The South African Motor Body Repairers Association (SAMBRA), a proud division of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), has once again showcased its commitment to excellence, with multiple member workshops recognised as top performers at the 2024 Lightstone EchoMBR Awards.
The milestone 20th edition of the awards was celebrated in style at an exclusive breakfast event on 3 November at the Premier Hotel Midrand. The ceremony honours workshops that consistently deliver exceptional customer service, superior repair quality, and first-time-right outcomes—benchmarks that have become synonymous with industry excellence.
SAMBRA Shines Across Multiple Categories
SAMBRA members excelled in several categories, reflecting the association’s dedication to high standards and professionalism:
- Motor Accident Group – 1st Overall Top Performer, 1st Repair Quality Score, 1st Most Likely to be Recommended
- Manna Panel & Paint – 2nd Overall Top Performer, 3rd Repair Quality Score, 2nd Most Likely to be Recommended
- MTEK Panelbeaters – 3rd Overall Top Performer, 3rd Staff Friendliness
- Denys Edwardes – 3rd Fix It Right the First Time
Commenting on Motor Accident Group’s achievements, Director John Magalhaes said, “EchoMBR has inspired us to challenge convention and embrace innovation as the key to excellence. This achievement reflects our vision for a future in which technology, precision and quality work hand in hand to redefine standards in motor body repair. We are honoured to be recognised as the national leader for 2024.”
Celebrating Excellence Across the Sector
Juan Hanekom, National Director of SAMBRA, congratulated all winners, highlighting the importance of these accolades in reflecting the association’s values. “These results reaffirm the depth of talent and the ongoing commitment to quality and customer satisfaction within the SAMBRA network. Every accolade is a testament to the hard work, innovation, and dedication our members bring to their businesses and to their customers daily,” he said.
Hanekom also emphasised the critical role of Lightstone’s EchoMBR platform in promoting continuous improvement within the motor body repair industry. “For two decades, the EchoMBR Awards have set the benchmark for service excellence. We congratulate Lightstone on this milestone and commend them for providing an objective, data-driven platform that helps repairers measure, improve, and celebrate excellence.”
A Commitment to the Future
As the industry evolves through technology, training, and customer-focused innovation, SAMBRA remains dedicated to supporting its members in maintaining world-class standards of repair and service. These achievements underscore the association’s enduring mission: to elevate professionalism, foster innovation, and deliver unparalleled customer experiences across South Africa’s motor body repair sector.
