing Director. At the same time, one of Scott’s sons has become a welder, as the third generation begins to make its mark. These days, Barker Trailers build a variety of models, including curtainsiders, moving floor, flat tops, drop decks, extendables, skeletals and alloy vans. According to Scott, the finer points of the designs are driven by the specialised needs of customers. A large part of the company’s success has come from accurately interpreting these specific requirements and coming up with solutions that are durable, safe and efficient to operate. “Every customer will have a particular freight task and different ideas about what will help them perform that task with the greatest efficiency and profit potential. Although most of our trailers are designed off a base model specification, there is

CT PARTNERSHIPS 33

almost unlimited scope for our engineering team to work with individual customers to create a product that precisely fits their requirements. Typically, that means taking into account their priorities, whether it’s payload, unloading time, safety, tyre economy, etc. Occasionally, when there isn’t anything available within the standard range, the engineering team can work with the Performance Based Standard (PBS) which allows for various combinations that fall outside normal trailer lengths, weight capacities, etc.” While a current trailer is fundamentally built in the same way as it has been for the past few decades, the most significant changes can be found in the running gear. The latest products come with a host of safety features built in, such as electronic anti-lock braking and stability control, that work together to improve handling and performance. Nowadays, Barker Trailers boasts a total factory size of over 30,000m² split between the main facility in Woodend

and another in the town of Maryborough, around 100km to the north west. Maryborough was built around 17 years ago when the company was looking to expand but couldn’t find enough of the necessary skilled staff nearby to Woodend to support the growth. Today, it employs about 30 staff and is responsible for fabricating most of the trailer chassis, Scott explains. “We don’t have a production line, as such. Instead, teams of two fabricators work together in separate bays to carry out the steel construction from start to finish. After transporting the basic trailer to Woodend, it’s grit blasted and then has its primer coat applied. Next, we fit the axles which allows optimal primer drying time to prepare each trailer to achieve the best possible shine from the topcoat. After paint, specialist

teams fit up the remaining components and conduct a thorough quality assessment before it’s allowed to go out the door. From start to finish, it takes around four weeks to complete a typical trailer and this year we are targeting around 350 units.” Despite each trailer being required to earn its keep as a transport workhorse, appearance and presentation is highly valued in the industry and it’s here that Barker Trailers is seen as a market leader, says Scott.

Scott Barker with the very first Barker Trailer from 1974. After being fully restored, it's now proudly on display at the company's Woodend headquarters.

REFINISHER

CT PARTNERSHIPS 34

Pillar of the community

REFINISHER

“Transport operators want good looking gear that shows their company off as professionally as possible. They make a big investment in quality trucks and often that extends to the trailer. Drivers take a lot of pride in the way their rig looks. Many transport companies actually use the appearance of their equipment to help attract good quality drivers.” “We used PPG for many years before we moved away for a few years. However, we re-established the partnership in 2017 and it’s mainly about the quality of the paint finish that PPG allows us to achieve. Not only that, PPG supports Barker Trailers in a variety of ways, over and above supplying product.” These days, Barker Trailers takes advantage of PPG’s latest DELFLEET® Evolution paint system which was specifically created for Commercial Transport (CT) applications, says Steve Jackson, PPG CT Manager VIC. “Working with the Barker Trailers’ paint team, we introduced a full set of efficient paint processes and we continue to monitor them and things like film builds, to ensure they get the best possible results.

When needed, we also bring the PPG Colour Laboratory at Clayton into play to help match to fleet colours and things like that. The Barker Trailers’ paint team is renowned for the final finish it achieves and it’s something that is well deserved!” Like the rest of the community, Barker Trailers has had to make adjustment due to the COVID pandemic. It has come with some pros and cons, says Scott. “We have been fortunate enough to keep operating but, obviously, we have been very careful to minimise the risk of onsite transmission. It’s meant a considerable amount of time lost in sick leave because we are very strict about staff getting tested as soon as they show any symptoms. The biggest challenge, even now, is supply chain difficulties with everything from axles and suspension, to aluminium and steel. It has stabilised but it’s meant we have had

to invest a considerable amount in keeping stock on hand to de-risk the business from potential production hold ups. Even something as small as a brake valve or a light can stop a trailer from going out. The good thing is that the market is really strong at the moment so, for most products, we are booked out around seven months in advance.” According to Scott, one of the most enjoyable aspects of his role is dealing with the various communities that come together to make Barker Trailers hum. “I enjoy working with people, whether it’s our internal community of staff, our customer community or our supplier community. We are aware of our history – we actually bought the first Barker Trailer back from its original owner, restored it and put it on display – but we are continually trying to improve. Barker Trailers is in a pretty good place at the moment and we look forward to continued improvements R for years to come.”

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