Alex Atkin has worked in the motor industry for over 30 years, starting his career as an time-serving apprentice for Redcar Auto Refinishers. His passion for cars, motorbikes and vehicles of all shapes and sizes stems from a childhood interest in every car his dad, Colin, ever owned. After leaving school at 15, he followed his interest and started his apprenticeship, serving his full 4 years at the same garage and learning the skills he uses constantly today. It was at that time that Alex discovered his creativeness and he realised that the skills he had learned would be well complimented by his natural talent and his perfectionism.
Moving on from his apprenticeship, Alex spent the next 20 years in various garages in the Teesside area, most of which were his own. In 2003 he downed tools, closed his garage, The Bodyshop, and left the UK for two and a half years in Spain. It was on his return to the North East that Alex opened Auto Bodycraft in Stokesley. Alex says "I had always worked in the East Cleveland area and fancied a change. A house move to Great Ayton prompted me to look closer to home, and when I saw the units on Terry Dicken Industrial Estate, I knew it was where I wanted to be. Ive gained alot of new, loyal, customers, and have retained many original ones from my years in East Cleveland".
Alex opened Auto Bodycraft in February 2007, offering the full spectrum of auto refinishing. Quickly gaining a reputation for the highest posible standard of work, excellent customer service and an honest job done, the business has grown rapidly since it started.
With a history of painting with Cellulose and Two Pack paint, the new laws due in at the beginning of 2008, ensured that Alex chose a new paint type and mixing scheme for Auto Bodycraft, moving over to the water based paint which is now becoming mandatory accross the industry. After extensive research, Alex chose to work with Octoral as his paint supplier. He gained exclusivity for this highly coveted paint in the area and since painting his first job with the water based paint, has never looked back since.
Further development to the business came in 2008, when a purpose built waxoylng bay was opened. "The demand for waxoyling was so high" says Alex, "we offer an excellent waxoyling service along with a cost effective price, backed up with up to a 5 year guarantee, and this meant we were getting more waxoyling requests than we had the room for. We built and opened a dedicated bay and its already proved to be a hugely sucessful move, meaning we can cater to all clients needs now". Waxoyling is a cure or prevention of rust on your vehicle, it can be performed on cars and 4X4's of all ages even classic or vintage cars!