Powering Panel Shops - Women Driving Change in Collision Repair

August is Women’s Month – a time to recognise, reflect and celebrate the incredible contributions of women across all sectors. In our industry, women are increasingly taking their place in what has historically been a male-dominated space – and they’re not just participating, they’re leading, innovating, and redefining the future of the auto body sector.

From the workshop floor to management, admin to estimating, their presence brings not only skill and precision but also fresh perspective, resilience, and leadership. These are the women who keep the wheels turning, who challenge the norm, and who show what’s possible when barriers are broken down.

This month, we honour their stories. We celebrate their achievements. And we shine a spotlight on a few of the exceptional women in our own network who are making their mark every day.

Meet one of the ladies rocking our industry:

Julie Naidoo: Quiet Tenacity Behind Finesse Panel Beaters
In the often fast-paced, high-pressure world of auto body repair, Julie Naidoo stands out not through volume, but through consistency, wisdom, and a quiet tenacity that has underpinned more than 30 years of excellence in the industry. As part of the management team at Finesse Panel Beaters, Julie is a calm force - steadfast, insightful, and always a few steps ahead.

Early in her career, Julie designed a comprehensive costing schedule for a leading insurance company, an early indicator of her ability to anticipate needs and engineer smart, workable solutions. Where some might see OEM and insurer demands as obstacles, Julie sees opportunities to raise standards and strengthen relationships - always with the bigger picture in mind.

Her work ethic is legendary. Starting her day at 3:00 AM and often working well into the evening, Julie's dedication is unshakable. Yet, amid the demanding hours, she still finds delight in life’s smaller pleasures, like a good film and moments of reflection.

A Frontline Perspective
Julie has seen the landscape shift, particularly the growing administrative burden from insurers and OEMs. Her pragmatic solution? Introduce a document handling fee with each insurance authorisation and audit - an idea that speaks to her fairness and deep understanding of the industry's operational pressures.

Our SAMBRA take
Julie Naidoo embodies the very qualities that make our industry thrive - dedication, innovation, and quiet leadership. Her ability to navigate complexity with grace and her unwavering commitment to excellence set a powerful example for us all. At SAMBRA, we are proud to have women like Julie shaping the future of the Motor Body Repair industry - one decision, one solution, and one early morning at a time.

To Julie, success isn’t a stroke of luck - it’s the product of persistence, integrity, and a true passion for the work. In her world, when you love what you do, it’s never really just a job.