TWO Zimbabwean businessmen are proving that specialist panel beating and auto body repair do not have to be done in Harare.
Thinkmore Kativhu, a Director at GLO-TAD Automotive Centre, and co-founder Brighton Majaya started the company in Masvingo in 2019 to bring factory-standard repairs closer to motorists in the southern region. The company operates from Industrial Site 10123/4 Mineral Road in Masvingo.
Kativhu said one of the biggest challenges they face is the perception that quality work can only be done in Harare, and that black-owned businesses outside the capital are not trusted.
“People think everything has to be done in Harare. We are saying come and try us and see how we operate. We have the skills, the equipment, and the compliance to deliver,” Kativhu said.
Since its incorporation on 12 July 2019, GLO-TAD Automotive Centre has built a reputation for the meticulous restoration of vehicles to their pre-accident condition. The company is registered as a factory for Panel Beating and Spray Painting, and holds current licenses from the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) and the City of Masvingo.
The workshop is equipped for full panel beating operations, from minor cosmetic work to major structural reconstruction. Technicians carry out rust repair through full cut-out and treatment to stop further deterioration and preserve both the structural integrity and aesthetic value of the vehicle. For accident damage, the centre uses dedicated jigging equipment and computerized measuring systems to carry out precision body alignment, restoring the vehicle chassis and frame to factory specifications.
GLO-TAD also offers comprehensive dent and crease removal, ranging from paintless dent repair for minor dings to major panel reshaping where sections have to be beaten, filled and refinished. On specialist panel beating, the team fabricates and restores body panels, working with complex modern materials including aluminum, high-strength steel and lightweight composites to ensure safety standards are not compromised.
The centre further handles structural and advanced collision repair. This includes full vehicle assessment after a crash, replacement of damaged panels, welding, and refinishing. Importantly, GLO-TAD also works on vehicles fitted with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. After repairs, the workshop carries out ADAS calibration and sensor testing to ensure features such as lane-keeping assist, collision avoidance and parking sensors are fully operational.
GLO-TAD has worked with major insurance companies including ZIMNAT, Old Mutual, Nicoz Diamond, Credsure and Champions Insurance Company, among others. This has enabled the centre to handle insurance jobs and give motorists assurance of quality and accountability.
The workshop services a wide range of vehicle makes including Jeep, BMW, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Foton, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Volvo, Mercedes Benz, Tata, Subaru, Kia and Ford.
Kativhu said the company’s mission is to deliver exceptional panel beating services that meet and exceed customer expectations, ensuring every repaired vehicle maintains its original safety, performance, and aesthetic appeal.
“Our goal is to make sure people in Masvingo and surrounding areas do not have to leave their province to get quality repairs. Everything that needs to be done on a car, from rust treatment to ADAS calibration, can be done right here,” he said.
With insurance partnerships, regulatory compliance, and advanced panel beating equipment in place, GLO-TAD Automotive Centre is positioning itself as a premier auto body repair destination and proof that investment and expertise outside Harare can meet national standards.
