Top brands exhibit at 2017 Collision Repair Expo

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Leading automotive body finishing materials, crash repair equipment, diagnostic and software brands from Australia and across the world have booked exhibition space at the 2017 Australian Collision Repair Expo to be held from 6 to 8 April, 2017 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.                                                                                                                                                                                       Manufacturers, distributors and retailers of everything required in an automotive panel repair workshop will be on display at the Expo hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA). The theme for the 2017 Expo is Give your business a crash course – a timely topic in this period of change and challenge in the automotive industry. AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity said technology will be an important focus of this Expo.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         “With today’s vehicles virtual computers on wheels, workshops depend increasingly on high technology tools and equipment to repair and enhance these sophisticated vehicles,” he said.“At the 2017 Expo, we will highlight those rapidly developing technologies with 50-plus exhibitors’ product displays, an educational seminar program run over two days to allow visitors to pick the sessions that best meet their needs, and a range of networking opportunities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          “Your Expo visit will save time, help you research your needs in a convenient environment, and enable you to make decisions about which brands will work best for your business. A visit to the Collision Repair Expo website provides the A to Z list of industry suppliers that will be exhibiting at the 2017 Expo,” said Stuart Charity.

Editor: This will be a great event-see you there.

 

Compass Claims wins for charity once again

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On October 7, 2016 Compass Claims held their 4th annual Charity Golf Day at Bonnie Doon in association with the new platinum sponsor Jaguar Land Rover, to support the Day of Difference. Due to everyone’s great support and generosity, a huge $51,730 was raised for the charity, the first time in four years that $50,000 has been broken.

James Frape, Compass CEO commented: “It’s not often enough that we have the time to step outside our daily lives, responsibilities, and pressures, to focus on something completely selfless. Heading into this fourth annual Charity Golf Day we had set our sights high, higher than any year before; wanting to contribute more than we ever had to Day of Difference and the life-changing research they’re conducting into the impacts of critical injury on children and their families.”

To help raise some serious funds and outdo all the other years, some big names came on board for the day, including many sponsors and the celebrities who added that something different to the day. Participants included Paul Gallen from the Cronulla Sharks fresh off his team’s 2016 NRL Premiership win, cricket legend Michael Slater, and PGA Pro Lucas Parsons all held admirably together by the Big Sports Breakfast’s Terry Kennedy.

Throughout the course there were great opportunities to win prizes big and small, including a fantastic Hole-in-One competition sponsored by Toyota who provided a Toyota 86 Blackline as some serious incentive to the players this year. Although everyone tried – many times – that sleek 86 Blackline slipped through everyone’s fingers and headed home to the lot until next year.

A day in the sun swinging the club leaves for a big appetite, so of course the day closed with dinner and drinks in the clubhouse. Thanks to the event sponsors and the on-course competitions, there were more fabulous chances to win in the silent auction, live auction, and raffle – which boasted prizes like a 65-inch HD TV, Bluetooth stereo systems, bar fridges (which came fully stocked!) and, if you can believe it, even more!

James Frape, Compass CEO, reflected on the importance of this event: “As a father, I am touched and honoured that Compass, with the help of everyone involved, have donated over $200,000 to this charity in the four years we have been running the Charity Golf Day. Year after year I am moved by the outpouring of support we receive from partners and friends alike. It’s a really great day run by the wonderful Paul Gow and I know how much fun everyone had. I’d just like to say a big thank you to all our sponsors who dig deep and work hard to raise the funds for those families who need it.”

If you’d like to support this great day in 2017, please email marketing@compasscorp.com.au for more information, and to register.

Editor: Another great effort from the team at Compass. It’s well worth putting on your calendar for 2017!

Snap-on to acquire Car-O-Liner

Snap-on Incorporated has signed an agreement to acquire Car-O-Liner – the global market leader for collision repair and wheel alignment solutions – from Polaris Private Equity.

Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks, recently announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Car-O-Liner. Snap-on is a $3.4 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, offering products and services that are available around the world.

Nick Pinchuk, Snap-on Chairman and CEO explained the acquisition: “Car-O-Liner’s product offering and special expertise are important additions to our Repair Systems & Information Group, bringing greater capabilities in collision repair and strengthening Snap-on’s position in the heavy duty segment. Given trends in the collision space, including the need for greater precision, the requirement to accommodate new materials and the higher emphasis on shop efficiency, we believe this acquisition will further Snap-on’s progress along its strategic and coherent growth runway of expanding with repair shop owners and managers. We look forward to welcoming Car-O-Liner associates to the Snap-on family.”

Car-O-Liner was acquired by Polaris Private Equity in 2012. The company has increased its dominance in offering collision repair and wheel alignment/frame straightening solutions to the passenger and commercial vehicle aftermarket.

“Car-O-Liner, under the ownership of Polaris, is pleased to have reached many of its strategic and development goals. Our global expansion and strategic shift from being not only a provider of hardware to the collision repair industry but also a provider of information and knowledge has exceeded our expectations. Now, under the leadership of Snap-on Incorporated, we look forward to continued expansion and increased dedication to developing innovative collision repair solutions that lead to safer repairs” said Mikael Jonson, CEO of Car-O-Liner.

Editor: This move by Snap-on Incorporated to acquire Car-O-Liner is a very positive move for both companies.

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Worldskills 2016 National winners announced

At a ceremony held on Sunday at the conclusion of the competition the following winners were announced in the AutoBody Repair and Refinishing categories:

Autobody Repair: Gold-Jade McSorley, Silver-Damien Kleyn, Bronze-Matthew Brandt

Refinish/Vehicle Painting: Gold-Dusti-Lee Franchi, Silver-Jac Urlic, Bronze-Crystal McLaren

Congratulations to everyone who competed-you are all winners!

There will be a full report in the November 2016 issue of The National Collision Repairer magazine

 

WorldSkills first day in melbourne

The National WorldSkills competition started in Melbourne today at the Showgrounds with more than 500 young people vying to be the best at their trade in Australia.

The autobody repair and  refinish categories was well represented with eight competitors in each category from around Australia. For the first time in the competition there were four young ladies represented in vehicle refinish.

It was good to see the competitors in action working hard to complete the various tasks set for them in their respective competitions.

There will be a full report in the November issue of The National Collision Repairer magazine on the competition with a listing of the medalists and who of course will be representing Australia in the International WorldSkills competition next year in Abu Dhabi.

Sponsors for the event included Axalta Coatings, 3M Australia and Car-O-Liner.

 

 

 

 

Complimentary Access to Holden Collision Repair Procedures

EDITOR: The following press release is from GM Holden and is a great offer for repairers around Australia to access free the latest repair information procedures. Having attended two of the GM Forum’s recently I know how important it is to have access to this type of information. Check it out and provide feedback to GM. Well done to GM for this initiative.

Holden is providing complimentary access to Collision Repair Procedures -CollisionTech between the 1st October and 31st December 2016.

Holden approved collision repair procedures have been developed by GM engineering teams around the world for Holden vehicles.

Used in conjunction with Holden genuine parts these repair procedures provide a comprehensive guide for collision repairers to repair Holden customer vehicles.
Only Holden genuine parts are designed, tested and guaranteed to fit right first time to Holden vehicles.

We encourage all Collision Repairers to give CollisionTech “a go”.

To access CollisionTech you will require the following.

  • Holden Trade Club Member number & password.

For those Collision Repair Shops who do not have a Holden Trade Club Member number, please contact your Holden Dealership to arrange one for your business.

To Access the Site:

  • Open your internet browser and go to www.holdentradeclub.com.au
  • Log in using your member number and password.
  • Ensure that you agree to the Website terms of use.
  • Press the LOG IN button.

Information Available:

  • Online version of the Holden Trade Club Book
  • Holden’s Got Your Back Videos and Bulletins
  • News and Articles
  • Top 20 CollisionTech Downloads
  • CollisionTech Catalogue of Holden Repair Procedure

We welcome any feedback that you may have about the CollisionTech site.

Kind Regards,

Damian Cahill

Damian Cahill
Damian Cahill

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