Pratts named best repairer
Pratts Auto Bodyshop in Carlow, Ireland, has been named Best Bodyshop in Leinster at the Irish Bodyshop awards.
The 26-year-old business picked up the same award in 2015, and won the prestigious SIMI Bodyshop of the Year award in 2015. The awards are a result of business owner, Nigel Pratt, investing in the business to beat the recession, whilst also sticking with paint brand Cromax since the business opened.
In 2010, as well as a complete overhaul of the bodyshop, Pratts installed a Symach Robodry. In combination with the Cromax basecoat system, this has had a hugely beneficial impact on Pratts’ working processes, and has reaped savings in both time and money.
Nigel explained, ‘Cromax basecoat dries exceptionally fast with the robotic dryer and the short drying time of the clearcoat means we can process jobs much more quickly and save energy. We have calculated that we have reduced our overall running costs by an incredible 40%.’
He added, ‘Cromax is a premium, global brand and we continue to be impressed not only by the quality of the products, but also by the services we receive. We rely heavily on the ChromaVision spectrophotometer, which helps to save time and to ensure accurate colour matching and we have signed up to the Fast Repair programme so that we can offer SMART repairs.
‘And the level of service we receive is second to none – we know that if we ever need help with anything, someone from the Cromax team will assist us very quickly, which is essential for a busy bodyshop like ours.’
Anthony Cashel, marketing manager for Axalta Coating Systems in the UK and Ireland, said, ‘Pratts Auto Bodyshop is a wonderful example of a successful business that is committed to improving both its own standards, and those of the industry.’
