Andrew's Smash Repairs opened the workshop doors on its brand new, purpose-built Ingleburn shop on Monday, 19 March.
When I first met the Pastalis brothers back in 2014 I knew their intelligence, ambition and hard work would eventually lead to greater things. Andrew's Smash is a second generation business run by three brothers, Michael, Terry and Theo.
The original Moorebank branch won best large shop, NSW in the 2015 Paint & Panel Bodyshop Awards. While it's an old building it's quaint and attractive from the outside and brilliantly run inside.
IAG obviously agrees as the insurance giant was happy to give Andrew's a contract if the brothers built a second shop.
Michael Pastalis has been in charge of setting up the new site. The brothers have bought the land - it's a 3,000m2 block - and built this 1500m2 facility to cater for structural repairs. It took a substantial $5.2million investment in this second facility and Michael is already on the look out for a third.
“This is a huge growth area,” Michael said. “New suburbs are opening all the time, they estimate that there will be 150,000 more residents in just two years.”
As mentioned, the Ingleburn site only opened its doors on Monday and while it has all the equipment in place, isn't quite finished – they are still waiting for reception furniture, signage and other finishing touches. However it is entered into this year's Paint & Panel Bodyshop Awards in the new shop category and will be finished by judging time in July and I look forward to seeing it again. Plans for the future, as well as a third facility, could be to turn the Moorebank site into a rapid facility and have all structural jobs towed to Ingleburn.
The editor's shockingly filmed video tour? Of course - and a slightly whimisical but appropriate soundtrack.