There were no nominations for brand new shops in NSW this year but the new shop category also covers shops which have effected substantial renovations in the last 18 months. Here, Californian Smash totally qualifies.
Many of you will have read about the work Californian Smash has undertaken in the articles we've written in Paint & Panel magazine, as they shared their journey with readers.
Owners Ralph Petrone and Rocky Leuzzi have worked tirelessly to transform their business in Botany, Sydney. The renovation is top to bottom. The engineering shop that separated the paint and panel shop has been removed and is a smart new extension to the panel shop, equipped with an aluminium bay with electric curtains and a mezzanine parts storage area.
The paint shop has been reorganised and new prep bays installed. Meanwhile, the customer reception area has had a complete makeover and is now a modern, comfortable, professional area which exudes Californian Smash's brand values.
What has been most impressive in the makeover department though is not the transformation of the shop but the transformation of the team culture. It's one thing to give staff a great working environment, it's another to get them to keep it that way. The shop is tidier and cleaner than it has ever been. Production is up and stress is down. The crew are repairing more cars with a smaller team.
A refreshed management team has streamlined processes which has resulted in an improved bottom line. The result of all this hard work? A Peugeot badge, perhaps another badge on the way and a shop packed with luxury cars to repair.
Californian Smash has always had a good reputation for quality and what's great is that they have made all of these improvements but still held true to their business DNA, which is never to compromise on quality.
Petrone takes marketing the business very seriously. The professionally created website is on the TV screen in reception where the shop's marketing materials are on display. He has developed a sales brochure which he uses to court new businesses from local fleet companies and to attract interest from insurers. He is relentless in his quest for new business.
Californian Smash is an excellent example of a traditional smash shop embracing change, investing in its future and working hard to change its culture and reaping the rewards this brings.