The inaugural BodyShop News International Collision Congress – sponsored by VACC – kicked off in Sydney this week with some heavy-hitting speaking talent that demonstrated the depth of talent in the panel repair industry.
After a tie black welcome dinner the evening prior, featuring V8 Supercars and Porsche Cup driver, Cameron McConville, who outlined his career highlights and unlikely alliance with the panel industry, the Collision Congress began with a welcome from BodyShop News International CEO, Michel Malik, the event’s organiser.
Dr Hannah Tonkin, NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner, delivered the keynote speech, imploring attendees to consider diversity issues in their businesses and how a diverse workforce might compliment their operations.
VACC Industry Policy Advisor, Kathy Zdravevski (who also represents the Code Administration Committee for MTAA) then moderated an informative panel discussion called Leading the Way to a Better 2024 – Supporting your success.
Joining her were panelists, Stephen Jenkins, General Counsel & Head of Employment Relations MTA/NSW, CAC Chair and CAC representative for MTAA; Kaes Cillesen, General Manager Media, Marketing and Policy MTA SA/NT, CAC representative for MTAA; Rodger Nardi, Executive Officer, Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority; and John Khoury, VACC Industry Policy Advisor and AASRA board director.
The panel discussed improving confidence in the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code, and brought attendees up to date on current progress on important matters that sit under the code.
Panelists discussed the differences between the states and how more alignment might be achieved.
Importantly, John Khoury discussed the importance of penalties and monitoring compliance, without which the code cannot be fully successful.
Dirk Fuchs, founder and owner of Electric Mobility Consulting, USA then discussed the catastrophic consequences to life and property when miscalculating EV/hybrid work in his presentation, New Vehicle Technology: The learning gap and the price of getting it wrong.
Joining him for a panel discussion were Adrian Parkes, founding director of ADAS Solutions Australia and Mark Czvitkovits, former CEO, I-CAR Australia.
Dirk’s visual demonstration of how one EV accident in a workshop could permanently put a panel shop owner out of business over night immediately caught everyone's attention.
Chris Daglis, managing director of Auto PARTnered Solutions took attendees into the near future with his presentation: Alternative Supply Chain Models – the new normal becoming just normal.
Joining him were panelists Adam O’Sullivan, executive general manager of supply at ACM Parts and James Knox, CEO, Auto Parts Group.
David Luehr, founder and owner of Elite Bodyshop Solutions in the USA invited attendees to Thrive in Chaos. He outlined that business operators should focus on a niche and stick to it if they wish to succeed into the future.
The hot industry topic right now, of course, is hiring and retaining labour.
Michael Wentworth from Apprenticeships R Us presented Nurturing Talent – Because without talent what is a business anyway?
Michel Malik then led a panel discussion on labour and skills with automotive recruitment consultant Ash Jardine and Adina Nijemcevic, Group Apprenticeship Manager, AMA Group. The outcome: it is each individual body shop owner's responsibility to attract and retain labour by offering competitive wages and favourable working conditions. Importantly, business owners should look to foster the talent they already have in their workshops.
Robert Snook, director, Business Success Global (IBIS conference moderator) then discussed: Unblocking the Cashflow Waterfall, along with Marc Johnstone from Shirlaws Group.
Rounding off the conference was Leading from the Front – The CEO’s perspectives, a discussion led by Michel Malik and featuring Pierre Nicolau, president and CEO, Celette; Steven Brett, managing director of Axalta Coating Systems ANZ and Carl Bizon, CEO, AMA Group.
They all acknowledge the changes and challenges faced by the panel industry now and into the future but each shared a confidence that the industry and those working inside it will adapt.
Michel Malik intends to host the conference in 2024. It really will be a must-attend. See the BodyShop News website for updates.