Change is in the air

I’ll put my hand up straight away and admit to being a Pom recently landed in ‘God’s country’. Back in the UK, I edited magazines in the aftermarket and find both huge differences and similarities between the two countries. It seems to an outsider that the GFC was more of an economic light storm for Australia than the tsunami it has proved to be for the British economy. However, the bodyshop, sorry, the smash repair industry there had been in deep decline long before the markets nose-dived. Things look a lot healthier here although it seems with consumer pressures for lower insurance premiums and the spiralling cost of doing business, the industry is on a precipice of change. On the plus side there is an awareness of this and active trade bodies that are constantly lobbying to protect and nurture the industry. I look forward to reporting on the latest events.

Change seems inevitable
Change is definitely in the air. I recently visited Capital S.M.A.R.T’s headquarters in Melbourne and was seriously  impressed with their operation (see story on page 46). Their super-efficient process and the use of the latest technology is resulting in a very fast turnaround for repairs. Captial S.M.A.R.T only repair light to medium damaged cars this kind of specialisation seems to be the way many industry players see the future (see the interview with Richard Nathan on page 10).
Repairable write-off laws, if they go nationwide, will have a profound impact of the way repair work is structured and nudge the industry further down the path of specialisation. Could the days of a panel shop that fixes everything from a scratch to a full on heavy collision be numbered?

Collision Repair Expo
This year’s Collision Repair Expo is shaping up to be the biggest ever. There is huge support from key industry players and yes, Paint & Panel has a stand there too. Please come and introduce yourselves and if you have any news, views or a story you want to share with the industry, leave your card on the stand and we will be in touch very soon. Of course, we will report on all the news from the show in our next issue, in case you couldn’t make it along.

Repairer of the YEAR
Lastly, don’t forget to nominate for the Suncorp/AP&P Autobody Repairer of the Year 2011. If you are a supplier you can nominate the customers who you think do a great job or just you can just nominate your own shop. Reap the recognition you deserve for all your hard work and dedication. Good luck!