66 | Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. Each edition priority delivered to your door. i i i i li . www.waterfordpress.co.nz/subscriptions . t f . . / i ti 03 983 5525 Stay informed; we work with business owners and decision-makers across all economic sectors, profiling their success. t i f r ; r it i r i i - r r ll i t r , r fili t ir . businessnorth TRANSPORT Matamata Panelworks T T Bernadette Cooney New workshop makes an impression Matamata Panelworks won Best New Build category at the national Collison Repair Awards in recognition of its state-of-the-art new premises at 34 Rockford Street. “It’s 128 metres long and 24 metres wide, divided into three major divisions, with restorations, collision repairs and the Shelby workshop out the back, and an impressive new showroom and office facility out front.” An impressive new workshop and showroom for Matamata Panelworks has won a significant award at this year’s national Collison Repair Awards, and its newly qualified spray painter has won the Golden Gun Award. Matamata Panelworks 2000 Ltd won Best New Build category at the awards in recognition of its state-of-the-art new premises at 34 Rockford Street. The 3800sqm, purpose-built facility showcases the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation under the leadership of owner Malcolm Sankey, who established the original business almost 25 years ago. “It’s 128 metres long and 24 metres wide, divided into three major divisions,” says Malcolm, “with restorations, collision repairs and the Shelby workshop out the back, and an impressive new showroom and office facility out front.” The enviable space was an 18-month build from main contractor Lowe Construction and was not the only Matamata Panelworks achievement recognised by this year’s Collision Repair Awards. “Our former MITO apprentice car painter, Sidney Clow, won this year’s Golden Gun award, which gives her the profile of the best car-painting apprentice or auto refinisher in the country,” says Malcolm. Sidney’s award highlights her journey from an apprentice to one of the country’s top car painters, setting a new benchmark for excellence in vehicle refinishing. Sidney is a vital part of the Matamata Panelworks team, says Malcolm, with a bright future ahead of her. The new workshop and showroom features hard-wearing carpets and floor surfacing that can endure constant wear and tear, from Owens Flooring, and precision lighting solutions from Eurotech Lighting. “You need good lighting for good attention to detail in the panel business, and our grooming bay is second to none in the country with high-quality precision lighting from Justine and Chris from Eurotech.” As the only authorised modification shop in New Zealand for the iconic Shelby Mustang, Matamata Panelworks can take a standard Ford Mustang GT and transform it into genuine a Shelby model certified by Shelby America itself. Malcolm and his team spent time in Shelby America’s workshop in 2019 to learn the craftsmanship required for these builds, which have become so respected that the company now exports to Japan. Since gaining the licence to build Shelbys, Matamata Panelworks has completed around 65 builds, with more planned as they await the release of a new model. Matamata Panelworks are also licensed agents for aftermarket Tickford Performance products for Ford models including Mustang, Ranger and Everest. An exciting new addition to Matamata Panelworks is the purchase of Almac Cars, industrial fibreglass specialists with the rights to build the AC Cobra 427SC replica and the Clubsprint XL. “This is an exciting development for us, and we hope to launch the new Almac design from early next year,” says Malcolm. The award-winning facility enables customers to explore high-performance vehicles on show and even purchase apparel. Malcolm notes that while walk-ins are welcome, it’s best to make an appointment to ensure he is available for a personal consultation. “Customers walk through the door, and friends for life walk out the door.” Your local residential & commercial flooring specialists Proudly supporting Matamata Panelworks 07 863 5723 / Showroom 027 233 7277 www.owensflooring.co.nz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=