New Old Name in the MB Restoration Business?

[mdsalemi]

My autumn and winter issues of the UK publication, Classic Mercedes, arrived within days of each other this past week. [The magazine itself has undergone an ownership and format change recently.]

On page 43 of the autumn edition issue 48, there is a full page advertisement for a company I have not heard of before, but the name sounds familiar…

https://josephsullivan.co.uk/

I am sure some of our friends and members from across the pond know a backstory here…

[JamesL]

The two MBs in the "Sales" section are Hemmels restorations. Hemmels are also in Sth Wales so wonder if the former used to work for the latter and has gone off alone, or was a sub-contractor of some sort. Good luck to him/them

[Josephsullivan]

Hi Michael/James

Indeed in Michaels case we have spoken during my time at Hemmels of which I founded in 2016. I took the decision to exit in march 2020. I'm please to say I've been joined by the core members of my previous team, led by production manager now Technical Director Justin Madley.

It's great to reconnect with you guys. We really value the built up knowledge on this platform, keep an eye out for some of the projects (all built in the UK) we have going out next year which I am sure will appease both the purists and those who choose to modernise, separately of course.

You quite rightly point out we currently have two MB's that were built aligned to my process in the UK both overseen by Justin & myself, again both built in Wales.

Thank you for kind words James, lots to look forward to in 2025.

Kind regards,

Joseph Sullivan
www.Josephsullivan.co.uk

[mdsalemi]

So THATS where the name sounded familiar! To be accurate however I only dealt with ONE person at Hemmels when I was managing advertising for The Star—Iain Wood. But I must have seen the name on something!

If Joseph Sullivan left Hemmels in 2020 (with much of the staff?), and Iain Wood has retired, is there anything left at Hemmels?

[Josephsullivan]

Just to be clear, all the staff at the time remained. I was unable to start again in a competing business for a number of years after my exit, hence my reopening this year. That said, we've expanded the process across marques so we probably are not a direct competitor. We're a much smaller outfit these days.

[mdsalemi]

Well, Joseph...

Welcome to the group. We look forward to you sharing your expertise and becoming an active member here.

[Josephsullivan]

Thank you very much for the warm welcome, it's much appreciated.