2 minute read
“We are stronger thanks to the MTA”
by Boylen
An Insight from Local Industry Leader
Guido Merlo has been in the automotive industry for as long as he can remember but some values still ring as true today as they did when he first became an apprentice.
“I love the fact that you can do a repair as best as you can and make a customer happy,” the MTA’s Northern Territory Zone Chair said.
Guido owns and operates Autocrash Express Repairs in Yarrawonga where he specialises in crash work at his body repair shop. A second generation panel beater, his father had a shop in Darwin from the 1960’s where Guido ‘virtually grew up in the industry’ before getting his start at another local business owned by a family friend.
...it is so important for anybody wanting to start their own automotive business to do their homework.
In addition to cars, his business also provides smash repair services for motorcycles, caravans, agricultural equipment and trailers. Whilst his customer service remains the same as always, Guido has witnessed significant changes.
“A lot evolved over time,” he says. “In the old days it was all total vehicle repairs whereas write-offs are now quite different. The insurance industry has a lot more control.
“There are also a wider range of the vehicles we are working on, many with different propulsion systems.
“This is why it is so important for anybody wanting to start their own automotive business to do their homework. The industry is regularly changing and it is getting harder for smaller businesses without any prior experience.”
His strong advice to any local businesses is to join the MTA. Beyond the organisation’s services, he also enjoys contributing towards wider industry advocacy work.
“Running a business is never as smooth sailing as we might like but having the MTA up our sleeves is always a good thing,” he said. “The MTA is somebody you can talk to, particularly in terms of legal and workplace relations side of things.”
