Comox Valley Auto Body Shop Has Been Serving Customers Since 1951
From left Curtus Larson and Mike MacLaren, the current owners of CSN Reliable Auto Body
COMOX VALLEY – CSN Reliable is celebrating its 70th anniversary in business this year, one of the longest serving establishments in the Comox Valley. Its strong reputation as a shop that treats its customers to top notch service while providing quality repairs has led to the fourth generation of some of its customers coming back to CSN Reliable to have their repairs taken care of professionally.
Since 1951, when John Orchard first started the business, there have only been three other owners. Jim Barry bought Orchard out in 1976, then brought Mike MacLaren on as partner in 2001. Just last year in March, long-term employee Curtus Larson bought into the business at the start of the pandemic. Not the most auspicious start to ownership, but Curtus’ faith in the business and its employees made the investment a no brainer.
“70 years is a huge milestone, and it’s great having this opportunity as a new owner of a business with such a rich history in the Comox Valley,” says Larson. Curtus, who is also the General Manager and a Certified Refinish Technician, first started sweeping floors and washing cars at age 18 and worked his way through the business, and is also celebrating his 20th year at CSN Reliable.
Despite the many problems involving owning a business during the Corona virus pandemic, Larson is extremely thankful their work is considered essential. Although they had to lay off half of their staff when everything started, they were able to keep their doors open and soon brought everyone back when cars started getting back on the road and the business returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Larson believes that the company’s overall success is due to their staff. From customer’s first contact with administration staff who understand the emotional aspect of being in an accident and having one of their most valuable possessions damaged, to having their vehicle returned to them in pre-accident condition being able to trust that their repairs were completed correctly and professionally, they are treated with first-class customer service.
At work inside CSN Reliable Auto Body
CSN Reliable Auto Body prides itself on the quality of work it does for customers. “That’s been huge. We’re a growing community, but we’re still small enough that word of mouth and reputation is very important,” Larson observes. “I think what really separates us from other facilities and contributes to our longevity is our customer service. That’s been passed on from owner to owner.”
Curtus believes in being a strong partner in the community, as at the end of the day no one stands alone. When other businesses had to remain closed at the start of the pandemic, CSN Reliable started having draws with gift certificates from other local businesses to help show their support.
They also donate to many community charities and programs, focusing on youth sports and child development, such as hosting a school lunch program ensuring children get a healthy meal, donating to groups such as the Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports and sponsoring youth sports teams. They also act as a point of sale for Kindling for Kids, a popular program raising funds for the Child Development Association. The shop also supports the local school work experience programs, bringing on students for a chance to check out the business and see if it is something for which they might they might have a passion.
CSN Reliable Auto Body is an ICBC accredited repair shop and is a member of the ICar Certified Collision Repair Program and repairs any collision related damage that your car may have occurred. Their highly skilled repair and refinish technicians have the training necessary to be able to bring your vehicle back to pre-accident condition through the ICar Training Center, of which CSN Reliable is a Gold Class – Aluminum Certified shop. It’s an extensive training program that ensures all staff are up to date on all equipment and repair procedures on all major makes and models of vehicles. The shop is also OEM certified through multiple vendors including Toyota, Ford, Kia, Nissan and FLA/Mopar.
If you have been in an accident and want your vehicle repaired by the best, bring it to Curtus and Mike and their staff at CSN Reliable Auto Body at 787 Cumberland Road in Courtenay.
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