The Best Practice and individual awards were announced first on Friday's Bodyshop Awards night in Melbourne.
Young Achiever Award
It was a huge night for Eli Taylor from AMA Group who took out the Young Achiever Award. He was so delighted and so grateful to AMA Group for their support and the opportunities afforded to him there and through the NRL Cowbodys House. Eli was a standout for the judges, not only is he doing well as an apprentice but he is a mentor and inspiration for others.
He is an apprentice panel-beater at AMA Group’s Gemini Townsville repair site. Eli is a proud Waanyi and Ganggalidda man from Doomadgee, a very remote location in northwestern Queensland with no secondary school. He moved to Townsville to stay at NRL Cowboys House, which provides supported accommodation, quality secondary education opportunities and support transitioning to workplaces for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from some of North Queensland’s most remote and educationally disadvantaged communities.
He has show dedication and commitment to both the job and supporting his family. AMA Group flew his mother to the event, her first interstate visit.
Finalists
Lachlan Boyle-Bridgens, Vehicle Body Technician, Drive Accident Solutions QLD
Jonathon Dwyer, Refinish Technician, Minarelli Smash Repairs, NSW
Liam Standage, Refinish technician, MPSR Group NSW
Jordan Damer, Vehicle Body Technician, Perth Autobody Repairs WA
Bodyshop Manager of the Year
Our inaugural winner is Jeremy Wilks of North Shore BMW Bodyshop in Sydney. Jeremy was instrumental in assisting general manager Glenn O’Donnell in the design and set up of the new shop at Artarmon, contributing several months of his own time. Once the shop was set up, he then implemented systems and procedures with a view to creating a great customer experience with quality outcomes which he, once again, excelled at.
Glenn says: “He is practical yet strategic in the way he thinks and operates which are qualities that make him a successful and well respected leader. He has exceptional organisational skills which are critical to enabling the work to flow smoothly across all areas which is paramount in a shop of this size. It is my opinion that Jeremy exhibits all of the attributes required to run a modern prestige bodyshop operation.
Finalists
Andrew Swift, Gemini Melville WA
Bradley Harwood, Kate Presnell Bodyworks TAS
Benjamin Stewart, Stylemaster Panels VIC
You can read all about the winners and finalists in either the digital version of the magazine or wait for the printed version to wing it's way to you in a week or so. MPSR from New South Wales did very well this year demonstrating that you have to be in it to win it as the shop made considerable efforts with their submissions in multiple categories.
Best Workplace
Winner: MPSR Group
Finalist: AMA Group
Business Excellence
Winner: Drive Accident Solutions QLD
Finalists:
Essendon Panels VIC
MPSR Group NSW
Safety Award
Winner: MPSR Group, NSW
Finalist: AMA Group
Best Customer Experience
Winner: AutoXCarCare VIC
Finalists
B&A Motor Body Repairs VIC
Drive Accident Solutions QLD
Essendon Panels VIC
Perth Autobody Repairs WA
Community & Social Responsibility
Winner: Hawkesbury City Smash NSW
Car Craft Group, WA
Gemini Townsville QLD
Digital Excellence
Winner: MPSR Group NSW
Finalist: Drive Accident Solutions QLD
Best Workplace
Winner: MPSR Group, NSW
Finalist: AMA Group