Judging for 2026 Paint & Panel is well underway. Last week Sam Street joined state-based judges Dario Tonon from Eblen Smash Repairs in Adelaide and retired shop owner Wayne Phipps in Perth. Thank you for your chauffeuring services as well as your insightful questions and observations.
First off the block was Peter Kittle Collision Repair Centre in Adelaide, which is expertly managed by Chad Buckley. He has been at the helm of this purpose-built, dealer-owned facility for over eight years. The business is thriving despite a recent booth fire. The latest diversification is a mobile cosmetic repair van which is proving very successful.
Next up was Capital S.M.A.R.T's latest site complete with a Symach Dry King paintshop which the team seems very happy with. It's a very well laid out shop with great processes.
It's been a few years since the awards visited Port Adelaide Crash Repairs and it was great to see all of the improvements owner Scott Corrie has made. He reports a healthy business with plenty of work available.
Rhino Crash Repair Group is rapidly growing its footprint across Adelaide with four shops in this well established group and more to come. Londsdale is the latest. It's a spacious workshop but could do with more parking spots. As with any new acquisition there's a long 'to do' list that the team is working through.
Last up was South Adelaide Autobody. This is a new shop and part of a rapidly expanding MSO, Collision Care that has six sites across four states. The shop has Tesla approval and managed to staff up and get going quickly.
We encountered some cracking shops in WA.
Our first port of call was, ironically given that my WA judge is Wayne Phipps, Phipps Smash Repair. Yes, his former shop, which was a regular winner of these awards. The business continues his tradition – lots of complex repairs and 4WDs. There's a new Car-0-Liner and many of the staff have stayed. The shop is busy and profitable. The get extra points for having a copy of the latest issue of the mag in pride of place on the table along with leaflets for our headline sponsor Compass.
It's been a minute since we are J&M Smash Repairs which is now run by the next gen Johnny Zito with Gino also in the management team. This is a seriously good shop – clean, well organised and utterly dedicated to quality repairs. Oh and the customer reception which is lovely just might have the best coffee in Perth.
The last time we visited Bowra Panel & Paint it was brand spanking new and hadn't quite found its stride. The addition of a dedicated panel shop has transformed workflow and we were impressed with the whole kit and kaboodle. I'd be very surprised if they didn't make it to the finalist stage. There's also a new satellite shop and a mechanical workshop – owner Peter Coupland and his team seem on the onwards and upwards path.
Next was an old favourite West Perth Panel & Paint. A small and awkward shape but man these guys make it work, utlising every space and setting a new benchmark in the cleanliness is next to godliness stakes. It was great to see Carlos pop over but it's his son Dave that's steering the ship now. This Audi-approved shop is seldom short of work and Dave's faced with the choice of expanding, moving or staying put. It's always a hard one to call.
It was my first visit to Como Panel & Paint which recently moved to its premises in Welshpool. Brothers Adam and Jason Harvey have a well thought out business plan and a laser focus on quality repairs. It's a welcoming customer reception area and a spacious workshop. The move has worked out well for the team.
Peter Wilkinson & Co was our final call of this very rainy day. This prestige repair facility also sports a Symach paintshop and is superbly equipped for all types of repairs. It also boasts the first Pronto automatic paint mixing machine I've seen in place in a shop which is highly rated by the team.
Day two began with a longish drive out to Mandurah which proved extremely well worthwhile. Mark and Dollar Brady of Mandurah Panel & Paint have always been top drawer operators. They constantly tweak and refine, properly understand their costs and are dedicated to doing everything properly. It's a large, expertly planned site with a rapid repair stream.
I do get indecently excited about meeting new shop owners and visiting new shops it's true. If I could do cartwheels I would have when we visited Holmes Panel & Paint. This husband and wife team – Wayne and Nessie Miller Raftellis – relocated to Armadale and took the opportunity to create a stunning new shop. We loved everything about this couple and what they have created.
Auto Collision Centre took out best new shop in 2024. It was Van Ty's second shop, there's definitely a third site, but I'm struggling to remember if there's a fourth. It's a large, extremely well planned facility with great kerb appeal, great workflow and the team repair an impressive amount of vehicles in a week. An impressive high volume shop.
We finished up at Gino's Panel & Paint. Gino's was founded by Basil, Aaron Scagliotta's dad. Aaron is edging toward MSO status with four shops now. We found him half way through renovating. The paintshop with its custom designed Lowbake equipment is complete and pumping out incredible numbers. The reception and panel shop are a few weeks from completion.
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