We know that bookings at slowing down and that many customers are reluctant to bring their cars in for repairs for a number of reasons. We're going to be canvasing all of our industry partners on productive ways to spend the time in the event of a slow down or temporary shutdown. In the meantime here's some messages from some key industry players.
iBodyshop/DNS Technology
"iBodyshop staff have been working from home for the last two weeks providing support as usual from 7am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday which will continue until the government advises otherwise.
"During this period we will be delighted to help anyone “clean up the home page tiles” &/or teach you some of the iBodyshop labour saving features you may not have had time to explore – simply lodge a support request.
"Also, our team is working hard on implementing some quick and easy upgrades to iBodyshop that will help with the current situation, for example you will soon be able to send an email or text a link to your customer that will open a webpage for them to upload images that they've taken on their phone. They will load straight into the estimate that you have already created so that you can give them guidance on what images you need – watch out for the release in “What’s New”.
We wish you all the best from iBodyshop.
Car-O-Liner
"This is a brief message to update you on the impact of COVID-19 concerning CAR-O-LINER Australia. This rapid escalation is posing many challenges for all of us as we go about our daily lives.
"The staff at CAR-O-LINER are doing their upmost to ensure we are putting precautionary measures in place during this difficult time, to protect you, our staff and the wider community. As such, all CAR-O-LINER Sales and Service staff will use precautionary measures, such as Gloves, Face Masks and Hand Sanitizers when visiting your premises. They will also observe the standard 1.5 metre Social Distancing rules, set by the Australian government. By adopting these precautions we can hopefully continue to service our industry and businesses for the immediate future.
"Contacting our Staff can still be done via phone, email and Face Time. We can also use Team Viewer to access Car-O-Tronic software issues where possible. If necessary, our staff will contact you by phone, prior to accessing your premises so that equipment to be repaired or assessed can be done in a quick and timely manner
"We would like to thank you for the continued support during these hard times and look forward to continuing to provide you with excellent service from our team.
"CAR-O-LINER Australia is aware that the current situation can change rapidly, and will continue to adapt with any changes that the Australian Government sets for our Industry in the future."
SAPE Group
"The SAPE Group, incorporating Sydney Automotive Paints & Equipment, Automotive Colour & Equipment, Prestige Paint & Equipment and The Paint Depot, is open for business and trading our normal hours.Our supply chain remains robust alongside our expanding warehouse capabilities ensuring our stock levels remain reasonably constant. We are taking extra precautions to minimise the spread of COVID-19 including enhanced cleaning procedures and professional distancing, where applicable, to ensure the health of our customers and staff.
"We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to remain open and continue to serve the collision repair industry during this challenging time. We recognise that this is a particularly anxious time for everyone and encourage you to contact us if you have any queries or question."
3M
"3M is responding to the rapidly changing COVID-19 outbreak by providing supplies where they are needed the most, this includes being available to ship and supply automotive consumables to the collision repair Industry. We are grateful for the work our people are doing to support the public health and government response to the outbreak and we’re taking all appropriate actions to protect their well-being. At 3M, our highest priority is the safety of our people and the public.
- Around the world, 3M is working with customers, distributors, government and medical officials to help get 3M supplies where they are most needed.
- 3M remains committed to serving our customers around the world and will maintain frequent and open communication as we move ahead in this dynamic environment.
- Our business teams will work diligently to communicate with individual customers about any potential disruptions.
"3M continues to raise the bar despite these challenges with new products: 3M Grippy Sanding Cloth having just been released and a very exciting Supercharged Specials running in May and June where you can get your hands on our latest 3M branded hoodies. Contact your Authorised 3M Distributor, your 3M Account Manager or follow 3M on Facebook for more information.
"We continue to closely monitor the situation as it evolves and any further changes to the current government direction and potential impact to the supply chain will be communicated to you.
For more information please reach out to your 3M representative or 3M contact."
Compass
"First and foremost, we hope you and your families are staying safe. COVID-19 is a fast-evolving situation and we have had to be agile to adapt to the current way of living and working.
"We know times are tough. We have been operating for over 18 years and being a replacement vehicle company, we have come across many challenges. This is just another hurdle we will overcome.
"Our teams are fully mobilised around the country to support you, as an essential service, to ensure customers aren’t without a vehicle when they need it most. We will continue to provide this.
How we will be adapting for the next few weeks:
"We’ve stepped up preventative hygiene measures and recently transitioned over 80% of our people to work from home stations and/or branch locations.
Deliveries for your customers
"Vehicles to your customers will continue with the highest safety precautions. Our market leading Touchless delivery will enable us to meet and maintain the government regulations:
What is Touchless delivery?
- All documents sent to your customers device ahead of delivery
- No signing of paper forms
- Keys sanitised and placed in an envelope prior to delivery
- Hygiene covers to all vehicles
"Whatever happens we will be here to help reduce the inconvenience to our valued partners and your clients 24/7, come rain, hail or Coronavirus!" #reducingtheinconvenience
Finixa/Autolac/Bodyline
"As the news about Coronavirus continues to develop, the health and safety of our customer and staff is our priority. We have put in place precautionary measures within our branches and for our team to maintain a healthy and safe working environment whilst continuing to maintain high levels of customer service. Online ordering is available (autolac.com.au/bodylineimports.com.au). There is also contactles delivery for the benefit of both drivers and customers. A photo of the delivered goods will be taken as proof of delivery using our delivery management software.
"In store only cashless payments are accepted, phoning through an order will allow us to process faster and have them ready on your arrival. To maintain social distancing rules there will be no access to our retail area."
The company reports that its P2 masks are selling out as soon as they arrive and even more heavy duty masks with gas filtration are selling fast. The company has a good stock of gloves and various sanitising options as well as disposable seat covers.
Spitwater
"All Spitwater branches are open and are able top assist in providing cleaning equipment solutions for both vehicles and surfaces. We are also currently working on a solution to enable people to apply sanitiser to both machines and surfaces alike and will have more to say next week."
All branches are open from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Contact phone number: 1800 774 892. E-mail: info@spitwater.com.au Web: www.spitwater.com.au
Axalta
Axalta is open for business (supplying in a Covid-compliant way) and continue to supply our distributor network through-out Australia.
Auto Parts Group
Still Open - Still Supplying. COVID-19 Update
"We would like to take this opportunity to update you all on our current and future operations.
"We are continuing to follow government advice regarding our employee and customer safety, as well as ensuring each employee’s temperature is taken prior to starting the working day.
"Currently we are fully operational and serving you, our customers, with a full range of product.
"Our Parts Interpreter team is at full capacity and a substantial number are working from home, along with a large number of accounts, purchasing and product development employees.
"However, with consideration of social distancing measures and should volumes reduce, we will have to enact some reductions in our overall delivery services.
This would be -
- Reduction in metro deliveries – from two daily deliveries to one.
- Reduction in regional deliveries – from five days per week to two/three deliveries depending on area.
- Cut times would change to allow for our inter branch orders to be dispatched to you the same day as they arrive.
"All deliveries will still be able to be tracked via the email you receive when your order is dispatched, giving you certainty around your delivery time.
It is very difficult to predict what will happen over the coming days; please rest assured we are working hard to ensure our teams are safe and our customers supplied in full and on time."
GnG Sales
"We, here at GnG Sales, remain fully open for business and supporting industry as we have for many years.
"We’re fully stocked up with tools, chemicals and applicators from our stable of brands, including Autoglym retail and professional car care, RUPES tools, including sanders, polishers, compounds, pads and dust extraction (both mobile and integrated), Workquip and Star New Century spray equipment.
"As a business, and on top of the already robust processes in place prior to COVID-19, we have significantly increased cleaning and sanitisation regimes, and introduced physical distancing measures when it comes to delivery and pick-up, and our office and warehouse is functioning as per normal for purchasing, customer care and technical support."
Anest Iwata
"Anest Iwata is open for business. This includes both our spray gun equipment division and our air compressor service business.
Our only change is that we have suspended customer pick ups to minimise physical interaction on our premises."
R&I Zambesi
