W&F November 2017

www.wealthandfinance-news.com 28 Wealth & Finance International - November 2017 SSR Classic provides professional restoration and repair of classical cars, either acquired specifically for that purpose, or for clients and collectors´ own restoration projects. Our clients are successful business people and/or classic car collectors who enjoy driving classic cars. More than a hobby for them, driving classic cars is a Passion. Additionally, the company also provides official certification from the best luxurious brands like Rolls-Royce, Mercedes, Jaguar, and others, so that the customer will have the guarantee that they are acquiring an original classic. Sergio explains what it means to the firm to win this award and what they plan to do on the back of this success. “First of all, it is wonderful news. We feel that this is a great reward and recognition for our project that has grown from a family passion and years of dedication to the cars´ business. It shows that we are going in the right direction and that now we have a bigger responsibility.” Being based in Portugal can bring about many benefits to a business which is rapidly growing its reputation. Sergio provides us with a brief overview of the industry within Portugal currently, and tells us what specific challenges there are currently affecting the industry, as well as any outside influences. “Within Portugal, the classic car restoration business is based on a small number of professional players on this niche market. They are mainly concentrated in the centre (Lisbon and Cascais region) and in the North region where the collectors are based. The biggest challenge affecting the industry is the high taxes that we still face, mainly value added tax, when compared to other countries.” Differentiating itself from its competitors is a key aspect of SSR Classic’s success, and Sergio explains exactly what it is that separates the company apart from similar car companies. He alludes to the fact that staff are included in every single step of the process, which is important to customer satisfaction and good business. “Marking ourselves out as the best possible option for clients is probably the fact that the we allow the client to be part of the restoration process. We do offer a one to one service and every car is a unique piece that needs time and passion. Everything is done according to the original specifications and with the client´s involvement, I think this makes the difference.” Operating within the fast-paced market that is car restoration, Sergio and the team must be able to employ techniques which enable it to keep on top of modern trends and stay ahead of any upcoming developments. “Essentially, we believe that our close connection to our partners are one of the main keys to our business since by working together we can develop new technics and periodically we have meetings to discuss new ways to improve a specific area.” Beneficial to the company is that its small team enables each team member to work individually with clients, and can therefore come up with tailored situations which are suited to the project, as well as giving the client the chance to have their own input. “Here at SSR Classic, our team is a small team but all of us try to come up with solutions and give opinions to make things work. We do have in place communication channels and provide flexibility and freedom to reinforce creativity. All our staff is part of the restoration process and are accounted for that. They are proud of their work and of the final product that is achieved; and, of course, all of our staff is a classic car fanatic. And when you enjoy what you do, it can only get better.” Signing off, Sergio outlines SSR Classic’s overall mission, listing what steps the company plans to take to achieve this, looking to give the client the SSR Classic is a family owned company created in 2013 by two generations of car lovers with a long experience in the car business. Sergio Rodrigues gives us more of an insight into the services offered by the company, as long as discussing its success of being featured in the Global Excellence Awards 2017 as the Most Outstanding Classic Car Restoration Services 2017 in Portugal. World Class Car Restoration 1711WF23 Company: SSR Classic Contact: Sérgio Rodrigues Contact Email: [email protected] Address: Zona Industrial de Lordelo, Lote 30,3730-130 Vale de Cambra, Portugal Phone: 351256100136 Website: www.ssrclassic.com best experience that they can have with a classic car. He refers to the innovative nature of the product and the team, before again mentioning how the individual nature of each project and each car leads t the utmost client satisfaction. “Integral to our success is the fact that we try that every client have the best experience that they can have with the classic car. Also, the team try to find the car from his youth which makes him feel nostalgic and exciting, a lovely feeling. For that, we have a small team that works on a specific car each time making sure we follow the car maker original instructions, we also source internationally the original components of the car, meaning that each car restoration is a long and detailed process. Innovation is achieved through the process organisation in place and the equipment installed.” Overall, there seems to be a lot of positivity and excitement ahead for SSR Classic, and there are maybe plans ahead to develop a racing car and a racing car team, but not necessarily enter racing competition. This highlights just how fat the company has come, and if it can build on its already stunning success, then there is everyone reason to feel positive. “...every car is a unique piece that needs time and passion. Everything is done according to the original specifications and with the client´s involvement, I think this makes the difference.”