Mackay’s premier panel beaters are set to expand their facilities to include a dedicated electric and hybrid car repair space thanks to state government grants.
The fifty-year old Mackay business McCarthy Panel Works received a $50,000 grant from the State Government Business Growth Fund to install specialised equipment at their O’Loughlin Street site.
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the family-owned business that was once filled with Falcons, Chargers and Kingswoods, would be equipped to enter the modern world of electric and hybrid cars with the expansion.
“This Business Growth Fund grant will help McCarthy’s stay on the front foot of smash repairs so they can help anyone and everyone when accidents happen,” Ms Gilbert said.
“McCarthy Panel Works has been getting locals back on the road since 1971, and now, they’re looking to the future.”
The grants will be used to fund equipment like a new chassis aligner, aluminium welders and riveting guns for the new space, which will accelerate growth opportunities for the business, allowing them to reach even greater heights.
“I’m excited to see what McCarthy’s achieve in the next 12 months, although my Nissan hopes my next visit is strictly professional,” The Member for Mackay said.
Owners and directors of the 51-year-old family business Andrea and Craig McCarthy said they are pushing closer to their goal of developing the next evolution in vehicle repair.
"It is really encouraging for us to know that others can see how passionate we are about what we do and the need to do it right,” Ms McCarthy said.
“As a repairer in today’s market, you must be looking in this direction, so I am super proud to be taking McCarthy’s into this new space, especially in regard to further training for our current team members and bringing in new ones.
“It’s the next evolution for our staff, for where vehicles are going, and to stay current and fresh you need to be heading this way.”
The Palaszczuk Government grant comes as part of the delivery of its Big Plans for Small Business Strategy.
The Business Growth Fund grants of up to $50,000 for highly specialised equipment that will help businesses boost their productivity, and hopefully in turn their workforce.
Successful applicants have demonstrated a 20 percent increase in productivity, turnover, profit or employment in the past 12 months and have clearly defined business plans in place.
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, Small Business Minister Di Farmer MP, and Julia and Craig McCarthy with the McCarthy team celebrating a grant through the Business Growth Fund
Some of the new equipment purchased through the grant funding
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