Page 94 - Australasian Paint & Panel Magazine Sep-Oct 2019

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NSW – NEW
PAINT&PANEL SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2019 WWW.PAINTANDPANEL.COM.AU
CANBERRA BODYWORKS
A GENUINELY STUNNING SHOP, SUPERBLY EQUIPPED, WELL ORGANISED, TICKING EVERY BOX YOU CAN THINK OF AND SOME YOU HAVEN’T.
it’s so uncluttered is a massive mezza- nine where all the parts, carts and equipment not in use lives. There’s a rather impressive lift to take them up- stairs. White paneling around the panel shop contrasts well with grey walls and improves the lighting. It is echoed by the impressive white paint shop designed and installed by MN Spraybooths. There are three prep bays and two glass front- ed booths. The paint mixing room, is as you’d expect, immaculate. There are large screens all around the workshop displaying the workshop production program Planning Plus which Jones uses in conjunction with iBodyshop.
I have never seen as much roadkill as there is around Canberra with kangaroos, wombats and foxes of the dead variety seemingly every few meters on the road and the business has to take on a lot of heavy hits. Jones has all the right equip- ment and expertise for complex repairs.
Jones is a true car enthusiast and even his downtime is spent tinkering. Expert- ly tinkering. His Ford XA GT won best modified at the GT Falcon Nationals in Adelaide this year. He is also vice chair- man of Car Craft NSW Southern Region and, I’m told, a champion clay shooter. It seems this focused individual excels at anything he puts his mind to.
SHOP STATS
POWELL’S POINTS
HIS SHOPS BLOWS YOU
away from the moment you
turn into the spacious yard. Parking bays are beautifully laid out with the same stun- ning aluminium signage that adorns the front of the shop and the reception area. Daren Jones has dug deep into his own pocket to create a first class repair facility which reflects the brand values of his latest manufacturer badge – Por- sche. He is also in the approved Subaru network and the preferred repairer for local dealership Gulson Canberra which sells Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jeep, Porsche,
Chrysler and Dodge.
Jones started out in 2002 in Fyshwick
and moved to the current site in 2008.
Part of the reason for the huge yard is an easement which meant he couldn’t build the shop as big as he would have liked. The impetus for the refurbishment was both the Porsche accreditation and the need to overhaul the paint shop as the time had come to replace the booths.
Impeccable signage directs you to a stylish reception area with comfortable customer facilities. Walking out into the workshop you are met with a clean, or- dered environment. No clutter or mess and all the best repair equipment clean and well maintained. There’s an alu- minium repair booth and the latest Car- O-Liner Evo system. The floor is so clean and shiny you can practically check out your reflection in it. Part of the reason
ABOVE: Stunning exterior sends all the right brand messages to Porsche customers.
LEFT: Smart new paint room has increased efficiency and looks great.
SIZE: 3450m2 1300 workshop
STAFF: 15
TYPE OF REPAIRS: Mainly heavy structural AVG CARS REPAIRED PW: 25
AVG KEY TO KEY: 7 days
Jones has created a state o
the art workshop both in
appearance and standard of
equipment, which caters for a
wide market from the everyday family vehicle to the growing number of prestige vehicles in the ACT. The business has a highly skilled and flexible staff to complete the package.
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