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TALENTED FIX AUTO PAINTER HAS HER SIGHTS SET ON TEAM CANADA

After provincial and national wins, young painter Maggie Friesen earns her right to try-out for Team Canada bound for WorldSkills 2019.

MILTON (Ontario), July 17, 2018 – Simply put, Maggie Friesen loves cars. Friesen was influenced early in her life by her uncle’s love of automobiles. She originally thought she wanted to be an auto mechanic and decided to give the industry a shot through a high school co-op placement, but found it wasn’t for her. “It really wasn’t quite what I was expecting,” she says. Luckily for her and Fix Auto, a friend told her that Fanshawe College offered a free introductory autobody course. Friesen seized the opportunity and soon found that she had a passion and an aptitude for the work; even gaining the attention of an instructor who suggested she should try competing.

Currently a member of the Fix Auto London North West team as a painter/prepper, Friesen won the gold medal for car painting at the Ontario skills competition. This gold medal win led to a spot at the national competition, held June 4-5 in Edmonton, Alberta where Friesen took home the bronze medal. Now, she has been invited to compete for a chance to earn a spot on Team Canada when the team travels to Kazan, Russia for WorldSkills 2019.

Two medals later, it looks like the instructor’s instincts were correct. “It was really exciting to compete at the national level,” said Friesen. “I’m really looking forward to seeing if I can make it on to Team Canada.”

Co-owners of Fix Auto London North West Darren Hewitt and Patrick Schaffner pride themselves on running a process driven facility. It seems like Friesen fits right in. “Maggie has been with us for a short time and she’s already fitting right in with the rest of the team,” says Hewitt. “We’re very proud that she’s going to have a chance to win a spot on Team Canada next year.”

Every two years WorldSkills hosts the world championships of skills which attracts more than 1,300 Competitors from more than 70 countries. At this event, young people from all corners of the globe gather together for the chance to win a prestigious medal in their chosen skill. There are competitions in over fifty skills across a wide range of industries. The Competitors represent the best of their peers and are selected from skills competitions that are held in WorldSkills Member countries and regions.

Daryll O’Keefe, General Manager Fix Auto Ontario & Manitoba concludes, “We are thrilled to have a true talent like Maggie represent the London North West shop and Fix Auto on the national, and possibly, the world stage. Working with our franchise strategic partners, like Darren and Patrick, we are building a strong team of young, highly qualified and extremely talented individuals dedicated to driving the industry forward for years to come. Congratulations to Maggie; the entire Fix Auto national network wishes her luck as she competes to earn a spot on Team Canada!” 

ABOUT FIX AUTO
Fix Auto is part of Canada’s largest automotive aftermarket services network with over 270 locations across the country. Celebrating 25 years of excellence, each Fix Auto centre is owned and operated locally offering hassle-free care and services that return vehicles to their pre-collision luster and performance. Our company and our network continue to grow nationally and globally, thanks to a solid foundation based on entrepreneurship and innovation. With more than 630 locations around the world, Fix Auto is the global body shop network.

 

MEDIA CONTACT
Elizabeth Wilcox
Manager, Communications & Public Relations
Fix Auto Canada
403-831-6255
ewilcox@fixauto.com