Page 53 - Australasian Paint & Panel Jul-Aug 2020

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LOWBAKE LOWDOWN
“I remember the first time we walked into the new MPSR building,” says Lowbake’s Chris Williams. “Johnny had just received the keys and we were absolutely itching to start the installation that very day, I knew there and then that we were about to start something special.
“The whole design process for the facil- ity was carried out and signed off whilst Johnny was overseas in Europe. This in it- self presented some challenges for us due to the time difference and working back and forth with design changes and mark- ups – but as always, we made it work and presented a turnkey solution.
This is our third shop fit out with Johnny and the MPSR group. Being a family owned business ourselves, we take great pride in working with and supporting other family owned businesses. The whole Lowbake team is thrilled to watch the MPSR group grow and expand to an MSO.
“Johnny is not afraid of new technology and the technological advantages that fol- low. Each MPSR site is fitted with our Aus- tralian designed and manufactured GAS-IR robots and waterborne accelerated curing (RADS) unit, vastly increasing potential re- pair output and quality.
“This is all backed by a full support team in Melbourne to overcome any is- sues that may arise, whether it be equip- ment or paint related. The whole Lowbake team is getting behind the MPSR group and we are looking forward to supporting them through this tough time and antici- pating the great things to be achieved to- gether on the other side.” he said.
LOWBAKE EQUIPMENT
INSTALLED
• Lowbake GAS-IR Arch with remote support capabilities
• Lowbake ALPHA Spraybooth with remote support capabilities
• R.A.D.S (Rapid Air Drying System) Assisted waterborne curing unit
• Lowbake Premium Mixroom
• Lowbake 3 Bay Prepbay with high
airflow extraction
• Customised drive in vehicle wash-bay
• Workshop high output overhead
bay lighting
Lowbake were there to help with Mark Williams tackling the trickier boutique shop in Brookvale and his son, Chris Williams working on the huge new Mar- rickville site to achieve Karavasilias’ vi- sion. The idea for Marrickville was to have one site devoted to OEM work and one to general insurance work.
Brookvale was finished at the begin- ning of the year and Karavasilias decid- ed to delay its opening while he was busy with the new Marrickville fit out. The new Marrickville site was finished just in time for the Paint & Panel shop tour on 13 March. Everyone on the tour agreed that it is a stunning shop. Then lockdown struck and unfortunately both new shops remained closed.
Karavasilias employs 457 visa workers from the Philippines who aren’t eligible for JobKeeper. To protect their livelihoods he kept them working on a part-time ba- sis. Like most business owners he had to
make difficult decisions such as making some of his staff redundant. He has stretched his resources as much as possi- ble to keep most of the team together.
Having to keep the roller doors closed due to COVID-19, Karavasilias was left frustrated and deflated.
Like every industry, rumours float around including whispers that Karavasili- as’ new business is going under. Yet Kara- vasilias remains positive and excited about the future: “Perseverance is key to operat- ing a business and the Covid-19 lockdown is something that no one could ever have predicted. Everyone is in the same boat”.
Although Covid-19 has come with many negatives and has set many com- panies back, it has granted Karavasilias time in the office. This has allowed him to catch up on admin backlog keeping him relatively busy and getting all his ducks in a row. “I’m now ready to pounce and looking forward to opening,” he said.
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