Ray Iversen turned a washout into win when he rebuilt his shop after the 2010 floods. He won the national award for best new shop back in 2012 and continues to pump out quality repairs at speed in this compact, super efficient facility.
Using AkzoNobel's Process Centred Environment Principles, Iversen and his team live and breathe 'lean'.
The Rocklea shop invested in the first side-loading rail booth in Australia which helps the U-shaped workflow. This system, while maximising space and minimising down time moving cars, also gives an eight hour paint process from first-up priming to wash bay.
The 'lean' journey is just that and Iversen is proud of the efficiencies he and his team have created. "We're lean and becoming leaner. That means we have a reputation with suppliers and customers for getting on with business," Iversen says.
What marks out winning shops is that they thrive on change and Iversen is no different, citing one of the big positives in this industry as the continual change with suppliers and manufacturers.
When Trend missed out on an insurance contract, Iversen employed a part time marketing assistant who went out to local businesses to sell Trend's services. This has resulted in an influx of profitable and reliable fleet work.
Appearances matter but no one expects a Taj Mahal repair shop (although we're starting to see some of them around). Trend has a smart, friendly exterior, welcoming reception and the whole workshop can be seen through its entrance door. The business is purposeful and businesslike inside and out.
Although only 760sqm, the workshop feels bigger because it's tidy and uncluttered. The same tradesman disassembles and resassembles the car which encourages car with parts. Mirror matching of parts has been standard practice for years.
With its efficient processes and short cycle times, Trend is a compact gem that runs like clockwork.