A dream in green

SHOP PROFILE cranwell



There can only be one winner when it comes to our annual awards. However, making it to the finals is already something to crow about. Cranwell's had already earned its own five ticks, in red and in green -- for quality and environmental systems - when it was nominated for the ultimate achievement in our industry.

When Gino Scordo was a young kid, he would go to his uncle's panel shop and watch the men work the metal. Scordo started to like panel beating and cars from an early age. Then in high school, Scordo did what everyone expected from this young man during work experience week, he spend it in a panel shop and decided to do an apprenticeship at the end of that year, at the age of 15.
Upon finishing his apprenticeship he stayed with the same employer for a few years. He then worked at a few other shops, honing his skills and learning the secrets of the trade until he was ready to open his own business.
It was 1994 when Gino and Franca Scordo decided to open Cranwell Collision Repair Centre. The land was bought that same year and the factory built and finished a year later, in 1995. It started off as a family business with Gino and brother Joe doing all the panel beating while a contract painter came after hours to do all the paint work.
Five years down the track CCRC has a staff of four panel beaters, one apprentice panel beater, one assembler, two painters and one apprentice painter.
A couple of years into their operations, the Scordos decided to improve on what was looking like a very successful operation. But how do you do it?
"We looked at ISO 9002 to help us manage the business at a professional level", says Franca. ' We had heard about ways of making our place more efficient and we decided to become accredited with the five ticks."
Cranwell Collision Repair Centre's workshop is well equipped with Lowbake spray ovens and dustless sanders hooked to a central dust extractor machine. An electronic Shark measuring system helps in the straightening process along with another measuring machine for alignment. A spot welder and a host of tools and various equipment complement a spotless workshop. The Scordos use a PPG Industries quoting system, although they are an authorised applicator of the Spies Hecker paint system and the shop is approved to offer the unique 'Diamond Life Warranty' which gives a guarantee for the life of the vehicle.
Asked about the reason behind their greens ideals, Franca said: "We began looking at the environmental management early last year after not meeting water waste requirements." We looked at ways of doing things right and we were steered towards the environmental management system (EMS).
"As a result of implementing ISO 14001 (EMS), the business has installed a wash bay with an interceptor to treat wash water before discharging it into the sewer.
"Previously, we were washing the vehicle on the driveway and allowing the wash water to go into the storm water".
CCRC is a recommended repairer for GIO, AAMI and does work for other insurance companies.
Asked about the future, the Scordos answered in the same voice: "making the shop better yet."
We looked at ways of doing things right and we were steered towards the environmental management system.
'We had heard about ways of making our place more efficient and we decided to become accredited with the five ticks.