From the team that brought you Midland Smash Repairs, Paul Smith and son Lachlan have created a stunning new shop exclusive to RAC.
Collision 1 is a brand new, purpose built, shop in Wangara Perth’s northern suburbs. It is owned by Paul Smith who also also owns and has developed workshop planning system 1Q1. The Smith family have been in the industry for 58 years and Collision 1 says it is harnessing all that knowledge and experience to produce a modern facility with old school service and great team culture. Every detail from the layout design of the workshop and offices to the complete software environment has been designed and built by Paul Smith. Collision 1 is an RAC (Royal Automobile Club WA) contracted shop also known as a Ready Drive Repairer – this means that it has quality and cost targets to meet and has free Budget hire cars on site provided by the RAC.
The facility has plenty of enclosed parking and a sharp, contemporary kerb appeal. All the hire cars are lined up outside the front of the office in the morning - customers drop their cars off and hop in the hire car. As they have to clean all the hire cars too, it makes sense that they have installed a car wash.
Collision 1 is operating using 1Q1 bodyshop flow management, 1Q2 estimating system and 1Q3 parts pricing and and ordering platform. This is the first bodyshop to operate using the complete 1Q1-3 environment. This paperless system streamlines the whole process connecting bodyshop customer suppliers and insurers and, according to the Smiths, is working really well.
Reception is kitted out in smart brown and white with a marble floor, the offices are behind and on the floor above. There’s a nice, bright lunchroom for the workshop staff.
Panel repairs are on the right hand side of the workshop and on the opposite side there’s a Car-O-Liner in the corner next to a three-car prep bay. Next to that there are two pre-mask bays with the mixing room behind. Inside is a Spies Hecker water system with the range of low energy primers and clears.
There are two oversize 9.5m long drive-through Lowbake Alpha Elites. The cars drive though and get polished on the other side where there are more panel repair bays each with a belly lift.
Finally, there is a check in - check out area where the final quality inspection takes place and a parts storage area. There are two detailing bays tucked in behind the car wash.
A stunning, well planned, ergonomic workshop built for – and delivering – high productivity.
Shop Stats
Staff: 13
Size: 4000m2 block, 1200m2 workshop
Type: Drive
Cars repaired 45-40