Page 6 - Australasian Paint & Panel Nov-Dec 2022

Editorial
6
PAINT&PANEL
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022
WWW.PAINTANDPANEL.COM.AU
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Sam Street (02) 9213 8334 samstreet@yaffa.com.au
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Member Circulations Audit Board
of key industry figures what they think is in store for the industry in 2023 (p18) and having made them go on the record I feel I should set out my
own tarot deck.
There’s going to be huge growth in the
repair group space. What with Quadrant investing in more growth for MotorOne (potentially 40 more shops on the east coast in the next three years according to The Australian Financial Review) and CARe looking at opening multiple new locations, then the new group Drive will break cover next year. Plus Fortress, mostly Queensland based, appears to be going full steam ahead.
There has been a big bump in small- er, privately owned groups too with en- trepreneurial repairers branching out quite literally. Some have identified semi-rural areas as ripe for growth. There are multiple others too, setting up as I write. All this, while the cost of trading is soaring and vast majority of the insurance companies have a death grip on every cent they can.
What that means for smaller inde-
pendents, I believe, is that specialisa- tion, diversification, and laser focus on costs will be essential. There’s never been a better time to insist on increased rates because I don’t think the current capacity crisis will last – unless of course the predictions for massive hail- storms eventuate.
On the face of it things don’t appear overly rosy for single site independent shops but we’ve been here before and each time shop owners take advantage of their ability to quickly change tack and adapt to different market conditions. In- dependents will need to be proactive though because once one or two of these groups sets up in your backyard...
Whatever happens we’ll be here to keep you informed and connected. In the meantime, the Paint & Panel team wishes you a great summer break and a happy new year.
Sam Street – Editor
T
HIS ISSUE WE ASKED A NUMBER
WHAT’S COMING UP IN 2023?
EVENTS
• 5-8 January, Summernats 35, Canberra
• 17 February Women in Collision Awards Event, Sydney CBD • 6-7 May, MotorEx, Melbourne
• 9-10 June, Autocare, Brisbane
If your company has any exciting new products or is involved in any innovative projects, contact Australasian Paint & Panel editor Sam Street on samstreet@yaffa.com.au.