Page 69 - Australasian Paint & Panel Nov-Dec 2022

2022 WINNER
PAINT&PANEL NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022 WWW.PAINTANDPANEL.COM.AU
BEST MULTI-SITE OPERATOR WINNER
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THIS CATEGORY IS FOR MULTI-SITE OPERATORS WHO HAVE BETWEEN 4-20 SITES AND ARE PRIVATELY OWNED.
ORTRESS WAS ONLY ES-
tablished in 2020 and has only been operational since uly 2021 but already has 10 sites – all in Queensland bar one in Newcastle, NSW. The largest site is at Crestmead at 7500m2; the smallest is Southport Prestige at just
10; the average is between 2-3000m2. Fortress declares a clear strategic intent to become Australia’s leading automotive repairer and the partner of choice for in- surers. The vision is: “To build something
better, not the biggest but the best.” Fortress says: “The core enablers and pillar of Fortress’s strategy are the people skills and culture that make the business and our unique model come to life. We recognise this is a people business and intend never to lose sight of that. We believe that strong culture leads to superior performance and best practice solutions for for our custom- ers and insurance partners. Our core values support our vision, shape our culture and reflect the company values
in its people and our service.”
SHOP STATS
STAFF: 263 SITES: 10
TYPE OF REPAIRS: All types, specialised stolen and recovered site, plastic repair, PDR
OTHER SERVICES: Mechanical, windscreen; ADAS; air conditioning
CARS PER WEEK: Approx 550
Head office is in Mansfield, where consultation and communication is structured formally with a series of meeting from daily pre-starts, weekly management and monthly executive teams. Fortress says: “We’ve already gained the reputation that we are a ‘people business’ with excellent remu- neration and incentive schemes, flexi- ble work options and genuine equal employment and development oppor- tunity.”
When it comes to ‘growing your own’ Fortress certainly has green fin- gers with over 30 apprentices plus school based apprentices and has part- nered with an impressive number of educational establishments. The group has a disabilities vocation program and employs five general hands on supported wage inclusive of a dedicat- ed NDIS vocation care manager.
FROM TOP: It doesn’t look that big from the outside, but once you get inside it is enormous including the reception area.
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