Semits Smash Repairs was founded in 1968 by Newcastle panel beaters and auto painters, Manuel Semit and Bruce Johansen. The original automotive repair shop was located at 8, Swan Street, and took up the corner block of Hudson and Swan Streets in Hamilton. As the car repair business grew quickly, additional space was added just after five years. By 1980, the owners purchased the property at the rear of the smash repair shop.

In December 1994, Semits Smash Repairs expanded when the owners bought the property next door at 6, Swan Street, acquiring the floor space the repair shop stands on today. Not only did this facilitate additional smash repair capacity but it also made room for administration and customer service areas.

Manuel and Bruce started the business with the assistance of one apprentice and the current owners, David Young who has grown the business to 12 permanent employees. This growth is a reflection of the company’s interest in providing a training ground for young industry apprentices.

Technology has changed over the years and we have been at the forefront of implementing it. Semits Smash Repairs started with little more than a hammer, a sander and a paint spray-gun but today, the business boasts sophisticated panel-beating technology, an automotive spray booth and a fleet of modern tow trucks. We use state-of-the-art paint technology and employ top tradesmen to deliver auto spray painting in a dust-free environment. We began using a paint-free dent remover when it first came out in 1995, it was predominantly used for cars that had hail damage and other small scrapes. Our workshop now includes everything from a repair cam system that provides videotaped inspection, a car-o-liner that is used for straightening and re-aligning damaged vehicles and computerised colour matching.