NSW was the final state the judges of the Suncorp/Paint and Panel Autobody Repairer of the Year Awards visited nominated shops.
The mood of uncertainty about the future of the industry seems most pronounced in NSW. Shop owners and managers were very keen to hear the feedback from around Australia. A positive note is that the industry seems very well aware of the changes that are occurring and predicted for the near future and many are aiming to manoeuvre themselves to be the survivors of what they think will be a severe 'cull' of shops.
It was heartening to meet Tony Silvestro of Cleveland Street Smash in Sydney who has returned from wholesaling health foods to the smash repair industry and is loving being back in the business of repairing cars.
Some business owners and managers are such perfectionists that they are busy inventing or building innovative workshop equipment and storage solutions. Perfect Autobody for instance employs a full time engineer who crafts everything the shop needs to ensure a clean, tidy, safe working environment.
The judges visited business in the Illawarra region for the first time and were impressed by many they visited.
State winners will be announced in the September issue of the magazine.
The smash repairers selected for judging were:
Bears Auto Hospital
Blaas Autocraft Accident Repair Centre
Californian Smash
Cleveland Street Smash
CPC Smash Repairs
ESR Presitge
Johns Twins Accident Repair Centre
Odessa Smash Repairs
Perfect Autobody
Queen Street Customs
Regatta Motor Body Repairs
Transpacific Autobody