AASP/NJ Recognizes DJ’s Restoration as 2024 Body Shop of the Year

Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing

AASP/NJ is only as strong as its members, and during its Annual Meeting each year, the association acknowledges the value that individual members contribute to the association and the industry at-large by recognizing an outstanding member shop with the Stan Wilson/New Jersey Automotive Body Shop of the Year Award. 

This year’s honoree was DJ’s Restoration (Ewing), an association member whose involvement began decades ago – before AASP/NJ even existed! “I originally got involved with the Garden State Automotive Federation,” shares Daniel Brandt, Jr., owner of DJ’s Restoration.

Brandt’s passion for auto body work began when he was a teenager, but cars are in his blood; his grandfather owned Perry Auto (Trenton), and his father operated a mechanical shop, so Brandt was basically “born and raised in a garage.” While he was still in high school, he got his start painting cars in his father’s shop, and after graduation, his love for creating something beautiful led him to go to work at a local collision repair shop. 

After nearly a decade working for someone else, Brandt decided to branch out on his own in 1992. “When I opened the business, I was 26 years old,” he recalls. “My father thought I was crazy when I made that decision, but I was convinced it was what was right for me, so I put everything on the line and worked crazy hours. It was stressful at times, but 33 years later, DJ’s Restoration is a well-established, high-quality full collision and restoration shop that is very well known in our community.”

The I-CAR Gold certified facility employs five collision professionals who work on everything from small dents to major collision repairs. DJ’s Restoration also performs complete auto restorations and custom paint and vinyl wrap on cars, trucks and motorcycle tanks. To perform the quality work his customers have come to expect, Brandt invests in the most up-to-date tools, equipment and materials to restore each vehicle to its pre-collision condition; he treats every customer’s car as if it were his own. 

That also requires a commitment to training and ongoing education for himself and his entire team. “DJ’s Restoration has only done high quality work – no cutting corners. That means we’re constantly investing in the latest and greatest equipment and training for our staff,” Brandt asserts.

His need to maintain a high level of knowledge about the field to which he has devoted his life led to getting reacquainted with AASP/NJ several years ago. Although he has remained a member throughout his career, running a busy shop sometimes gets in the way of anyone’s best intentions, so “my participation in the association dwindled a bit over the years” as he became preoccupied with his business’ day-to-day operations. 

But with technology changing so rapidly these days, Brandt recognized the need to keep a close pulse on current trends as well as environmental concerns and safety requirements, and he knew the best way to do that was to recommit to his local association. “About five years ago, I started attending AASP/NJ events and meetings again to further my education as well as to help educate others,” he shares.

A major benefit of his closer involvement with the association is the sense of community garnered from collaborating with other Garden State collision repairers and shop owners. He feels sorry for the shops that miss out on the camaraderie that exists among the group. “It’s a shame not every shop in the state is a member! I hope that more shops will become involved with AASP/NJ in the future.”

Belonging to a supportive organization like AASP/NJ creates a feeling of unity and solidarity within the local industry that is much needed, especially as interactions with insurers often leave shops feeling like they’re stuck on an island by themselves, repeatedly told “you’re the only one;” however, Brandt has no tolerance for that behavior from carriers. “We restore customers’ cars to factory specifications, period. Any shop can provide a lower estimate by leaving something out or overlooking parts, but that’s not how we operate. We put the customer first, and we take no nonsense from insurance companies.”

Still, Brandt recognizes the obstacles that can arise when interacting with insurers, especially when it comes to negotiating repair plans, processes and procedures that are required to safely restore vehicles. He identifies the biggest challenge faced by New Jersey shops as “simply dealing with the insurance companies and their lack of agreement to repair our mutual customers’ cars properly” and notes that a lot of the contention boils down to “the archaic labor rates.

“What’s a mechanic’s labor rate?” he asks. “What is a plumber’s labor rate? How about an electrician? Are we any less skilled/qualified for the work we do? Absolutely not. And that means that we should be able to collect a fair and reasonable amount without fighting tooth and nail.”

Brandt’s passion and dedication to this industry for the past 40-plus years indicates exactly why
AASP/NJ named DJ’s Restoration as the 2024 Stan Wilson/New Jersey Automotive Body Shop of the Year Award recipient. Originally known solely as the New Jersey Automotive Body Shop of the Year Award, the honor was rebranded in memory of the late AASP/NJ Board member who was known for his dedication to the association and played an instrumental role in its early days.

“I don’t feel like I deserve this,” Brandt humbly says when asked about his reaction to the honor. “There are many good shops in this state, especially the ones associated with AASP/NJ. I am very grateful for the recognition, but DJ’s Restoration would not be as successful without the support and hard work of my entire team, so this honor belongs to all of us.”

Held at Gran Centurions in Clark in late October, the Annual Meeting also featured the presentation of two Russ Robson Scholarships, AASP/NJ Hall of Fame induction and the election of three new AASP/NJ Board members. Full coverage of the event is available at grecopublishing.com/nja1124localnews.