Making a wheel difference

For North Geelong mechanic Andrew McKee it’s the ‘one percenters’ that make the difference.
“We care a lot about our customers,” he says,
He and his employees at Drive Safe Service Centre “go above and beyond to help” their customers.
Showing customers before and after photos, removed parts and even videos of their work- it’s all just part of the service Drew says.
“It’s about taking the time to explain it to the customer.”
The small things count, he says, like driving customers home if they live nearby or toys to keep the kids happy.
“I’ve got a family myself. If they’re playing while mum or dad is fixing up the bill everyone’s happy.”
And he must be onto something, as he’s getting plenty of referrals.
“We’re flat out, which is always a good problem,” he says.
Drew has been a mechanic for 16 years, but he had to fight to get there.
“Things weren’t good for me when I was a teenager; I was out of home early,” he said.
He completed an introductory automotive course for disadvantaged youths when he was a teenager.
“I was top of the class and I got an apprenticeship out of that,” he says.
Drew opened Drive Safe Service Centre in August 2015.
When asked to describe his business in a word it was diverse – as a VACC member his business can handle anything mechanical and electrical, from handbook servicing to LPG repairs.
“We work on old to new including light trucks and tracks, vans and buses,” he says.
He and his staff are always taking courses to refresh and expand their knowledge.
“For our business to thrive we have to continue adapting – so we never stop learning,” he says.
And he tells his customers to always Drive Safe …