Smiles all around, as Craftsman Opens in Quesnel
BC’s largest collision repair chain is delighted to announce that it has opened a new location in Quesnel.
Known for its slogan Air Miles and Bigger Smiles, North Vancouver-based Craftsman Collision has purchased New Technology Collision, creating the chain’s 41st location overall and 35th in BC and further expanding its market leadership. The address remains unchanged at 1315 Jade Road, as do most of the staff.
Previous owner Dave Preston and his wife Nancy, who started New Technology Collision together 32 years ago, are retiring.
“I’ll miss my employees and long-term customers” says Preston, 59. “We were a big family. But Craftsman is very professional, well-organized and customer oriented. They’re going to make it bigger and better.”
Craftsman company president Rick Hatswell, son of Craftsman founder and owner Bill Hatswell, agrees that a full migration to Craftsman’s state-of-the-art systems and technology can only improve the shop’s service and quality.
“We started in 1977 in Vancouver as a private, family-owned company, and we are still proudly so today,” says Rick. “We’ve succeeded by giving customers what they want: clean, tidy reception areas, professional, well-explained estimates, and the best technology and staff we can find to continue making our high standards possible. Some recent examples of our advanced systems
include anti-static body preparation, heated nitrogen spray painting, plastic welding, and computerized, laser-measured frame straightening.
“We’re thrilled and honoured to be able to bring Craftsman Collision to the people of Quesnel and to strengthen the network of seven other shops in the Okanagan, Kamloops, and Prince George.”
Also giving Craftsman a sales lift is its exclusive (to bodyshops) membership in the Air Miles® reward program. Under the terms of the membership, Craftsman is the only collision repair provider in the province licensed to offer reward miles, which are based on the entire cost of the repair and free of charge to customers.
New manager Jack Galloway
Jack Galloway has been in the automotive trade most of his life. Jack Galloway started as a Red Seal-certified autobody technician. Following in the footsteps of his father (also named Jack), he went onto join provincial automotive insurer ICBC, where he spent a total of 15 years, the last seven as Manager of Estimating Services.
Then began a five-year stint at Jack Schultz Autobody (now Schultz-Craftsman Collision) in Prince George – 120 kilometres north of Quesnel on BC’s Highway 97, necessitating a mind-numbing daily commute of 240 km.
“Three hours per day,” he laments. “I am super-excited to finally be back in my home town.”
Jack is originally from BC’s Lower Mainland, but has been a Quesnel resident for 11 years. He has three daughters and loves hunting, fishing, camping and the outdoors. And he has another reason to be excited: his recent engagement to his fiancée, Lorna.
To book your auto body collision repair appointment at our new Quesnel location, simply click here.
