The future of the automotive industry is reliant on young men and women who are willing to step up and give the business a shot. Two such young people are Jayden and Zearne Gray who recently opened the doors to their workshop, Gray’s Mechanical. Motor Trader caught up with Jayden to learn how their new venture is going.
Words & Images by Lara Wilde.
You are fresh on the block, when did you open the doors?
JG: We have been open for just over six months. The doors officially opened in November 2023 and since then it has been all systems go.
What is your background in the Automotive industry?
JG: My father, Donny, has always been into building quality cars. He was passionate about building show cars and performance machines. Being by his side, handing him tools and learning from him, gave me the same passion for building beautiful cars. When I left school, I went straight into my trade and I haven’t looked back. I have been on the tools ever since and loving every minute of it.
Are you still on the tools in the new business?
JG: Currently, I am the only mechanic on the tools in the workshop. We have plans to expand the team in the near future. Having said that, I am planning to always be on the tools in the workshop because it is my first passion.
While you are on the tools, who else is in the rest of the team?
JG: We are a husband-and-wife team.
My wife Zearne runs the office and is the first person you will speak to on the phone when you contact us. We will both be here to greet you when you arrive, but I am in the workshop and Zearne is in the office.
What is the core business at Gray’s Mechanical?
JG: Through the local car community, I have a reputation for working on performance machines and show cars, but at Gray’s Mechanical we specialise in taking care of our customers’ daily drivers. We deliver manufacturer-approved logbook servicing and maintenance repairs to a very high standard with a keen eye for details. We aim to take care of our clients whether they need basic servicing, routine maintenance, repairs, tyre supply, wheel balancing, wheel alignments, suspension lift kits or performance modifications.
Do you sponsor any local motorsport and individual competitors?
JG: Throughout my career, I have worked on a lot of high-performance engine and vehicle builds in the North Queensland region. This has involved supporting a lot of local competitors. By delivering high calibre cars for Gray’s Racing, we show the leaders in the car community that we are passionate and committed to constantly improving our skill set and applying new learnings.
Currently, we sponsor Gray’s Racing, which I founded about six years ago. Gray’s Racing currently has six cars, including elite standard show cars that are street registered, nine-second and seven-second cars that can be driven on the street or the drag strip, and one six-second drag race car.
What do you do with your spare time?
JG: We are all about cars – cars are our life! Our spare time consists of building cars, attending car shows, participating in dyno days, joining in on local street cruises and drag racing.
What advice would you give to a young you starting out in the industry?
JG: I would recommend walking into and speaking with workshops that directly inspire you or interest you. Whether its custom chassis work, basic service work, or tyre fitting workshops. As long as you are interested and love what you are doing you will always excel.
How much importance do you place on social media for your business?
JG: I feel that social media plays a very important role in our business. Social media is key to marketing in this era as 99 per cent of the population spends hours every day online. I feel that the stronger the social media following online and positivity around the business, the more it will help the business grow in the long run.
What do you see as the greatest advancement in technology for your business?
JG: Technology is constantly evolving in the industry year by year and it’s nearly every week we see or hear of the latest and greatest new gadget to assist. I personally feel diagnosis equipment like scan tools such as Snap-on, G-Scan, and Autel are needed on a daily basis with the technology in the later model cars. Diagnostic tools are essential for a range of activities from things such as MIL diagnosis all the way through to a simple brake pad / rotor replacement.
What vehicles do you own personally?
JG: Currently, I have a 2022 Silverado 2500HD as a shop and tow vehicle for car shows and events. I have a strong passion for old-school horsepower, which explains my longest-owned car, a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro. I have had the Camaro since I was an apprentice and over the years I have completely rebuilt the car to make it what it is today.
Do you actively compete in motorsport?
JG: Over the last 10 years I have had a strong hand in the building of high-performance street and drag racing cars in our region. I also enter a lot of car shows and race my cars on the drag strip. When the day comes that I employ a new staff member to join the team it would be great for them to share the same passion and take an interest in motorsport. Building high-performance vehicles and engines means you must have a very high attention to detail. I feel that having a natural interest in motorsport also carries over to your daily work on passenger vehicles.
Do you consider that the advancements in electric vehicles will have an impact on your business? If so, how so?
JG: Personally, I am not concerned about the electric vehicle market affecting our line of business just yet. In many years to come it may be another story. I feel combustion engines are here to stay for quite a while yet.
What has been the greatest benefit of your MTA Queensland membership?
JG: We are only new in business and so we have only been a member for six months. As soon as we opened the doors we signed up. So far, we have really valued the mentoring and help received for business owners new to the industry. MTA Queensland has helped me with every question when it comes to employment / apprenticeship paperwork.
What are your greatest challenges?
JG: My greatest challenge so far has been working on my own. A second set of hands can be very handy when you are doing tasks such as fitting new suspension and fabricating parts.
What are your plans for the next 5 years?
JG: Hang in for the long haul. Over the next few years our goal is to expand and use our current shed space to its maximum efficient and effective potential. We would love to have a loyal customer base to whom we can supply a high quality and honest service. I would like to build our reputation as a local honest mechanic that people can trust. Eventually we will have a tight-knit team of like-minded mechanics on the floor.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (June 2024)
18 June 2024