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From a one-man show in a small workshop to more than 20 staff in a purpose built facility, Ken Morley Smash Repairs proves that family businesses can excell.
Ken Morley started the business in 1978 in a small workshop on Cadell Place. In just three years he hired his first apprentice.
By 1985 business was booming and they purchased 11 Forge Street.
Staff numbers grew from two, to five to 10 in 2014 and today there are 23 employees.
Ken’s son, Pat Morley, purchased the business with his wife, Clare, in 2014.
Despite being retired Ken is still involved with the business.
He built the fence which surrounds the new premises, did the landscaping and maintains the lawns.
Story continued below.
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When Pat took over the business he didn’t even consider changing the name.
“Dad built the business and I wanted to continue his name,” he said.
“It makes me feel very proud (to run a business his dad built from the ground up).”
Aside from the first three years, Terry Vearing has been part of the business from the start.
He started as Ken’s apprentice in 1981 and is the workshop foreman and estimator (doing quotes) today.
I’ve seen it evolve into a dominate force in the panel beating industry.
- Terry Vearing, workshop foreman
“I started working with Ken before Pat was born,” he said.
Mr Vearing said the first workshop wasn’t much bigger than the meals area at the new facility.
“You could just fit three cars in it. It’s come from humble beginnings and it’s been a great ride,” he said.
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