Smart Repairs, the country’s largest independent cosmetic vehicle repairer, has announced a record-breaking year.
The Leeds-based company, which recently bought 18,000 sq ft freehold premises in Weaver Street, has seen its turnover grow by 40 per cent to £7.5 million this year, whilst trebling its workforce.
The recent appointment of three technicians in Hertfordshire, Surrey and South Wales means that the flourishing company now has exactly 100 staff across the country, with 40 based in Leeds. Based on current growth, another 15 technicians will be recruited early next year.
As part of its national expansion programme this year, Smart Repairs has invested £1m into its van fleet and equipment.
Next year turnover will predicted to soar to £9m, with net profit set to exceed £1.5 million.
Darryl Short, managing director, explained: “This has been a game-changing year for us. We had previously concentrated on looking after customers and clients in the north of England, but this year we have expanded our operations to service the whole of the UK.
“We have recently expanded into Scotland and we have further sustainable growth plans for the North West, the Midlands and the area by the M25,” said Darryl.
Smart Repairs, which boasts most of Yorkshire’s major car dealerships among its clients, is co-owned by its founder Dan Besau and major investor Phil Newstead. The company carries out 180,000 vehicle repairs a year.
One new client Auto Protect commented: “Just over a year ago we challenged Smart Repairs to look after our national repair needs for our alloy wheel solution. This came about after a long-standing previous relationship with the owners and key team members.
“It's fair to say they have excelled in the task we have set them and we are delighted with our working partnership. We receive excellent feedback from both customers and our own team members regarding work carried out and the 'can do' attitude of the Smart Repairs team.”
Meanwhile Leeds-based dealer JCT600 added: “Smart Repairs are a valued partner who are very much aligned with our own company values and ethos. We are delighted to have worked together over numerous years and watch their business grow across Yorkshire. Their attention to detail and high regard for Customer Service is second to none resulting in Smart Repairs now supplying services to JCT600 exclusively across Yorkshire. We see them as a trusted and long-term partner for our business”.
Dan Beau commented: “We are very proud and very humbled by these wonderful testimonials. Every single member of our staff works exceptionally hard to achieve and maintain the highest of standards. It is vital this continues as we expand across the UK.
“We believe a key part of our success is the way we treat our staff. This, in turn, translates into the friendly, positive and efficient service we provide for our customers, so it’s a win-win situation.”
Phil Newstead added: “Clearly the global pandemic had its challenges last year, but one of its consequences was a boom in the second-hand car market, which naturally led to a great deal more work for us. We managed to stay open and working most of the time, despite the difficulties of the various lockdowns.
“We can both see that our future is in providing a quality repair offering across all of the UK, to warranty companies, insurers, dealer groups and vehicle remarketing companies.”
Smart Repairs already has a formidable client list, including many of the quality Yorkshire dealerships such as Bentley Leeds; BMW Leeds, Harrogate, York and Bradford; Mercedes Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield and York; Ferrari Leeds; Aston Martin Leeds; and Audi York and Harrogate.
