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SEMA19.Nov5

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Aftermarket Daily News 5 5 Tuesday, November 5, 2019 forward process to assist collision professionals, automotive manufacturers and insurance providers in repairing vehicles to ensure the safety and functionality is restored as the OE intend- ed following a collision. The 3D structural diagnostics pro- vided by the wand lead to minimal vehi- cle teardown and ensure accurate esti- mates to reduce supplements while increasing efficiency throughout the repair process. The Fenderbolt software, powering the Matrix Wand, integrates the Mitchell Reference Database to compare points to factory specifications. Calculations from the wand and its soft- ware are accurate within +/- 1mm, assur- ing precision repairs and calibration of ADAS systems. For more information about the Matrix Wand, visit www.thematrixwand.com or stop by SEMA booth #10979. Accuracy Is Safety in a World of Millimeters In 2018, 92.7 percent of consumer vehi- cles produced included at least one Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature. ADAS technologies are designed to improve the convenience and safety of driving by warning the driver that a crash is imminent or by temporari- ly automating certain aspects of vehicle control such as acceleration, braking or steering. As these technologies become more available to motorists, they have the potential to reduce rates of crashes, injuries and deaths on roadways. There is still a learning curve for consumers, and the full potential realized by these technologies won't occur until drivers understand how to use them as intended and avoid becoming over- reliant on them. The same learning process applies to collision repairers, where the tolerances for sensor place- ment need to be precise to not only cali- brate the sensors, but to ensure they are performing to the safety specifications as the OE intended. Automotive design has evolved rap- idly in the past decade, not just the ADAS components. In order to address government mandated fuel economy standards and improve safety, manufac- turers have moved towards aluminum bodies versus steel. This reduces vehicle weight, improves energy absorption, and larger crush zones that fold more pre- dictably. Due to this physical change in construction, vehicles involved in colli- sions often experience structural move- ment in the upper body beyond the frame. Structural movement in the upper body can impact the positioning of an array ADAS, including for- ward collision warning (FCW), lane departure warning (LDW), lane keeping assist (LKA), blind spot monitoring (BSM), rear cross- traffic alert (RCTA) and adaptive cruise control (ACC). Many of these sensor mounts have a +/- 1mm tolerance in order to calibrate and function appropri- ately, especially in instances where it must read objects in the distance for col- lision avoidance. As ADAS systems become more prevalent and advanced, accurate blue- printing during collision repair is crucial to the integrity of the vehicle and cali- bration of sensors back to OE standards. The absence of proper and precise meas- uring tools leads to highly subjective damage assessments which are often made based on opinions and guess work. The Matrix Wand uses a simple, straight- Production-Minded Shops Turn to Garmat and the Industry has Noticed The collision industry is moving into an era of increased severity. Repair bills are growing due to sophisticated repair pro- cedures, and expensive on-board ADAS equipment is driving parts costs. As a result, insurers are looking to partner with body shops who can handle the vol- ume, maintain tight cycle times and keep costs down. These changes in severity can harm an inefficient body shop and ultimately creates an angry customer. As the pressure on touch times increases, production solutions such as paint booths and advanced drying equip- ment like the Gascat Dryers™ gas catalyt- ic drying solution are gaining a lot of con- sideration in production-minded shops. This demand is spilling over into the com- mercial truck and the industrial market as truck repair shops seek production solu- tions to meet their market demands. This increased market opportunity recently drew the attention of private equity firm MPE partners. The private equity firm has two primary target invest- ment areas: high-value manufacturing and commercial & industrial services. MPE has invested in Garmat ® USA to help an already innovative company reach its next phase of growth and fuel more innovation. In reaction to the recent investment, Johan Huwaert was recently quoted as saying, "MPE's operating executive resources and their long track record of partnering with entrepreneur-led busi- nesses make them a great partner for Garmat USA. It is an exciting time in the collision repair industry, and we thought it was the right time to bring in a partner with the resources and experience to help us enhance our position as the innovation leader in our industry." Since its inception, Garmat USA has been synonymous with innovation in the spray booth market. Garmat USA's product line is known for superior airflow, optimal lighting and unpar- alleled distributor support. Garmat has continually introduced technologies that have revolutionized the refinishing industry, with patents on Accele-cure ® air accelerator system and the integrated mechanicals found in their modified downdraft models such as Tier 1, Frontier and Chinook. Garmat USA man- ufactures high-quality equipment with production enhancing attributes, energy efficiencies and environmentally-friend- ly features. The addition of gas catalytic drying solutions through Gascat Dryers has opened up an opportunity to reduce dry times within existing paint booths drasti- cally. The catalytic drying is a cost-effec- tive way to increase production without increasing the footprint within a shop. Gas catalytic drying solutions ability to work with a multitude of substrates are proving to be very useful in the com- mercial truck industry. Garmat is not just an equipment manufacturer; the company's success is fueled through the robust network of local, inde- pendent sales and installation distributors. Garmat distributors provide first-hand experience accountability in your pre- purchase, installation and after-sale serv- ice needs, as well as bringing the knowl- edge of local jurisdictional regulations. Working hand-in-hand with Garmat USA ultimately gives you the peace of mind that you have a code-compliant and quality installation, with support after the sale. Experience has proven that the highest level of personal commitment to customers exists through this method of sales and service distribution. For more information, stop by booth #11033 or go to www.garmat spraybooths.com.

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