New seizure shows counterfeit is out of control

The recent seizure of a further 100,000 counterfeit car parts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) demonstrates the scale and seriousness of the counterfeit problem according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ Genuine is Best initiative.

The seizure included fake brake pads, head gasket kits and oil and air filters, with a total value of over A$2.7 million.

Fake Parts

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said the recovery of the dangerous fakes was especially disturbing at the conclusion of the Easter and ANZAC Day public holiday period.

“Eleven people died on Australian roads over the Easter break. The safety and fitness of the vehicles on Australian roads is our utmost priority and counterfeit parts are compromising the wellbeing of motorists,” Weber said.

“This is the second colossal seizure we have seen in the UAE this year. Counterfeits are often produced using inferior production techniques and inferior materials, and as a result are extremely dangerous.”

The Genuine is Best campaign launched a counterfeit part reporting page on its website in early February with the support of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

“Millions of dollars’ worth of counterfeit car parts seized over the past 12 months in warehouses from China to the Middle East have demonstrated the scale of this issue. It’s an international trade that has been estimated to be worth US$20 billion a year,” Weber said.

“We have set up our reporting hub, which has received reports of counterfeit spare parts. The relevant manufacturers are following this up. While public reporting will help curb the problem, there is no substitute for awareness. If you suspect a car part is a fake, it probably is, and we urge you to report it.”

The recent seizure came about following an in-depth investigation by Al-Futtaim Motors that traced the routes used by a Chinese trader and involved coordination with legal partners and government authorities at Federal and State levels. Al-Futtaim is the exclusive distributor of Toyota, Lexus, Hino trucks and Toyota Material Handling equipment in the UAE.

Craig Douglas, Director of Nationwide Research Group, has 25 years’ experience working with a number of Australian automotive brands to investigate counterfeit parts.

Douglas believes Australia may be an endpoint for some of the counterfeits being shipped through the UAE, with further seizures in Africa in early 2017 indicating a global counterfeit conspiracy.

“Where are these all going? This is 600,000 car parts in less than three months,” Douglas said.

“The sheer volume of parts is too large for the UAE or African markets, and they aren’t manufacturing the products in those countries,” he said.

“Counterfeiters are extremely cunning when importing these fake products. The differences in the packaging are minute and they have gone to a lot of trouble to replicate the appearance of genuine parts. The level of external replication is quite incredible. We are only catching them on spelling mistakes. We have to cut up the products to tell the difference.”

The FCAI’s Tony Weber said motorists can avoid risk by choosing genuine. “The only way to ensure you are protecting yourself, your family and your vehicle is to ensure genuine parts, acquired through the vehicle maker’s authorised supply chain, are the only parts fitted to your car. Anything else is a risk. Genuine is always best.”

Suspected counterfeit car parts can be reported at: www.genuineisbest.com.au/report-a-counterfeit.

About Genuine Is Best

The FCAI’s Genuine Is Best initiative focuses on the safety, performance and durability benefits delivered by genuine replacement parts. Genuine parts are made or selected by the vehicle’s maker and rigorously tested by that maker as an integral component of the vehicle to meet high quality safety and performance standards. This ensures a vehicle will drive, function and protect in the way it was intended.

If a vehicle needs replacement parts following a collision or during servicing and maintenance, it is essential that genuine parts are fitted. Genuine parts are new and the only parts approved and warranted by the vehicle’s maker.

You can only guarantee supply of genuine parts by sourcing them through the vehicle maker’s authorised supply chain. Use anything else and you may be taking a risk.

Find out more at http://genuineisbest.com.au.

 

NCR PPG logo

PPG ups offer for AkzoNobel to $28.8B, says it’ll emphasize Sikkens

Sweetening the deal by more than $4 billion, PPG recently announced it had offered AkzoNobel about $28.8 billion to buy the company.

The Pittsburgh-based coatings company indicated its $103.77-a-share offer (based on the $1.0726 April 21 exchange rate) might be its last.

“We are extending this one last invitation to you and the AkzoNobel boards to reconsider your stance and to engage with us on creating extraordinary value and benefits for all of AkzoNobel’s stakeholders,” PPG Chairman and CEO Michael McGarry wrote to AkzoNobel.

“Our revised proposal represents a second increase in price along with significant and highly-specific commitments that we are confident AkzoNobel’s stakeholders will find compelling. We stand ready to work with you expeditiously to complete a targeted due diligence review and to negotiate a definitive agreement for the combination.”

Netherlands-based AkzoNobel said it’d think about it, which was a milder response than had been made to other unsolicited PPG offers. PPG has been publicly gunning hard for AkzoNobel since March.

“AkzoNobel N.V. (AkzoNobel) confirms today it has received a third unsolicited and conditional proposal from PPG for all outstanding share capital of the company,” it said in a statement. “In accordance with its fiduciary duties and acting under the Dutch governance code, the Board of Management and Supervisory Board of AkzoNobel will carefully review and consider this proposal.”

PPG said it was offering a better deal than stockholders would get under an AkzoNobel plan announced on April 19.

In that proposal, AkzoNobel planned to spin off its speciality chemicals segment, boost its dividend 50 percent and pay about another $1.07 billion worth of special dividends in November (based on the $1.0726/euro April 21 exchange rate used by PPG), a sign of “confidence in the planned separation.”

“The industry-leading performance and outlook of our Specialty Chemicals business gives us the confidence to return proceeds to shareholders in advance of the separation,” CEO Ton Büchner said in a statement. “In addition, we see extensive growth momentum in our Paints and Coatings business, which we expect to keep growing faster than market rates, allowing us to improve our long-term financial guidance.

AkzoNobel also expected about $107 million in increased earnings before interest and taxes over 2016.

PPG said investors weren’t blown away by AkzoNobel’s plan. “As evidenced by the decline in AkzoNobel’s stock price since its investor update, the capital markets have not recognized any additional value from its new standalone plan, including the enhanced regular dividend and special dividend that AkzoNobel has proposed for 2017,” PPG wrote in a news release.

“One of the more notable risks of AkzoNobel’s new standalone plan is that it creates two smaller, unproven standalone companies with uncertain market valuations and substantial risks for reaching its 2020 guidance, especially given many of the annual targets that AkzoNobel has identified have not been achieved previously. AkzoNobel’s standalone plan also will require substantial restructuring; potentially decreases free cash flow, putting future and accelerated growth plans of the demerged companies at risk; and could require a regulatory review that would extend the timeline and create uncertainty.”

PPG promised that the post-merger company “will emphasize many of AkzoNobel’s brands going forward, including, among others, the world-recognized Dulux, Sikkens and International Paint brands.”

Its letter to AkzoNobel said the combined corporation would have “an impressive portfolio of flagship technologies and brands, including combining PPG’s electrocoat, compact process, waterborne and light-weighting technologies with AkzoNobel’s advances in sustainable formulations and practices and its global Dulux, Sikkens and International Paint brands.”

PPG also offered to sweeten the deal with a “significant reverse break-up fee” to show how sure it was that the merger would pass antitrust regulators.

 

Dusti-Lee needs your help!

Dusti-Lee Franchi, who works at Stokes and Renk Panel and Paint in O’Connor, WA needs your help to get to Abu Dhabi in October this year

Dusti-Lee has been featured in this magazine a couple of times now and was recognised as a Future Leader in the February 2017 issue.

Dusti-Lee won the WorldSkills gold medal for vehicle refinish in WA last year and then went on to win the gold medal at the 2016 WorldSkills Australia National titles late last year against a very strong field.

Winning this event has led to Dusti-Lee being selected to represent Australia in vehicle refinish at the WorldSkills International event, to be held from 14th to 19th October, 2017 in Abu Dhabi.

Dusti-Lee and her gold medal

Dusti-Lee will be the first female competitor in vehicle refinish to represent Australia – a tremendous achievement.

While some costs will be met by WorldSkills, Dusti-Lee still needs to raise $30,000 to be able to get to Abu Dhabi and compete against the best in the world for Australia and achieve her dream of becoming the world’s best spray painter.

To help with this funding, Dusti-Lee has started a ‘GoFundMe’ campaign and what we are asking you, the industry, to do, is to please make a donation, no matter how big or small to help her.

We at the National Collision Repairer magazine have already made a donation towards Dusti-Lee’s ‘GoFundMe’ campaign.

 

 

With the help of suppliers, shop owners and other industry participants, surely we can raise the funds necessary to get Dusti-Lee to Abu Dhabi – over to you. I know that, after talking to Dusti-Lee, whatever you can do to assist will be greatly appreciated. Come on Australia let’s get behind Dusti-Lee and give her every opportunity to succeed!

To donate to Dusti-Lee here is the link: http://gofundme.com/dusti-leecarpainting

Axalta Coating Systems to acquire Valspar’s North American industrial wood coatings business

Axalta Coating Systems has entered into a definitive agreement with The Valspar Corporation and The Sherwin-Williams Company to acquire the assets related to Valspar’s North American industrial wood coatings business for $420 million in cash.

Valspar is divesting the business in connection with the reviews by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB) of the proposed acquisition of Valspar by Sherwin-Williams. The business had revenues of approximately $225 million in 2016 and is one of the leading providers of coatings for OEM and aftermarket industrial wood markets, including building products, cabinets, flooring and furniture in North America.

Known in the market today as Valspar Wood, the business has a number of widely-known and respected brands including Zenith®, Lustre Lac™ and Graintone™, among others. These products are backed by a strong R&D and technology organization and best-in-class customer service.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for Axalta to enter the large industrial wood coatings market with an industry-leading portfolio of products and customers,” said Axalta Chairman and CEO, Charlie Shaver. “The strong reputation enjoyed by these brands among a long-term customer base will provide an excellent platform for future growth in this important market. Our shared commitment to technology and excellence in application services, as well as a strong pipeline of new products, will enable us to meet the needs of both current and new customers. This acquisition continues to build on our strategy to strengthen and further diversify our performance coatings segment.”

Axalta intends to operate this business as a pure bolt-on. As part of the transaction, Axalta will acquire the personnel, both dedicated manufacturing sites, R&D assets and the underlying intellectual property of Valspar’s North American industrial wood coatings business. The transaction is subject to the closing of the Valspar and Sherwin-Williams merger, as well as customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the FTC and the CCB. Axalta has secured a financing commitment for the transaction through Deutsche Bank AG New York branch, subject to customary closing conditions. Centerview Partners LLC acted as financial advisor to Axalta.

AkzoNobel strongly supports Chairman of the Supervisory Board

AkzoNobel has received a request to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to dismiss Antony Burgmans as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. The request was received from a number of shareholders led by Elliott Advisors. Elliott Advisors has stated it became a shareholder in AkzoNobel in December 2016.

The Supervisory Board strongly supports Mr. Burgmans in his role as Chairman. His unique experience of international business and global transactions is crucial to the Company. He has played an important role in overseeing and supporting management in the transformation of the Company in recent years, contributing to its significantly improved performance.

The view of the Supervisory Board is that the removal of Mr. Burgmans would be irresponsible, disproportionate, damaging and not in the best interest of the Company, its shareholders and other stakeholders. Therefore the proposed agenda item to remove Mr. Burgmans will be rejected.

In accordance with Dutch company law, the Board will consider the proposal to hold an EGM and respond within the statutory 14 days.

Elliott Advisors has been threatening to take this action for a number of weeks. This enabled AkzoNobel, together with its legal advisors, to consider its position in advance of receiving the request.

AkzoNobel became aware on April 11, 2017 that Elliott Advisors intended to privately share potentially price sensitive information with PPG about its decision to request an EGM. AkzoNobel has shared this information with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and calls on Elliott Advisors and PPG to clarify their relationship and the history of the communications between the two companies.

AkzoNobel welcomes an open, two-way, and constructive dialog with all shareholders and is currently very actively engaged in discussions with many shareholders. AkzoNobel has engaged fully with Elliott Advisors during recent weeks, including meetings with the CEO, CFO and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AkzoNobel.

The Supervisory Board also wishes to reiterate its position on other key matters:

AkzoNobel will hold an investor update event on April 19, where it will outline a new strategy and updated financial guidance, including plans for the creation of two focused businesses and enhanced long-term value creation for shareholders and all stakeholders

  • AkzoNobel believes that engaging with PPG on the basis of an unacceptable proposal carries the potential of significant downside for the Company including its shareholders and other stakeholders
  • The latest proposal from PPG continues to significantly undervalue AkzoNobel and does not substantively address any of the concerns, risks and uncertainties AkzoNobel raised in its response to the first proposal
  • AkzoNobel and its Boards have fulfilled their fiduciary duty to consider the interests of all stakeholders including shareholders in the evaluation and rejection of two unsolicited proposals from PPG and have done so consistently throughout this process
  • This request from Elliott Advisors does nothing to affect the fundamental inadequacies of PPG’s proposals or AkzoNobel’s current position

Editor: We look forward to hearing the results of this investor update meeting as does the industry

3-D printing: First structural airplane parts; CNN reports McLaren printing replacement F1 parts

Norsk Titanium’s announcement of the world’s first 3-D printed structural titanium parts with FAA approval and CNN’s  report of McLaren 3-D printing replacement Formula 1 parts could be signs of trends to come someday for automotive.

To read the complete article and to see what it may mean for automotive applications on Repairer Driven News click here: http://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2017/04/12/reuters-first-3-d-printed-structural-airplane-parts-to-save-2-3m-per-787/

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

 

State Farm to require I-CAR-approved steel, aluminum welding technicians at DRP shops

State Farm will require between one and two technicians at every Select Service auto body shop to have passed I-CAR’s aluminum and steel welding program by March 2018, it announced Thursday.

I-CAR’s “Steel MIG Welding” (WCS03) and “Steel Sectioning” (SPS05) courses must be passed by Dec. 31, and “Aluminum MIG Welding” (WCA03) must be finished by March 31, 2018. I-CAR will cut State Farm shops a break on pricing, according to an I-CAR webpage describing the changes.

To read the complete article click here: http://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2017/04/13/state-farm-to-require-i-car-approved-steel-aluminum-welding-technicians-at-drp-shops/

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

Editor: More insurers in countries where I-CAR operates are seeing the value in training and certification for body shops working on the insured’s vehicles

ACM PARTS DELIVERS DRAG RACING GOODS TO SKILLSTECH

Leading automotive parts supplier ACM Parts has delivered the car that will be at the core of a new TAFE Queensland SkillsTech student project to transform an ordinary vehicle into a show-stopping drag racing machine.

ACM Parts CEO Mike Kirkman said the highly anticipated drag car project was a key part of the ACM Parts and SkillsTech partnership, which launched in January.

“ACM Parts believes you need to invest in today’s automotive students to turn them into tomorrow’s industry leaders,” Mr Kirkman said.

“Providing quality training resources and initiatives is key and we are proud to assist SkillsTech deliver innovative automotive education to its students.”

ACM Parts also donated automotive parts to the project, which SkillsTech apprentices from all skill levels will use to do the necessary restoration and performance modification work on the 2007 Holden Commodore.

SkillsTech automotive teacher and project lead Mark Booker said the drag car project will allow apprentices to take charge of their own education, as well as gain firsthand industry experience.

“The project hasn’t even begun and already it’s created a fantastic learning environment for my students – they’re excited, motivated and want to know more about the project, which I’m really thrilled about,” Mr Booker said.

“This partnership with ACM Parts is proving to be a real win for our students, and of real value to SkillsTech as a provider of quality automotive training.”

The partnership will also see ACM Parts provide car bodies, auto parts and an annual student prize to support SkillsTech’s delivery of more than 70 automotive courses, supporting more than 2000 students.

ACM Parts is an Australian business committed to offering repairers an easy, affordable alternative for sourcing parts. It offers a wide range of high-quality parts to repairers and consumers, including quality-checked recycled parts, OEM parts and ACM Certified Parts.

 

Dirk Bremm new president of BASF’s Coatings division

Dirk Bremm is the new president of BASF’s Coatings division, effective April 1, 2017. He succeeds Dr. Markus Kamieth, who was appointed to the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE. Kamieth had led the Coatings division since 2012.

Dirk Bremm

Bremm earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration at the Leipzig Graduate School of Management in Leipzig, Germany. He joined BASF in 2000 in Ludwigshafen, Germany. After holding different positions in various segments of BASF Group – including head of Business Management Polyamide and Intermediates Europe in Ludwigshafen, and vice president of BASF Coatings Solutions in Tultitlán, Mexico – Bremm served as senior vice president for Construction Chemicals Americas in Beachwood, Ohio, USA.

Hot Rod and Custom auto expo here next month

The Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo will be held at Rosehill Racecourse on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th May 2017.  

With the need to occupy an additional building this year due to an excessive amount of entrant vehicles, and the record number of spectators through our gates, we can guarantee the 2017 Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo will be one not to miss!!  

We have an exciting line up of events planned, including a huge variety of Hot Rods, Customs, Low Riders, Bobbers, Muscle Cars, Custom Dragster bicycles  and more on display with plenty of trophy’s up for grabs for each category for those that like to complete.  

We have secured ‘The Freestyle Kings’ Motor Cross Stunt Show again this year, as well as Air Brush Alley, DJ, Kids Entertainment, a “Hands-On” Traders Demonstration Area and much more!! Our aim is to provide a “something for everyone” event that caters for not only car enthusiasts but is a fun day out for the whole family!!  

We will be holding an additional event within our show this year called “Pinstriping Masters” and have invited some of the best pinstripers to showcase their talents and enter the chance to win the title of “Hot Rod & Custom Pinstriping Master” and other prizes up for grabs!!  

There are a number of international special guests joining us at this year’s show. These include Charley Hutton, Jimmy Shine, ‘Crazy Painter’ Tom Kelly & Gene Winfield. We also have International Pin Up model ‘Sabina Kelley’ joining us again this year. We believe this International line up will draw a big crowd.

2016 Event
2016 Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the website for more details at: http://hotrodandcustom.com.au/?page_id=19