Tom Votino took over St Peter’s crash from his uncle 20 years ago and is another good example of the next generation improving and expanding the business.
What shines out at St Peter’s is the personal touch. From the many model cars in the comfortable, modern reception, to the great black and white prints on the wall and the homey sign saying ’smile and the world smiles with you.’
Everything shouts ’we have a passion for cars’ which is comforting for customers, as are the cheery front of house team which includes Votino’s wife Mim.
St Peter’s is an old shop and it’s not the ideal shape to achieve an easy flow - cars have to be moved around. However it is extremely well organised, clean and has all the latest equipment. The walls are painted (which makes a workshop so much nicer for staff to work in than plain concrete) in two tone blue and white with blue racking to help keep the floors clear. Votino and his business partner Marco Leone have the eye for detail needed to run successful shop.
Votino doesn’t put his eggs in one basket either. While St Peter’s was one of the first self-assessing shops for Allianz they also work for a variety of other insurance companies and are RAA approved.
While Votino has been managing the business for 20 years, he has been working there for 31 years. The shop used to be happy turning out 16 cars a week but of course today’s market demands faster cycle times and increasing efficiencies. Over time production has ramped up to 30 cars per week.
As well as crash repair, St Peter also carries out custom work. The paint shop is impressively shiny and clean with aluminium tread plate leading up to the paint mixing room which Votino says it easy to clean.
The care and attention lavished on the shop bodes well for that lavished on its customer’s cars. In true modest Adelaide style, Votino, Leone and their crew quietly go about their work taking pride in their workshop, investing in the right training and equipment and happy in the knowledge they have high customer satisfaction, plenty of repeat business and a good working relationship with a variety of work providers.