Collision Repair Expo - the industry who's who

This year’s Collision Repair Expo will feature the industry’s top brands in the country’s largest display of equipment, products and services, and among the highlights of the expo will be a series of international seminars.

The Expo is being organised for the collision repair industry by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), and has attracted major Australian companies as well as key global exhibitors to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 12 to 14 May.

AAAA executive director Stuart Charity said the enthusiastic response to the expo reflects the great confidence the world’s suppliers have in the Australian industry.

“Trade visitors to the 2011 Collision Repair Expo will enjoy a feast of displays offering leading-edge technology in panel repair equipment driven by sophisticated electronics, the latest surface finishing systems and state of the art consumable products,” Charity said.

“Those visitors who rate exhibitions by the number of major paint brands attending will be impressed with the line up this year with companies such Sikkens AkzoNobel Car Refinishes as the major corporate sponsor, as well as BASF Coatings, Concept Paints, De Beer, DuPont Performance Coatings, and MIPA Australia.
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For workshop owners and managers wanting an update on high-tech equipment, expo exhibitors will offer the widest selection seen under one roof in Australia.

“Among the exhibitors will be Air Technology Group, Autoliner, Blackhawk Bennet Machine Tools, Car Bench Australia, Car-O-Liner Australia, Fleet-Hydrol, Globaljig Australia, Kaeser Compressors, PaintMax, Sydney Automotive Paints & Equipment, and others.”

International seminar series
The Collision Repair Expo provides forward-thinking businesses with real opportunities to improve their bottom line. In addition to the products and equipment on display, the expo offers a high level seminar program featuring expert Australian and international speakers.

“The International Seminar Series runs on the Friday and Saturday in a timetable designed to give everyone plenty of time to see the exhibition, as well as select seminar sessions to suit their needs,” Charity said.

“This year the seminar series is truly an international collaboration with prominent speakers from Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US.”

The International Seminar Series program will include the following topics and presenters:

Friday 13 May
New South Wales Repairable Write-Off Legislation: James McCall, chief executive, Motor Traders Association of NSW.

Lean Production Techniques – a real-world perspective: Doug Kirk, global leader AkzoNobel Process Centred Environment Program and Michael Giarrizzo Jnr, president, DCR Systems.

Impact of new technologies on correct structural repair: presented by I-CAR Australia.

Saturday 14 May
Industry Forum Part One – new paint trends and technologies: with representatives from AkzoNobel, De Beer, BASF, DuPont, Concept Paints, Sydney Automotive Paint & Equipment, I-CAR, Car-O-Liner, MIPA and Lowbake, and moderated by David Newton-Ross.

Industry Forum Part Two – shop owners talk shop: featuring three collision repair business owners from each of three nations – Australia, New Zealand and the United States – with Jeff Hendler as moderator.

Special event
A special event for educators to be held in conjunction with the expo will be the 20th Biennial TAFE Vehicle Body Teachers Conference, scheduled for 10 to 14 May.

Organiser Morgan Ison said presentations from AirBrush Venturi, Crashzone, House of Colour, Monit Health and Safety and the Skills Institute have been confirmed. Principal sponsor for this conference is DuPont Performance Coatings, with support from Automotive Centre of Excellence Kangan Institute, Car-O-Liner and DeBeer Refinish. Visit www.btvbtc.com.au/ for further information.

To learn more about the Collision Repair Expo, please visit  www.collisionrepair.com.au.