Established: 2011

Location: Hamilton

Contact Name: Jason Land

Website: www.collinsauto.co.nz

Business mission and vision:
Our mission is to provide the very best in customer service while delivering the highest standard of automotive repairs and services.
Vote

“Collins delivers a WOW experience that is not normally expected in the independant automotive industry ”

Partly its our professional approach, ensuring that our Collins clients get the best possible experience and outcomes.
Also its our people, we have an amazing team who believe in what Collins is about and collectively work together to achieve results, not only for our customers, but for the business too.

2015 – Hamilton Central Business Awards – Winner Specialty Category

2016 – Hamilton Central Business Awards – Runner Up Specialty Category

2017 – LMI Group (Insurance Claim Preparation Company) – Phoenix Award

2018 – Westpac Waikato Business Awards – Finalist

I wanted to take on the challenge of running my own business and have always had a vision of what an automotive repair shop should be.

Getting off the ground was not such a challenge, I was fortunate enough to purchase a small existing company with a good reputation and be able to take it the the next level with a bit of energy and drive.

The biggest challenge was switching from the mindset of an employee and becoming an employer and also needing to learn all the skills of operating a business along the way, having no formal training prior to “taking the leap”

In October 2016 the business next door to ours burnt to the ground, because we shared a firewall that was damaged in the fire we were forced to relocate. We were very fortunate that nothing of ours was damaged in the fire, we just had no premises to operate from. We moved what we could into storage and took the essential things we needed to operate, to a building offered to us by a generous customer and friend, it was a huge challenge going from 900sqm to about 80sqm size workshop. The support we received from customers, suppliers and employees was amazing. In April 2017 we finally moved into our current premises which is nearly 1400sqm.

In the between the fire and moving into our “new” workshop we acquired an automotive repair business to add to our existing auto electrical and air conditioning business and also ended up purchasing the client base of the tyre shop that burnt down and employing the owner and a couple of his employees. This gave us the foundations for the business we operate now, providing a “one stop shop” for all automotive requirements and we have continued to grow the business while really focusing on the customer experience we offer. In November 2020 we are expanded again to add an automotive parts store into an adjoining building that became available. This has further added to suite of offerings and brings a new level of convenience. This is a very modern and relaxed 600sqm automotive parts and accessories showroom, where customers can purchase any automotive related products for DIY, or purchase parts and accessories fitted in our service and repair center.

Looking back, tackling the fire situation head on was instrumental in building the business we now have, we could have easily found a building similar size to what we had, with not so much profile, and just carried on as we were. But I was adamant we needed a site with high profile to build the brand rather settle for mediocre, and went looking for such a building. What we found was far too big for the size of the business we had, so I went looking for opportunities to compliment our existing business and fill the building.

The leap into the autoparts industry has been another massive challenge, putting together a full blown autoparts wonderland within a few short months, and then taking on a very competitive industry. We are excited for the future!!

The big overcoming adversity part of the story is a little more on the personal side than totally business, 2 months before the fire my wife Carley gave birth to our twin daughters in fairly challenging circumstances, and then she ended up having to have open heart surgery in the same time frame between the fire and moving into the new workshop facility. So while trying to put the pieces of the business together and get everything in place, I was juggling a wife having heart surgery and 6 month old twins…..im really not sure where I managed to find the time, but it is amazing what you can achieve when you “have to”, because there wasn’t many other options in my eyes, except just do what had to be done……

The biggest success in my eyes is over the past 10 years taking a small 3 employee business and growing it to a team of 20+ passionate individuals who come together as a family with a team culture , positive attitudes, doing whatever it takes and delivering on promises, which are all pillars of what Collins stands for.

I am super proud to lead such an amazing team who all share a vision of simply being the best!

I’m also proud that the vision I had has come to fruition and we are still building this business into something remarkable.

23

As an operation we are quite self sufficient.
As a business we use a range of professional services from business mentors/advisers through to marketing experts etc.

We have provided many apprenticeships for people entering our trade, and continue to do so currently employing 6 apprentices. We also continuously up-skill our team with professional development in their specific field.

We have many positive reviews from Google and Facebook.
We also have some great testimonials from a few of our corporate customers, ie Turners and Fulton Hogan.

I actually really enjoy watching our team grow as people, and watching them all live the culture we have created. Its is very gratifying to see the impact we have had on their lives by providing not just a workplace but a place they can enjoy work.

Aside from that I enjoy the lifestyle I have created and able to live with my family

We support a few sports teams, from school rugby teams to senior netball and football teams.

We are always donating to small community initiatives, and also charities like Kidney Kids and Heart Foundation etc.

This is something Carley (my wife) and I have started to discuss, we believe in giving back to our community, and now that we are in a position to, are starting to look at ways we can do positive things in our community.

We are a family owned (husband and wife) and operated business who just do everyday life with our twin 5 year old twin daughters, and running our not so little business.

[totalpoll id=”2321″]