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Friday, July 30, 2021
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Choose local 2021
THE POWER OF LOCAL BUSINESS: Premier Panels started in Wangaratta back in 1984 when Russell Canning and Phil Lewis decided to open their own smash repair business. It now employs 19 staff and supports multiple community and sporting groups through sponsorship and donations.
PHOTOS: Kieren Tilly
Small business - still the backbone of our community FAMILY businesses are the backbone of local communities. While we appreciate having large, national or multinational chain stores in Wangaratta it’s the family business that provides the true fabric of our retail, service and hospitality society. Businesses that began with perhaps a hope and a prayer mixed with self-belief and a vision for the future that becomes a multigenerational enterprise that grows as it helps our community grow. Businesses like Andrea and Russell Canning’s Premier Panels. It was started in 1984 when the
local Holden dealership at the time, Alan Capp Holden, decided to close the panel beating division. Russell, along with Phil Lewis, who were both working at Alan Capp’s, decided to open their own smash repair business and so they rented the back bay of “Kensington’s” shed in Ashmore Street and the Premier Panels story began. It was tough going in the early days, mainly financially trying to build the business, but they were committed to making a go of it. “Initially a lot of the business income was used to purchase
equipment and materials that were required and pay rent so there was very little left over for a weekly wage,” Russell said. “But we had grown up in the area and as our families were here and have been a great support for us so we never considered moving away.” The business is now a true Wangaratta success story, employing 19 people including Andrea and Russell’s son Lachie. “We are very happy to have Lachie working with us as we were initially hesitant for Lachie to do his apprenticeship with us for several reasons, but mainly due to not
wanting him to feel obligated to stay in the business,” Andrea said. “He has been working in the business now over 12 years and over the last few years he has managed the workshop floor. “Our two older children live further afield, our eldest son is in Melbourne – he is our IT person which has been very handy as our business grew, and our daughter, after completing her apprenticeship as a chef locally, has travelled and settled in Perth.”
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