After more than four decades of keeping Illawarra motorists on the road Perre Bros Mechanical Repairs and Brake Smart is closing this week.
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The business started 43 years ago by Frank and Joe Perre involved four of the eight Perre brothers as well as Frank’s son Nick.
The other two Perre Bros involved in the business are Angelo and Tony.
Three of their younger brothers still operate a business called Perre Bros Smash Repairs which remains open in Gipps St, Wollongong.
Perre Bros Mechanical Repairs has been in its present location in Montague Street North Wollongong for about 17 years.
Frank Perre said started his first business in 1970 after working for Tony Simon but always wanted to get a service station.
“Joe and I started off the Caltex in Fairy Meadow. Angelo joined us a short time later,” he said.
“Tony then came in as a partner because it was going to get bigger.”
The brothers soon acquired another service station in Albion Park and a auto clutch and brake station before acquiring a bigger business that became known as Brake Smart in Fairy Meadow.
That evolved into Perre Bros Mechanical Repairs and Brake Smart that ended up with a team of 11 people.
“We put through about 20 apprentices over the years,” Angelo said.
The business has specialised in older and vintage cars, all mechanical repairs, stainless steel sleeving and braided hoses, brake hose cable and pipe manufacturing, RTA green slips, blue slips and pink slips.
“Nick my son worked here too and did his apprenticeship here,” Frank Perre said.
“Four of our apprentices were named Apprentice of the Year in the Illawarra.”
The reason the four Perre brothers are closing the mechanical and brake business is they have decided it is time to retire.
Although Frank plans to work doing up old cars from his shed at home.
He and Angelo are also looking forward to each having a holiday that lasts more than two weeks.
“We kept everyone on their journey now it is time for us to take a journey,” Angelo said.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
