Bignell Panel Repairs
Transformation of an existing bodyshop into a more efficient and customer oriented repair centre is the dream of many bodyshop owners, but it is all about financial challenges and the drive and enthusiasm to complete the task.
One bodyshop professional who has achieved this is Robert Bignell, director of the Brisbane based Bignell Panel Repairs in the suburb of Yeerongpilly. The shop became his in l999 when his father retired.
Bignell senior started the shop in l969 and Robert Bignell left school when he was l6 to join the business. At that time there was a fence down the middle of the property and tow trucks would come in with their damaged vehicles at all hours of the day and night.
A few years ago Robert Bignell decided it was time to update. He looked around at the changing world of bodyshop development and began to plan a new look for his shop.
He replaced the old roof with a new sawtooth type and strips of skylight material running down the full length of each side of the roof’s surface. Below, the bodyshop openings were arranged to take advantage of the frequent south-east winds that now act as cooling agents for the main shop.
During the rebuilding, the shop continued to work as usual, which was no mean feat.The transformation continued with a new reception area, offices and a mezzanine floor with lunch room, toilet and shower facilities.
Parts now come up to the mezzanine via a lift, greatly easing the workload by handling parts and repair materials above the shop floor. In addition, a new storage area was created.
Next came the revamp of the ground floor area with a brand new look and signage. The entrance to the building is most impressive. Seemingly supported by six blue columns, the new shopfront and concave roof take on a much grander appearance in their blue and grey colour scheme.
The new reception area panders to customers with comfortable chairs, the all important coffee machine and fresh paint to give Bignell a whole new image.
The transformation of the shop has gone well beyond the building. There are important equipment changes too.
The spray booths have been upgraded. Bignell has moved to the Quote Plus estimating system and OH&S policy. Dust problems have been overcome with the help of 3M coupled with the right equipment for sanding and dust extraction.
Bignell has an Inhab infra-red arch to dry Glasurit waterborne refinish products. Welding is carried out with an up-to-date Elektron-M100 Inverta and various migs. The shop has a Car-O-Liner heat inductor and an Autorobot 3XLS. Its prep bays are all infra red equipped and there are also infra red drying in the spray booths. Spray guns are Sata and DeVilbiss.
Most of the shop’s work comes from Suncorp, AAMI, CGU, Just Cars, and QBE.
Bignell technicians comprise four spray painters and two apprentices, four panel beaters and two apprentices, five office staff in the administration area, three assemblers and a detailer.
Wrights’view
Robert Bignell is not corporately backed but he has shown great faith in his business model and invested heavily in making a new bodyshop out of a repair centre that has been in existence for several decades. He is proud of his efforts which illustrate just what can be done when you set your mind to it.