One of the most attractive panel shops we’ve seen. Richard and tricia have created a welcoming repair business in this rapidly growing, semi-rural location.
ichard Mooney is panel technician turned, insurance assessor, turned bodyshop owner. He and his wife Tricia set up Pullman Crash in 2015. The premises were rented and when the lease came to an end was time to shut up shop or opt for a new adventure. The couple were game and opened Mount Barker Crash around two and half years ago. It looks like they opened it yesterday.
I’m sure Richard will forgive me to saying that he clearly has a touch of OCD. The place is so clean and shiny it looks like a tool has never been lifted, a car moved or a grain of sand has ever escaped in into the air. The workshop is bright and airy and we liked the ‘kindergarden sun orange’ livery, it’s cheerful.
The paint mixing room is spotless with everything beautifully lined up. There’s a spacious detailing shed which they had to add pretty sharpish as the business grew so fast.
Reception is beautiful too with a great big window looking out into the workshop so customers can see the lovely environment their pride and joy will be coaxed back to pre-accident condition. Mount Barker is a rapidly area – the population in 2017 was 33,180 and is forecast to grow to 55,416 by 2036. With so many new, densely populated subdivisions, there’s more traffic and more accidents. Throw in all the unpredictable kangaroos, wombats and deer and the Mooneys are usually booked out two months in advance.
They could fix more cars – if they had more staff. Panel technicians are particularly rare and prized in this neck of the woods, and the problem is there aren’t many that want to live in this neck of the woods. The couple have tried a wide variety of recruiting strategies, from videos of what a nice shop it is to just unending dollar signs but without much success. Getting parts delivered quickly is another headache for businesses outside of city centres which blows out cycle times.
As well as crash repairs, for which they are approved by RAA, the business also undertakes restorations. There’s a great workflow here, the latest in top spec equipment. If they can attract more staff there’s no reason why they shouldn’t become the repairer of choice in the area.
powell’s points
Strategically located to future-proof the business, this immaculate, compact and well-organized repair centre is coupled with the latest equipment and an excellent workflow produces a high rate of quality repairs with minimum support staff.
shop stats
Size: 1944m2
Staff: 11
Type of repairs: All types
Avg Cars repaired PW: 15-20
Avg key to key: Not supplied