Judging for the 2017 Paint & Panel Bodyshop Awards, sponsored by Axalta, Compass Claims, Car Craft, Mercedes-Benz and Norton St Gobain, kicked off today.
Judges Sam Street and Neil Powell were impressed with every shop visited today. Starting in Seven Hills, we were charmed by L&M Smash Repairs. While there are some stunning pieces of motoring memorabilia in the reception area, third generation owner Dan Maher is certainly not stuck in the past when it comes to running the business. L&M were the first shop in NSW to achieve I-CAR Gold class and they may have to expand the shop just to have more wall space for their I-CAR certificates. As well as keeping up to date on repair methods, Maher is at one with social media and the complicated world of SEOs to make sure the company's website delivers new customers to their doors.
Next up was Prestige Auto Salon in Rydalmere. This Jaguar/Land Rover factory approved facility has all the latest equipment and is meticulous in repair methods and processes. Seeing so many of these cars stripped back really give you an insight into how essential manufacturer training is for these highly evolved and complex prestige vehicles.
Young Greg Agoulian, who bought Basha Autohaus in West Ryde when he was just 19, was a youthful breath of fresh air. Very positive, ambitious and proud of his team. He is in the middle of moving his panel shop to another unit in the industrial estate so we'll look forward to seeing the new, expanded business next year when the changes are complete.
The Len Hollis Repair Facility in Mortlake is a customer haven with its iPad bar, fabulous reception and designer dunnies like you wouldn't believe. The workshop is well laid out and he really makes the most of a potentially awkward layout.
Last, but by no means least the huge and supremely well organised SmashTec in Marrickville. Scott Stephens has assembled a great crew there who seem happy and productive. His approach to the business of repairing cars is intelligent, uber efficient and impossible to pick fault with (Powell tried and failed!).
We're looking forward to day two tomorrow which will include a trip around Capital SMART at Riverwood - then maybe Smashtec won't seem so enormous after all.
Dan and Garry Maher