SNAPSHOP
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Perry Legend Collision Repair Center doesn't restrict itself to auto repairs. The Columbia, Mo.-based shop also repairs tractor-trailers,
buses, boats and even farm equipment such as combines. As owner Bill Rajewski puts it, "Our philosophy is, 'If we can get
it through the door and it's repairable, we're going to fix it.
In a crowded market that has 12 body shops serving a population of about 160,000, that approach has been critical to the shop's
success. "If you just think business will grow by doing the same thing every day, you're mistaken," Rajewski says. "Especially
in today's economy, you have to diversify. It's the only way to grow."
Because Perry Legend is one of a few Missouri shops outside of major population centers that repairs large vehicles, customers
bring equipment from rural areas miles away. Towing costs can be a major consideration for such customers and as Rajewski
explains, "Instead of a $600 or $700 towing charge to Kansas City or Springfield, it may be a hundred dollar towing bill to
us."
Issues impact Missouri shops
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And although the profit margins are about the same on the big vehicle jobs as on more conventional vehicles, the average repair
bill is considerably higher. "A Chevy pickup fender might cost $300 where an International hood will be $2,700," Rajewski
notes.
Perry Legend has been repairing large vehicles since its third major expansion in 1991. The shop got its start in 1986 when
two car dealers in town, each in need of a collision repair facility, formed a joint venture and hired Rajewski, who already
had 13 years experience in collision repair, to create, equip and run a shop. He became a partner four years later.
A 9,600-square-foot expansion followed in 1991, designed from the start to accommodate large vehicle repairs.
Since then, the company has gone through additional ownership changes and expanded one more time. In 2000, Rajewski and one
of the remaining partners bought out the third; then in 2005, Rajewski bought out his final partner, becoming sole owner.
The expansion occurred in 2001, when the company moved to the 40,000-square-foot facility where it resides today, which also
was planned from the start to be suitable for handling large vehicles. A 60-foot large vehicle frame machine, which was manufactured
to Rajewski's specifications, is a key element. The company also has a 53-foot long spray booth.
Even when it comes to traditional vehicle repairs, Rajewski does not skimp on equipment. "Everything you ever wanted in a
body shop, we have at least one of," he says.
The company has every kind of welder and features two stainless steel downdraft paint booths with forced hot air baking ovens
attached at one end. "If you spray and bake in the spray booth, you spend half your time waiting for it to dry," Rajewski
observes.
The company has two 14,000-lb. alignment lifts and two 12,000-lb. service lifts to handle large pickups or smaller vehicles.
"If you've got to buy one anyway, why not buy a lift with ample capacity so you're not restricted in what you can do?" Rajewski
asks. He notes, for example, that other shops in town are unable to do alignments on stretch limos and "there's a lot of those
around."
Posted 2008-09-02 18:55:12.0
