As the third generation of this family-owned business takes over, the future has never been brighter.
by Pat Rediger
The year was 1924 and the capital city of Saskatchewan was booming. Regina was considered an up-and-coming community and was growing exponentially. The province had the highest vehicle ownership rate in Canada and General Motors (GM) was making plans to create a vehicle manufacturing plant in Regina. By all accounts it looked like the city was set to prosper.
During this time, Russ Karels was operating a blacksmith shop at 1800 Angus Street and new vehicles were appearing everywhere. When they needed fixing the turned to Karels and his team to make repairs.
Collision Quarterly, Fall 2024
With collision repair taking more of the company’s time, Karels changed the name of his business to Regina Auto Body and specialized in collision repairs. It is believed to be the first auto body shop in Western Canada.
From these beginnings, Regina Auto Body has survived the Great Depression, world wars, the cold war, and economic booms and busts. This year it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
"Regina Auto Body has survived the Great Depression, world wars, the cold war, and economic booms and busts."
“One of the reasons the business started in this location was because it was across the street from a creamery and the blacksmith shop used to shoe the horses,” said current owner Mike Mario. “The carts that were created in those days were top heavy so they used to tip over. The blacksmith would help to straighten them and eventually they got into the auto body part of it.”
Repairing vehicles became the main focus for the company until the market crash of 1929 closed the GM plant in the city. With fewer vehicles on the road, Regina Auto Body began diversifying its operations and started building snow planes, which were mainly used to transport medical personnel to remote communities.
Regina Auto Body survived the tumultuous Dirty ‘30s and Karels added a partner, Clarence Thompson. Karels eventually retired and sold to Thompson, who in turn, added another partner, Art Egner. The duo operated the company for most of the 1950s and 1960s. During this period George and Tony Mario joined the company as technicians.
In the 1950s the company experienced an extensive fire that required a significant rebuild. “It burned down half the building,” said Mike. “So, they build a new body shop in the back using brick.”
In 1965 George and Art Egner’s son, Dave, along with Warren Brady and Les Hire, formed the ownership group. Eventually George and Dave became the sole owners. George’s sons – Chris, Greg and Mario – all joined the staff in the 1970s.
“I’ve actually never had another job or even applied for a job in my life. I worked here throughout high school when I could, but started full-time in the body department as soon as I graduated. We three brothers worked here together as technicians, just like our dad did, until Chris moved into the office with George and Dave. In the mid-‘80s, Chris, Greg, and I bought our shares off Dad, and in 1990, we became sole owners after Dave retired,” said Mike.
Over the next 30 years, the Mario brothers became a force in the province’s collision repair industry and became known for adapting to a constantly-changing industry. In the early 2000s, they started implementing LEAN, which enabled them to fine-tune their processes to maximize capacity for production.
“We really focussed on getting standard operating procedures for pretty much every department,” explained Mike. “Each spot there is a car, there is a standard operating procedure and our quality verification became a large part of it. It’s like everybody is passing a baton in a relay – we are passing a vehicle to the next person that’s taking over. We want it to be seamless so they’re not going back and forth and saying that ‘this isn’t done right.’ Quality verification means accepting the job for the next person.”
successfully transferred through three generations
from horse carts to this vehicle, a prairie snow plane.
"The Mario brothers became a force in the province’s collision repair industry, known for adapting to a constantly changing industry.”
Over the years, running the body shop has meant more than repairing vehicles. It’s understanding the finances, upgrading training, obtaining new certifications, investing in new equipment and technology, proper human resource management and so much more. Regina Auto Bodu continues to change with the times, and in 2018 the shop became Tesla certified – one of only two shops in the province that currently have that designation.
Mike said that while some people might think it is difficult to work with family, the three brothers worked well together. Each brought their own personality, strengths and ideas to the table.
“Were there frustrating days? For sure! But we supported each other, we aligned ourselves with common goals, we listened to each other, we laughed a lot, and we may have had a few beers together, but most importantly, we remained friends and our love for each other as brothers was never impacted,” said Mike.
Greg’s son Chad joined the business in 1997, and Mike’s son Matt in 2011. Ownership changes continued within the family as Chris retired in 2017 and Greg in 2018. Chad purchased Greg’s shares, and Mike has sold some of his shares to Matt. He also sold shares to Kaylyn Hildebrand, the long-time office manager, this year on International Women’s Day.
As the business passes to the third generation, Mike said he is pleased to see it operating as a family-owned enterprise. He adds that the new shareholders are passionate about fixing vehicles and ensuring customers are happy – all good traits and indicators of future success.
"So, here we are, 100 years later, still going strong, still looking to be the best we can be…”
The company recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with a parade and party. The parade featured a vehicle from each decade the shop has been open, and participants drove around a two block radius of the building. This was followed by a dinner and dance in the shop for about 190 guests.
One of the most notable aspects of Regina Auto Body, and is featured on its advertising, is that it’s the shop with a vehicle in the wall. “The idea originally came from Chris,” said Mike. “I think he was at a trade show in Texas and he saw this vehicle embedded in the building and thought it was a good idea. It’s a great locator, that’s for sure.”
It’s currently a yellow Geo Metro that’s embedded in the wall. The first one was destroyed when an operator cleaning snow in the driveway raised his bucket and knocked the entire vehicle down.
Although the auto repair industry may have changed a lot over the last decade, Regina Autobody continues to value integrity, honesty and a passion for cars.
“So, here we are, 100 years later, still going strong, still looking to be the best we can be, still providing world class quality and service, and now planning for the next 100 years.”