The RiverBend Growth Association recently announced its April 2023 Small Business of the Month award honoree as Woodman Collision Center in Godfrey, IL.
Located at 4515 N. Alby Road, co-owners Chad and Ryan Woodman noted they have been in business at their current location for 18 years and now have 12 employees.
The firm has more than 75 years in the body shop business. Jess and Ginger Woodman started the current location in 2004, retiring in 2019. Jess’s grandfather, Jess O. Woodman Sr., began the business, first working on automobiles in the 1940s. Jess O. Woodman Jr. followed his father’s footsteps and owned shops on Broadway, Main and Belle streets in Alton.
Jess H. Woodman, the most recent previous owner, began learning the business as a teen and eventually co-owned the company with his father and brother Danny at its Ninth and Belle streets location. Ryan Woodman started as a collision repair specialist and oversees the repair operations. Chad Woodman is an estimator and manages the front office.
“We are the fourth generation of collision repair at Woodman,” Chad Woodman said. “We started at our current location with a drive to make a difference. We want to take a tough situation like an automobile and make it a pleasant experience.”
In addition to the named collision repair, Woodman Collision Center also offers waterborne paint products along with glass, paintless dent, hail damage and related repairs for most all makes and models of automobiles. They provide free estimates before the work begins, offer lifetime warranties, and work with most insurances.
Woodman Collision Center is an industry-recognized I-CAR Gold Class collision repair business. This Gold Class recognition indicates their technicians are trained in the proper repair techniques and procedures that contribute to the complete and safe repair of a vehicle. As a Gold Class shop, they require each of their technicians involved in collision repair to take ongoing training every year. This includes classes on new vehicle technologies and the latest repair techniques. Woodman is among only 10% of collision repair businesses to achieve Gold Class status.
“Our industry is constantly changing as cars get more and more technology. We offer training to all our employees through I-CAR,” Chad Woodman said, which is the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair.
Three years ago, 3,500 square feet was added to its current Alby Road site, expanding its nearly 11,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility into a place where their technicians can bring customers’ vehicles back to life with quality service.
“We see great opportunity in being able to help people in need,” Chad Woodman added. “And while the recent supply chain breakdown has led to challenges with parts availability, we still strive to set ourselves apart from the competition through our customer service. Every customer is important no matter how big or small the job, and no matter what kind of vehicle.
“And we are always looking for ways to better impact our community,” he said. “We are active supporters of several organizations, but very active with The Restore Network, ThriVe ministry and Calvary Baptist Church. We donate our services to local agencies including the fire department.”
Woodman Collision Center is a three-time small business of the month winner, winning previously in 2006 and 2011.
To learn more about Woodman Collision Center and its service offerings, visit woodmancc.com, email cwoodman@woodmancc.com or call 618-466-1450.
The RiverBend Growth Association is the Chamber of Commerce and economic development organization for the 11 communities known as the Riverbend. For more information about the Growth Association, visit www.growthassociation.com or call 618-467-2280.
RBGA’s Small Business of the Month Committee recognizes a different member business each month for its outstanding efforts and leadership in the community. Committee members include Brenda Eardley, Adrianna Lock, Sam Quigley, Amy Roady, Kristen Ryrie, Martha Schultz and Amy Smith.
To learn more about the RBGA and the Small Business of the Month recognition, visit the RBGA website or call its Godfrey office.
