Kapunda’s Pines Mechanical takes out SA’s best mechanic for the second time

A Kapunda mechanic carrying on the legacy of their late founder has been named SA’s best mechanic for 2024.

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December 11, 2024 - 4:57PM

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Best Mechanic 2024 winners - The Pines Mechanical, Kapunda. (L front) Richard and (R Front) Melissa Schiller and Caroline and Clinton Heinrich,(middle) with Cameron Wall (BL) and Will Barnes (BR). Picture:Dean Martin

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The Pines Mechanical in Kapunda has been named South Australia’s best mechanic for the second time after also taking out the top title in 2022.

“I was a bit surprised we won the award the second time, but it’s a credit to the boys and their thoroughness and the care they take into doing their job,” director Richard Schiller said.

Mr Schiller stepped into the director’s shoes in 2021 after his son Braiden, who founded the business, died in a motorbike accident.

“He had goals, big dreams,” his mother Mel Schiller told The Advertiser after the business’ 2022 win.

“He would always say he’s here for a good time, not a long time. He was always go, go, go.”

Braiden Schiller died in a dirt bike crash in 2021. Picture: Facebook

With the team now mainly consisting of Braiden’s family members and mates, Mr Schiller said the company have had to “dig deep” during the tough times and remember their goal of carrying on his late son’s legacy.

“All the workers, bar one, knew (Braiden) very well so they are all passionate and keep his business going and the way it’s been going, it’s been pretty good,” Mr Schiller said.

“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster but it’s been good the way it has sort of turned out and with our customer support..it’s pretty busy most of the time.”

The Pines Mechanical, Kapunda. (L front) Richard and (R Front) Melissa Schiller and Caroline and Clinton Heinrich,(middle) with Cameron Wall (BL) and Will Barnes (BR). Picture:Dean Martin

With the cost of living crisis impacting small businesses across South Australia, Mr Schiller said that “communication” has been the key to The Pines Mechanical’s success.

“It’s all just (about getting) back to customer relations basically,” Mr Schiller said.

“Things do blow out, parts are harder to get nowadays...some younger people haven’t got the money and so we sort of do a payment plan to help them out.”