Transport & Motoring | Mark's Automotive
A labour of automotive love The husband and wife team at Mark’s Automotive have put a lot of care, many long hours and a tremendous amount of effort into establishing the business. Now, co-directors Mark and Leona Nicholas are celebrating 10 strong years in business.
loyal customer even comes from the West Coast for his services.
Mark’s Automotive’s fully trained mechanics can take on any challenge big or small. They service, warrant and repair all makes and models of vehicles, plus they sell a variety of tyre brands and have just become the major dealer in Kumho Tyres in the Selwyn area.
“My Mum and Dad, Barbara and Rex, were an amazing help. Mum looked after the kids and cracked on with the housework and Dad helped us paint the workshop and built the counter, cupboards and doors.”
Meet the team
Building the business It was a lifelong dream of Mark’s to run his own mechanics workshop. In 2004 Mark’s father-in-law, the late Rex Crafts, made it his personal mission to help his daughter and son-in-law start up their own business. The family team set about turning the dream into a reality, taking over the Springs Road workshop in November 2004 and worked to quickly become an MTA member. Leona explains the first year in business was full on. “Mark and I did everything and this was made even busier with two children under four. We walked the streets with the double pushchair, after work and in the weekends, putting out thousands upon thousands of vouchers to get people in the door.” She says she knew once people came through the door for the first time, met Mark and saw his capabilities they would stay, so it was really just a matter of getting people in. “We now have customers from all over Christchurch, from Mount Pleasant to Redwood and one
The team at Mark’s Automotive has grown during its decade in business and is now backed up by five staff. The team includes two apprentices, Will, who has almost finished his training and Isaac, two fully qualified technicians Sam and Adrian, plus Daryl who works on the front desk and is second in charge. Mark, who has 30 years experience in the trade and Leona continue to play a major role in their business.
Anniversary celebrations Leona and Mark are extremely proud to be celebrating 10 years in business and have become an important part of the Prebbleton community. Leona says the key to their businesses longevity and success is honesty. “Mark is a very honest person; he and I always wanted to go into business to be able to repair vehicles as required, not ‘fix’ stuff that isn’t broken.”
Award winners Mark, Leona and the team are very proud recipients of the Prebbleton Enviro Village Responsible Business Trophy, which they have won two years running.
Services • Full mechanical repairs • WOF • Safety inspections • Servicing • Warranty servicing • Tyres • Four loan vehicles available to keep you moving when your car isn’t.
Mark's Automotive Ltd 559 Springs Road Prebbleton Christchurch, 7604 T (03) 349 3344 E marksautomotive@xtra.co.nz — Advertising Feature
Pop in and have a chat with the team for some frank advice and expert repairs. CT
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Mark’s Automotive Ask Mark and the team about Kumho EECA Approved Tyres
Phone us on 325 2666 Visit us at 8 Gerald St
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Andrew Dufton
Proud Insurance Brokers for Mark’s Automotive To contact us please phone 03 3667536 or visit our website www.abbottgroup.co.nz
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Risk Management is our Business
Proud to support Mark’s
AUTOMOTIVE
575 Springs Road, Prebbleton, New Zealand
03 3445554
Hornby Accounting Ltd
Chartered Accountants
A: 7 Goulding Avenue, Christchurch P: 03 3499 572 E: office@hornbyaccounting.co.nz www.canterburytoday.co.nz
April 2015 | 55