CHICOPEE — After 32 years of business, Don Roy’s Auto Body & Appearance Center Inc. has closed its doors and its owners have moved onto a new chapter in their lives.
“We cannot thank our past employees and dedicated customers enough,” said Owner Don Roy. “You all made our auto body collision shop very successful.”
Cars have been a love of Roy’s for years, making the shop, the restoration of classic cars and an annual car show he ran all natural endeavors for him.
“We have restored over 60 antique cars, muscle cars, classic cars and collector vehicles,” recalled Roy. “We implemented the Rotary Classic Car Show which began June 2, 2002, and continued for 15 years. That was a labor of love.”
Although the shop has maintained online reviews that are 95 to 98% positive, other aspects of the business and state regulations have taken a toll on their ability to maintain the business.
“Shops have to manage their overhead costs, employee labor costs, which are the most expensive, parts and materials, ever-increasing taxes and real estate, and the everyday price of doing business were at an all-time high,” explained Roy.
He noted that Massachusetts insurance companies have not increased the rate they pay auto body shops in 10 to 15 years, maintaining a rate of $40 to $44 per hour. In comparison, according to Roy, the same companies pay rates of $60 to $65 to shops in Connecticut.
“That rate is not adequate for shops to be able to maintain quality repair technicians and keep up-to-date with all the new repair concepts and tooling needed to repair today’s new dimension of vehicles,” explained Roy. “Aluminum body builds, electronic cameras, lane changing and radar sensors, high voltage batteries and new repair techniques to name a few are out of reach due to insufficient funding.”
Roy said that he would encourage anyone looking to come into the business or start their own shop to do a lot of research so that they know what they’re getting themselves into.
“Research. Visit as many shops as possible. Interview managers and technicians. Find all the best practices to grow your business,” encouraged Roy.
The shop, located at 1416 Granby Rd., officially closed its doors on Nov. 4 and Roy looks forward to a new adventure with Irene, his “wife and best friend of 54 years.”
“We want to extend our thanks to all of our customers and friends over the years who have helped us succeed. Your patronage will never be forgotten,” noted Roy.
