Page 80 - Australasian Paint & Panel Magazine Sep-Oct 2019

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WOODRIFF SMASH REPAIRS IS VAST, WITH THREE SHEDS COVERING 7,000M2 WHICH INCLUDES PAINT, PANEL, MECHANICAL AS WELL AS SERVICING AND DETAILING – AND THEY ARE POPPING AT THE SEAMS AND PLANNING TO EXPAND.
QLD – LARGE
PAINT&PANEL SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2019 WWW.PAINTANDPANEL.COM.AU
WOODRIFF SMASH REPAIRS
I
T IS IN THE CAPABLE HANDS
of the second generation, brothers Joe and Nick Woodriff who have a refresh- ing approach to the business. They embrace every available technolo- gy to improve processes and production, are passionate and excited about the in- dustry and have engaged a business coach to ensure Woodriff is run like a
business rather than just a ‘panel shop’. The business began in 1982 in a small shed next door. Their father Laurie then bought the property the business stands on now. They describe themselves as a ‘one stop vehicle repair and service centre with
pro-active vehicle lifecycle management’. It hasn’t been an easy journey for the pair since they took over the management
SHOP STATS
POWELL’S POINTS
RIGHT: Left is Nick next to brother Joe Woodriff.
BELOW: Huge car park in the centre of the complex.
of the shop five years ago. “We were in a contract with an insurance company and felt like we were going backwards – we were a really young leadership group back then and we have much more experience now. We started the business coaching and took a long hard look at the business. Now we have implemented a number of changes that have really put us in a good position. We consolidated our parts sup- ply network and have a strong group of suppliers that we work with and improved our buying power.”
The shops who thrive on ‘fixed price’ contracts have to be smart, buy smart and work smart and it looks like Woodriff is really pulling it together.
They use a 3D design software program to experiment with changing the work- flow and tweaking processes for maxi- mum production efficiency. They have concentrated on KPIs to ensure they meet deadlines, especially for starting jobs on
time. They have introduced a ‘next in line system’ and that’s turbocharged produc- tion. They are processing 96% of parts de- liveries the same day to facilitate swift in- voicing, they aim to invoice within 24 hours of completing the job.
The brothers realise though that a healthy accident repair business diversifies so that it isn’t soley dependent on insurance companies for its customers. They have ac- quired a new shed and are looking to fur- ther upgrade the business. While they offer retail mechanical servicing they will ex- pand their services to include detailing, rust proofing and paint protection. “Our two-year target is to be managing the life cycle of 200 customers' vehicles,” says Joe.
Not only is it great to see the next gen- eration innovating, these guys are also in- vested in bringing on the next generation and have six apprentices on staff. We for- see a bright future for Joe, Nick and the team at Woodfriff Smash Repairs.
SIZE: 7000m2
STAFF: 26
TYPE OF REPAIRS: All types
AVG CARS REPAIRED PW: 50-60
AVG KEY TO KEY: Drive 4-, Non Drive 12
These second-generation
brothers are in the midst of
extending and extensively
modernising this outstanding repair
facility; one would need a chip implanted in the neck just to carry the workflow direction and location of the various departments.
I can’t wait to see the finished product. PS. Could you please provide a golf cart next time?