Thirty years in collision repair isn’t just a milestone for Lorenzo Pellicciotta — it’s proof of perseverance, adaptability and community trust. As CARSTAR Oakville West celebrates three decades in business, Pellicciotta says the achievement is especially meaningful given the churn he’s witnessed in the industry.
“In the 30 years that I’ve been here, I know I’m doing something right, because so many shops around me have opened and closed,” he says. “I feel good that I’m still here, I’m profitable, I’m expanding. My employees have been with me a long time, so I must be doing something right.”
ROOTS & REINVENTION
Pellicciotta’s entry into collision repair wasn’t a straight path. A mechanic by trade, he had never worked in body before meeting Sam Mercanti at a Hamilton YMCA in the late 1980s. Their friendship grew over the years, and Mercanti encouraged him to consider shop ownership. What began as an idea to rent space for a mechanic’s garage turned into something bigger when Mercanti steered him toward the collision side of the business.
In 1995, Pellicciotta opened his own franchise, just as Ontario Auto Collision was transitioning into the CARSTAR brand. He later grew his operations to include CARSTAR Oakville East, winning several accolades along the way, including the Pride Award in 2004, two President’s Awards and the Iron Man Award in 2022. The Pride Award was particularly memorable, he recalls, because his two young daughters joined him on stage in Halifax to celebrate the recognition.
WEATHERING STORMS
The journey hasn’t been without challenges. Pellicciotta weathered early disputes with business partners, the upheaval of COVID 19 and the ongoing test of staffing. Despite that, many on his team have stayed loyal — his longest serving employee has been by his side for 28 years, another for 25.
Those long-standing relationships extend beyond staff. “When I have suppliers and vendors bring their cars to me, that really makes me feel good,” he says. “It’s more than just business. It’s a friendship.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Today, Pellicciotta is focused on the future. After selling his Oakville East store last year, he is expanding his West location by 4,000 square feet. The renovation includes an aluminum room, new frame machine, spray booth and an EV and calibration centre.
Though he admits he has a personal preference for combustion engines, he’s pragmatic about where the industry is headed. “I was fighting the EVs, because I like the roar of an engine. But that’s where the business is going. I can’t wait to jump on — I have to get in there.”
For Pellicciotta, three decades in the industry is about more than survival. It’s about building a business that adapts, endures and continues to earn the trust of its community.
