Flat Out In Crisis
Newcastle Herald
Saturday May 1, 1999
HUNTER businesses are working flat out in the wake of Sydney's hailstorm crisis, with an influx of emergency repairs.
Panel beaters, roof tilers, glaziers, electricians and other tradesmen have reported a boom in business.
Workers are having to commute to Sydney every day and others have set up temporary bases in the city.
The flow-on effect is worth big dollars for some operators, who told The Herald yesterday they had `too much' work.
Steve Koulis Smash Repairs manager George Koulis described the last two weeks as `hectic'.
`We have been extremely busy and work is continually flowing in,' Mr Koulis said.
`There are just too many vehicles with damage for the Sydney shops to cope with.'
The New Lambton-based business is repairing nine hail-damaged cars and has another 50 on the way.
Once work starts it will take between one and three weeks to fix the vehicles depending on the availability of parts and extent of the damage.
`This is great for Hunter businesses, we are getting the benefits because of our proximity to Sydney,' Mr Koulis said.
`People would rather travel up here and get the work done than be forced to wait months.'
Some Byron Bay panel-beating shops have been advertising holiday package deals that include a week on the beach and car repairs.
Mr Koulis said Hunter firms were not forced to engage in gimmicks to attract work.
A spokeswoman from Cessnock's Hunter Glass said all employees were working in Sydney this week.
The business was originally engaged to do household repairs and is now working on a large industrial site.
Cardiff's Monier Roofing factory has been working around the clock providing tiles.
There has also been a shortage of tarpaulins in Sydney and several Hunter firms are lending a hand. Tiles go through roof, Page 20
© 1999 Newcastle Herald