Revisited: My motoring inspiration – Jordan Salt

Jordan Salt is no stranger to MotorPro – we interviewed him back in 2020. Three years doesn’t seem that long to be doing another interview, but he’s come a long way since his YouTube days! The Repair and Refinish Managing Director spills the tea…

Good to chat to you again, Jordan. For those who haven’t read the previous interview, can you give us a brief rundown of your career?

Having previously worked for, and alongside, paint manufacturers for the past 10 years, I decided that it was about time I started my own business. So, in 2020, I set up my own business called Repair and Refinish Coatings Ltd manufacturing our own paints and coatings. I literally built it from scratch and invested everything I had to buy all the machinery and systems required to start manufacturing quality paint. 

What are your thoughts on the industry three years on, having now navigated COVID?

I set up my business one month before COVID was announced to the world. Since I set up the business it has been a case of adapting and overcoming one obstacle at a time. It was such an unprecedented time that we were all in the same boat - no one in the industry had ever faced anything like this, but we navigated through it and come out the other side even stronger. The biggest issue that has affected bodyshops since Covid is the energy price raises. This has meant that some bodyshops have had to look for more energy-efficient products to save on costs, which of course affects our product planning. The industry just seems to be changing and evolving faster than ever before.

How was the transition moving from being a YouTube star in the industry to having your own paint business?

YouTube was where it all started. I used YouTube videos as a way of educating my students in the classroom when I was a teacher. Very early on I realised that YouTube was a way of showcasing myself and what I can do to the world and not long after starting the Repair and Refinish channel it soon became a brand that people all over the world recognised. The channel was gaining thousands of followers at a rapid rate. And, of course, three years on I have a fully-fledged successful paint production business of the same name.

What are your plans for the future?

The business is growing year on year so I am slowly adapting to running a bigger business. When I first started out, I was making less than one-ton of product a month. Today, we're producing in excess of 20 ton a month. When the business has stabilised, I aim to slowly add more products under the MULTI-MIX brand umbrella.

Do you have any regrets?

I do sometimes think was setting up a business just before Covid the best idea, but setting up during such a difficult time and learning and adapting to the ever-changing market requirement has been really interesting and I’ve already learned so much. It’s made both me and my company stronger than I could have ever imagined. Fight or flight, and all that.

What would you tell someone looking to get into the industry?

This industry is fun and exciting, with so many roles available. The scope of the industry really is huge - there are many different avenues available within the umbrella of automotive and within the repair sector specifically. Get out there and see what role might be of interest to you. Even I didn't realise how big the industry is and just how many different kinds of roles there are.