Page 24 - Australasian Paint & Panel Magazine Sep-Oct 2018

CAR CRAFT GROUP
CAR CRAFT GROUP SIGNS UP 11 MORE
Paint & Panel talked to some of the new members to find out their motives for joining the group.
THE CAR CRAFT Group has now become a national entity with one of the latest of 11 businesses joining from the Northern Territory.
Guido Merlo from Autocrash Express Repairs in Yarrawonga is heavily involved in the industry as vice president of MTA NT, a director of MTAA and on the board of AMBRA. "The industry is going through so much change that it makes sense to be part of a group. We're isolated here in Darwin and it's great to have other shop owners to exchange ideas with.
"With profit margins always an issue, the group buying power for parts and consumables definitely gives you an advantage, particularly when you are in an area which doesn't have a high volume of repairs.
"I've already benefited from my association with the group in terms of gaining new customers. I'm a second generation repairer, I love the industry and the job and I just want to do it as well as I possibly can which for me means always looking for ways to improve."
Car Craft general manager Peter McMahon and the board welcomed the new 11 members which brings the group's national footprint to 108 shops. The Car Craft Group directors, at a recent
24 PAINT&PANEL September / October 2018
meeting in Adelaide, unanimously agreed to continue the growth strategy that has seen the group expand by 25 per cent in the last 24 months.
"The expansion in NSW, Victoria as well as in the Northern Territory has been very encouraging and with SA, QLD and WA also adding to the group's footprint in their well-established markets. The ability to offer all our work providers the same outstanding service across the country is piece of mind for them," McMahon said.
"This will not be growth for growth's sake, we will continue to expand at a steady pace, inviting like-minded business owners to join Australia's largest independently owned smash repair network and enjoy the benefits of being part of a group they own."
Meghan Leishman from Gold Coast Collision Centre said, "We realised how important networking and seeing how others run their business is through working with PPG. Joining Car Craft gives us more access to being able to grow and learn new ways through the network. What appeals to me is being part of a repair group that offers consistent national branding. It means that we have the trust of customers who have been exposed to the brand before they even walk in the door."
MAIN: Megan and Dan Leishman; BELOW: Daniel Edwards and James Sardellis.
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