Scuffed Up, a family-run automotive accident repair business in Swansea has plans set on expansion after saving jobs placed at risk by the closure of a national chain’s Swansea location.
With the support of Business Wales, the body and paint repair shop is now driving forward its ambitious growth plans after taking over premises and saving jobs when a local branch of a national chain branch faced closure. Tom Maunder had been working for at the branch facing closure when his family stepped in with the buyout in 2017 to ensure the prevention of staff redundancies. A move that saw Tom’s brother, Kristian, who at the time was living in Australia, divert funds saved for a house deposit into the purchase.
A year later, Kristian returned to Wales to run the business alongside Tom, with the support of parents Alun and Thea. With jobs secured, work turned to building the business. Scuffed Up now offers a range of services including accident repair, car body and paint repair, ADAS recalibration and corporate fleet maintenance.
While the Maunder family were confident that their combined management, marketing and customer service skills could turn around the shop’s fortunes, they sought Business Wales’ support to formalise a plan to establish the company’s direction and priorities and make the most of opportunities available.
Steady growth has seen expansion in services and staff, including, securing major contracts with leading insurers and earning several accolades, including a British Standards Institute Mark of Excellence, and proudly being rated Swansea's best body shop for five years.
Today, the team is preparing to expand its current location to meet demand and to facilitate significant investments in recruitment and industry-leading technology to offer enhanced repair services.
Scuffed Up is set to further recruit a number of skilled technicians and continue to develop its apprenticeship programme.
Thea Maunder said:
Taking over the branch and reinventing it as Scuffed Up was a huge challenge, but we had to seize this opportunity to ensure jobs were secured, especially as the staff were facing redundancy at Christmas time. We knew the business could be successful and if we didn’t act jobs would be lost, and our own son would be unemployed.
Business Wales Relationship Manager, Angela Williams, has worked with the Maunder family since the early days of Scuffed Up. Angela aided in the development of long-term sustainable strategies for the business to continue its projected growth.
Kristian Maunder said:
I’d never planned to work in this industry. My brother was always the automotive expert and at the time I was literally living half a world away. When I came home for Christmas that year, I didn’t expect to be buying into a garage, but our entire family realised we could play a part in saving jobs and making the business a success.
We were confident in our combined knowledge and technical expertise, but knew we needed Business Wales’ help structuring the company and upskilling our team. They’ve helped identify opportunities for us to grow our services and customer base.
Having that support and an expert to act as a sounding board was invaluable. Angela’s support was crucial during the lockdowns.
Working with Business Wales allowed the Maunders to access a £5,000 Welsh Government grant that safeguarded jobs while the garage’s doors had to remain shut during the pandemic.
When Scuffed Up reopened, the team wasted no time in pursuing new clients and opportunities to make the business eco-friendly through energy-efficient technology and practices, bolstering its foundation by successfully attaining the BSI10125 accreditation, a mark of excellence in the automotive industry. Scuffed Up has also committed to the Business Wales Green Growth Pledge.
Working with Business Wales HR Advisors, Scuffed Up has revamped its employment practices, to further support the team with a renewed focus on staff wellbeing, inclusion and work-life balance.
Business Wales Relationship Manager, Angela Williams, said:
Resurrecting and making a business your own is no small feat. The Scuffed Up team has saved jobs and turned a failing operation into a true success story. The family’s determination has never faltered and with each challenge overcome, they have set their sights on progressing to the next level. It’s a pleasure to be able to support their growth as they continue to expand, pursue new opportunities and grow their award-winning team.
Scuffed Up is also benefitting from Business Wales support with funding applications to Growth Grants from Swansea City Council, which can provide up to £50,000 of funding.
Business Wales is funded by Welsh Government. For more information and support to help your business discover opportunities, and to speak to a specialist advisor, contact Business Wales. Visit Homepage | Business Wales or call 03000 6 03000. Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg - we welcome calls in Welsh.