Page 32 - Australasian Paint & Panel Nov-Dec 2018
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2018 PAINT & PANEL BODYSHOP AWARDS
yes. So in future there could be some courtesy push bikes.
Fleuriue is no one trick pony, as well as collision repair the business offers airconditioning services, detailing and is an O’Brien Auto Glass agent – which allows customers to interact with the business outside of a crash scenario.
A country repairer has to be entrenched in the community and Fleuriue certainly is that. Benton is active in the local rotary club and the company sponsors a great many local sports teams and the surf lifesaving club. Fleuriue is a collection point for the domestic violence charity Life in a Bag as well as a contributor and encourages waiting customers to knit a row or two for blankets for the homeless.
In terms of staff development it speaks volumes that Brenton also won our inaugural Outstanding Mentor award.
OUTSTANDING MENTOR
the training is virtual and Brenton lays on pizza and drinks for the staff while they are working online, feeding the stomach while feeding the mind. There’s plenty of training to ensure staff keep up with the latest repair methods. Brenton takes on a new apprentice each year and in over the last 10 years has only had one who hasn’t completed to trade qualification. One of his spray painting apprentices Lucy Grimwood just missed out on first place at this year’s PPG Colourmatching competition, another is looking like a great candidate for next year’s Worldskills in the panel beating category.
Another way Brenton supports and rewards staff is by taking them to events such as the Collision Repair Expo or to dealer training nights. “It’s hard to keep staff but investing in their development is essential to do so. Happy staff who feel appreciated stay longer,” he said.
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Brenton Abbott understands that mentoring means supporting staff through their personal and professional development. “Training is very important,” he says, “ but you also have to coach your staff through life’s ups and downs.” Brenton believes in giving praise for a job well done as well as investing in his team.
Two of Fleurieu Crash Repairs’ staff have completed the I-CAR welding certification course. As they are a country repairer much of
Top cente: Best MSO from left Paint & Panel publisher Helen Davies, Paul Anthony; Chris Beatty; Veronica Jory; Amen El Dannaoui. Top right: Digital Excelence, left Aaron Scagliotta, right John Bermingham, AkzoNobel. Below: left David Marino, Capital SMART; Brenton Abbott.
SRS kicked off just six years ago and already has five sites in three states. It all started in West Melbourne when Paul Anthony and Chris Beatty bought a business back in 2011 and opened number two site in 2014. Amen El Dannaoui joined as a third partner in 2015. “ When we opened Richmond we proved you can do high quality rapid repairs.” Beatty said. The first Queensland shop opened in 2015 and the ‘flagship’ shop of the group came on stream in Underwood, Queensland in 2016. The most recent branch is in Sydney’s Hills district which opened in 2017.
You have to give these guys credit for having big balls and laser vision. Beatty sold his house to finance the purchase of the first shop as did Amen when he joined. “ So this is our nest egg,” he says, “I think it’s fair to say that we’re all in.”
Beatty used to work at Allianz insurance with Anthony when they discovered they were both up for a new challenge.
Six years on and the company is structured for further growth with the trio having invested $1M in setting up a national head office structure. “That way we’re in a good position to take
32 PAINT&PANEL November / December 2018
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