There have been very few slow news weeks at Paint & Panel this year. Industry change continues to charge ahead in overdrive. Here’s my quick round up of this year’s main news highlights and trends.
2019 has seen a huge upswing in automotive body repair shops achieving I-CAR Gold. Meanwhile ADAS, diagnostics and mixed material repairs have introduced new technical and logistical challenges to repairers.
AMA has been on a stellar growth trajectory entering the heavy vehicle repair sector, buying up many traditional repair shops, opening new greenfield sites and, of course, acquiring Capital SMART and ACM Parts. While Suncorp has been exiting the car repair game, IAG is charging in, opening up the Repair Hub network and buying NRMA’s Motorserve businesses in NSW and Canberra.
AFCA’s (Australia Financial Complaints Authority) role as a resource to consumers experiencing issues with car insurers became more widely recognised.
The MTAs have been campaigning tirelessly for members over a number of industry issues. The most prominent at the moment is the parliamentary inquiry taking place in South Australia.
The Car Craft Accident Repair network has grown steadily throughout the year with the relatively new areas (for them) of NSW and Victoria recruiting selectively. Fix Auto appears to be experiencing a surge of interest in the second half of the year, with further growth expected in 2020.
Here’s the three top stories from our news, products and automotive technology sections on the website for 2019 and a quick round up of some of the main stories of each month.
News
1 IAG trial repair hub a hit with customers
2 Landmark ruling on choice of repairer
3 Second round bids for Capital SMART
Products
1 Axalta’s new cosmetic car repair program
2 Sata spray gun case
3 The X Factor (Satajet X5500)
Automotive technology
1 Self healing car parts could be on the way
2 Are you ready for a multi-material future?
3 GM tests airless tyres
January
We began our business transformation with East Coast Paint & Panel in Cairns sourcing help for them to grow their business. It’s been a stellar year for them and we’ll be covering their achievements in the January magazine.
The mega Christmas holiday hailstorm dominated the news with a massive wave of work for the industry in Sydney.
February
Axalta opened its new head office in Sydney.
After years of campaigning the written off heavy vehicle register was introduced in NSW.
Suncorp and IAG both reported dented profits due to the hailstorm and other weather events.
March
Tradiebot develops robot 3D printing for replacement brackets onto headlights.
New multi-site operation group (MSO) announced in WA. Vizion Group has four sites.
April
Suncorp announces strategic review of Captial SMART.
Zagame opens its supercar refinement centre in Melbourne.
Nippon Paints buys Dulux Group for $3.8
Tradiebot launches augmented reality repair instruction system.
Collision Repair Expo takes place in Melbourne.
Paint & Panel Next Generation seminar.
May
IAG opens its first shop in Auckland.
Michael Cameron leaves Suncorp.
June
IAG trail repair hub a hit with customers.
Steven Bubulj joins AMA Group.
Capricorn CEO receives order of Australia.
Axalta is put up for sale.
AMA announces its buying spree including heavy vehicle repairers and the SmashCare group.
July
Concept Paint celebrates its 25thanniversary.
August
Aussie home-grown Parts Check launches in South Africa and Malaysia.
AFCA choice of repairer ruling heralded as an industry landmark.
Capricorn Futures Collide inaugural conference a great success.
DingGO digital repair platform expands to Melbourne.
September
Maxine Colligan wins bronze medal and WorldSkills in Russia.
Changes to windscreen standards announced.
ACM Parts goes on the market.
New PPG training centre opens in WA.
October
AMA’s purchase of Capital SMART and ACM Parts confirmed.
Paint & Panel L!VE and Bodyshop Awards take place in Melbourne.
SAPE opens ACE store in Newcastle.
Fix Auto expands into Queensland.
PPG colour matching competition takes place.
November
Darrel Maloney, previously with Strategic Collision Repair Group, joins AMA Group.
After years of campaigning by MTAs and AAAA automotive data sharing becomes mandatory.
Axalta opens new training centre in Sydney.
Women in Collision awards and seminar takes place in Brisbane.
Suncorp invests in car sharing.
IAG buys NRMA Motorserve in NSW and ACT.
Queensland hailstorm
Strategic Collision Repair Group launches with 13 sites.
There have been very few slow news weeks at Paint & Panel this year. Industry change continues to charge ahead in overdrive. Here’s my quick round up of this year’s main news highlights and trends.
2019 has seen a huge upswing in automotive body repair shops achieving I-CAR Gold. Meanwhile ADAS, diagnostics and mixed material repairs have introduced new technical and logistical challenges to repairers.
AMA has been on a stellar growth trajectory entering the heavy vehicle repair sector, buying up many tradition repair shops, opening new greenfield sites and, of course, acquiring Capital SMART and ACM Parts. While Suncorp has been exiting the car repair game, IAG is charging in, opening up the Repair Hub network and buying NRMA’s Motorserve businesses in NSW and Canberra.
AFCA’s (Australia Financial Complaints Authority) role as a resource to consumers experiencing issues with car insurers became more widely recognised.
The MTAs have been campaigning tirelessly for members over a number of industry issues ,The most prominent at the moment is the parliamentary inquiry taking place in South Australia.
The Car Craft Accident Repair network has grown steadily throughout the year with the relatively new areas (for them) of NSW and Victoria recruiting selectively. Fix Auto appears to be experiencing a surge of interest in the second half of the year, with further growth expected in 2020.
Here’s the three top stories from our news, products and automotive technology sections on the website for 2019 and a quick round up of some of the main stories of each month.
News
1 IAG trial repair hub a hit with customers
2 Landmark on choice of repairer
3 Second round bids for Capital SMART
Products
1 Axalta’s new cosmetic car repair program
2 Sata spray gun case
3 The X Factor (Satajet X5500)
Automotive technology
1 Self healing car parts could be on the way
2 Are you ready for a multi-material future?
3 GM tests airless tyres
January
We began our business transformation with East Coast Paint & Panel in Cairns sourcing help for them to grow their business. It’s been a stellar year for them and we’ll be covering their achievements in the January magazine.
The mega Christmas holiday hailstorm dominated the news with a massive wave of work for the industry in Sydney.
February
Axalta opened its new head office in Sydney.
After years of campaigning the written off heavy vehicle register was introduced in NSW.
Suncorp and IAG both reported dented profits due to the hailstorm and other weather events.
March
Tradiebot develops robot 3D printing for replacement brackets onto headlights.
New multi-site operation group (MSO) announced in WA. Vizion Group has four sites.
April
Suncorp announces strategic review of Captial SMART.
Zagame opens its supercar refinement centre in Melbourne.
Nippon Paints buys Dulux Group for $3.8
Tradiebot launches augmented reality repair instruction system.
Collision Repair Expo takes place in Melbourne.
Paint & Panel Next Generation seminar.
May
IAG opens its first shop in Auckland.
Michael Cameron leaves Suncorp.
June
IAG trail repair hub a hit with customers.
Steven Bubulj joins AMA Group.
Capricorn CEO receives order of Australia.
Axalta is put up for sale.
AMA announces its buying spree including heavy vehicle repairers and the SmashCare group.
July
Concept Paint celebrates its 25thanniversary.
August
Aussie home-grown Parts Check launches in South Africa and Malaysia.
AFCA choice of repairer ruling heralded as an industry landmark.
Capricorn Futures Collide inaugural conference a great success.
DingGO digital repair platform expands to Melbourne.
September
Maxine Colligan wins bronze medal and WorldSkills in Russia.
Changes to windscreen standards announced.
ACM Parts goes on the market.
New PPG training centre opens in WA.
October
AMA’s purchase of Capital SMART and ACM Parts confirmed.
Paint & Panel L!VE and Bodyshop Awards take place in Melbourne.
SAPE opens ACE store in Newcastle.
Fix Auto expands into Queensland.
PPG colour matching competition takes place.
November
Darrel Maloney, previously with Strategic Collision Repair Group, joins AMA Group.
After years of campaigning by MTAs and AAAA automotive data sharing becomes mandatory.
Axalta opening new training centre in Sydney.
Women in Collision awards and seminar takes place in Brisbane.
Suncorp invests in car sharing.
IAG buys NRMA Motorserve in NSW and ACT.
Queensland hailstorm
Strategic Collision Repair Group launches with 13 sites.