By Mike Davey
Toronto, Ontario — October 13, 2016 — Canada’s only factory-authorized repair facility for Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo has announced it will move to a new location in the first quarter of 2017. European Autobody, currently situated in a 30,200 sq. ft. facility in the Etobicoke area of Toronto, will also incorporate an entirely new repair process into the facility when it makes the big move. The shop, which specailizes in repairing luxury brands, will install the FixLine system from Symach.
Manuel DeLuca is the Manager of European Autobody. He is excited about the potential he sees for the FixLine system.
“Every collision centre, big or small, should look into these products, do their research and see that Symach is a feasible way to be successful,” he says. “I was intrigued almost immediately and knew right away this is the future and we had to be part of this. We strive to be ahead of the curve, which changes just as fast as it comes, in order to provide our customers and partners the best repair procedures and services available.”
European Autobody is part of the Remo Ferri Group of Automobiles, a dealership group with 13 locations around the Greater Toronto Area. The shop opened in 1980 and worked with the Remo Ferri Group and its clientele for many years before officially partnering in 2000. It addition to being the only factory-authorized repair facility in Canada for Ferrari and Maserati/Alfa Romeo, it is also BMW/MINI factory approved and Ford aluminum factory approved.
In addition to purchasing Symach’s body shop equipment, DeLuca was interested in the Italian company’s FixLine process to run day-to-day operations in his shop. “It will allow our facility to be successful and to take the next steps in building our business,” he says.
Collision Repair magazine has reported on the FixLine system before, including its first Canadian install at CSN-CARS Collision in Burlington, Ontario. For more on this and an overview of the process and technology, please see “CSN-CARS Collision boosts productivity with Fixline from Symach.”
DeLuca says the FixLine system will bring a number of benefits, including quicker repair times and decreased rental costs. He also says the system will help minimize delays of vehicles in the prep and paint department. “We should be able to reduce a typical two-day minimum down to one day,” says DeLuca.
The shop currently repairs 45 vehicles a week. Putting Symach’s FixLine system in place is expected boost output to about 120 repairs per week. The system includes SPP Symach Paint Process, Drytronic technology and robotics technology.
“The robots drastically reduce drying times of all substances,” says Osvaldo Bergaglio, CEO of Symach. “Our international team will train the staff at European Autobody to help achieve the maximum output of vehicles and ensure they are successful at their new location.”
DeLuca says European Autobody is looking forward to incorporating the Symach process and equipment into the shop.
“Osvaldo has been amazing throughout the whole process; we had many revisions, and every time he professionally handled us with patience and gratitude,” says DeLuca. “I am amazed how efficient he and his team have been.”
The shop currently has 28 employees and is co-owned by Remo Ferri and DeLuca’s father, Emilio.
“My father raised me to work hard, respect people, value what you earn and always want more, not in a monetary way, but in a personal way. He also encouraged me to treat people better than you want to be treated, and always respect everyone no matter what their level is on the ‘ladder of life,’” says DeLuca.
For more information, please visit europeanautobody.com.
