Business North
AUTOMOTIVE » A Dracevich Panelbeaters
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Company building on proud history Sue Russell Craig “Junior” Browne enjoys being a panelbeater and for the last five years he has owned A Dracevich Panelbeaters outright, although his history with the company stretches back further. “I first came into part ownership a decade ago, but for the last five have been sole owner. “This is a company with a very proud history and track-record and my team are highly skilled at what they do,” Browne says. A Dracevich Panelbeaters Ltd is located in Glen Eden in Auckland. The company was first established in 1945 and some nearly 70 years later the consistent quality of the service it provides is evidenced by its status as an approved and recommended insurance repairer. “We do everything here like a one-stop-shop,” says Browne. “Repair work is very much done on quality and trust and all our guys have got the latest training. “From day one we deliver top service consistent and it is something we pride ourselves on.” Such is the reputation of the company that its customers come from as far afield as Hamilton and Pukekohe. The team comprises five panel beaters, three painters and office staff and just six months ago was joined by a new manager who Browne says is making a significant difference to the business. “He has been absolutely excellent. “I used to do it all on my own, now I can let go of some of the overall management in Troy’s capable hands.” The business is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday, depending on the amount of work on its books. Friday is a traditionally busy day with customers wanting their vehicles back by the weekend. Most of the work comes through insurance companies. Each major car manufacturer has its own specific warranty criteria, detailing for instance the type of paint and the nature of repair demanded by it.
A Dracevich Panelbeaters offers a comprehensive range of services for its customers, including smash repairs, spray painting, chassis straightening, rust repair and proofing, auto electrical, wheel alignments and mechanical. “It means we’re constantly updating ourselves on these standards and must comply to the letter with individual warranty conditions in the process of repairing the vehicles. “This is demanded by the insurance companies and manufacturers.”
Browne would like to move to bigger premises and purchase more equipment, but with the cost of an inverter spot welder running at $30,000 and with profit margins tight he plans to stay where he is for the time being. The company offers a comprehensive range of services for its customers, including smash repairs, spray painting, chassis straightening, rust repair and proofing, auto electrical, wheel alignments and mechanical to name just a few. “I think key to our success is that we have so many services we’re expert at,” says Browne. “The last thing a customer wants to do is to be dealing with several workshops in order to get the job done. Here it is all under one roof.”
The panelbeating industry is highly competitive, working within tight fiscal realities, but Browne says he enjoys the work immensely. “There’s nothing like looking at a newly completed repair and paint. It’s like looking at a brand new landscape and we know just how much it means to the owners when they see what we’ve achieved; that’s very satisfying.” A Dracevich Panelbeaters trades each day from 7am through to 5pm, giving customers time in the morning to drop their car off before heading to work. A courtesy car is also available and before any vehicle is returned it is given a full valet service. Browne is also happy to provide a no-obligation quote.
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A Dracevich Panelbeaters is an approved and recommended insurance repairer.
438 Great South Road, PO Box 17487, Greenlane, Auckland T: +64 9 580 8800 M: +64 21 500 849 E: rthomas@winger.co.nz
5 Rabone Street, Henderson Ph. 836 2471 Fax. 836 2478 E. avontow@xtra.co.nz