Page 36 - Australasian Paint & Panel Nov-Dec 2019

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2019 WINNERS
PAINT&PANEL NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019
of a video of their business with an ap- propiate sound track. The best practice awards were presented next, with the national winners announced at the end of the evening.
Our national best shop winners fall into four categories, boutique, medium, large and new. What makes a national winning shop? Simply put it is the best out of the state winners for that year, but best how?
They’ve already won the state award in their size category so they tick all the basic boxes and lots more in terms of customer and staff facilities, equipment levels, business presentation, staff wel- fare and development and a positive in- dustry attitude.
Every year standards are raised with the new shop owners investing heavily to create a welcoming, high spec, top tech, safe environment for both staff and customers.
Consolidation, the increasing invest- ment in training and equipment needed, tight margins, acute technician shortag- es – it’s fair to say that conditions for thriving as an autobody repairer have never been more challenging. Many of our winners see opportunity where oth- ers see challenge. They are innovators who have read the market and adapted their business strategy accordingly. They have committed to a direction but are flexible enough to change that direc- tion if market conditions change.
Our winners have experimented with different aspects of the business and are not afraid to try something new and fail. A clean, well-organised workshop is a must in order for it to be efficient and productive. A clean shop also demonstrates a healthy staff cul- ture – team members who take pride in and have respect for their work- place. Each of our winners has a dif- ferent business model but what they do have in common is a clear sense of purpose, a passion for what they do, resilience in the face of adversity and a Trojan work ethic.
NATIONAL BEST SHOP WINNERS
BEST NEW SHOP
CANBERRA BODYWORKS, NSW
The new shop category is often the hardest to judge. DSI Panels in Victoria is a stunning new facility, built from scratch, with a vigorous young cre and came a very close second for na- tional winner. It was, however, Daren Jones of Canberra Bodyworks that took the trophy. He has invested to update a workshop that wasn’t ancient or run down, but needed to better reflect the prestige of being a Porsche repairer. It now offers his Porsche, and other pres- tige car customers, an environment they feel reassured by and comfortable in.
Everything about this business is impeccable from the stunning shop front, the signage around the facility, the new paint shop and the well organ- ised, uncluttered panel shop. That is a feat in itself given that the shop spe- cialises in heavy hits which involve a lot of parts and intensive repairs. Jones is very modest about his achieve- ments as if he doesn’t do anything dif- ferently to anyone else. He does. He has created a sustainable business in a very difficult ACT market which has seen many repair shops close their doors. As well as Porsche and Subaru approval he has a great relationship with his local dealership and is also approved for a number of major insur- ance companies. It’s likely that other OEMs will be attracted to such a busi- ness that combines a reputation for technical excellence with an excep- tional customer environment and a passion for precision in all aspects of the business.
BEST BOUTIQUE SHOP
GOLD COAST COLLISION, QLD
While this is neither a personality con- test or a shop beauty contest Dan and Megan Leishman are just about the nicest, most hardworking and deter- mined husband and wife autobody re- pair team I’ve met. Together they have created one of the most characterful,
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