Melbourne prestige repairer Stylemaster Panels is celebrating 50 years of operation this week.
Established by Keith Stewart in 1959, the business is now run by his son, managing director Philip Stewart, who is now employing two of his children in the business, Emma Colins and Ben Stewart.
Part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations included the opening of extensive renovations to the business which has included the investment in new equipment and technology at the Murphy Street, Richmond facility.
In true family business style, Stewart asked the 240-plus guests at the celebration of the milestone to sing happy birthday; not for the business, but for his mother, Mary, who was celebrating her 84th birthday on the day and was on hand to witness the continuing success she and her husband had started 50 years ago.
The night featured displays from each of the decades that the business has been running including an array of old hand tool through to the modern equipment needed to run a prestige repair shop.
There was also a visit during the night by long-term Stylemaster Panels customer Con The Fruiterer, aka comedian Mark Mitchell, who entertained the guests.
Stylemaster Panels provides a comprehensive motor body repair and painting and specialises in Volvo, Lexus, VW, SAAB, BMW, Mercedes Benz and all other prestige cars, making it a prestige motor body repairer of choice for insurance companies and private clients.
It is a founding member of both the Australian Accident Repair Network (AARN) and I-CAR Australia and has been a VACC accredited repairer since 1959.
"Stylemaster was established by my father, Keith Stewart, who worked 16 hours a day to ensure the company's success. In those days the business was located in Burwood Road, Hawthorn, and the family lived in a house on the premises," Stewart said.
"We moved into our current site in 1972 and through the acquisition of next-door premises, have expanded the facility to 1500 square metres."
Stylemaster continues its successful path, employing sixteen staff and recently upgrading its facilities to the latest technology.
"We have invested $70,000 in new welding equipment from Fan Welding, which allows us to weld high strength steels, we have installed new heating and cooling in the factory and have just commissioned new body straightening equipment from Car Bench worth $200,000.
"Improvements to the business reinforce our philosophy, "you fix it once and you fix it right! We will continue to make improvements for the benefit of our clients," he said.
The site at 85 Murphy Street, Richmond has undergone extensive renovations with the consolidation of adjoining properties, 81 and 83 Murphy Street.
Architects Greenway Hirst Page and builders BuildQ transformed the premises to create a dynamic, attractive and productive environment.
"The Stewart family and the rest of the team at Stylemaster look forward to the next 50 years and delivering the highest level of service to our customers," Stewart said.
AARN manager Geoff Bedford, Stylemaster Panels managing director Philip Stewart and VACC executive director David Purchase, at the Stylemaster Panels 50th anniversary celebrations.