More About Park Panel Beaters
Gerhard emigrated from Germany to South Africa with his parents at the age of 14, who settled in Vanderbijlpark. Gerhard then started his apprenticeship at Jones Panelbeaters on the Barrage Road.
Gerhard and Marie married on 12 May 1962, and after hours of hard work and saving, they were able to start their own panel beating business; Park Panelbeaters was founded in 1967. The first building work on the premises was done by Gerhard’s late father, and Park Panelbeaters is still located on the same premises today. It started with a small office, and later a carport or two were added. Gerhard and Marie were blessed with three children – Karl, Antonette and Anton – who were all involved in the family-run business, to live forth their parents’ dream. Antonette passed away in 2009, but both brothers and their wives, Louise and Michelle, as well as their eldest grandchild Heinrich, are still actively involved in the panel beating business today, aiming to constantly adjust the business goals to suit the rapidly changing environment.
Some of the staff at Park Panelbeaters have been with the company for many years. Herbert Smit has recently retired from 45 years of uninterrupted service at Park Panelbeaters, to name only one.
From Strength to Strength
Park Panelbeaters went from strength to strength and delivers services to most of the insurance companies as well as motor manufacturing companies such as Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen, Audi, Ford, Mazda, Kia, Renault, Jeep, Chrysler, Peugeot, Citroen, Nissan, Hyundai and GM.
Should your vehicle still be under warranty, it can be repaired according to factory specifications, with no implications on your motor plan or vehicle’s warranty. It is also the management’s policy to keep all employees informed of the latest technology and development within the industry, which is why lecture halls were established for motoring manufacturers to use for training of panel beaters within the company as well as other panel beaters in the area.
Seeing as Park Panelbeaters are very aware of the negative impact of chemicals on the environment, we are now using a water-based paint, limiting pollution of the surrounding environment. All excess steel and plastic materials are sent to recycling companies to be reprocessed.
“We consider one of our biggest challenges to make provision for the futures of artisans or craftsmen within the industry. Manual labour is often looked down upon, yet the technology today is becoming so complex and specialised that workmen need intensive training and guidance!” ~ Park Panelbeaters