Former Wolverhampton Wanderers and England striker Steve Bull joined over 100 guests at an event to open a new high-tech vehicle repair centre in the Black Country.
The 306-goal Wolves record holder unveiled BodyKraft’s new £250,000 ‘Fastrack’ rapid repair centre on Kingswinford’s Pensnett Estate alongside the company’s managing director Mike Pugh and the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho.
The new 6,202 sq ft centre, which will also bring 12 new jobs, focusses on minor body repairs and uses latest technology to speed up the spraying and drying of customers’ cars or vans to just five minutes. The investment includes a £78,000 moveable spray booth and UV infrared drying system – the only one of its kind in the West Midlands.
Mike Pugh, managing director of BodyKraft, said: “We were honoured and delighted that Bully could visit us and officially open Fastrack, in the presence of the Mayor of Dudley and over 100 guests from in and around the Black Country’s business community.
“We have been in business for 17 years and this investment shows how far BodyKraft has evolved – and how focussed we are on our future.
“Fastrack uses the latest technology to get our customers’ cars and vans quickly back where they belong – out on the road. It is already proving to be hugely popular.”
Fastrack, can handle up to 12 vehicles per day and is BodyKraft’s second repair centre on the Pensnett Estate. The company, which was founded in 1998 by Mr Pugh and Lorna Freeman, employs 90 people across five sites including Wolverhampton, Dudley and Merry Hill.
The new jobs created include mechanics, panel beaters, paint technicians and office staff.
Much of BodyKraft’s work involves accident and business insurance repairs together with paint and dent removals. Over the years they have become trusted repair specialists for global car manufacturers including Vauxhall, Chevrolet, Kia and Citroen. BodyKraft is also an accredited repairer for West Midlands Police.