The key to small-town business success can typically be summed up in a few words: understanding your customers’ needs and delivering beyond their expectations. Ferd Klassen of Niverville Autobody has built his business around that motto.
Oftentimes, the sign of a successful business is growth and Klassen is excited to expand his business for the second time since he purchased it in 2008. Niverville Autobody first opened its doors in 1976.
“Our business and customer base has been growing every year and we recognize the need to be able to provide a great service in a fair and reasonable amount of time without sacrificing quality,” says Klassen. “We have been adding staff and are at the point now where we recognize we need more space for production. With the changing environment in the collision repair industry… comes training and equipment requirements that enable us to be able to provide collision repair services to most models today.”
The expansion will develop into Klassen’s newly acquired lot just west of the existing building and will add 3,850 square feet of space. This will allow room for the body repair shop to install a state-of-the-art down-draft finishing spray boot, which is a high-tech, well-ventilated enclosure for applying new paint to vehicles. The current spray booth will be removed to provide more room for auto glass repair and replacement and detailing departments.
Though he doesn’t anticipate adding additional staff immediately, it’s something Klassen will be looking at in the future.
“Providing our staff with the… updated training, access to repair information along with the current equipment technology, we are in a great position to achieve our goals,” adds Klassen.
Niverville Autobody attracts clients from Niverville and all over southeast Manitoba, including Winnipeg. New customers are walking through the doors regularly and Klassen credits his happy customers for providing a lot of his advertising by word of mouth.
“[In] my experience running a business, the people in Niverville and local communities love to support local. We are grateful for the customers we have and welcome them back. We are hoping to have an open house sometime in late spring to show off our facility and provide some insight to our community as to how their vehicle moves through our shop,” says Klassen.
Von Ast Construction of Niverville has been contracted for the new build.
