The Knights have discovered the holy grail of efficient production, high quality repairs, ensuring customer satisfaction.
avin Knight has been working in the trade since he was 14 years old, starting out in a shop in Caringbah washing cars after school every day. He set up on his own in a small factory which he outgrew and moved to the current site in 2012 which he runs with his wife Dayna.
The Knights have been IAG repairers since the start however the rug was pulled out from under them at the last major RFP. "When they decided they didn't need me any more I pulled my finger out and secured some government fleet contracts." Knight has developed good relationships with Kia and Suzuki and is an approved Suzuki repairer. Meanwhile IAG decided that they did need G&S Prestige after all and renewed the contract, although not as an exclusive with guaranteed volumes. The result of the IAG 'hiccup' is a much better business balance with a wider customer base where G&S Prestige isn't reliant on being fed work from one work provider. G&S is also a QBE approved repairer.
Quality repairs and high levels of customer service are the pillars on which the business is built, although the team works away at a fair lick. "This is the Shire, we have very fussy customers with high expectations of customer service. They like to chat to the owner and feel comfortable about where their car is being fixed. The larger, volume operations don't always manage to tick those boxes, so they prefer to come to us. Both Gavin and Dayna inspect each car before it leaves. "If I miss something then she will pick it up."
A relatively new Tru-flow paintshop helps with productivity. There are three prep bays with IRT and an in-booth ramp to maximise floor space. The G&S Prestige team of 14 average about 42 cars per week and have hit 50. We're talking a mix of work here, not just bumper bars. Knight is another big IBodyshop fan. 'I've been on it since the start, I won it free for five years at the Collision Repair Expo in a competition. I could never go back. The app that goes with it is priceless."
Knight says: "I like being part of an evolving industry and being proud of every vehicle that leaves our shop." Such is the shop's reputation that customers come from all over the Shire to have their cars repaired. Now that he has the Kirawee site running like clockwork, he's bought another shop at Heathcote so that customers in that area don't have to drive so far. We're sure he'll combine quality and efficient production there too.
powell’s points
A well presented repair centre with all the right tools and equipment, plus a sound business plan that includes strategies to maximise their market share in a very competitive area.
shop stats
Size: 1210m2 total 750m2 internal
Staff: 14
Type of repairs: All types
Avg cars repaired PW: 42
Avg key to key: 3.5 days