As one of the most progressive accident repair centres in Ireland, Pratts Auto Bodyshop in Carlow has a long list of awards to its name. Owner, Nigel Pratt, attributes this success to a combination of factors. This includes consistently investing in the development of the business and the loyalty and support of some key suppliers, including Cromax, which has been virtually the only paint brand for the business since it opened 27 years ago.

Nigel comments, "When I first set up the business we were using a pre-mix colour system for paint repairs, but within a year I started looking around for a paint brand to supply a full range of refinish paints that we would mix ourselves. I was very impressed by every aspect of Cromax, from the quality of the paints to the professionalism of the team.”

In 2010, as well as a complete overhaul of the bodyshop, Nigel installed a Symach Robodry system. In combination with Cromax Basecoat, this has had a hugely beneficial impact on the bodyshop’s  working processes, and has reaped savings in both time and money. He comments, "Cromax Basecoat dries exceptionally fast with the robotic dryer and the short drying time of the clearcoat means we can process jobs much more quickly and save energy. We have calculated that we have reduced our overall running costs by an incredible 40%.”

Nigel is also quick to praise the level of service and back-up from his paint supplier. He says, "Cromax is a premium, global brand and we continue to be impressed not only by the quality of the products, but also by the services we receive. The CC6700 Ultra Performance Energy Clear is a good example of one of its innovative products. Not only is it a fantastic clearcoat but it also goes a long way, so you get a lot of coverage out of it.” He adds, "We also rely heavily on the ChromaVision spectrophotometer, which again helps to save time and to ensure accurate colour matching straight away. We have signed up to the Fast Repair programme so that we can offer SMART repairs to vehicles owners, and we also provide Lifetime Warranty, which is the vehicle owner’s guarantee that the paint repair on their vehicle meets professional quality standards and that it will last the lifetime of the vehicle. The level of service we receive is second to none. We know that if we ever need help with anything, someone from the Cromax team will assist us very quickly, which is essential for a busy bodyshop like ours.”

Anthony Cashel, Marketing Manager for Axalta Coating Systems says, "Pratts Auto Bodyshop is a wonderful example of a successful business that is committed to improving both its own standards, and those of the industry. It puts the vehicle owners needs first and offers high-quality service throughout its customers’ journey. We congratulate their success and we look forward to continuing to work with Nigel and his team for many years to come.”