58 | Ready day or night On-call towing and breakdown services are an important component of the business. TRANSPORT Parkside Panels & Auto Rescue T T Sue Russell “We’re fairly flexible which works well, given the nature of Auto Rescue, we never know from one day to the next how the day will play out.” Offering complete collision repair and complementary roadside rescue/ vehicle recovery services keeps the team of Invercargill-based Parkside Panels & Auto Rescue busy. Owned by Ewan Hilston - with Parkside Panels established in 1990 & Auto Rescue established in 2007 - the businees employs a team of nine, who cross over between the two businesses as demand dictates. Kaylin Goodall has been with Parkside Panels & Auto Rescue a couple of years and the bulk of his time is spent as an estimator in the panel business. “We’re fairly flexible which works well, given the nature of Auto Rescue, we never know from one day to the next how the day will play out.” On-call towing and breakdown services are an important component of the business and Kaylin says that means the commitment to always having technicians available and the towing equipment poised ready, regardless of the hour of the day or night. “We understand it’s a stressful time for someone when they need their car towed, whether it’s a break-down or the result of an accident, so our aim always is to respond readily and go about our business efficiently, communicating well with the customer. “Most breakdowns, however, can be resolved on the spot.” Auto Rescue currently attends breakdowns daily across lower Southland for AA Road Service & First Rescue, who manage callouts for AMI, State & NZI Roadside Rescue, to name a few. Vehicle recovery regularly extends to Otago and throughout Southland. Asked how business has been going, Kaylin says he’s pleased with a good regular amount of ongoing work coming through both Parkside Panels & Auto Rescue. Parkside Panels are approved repairers for AA Insurance, Vero, and FMG. “The panel shop is booked out for the next couple of months, which gives us a good sense of certainty, especially when Auto Rescue is somewhat unpredictable.” Kaylin describes panel-beating as a good trade, though today, the techniques are very different from years back, as the vehicles now are much more advanced. “We don’t have any apprentices on the panel side at the moment, but we do take in students from local high schools for work experience occasionally, to give them a practical, real taste of what this industry is about. I think it’s a great system allowing teens at high school to have these experiences before making any bigger decisions.” Amongst the arsenal of tools and equipment at hand at Parkside Panels, is a specialised chassis measuring machine, providing precise measurements to properly establish the severity of collision damage. “I like to think we’re a team with complementary skills, able to step in and help each other out at pinch times. “To succeed in this business you have to be flexible and open to the fact that no two days are the same and just get on and manage it. “That’s something we do well here at Parkside Panels & Auto Rescue.” Covering all over Southland Ph: 03 218 2462 | Parts & Service: 03 218 9839 E: service@dominionelectric.co.nz | 75 Yarrow Street, Invercargill • Commercial • Industrial • Agricultural • Air Conditioning • Diagnostic Equipment • EFI • ABS • SRS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=