Page 8 - Australasian Paint & Panel Jan-Feb 2020

NEWS
8
PAINT&PANEL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020 WWW.PAINTANDPANEL.COM.AU
SCRG LAUNCHES WITH SIX
STRATEGIC COLLISION REPAIR GROUP
(SCRG) has completed the acquisition of six autobody repair businesses in NSW and QLD. This represents the company’s first step towards becoming a high-scale opera- tor by consolidating a number of high- quality operators.
The businesses acquired are Stanley’s Panel Works, Bodyline Motor Body, Cow- per Smash Repairs, Coulson Body Repairs, Silverwater Smash Repairs and CRA Group. These businesses together comprise 13 op- erating centres and employ approximately 200 people.
Stuart McDonald, Silverwater Smash Re- pairs said :“I am looking forward to joining a group of like-minded repairers focused on the industry challenges of the future.”
John Spiteri, CRA Group said: “When the opportunity arose to join SCRG I jumped at it. The professionalism, collegial mentality and benefits of this group are un- believable. By offering a real choice to in- surers and customers I have no doubt this group will transform the smash repair in- dustry.”
The acquired businesses have estab- lished brands and strong community and insurer relationships. Operating as a con- solidated group will provide significant ad- vantages and financial benefits, including cost synergies and increased purchasing power. The company says it will support its repairers by providing industry-leading processes, training and centralised support
functions, while continuing to develop a highly professional employee base. It will look to grow through a strategic approach to marketing, leveraging its expertise across the network, expanding into new sites and pursing further acquisitions.
The acquisitions were financed by Port- cullis House. A representative of Portcullis House, Laurie Macri will serve as SCRG’s executive chairman. The vendors of the businesses will remain with SCRG to facili- tate a stable integration and to provide on- going key operational and commercial in- put into the combined business.
Macri said: “This represents the first step in SCRG’s life as a consolidator of high- quality smash repair businesses. For the ac- quired businesses it is very much business as usual, while we look to implement op- erational synergies in procurement and en- hanced site performance, as well as pro- ductivity improvements through a centralised support function and the appli- cation of integrated software.
“Our aim is to develop a high-scale, in- dustry-leading operator with the customer at the centre of everything we do and a cul- ture of excellence.”
ABOVE: Stuart McDonald of Silverwater Smash Repairs
AXALTA’S
NEW TRAINING
CENTRE
AXALTA HAS OFFICIALLY OPENED THE
doors to its 1,000 square metre regional customer training centre (the RTC) in Western Sydney. The state-of-the-art train- ing facility was inaugurated by Sobers Sethi, President, Emerging Markets, Axalta on November 14.
“The new training facility uses the latest coating technologies, industry-leading training techniques, and advanced digital equipment to enable repairers to deliver the highest quality refinish, enabling our cus- tomers to be more efficient, productive, and profitable. We help our customers drive these improvements while also being
mindful of the environment with sustain- able techniques and products.” Sethi said.
Steven Brett, Managing Director of Ax- alta Coating Systems said: “Axalta is a world leader in refinish and is consistently making significant investments, like the RTC, to enhance our capabilities and facili- ties to help customers grow their business- es.”
The training centre is well equipped with two state-of-the-art USI Chronotech
spray booths, as well as three USI full down draft preparation areas with a rail track system for easy vehicle side loading. The three prep bays can be divided by elec- tric curtains. There are three paint mix rooms, with a large cleaning room and a spray box-booth for test panels. There are plenty of opportunities for attendees to ap- ply their practical knowldege.
There is also a theory room that can seat up to 20.