simon leven vintage photo

HOW IT ALL STARTED

“It all started in the late 80s when I was just a kid. I could often be found in my family’s shed helping my dad wet rub cars or masking up windows with old newspaper. After exhausting the ways I could be of, ‘help,’ I’d take a step back and watch in awe as my dad effortlessly painted with precision and expertise. It was like he was playing an instrument  or conducting an orchestra with his big old suction fed gun. Sweat would be building up on his brow as the old piston compressor thumped away, echoing throughout the shed and a cloud of acrylic overspray hovered ominously above the car. My dad’s ability to repair and transform was the stuff of Gods to me.”

It was during this time that I learned that the greatest salary packages are the ones that come with people who inspire you. And for me – that was my dad.

signature of simon leven

Simon Leven

managing director

simon-leven-vintage-photo-with-dad

“There were no spray booths, SATA 5500’s, dustless palm sanders, spectrometers, prep bays, or car-o-tronics. There wasn’t  even a computer. But our shed was full of things far more valuable than any flash tooling or equipment. It was full of PRIDE, PASSION, GRIT and HARDWORK. 

Even when I was old enough to earn a wage for my help, working with Dad didn’t ever really feel like work. Every time I got paid, I’d think – how lucky! I’m getting money for doing something I genuinely have a passion for. It was during this time that I learned that the greatest salary packages are the ones that come with people who inspire you. And for me – that was my dad. 

In 2009, my dad was ready to retire and I was ready to go all in. I scraped everything I had together, begged the bank for money and proudly purchased Leven Smash Repairs from him”

The lsr history

where we've been

lsr history

1980

Ian Leven opened Ian Leven Smash Repair in Mudgee, NSW with a total of four employees.
sion leven panel beater mudgee

2001

Simon Leven joined the  family business as an apprentice Panel Beater.
mudgee spray painting panel beating dent removal

2009

Simon purchased the family business and renamed it Leven Smash Repairs.
advanced automotive solutions mudgee

2012

LSR acquired the Mudgee workshop’s neighbouring property and co-founded sister company, Advanced Automotive Solutions (AAS).
leven smash repairs extension

2014

Completed 1st expansion for LSR Mudgee.
leven smash repairs old building

2016

Purchased the largest smash repair shop in Dubbo and opened the second LSR location.
leven smash repairs dubbo auto body shop

2017

Celebrated reaching a team of 30 employees. Commenced building the state of the art purpose-built BlueRidge Workshop in Dubbo.
leven smash repairs opening night dubbo facility

2018

Grand opening of the new LSR Dubbo Workshop.
lsr mudgee workshop expansion

2019

The LSR team grew to 50+ employees, we expanded our accounts office to the Philippines and completed the second LSR…
team highlights

awards

aprentiship of the year dakota

2015

Best Client Results - Winner

Businesses over $1M Turnover Category

Entrepreneurial Business School

2016

WINNER

Entrepreneurial Award - Simon Leven

Entrepreneurial Business School

2017

WINNER

Most Committed Business Award

Entrepreneurial Business School

2018

FINALIST

Outstanding Business With Over 20 Employees

Mudgee Clock Awards

2018

FINALIST

Apprentice of the Year - Jake Kent

Mudgee Clock Awards

2018

WINNER

Apprentice of the Year -  Dacoda Endacott

Mudgee Clock Awards

2019

FINALISTS

Apprentice of the Year - Calum Grant & Kyle Grima

Dubbo Rhino Awards

2019

WINNER

Outstanding Young Employee - Travis Harte

Dubbo Rhino Awards

2019

WINNER

Outstanding Business Leader - Simon Leven

Dubbo Rhino Awards

2020

WINNER

Paint & Panel Rising Star

Dacoda Endacott