LSR Autobody
AWARDS 2006 AAMIAAMI/AP&P AUTOBODY REPAIRER OF THE YEAR REGIONAL WINNER (NEW SHOP) NSW & ACT
LSR Autobody
It is not difficult to see why Mercedes Bens chose LSR Autobody when it was looking for a second repairer-dealership in NSW. LSR Autobody - or Lee Smash Repairs as it was known until recently - moved last December into a spectacular new shop on the site of the old one, setting a new benchmark in Artarmon ? home of many excellent shops.
The new shop has all the class that would have attracted Mercedes: a large reception area of chrome, glass, polished granite floors, professional coffee machine and plenty of places for visitors to sit. But owner Lee Koudsy kept the style of the old shop in that members of the management team still share a long desk at one side of reception.
"It demonstrates our transparency," Koudsy says. "This is a see-through business, from our offices to our repair shop. There are no secrets."
The shop definitely favours upmarket cars with factory repair accreditation from Mercedes, Ferrari, Porsche, Maserati and Lamborghini. The upmarket buisness evolved over 33 years, and now there are few prestige shops in Australia in LSR's league.
That is not to say the shop is finished. There is still a bank of hoists, benches and parts bin storage to go against one wall upstairs, along with a staff increase from the current 30 to around 45 ? some of which will be brought in from Europe under contract. Even at its current size, the shop can turn out up to 50 cars in a week ? depending upon the depth of the repairs.
When buying equipment, Koudsy relies on advice from his technicians. Between them they have decided on PPG and Standox paints, Saico spray booths and prep areas, an impressive range of Fan welders, Car Bench and Car-o-liner alignment, Car-o-tronic measuring and Molnar hoists. The company uses AutoQuote for estimating.
Body repair methods are based on traditional file finish and bringing cars back to pre-accident condition, not only on the outside but in the likes of engine bays and boot linings. The company has in-house fibreglass and plastic repairs, and is one of the few repairers in Australia experienced in carbon fibre repairs.
Although the skill demands in a shop like LSR are very high, the badges bring a certain level of security in that it takes a lot of damage to write off cars in its category. It follows that LSR jobs charge out at many times the national average of around $2000.
While many shop managers of LSR's level would have become self important and exclusive, Koudsy has, to his credit, kept his shop friendly and approachable. Customers are treated like family, with a Saturday 'wash day' and always a post-repair complimentary detail.
POWELL'S COMMENT
LSR displays a very high standard of work to compliment its equipment and presentation. The whole operation is perfectly matched to the prestige vehicles it repairs.