Car Craft Group held its first national conference in Hobart on 27–29th August. Beautiful weather, a sparkling Derwent dotted with sailing boats and two days of speakers covering everything from AI and mental health to quoting, safety and parts pricing made Hobart a fitting setting for Car Craft’s national conference.
While AI inevitably dominated plenty of the conversation, one of the biggest pieces of news came from Hyundai, with Wayne Pickering announcing the manufacturer is developing a global approved repairer network, with the Australian network underway. The network will initially be small and will include a mix of dealer-owned and independent collision repair businesses.
Hyundai also outlined recent developments on parts pricing, including lifecycle pricing initiatives designed to keep genuine parts competitive. Together with OEC, it is also offering a total loss avoidance program.
The event’s theme was Stronger Together, and by the end of the weekend it was pretty clear this wasn’t simply something somebody had thought would look good on the conference graphics. A panel of Car Craft directors discussed why they had joined and, more importantly, why they had stayed. Buying power is obviously part of the attraction, but the benefit that came through most strongly was the network itself.
Running an independent collision repair business can be a lonely game. Having other repairers at the end of the phone who understand the same pressures, can share market intelligence and are happy to talk through a problem has enormous value. That sense of connection was evident throughout the conference, with delegates remarkably attentive and engaged across two packed days.
The weekend began with keynote speaker Tim Franklin, a man who knows a thing or two about endurance having run around the world. Franklin talked about the physical and mental challenges he encountered along the way and, importantly, the ability to dig into reserves when things get seriously tough.
From human endurance, the conversation moved to the technology on everyone’s lips right now – AI. Ben Fewtrell from MaxMyProfit and DigiTLC looked at practical ways businesses can use AI, while iBodyshop’s Stuart Faid joined MC Sam Street to talk about what AI will mean for collision repair, including its growing role in estimating.
The message was less about AI coming for everyone’s jobs and more about understanding how it can be used to take some of the grind out of everyday processes and allow people to concentrate on the work where human experience and judgement matter.
Car Craft’s Ben Chesterfield discussed mental health and Don’t Shut the Bonnet On It, the initiative encouraging people in the automotive industry to start conversations about mental wellbeing. Steve Page from Sherwin-Williams brought delegates up to speed on the introduction and uptake of Ultra 9K in Australia as well as the company’s automated paint mixing technology, while AAA Radiators’ Damien Brock talked about the company’s commitment to supporting the collision repair industry and the value it sees in getting behind industry events and initiatives.
Risk Essentials’ Di Rawlings turned the spotlight onto an area that can easily be overlooked when businesses are busy: induction. She stressed the importance of robust processes for bringing people into a business and making sure expectations, procedures and responsibilities are understood from day one.
On day two, Jasmine DeWys from BodyShop Solutions shared practical hints and tips on getting more from quoting software. While there were big-picture discussions about AI and the future of the industry, they sat alongside practical information about estimating, safety, paint, parts, people and running a better business. Krissy Sadler-Bridge gave a fascinating presentation about PartsCheck Labs. One thing this industry lacks is reliable data and PartsCheck has number crunched some useful facts about what’s going on in parts sales. Chris Dore from Ezi-Methods gave delegates an insight into conditions for the UK repairer community.
Hobart turned on glorious weather and Wrest Point provided a spectacular backdrop, surrounded by the bay. There was plenty of socialising, as you’d expect from Car Craft, but delegates were there to learn. The room stayed attentive, questions were asked and the feedback from members afterwards was overwhelmingly positive.
It was good to see so many of the group’s suppliers in attendance. One of the great things about being in a group is knowing you don’t have to figure it all out on your own – there are resources through the supplier network and repairer network to help out. Stronger Together says it all.