Capital S.M.A.R.T wins in 2012 the Australian business award for environmenal sustainabilily
Capital S.M.A.R.T is the winner of The Australian Business Award for Environmental Sustainability in its industry classification of Automotive Repairs & Maintenance.
Chief executive Norman Moss said the award was an outstanding achievement and reflected Capital S.M.A.R.T's focus on setting an industry benchmark for environmental sustainability.
"It was the vision of our founder Jim Vais to create an environmental sustainable business and we set out to be ahead of any industry regulation. As a result we believe we have the greenest collision repair centres in Australia," Mr Moss said.
Capital S.M.A.R.T has been recognised for its enhancement, preservation and protection of the environment and honours its professional contribution to the whole industry.
Chief Operating Officer and Founder Jim Vais said that key business partner's Australian engineering company Lowbake and paint manufacturer PPG had played an important role in the evolution of the sustainability initiatives.
"Lowbake worked with us on developing innovative new equipment for our production process whilst PPG assisted in the use of environmentally friendly water borne paint products, " Mr Vais said.
Capital S.M.A.R.T has achieved 100 per cent use of waterborne paint, successfully transitioning away from solvent-based paint, which is a major contributor to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions.
Capital S.M.A.R.T has also invested in High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) or Reduced Pressure (RP) spray equipment, which reduces waste and emissions by transferring more paint onto vehicles and less into the atmosphere.
Spray painting is conducted in specially designed modern downdraft preparation bays fitted with above industry standard extraction fans and filters.
Recent developments have seen drying ovens eliminated, with Capital S.M.A.R.T introducing an infra-red gas medium wave process to dry paint, a first in Australia.
"Capital S.M.A.R.T's achievements in sustainability have been made possible by the contributions of all of our people who have embraced the use of new technology and the transition to waterborne paints. It also highlights the focus on training of technicians in the use of sustainable materials and innovative equipment within Capital S.M.A.R.T." Mr Vais said.
Reducing energy usage has been another priority, with the Greenfield centre at St Mary's in Sydney setting a new benchmark in energy efficiency. Solar panels will run all administration, the office and workshop.
An independent expert's report found that energy consumed at a Capital S.M.A.R.T centre was almost 50% less than at a traditional collision repair operation. As well, CO2 emissions per repair were approximately 30% less compared with a traditional collision repair operation.
Water recycling processes are carried out at all centres and a waterless car washing process has been developed by Capital S.M.A.R.T.
Mr Moss said the entire Capital S.M.A.R.T team had been involved in improving sustainability and had had input on how to change and improve processes.
"Everyone should be incredibly proud of what we have achieved in terms of sustainability. We will continue to find ways to improve our processes as we continue our network rollout".
The Australian Business Award for Environmental Sustainability Winners 2012
