Page 37 - Australasian Paint & Panel Nov-Dec 2019

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welcoming shops judge Neil Powell and I have come across.
They’ve recently been awarded I- CAR Gold, they understand where they are in the market place and where they could be and their business has grown at a phenomenal rate. That is all with- out being ‘approved’ by any insurance companies. While they have a separa area for restorations, they are realis ing that repair is more profitable. They have also carved out a profitable niche repairing motor homes.
If you want to see a beautifully organ- ised, well run business that still man- ages to combine professionalism with a tradional family business feel – I highly recommend dropping by.
BEST MEDIUM SHOP
WESTSTAR PRESTIGE, VIC
Brad Kolich has created a dealership en- vironment to host the many manufac- turers he is approved for. The original building is dedicated to Mercedes-Benz and exudes the company’s brand values. It has its own paint and panel shop. The new facility is for electric car repairs for Tesla and for customer handovers. It is pristine, like the rest of the business and away from any repair noise or damaged cars making it a serene place for the cus- tomer to take back their repaired vehi- cle. The third shop is shared and also caters for Suzuki and Peugeot. Kolich
has a crystal clear vision of Westar’ direction, focus and where he sits in the market place.
He takes pride in honouring his fa- ther’s legacy and, perhaps because he started running the business at such an early age, developing and growing West- star seems almost instinctive.
BEST LARGE SHOP
MOUNT PLEASANT CRASH CENTRE, SA
Tom and Lucia Campaniello could re- tire, they have virtually no nearby com- petition in Mount Pleasant so they could have run with their already award win- ning shop until it was time to take up golf. They didn’t and over the last couple of years have invested their heart and soul, not to mention a considerable sum of money updating the facility so they can better serve the community.
The new shop layout allows for a bet- ter workflow, more units a week, a bet- ter working environment and happier locals (including insurance assessors) who can get their, often severely dam- aged, cars repaired faster.
Mount Pleasant Crash Centre also has a mechanical workshop which carries out both crash repair work and retail servicing. This is a beautifully present- ed, highly professional, well run busi- ness that still retains its ‘local’, family business feel.
NATIONAL WINNERS FROM FAR LEFT: Brad Kolich, Weststar Prestige; James Frape, Compass with Daren Jones, Canberra Bodyworks;
James Frape with Tom and Lucia Campaniello, Mount Pleasant Crash Centre;
Craig Tonkes Axalta with Megan and Dan Leishman, Gold Coast Collision Centre.
AXALTA BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD
WESTSTAR PRESTIGE, VIC
This award was formerly called the Axalta Sustainability Award but was renamed as many people assumed sustainability was just about green initiatives. Creating a sustaina- ble business is about so much more. It’s about positioning yourself in the marketplace, fos- tering good relationships with work provid- ers, investing in training, running your busi- ness efficiently and profitably and keeping ahead of the technology curve. Weststar Prestige has four manufacturer badges in- cluding Tesla and Mercedes-Benz which means it is well prepared for the coming on- slaught of electric and hybrid electric vehicles that be joining the vehicle parc in increasing volumes. The business has invested heavily in the finest equipment and paint refinishing facilities and in training its team members to use that equipment. The team also benefits from manufacturer training.
There’s clearly a good work place culture in place as there are many long serving team members. As well as OEM approval, Weststar has many insurer approvals. Kolich’s calm, measured attitude and atten- tion to every detail results in business im- provements and growth each year. This is a business well appointed to thrive in the competitive 21st century automotive repair landscape. Weststar has carved its niche, is always on the look out for fresh opportuni- ties and will continue to flourish.