The Craig name has been over a Te Awamutu workshop door since the mid-90s. Daniel Gross is the operator now — same workshop, same standard, same phone number people have been ringing since the 90s.
The name comes from Les Craig — the original mechanic Te Awamutu drivers knew by first name. Customers still leave Google reviews mentioning him by name: "Les Craig of Craig Mechanical — consistent, honest, reliable, hard-working." That review's from 2015 and it still reads as the standard the workshop runs to.
When Les was ready to hand it over, Daniel Gross took the keys in 2016 along with a co-owner. The deal was simple: keep the name, keep the standard, keep the customer relationships that built it. In December 2024, Daniel became the sole owner-operator. Same workshop, same hands, same phone number people have known for years.
The workshop sits on Benson Road in Te Awamutu — same site for years. Three bays, a tight crew, the tools to do servicing, WOF, tyres and race-prep all under one roof.
A lot of what makes a decent workshop is what they refuse. Daniel's short list, plain English.
A WOF is a check, not a sales pitch. If it passes, it passes. If it doesn't, you'll know exactly why.
Nothing gets done beyond what was quoted without you saying yes. Even "I'm already in here, may as well do X." We ring you first.
If we can't diagnose it, we don't guess on your dollar. We tell you what we want to investigate and how long it'll take.
If a job's running longer than quoted, or a part's stuck on backorder, you hear about it the same day. Surprises are for birthdays.