Turnover reaches record levels at cosmetic vehicle repair firm
Smart Repairs, an independent cosmetic vehicle repairer, is celebrating a record-breaking year.
The Leeds-based company, which recently bought an 18,000 sq ft freehold premises in Weaver Street, has seen its turnover grow by 40% to £7.5m this year, while trebling its workforce.
A recent appointment of three technicians in Hertfordshire, Surrey and South Wales means the 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’s turnover is predicted to climb to £9m, with net profit set to exceed £1.5m.
Darryl Short, managing director, said: “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.”
Smart Repairs is co-owned by its founder Dan Besau and major investor Phil Newstead. The company carries
out 180,000 vehicle repairs a year.
Besau said: “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.”
Newstead added: “Clearly the 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.”
