| 77 T T Rosa Watson Larger vehicles require specialist skills There are now 27 branches across Australia and New Zealand with around 620 employees. TRANSPORT Royans Group 1/23 Druces Road, Wiri, Auckland 2104 | 09 390 0439 | sales@totaltruckglass.co.nz | totaltruckglass.co.nz TRUCK GLASS All Truck Glass Replacements Workshop & Mobile Service ADAS Camera Recalibration The expansion of Australian-based Royans Group into New Zealand has brought with it over 80 years of history and experience to the smash repair market. The family-owned business, which was started in 1944, underwent significant expansion in 2019 and 2020, acquiring a number of independently owned premises, sourcing manager Michelle Nathan says. Royans entered the New Zealand market in August 2020 and now has seven branches here – two in Auckland, one in the Manawatu, two in Christchurch and one in Invercargill. The first New Zealand business to be acquired was Transvisual Spraypainters Ltd & Transvisual Collision Repair Centre in Auckland. Royans is now the largest commercial accident and repair specialist in the country. The company is a one-stop-shop for heavy vehicle needs, such as collision repairs, blasting, paint work and graphics. Services include fibre glassing, chassis alignment, panel beating, sand blasting, powder coating, spray painting, protective coatings, marine coatings, fleet imaging and signwriting, wraps, curtains and design and branding. There are now 27 branches across Australia and New Zealand with around 620 employees. Each branch offers heavy vehicle collision repairs and refinishing services, with some, like the Invercargill branch, also specialising in additional services, such as marine coatings and powder coating – “but all branches offer the same level of quality and customer service the company has become known for,” Michelle says. “With the branches strategically positioned across the country, it enables us to provide our customers, both owner-operators and fleets, with consistency and convenience for their repairs. It also means we can spread the team or workload out over the branches. “If a driver has an accident, it’s important the repairer has the right skills and equipment. All of our branches follow the same procedures. It helps to provide not only fast turnaround times, but also that consistency with our repairs.” Royans has set a high standard for commercial vehicle repairs. “This is a highly skilled and challenging industry,” says Michelle. “Trucks, buses, trailers – these vehicles are very different to repair than passenger vehicles. It’s very demanding work and requires expert training, skill and equipment.” The company has invested heavily in equipment and training to meet the specialised requirements for this industry. “Heavy vehicles can’t just go into any workshop to get fixed; it needs to go into the right shop. There are a number of safety checks that need to be carried out, and these can only be done by a specialist workshop.” The Royans company looked to New Zealand after identifying a gap in the market. The model was a good fit, offering a one-stopshop for all heavy vehicle requirements under one roof, with all branches capable of carrying out all facets of the repair process, such as panel, paint, chassis repair, body repairs and mechanical repairs. Royans having control of the whole repair process, not only reduces repair times, but ensures consistency and quality throughout the repair process. Royans also provide national coverage and support. A new, purpose-built heavy vehicle repair shop is due to open in Christchurch later this year, which would merge the current Christchurch and Wigram branches, Michelle says. Royans invests heavily in its people, and prides itself in maintaining a family culture, she says. “We do a lot around succession planning and have a lot of career path opportunities. It’s a really great company in terms of you can go as far as you want to.” An apprenticeship programme is rolling out across both countries, which is a three- to four-year programme with nationally recognised qualifications in panel beating, spray painting, diesel mechanics, fabrication, auto electrical, signwriting and more. There is a strong focus on health work health and safety for staff, with the company slogan being ‘Safety Always’. “Our safety focus also extends to our customers and their vehicles,” says Michelle. Royans’ customers range from the smallest private owner/operators across any industry right through to the largest multi-national organisations. “We are very lucky that we do have a loyal customer base, and we intend to build on that.”
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