Glasurit® launches new flexible program to train body shop workers

Glasurit® has launched a tailor-made training program that uses a customised and flexible training approach to educate bodyshop workers in using the comprehensive Glasurit portfolio of paint systems for refinishing vehicles. Covering technology transfer, process application and fast repair modules, the Glasurit Tailor Made Training program enables bodyshop workers to learn or improve their skills in all aspects of the repair process, ranging from colour matching and identification, sanding and body filling, to priming, paint application and polishing.

The training courses are designed to suit the specific needs and requirements of every customer – they will suit an individual worker as well as the bodyshop as a whole.

“The high level of flexibility that the program offers demonstrates our dedication in helping our customers to become more successful. By identifying focus areas for training, the program greatly helps to unveil the potential of body shop workers,” said Peter Jones, National Head Trainer BASF.

The content and format of each training session is customised by a Glasurit representative based on the assessment of each participant’s skillset. The training enables participants to improve their specific problem areas and acquire new skills.

“The Glasurit Tailor Made Training courses also have flexible schedules. Customers can send their employees at more regular intervals or when a need for training is identified,” said Jones.

Glasurit courses for specific car refinish processing skills will be held at Glasurit’s world class Refinish Competence Centre in Sydney, NSW.

Body shops that would like to customise a training session to individual requirements should contact the technical team at BASF Australia on (02) 8787 0100 or visit the Glasurit Training Website at: http://glasurit.com.au/training/

 

Uber restarting tests after Ariz. crash into self-driving car

Uber said Monday it had restarted autonomous testing that day following a collision involving one of its test vehicles and another driver.

The other vehicle — not the Uber — was cited in the Tempe, Ariz., incident Friday, according to Tempe police Det. Lily Duran. Images and video from Mark Beach of Fresco News shared with Repairer Driven News indicate the Uber was a Volvo.

Duran wrote in an email Monday that the other driver failed to yield to a southbound Uber vehicle while turning left at the intersection of Don Carlos Drive and McClintock Drive.

“The vehicles collided causing the autonomous vehicle to roll onto (its) side,” Duran wrote. “There were no serious injuries.”

To read the complete article click here: http://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2017/03/28/uber-restarting-tests-after-ariz-crash-into-self-driving-car/

This article is courtesy of John Huetter and Repairer Driven News. Check out their website at: www.repairerdrivennews.com where you will find so much more information.

 

Glasurit Careers Day a hit with YEP

Kate Wright, business manager for YEP (Youth Employment Partnership) arrived with eight of her young registrants for the Glasurit Careers Day in Sydney and they were all excited and looking forward to the day. In fact, there was a waiting list to attend, so no doubt there will be more of this type of event in the future.

After the initial welcome by the Technical Sales Support Manager, Ian Johnson, everyone moved into a classroom for the introduction to BASF presentation.

During the presentation, both Ian Johnson and Glasurit Trainer, James Green, pointed out and reinforced with the attendees the many opportunities available in the industry once an apprenticeship has been completed.

James Green the led the attendees on a tour of the centre and followed this up with a very important subject: safety in the workplace and, in particular, the centre.

After morning tea, the attendees were split into three groups and each group then rotated through three exercises:

  1. Colour and colour matching – with Dan Krause, Colourist.
  2. Preparing for paint – with Steve Molnar, Technical Sales Representative.
  3. Paint application in the booth – with James Green.

This was, of course, far more interesting than sitting in the classroom, with everyone being “hands-on” for the rest of the day.

Lunch was provided for everyone and at the completion of the course the attendees were presented with a Glasurit package plus their certificates – “Glasurit Introduction to Vehicle Painting”.

Kate Wright then thanked the Glasurit team on behalf of the attendees and YEP on what proved to be a very successful day.

Land Rover touts aluminum in next-gen Discovery, completely new Velar

Land Rover-certified collision repairers might get even more use out of their aluminum tools and training with the company’s announcements of two affordable-for-a-luxury-car models last fall and this month.

In September 2016, the company announced it cut about 1,000 pounds out of the outgoing “steel ladder” LR4 with its replacement, the predominantly aluminum fifth-generation Discovery.

The new unibody SUV is 85 percent aluminum and weighs 4,835 pounds, according to Land Rover.

Land Rover wrote in a news release that it incorporated more “high-strength aluminum within the crash structure.” It also pointed out that it stamped the entire bodyside and the entire underside out of single panels of aluminum, which meant “fewer joints, reduced complexity and improved structural integrity” for the bodyside and “greater structural integrity” for the underside.

To read the complete article click here: http://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2017/03/24/land-rover-touts-aluminum-in-next-gen-discovery-completely-new-velar/

This article is courtesy of John Huetter and Repairer Driven News. Check out their website at: www.repairerdrivennews.com where you will find so much more information.

Nippon paint at collision repair expo

Automotive after-market refinish paint, ancillaries, and consumables for car refinish, commercial vehicles and light industrial coating markets with an emphasis on EU VOC compliant system comprising of nax E3 WB and nax product range. Efficiency and quality you haven’t seen before. Come and experience Nippon Paint Automotive Refinishes latest state-of-the-art VOC compliant water-borne and solvent-borne systems. Full wet-on-wet application, with 1.5 coats. Demonstrations live in action every day at 12.15pm in the Lowbake spray booth.

Look forward to talking to you at our booth AD23.

NCR upol

U-Pol at Collision Repair Expo

U-POL will be releasing NEW Rapid Ultra-Fast Cure Clearcoat.  Rapid Ultra-Fast Cure Clearcoat is a unique high performance Clearcoat that gives an exceptional high gloss gun finish, cures in a fraction of the time versus conventional Clearcoats that is easy to apply, guaranteed to increase productivity and reduce costs. Cured in 10 minutes, suitable for single of multiple panels, Air dry, oven baked or IR. More to come…

Visit their Booth at AD20

I-CAR at collision repair expo

I-CAR offers a variety of educational and training recognition programs for the collision repair industry and its focus is to provide everyone involved in collision repair with access to high-quality, industry-recognized training solutions. I-CAR also encourages and supports ongoing conversations in the industry on issues that impact collision repair and education of current and future technicians.

I-CAR’s president and CEO, John Van Alstyne, will deliver a seminar on the impact of technology in the Collision Industry. I-CAR will also deliver 2 live training courses and host 2 OEM information seminars during the show as well as having international I-CAR representation from the US, Canada and New Zealand on the I-CAR stand.

Visit I-CAR at Booth AA24

FIX AUTO MORLEY LATEST SHOP TO JOIN FIX AUTO AUSTRALIA’S NETWORK

Fix Auto Australia Head of Business Terry Feehan is pleased to announce that Fix Auto Morley, Western Australia, owned and operated by Travis Arnold, is the latest shop to join Fix Auto’s Australian network.

Travis Arnold owner of Fix Auto Morley, formerly known as D & W Panel Beating in WA, is an experienced collision repair industry professional, who has previously worked as a panel beater, spray painter, workshop foreman, manager and insurance motor assessor. In 2010, Travis opened his very own repair facility, which he has recently relocated to a new space, boasting a spacious 1100 sq. m workshop, and to which he is currently adding an 8.4m long booth, to increase refinishing productivity.

Travis Arnold

The experience Travis has gained working in various sectors of the collision repair industry has made him very aware of the importance of offering high quality service to his clients. For instance, working as an insurance motor assessor, Travis noticed a gap in the market and saw an opportunity to become a repairer that clients would recommend. Understanding the value of customer satisfaction is just one of the reasons Travis felt Fix Auto’s model was the right fit for his business. “Fix Auto gives repairers the opportunity to negotiate with work providers and suppliers on a large scale, something we would never be able to achieve as a small independent business. A relationship between a network of repairers and an organisation of multiple insurance companies is much stronger than a sole work provider to a small business with hundreds of direct competitors,” said Travis.

Travis cited the enthusiasm of Fix Auto President and CEO Steve Leal as another key reason for joining the network. “Within 30 mins of meeting [Leal], I understood why Fix Auto was the right choice for my business. The network has a proven model, supported by a strong brand, the best operational tools in the business and established partnerships with suppliers and insurers. There is no reason why I could imagine not joining,” he concluded.

Head of Business Terry Feehan concluded by saying: “As we continue to grow in Australia, it is important for Fix Auto to partner with the right collision repairers, who understand the direction the industry is taking, and who value change and adaptability. We are delighted to welcome Fix Auto Morley to our network, and wish Travis and his team much success in this new venture.”

For more information on Fix Auto Australia, please visit www.fixauto.com.

ChemSpec USA Launches New Website

ChemSpec USA, LLC., is very excited to announce the launch of its new global website. The company is encouraging its customers and guests to visit www.chemspecpaint.com today and look around.   The site includes information about the company, its products and offers a user-friendly experience that is faster and easier to navigate.

ChemSpec manufacturer’s a wide array of collision repair products for the Automotive, Fleet, OEM and Industrial Markets. Following the acquisition by Axalta in 2015, Chemspec USA has a renewed focus on growing and strengthening our relationships with customers, not only in the USA, but in other regions such as Australia & New Zealand. This new website is a step towards providing customers and website visitors with a range of information about our company and products.

“We wanted to provide a better way for both our customers and website visitors to get to know our company, its associates and to familiarize themselves with all the products that we have to offer,” said Tammy Anderson, Marketing Communication Manager ChemSpec USA. “The new website allows us to provide accurate information in a more, timely manner.”

A few website features include:

  • Mobile Responsive
  • Convenient forms to request product information, as well as product demos, or assistance from various departments
  • Easy access for customers to the latest colour formulations.
  • The latest news and events from Chemspec USA including tradeshow, product features and announcements.
  • Employment portal accessing worldwide job opportunities within ChemSpec USA, LLC., and parent company Axalta Coating Systems, LLC.
  • Product Selector which allows customers and visitors to easily filter and locate products even if they are not familiar with the companies branded products.

For more information on Chemspec in Australia and New Zealand, contact Corey Smith on (+61) 0419 552 868, email sales@chemspecpaint.com or visit their new website www.chemspecpaint.com.