Page 126 - Australian Paint & Panel Nov-Dec 2020

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NATIONAL WINNERS
PAINT&PANEL NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020
BEST NATIONAL SHOP WINNERS
EVERY YEAR THE JUDGES WRESTLE WITH WHO TO HAND THE ULTIMATE ACCOLADE TO - BEST NATIONAL WINNER IN THE SIZE CATEGORIES.
HE THING ABOUT INDEPENDENT BEST NATIONAL SHOP WINNERS shops is that no two are alike.
ing as an architect or interior designer. We loved the huge windows that give a great view into the frankly stunning customer area. It’s so white and mini- malistic as to be almost futuristic. It is beautifully lit and extraordinarily styl- ish. There’s a lounge area and the port- able mobile meeting desk (tucked away when not in use) is an innovative touch.
It’s the attention to detail that is really remarkable - so much thought has been put into every aspect of the shop such as the storage of equipment, everything is hidden away, everything is pristine.
The Khabbaz brothers and every bit as fastidious about the work that is under- taken in the shop. They don’t seek out insurance contracts as they are unwill- ing to compromise on any of their stand- ards. This facility has been designed to attract more OEM approvals, high qual- ity restoration work and fleet work. The offices are minimalistic and there are smart locks with swipe cards to ensure the most stringent security.
The jaw really hits the floor when you enter the workshop. All 600 metres of the shop floor is tiled and it looks amaz- ing – you don’t want to be dropping any- thing that’s for sure. Cars that aren’t be- ing worked on are covered –although given the cleanliness of the workshop...
There enormous custom-made white equipment trollies which have either pull out draws or sliding draws. Finishline is the first shop in Australia to get a PPG Moonwalk mixing machine which says a lot about PPG’s opinion of the Khabbaz brothers. There are speakers with sur- round sound to sooth the technicians and
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We’re constantly fine-tun- ing the awards to make sure e have an apples with apples
situation – taking out corporate shops and dealer owned shops from the mix. The national winners are chosen from the state winners, which are all ex- cellent businesses or they wouldn’t have won. They have already proved them- selves as a great facility, well presented, with all the equipment needed to restore cars to pre-accident condition.
National winners provide a comforta- ble, safe working environment for their teams. They have an eye to the future and are committed to bringing on the next generation, training apprentices and training and motivating the whole team. They have modern working prac- tices, taking advantage of the latest in technology to carry out their business efficiently and profitably. They promote their business intelligently across vari- ous platforms.
National winners are fully focussed on customer satisfaction and have good relationships with work providers. They will network, attend conferences, train, visit other repairers always look- ing out for ways to improve their own business. They have a clear vision for where the business is heading and how to get there. There’s always a healthy hint of obsession for these business owners who raise the standard for the whole industry and help to change the public perception of what a collision re- pair business offers.
BEST NATIONAL NEW SHOP
FINISHLINE AUTOBODY REPAIRS
All the new shop winners this year were fantastic. IQBodyshop in Melbourne had transformed an old Woods shop into a sharp, customer focused rapid repair outlet for its growing network. Calla- ghans Collision Centre in Sydney has created a large well organised facility with a laser focus on the future eyeing up another badge and branching out into the growing market of large vans.
ASR Collision Specialists in Cairns cre- ated a dedicated workshop for its prestige clients while maintaining a separate facil- ity to enable rapid repairs. Bowra Panel & Paint in Perth took the plunge moved up a massive gear opening a large, modern shop again with an eye to OEM specialisa- tion. Now we always say that the Paint & Panel awards aren’t a beauty contest - but when it comes to a brand, spanking, new shop looks kind of do matter.
Our jaws actually dropped when we had our Zoom tour of Finshline Autobody Re- pairs in Adelaide. South Australia has re- ally raised it’s game over the last three or four years in terms of shop presentation - but Finishline has taken the bar and tossed it heaven-wards. Firstly the exterior - nice- ly situated on a main road is sharp, mod- ern and beautifully branded. Ray and Les Khabbaz and the team suffered the usual hell of trying to work while the renovations were being carried out.
Ray is the design genius of the two brothers and could have missed his call-
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