Peter Wilkinson & Co
AWARDS 2006 AAMIAAMI/AP&P AUTOBODY REPAIRER OF THE YEAR REGIONAL WINNER (LARGE SHOP) W.A.
Peter Wilkinson & Co
The Wilkinson name has been associated with Perth smash repairs since 1959 when Peter Wilkinson set up in business and gave the company its name. 16 years ago his son Michael bought the business and continued moving towards the repair of prestige cars. In 1995 the company was appointed factory repairer for Mercedes Benz, becoming only the second in Perth.
In addition to Mercedes, the shop is factory approved for BMW and Lexus repairs. Michael Wilkinson manages to keep his 20 man shop busy with these three brands.
From its elegantly appointed reception and offices to its well equipped shop Wilkinson's is appropriate to the cars it repairs.
The shop runs the DNS quoting and management system, Car Bench (a must for Mercedes and BMW) Car-o-liner and Car-o-tronic measuring; not forgetting the faithful Korek floor system which Wilkinson says he'd include in any shop. There are a number of new welders from Car-o-liner too including inverters and MIG brazing. Not surprisingly, the paint of choice is Glasurit. Dry rubbing and dust extraction has been the norm for some time.
While the shop is functional and successful in its present form, Wilkinson has some exciting plans. The current building is in for some rearrangement and the building of a new prep bay. The large open building next door has been doubling as car storage and detailing under the name 'Autophysique' but soon it will be developed as a smart repair centre for rapid turnaround ? either from drop-in customers or additional work from the main shop. There will be five prep bays, a spray booth, PDR added to existing detailing services.
Wilkinson is a strong advocate for real time and real money to be adopted by all parts of the trade. "It's the only way to go," he says.
In addition to being a busy repairer, Michael Wilkinson is president of the repairer group, Car Craft. In looking for a solution to the growing shortage of skilled tradesmen, it was decided to investigate bring them from China. The company has been to china and selected three tradesmen who will arrive in August on a projected four year contract ? with the possibility of permanent residency at the end of it. If successful, it could open a valuable skill supply not currently available in Australia.
"It won't be easy at first," Wilkinson says, "because of language, but these people appear to be very willing workers and keen to have a new life here."
POWELL'S COMMENT
Wilkinson's is a well established professional shop. It is well equipped and with a high standard of skills turns out quality work. Not content to just run a successful shop Michael Wilkinson has a vision for a much bigger, better shop.