Page 28 - Australasian Paint & Panel Nov-Dec 2018

2018 PAINT & PANEL BODYSHOP AWARDS
NATIONAL BEST SHOP WINNERS
Our national best shop winners fall into four categories, boutique, medium, large and new. What makes a national winning shop? Simply put it is the out of the state winners for that year, but best how?
THEY’VE ALREADY WON the state award in their size category so they tick all the basic boxes and lots more in terms of customer and staff facilities, equipment levels, business presentation, staff welfare and development and a positive industry attitude.
Every year the bar is raised and our national winners are always among those raising that bar. With margins being strangled and the myriad of other challenges in this industry, our national winners have a clear vision for their business, great relationships with their work providers and are thriving in a harsh climate. They are innovators who have read the market and adapted their business strategy accordingly. They have committed to a direction and single-mindedly pursued it overcoming the inevitable obstacles along the way.
Our winners have experimented with different aspects of the
business and are not afraid to try something new and fail. A clean well-organised workshop is a must in order for it to be efficient and productive. A clean shop also demonstrates a healthy staff culture – team members who take pride in and have respect for their workplace. Each of our winners has a different business model but what they do have in common is a clear sense of purpose, a love of what they do, resilience in the face of adversity and an incredible work ethic.
BEST NEW SHOP WILLMOT SMASH REPAIR SPECIALIST QLD
The new shop category is often the hardest to judge. The competition was fierce this year. On sheer wow factor Spot On in Victoria had it. Vesco Jolevski raised the bar out of sight with a stunning facility that we awarded with an Editor’s Choice award. However presentation isn’t all. Drive Accident Repair Solutions is another stunning facility in Brisbane which we didn’t award best new shop to in Queensland. What Spot On and Drive Accident Repair solutions have is game changing presentation and immense potential which we’re sure they will soon realise, however Willmots hit the ground running with its new facility. With a workshop half the size of Spot On, four less spray booths and for a fraction of the investment they repair the same 60 cars per week. The shop was built with a firm knowledge of what volume would be required and the entire workflow was designed around this so that maximum capacity could, and was achieved, from the word go.
Fletchers Smash Repairs in WA was also a stunning new facility and also hit the ground running but has more potential which we are certain that Van Lam will achieve.
Helena Willmot and husband Wes Jenkins have taken the family business to the next level. They are totally focused
and totally business-like. They understand their operating costs, understand and embrace the best processes. The busy shop employs IBodyshop so that everyone knows
what needs to be done and like all well run workshops the staff look relaxed but productive. Helen and Jes
have good relationships with their work providers and have ensured a sustainable business going forward.
BEST BOUTIQUE SHOP WEST PERTH PANEL & PAINT, WA
While they went through a period of hardship as smaller shops struggled in a marketplace where volume and cut throat pricing were king, West Perth Panel & Paint persevered to carve out a niche as a specialist repairer. Repairing the complex Audi range suits this business that is a shrine to perfectionism. This is a family business where mum and dad Carlo and Joanne Francesca work alongside sons David and Mark and the entire family’s passion for the business shines through. They are the prime example of carving a niche to secure the future of the business. While others might struggle in smaller workshops the Francesca’s incredible organisational skills make the place seem bigger than it is. The ‘place for everything and everything in its place philosophy’
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PAINT&PANEL November / December 2018
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Above: Helena Willmot and Wes Jenkins, Best new shop winners with James Frape, Compass. Right: Carl Francesca, West Perth Panel & Paint, best boutique shop