The heavy snow which created havoc for many Dunedin drivers yesterday, was good news for panel beaters.
Castle Street Panel Beaters co-owner Nigel Constable said panel beaters across the city woke with dollar signs in their eyes yesterday as treacherous driving conditions resulted in more than 30 minor crashes.
"This will be enough work to keep us free of the recession and keep people in jobs for quite a while."
The motor industry had been quiet in recent months because many people were foregoing car maintenance to save money, Mr Constable said.
South City Panel Beaters manager Wayne Bennett said he had been inundated with phone calls from insurance companies, and Dunedin residents booking their vehicles in for repairs.
"The work will help carry us [financially] through until the end of the year," he said.
Reilly's Towage and Salvage manager Brian Lilley said he was run off his feet towing damaged vehicles to panel beaters.
"We've got jobs booked up to our eyeballs but the snow is preventing us from getting to them.
"It's good for business. Farmers make hay when the sun shines - we 'make hay' when the snow falls," he said.
