Feature Business Sarkis Collision Centre

Sarkis Collision and Car Care Service by Bill Kern
Out of the ashes rises the phoenix . . . From the smouldering ruins of Sarkis Collision, nearly destroyed by fire in May of 1998, emerged the largest business of its type in Miramichi and surrounding area. With two paint booths left and only partial coverage by insurance, Rose May Sarkis and her two sons, Allain and Adam, began construction of a new state of the art facility. This facility would not only look after the previous shop's capability, but also permit expansion to allow additional after-market services such as under-coating, rust protection, detailing, installation of accenting moulding with co-ordinating paint, mud flap installation and final coat paint finish.
Disappointment and tragedy were not new to the Sarkis family. In 1995 Nazih Sarkis, husband and father, passed away from illness. Earlier that year Rose May was involved in a serious car accident. But neither setback deterred the Sarkis family from pressing onward with the operation of this family owned and operated business.
Despite the loss of the company founder and subsequent misfortune, today the company opens and closes their doors on over 850 vehicles annually.
Sarkis Collision began in December of 1975 when Nazih opened a small shop on the C. I. Road. His commitment to excellence won respect and admiration with his customers and colleagues alike. Business grew rapidly, requiring a move to a new location and several additions to that facility. Two technicians grew to six at the time of his death. In 1977, Sarkis Auto Body became one of the first residents in the lower Industrial Park in Newcastle when they set up shop at 330 Dalton Avenue. Rose May runs the day to day operation now involving twelve full-time employees and 9000 square feet of the most advanced equipment and skilled technicians found along the Miramichi. She takes pride in the family atmosphere, which is readily apparent. The company offers a complete kitchen as well as a modern shower for employees, giving them a sense of home life even when on the job. There are four siblings in the Sarkis family. Allain, the eldest son, works closely with Rose May as an estimator and is also involved in organising rentals and ordering parts. He has been working at the shop since 1995. A year later Adam came on board and currently organises production and quality control. He is the last person to put his "seal of approval" on the vehicle as it leaves the shop. Son Georges, who is off to Alberta, and daughter Nada, who resides in Quebec, round out this close-knit family.
			Allain, Rose May, Adam
A good community and corporate citizen, Sarkis Collision participates in a number of local fundraisers and Miramichi causes. They also ensure that damaged auto body parts are properly discarded and all vehicular fluids are either disposed of legally or recycled. The Sarkis family is proud of their loyal employees. Rose May and her sons have formed strong friendships with all of the staff, many of whom have been employed for over ten years. "The friendships and loyalties developed over the many years serving the Miramichi are amongst the proudest achievements of our organisation," Rose May muses in telling her story. The continuity of long serving technicians has an obvious advantage to the first time customer; the familiar faces and excellent workmanship and service brings people back.
No job is too small or too big to not find a place in the queue at Sarkis Collision. Got an "old beater" that needs "sprucing up"? Take it to Sarkis and if you can give them a couple months they'll slip it in during the infrequent "quiet times". The staff are more than happy to make special arrangements to keep costs as low as possible while still ensuring the "best results obtainable" which is the only condition a vehicle exits Sarkis Collision and Car Care Service.
"We take pride in our "Commitment To Excellence" motto Rose May asserts and she knows full well that their success today was built on a foundation of superior workmanship and customer satisfaction for over twenty-seven years. Want to know what paints they use? Sikkens, of course! Sikkens, a Swedish product that connoisseurs of after-market final finishing all respect as the "Mercedes" of the industry. The paint control room has the austere but clearly professional atmosphere of a modern laboratory and the paint is precisely measured to insure exact match if some future mishap or sun damage or constant high-speed exposure to the ravages of weather makes repainting necessary. One can easily appreciate why if fate demands it, taking your vehicle to Sarkis Collision and Car Care Service will be a decision you will appreciate long after you drive out the door and slip back into traffic along the river and onto the highway of life.
Bill Kern is a recent arrival to the Miramichi. His work experience in sales is widely diverse and was mostly spent in Western Canada. His by-line "The Incoming Tide" ran weekly in the Miramichi Weekend from July 2002 to Christmas.