Page 55 - Australian Paint & Panel Nov-Dec 2020

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SAM STREET
An amazing transformation from our last
visit and the team has done everything is said it would and more, much much more.
This is a benchmark business for those looking to become a prestige repairer.
JUDGE POWELL
This immaculate refurbished repair
facility built on a sound reputation is methodically increasing its volume of
repairs, whilst still maintaining the high-ranking impeccable standard of repair expected by the two big European badges.
SIZE: 4,500m2 workshop 12,000m2 property STAFF: 54
TYPE OF WORK: All types
NO OF CARS PER WEEK: 70-80
OEM APPROVALS: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Lexus, Subaru
U
JUDGES’ COMMENTS
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Part of the new dedicated Mercedes-Benz facility; from left: Dave Collins, Ryan Simpson, Steven Simpson, Sam LaHood; third booth is tall enough for Sprinters.
It did give Parramatta Smash Repairs the opportunity to tailor the space to the specific needs of fastidious Mercedes- Benz. There are very few repairers in Australia that have dual representation of BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The relationship with BMW is undoubt- edly Parramatta Smash’s oldest and is highly valued, but, in recent years, the amount of Mercedes work flowing through the business has been immense.
“Mercedes is the newest brand for us, and very important given the volumes we repair.” says Simpson.
The new Mercedes-Benz workshop is stunning and bursting with new equip- ment – shiny new Car-O-Liners, huge bays, beautifully painted floors. There’s a gorgeous customer area which is cur- rently being used for training (lucky
team) but will likely be a VIP pick up area for Mercedes-Benz customers.
“It’s pretty well done” says Simpson, in a classic example of understatement. “It’s funny now, because it’s so much bigger than the original panel shop, the guys seem to love it.” Understandable.
Over in the paint shop there’s a extra high booth to accommodate sprinter vans. The paint shop is strategically lo- cated in between both panel shops. The business is approved for four brands alto- gether with Lexus and Subaru being the other two. Simpson casually points out another new shed to help with storage.
The business takes its legacy seriously and is committed to bringing on the next generation of technicians with six panel apprentices, a mechanical appren- tice and four paint apprentices.
All we can say is grandad Cec must be proud of what the family has achieved. It’s a challenge to run such a large site, to create a culture of order and cleanliness that premium OEMs de- mand and to continually evolve and de- velop the business. The team have risen to those challenges and are positioning the business to be in good shape for when Ryan’s children are ready to take over the reins.
SHOP STATS