General News
4 March, 2025
Greg hangs up the tools
Greg McLennan has built a respected name in the crash repair business in Horsham across several decades, so when the news filtered through the community he had decided to hang up the tools, the community was concerned.
However, Greg McLennan Smash Repairs is not closing and will continue to offer the same service as always.
"I heard a few rumours around town that I was closing; that's not the case, so I want to make sure people know that while I have sold, the business will be in good hands, and the wonderful staff and quality work will continue," he said
He will however be in the background, if new owners Daren Edwards and Linda Bennett from Naracoorte need help with the transition.
The path to a career in crash repair work was perhaps inevitable for the young Greg who grew up on a farm and was always around cars and a variety of farming implements.
When an apprenticeship in Horsham became available around 1971, the 17 year old grabbed the opportunity.
However, an early and unexpected parting of the ways in 1977, completely justifiable, he says looking back, meant a 12-month hiatus from crash repairs.
Returning to Edenhope in 1978, he bought a shed and built a thriving crash repair business.
"With most of my clients coming from Horsham, I returned there in 1983 to rent part of the BAC Performance Workshop owned by Joe Brauman in Darlot Street," he said.
As the business grew, so did the premises; I stayed there for 23 years, before moving to 129 Stawell Road in Horsham, where we still operate from now.
"When I started in the industry, there were at least 8 or 9 crash repairs businesses in town, and it was very competitive, but the panel shops always worked well with us."
Mr McLennan says the industry has changed a lot in the last three decades, especially with the expoansion of the digital age.
"At least 80 to 90 assessors were constantly on site to carry out assessments on repairs but now we don't see many at all," he said.
"We take photos of the damage. upload them, and it's all done online. We match the repair process with a verbal or written quote."
He said the demand for their services is high, and clients even have to book an appointment for an assessment.
"We have three staff working in the office and six in the workshop, and we are flat out," Mr McLennan said.
"Due to the changes in the manufacturing process of vehicles, repair work has changed too."
Products have changed with more bolt-on parts and less actual panel work being done.
Mr McLennan said this approach to repairs as meant their part bills are enormous.
Once the torsional rigidity on a vehicle is impacted you can't repair the damage, replacement is the only option," he said.
There has also been an uncrease in the number of cars that are written of too, he says, due to the high cost of repalcement parts.
"Welding procedures have changed too, so like most industries, we have seen many advances in manufacture, repairs and technology," he said.
He said even though the crash repair industry was classified as an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 it was still hard and took time to recover from that time.
But in saying that, he credits the government relief offered to businesses made all the difference to the keeping businesses afloat.
"We took whatever business came our way, but parts were hard to get, which was a challenge," Mr McLennan said.
One staff member has been with the business for 27 years and another for 21, and Greg claims it's this longevity of staff that has helped build a strong skill base for his business.
While wages in the industry are not wonderful, he says, it is a steady career and there is a guaranteed work flow.
However, Mr McLennan has some concerns the expanding mining industry in the region could be a challenge to local businesses, as higher salaries offered by the mining companies could attract staff away from his and similar businesses.
But he still believes that service is the key to sustainability in any business.
"If people needed us, we tried to help, and through that customer service, we have built trust and excellent relationships with clients and the trade," Mr McLennan said.
"This, along with maintaining comparable prices, has been the basis of return customers and referrals."
With retirement looming, Greg said he wanted to thank the community and the loyal customers who have consistently shown faith in Greg McLennan Smash Repairs over the decades.
"You will be in good hands with Daren and Linda; and with Daren's son joining them it will continue to be run as a family business," he said.
"Since 1983 many of my workers have gone on to start their own businesses, including Darren McAlpine, Mick Cramer, Shane Thomas, Steve Phillips, Lee Patterson, Terry Parry and Chris Potter.
"I always encouraged these guys, and I am proud that they have taken the skills they learnt with me to the next level."
While there will be a name change from Greg McLennan's Smash Repairs to Wreckamended Repairs, opening hours will remain Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.