Page 8 - Australasian Paint & Panel Magazine

NEWS
IN BRIEF
AXALTA ANNOUNCES NEW AUSTRALIAN HEADQUARTERS Axalta has announced the construction of a new Australian headquarters in western Sydney which is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2019.
The 10,200m2 facility in Marsden Park will house corporate offices, a training facility and a warehouse and distribution centre for up to 50 employees. The new centre will support each of Axalta’s customers with high quality paints, lean processes, and sustainable applications.
Axalta managing director for Australia and New Zealand Steven Brett said:
“Building a new headquarters is part of our commitment to Australia and an important part of our growth strategy in the region.
“We’re confident that this new site will help us deliver innovative and comprehensive coating solutions.”
ILLINOIS REPAIRER SUES STATE FARM
A US insurer has sued insurance company State Farm for allegedly telling customers that the shop’s work was substandard and steering them towards shops providing discounts.
Classic Auto Body Inc. filed a compaint against State Farm alleging the insurer violated the Illinois consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices.
The business alleged that State Farm interfered with its business by telling customers it did not guarantee the work and that it was substandard.
The repairer also claimed that the insurer steered customers to its preferred shops that provided discounts which caused it to suffer loss of customers and damage to its business reputation.
ANCAP RECEIVES FUNDING CONTINUATION
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT marked national road safety week by announcing the continuation of funding for ANCAP for another five years.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the move was part of the government’s commitment to road safety.
“The work of ANCAP is vital to improving the safety of vehicles on Australian roads and it is crucial we provide assistance to help it continue.
“We are investing in making roads safer around Australia – especially in the regions – which helps drivers, but this is just one piece of the puzzle.”
The commitment will see $6.64 million in funding for ANCAP for another five years.
ANCAP CEO James Goodwin noted the important role safer vehicles play in reducing road trauma.
“Continued emphasis to elevate the safety of new vehicle – as well as to reduce the overall age of the nation’s registered vehicle fleet – are critical to reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by serious crashes.”
8 PAINT&PANEL July / August 2018
VICTORIA ANNOUNCES VOCATIONAL FUNDING BOOST
THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT has announced a big boost to TAFE funding in its 2018 budget with a focus on upgrading and retooling the skills education system in the state.
The budget commits $172 million for tuition-free training for 30 non- apprenticeship courses and 18 course that provide pathways to apprenticeships.
It also includes $303.8 million to create more than 30,000 new training places and $43.8 million to revamp learning materials for apprentices, new independent assessments and the reintroduction of trade papers to recognise qualifications.
Victorian minister for training and skills Gayle Tierney described the announcement as “the biggest overhaul of TAFE, skills and training in Victoria’s history.”
The Chisholm Institute welcomed the budget news with Chisholm CEO Dr Rick Ede stating that the group believed that TAFE should be at the centre of addressing Australia’s skills requirements.
“The Victorian government has rightly put TAFE back at the centre of addressing Australia’s skills requirements in a fast- changing world with its 2018-19 budget.
“The Victorian budget will significantly help our Victorian TAFEs to lead in
this effort.”
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