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AUTUMN 2020 – VOL 7 NO 4
bodyshopnews.net
CHEVROLET RECOMMITS TO THAILAND AFTERSALES
NEW JLR ALUMINIUM RECYCLING PROCESS
CEO SERIES: THIERRY VANLANCKER, AKZONOBEL SCAN ME
bodyshopnews.net
15 p ar ticipants in
Around c o m p e tition in
an
the Germ 021!
Frankfurt 2
Body & Paint
World Championships
14. – 18. 9. 2021
Supporting associations:
Sponsors:
CONTENTS
AUTUMN 2020 – VOL 7 NO 4
08 12 14 26 29
08 CHEVROLET REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT
TO THAILAND AFTERSALES SERVICE
Although General Motors announced it would pull out
of Thailand earlier this year, the company will maintain
a small presence in the region to provide aftersales
support for its existing customers in the country.
10 AUTOMECHANIKA SHANGHAI 2020
INTRODUCES AMS LIVE
Automechanika Shanghai will launch AMS Live,
a new integrated platform that “looks beyond the
geographical boundaries of on-site and online
participation”. The value-added service will be
available from 30 November to 6 December 2020,
which will run alongside the physical show itself.
12 NIPPON PAINT INTRODUCES N-MAX
AUTOMOTIVE REFINISH PAINTS RANGE
Nippon Paint has launched n-MAX, an international
automotive refinishes product system which has been
designed to “excel” in all geographical regions and
weather conditions across the world.
REGULARS
06 My Turn
08 Regional News 30 Diary
12 International News 30 Products in Focus 30
4 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIA
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AUTUMN 2020 – VOL 7 NO 4
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CHEVROLET RECOMMITS TO THAILAND AFTERSALES
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NEW JLR ALUMINIUM RECYCLING PROCESS
CEO SERIES: THIERRY VANLANCKER, AKZONOBEL SCAN ME
bodyshopnews.net
13 WAYMO OPENS UP DRIVERLESS
TAXI RIDES TO PUBLIC IN ARIZONA
Waymo, a subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet,
has announced that it will open up its automated driverless
taxi service to the general public in the US city of Phoenix
in Arizona.
14 BASF LAUNCHES NEW WATERBORNE
BASECOAT LINE
BASF’s Coatings division has launched a new waterborne
basecoat line which it bills as its “most advanced refinish
product line”. The company said that by increasing the
efficiency and significantly lowering the environmental
impact, the products meet the highest expectations of
modern body shops.
16 INTERVIEW: THIERRY VANLANCKER,
CEO OF AKZONOBEL
In a series of interviews with major company CEOs,
BodyShop News US Correspondent Stacey Phillips
has a chat with AkzoNobel’s Thierry Vanlancker and
asks him how the company is addressing current
industry challenges.
CEO INTERVIEW SERIES
24 NEW JLR ALUMINIUM RECYCLING
PROCESS SET TO SLASH EMISSIONS
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) says research has revealed
how an innovative recycling process could ‘up-cycle’
aluminium waste from drink cans, bottle tops and
end-of-life vehicles into premium cars of the future,
significantly reducing production CO2 emissions along
the way. ARTICLE
COLUMNS
20 From the Desk of Andrew Marsh
26 From the USA with Stacey Phillips
28 From the UK with Heather Grant 20 26 28
BODYSHOP NEWS ASIA 5
MY TURN
BY MICHEL A MALIK
When Will This End?
bullet and pull the plug. SEMA followed its decision by going
online with its new SEMA360 online marketplace, allowing
manufacturers and resellers to connect and conduct business.
C
The SCRS announced it would also continue its SEMA
OVID-19 has managed to disrupt the world’s economies
collaboration with the online delivery of the 2020 Repairer
and just about every industry that requires humans to
Driven Education series in conjunction with SEMA360.
operate it. The number of disruptions that international
events have suffered is huge – trade fairs and shows have Conference events were affected too. IBIS, which was forced to
had to reschedule and sometimes reschedule again, before cancel its flagship IBIS Global Summit due to run in November
succumbing to the fact that either outright cancellation or going in Monaco, instead will now run a single-day online streaming
completely virtual or online is the only solution for now. programme titled IBISTV Global Summit.
It started early this year with AMR 2020 in Beijing being Shows are one of the best, if not the best, places to forge
postponed ‘awaiting a new date’, before becoming cancelled new relationships and reconnect with old ones – of course to
and organisers promoting their 2021 event instead. INAPA improve your business, but also just to catch up with contacts
in Jakarta decided not to delay, instead cancelling the 2020 you work with on a regular basis but might not see very often.
edition at an early stage and referring to 2021 as the next show. Online events will go some way to bridging the gap, but there’s
Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City postponed its March event no substitute for meeting people in the real world, and we can
until August, before deciding to cancel this year and focus on only hope that the brilliant minds in science will bring us an
its 2021 show. Automechanika Shanghai also launched a new effective, but safe vaccine so we can end this pandemic sooner
platform, AMS Live, as a lifeline for overseas visitors who can’t rather than later. Keep an eye on our diary or our online events
make it to China. It will run alongside the physical show and be page (bodyshopnews.net/events) for all the latest updates to
available from 30 November to 6 December 2020. the shows in our industry.
I
This is just South-East and East Asia. Moving to the Old
Continent, Automechanika Dubai delayed its 2020 edition until n this issue, Chevrolet reaffirms its commitment to Thailand
October this year before capitulating to the cancellation trend, for aftersales service, Nippon Paint introduces the n-MAX
calling it a year and promoting its 2021 event in June. Even Automotive Refinish paints range and BASF launches a new
the big one, Automechanika Frankfurt, accepted reality and waterborne basecoat line. In our series of interviews with
decided to go against its own trend of exhibiting every even company CEOs, we chat with Thierry Vanlancker, CEO of
year, suggesting the safe move was to go for September 2021. AkzoNobel. We bring you a column courtesy of Ezi-Methods’
This manoeuvre then upset the applecart and forced two of the Andrew Marsh, while correspondents Stacey Phillips from the
big European events, Autopromotec and Equip Auto, to forget USA and Heather Grant from the UK have filed their reports.
2021 and reschedule for 2022. As usual, there are plenty of news stories and products for you
to read about.
The New World didn’t escape harm either – the SEMA Show,
blaming the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns that event Michel Malik
facilities and services would be unavailable, decided to bite the Publisher
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Mail: PO Box 505, Casula Mall, NSW 2170 Australia
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Publisher: Technical Editor: Accounts Enquiries:
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Managing Editor: Art Director:
Sub-Editor:
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Email: albert@bodyshopnews.net Production Enquiries:
Webmaster Rogue Studios Pty Ltd
US Correspondent:
Stacey Phillips Andrew Malik Email: hello@roguestudios.com.au
Email: andrew@bodyshopnews.net Web: www.roguestudios.com.au
Email: sphillips@radiantwriting.com
UK Correspondent: Advertising Sales:
Heather Grant BodyShop News International Pty Ltd
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BodyShop News Asia is published by: BodyShop News International Pty Ltd ACN 169 429 592 | 10/2 Ash Road, Prestons, NSW 2170 Australia
6 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIA
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REGIONAL NEWS
VISIT BODYSHOPNEWS.NET FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS
Automechanika Kuala Lumpur
Launches ‘S.E.T.’ At 2021 Edition
Automechanika Kuala Lumpur is billing leaders to introduce the latest tools,
what it calls a “fresh outlook on the technologies and industry know-
traditional automotive trade fair” for how to the regional market next year.
its 2021 edition. From 18 to 20 March at For example, the Collision Repair
the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Training Workshop is returning to offer
the event-oriented exhibition says it professional hands-on demonstrations
will uniquely combine all elements of and theory-based discussions for
‘Sourcing, Entertainment and Training’ technicians and business owners, but
to offer an ‘S.E.T.’ of solutions for in 2021, the coverage will also extend
Fiona Chiew.
fairgoers to meet their participating to the commercial vehicle repair sector.
objectives. trends rising around the regional market. Planned session topics include the
“The launch of ‘S.E.T.’ is yet another According to the organisers, these latest advancements for smart repair
development in the show’s 22-year digital trends will also transcend across and ADAS calibration.
history,” said Fiona Chiew, Deputy OE to the aftermarket in the passenger, To top this off, the Auto NITZ Party
General Manager of Messe Frankfurt commercial vehicle and logistics and EMMA Malaysia Final – Car Audio
(HK). “It equally weights all components, sectors, and to illustrate this, the and Modifications Competition aims to
shaping dynamic growth opportunities show’s product coverage in Diagnostics create a community among a mix of
for automotive players along the supply & Repair / Body & Paint, Accessories & automotive players and is set to promote
chain. Each element of ‘Sourcing, Customising, Parts & Components and extended networking opportunities by
Entertainment and Training’ will other categories within the core sectors engaging with more exhibitors, visitors
incorporate underlying digital trends will highlight digital breakthroughs and car enthusiasts alike. Organisers
that have the power to, ultimately, in safety, environmental protection, says visitors will discover an estimated
revolutionise end-user experiences.” infotainment and comfort. 70 cars, tuned exclusively by local talent,
Organisers say the show will introduce Organisers emphasise that information along with guest performances from
the Internet of Things (IoT) as a gathering, training and applied teaching electronic dance and music troops.
standalone sector to “amplify” cloud- remain huge pull factors for the show, For more information, visit
based connectivity and telematics with a number of highly influential www.automechanika-kl.com.
Chevrolet Reaffirms Commitment
To Thailand Aftersales Service
Although General Motors announced it outlets for our customers to get expert available from 9:00 to 18:00, Monday
would pull out of Thailand earlier this maintenance, repairs and warranty to Saturday.
year, the company will maintain a small services, along with genuine GM and
presence in the region to provide after- ACDelco spare parts.”
sales support for its existing customers The company said it will continue to
in the country. provide a bumper-to-bumper factory
“Chevrolet Sales Thailand has warranty of three years / 100,000
reaffirmed its commitment to providing kilometres covering workmanship, parts
ongoing and comprehensive aftersales and manufacturing defects; service by
service to its valued customers certified technicians to make repairs
nationwide with the announcement that and carry out vehicle maintenance;
all current Chevrolet dealerships around genuine GM parts and “guaranteed
Thailand will transition to [becoming] quality” products such as GM engine
Chevrolet Authorized Service Outlets oil with high-performance lubricant oil
(ASO) beyond the end of new car sales,” technology and ACDelco products; 24-
the company said in a statement. hour roadside assistance by certified
Hector Villarreal, President of GM technicians supporting all vehicle
Southeast Asia, said the company is problems; and make its Chevrolet
“1734” Customer Assistance Center Hector Villarreal.
“ensuring we have a national network of
8 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIA
REGIONAL NEWS
VISIT BODYSHOPNEWS.NET FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS
Automechanika Shanghai 2020
Introduces AMS Live • Interactive and Entertainment Channel:
Where online participants can partake
in onsite interviews and tours, as
well as watch the Motorsport &
High Performance Event and other
entertainment; and,
• Exhibitor Live Channel: Featuring a
collection of exhibitor events ranging
from product presentations, pitches,
launches and more.
TOOLS TO HELP PLAN A
PHYSICAL AND VIRTUAL VISIT
EFFICIENTLY
Automechanika Shanghai says it is “By creating a digitally hybrid event, AMS Live allows users to re-watch
tackling global sourcing needs for the AMS Live is a lifeline for overseas conferences on demand, as well
automotive industry in 2020 with the visitors who cannot physically attend as record noteworthy products
launch of AMS Live, a new integrated the show,” said Fiona Chiew, Deputy and exhibitors for future reference.
platform that “looks beyond the General Manager at Messe Frankfurt On top of this, the personal online
geographical boundaries of on-site (HK). “Exhibitors at the exhibition calendar can help manage meetings
and online participation”. The value- ground can still take advantage of and has a built-in notification function
added service will be available from in-person interactions, as well as for appointments.
30 November to 6 December 2020, engage with global stakeholders online, Show planners say that the fundamental
which will run alongside the physical whether it be for business exchange, idea to offer a platform like AMS Live
show itself. marketing, trade or education. After is to replicate “curial” face-to-face
Automechanika Shanghai will be all, it is the synergy of auto players that interactions and on-site exchanges
one of the few large-scale automotive allows businesses, as well as the fair by utilising digital services while
trade shows running on schedule itself, to thrive.” the market continues to bounce back.
rather than being delayed or cancelled. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES The interactive nature of the new
Taking place from 2 to 5 December USING LIVE CHAT, VIDEO CALLS hybrid event will therefore continue
2020, organisers say over 5000 AND MORE to bring overseas participants to
exhibitors will continue to display their New and long-time buyers tuning exhibition goers along the supply chain,
latest products and services across in electronically can network and in addition to industry associations,
300,000 square metres of space at connect in real-time with exhibitors government bodies, media and
the National Exhibition and Convention through one-to-one online meetings, research institutes across every corner
Center in Shanghai, China. Show staff business matchmaking, chat rooms, of the automotive ecosystem.
believe that buyers around the world live comments during streamed Automechanika Shanghai will
are relying on the fair to inform their programmes and more. These functions become one of the first exhibitions
next purchasing decisions, capture allow buyers to discuss and learn about in Automechanika’s portfolio to
the latest market information and potential suppliers. present this type of digital stage,
find the latest solutions that have and organisers say that this is in line
come into fruition as a response to
CREATE ENQUIRIES TO MATCH with Automechanika’s long term
COVID-19, and these business needs
WITH THE RIGHT EXHIBITORS roadmap of delivering and developing
When buyers launch product or service a sustainable event, as well as in
will make the final exhibition on the
queries, the platform will automatically response to heightened demand
circuit even more valuable for next
match potential suppliers. Interested for “more online exhibition services that
year’s industry development.
exhibitors can start a conversation to add value to overall event experience”.
With this in mind, the show is discuss further business opportunities.
transforming its web-based tools Mindful of the COVID-19 outbreak,
to meet market demand so that the GET INVOLVED WITH LIVE- organisers are also working with
show not only takes place on-site, STREAMED ON-SITE ACTIVITIES local authorities to ensure appropriate
but also simultaneously in a virtual Whether there are conferences, in- safety parameters are upheld, safe-
setting. Organisers say that their depth interviews with industry leaders, guarding the health and safety of
latest innovation, AMS Live, aims to live demonstrations or performances, all stakeholders so that the show
unlock imperative knowledge-based online participants can engage with remains a secure platform for business.
sharing and collaborative opportunities onsite activities through the three To find out more about AMS
along the supply chain that empower live channels: Live, visit the official website at
remote participants to become a part • Auto Discovery Channel: Presenting www.automechanika-shanghai.com/
of the show. key conferences and training sessions; ams-live.
10 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIARescheduled
to 2021
Vietnam‘s leading regional trade fair for automotive
service industry targeting trade visitors from Vietnam
Business • Workshops • Experiences
30.6 – 2.7.2021
Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC)
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
www.automechanika-hcmc.com
autoasia@hongkong.messefrankfurt.comINTERNATIONAL NEWS
VISIT BODYSHOPNEWS.NET FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS
Nippon Paint Introduces n-MAX
Automotive Refinish Paints Range
Nippon Paint has launched n-MAX, an and is a powerful statement of intent
international automotive refinishes from our side. We hope to make this
product system. With n-MAX, Nippon brand successful not only in India but
Paint says it is expanding its presence across the world. We are confident
in the Indian and international car that our technology and product quality
refinishing markets through the new, is superior, and we are keen to add
state-of-the-art product line, which tremendous value to our customers’
has been designed to “excel” in all paint processes, in line with our vision
geographical regions and weather to be paint process specialists.”
conditions across the world. “[The] n-MAX range is introduced to Sharad Malhotra.
The n-MAX range includes N Max SB, offer quality tinting solutions with very low
which is equipped with a large range of investment,” said A. Prateesh, General technology at competitive pricing along
OEM colour formulations and supported Manager (Marketing) at NIPSEA Group with value added services. The range
by the advanced Nippon Paint Partner Automotive Refinishes. “This is a state- has been designed with the goal to give
digital colour retrieval system with of-the-art product line for independent utmost ease to retailers and automotive
five-angle spectrophotometer. The colour body shops and collision repair centres. body shops. We have launched this
range is supplemented by Nax Pro LV, a The aim is to build long term partnerships brand under our Refinish 2.0 stream,
low VOC range of clear coats, primers with distributors by offering advanced which will witness more launches in
and auxiliaries from Europe, and Nax times to come.”
Pro EZ, which offers a “complimentary The n-MAX range was launched by
range of high performance, value- Nippon Paint India which is part of the
based ancillaries”. NIPSEA Group, a subsidiary of Nippon
“The n-MAX launch reflects our Paint Japan. Nippon Paint says it has
global aspiration to develop and offer over 138 years of experience in the
quality products in the international paint industry and is, today, the largest
automotive refinishes market,” said coatings company in Asia Pacific and the
Sharad Malhotra, Senior Vice President fourth-largest in the world. Operating in
at NIPSEA Group Automotive Refinishes. over 25 countries, Nippon Paint caters to
“The product has been developed by a wide range of customers through over
the core technology group in India 70 companies that comprise the group.
Cromax, Yamaha Factory Racing Renew
MotoGP Partnership
Axalta’s Cromax brand has been named In preparation for 2021, the Cromax
as an official sponsor to Yamaha Factory name is currently featured on the
Racing MotoGP for the 11th consecutive Yamaha YZR-M1 bikes of riders Valentino
year. The agreement renewal sees Cromax Rossi and Maverick Vinales for the
supporting the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 2020 season, which runs until
MotoGP Team with the brand’s paint 22 November.
systems on the team’s support trucks, “The winning combination of our
mechanic toolboxes, workbenches and high-performing products and the team’s
other pitlane equipment. laser focus on innovation has ensured
a strong relationship that’s now in its
second decade. We wish them all
the best for this season,” said Marco
Brioschi, Axalta’s Country Leader for
Marco Brioschi.
Refinish in Italy.”
“Thanks to a long and successful where we are all experiencing the new
relationship, we are delighted to consider normal, it is even more important to
Axalta, and its Cromax brand, part of our be able to rely on the close cooperation
team,” said Marco Riva, General Manager of a paint partner who shares our values
of Yamaha Motor Racing. “This season, of innovation and efficiency.”
12 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIAINTERNATIONAL NEWS
VISIT BODYSHOPNEWS.NET FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS
BASF Reveals Latest Colour Trends Collection
BASF has released its 2020-2021 According to BASF, Asia Pacific’s key
Automotive Color Trends collection colours are warm and emotional with a
featuring a variety of shades and steady mood.
effects that “show the way of modern “Individuality is the trend in play here.
automotive coatings”. We live for today and want to make the
Every year, the designers at BASF’s future better,” said Chiharu Matsuhara,
Coatings division study future trends Head of Design, Asia Pacific. “We try
which they use as a foundation for the to enjoy life and be positive as much
Many of the colours have effects or
development of surface, texture and as possible and change what we did in
textures, making them a tactile, visual
colour positions. They say they draw the past.”
and emotional experience.
inspiration from many things, including In North America, BASF says future
industry, fashion, consumer products The global ‘key colours’ vary from a colour designs “look to build off
and nature. The designers share their greyish green, to a warm beige, to a advancing colorant technologies that
research with BASF’s customers – in coarse grey. exhibit a greater sensitivity to the
this case the automotive designers – and BASF says in EMEA (Europe, the environment.”
help develop the colours of the future. Middle East and Africa), the key colours “It’s not unusual to presuppose
The designers created a collection are soothing, calming colours with bold, technological stewardship dominates
called CODE-X. BASF says the colours, new, distinct positions. research, but it’s refreshing to see just
from reimagined whites, the darkest “We are in a time when nothing is the how much the consumer is willing to
of jet blacks and a variety of colours same. We may reference the old colours, forego traditional norms of beauty in
in-between, serve as an inspiration to but add something new, something order to satisfy the hunger for smart and
automotive designers for vehicles that different,” said Mark Gutjahr, Head of responsible colour designs,” said Paul
will be on the road in three to five years. Automotive Color Design, EMEA. Czornij, Head of Design, the Americas.
Waymo Opens Up Driverless
Taxi Rides To Public In Arizona
Waymo, a subsidiary of Google parent
company Alphabet, has announced that
it will open up its automated driverless
taxi service to the general public in the
US city of Phoenix in Arizona.
The company had been running an
early access programme in the city since
early 2017, testing its Chrysler Pacifica
hybrid cars with a limited number of
subscribers while a backup human driver
was present in the driver’s seat. Over
time, Waymo expanded the number
of subscribers with access to the
programme, while also testing without
a backup driver as the programme
expanded. In 2018, it also launched
Waymo One, its automated self-driving
taxi service accessible to the public in “We’re excited to open up our fully fully driverless. We expect our new fully
Phoenix, although a backup driver had driverless offering to Waymo One driverless service to be very popular,
always been present for Waymo One riders,” the company said in a blog post. and we’re thankful to our riders for
drives until now. “Members of the public service can now their patience as we ramp up availability
take friends and family along on their to serve demand. Later this year,
rides and share their experience with after we’ve finished adding in-vehicle
the world. We’ll start with those who barriers between the front row and
are already a part of Waymo One and, the rear passenger cabin for in-vehicle
over the next several weeks, welcome hygiene and safety, we’ll also be
more people directly into the service re-introducing rides with a trained
through our app (available on Google vehicle operator, which will add
Play and the App Store). In the near capacity and allow us to serve a larger
term, 100 per cent of our rides will be geographical area.”
BODYSHOP NEWS ASIA 13INTERNATIONAL NEWS
VISIT BODYSHOPNEWS.NET FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS
BASF Launches New
Waterborne Basecoat Line
BASF’s Coatings division has launched
a new waterborne basecoat line, which
it bills as its “most advanced refinish
product line”. The company said that by
increasing the efficiency and significantly
lowering the environmental impact, the
products meet the highest expectations of
modern body shops.
During the development of the new
basecoat line, the company said it
focused on sustainable aspects.
“The formulation optimises the
processing properties for fast and
efficient application and enables spray
painters to produce highly efficient
and, at the same time, environmentally
friendly refinishing results,” the
company said in a media release.
“Besides reducing CO2 emissions
due to shorter process times in the
body shop, the value of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) is consistently
below 250 grams per litre and thus
the lowest on the market, making the
new product line the eco-friendliest
automotive refinish coatings available.” part of the success formula has been
“Innovation is a key pillar of BASF’s customer focus and constant feedback.
growth,” said Dirk Bremm, President of “The customers are in the centre of
BASF’s Coatings division. “The Coatings everything we do, and we rely on their
division has always been committed feedback to provide the best solutions
to exciting the market with the best possible,” said Fabien Boschetti,
surface solutions. With the development Director, Global Marketing, BASF
of our new refinish product line, we Automotive Refinish Coatings Solutions.
have anticipated the challenges of the “Together, we tested the products
changing refinish market and support under real life conditions and got the
our customers when it comes to cutting confirmation that the paint system
emissions and becoming more efficient is capable of reproducing millions of
and sustainable.” colours on the market under all climate
BASF says the new line is the result conditions. When comparing with
of intense research and development in existing basecoat lines in the market, Dirk Bremm.
cross-functional teams of experts, and on average customers can expect
savings of up to 35 per cent in overall
information on economic efficiency or
process times through faster application
environmental benefits.
and shorter flash-off cycles. Another
20 per cent [in] savings can be made as BASF has also established a
material consumption is reduced.” TUV-certified auditing programme so
According to BASF, the new basecoat that body shops can help customers,
line is not only about paints, but also insurance companies, fleets, car
includes a complete set of solutions manufacturers and other stakeholders
for future-minded body shops. It says become aware of their quality and
customers can benefit from new sustainability standards.
ergonomic and state-of-the-art mixing The new waterborne basecoat line,
stations that can be tailored to their including all additional services, will
individual needs, while an additional be rolled out under the company’s
web-based KPI reporting tool helps premium refinish brands Glasurit and
body shop managers to always R-M globally. The company says the
have a clear overview of how their rollout will start in the third quarter of
Fabien Boschetti.
business is operating by providing 2020 in “selected countries”.
14 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIABODYSHOP NEWS
CEO SERIES
THIERRY VANLANCKER
CEO OF AKZONOBEL
Thierry Vanlancker joined AkzoNobel in 2016, bringing
more than 28 years of chemicals industry experience.
The following year he was appointed CEO and soon
after, in October 2018, the company reached a
key milestone. “Following the sale of Specialty
Chemicals, AkzoNobel became a focused
paints and coatings company, with market-
leading positions, strong global brands and
a clear strategy to create value for all our
stakeholders,” said Vanlancker.
AkzoNobel resulted from the merger of
Dutch conglomerate Akzo and
Swedish firm Nobel Industries in
1994, with subsidiaries of both
companies stretching back to
the 17th and 18th centuries.
Headquartered in Amsterdam,
the company employs
approximately 33,000
people worldwide.
“We expect around a
15 per cent increase
in cosmetic repairs
in 2020, and this will
accelerate further
towards 2025 as
autonomy levels in
vehicles increase.”
16 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIABODYSHOP NEWS
CEO SERIES
Vanlancker said the COVID-19 pandemic poses a major for flexibility. To free up space for another job, businesses
challenge for the industry and is causing significant market can roll out the previous vehicle or panel after a five-minute
disruption. “In response, we are closely monitoring the flash-off and leave it to air dry for 45 minutes. However,
pandemic situation and taking all necessary measures, if meeting a tight deadline is the problem, body shops can opt
including steps to rapidly reduce costs and carefully manage for a five-minute bake at 60°C.
cash flows,” he said. “Our ambition to be the frontrunner in BSN: Can you tell us about AkzoNobel’s environmental initiatives?
our industry has remained unchanged.”
TV: Some of our current ambitions include reducing our
BodyShop News Correspondent Stacey Phillips spoke to energy use by 30 per cent by 2030. We are also targeting
Vanlancker to learn more. 100 per cent renewable electricity use by that same year.
Achieving these goals – part of our ‘People. Planet. Paint.’
approach to sustainability – will make a major contribution
to one of our key sustainability ambitions – to reduce carbon
emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. The drive to improve air
quality will continue to result in challenges for coatings to
reduce emissions, and sustainability is becoming a key factor.
At AkzoNobel, we’re continually looking at how we can make
our production and products more sustainable.
On the product side, a recent project involved supplying a
coating that can harness solar energy. A community sports
facility in the Netherlands has installed external panels that
feature an ‘invisible’ facade system that collects thermal solar
energy and uses it to heat and cool the building. It was made
possible thanks to a special coating we developed.
BODYSHOP NEWS: What is your background in the chemicals
industry?
THIERRY VANLANCKER: Prior to joining AkzoNobel, I led
operations in polymers, performance coatings and chemicals
at DuPont and was the president of Fluoroproducts at
Chemours. In April 2019, I was appointed to the Board
of Directors of Sika AG as a non-executive director.
Over my career, I have lived and worked in Switzerland,
the US, Germany, France and Belgium. I hold a degree in
Chemical Engineering from the University of Gent and am
fluent in Dutch, French, English and German.
BSN: What are some of the unique products AkzoNobel
offers the industry?
TV: At AkzoNobel, our global brands (Sikkens, Lesonal,
Dynacoat and Wanda) are focused on delivering the
products, services and colour solutions that meet the needs
of our various end-user segments. This ranges from high-end
premium customers looking for a full suite of OEM-approved
products and value-added business services, to smaller
shops seeking simple, easy-to-use products backed by our
quality guarantee.
We deliver the same high quality, no matter the size of
the repair or the pace of the body shop business. When we
support OEM-approved repairers with our Sikkens premium
products and technology, we guarantee quality every time.
Our digital cloud-based workshop production measurement
system – called Carbeat – enables body shops to track their
work in progress, identify and eliminate bottlenecks and
provide customers with real-time repair status updates.
We also develop aspartic chemistry-based low bake/air
dry products. For example, we recently launched Sikkens
Autoclear Aerodry and Lesonal Ultra Air Clear. These clear
coat technologies are exceptionally flexible due to their ability
to be cured at ambient temperatures, making them ideal for
the refinish of hybrid/electric vehicles, as well as traditionally
powered vehicles. Autoclear Aerodry was developed to help
body shops maximise their productivity and meet the need
BODYSHOP NEWS ASIA 17BODYSHOP NEWS
CEO SERIES
We’ve also been very active in terms of supporting local
communities during the COVID-19 outbreak. For example, our
community programme has provided €120,000 of funding to
help provide essential food and medical supplies for causes
nominated by our employees.
At AkzoNobel, we continue to be recognised as an industry
leader via various external benchmarks, including MSCI – we’ve
received the highest possible rating of AAA for five consecutive
years – and Sustainalytics – ranked number one in the paints
and coatings industry. We also retained our EcoVadis Gold
rating and are included in the Ethibel Sustainability Index (ESI)
Excellence Global.
BSN: How is AkzoNobel addressing current industry challenges?
TV: We suspended our 2020 financial ambition in response to
the market disruption resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, select elements have now been resumed.
We saw market headwinds continue to ease during the
second quarter, although our revenue for June was nearly
five per cent lower than the same month in 2019. During the
month of May, our revenue was around 20 per cent lower
than last year, while market headwinds were strongest
during April when revenue was almost 30 per cent lower
compared with 2019. Trends have differed significantly per
region and segment.
In Europe, demand for decorative paints rebounded strongly,
and faster than our company’s planning assumptions.
By the end of the second quarter, China had almost
recovered to previous levels, although other regions BSN: Looking to the future, what do you think collision repair
facilities will need to be successful?
continued to be impacted by varying degrees of lockdown.
As expected, demand for performance coatings continued TV: As OEMs increasingly adopt the use of advanced
to improve during the quarter, although remained driver-assistance systems (ADAS), body shops are
significantly below the previous year, especially for automotive consequently seeing an increase in the complexity and
and aerospace-related markets. What helped to compensate cost of repairs, with significant effort required to maintain
for lower-end market demand was our strong margin and calibrate these systems in line with OEM specifications.
management and strict temporary cost-saving measures. We expect consolidation to increase in the mid-term
At the same time, we are ensuring that we keep the as vehicle complexity drives repairers to invest in the
organisation intact and are able to respond quickly to changes equipment required to manage repairs and ensure OEM
in end-market demand. specifications are maintained.
From a long-term perspective, depending on the timeframe In addition, the drive to reduce the overall CO2 emissions
we’re looking at, we could think about robot spraying, of vehicles through weight reduction – and the use of body
3D printing of parts or even nanotechnologies that enable the sensors – has resulted in the need for new repair coatings
self-repair of coatings systems. that can cope with lightweight, multi-substrate vehicles while
BSN: What measures have been taken to protect AkzoNobel ensuring radar and lidar safety systems are not impacted.
employees and customers? A direct impact of ADAS is an expected trend towards
smaller repairs. We expect around a 15 per cent increase
TV: Given the massive scale of this pandemic, it has an in cosmetic repairs in 2020, and this will accelerate further
impact on all of us. Fortunately, the number of employees towards 2025 as autonomy levels in vehicles increase.
who have tested positive has been minimal. We’re taking
maximum precautions to ensure the safety and wellbeing The tightening of vehicle emission legislation, especially
of all our people. In many regions, employees are working diesel particulates, has increased the number of battery
from home where possible, while some are starting to return and hybrid power trains in the general car population.
Collision repairs for these alternative fuel systems need to be
to the office.
handled in a different way, specifically in regard to the curing
At all AkzoNobel locations, social distancing measures are of refinish coatings on these types of vehicles, which needs
in force and we are observing all necessary hygiene rules, to be done at a much lower temperature to avoid permanent
including limiting numbers of colleagues in the office and damage to battery systems.
communal areas. To support our customers during times of
BSN: What is your hope for the industry?
social distancing, we have continued to roll out digital tools
and training in the marketplace. Some measures are impacting TV: These are unprecedented times for the entire world.
our business operations, although the situation is changing I hope we can all show our resilience and the global
daily. We fully support and comply with the requirements economy will return to a new normal as soon as possible.
of the relevant authorities and some of our production sites At AkzoNobel, we’ll continue striving to deliver powerful
are still closed, notably in Asia and South America. performance as a frontrunner in our industry.
18 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIAAUG 2020 – VOL 21 NO 210
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ANDR E W M A R S H
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SHINES
IN THE DEPTHS OF DEPRESSION
During the early 1980s the first active suspension prototype mules were unveiled by Lotus.
I did not one, but two stints in the mountainous region of Norfolk – a totally flat county with
a peak height of 105 metres above sea level – and most of it well below this level.
Picture 1: A device that has been around for a few years – here an
epicyclic stack is driven by an electric motor to alter the position
of each half of the anti-roll bar, thus increasing the spring rate.
Versions of this concept also allow each half to be decoupled for
off-roading, where anti roll bars get in the way of axle articulation.
On my first stint in 1990 I had the The promise was great – to allow infinitely from? A Rolls-Royce Pegasus jet engine,
honour of meeting the brilliant group variable suspension characteristics and still in active service at the time with
of engineers who worked on active very positive benefit by using hydraulic the RAF and USAF in the Harrier.
suspension. This was the Lotus actuators which placed the wheel relative The performance was legendary.
‘hush-hush’ department that created to the body, instead of springs/dampers The vehicles were legendary (check
nearly 100 active suspension prototypes which allow the wheels to flop about out the 1986 CERV III with a bi-turbo
for vehicle manufacturers, ranging gracefully relative to the body. Lotus,
LT5 V8 engine, active steering, active
from Volvo (cars, a truck, and a gas ever resourceful, used brilliant minds to
suspension, active torque split 4WD) –
turbine powered bus) to Cadillac via make devices that were not much more
and so was the noise from the oil pump
Kia before they found Hyundai. The powerful than 1990 home computers,
that just wanted everyone for some
system was utterly mind bending – roll do what they had not been designed to
distance around to know it was working
during cornering? Why yes, but does do, and powered the whole system with
quite hard. A bit British.
one want to roll into the corner, out of an oil pump driven by a variable speed
the corner or remain flat? Ride? A step drive. This way the engine could do One engineer spent some time
change from anything Citroen had what it needed to, and the pump could developing a 7.5 tonne light tank with
created. Ladies and gentlemen, the be driven at a fairly constant speed. active suspension – the target being
magic carpet ride had arrived! Did I mention where the pump came to achieve higher cross-country speeds
20 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIAthan was possible with conventional HERE IT COMES… improvement/expansion of the first two
springs/dampers. The British Army What happened to the Lotus system technologies allows the entire vehicle
donated a standard Scorpion tank since it first shocked the world 40 years to be interconnected – dynamically
complete with alcoholic carburetted ago? Well, they sold off key rights to (picture 1).
Jaguar 4.2 litre engine, and the one of their technology partners, and While adaptive roll stiffness takes
‘hush-hush’ team replaced the standard the vehicle manufacturers sat around care of limiting body roll and use of air
springs with active suspension struts. looking at each other. Not one of the suspension can – as Mercedes-Benz
Jeremy Bliss was the engineer, a manufacturers was brave enough to showed more than five years ago –
gentleman who later played his part in commit to developing the prototype reduce roll to zero, the tricky problem
the Thrust SSC land speed record car. system into a production reality. of controlling side-to-side as well as
The tank was prone to either not front-to-rear pitch remained. Enter an
Over the same period there have
working, or apparently working only additional actuator (picture 2).
been many claims by select vehicle
to then break down. Frequently it was The tools have been in development
manufacturers that they had ‘active’
a competition between the active for years, and some of them have
suspension, but this is emphatically
suspension system and the utterly been in production for nearly a decade.
wrong – all were adaptive reactive
analogue Jaguar engine, with the What transforms a group of discreet
systems. Until now.
transmission coming out in sympathy systems into one living beast is access
from time to time. With messages coming in the past to the ever-decreasing cost of computer
few months about new models yet power, inexpensive sensors and vastly
One day Jeremy was in the turret
to arrive from Mercedes-Benz (W223 improved performance on all counts.
command position (hatch) out on the
S-Class), BMW (keeping their hand Fear not – the entry point for this will be
Hethel test track, which was literally
in via the next generation Rolls- expensive vehicles, but it will find its way
half a World War 2 air base. The tank had
Royce Ghost) and Volkswagen Group down-market in less than half a decade.
decided to break down yet again, having
(via Audi), we finally see an adaptive The first applications are merely pilot
done so several times that day – at which
point Jeremy leapt from the turret and reactive system that comes achingly runs for what is to come.
was seen to be bashing his head on the close to the Lotus active suspension Fusion of these technologies allows
tarmac. Only Jeremy had not noticed concept. What changed? a vehicle manufacturer to sense a side
some VIPs being shown around, or that Two important aspects. Mercedes-Benz impact, for example, raise the vehicle
they had arrived just as he decided to led some time ago with the first active ride height by up to 80 millimetres, and
melt down. The Lotus PR representatives road surveillance system, while Volvo allow the impact energy to enter via
had some fun explaining in English, Truck led with GPS linked predictive the sill instead of the door anti-intrusion
which was then translated into another gearbox changes. The advent of beams. Who did that? Mercedes-Benz,
language, what this procedure was for. mass market ADAS combined with as you will see on the W223.
Picture 2: Working in concert with variable rate air suspension, these red actuators can raise or lower the ride height.
This allows the vehicle platform to remain free from side-to-side or front-to-rear pitch.
BODYSHOP NEWS ASIA 21Here we can see the new W223 when someone dares to attempt a side impact. The W223 ADAS detects
the event, tracks the event and close to point of inevitable impact, raises the ride height by up to 80mm.
IS THIS THE END?
We have looked at just one aspect of
automotive technology – body roll and
pitch control. This revolution is going on
like an enormous fireworks show.
However, there are much more
expensive technologies which rely on
taxpayer subsidies for their viability,
such as pure electric vehicles and
even plug-in electric hybrid vehicles.
The public have been bombarded
with ‘important messages’ about how
tail-pipe emissions from specific cars
are responsible for most of the ills
in modern society. In the main these
messages have come from those who
like to spend other people’s cash and not The result is an industry running so route to yet more economic activity.
take responsibility for their actions. hard to stand still it is producing truly Just deleting this sector is not an option
amazing engineering that is effectively by 2025 or any other made-up date,
The automotive industry, notorious
eclipsed by the higher profile issue. The whereas allowing it to change – as it has
for not working together, had been
public seem to have lost their appetite always done – will deliver results more
out-manoeuvred on emissions.
for falling in love with machines that acceptable to those who protest about
Lobbyists managed to change the
have beauty which is more than skin ‘cars killing the planet’.
strategic direction by giving ambitious
deep. Debasing truly amazing advances Where does that leave the collision
but inept governments ‘solutions’
through confusion and indifference repair business? On the front row, poised
to a problem which remains poorly
means that we just might be seeing a to exploit the capabilities your shops
defined and laid firmly at the door of
‘golden age’ play out, and the very best must carry to support these magnificent
the vehicle manufacturer. The result
and most advanced cars of this era will machines of the next generation
is the vehicle manufacturers have
eventually be cherished as much as a past their first decade of existence.
thrown everything they have and more
50-year-old classic today. Vehicle manufacturers have less
into reducing tail-pipe emissions and
to hell with economics. It is entertaining The automotive business produces money than ever before to ensure
to have a vehicle with a carbon footprint circa 80 million vehicles a year. consumers only come to their agents
the size of a small country, but apparently Without a massive over-reaction from for repairs, which opens up yet
does not emit anything from the exhaust governments around the world in more opportunity.
pipe because it doesn’t have one. Plug- the face of a pandemic, it is a major Rarely has the sector been more
in, anyone? economic activity and provides the exciting, and you are all part of it.
Andrew Marsh is the co-owner and founder of vehicle repair methods provider Ezi-Methods.
For more information, go to ezimethods.com.
22 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIANEW JLR ALUMINIUM
RECYCLING PROCESS SET
TO SLASH EMISSIONS
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) says research has revealed how an innovative recycling process could ‘up-cycle’
aluminium waste from drink cans, bottle tops and end-of-life vehicles into premium cars of the future,
significantly reducing production CO2 emissions along the way.
The company says its Reality aluminium
project is a key part of its Destination
Zero mission to reduce carbon
emissions and its ambition to make
societies safer and environments
cleaner through innovation. JLR
says its engineers mixed recycled
aluminium parts with a lower amount
of primary aluminium to form a new
prototype alloy, which is comparable
to existing JLR grade and quality.
According to the company, the new
alloy passed initial quality testing.
JLR says analysis of the recycling
and manufacturing process revealed
that the new alloy has the potential to Aluminium is one of the most widely
reduce alloy production CO2 emissions recycled materials in the world and
by up to 26 per cent compared to the can be melted down and reformed
current automotive grade, helping repeatedly without losing quality.
the company to further “close the Post-consumer recycled aluminium
loop” on its manufacturing and use of appears in everyday goods but
raw materials. is not widely used for high-end
24 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIAapplications such as automotive
manufacturing. JLR says nearly
75 per cent of all aluminium produced
in the USA and EU is still in use today,
and that the creation of recycled
aluminium uses around 90 per cent less
energy than raw material production.
By recovering high-quality automotive-
grade aluminium used to manufacture
vehicles, JLR says it can re-use the
premium properties as part of a blend,
reducing the need for virgin aluminium
in vehicle production. Typically,
end-of-life vehicle scrap is exported
overseas where it can be re-used
for low-end applications, but new
advanced separation technology
has enabled it to be ‘up-cycled’ back
into the automotive process, helping
reduce the environmental impact.
“This project has allowed us, for
the first time, to recover premium
automotive-grade aluminium from The £2 million project, in partnership In 2014, the XE was the first
scrapped vehicles and re-use its unique with Brunel University and co-funded vehicle to use the JLR-codeveloped
properties. The potential of this on by Innovate UK, is helping JLR RC5754 aluminium alloy grade for its
the production process is a reduction extend its aluminium closed loop and body panels, which contains up to
in CO2 impact as well as helping us recycling initiatives as part of 75 per cent recycled aluminium.
re-use even more aluminium,” said Destination Zero. JLR says it has Half of the XE body structure is
Gaelle Guillaume, Lead Project Manager reduced its global operating CO2 made of aluminium alloy grades
for Reality at JLR. emissions per vehicle by 50.7 per cent that contain a significant amount of
“As we move into an autonomous, since 2007 and remains committed to recycled aluminium content – made
connected and electrified future, with an ongoing decarbonisation process. possible by a closed-loop manufacturing
the potential of shared fleets being According to the company, between system at the company’s UK and
de-commissioned en masse, it could September 2013 and March 2020, Slovakia facilities.
allow Jaguar Land Rover to engineer around 360,000 tonnes of closed loop As of last year, JLR used 180,000
this closed loop recycling alloy into scrap have been processed back into tonnes of aluminium on an annual
tight production schedules to further the brand’s lightweight aluminium basis – less than one per cent of the
improve efficiency and environmental intensive architecture across all vehicle 80 million tonnes produced globally
benefits,” added Guillaume. lines, including the Jaguar XE. in 2019.
BODYSHOP NEWS ASIA 25FROM THE USA
WITH S TA C EY P H I L L I P S
HOW TO DELIVER THE BEST QUALITY,
SPEED AND VALUE USING LEAN THINKING
I
n the United States and perhaps
worldwide, the collision repair
industry has experienced what Dave
Luehr refers to as the “perfect storm”.
“The individual storms hitting the auto
body businesses in the entire industry
have been brewing for decades,”
said Luehr, owner of Elite Body Shop
Solutions and author of The Secrets of
America’s Greatest Body Shops.
These include insurer influence,
advanced automotive technology,
a massive technician shortage, the
consolidation of shops, the trend in
OEM certifications, increased operating
costs, a lack of capital to invest in facility
upgrades, exposure to liability, and
challenges due to COVID-19.
Luehr said there were approximately Rich Altieri.
80,000 shops operating in the United
States in 1980, but now, more than half “Lean is really a thinking process – In terms of quality, Altieri said that
that number are no longer operating. a business philosophy aimed at workmanship is very important,
“It’s possible that one out of four continuous improvement,” said Altieri. but shops must deliver a better
body shops that exist today will likely With more than 40 years of experience customer experience. This includes
disappear over the next five years as in the collision industry, Altieri has quality documentation, stakeholder
a result of the perfect storm hitting assisted repair businesses throughout relationships, and culture.
the auto body business,” said Luehr. North America to improve performance When it comes to speed, he advises
“The shops that are not able to navigate by incorporating lean thinking. The facilities to focus on value-added
this storm will be ‘lost at sea’. The shops ultimate goal is to create a strategy touch time – the number of hours or
that are able to navigate the storm that enables them to provide the best days technicians are physically moving
will evolve bigger, better and more quality, speed and value to customers.” damaged vehicles to their pre-damaged
successful than ever.” The first step is a thorough condition. “Value-added touch time
Critical to a shop’s success today understanding of what is meant serves as the root cause of good and bad
and in the future, according to Luehr, by quality, speed and value. When performance,” explained Altieri. “I often
is an organisation’s ability to deliver Altieri is working with shops, he asks refer to performance as touch time,
the best quality, speed and value. employees to define these terms. which drives cycle time performance.”
One approach is to adopt ‘lean thinking’. They typically tell him that quality is Lastly, Altieri said that value should
Luehr invited industry veteran Rich associated with workmanship and be delivered not only to employees, but
Altieri, a mentor at Elite Body Shop bringing the car back to its pre-damaged also to other stakeholders, including
Solutions, to share information about condition; speed is related to efficiency customers, insurers, OEMs, suppliers
lean thinking during an Elite Body Shop and the number of hours technicians and investors.
Solutions Academy webinar. can flag in the eight to 10 hours they are
LEAN THINKING
Most repairers have likely heard a at the shop; and value is the opportunity
Altieri discussed the five principles of
reference to lean thinking, often called available to employees.
lean: Define Value, Eliminate Waste,
process methodology, value-added He recommends shops look beyond Create Flow, Pull, and Continuous
stream mapping, 5S, Kanban, Theory traditional thinking and consider what Improvement. During the webinar, he
of Constraints, Sig Sigma and a variety it now takes to achieve a competitive mainly focused on how to define value
of other definitions. advantage and drive success. and eliminate waste.
26 BODYSHOP NEWS ASIAYou can also read
