In a year when collision repair businesses all over New Zealand were renovating to meet new standards, a Wanganui upgrade was judged the most outstanding.
It was Melissa and Aaron Hogg's business, Larsen Collision Repairs, that got the highest honour for an upgrade at the Collision Repair Association's conference inPalmerston North on April 26.
The award showed that despite being a smaller centre, Wanganui had a top class panel and paint shop, Mrs Hogg said.
The Collision Repair Association has 550 members. Many of them were upgrading to meet new standards, so there was strong competition.
The Hoggs bought Larsen Collision Repairs four years ago, and moved it from Hatrick St to Taupo Quay in June last year.
It had five staff then and has added four more since.
Before the move, the couple added a two-storey office extension to the front of the former Hirequip building in Taupo Quay. Then, six months later, they added a paint shop at the back. They have also purchased new equipment.
The cost was significant but Mrs Hogg said it showed their commitment to lift standards.
