The arrival of a skilled worker from Mexico marked a major turning point for Carrossier ProColor Pintendre.

Vincent Gaudreau owns a shop that his father Richard and uncle Jacques built from the ground up 45 years ago. He gradually took over the business, first from his uncle, then from his father. That said, his father remains closely tied to the business and still acts as Vincent’s main advisor.

The shop has come a long way over the years, and Vincent has made it a priority to keep it aligned with technological advancements. Whether it’s a diesel pickup or the latest electric car, the team can handle it. Training is ongoing, and the shop is equipped to meet the highest industry standards. “We deliver between 12 and 18 vehicles per week,” says Vincent Gaudreau. “This is made possible by a dedicated team of approximately ten people, five of whom are technicians. Next year, I’m starting construction on a brand-new facility that will be three times larger.”

Finding the Right People

With plans to expand, hiring more staff became essential. But in a market where skilled labour is increasingly scarce, that’s a tall order. Vincent turned to international recruitment to meet the challenge. It turned out to be a winning move, and one he’s ready to make again if needed. “I started looking into foreign recruitment a few years ago,” he explains. “Fix Network was a huge help, connecting me with reputable recruitment agencies.”

One candidate had already been selected when the pandemic hit, putting everything on hold for ten months. The process was complex, but the agency handled all the paperwork and oversight. On September 2, 2021, José Arturo joined the team. He is a body repair specialist from Mexico with expertise in dent removal and frame straightening. The question was, how well would he adapt to his new environment?

“The team supported the decision from the start. And when they saw how competent and positive José was, it felt like a weight had been lifted. At last, they had someone they could count on,” Vincent recalls. He smiles at the memory of those early months, when communication relied on Google Translate. But with a little coaching on shop procedures, José quickly rose to meet their high standards.

Toda la familia

And the story doesn’t end there. In the spring of 2023, José’s son Jonatan also joined the team. Together, the father-son duo has become a real force in the shop. To top it off, José’s wife and five of their six children have joined him in Pintendre, where they’re settling into the community. The younger ones are in school, and his wife is working at a nearby food processing facility.

“I’m so happy for them. They’re hardworking and eager to integrate. It’s truly inspiring,” says Vincent. “Bringing them in has had a real impact on the shop’s profitability and growth. The process is long, expensive and complicated, especially now with all the new government regulations. But it’s been so successful that I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again if I can’t find the right people locally.”