Lombardi Bros
Awards 2002AAMI Autobody Repairer of the Year (Large Shop): WA
Despite owning one of the most successful bodyshops in Perth, the Lombardi brothers still see room for improvement.
Lombardi Bros celebrated its 30th year in business last September. During that time, brother Fred and John have built a healthy reputation for quality and service in the Perth metropolitan area. Like all good shops however, the business is continuing to strive for improvement.
With the help of refinish brand Sikkens, Lombardi Bros is aiming to improve both its presentation levels and efficiencies. Sikkens bodyshop consultant Paul Wake recently spent two weeks evaluating the shop and assessing what needs changing to gain the optimum levels of productivity and efficiency. "Sometimes you need a fresh pair of eyes to look at your business and see what can be done to add to it," said John Lombardi. "We have always been about quality but that's not enough these days, you have to have speed. We understand this -- there is only one way to make money; the Lombardi way; car in, car out -- but it doesn't hurt to have some help," he said.
With the help of Sikkens, the shop uses a planning board to schedule and manage the workflow in this large shop. Approximately 130 vehicles are repaired in the shop every month. Seventy per cent of the work comes via insurers (the shop is an RAC Approved Repairer and is recommended by SGIO, Allianz and Classic Insurance). The rest comes from fleet, private and dealership work. The shop is an Alfa Romeo Authorised Repairer and also performs a lot of repairs for Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes, Honda and Audi customers.
John believes in taking into account the advice of peers and other industry professionals and the shop was a founding member of the QVR Group. "In this business you need to get as much information as possible. You can never do too much looking," he said.
The Lombardis plan to tile the undercover quoting and presentation area to improve the standards of customer presentation and within the panel shop, aim to add another Car Bench to the three they already have. The shop uses the Shark computerised measuring system with the Car Benches and also utilises an Autorobot and 12 in-ground pull stations for smaller jobs. An extensive overhead gantry Pro Spot welding system has also been installed for ease of use.
The paint shop has three mobile infra-red systems in the prep area and four Europa bake ovens imported by the Lombardis from Italy.
Six months ago the business added a wheel aligner and three years previously set up an air-conditioning re-gassing service. The business also has a mechanical repair shop and large holding yard across the road. "We are a one-stop-shop," said John Lombardi.
Who: John & Fred Lombardi
What: 32 employees
2500 sq m workshop
Sikkens
Car Bench
Pro Spot
Where: Bentley, Perth
When: Established, 1971