Barry James: Ballart business icon

28 October 2021

A virtual member visit took place – a first for VACC, with Barry James zooming Chamber CEO, Geoff Gwilym and Industry Policy Advisor, Kathy Zdravevski – to celebrate Barry James Smash Repairs’ 75-year membership milestone.

With local media also attending the workshop to mark the occasion, Barry reflected on his automotive career and shared his thoughts on key industry and body repair issues.

After leaving St Patricks College at fifteen “to go out and look for a job somewhere”, carpentry initially interested Barry. He trialled some local places but nothing stuck, and then an opportunity presented itself in automotive. "My father knew a chap (called Albie) who was a panel beater and had his own place near Ballarat”. So, they headed to the workshop and "(Albie) had a look at me and said, 'he looks alright to me… yeah, he's got a job.'”

After securing his apprenticeship, Barry was excited but not totally sold on the change in direction – automotive wasn’t the industry for which he aimed. "(I thought), what am I going to do now? But I loved mucking around with cars and all that sort of stuff”.

Barry took to the work quickly and fondly remembers his five years at that workshop. “I enjoyed my time panel beating… It was only a small shop, with about 10 of us working there. They trained me very well and I learned a lot". Barry attended the Ballarat School of Mines, although a lot of his skills were developed on the job. "There was a course on welding. There certainly wasn't any course on panel beating.”

By the time Barry was 20, he had established a good reputation and felt confident to go out on his own. So, with early completion of his apprenticeship and some cab driving work to see him through, Barry set up a workshop in his backyard.

The cab network proved useful in those early days. "My father was one of the leading people that had the cabs, and it worked out very (well) because the other cab people knew me and, of course, if they saw a smash they might call in and tell the (driver) to ‘go and see so-and-so and he'll look after you’". Similarly, Barry’s connections in the industry came in handy when a vehicle needed painting. "I used to run (the work) down to Hutchinson. They'd paint (the panels), and I would put them all back together again".

Barry quickly built the business. "It was going very well, and we had to extend the (workshop) area. Over a period of time, I bought (the) four townhouses behind me to make more room". At one point, Barry James Smash Repairs had 70 employees on the books and 30 to 40 cars per week.

"Panel beating was so much slower in those days". Barry explained it was “mainly a hands-on job right the way through, with some electrical things to help you along the way." With the tools now "some jobs people can do in 10 minutes, (it) would have taken me 10 hours back then."

If he was 20 today, Barry considered whether he would see panel beating as a viable career path. "It would still be ok. Depends on what you've done yourself. It's important that you've been educated in the game in the first place... and have a fair knowledge of motor cars". Another key ingredient to a business well-built is staff. “Having capable staff (is) very important. It's much the same as today".

However, finding staff proves a challenge these days. VACC – along with its national body and state counterparts – is committed to improving the skills shortage situation in Australia. It is in discussions with government about streamlining skilled migrant intake however, at a local level, few apprentices are coming through – particularly in the body repair sector.

It’s very difficult for businesses to attract and retain apprentices. “In those early days, we had to get a job. I delivered papers as a kid. The government never paid you any money. So, there were plenty of kids around looking for jobs and you had the choice of picking (who you wanted). Not what happens today. You advertise for someone, someone turns up, looks around and says 'no'.

"A lot of times, even here, we (have) had young people on staff to do the job. They get here and are here a year or two, then the next thing they say is, 'Oh, I don't like this' and (they) go and get a job around the corner. Because there's that many job available. It's very difficult to get more apprentices into the game. Pay them a higher wage, otherwise, it's difficult,” said Barry.

Conversation inevitably turned to the topic of insurer and body repairer relationships. Love it or hate it, they are two parts of the same industry. The insurer must get the car repaired for the consumer, and the body repairer must make a living. While some workshops struggle, Barry maintains different body shops have different relationships with insurers.

Barry James Smash Repairs has become something of a local institution, and Barry – to quote the Ballarat Courier – a ‘Ballarat motoring identity’. His initiative and work ethic has served his business and community well. And with son, Glen, now in the driver’s seat, its full steam ahead. VACC congratulates Barry and his team on a fantastic achievement and looks forward to seeing what the next 75 years holds.

Profile to be featured in the December 2021 issue of Australian Automotive.