It was a diverse mix of shops that judge Brett Leslight from Regatta Motor Body Repairs and I visited last week. What was remarkable was the number of unwrinkled faces we came across. It was really refreshing to see so many young trades people, managers and shop owners.
Our first port of call was Hornsby BMW Bodyshop. This is owned by the Australian Automotive Group, a family owned dealership chain only founded in 2005 which already has a huge footprint. Most of the team are in their 20s or early 30s. Many dealerships that have set up bodyshops, tried to run them like a service centre and then failed. The team knew this wouldn't work and the shop is run as the collision industry demands.
Next up was previous winner in many categories over the years, L&M Smash Repairs. Dan-million-miles-an-hour Maher takes team welfare to the next level. He's built up an impressive fleet clientele partly through judicious use of chocolate (he told me not to tell you how) but mainly through offering exceptional customer service.
Westfield Smash Repairs is a firmly family affair with brother and sister Frank and Mimi Spagnolo at the helm with Frank's son learning the ropes to one day take over. It turns out Frank is friends with the bodyshop owner Brett did his apprenticeship with who was immediately summoned on the phone for a chat. Great to see succession planning in place at this traditional workshop.
Sharpline Smash Repairs is very smart indeed – you'll see pictures in the current issue with its fancy, productive glass Pan paint shop. Another family affair, Mitch his mum and his sister are running the joint. He's another youngster in his early 30s and has the Tesla badge and a shop stuffed full of them.
Eastside Collision Repair is a second generation outfit. They used to have another shop in Bondi but the difficulty of getting staff who can afford to live within a decent commute became too much and they have concentrated their efforts on the Botany site. As the area becomes more gentrified staffing continues to be a challenge.
Paddington Smash Repairs also has a wrinkle-free second generation owner at the helm, Ned Robinson. It's the second move since its original location in Paddington – soon there will be no repairers left in the fancier suburbs. Now at Banksmeadow, it has been a BMW accredited repairer for decades.
Northshore BMW Bodyshop is one of those shops that if you are in the industry and you expired this would be heaven. Manager Jeremy Wilkes (our first ever Manager of the Year) showed us around a workshop that looks as good as new. The shop is the only one in NSW approved for carbon fibre repairs such is the skill of the technicians and the level of equipment and training.
At Torrisi Collision Repairs we met owner Sam and his son Sam (who's son's name is Samuel) so it was a full on Sam fest. I'm sure Brett felt a little left out. Torrisi downsized during Covid and now work at a more leisurely pace.
Delta Auto Body has incredible flooring and lots of very fancy cars. Owner Mathew Saman is another 'youngster' in his early 30s. You don't see many Globaljigs in Sydney but his was the second of the day. A mechanic by trade, the shop is relatively young like its owner. His vision is to give exceptional service and to build up fleet work from the local businesses.
Castle Hill Motorserve entered in the Corporate category. They have recently changed their spec to include structural repairs and it was nice to meet another lady panel beater who they imported from Ireland. It's a vast shop which shares the space with the mechanical offering and includes wheel repairs and calibrations in its repertoire. Love to see a Safe T Stop in action.
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