Page 14 - Australasian Paint & Panel Magazine Sep-Oct 2018
P. 14

NEWS
AMA BACKS
REPAIR-BOT
AMA GROUP HAS thrown its weight behind Tradiebot Industries’ Repair-Bot project being developed in conjunction with Swinburne University.
With backing from the Australian Government’s Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC), the stage one, $1.2 million collaborative Repair-bot project is making use of 3D printing technologies and robotics along with novel materials to enable automated rapid repair service for plastic car parts.
Welcoming the new partnership, Tradiebot Industries founder Mario Dimovski said, “Commitment from leading industry players such as the AMA/Gemini Group is a positive indication we are on track in solving current obstacle in the automotive collision repair industry around the repairs of plastic components.
“We look forward to building our relationship with the AMA/Gemini Group as we work together towards developing new technologies, skills, materials and complex automated collision repair systems.” Dimovski said.
Dave Calder, corporate general manager, AMA/Gemini Group, said “With advances in vehicle technology, parts costs rising and skills availability ever challenging, we are constantly looking at ways to advance the industry, refine our operation and continually deliver on our ability to provide value to our clients and customers.
From left: Gordon McRonald, David Calder, Mario Dimovski,Dr Max Issakson
14 PAINT&PANEL September / October 2018
AMBRA RECOGNISES AUDANET PRIVATE
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR BODY Repairers Association (AMBRA) explains why using Audanet Private can help with the journey towards realistic times and rates.
AMBRA chairman Jeff Williams said, “The industry has been rapidly investing in new technologies and training to meet the ever changing designs and technology advances that all manufacturers are now including in their products.
“With that comes greater demands on repairers to meet their obligations to the customer to return vehicles back to the road safely with all componentry intact and operational.
“To meet these standards both repairers and insurers adhere to the MVIRI Code of Conduct (Code) introduced in 2006, and although there have been some changes to the Code, the core principle remains, to carry out repairs in accordance with manufacturers technical specifications.”
Williams points out that if this was in place in the USA it may have prevented a repairer from accommodating an insurer’s cost model to incorrectly repair the vehicle. Referring to the John Eagle Collision Centre, Dallas $31.5 million fine for ignoring manufacturer repair methods. “We are all aware of the end result to the occupants and also the lawsuit successfully brought against the parties,” he said. “The Code also highlights the need to move from Funny
Time and Money. Insurers demand that we produce an OEM repair method before commencing repairs, but we are then required to provide an estimate based on a magical and outdated formula. Alternatively we use an insurer-influenced times guide and an hourly rate that also appears to be, dare I say, magical in its reasoning.
“The MTAA recently solved this issue, when it released a cost calculator for repairers to calculate their own charge out rate. The OEMs produce a method of repair they expect to be complied with to repair the vehicles. They do not, however, provide the times for these methods.
“While there are four times guides in the market currently, only the Audanet Private platform has been able to include OEM sanctioned times, developed from 54 research centres across the globe and accurately produce times based on a research method. When used in conjunction with a transparently calculated hourly rate through the industry’s cost calculator and a materials component applied transparently through the estimating platform we can now confidently say the words ‘real time real money’ and can also legitimately present a fair and transparent estimate that meets the requirements of the Code and provides the benchmark for negotiations.
More information: www.audatex.com.
HOLMES SWEET HOLMES
Holmes Panel and Paint celebrated the official opening of its new repair facility in Raceview, Queensland in August.
Owners Katie and Matt Bryan took the big leap from their old shop, a series of small sheds, to a larger building where they could install two new spray booths and create a significantly better workflow. The old shop enjoyed a great position along a busy road, however the couple have compensated for the quieter location by networking with the local community, donating to their new neighbours the Ipswich Hockey Association.
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