Body Repairmen Become More Inventive
THE shortage of body repair materials and spare parts has not only put a lot of pressure on the vehicle repair industry but has also brought some good with it.
Take the case of Saywack’s Motor Repairs of Campbell Avenue, Campbellville.
In the business since 1972, Managing Director Saywack says he has seen and experienced a gradual reduction in the availability of spare parts and repair materials.
And with it has come some incredible prices which are normally out of reach of ordinary car owners.
“But,” says Saywack, a former foreman at Guyana Gajraj Repair Department, “this situation has forced us to use our initiative in getting around problems.”
He cites the absence of fire gum on the market and says that used crushed stove wicks, ground into powder form, works better than fire gum for exhaust repair.
“Before also, we would not have knocked out a small dent on a car, but would just apply filler and spray it. Now we would take time to beat it out and prepare the surface. this would give the customer a better job. I think that because of the price everybody has to conserve on materials,” says the proprietor.
Saywack attributes his success to tight managerial control of his five-man staff, and loyalty from them through welfareoriented practices on the premises.
“You can’t employ too many strangers in a business like this. You would get cleaned out. When 1 am not there my son is in charge and I also have my brother-in-law with me. The two other fellows are very nice, but you must have someone to take over when you are not there.”
Saywack says he could reduce workshop-time quite a bit if only he could acquire a small lathe to recondition brake hubs and other parts.
“If I get all the materials for a body repair job before 1 start, we could complete the job in three full days.”
The workshop has had the experience of seeing customers applying for bank loans to help meet the mounting costs of car repairs.
“Things are very expensive. There are a few traders who check with me every now and then to see what I want. Other than that I have about 10 customers with their cars at home waiting to get the parts before we make a start,” the Managing Director observes,
He agrees that there is a future in the body repair industry. “I do between 10 to 15 cars a week if 1 have the parts,” he observed.