2008 AAMI/AP&P AUTOBODY REPAIRER OF THE YEAR REGIONAL WINNER (LARGE SHOP) NSW.
Callaghan Collision Centre
CALLAGHAN COLLISION CENTRE is into its 17th year on the Taren Point site and the quality continues to improve. It is not a completely pretty picture - there is need for improvements to the premises with refurbishment to commence soon, but equipment levels and quality work are in abundance.
Apart from this it is the emphasis on training that raises the bar in Callaghans’ favour.
Jason Hornby is managing the bodyshop in the sad absence of Greg Henson, who has been seriously ill, and is maintaining the high quality of production that Henson is well known for.
The emphasis on apprenticeship training is extremely high, with both Hornby and Henson great believers in an investment in young talent. Of the 33-strong staff seven are apprentices, in addition to the four painters and six panel beaters.
“The apprentices are the best bunch of guys that we have ever had,” Hornby says. “The future has to be taken care of. We all know there is a shortage of talent at the entry level and that good painters and panel beaters are hard to find so you have to invest in the future and that’s what we are doing here.”
Hornby says what is good about the apprentices is that they have strong family connections and they don’t carry their personal lives into the workplace. “These apprentices that we have seem to be more prepared for working life, compared to other places I have been.”
Hornby says he has a strong belief in technical education his apprentices receive from their TAFEs.
Perhaps the belief in the younger generation also stems from the fact that Hornby is still young for such a senior position in a large business.
At 36, he has a panel beating background, broken by a stint as a parts professional after he damaged his shoulder playing sport.
He became a foreman and production manager when approached by Henson to join his team.
Part of Callaghan’s success is the association with AARN “We find the AARN benchmarking to be extremely useful, especially with OH&S in association with Ozsafe.
If a welder needs a service or there are other reminders on the professional or equipment side, AARN will call or email.
As a Spies Hecker, Diamond Lifetime Guarantee user, the business has six full downdraft prep bays and Lowbake spray booths.
Welding equipment includes eight inverter MIGs on the floor, two Celette benches with jigs, an Autoliner bench and a Shark measuring system. Repair standards are high with Callaghans being recommended repairers for Volkswagen, Suburu and Lexus.
Hornby believes the future of repair work is manufacturer driven. Being aligned to a manufacturer is better business than the old funny time funny money arrangement. “The new arrangements are still being worked out to our satisfaction. We’ll wait and see what happens there”.
Callaghan’s works on Autoquote Windows quoting system and they have two estimators and one production manager to oversee the allocation of jobs.
“I believe that manufacturers and those that repair their cars need to improve communications. With new technology and materials in motor vehicles, we need to be notified of where the new strength steels and plastics are in body construction so we can adjust repair methods to suit.
Powell's view
An efficient and quality shop situated in South Sydney. Excellent standards of repair and a fervent belief in apprenticeship training (with 23 per cent of employees apprentices) make this shop a stand-out.