Preston Watts of Smithfield, Utah started his career in automotive restoration just about the time most kids were barely learning to drive. He was just 16 when he started tinkering with cars in his mom’s backyard inside a makeshift garage. Soon after, Preston’s friends were lining up to have their cars painted too.
Demand led Preston to move his enterprise into its current location at 108 So. Main in Smithfield. At that time, he had only two service bays and a desire that kept him there every day and almost every night. Today, Prestons Auto Body & Glass is now known as Preston Watts Auto Collision & Glass Inc. and has expanded to include over 60 service bays in four different buildings of four acres.
Smithfield Location | 108 South Main | Map
Auto Collision repair has changed dramatically since 1966 when Preston started the business. At that time, most repair jobs required a good compressor and the right eye for matching paint. Now, special computers do all the matching as well as estimating costs and measuring automobile frames for refurbishing. Preston’s shop uses all the latest equipment to bring your automobile to its pre-accident condition.
Preston also values good customer service and provides training for his employees to ensure they know the latest techniques. During the past 54 years, Preston’s clientele has grown to include people from all over Cache, Rich and Franklin Counties.
It all started in a makeshift garage in 1966. Preston Watts was a young 16-year-old with a passion for tinkering with and fixing up cars. He soon had neighbors and friends lining up for their own repairs. The demand required Preston to move business from his parent’s backyard to 108 South Main in Smithfield where he increased his workspace to 2 service bays. A lot has changed since 1966! Preston Watts Collision & Glass is now the second oldest operating business in Smithfield. We have now been in the autobody repair, glass replacement, and towing industry for 57 years and proudly serve customers from all over Cache Valley and surrounding areas, including Idaho and Wyoming. The property has expanded and now includes 5 buildings with 50+ work bays, trained and certified technicians, and state-of-the-art equipment to provide customers with the best experience possible in sometimes the most unfavorable circumstances. A superior product and customer service are our #1 priority.
Since 1995 Kerry Watts has taken over management of the family business. He truly has a sense of TEAM and values each employee at Preston Watts Collision, past and present. Each plays an important role in our business. We currently have 17 awesome employees who we are very fortunate to work with. They are not only a great asset to our business but do a lot of good with their families, community, and church. We are grateful to have such classy individuals to work side by side with. At Preston Watts Collision we are constantly striving to improve in all we do, whether it be business, training, or making improvements to the business and property. Some of those improvements include the addition of a new 5-bay building, fencing, new electric street sign, xeriscape in the park strips surrounding the property, and updated the front of our building to give it a more eye pleasing appearance. In the last two years, the outer walls of the buildings have been adorned with beautiful murals dreamt up and designed by one of Sky View High’s finest art teachers, Lester Lee. We requested that students be brought into this plan so they could utilize their talents as well. We’re especially proud of our most recent mural that honors our military men and women who serve our country. Stop by and check out this beautiful artwork or visit our website at prestonwatts.com.
Being active and involved with our Smithfield community has always been a priority over the years. School fundraising, parades, sports, 4-H, scouting, and community celebrations have always been a part of Preston Watts Collision.
We value our great friends, customers, and vendors that we have gotten to know over the 57 years. We appreciate all of you for trusting us with your collision and glass needs. We understand that we wouldn’t have a business if we didn’t have such loyal customers. Preston Watts is extremely honored to be the recipient of the Smithfield Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year for 2023 and looks forward to many more years of serving our wonderful community!