Accurate Collision is now Accurate Northwest

October 24, 2023

By David Keyes

Accurate Northwest co-owner Eric Donenfeld, shop manager Casey Gannon and adviser David Keyes in front of the shop on Bonners Ferry’s South Hill.

Bonners Ferry’s oldest autobody repair shop has been sold. Since 1980, Vern’s Autobody and then Accurate Collision has been the go-to autobody repair shop in Boundary County and for much of the Troy and Libby areas of Montana. Last week, owner Kay Burdick turned the keys over to two brothers who know a lot about running body shops as well as supporting the community.

Eric and Cory Donenfeld have owned Northwest Autobody in Sandpoint and Ponderay for many years. Their father, Mel, started Northwest Autobody in 1976 in Sandpoint. Eric and Cory grew up in the industry. While they both moved away from Sandpoint for more education, they both came back to the family business.

Accurate Northwest is the name of the new business and has the same address and phone number locals have been using for years. All of the current long-time local employees kept their positions and Accurate Northwest even hired a Bonners Ferry resident as the shop’s manager.

Gene Overman, Tom Neumayer and Brent Moots are all solid technicians. Gene has been with Accurate Collision since 2012, Tom since 2019 and Brent since 1997. Accurate NW recently added Gary Guille, a longtime tech, to the team as well as Chris Eastley.

Burdick had planned to retire but wanted to leave her business in competent, local hands. She had received numerous offers to sell over the years but she was waiting for the right time and buyer.

The Donenfelds have known Burdick for years and were always impressed with the shop’s quality repairs, the facility, the equipment, employees and her relationship to Bonners Ferry.

It was a natural fit.

“It is great to find a long-time, successful business with so much potential,” said Eric Donenfeld.

The state-of-the-art paint booth, the certified autoglass replacement portion of the business and the ongoing certification process for employees caught the attention of the new owners.

Accurate and Burdick support Bonners Ferry Rotary, the Boundary County Fair as well as many local fundraisers. That won’t change with new ownership.

Thomas Newmayer, Gene Overman, Gary Guille and Brent Moots are the technicians at Accurate Northwest. Most have been in the business for 12 or more years and Brent has worked in the same facility for 20 years.

“We learned from our dad to hire the best people, treat customers like we would want to be treated, to stand behind our work and to support our hometown through business partnerships and backing important local causes and organizations,” Donenfeld said.

“We also make sure we treat our employees like family and provide them with world-class training and state-of-the-art equipment,” said Cory Donenfeld. “We also emphasize customer service, keeping our promises and making sure the repairs are done right.”

Northwest Autobody expanded into Ponderay from Sandpoint eight years ago and both shops earned a reputation as the best body shops in the region. In fact, Northwest Autobody has been named the best Autobody Repair Shop in the Best of Bonner County promotion for 22 out of the 23 years the contest has been run.

The company has also been named the Sandpoint Chamber’s Business of the Month several times and have had employees named the Volunteer of the Month.

The shops have a soft spot for food banks and have raised nearly $14,000 for the Bonner County Food Center and have plans to help the Boundary County Food Bank as well.

Called Deervember, the shops donate $50 to the food bank for each deer or animal strike that is repaired at the shop in November. The Donenfelds will do the same this year at Accurate Northwest for the local food bank.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be here and we are looking forward to getting to know the community and helping where we can,” said Eric Donenfeld. “Please stop by and say 'hi' to Casey and the crew. We wish Kay nothing but the best in her retirement.”

Accurate Northwest is located at 6818 Denver Street, Bonners Ferry. Look for an open house soon and check online soon for a new Facebook page and website. To learn more, call (208) 267- 2432.

Meet manager Casey Gannon

Casey Gannon moved to Bonners Ferry and hoped his career as an autobody repair shop manager would eventually land him here.

“I drove by Kay’s shop hundreds of times hoping to have an opportunity to make a difference here,” Gannon said. “Now I have my chance.”

Gannon is a U.S. Navy and Desert Storm veteran and has received a Southeast Asia medal as well as a Bronze Star. He was a member of Operation Fiery Vigil and received a humanitarian medal. He has been an auto repair manager since 2003. He is married and has a son at Bonners Ferry High School.