2008 AAMI/AP&P AUTOBODY REPAIRER OF THE YEAR REGIONAL WINNER (SMALL SHOP) NSW.

Pat Cole’s Autobody Pty Ltd

BEING SINGLE MINDED in the autobody industry is no bad thing and taking calculated risks to achieve your aims can bring excellent results.

Such is the story of Pat Cole’s Autobody of Five Dock in Sydney’s Inner West, and his ambition to be the best and one of Sydney’s three Recommended Mercedes Benz repairers. In October 2006, Cole took over a Toyota panel shop in
Parramatta Road to build a specialised autobody works servicing Mercedes Benz.

After completely gutting the building, Cole began his quest with a vigorous program of re-tooling and re-building that comprised offices, boardroom, presentation areas, working spaces and a fully tooled workshop.

The aim, Cole says, was to ensure that when Mercedes made its final decision which bodyworks would service their three Sydney business areas, they would not be able to go past his shop.

Mercedes at that time, had just one recommended repairer but with ever-increasing sales and everincreasing
market penetration, it needed to split their recommended autobody repairers into three Sydney locations In the selection process, nothing was certain and even up to the last minute, two years into the Cole’s building program, Mercedes were
still evaluating proposals.

Cole’s manager Mark Crebert has been servicing Mercedes for 18 years.

“Like Pat, I have long experience with repairs for Mercedes Benz. Pat was at Smash Master, Burwood, where prestige cars were repaired on a regular basis so we both know how to repair these vehicles.”

What makes Coles such an efficient workshop is its emphasis on quality not quantity. It has seven repair bays, three on one side and four on the other, in addition to the three prep bays. A mechanical bay is situated alongside repair bay
seven. The workshop is immaculate with all tools and equipment in place. Every piece of equipment is in its place.

Other features of the workshop include: two Lowbake spray booths using Glasurit paint; 10 Celette jigs; a Celette alignment and measuring system with pulling equipment attached; full welding systems, including silicon bronze welders and equipment to aid in the repair of Mercedes built with new high strength steels. The bodyworks also has an elaborate spot weldbuilding ing arm that can stretch to any area of the workshop.

The highly-skilled staff include four panel beaters, two spray painters, two detailers, a mechanic and fitter plus office and management personnel. Training is carried out on premises with a large theatre-like presentation room and smaller meeting areas as well as three offices.

In total Cole’s services about 12 cars a week in a stylish, highly ordered and comfortable workshop.

Powell's view
Extremely well presented with all the right tools and equipment to repair prestige vehicles. The design and appearance of the business leaves no doubt as to the standards that will be fulfilled.