Bizzy Bits: Coast panel beaters workshop with a difference, Kees Weels’ love of lamb, latest business award winners and Villa World staff end era on a high

Bizzy bits: Coast workshop where staff know how to cool down, Kees Weels’ love of lamb, latest business award winners and Villa World staff end era on a high note

HHarvey Prestige employees Benjamin Bentley and Richard Kirby cool down. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

WORKING in an auto workshop is pretty sweaty work, so what better way to cool down than take a lunchtime dip in the company pool.

In what is believed to be the country’s only accident repair workshop with a pool, the workers at HHarvey Prestige in Upper Coomera certainly make the most of it.

“It gets pretty hot here, especially in Summer, so the boys love to freshen up at lunchtime,” Centre manager Glenn Harvey said.

HHarvey Prestige is part of the ASX-listed AMA Group Ltd, Australia’s largest network of accident repair facilities with more than 100 outlets and 2000 employees.

AMA bought the business from Colin Cowie and Mark Wells in 2018. They had purchased it seven years earlier from the founder Heydon Harvey – Glenn’s father.

HHarvey Prestige employees Benjamin Bentley, Richard Kirby and Rodrigo Silveira cool down. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

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Mr Harvey said the facility was purpose-built in 2009 by his parents, who had started the business 36 years earlier as Harvey Smash Repairs.

“Dad always wanted to have a workshop with a pool,” he said. “He wanted the staff to have a good working environment, he was all about the staff.

“You should have seen some of the parties we used to have.”

Mr Harvey, who also works at the site with sister Rebecca, said the business model was “a little different” to what it used to be when his parents were at the helm, but the appeal of the Sierra Place, Upper Coomera branch was one of the most attractive of all of AMA’s sites.

“It’s one of the more appealing locations and we often have potential investors coming through for a tour,” he said.

“They always have a chuckle at the pool.”

And what has happened to the man who originally built the pool?

“(Mum and Dad) are travelling the world and having a great time,” he said. “They deserve it. They worked very hard for it.”

Kees Weel could forge another career as an ambassador for the Australian lamb industry.

PWR RACES TO RECORD PROFIT AFTER EUROPEAN SUCCESS

IF PWR’s boss Kees Weel ever decides to give up the automotive coolant game, he could certainly find a job as an ambassador for the Australian lamb industry.

“We’ve got lamb chops for lunch if you want to hang around,” he told shareholders assembled for the company’s AGM at its Ormeau HQ on Thursday. “If you like lamb chops, you can have some on us.”

The delectable cutlets were grilling away on the barbecue at the back of the company’s Centre of Excellence, a multimillion-dollar research, development, manufacturing and testing hub for its products.

Company chairman Teresa Handicott chimed in: “It’s his favourite food, so make sure you all have some.”

Given PWR’s stellar financial results, driving a record net profit of $14.2 million and its payment of an 11.5 cent dividend, the assembled shareholders were more than happy to enjoy a lamb chop or two.

It’s unclear how many Mr Weel got to enjoy as he was mobbed like a rock star by happy shareholders following the presentation.

Matthew Schneider’s Urbis office has won the Student Employability Award at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards. Picture: Glenn Hampson

FUTURE GOLD COAST SEEKS NEW NARRATIVE FOR CHANGING GLITTER STRIP

LANDING two impressive interstate contracts has helped fast growing gardening operation Skyline Landscaping score a place in the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards for October.

Owned by brothers Colin and Chris Richardson, the Nerang-based business employs more than 400 people, was named the winner of the Construction and Trades category at an awards presentation held at the Southport Yacht Club.

Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards vice president Richard Holt said Skyline Landscape Services was now the largest privately owned horticultural, landscape and grounds maintenance company in Australia.

“After recently securing two major contracts – the Sydney City Council and Vic Roads – the company is now on track to employ between 600 and 700 people and to record at least 35 per cent revenue growth in 2019-2020,’’ Mr Holt said.

“It is clear to see that Skyline Landscaping is a worthy winner of one our awards and it is incredible to see what some Gold Coast businesses are achieving at national and international levels.”

Other winners in the October awards were:

• The Mayor’s Innovation GC Award: NewBook

• The Student Employability Award: Urbis

• The Family Business Award: SEE Group

• The Health and Wellbeing Award: Medical Rescue

• The Professions and Business Services Award: ISR Training

• The Retail, Wholesale and Distribution Award: Balense Skin

• The Manufacturing Award: Simtech

• The IT and Digital Business Award: onPlatinum ICT

• The Tourism, Hospitality and Events Award: Experience Oz

• The Emerging Business Award: Macro Mike

Monthly winners in each category will vie for the annual awards, including the coveted Gold Coast Business of the Year, which will be awarded at the annual gala awards dinner at The Star on Saturday, November 23.

Villa World has taken out a prestigious award for its Arundel Springs estate. Photo: Supplied.

NEW VILLA WORLD OWNER SAYS THERE ARE NO PLANS FOR CUTS

VILLA World – now owned by Avid Property Group – has taken out a prestigious award at yesterday’s Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Queensland Awards for Excellence.

The developer secured the excellence award in the residential subdivision category for its Arundel Springs project on the Gold Coast where the company was founded more than 30 years ago.

The award comes after it was delisted from the Australian Stock Exchange after being purchased by Avid Property Group.

Arundel Springs is one of Villa World’s fastest-selling projects.

It comprises 306 residential lots and 87 townhomes.

Villa World general manager of sales and marketing Robyn Valmadre said the Villa World team was proud to have secured the accolade for the homegrown project.

“What a fitting conclusion to what has been a wonderful 30-plus year story which started on the Gold Coast and spread throughout Queensland and into the eastern seaboard states,” Ms Valmadre said.