Page 49 - Australasian paint & Panel Sep-Oct 2021

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BEN BROWN WINS CAPRICORN RISING STARS AWARD
THE CAPRICORN RISING STARS TROPHY IS
heading to New Zealand. Hailing from Rangiora, North Canterbury, apprentice BenBrownhasdemonstratedoutstanding problem-solvingcapacity,commitmentto excellence and a genuine love for automo- tive, to be named the 2021 Capricorn Ris- ing Stars, Apprentice of the Year.
Capricorn Rising Stars is an initiative to recognise and reward Australasia’s top- performing apprentices so they may be re- tained in the industry long-term. These are apprentices who show initiative in their business, eagerness to learn and commitment to the automotive industry.
By recognising the contribution of au- tomotive apprentices and the bright ca- reers they have ahead of them, Capricorn aims to help its members continue to at- tract the best talent and keep more quali- fied repairers working in the industry.
To claim the award, Brown won against a record setting 600 plus appren- tices who were nominated in 2021. This
includes some truly outstanding candi- dates from a broad array of industry sec- tors including panel and paint, auto electrical, commercial/heavy diesel, tyre/wheel and general mechanical workshops located across Australia and New Zealand.
CWR Motorsport’s Mel Ward described Brown as the perfect fit for their work- shop. “We took on Ben as our apprentice in August 2020. To say the least, it is the best thing we have done. Ben has a fan- tastic work ethic, he is polite, and great with the customers. He is passionate about not only his mechanic side of the job, but also has a lot of ideas and vision to help us to grow our business. He has proved to be invaluable, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without him.”
As the 2021 Capricorn Rising Star, Ben will receive $5,000 from Castrol. The CWR Motorsport team will also benefit from en- rolment in the Workshop Whisperer’s Ser- vice Advisor Pro online program.
2021 Rising Star Ben Brown.
BOUKOURAS JOINS SYMACH
SYMACH, THE BODYSHOP EQUIPMENT
producer has announced that John Boukouras has been appointed as gen- eral manager in Australia, overseeing and supporting SYMACH activities in the continent. Boukouras will replace current GM Mark Cunningham.
Boukouras began his career in the au- tomotive industry as an apprentice pan- el beater, in the city of Malvern, VIC: “It was a year or two into my term that I felt I was good enough to continue with the career as a tradesman, the support of my parents helped a great deal and main- tained the path I was on. I decided I was going to seek a higher role and perhaps a chance to become a foreman or man- ager of a workshop someday.
“I have been fortunate enough to have
the opportunity to grow and develop my knowledge of the automotive sector as a whole and not just autobody repair. With the support of AkzoNobel, in the last six years I was given the opportunity to spread mywingsandgrowasaprofessional.
“Many challenges faced offered a silver lining and as I continued my path, I gained so much experience and knowledge that when the right opportunity came along it meant that I was ready to grow and to take the next step up in my career – 25 years on – here we are, Symach.”
Osvaldo Bergaglio, Symach’s owner said: “With John’s appointment we ex- pect to further enhance the expansion of FixLine equipment and process to more workshops across Australia. His strong leadership and his exceptional customer engagement capabilities will help rein- force the industrial concept of collision repair business that Symach promotes in the continent and worldwide.”
FROM LEFT: John Boukouras and Mark Cunningham.