Toronto, Ontario -- Fix Auto Woodstock marks its official opening with a community BBQ attended by about 100 people.
The new collision repair facility, owned by Tajinder Sohal, occupies a 1,000 square-metre (10,000-square-foot) facility with 12 repair bays. During the event, Mayor Jerry Acchione, praised the business as an exciting new addition to the city’s automotive sector.
Sohal, who also operates another auto body facility, has entrusted the management of the business to long-time collision repairer Ken Gillingwater, and a team of six full-time repairers. Two more are expected to join the business as operations get rolling.
“It’s the first time I’ve been a general manager,” said Gillingwater, who previously spent several decades working at his family bodyshop in Burford, Ontario, under his father's direction. “That taught me that good GMs listen well.”
The shop sits in a building that once housed a heavy truck mechanic shop. Gillingwater said stripping and refitting the site for collision work took more than a year.
At the grand opening, guests checked out the shop’s sponsored sidecar race car and a custom 1974 Ford Econoline van—especially meaningful to Gillingwater, who first worked on it with his father when he was eight.
“It’s exciting to be part of a business that’s doing everything related to autobody repair,” he said.
