About Us
Welcome to Gem Auto!
Since 1987, Gem Auto has been dedicated to restoring vehicles to their former glory. Located at 91-9th Rd, Kew, 2090, our experienced team of professionals brings over three decades of expertise to every project, ensuring top-quality service and customer satisfaction.
At Gem Auto, we understand that your vehicle is more than just a mode of transportation – it’s an essential part of your life. That’s why we strive to provide meticulous, high-quality services that meet your specific needs. From minor touch-ups to major repairs, we treat each vehicle with the care and attention it deserves.
We pride ourselves on our strong reputation in the community, built on trust, reliability, and exceptional results. Our commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of our work, from our state-of-the-art facilities to our highly skilled technicians. Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of an accident or looking to customize your vehicle, you can count on Gem Auto to deliver superior craftsmanship and outstanding customer service.
Our Story
Gem Auto was founded with a passion for automobiles and a commitment to excellence. Our journey began in 1987 when an individual car enthusiast Joel Meyerson decided to turn his love for vehicles into a business.
Starting as a modest workshop, Joel had a clear vision: to provide high-quality panel beating that our customers can rely on with a personal touch. His dedication to quality and customer satisfaction quickly earned Gem Auto a loyal clientele and a stellar reputation throughout Johannesburg.
Over the years, Gem Auto has grown and evolved, expanding our range of services and investing in the latest technology to stay ahead of industry trends. Despite our growth, we have remained true to our roots, maintaining the core values of honesty, integrity, and excellence that have defined us from the beginning. Our experienced team, many of whom have been with us since the early days, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every project, ensuring that each vehicle we work on receives the highest standard of care.
Today, Gem Auto is proud to be a leader in the panel beating industry, known for our meticulous attention to detail and unparalleled craftsmanship. We continue to serve clientele throughout Johannesburg and beyond with the same passion and dedication that inspired our founders over three decades ago. Whether you’re a long-time customer or visiting us for the first time, you can trust Gem Auto to restore your vehicle to its best condition.
Joel’s Journey
Joel’s journey to open Gem Auto was deeply influenced by his mother and the hardships his family faced. When Joel’s father had kidney failure, their lives were thrown into turmoil. His mother had to juggle six hours of dialysis three times a week for his father while also trying to keep their family afloat with a pamphlet distribution business. The old VW van she drove was a lifeline, though it frequently broke down, requiring constant repairs. Over time, this single van grew into a fleet of old vehicles, each demanding its own maintenance.
At a young age, Joel became his mother’s assistant, helping with his father’s dialysis when she was out driving for the business. He also learned to fix the vans, often performing panel beating and mechanical repairs. These responsibilities kept Joel from engaging much in regular schooling, but they gave him hands-on experience and skills that would later prove invaluable.
Joel’s path became clearer when he enrolled in trade school at John Orr Tech. For the first time, he found himself excited about learning, particularly the practical, hands-on aspects of his education. It was a pivotal moment that made him realise what he wanted to do with his future. Years of working alongside his mother had given him a deep understanding of mechanics and repair work, and he decided to turn this experience into a business.
He rented a workshop close to home and named it Gem Auto. There, Joel did the same work he’d been doing for years: panel beating and mechanical repairs. His business gradually grew, and as soon as he was financially stable, he began investing in property. This expansion seemed a natural progression, considering his extensive experience in various trades related to fixing and building properties.
Gem Auto flourished, and Joel’s expertise in panel beating became well-known.While Gem Auto continued to thrive, Joel found himself more involved in managing his own properties.
Today, Joel continues to work with his hands, focusing on panel beating and exploring new ventures in water and solar solutions to address his country’s governance challenges.
His journey from a young boy assisting his mother with a struggling business to the owner of Gem Auto and a property investor is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the enduring impact of early life experiences.