“We always told the guys in the shop to fix this like it’s your grandmother’s… or your mother’s… car.”
Wayne Satre and his partner Arnold Leslie co-founded East Wey Auto Body back in 1978. The two met while working in the body shop at Barber Motors a few years prior.
“I worked there for 12 years,” Satre states. “Arnold was there for 20. The way things were going, we saw we were going to be the guys on the bench for the rest of our lives. We discussed starting something of our own, just to see where it would go. The word was out about our plans, which led to a developer offering to build a body shop if we’d rent it. So that’s what happened.”
Having been in the industry for more than 45 years, it’s clear that Satre is both professional and passionate about everything automotive.
“The highlight, for me is seeing the changes in the way vehicles are built,” Satre shares. “Initially, when we started here in 1978, we were working on 60s and 70s cars, which are a body on a frame. And then in 1987-88, a lot of manufacturers went to unibody. There’s no frame- it’s a monocoque shell, meaning everything is welded together into a body, and then you attach your wheels and driveline. So repair procedures became a little more involved, and you had to be more accurate. As a consequence of that, there was a lot of training involved.”
Satre notes the change in welding techniques. While he began his career using an acetylene torch and welding rods or brazing rods to weld parts together, soon the industry came out with wire-feed welders, which emit much less heat.
“That was a whole new learning curve. And the measuring system changed, too- there was a lot less leeway.” he adds. “Around the same time, refinishing became much more involved. It used to be a single stage paint. Now it’s two stage paint.”
When asked about what sets East Wey Auto Body apart from the rest, Satre says the answer is simple.
“It’s just personability,” he shares. “You’re talking to the bosses, not some absentee owner or manager. We want to help. And we try to be community-minded- helping out at rinks, sporting events, stuff like that. Just normal community relations.”
Both approaching retirement age, Satre and Leslie sold the company to Dwayne Leslie and Steve Roelfsema in 2006, a decision they have never regretted.
“You have to adapt or die,” Satre shrugs. “Fortunately, there were a couple young gentlemen here that wanted to get into the business, and make it their own. So we were very fortunate to have these guys pick it up and take it to a whole new level. The fit and finish are much tighter. Tolerances are down to probably a millimeter at this point. And the technology involved in fixing vehicles nowadays- they’re basically ruling computers!”
Satre does acknowledge the difficulties that the last handful of years have brought about, including an increase in oversight and parts acquisition delays. Despite big changes and rougher times, Satre has full confidence in the current owners.
“They do their best with the parts and the time they have. I’m glad to see they’re very busy.”
East Wey Auto Body can be found at 79 17th Street in Weyburn, and online at www.eastweyautobody.ca.