Cranbourne Body Works - Doing it their way for over three decades - National Collision Repairer
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T A L K I N G S H O P Cranbourne Body Works Doing it their way for over three decades WE MEET KEVIN SLATTERY OF CRANBOURNE BODY WORKS WHO TELLS US WHAT HE DOES, HOW HE DOES IT, AND WHAT STEPS HE’S TAKING TO PREPARE HIMSELF FOR THE INDUSTRY’S INEVITABLE TECHNOLOGICAL FUTURE. Kevin Slattery did his apprenticeship at Over the years he’s seen the done the job safely and properly. Armstrong’s in Dandenong in the early industry change and is particularly Kevin currently has GM Holden 1980s and became a panel beater by concerned about some of the and Chevrolet Certified Repairer status trade. He was exposed to some rather consolidators. “I just don’t see how and is looking forward to seeing how old-fashioned thinking and ways of they can deliver what we deliver at the the GM Repair Network will evolve in doing things, so in 1988, at the age of rates they charge, especially when it light of the recent changes at GM 23 he bought Cranbourne Body Works, comes to the heavy hits.” Kevin says Holden. Regarding the growing which at the time was a business that that when he has interviewed panel influence of OEMs, he expects that bought, repaired and sold damaged beaters from that environment over when the time is right and the cars from a site “off the beaten track” the years, they just don’t have the opportunities arise, Cranbourne Body in Cranbourne. He was young, didn’t depth of knowledge to do what they Works is likely to pursue other have a great deal of money, but always do at Cranbourne Body Works, manufacturer certifications. knew that he wanted to do things his especially when it comes to The business has established solid way. Fast forward to 2010 and Kevin interpreting and executing the relationships with insurers Suncorp, moved the business to a new facility manufacturers’ approved repair QBE and Youi, although he faces the on the main highway, where he’s been procedures. Interestingly, Kevin ongoing challenge of doing things ever since. Pre-COVID-19, the business recommends taking photos every step right and making a reasonable return was repairing 25–30 cars per week, of the way when doing more complex on investment. As the industry predominantly heavy hits. repairs as verification that you have evolves, requiring ongoing investment, Kevin Slattery. 2 0 – TA L K I N G S H O P
this challenge is likely to continue for Cardinia Business Award in 2015. In industry. As an I-CAR Gold Class
the foreseeable future. 2019 we were also recognised by repairer, Cranbourne Body Works has
Kevin’s wife Nicky has become VACC as Partner in Developing the invested heavily in technical training.
more involved in the business as it has Talent of Tomorrow.” Cranbourne However, he believes that the biggest
grown, and although they are not Body Works is also I-CAR Gold risk is related to diagnostics and
immune to the challenges of attracting Certified, which is further recognition calibration, which he currently
and retaining staff, there are several of their commitment to excellence. outsources to the local dealer. “Not
long-term employees in the team of 12 Kevin is enthusiastic about the unlike many repairers, we initially used
who have been with the business for companies that are Cranbourne Body a scan tool to clear dash fault code
over a decade, working across admin, Works’ key supplier partners and have indicator lights following the repair.
parts and spray painting. been with him on his journey. “PPG has However, we soon realised that this is
Interestingly, Kevin has done a been our paint supplier for the past not sufficient as we became aware
great deal of work with the local five years and I’ve been so impressed that not every fault code results in a
schools in the area, promoting the with virtually everything they do. The dash indicator light. So, we found
opportunities in the collision repair colour is brilliant, the technical support ourselves relying on the dealers.”
sector in support of the Victorian is faultless, and their attitude is However, as the director of
Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL), exceptional. I won’t be leaving PPG for Cranbourne Body Works, Kevin knows
which is a practical option for students a long, long, long, long time.” that ultimately, he is accountable for
in years 11 and 12. Notwithstanding the Everywhere you look in the body the safe and proper repair of the
clearly defined career paths available, shop there are Car-O-Liner benches vehicle and intends to bring the
he has been disappointed by the lack and, in Kevin’s own words, “it’s the process under his own roof. He has
of interest in our industry. In addition, stuff that works. Sure, they cost a bit turned to the DrivePro Elite diagnostic
Kevin is frustrated with the high more, but quality always does. They system by OpusIVS. Opus’ systems do
attrition rate for those that do start an are so easy to use and the service and far more than identify and treat the
apprenticeship, even though he has support is fantastic.” symptoms – they get to the root cause.
worked with VACC in providing all the Kevin is committed to staying on With access to a factory trained
necessary support. One of the key top of things, especially the quoting technician for the vehicle being
challenges, Kevin believes, is that trades system, as he wants to ensure he gets repaired, Kevin can send in the full
are competing with university for the paid for everything he does. He also vehicle report and, not only will he
high school students looking to decide operates iBodyshop, which he says is receive a response regarding what the
where they want to take their careers. unquestionably the best cloud-based vehicle repair requires for insurance
We turn our attention to the estimating and body shop purposes, he will also receive
VACC, and Kevin explains that they management system available. diagnostic technical information for
have been a member “forever”. “We As one of the more progressive faults that occurred pre-collision. He
actually won the inaugural VACC Best collision repairers, Kevin is looking to sees this as an opportunity to add
Small Business and Best Body stay ahead of the “technological value for the vehicle owner whilst the
Repairer in 2016, to go with our Casey tsunami” that is impacting our car is in for the collision damage repair.
Uploading images in real time. The Opus IVS ADAS targets.
The National Collision Repairer – 2 1
Minutes
5
T A L K I N G S H O P
with ...
Of course, this ensures the vehicle is highly leveraged when the coronavirus
fault-free and safe for the road. hit. What we were able to do was get
“My initial thoughts are that I am all the preventive maintenance and
quite excited about the whole process repairs done so that when things get
and keen to get the entire calibration back to normal, we are ready to go.”
system into the business. I like what I As Kevin looks ahead, he sees the
see so far, and I think we have the dynamic industry continuing to
right people already in the business to change and it really gets him excited
make the most of DrivePro. I am very about the future. “I’m still fit, strong
excited about having a technician at and young at heart, and will always be
the other end of the line to ensure we looking for something to do. The next
get it right. The way I see it is that generation of technologically
John Digiorgio Opus IVS is providing peace of mind advanced vehicles will provide the
SAPE Group for the collision repair industry.” stimulus that will keep both me and
We discuss what differentiates Cranbourne Body Works going for
When did you join the industry? Cranbourne Body Works. Kevin sums many years to come.”
November 2020 it up as a commitment to excellence.
“Excellence in the quality of the repair,
What was your first job in the industry?
Business Development Manager – NSW, excellence in customer service and an
Equipment Division ongoing commitment to continuous
improvement – that’s one of the key
What do you do now? drivers behind our interest in DrivePro.
Business Development Manager – NSW, We’re always looking to keep ahead of
Equipment Division and I’m looking the game.”
forward to getting out there, meeting
Kevin was keen to make a short
everyone, and making sure everyone
comment on the impact of COVID-19
knows I’m here to help when it comes to
anything equipment related. on his business over the past six
months. He says it has been
What do you like about the industry? frustrating. “Although we were
I like that it’s an industry I have a genuine fortunate to have a good pipeline of
interest in and can relate to. Also, all the work, that has well and truly dried up,
different characters and how down to but critical and essential vehicle work
earth everyone is. has allowed us to keep operating,
What don’t you like about the industry? albeit at a significantly reduced
That I’ll be seeing a lot of nice cars that I capacity. It’s been the stop-start nature
can’t have. of the recovery that’s been difficult to Identifying fault codes with
What music do you like? manage, and I’d hate to have been Drive Pro Elite
I’m all about diversity
Your Favourite Artist?
Jay Z
Your favourite food?
American BBQ, Italian, Greek …
the list is too long
Your favourite drink?
Beer, Whiskey
Your hobbies?
Getting the meat smoker on, weekends
away at the family farm, going for a
random drive, watching car reviews,
playing soccer, restoring cars …..
Who in the world would you most
like to meet?
Mario Balotelli
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY Inside the work shop.
2 2 – TA L K I N G S H O P
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