Help improve the supply chain and your industry relationships with the PBES annual conference

Do your part to help support a healthy distribution chain that in turn supports the collision repair industry. Plan to attend the annual Paint, Body and Equipment Specialists annual conference!

This year's event, hosted by the PBES segment of the Auto Care Association will be May 18-20 in Indianapolis, Ind.

This year's theme is "People and Profits" and will focus on the life blood of companies — their employees — and ensuring profitable success. Be sure to join industry-leading distributors, manufacturers, WDs and manufacturers' representatives to share your knowledge and ideas that will impact your future success.

PBES President Joe Mattos spoke with ABRN about the importance of attending this event, the group's main goals and the challenges facing the industry.

What is the main focus on PBES and who does it benefit?
Mattos: The main focus of the Paint Body & Equipment Specialists (PBES) segment of the Auto Care Association (ACA) is to promote a healthy distribution chain that supports the collision repair industry. We accomplish this by providing educational content along with information on current affairs that affect our businesses. Because we understand the benefits of social interaction and how it supports business and personal communication, another focus is the annual PBES Conference.

Explain the current PBES membership and their goals.
Mattos: PBES members represent the entire distribution chain, from product creation through delivery to the end-user. That includes Manufacturers, Distributors, Service Providers, Manufacturers’ Representatives and Warehouse Distributors. We believe that all of these stakeholders have an interest in and commitment to supporting each other for the benefit of all. Our goals are to collaborate on best practices that deliver tremendous value to our automotive refinisher Customers in the areas of products, training, business support and industry intelligence. We also strive to have a voice on legislation affecting our industry through ACA’s robust government affairs efforts.

Tell us about the upcoming conference and what’s on the agenda.
Mattos: This year’s Conference theme is “People and Profits!” It attracts market leaders representing all of the segments listed above and provides powerful networking opportunities. We have an impressive list of speakers with thought-provoking presentations on industry dynamics and business challenges that help attendees’ strategic planning initiatives. Topics will include: Cost-to-Serve Analysis; Workforce Issues; and Collision Repair Market Share Changes. We will have break-out sessions to delve deeply into some subjects, roundtable discussions and an Innovation Fair display of new products and services. I am also working on a new attraction that will be of special interest to Distributors. I can’t tell you about it yet but if I can bring it together I think it will help draw a record-breaking crowd.

Why should the industry take notice of this event and attend?
Mattos: This Conference is unique because it brings all industry constituents together in an amiable atmosphere. It attracts people who have developed successful businesses and promotes interactions that help develop even better operations. We emphasize what matters most to PBE distribution and our speaker presentations reflect that focus. I have attended this Conference since the first one in 1996. I made many friends and learned valuable lessons that helped my distribution company grow profitably despite extremely disruptive changes. I guarantee that anyone who attends this Conference and participates in the educational and networking opportunities will benefit for years to come.

What are the main challenges you see facing the industry and your members?
Mattos: There seems to be no shortage of challenges in the automotive industry and PBE distribution has its fair share. Shrinking collision shop population creates a smaller Customer base for us. Low VOC regulations necessitate new products and processes which place an inventory and training burden on us. And MSOs leverage their volume to squeeze margins and drive us to be more efficient. At the same time, everything is changing at a faster pace so we need to stay alert and be responsive to any new changes. These are interesting times!

How has the PBES segment changed over the past decade, and what do you see coming in the next 10 years?
Mattos: The PBE segment has always mirrored the collision shop industry. We have experienced significant consolidation resulting in fewer distributors around the country. We have leveraged technology to gain efficiencies, making our management systems more and more important. We have struggled to attract and retain good people and implement management succession plans. I see a continuation of these same issues in the next ten years. I also question who our Customers will be in the face of repair market share changes. OEMs are leveraging their vehicle owner relationships to drive repair business through telematics and captive insurance companies while controlling repair standard information and parts availability. Another big unknown is collision frequency as ADAS proliferates. Distributors must follow these trends and be creative on remaining relevant as these dynamics disrupt traditions.

If someone is interested in getting involved in PBES, what are the next steps?
Mattos: Take a look at the ACA membership brochure https://www.autocare.org/uploadedfiles/autocareorg/membership/auto-care-membership-brochure.pdf and join ACA! Come to the PBES Conference on May 18-20 in Indy!

Contact any of our committee members listed on the ACA website https://www.autocare.org/who-we-are/segments/pbes/paint-body-and-equipment-specialists/ and discuss membership benefits. I can attest to the payback from being involved in the Association and encourage membership and active involvement. It will support your future success!

More about Joe Mattos
Joe Mattos joined his family's auto paint distribution business in 1973 and held various positions including delivery driver, counter sales and branch manager, before joining the accounting and administration department and evenutally becoming CEO. His experience includes Director of Auto Parts and Accessories Association, committee chair of the Auto Care Association Paint, Body and Equipment Specialists (PBES) segment and member of the BB&T Bank Advisory Board. Mattos structured his company's transition to a 100 percent ESOP in 2003, which sold to a national company with significant employee ownership in 2013. He semi-retired from the paint distribution business in 2017. Mattos currently consults in the field of management analytics with ComCept Solutions, a distribution management software company. In addition, he holds the position of Chair of the Auto Care Association PBES committee. Mattos has three daughters and lives with his wife, Kathy, in Maryland. He attended The George Washington University in D.C. and obtained an associate's degree in Accounting, plus a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems while working full-time.