About Us
Meet the New Owner at Herrick Auto Rebuilders!
Herrick Auto Rebuilders, founded by Walt Herrick, has been family owned and operated since 1948. When Walt retired in 1987, his son Skip Herrick and his son-in-law Gary Riegler continued the business, maintaining the legacy of excellent repair work and customer service. After 73-years in the family, Chuck Gamalski has purchased Herrick Auto Rebuilders. Gamalski has been working side-by-side with the Herrick team for many months. He plans to continue the top-notch level of customer service and auto body repair with the same staff.
Chuck Gamalski, the new president of Herrick Auto Rebuilders, was raised in Palatine, Ill. and started his career in auto body repair on the high school work program there. He has most recently worked many years in Florida, managing a large body shop. He and his wife, Julie now reside in Lake in the Hills. “My whole life has been auto body work!” explains Gamalski. “I really care about the customer and their satisfaction. That’s why Herrick’s was a great fit for me. The Herrick team has built a legacy of excellence in repair, customer service and community relationships. Together, we will continue that reputation!”
Skip Herrick and Gary Riegler will be stepping down to pursue their retirement goals. The office and shop staff will remain and support Gamalski by serving customers in their same award-winning manner. Herrick’s offers a lifetime guarantee on all quality repairs and also offers 24-hour towing for 7 days a week. They have been rated above 95% customer satisfaction in third-party surveys. Their technicians are fully trained in auto body and paint repairs and use state-of-the-art equipment All this in a shop with a small town atmosphere, located at 634 W. Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake, Ill.
Herrick Auto Rebuilders has been recognized by Best of the Fox for seventeen consecutive years. Walt Herrick’s honesty, pride in workmanship and pride in community were his business philosophy, continued by Skip and Gary. The company has continually participated in the community through support of the Crystal Lake Park District, The Dole, Downtown Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake Chamber, Rotary and the Historical Society.
Our Heritage
Walt Herrick opened Herrick Auto Body Company in Crystal Lake on December 1, 1948 in the former Studebaker dealership, then the Bauer Garage at 77 E. Woodstock Street. Walt’s dedication to excellent repair work, customer service and community involvement started a solid foundation for the business. In 1953, he moved the business to its current location at 634 W. Terra Cotta (Route 176) near the intersection of Route 14.
Herrick Today
Today, Herrick Auto Rebuilders enjoy a reputation built on more than 70 years of trust, excellent auto body repair, and commitment to continue to serve our customers and our community with integrity, quality and professionalism.
Pride in workmanship and pride in community were hand-in-hand with Walt Herrick. He served the Crystal Lake community in many ways including the Park District Board and Crystal Lake City Council for years. Herrick’s continues the commitment by supporting Rotary, Historical Society, The Dole Mansion, Boy Scouts of America, Crystal Lake Chamber and Downtown Crystal Lake.
Dependable.
Offering a lifetime guarantee on all repairs for as long as you own your car, Herrick offers 24-hour towing, 7 days a week. From a small ding to serious frame damage, Herrick Auto Rebuilders will get your vehicle back on the road like the accident never even happened.
Customer Service.
A fixture in the Crystal Lake community, Herrick Auto Rebuilders delivers high-quality vehicle repairs with friendly service and attention to detail. Voted Best of the Fox year after year, and rated above 95% consistently in customer service surveys, Herrick's has a small town atmosphere with state-of-the-art equipment and training.
Done Right.
Walt Herrick taught his team to focus on the highest level of customer service and quality collision repairs. Herrick’s recognizes that customer service is the single most important element in the collision repair process. Highly trained technicians use only the latest repair procedures and technologically advanced equipment available. The result is the finest quality work, guaranteed in writing by the Herrick lifetime warranty.
Contact Us Today!
Relieve the stress of vehicle repair after an accident, Herrick Auto offers free estimates, phone status reports, loaner cars and a lifetime guarantee. Precision repair, Integrity and personal attention to detail are the legacy delivered daily by the team at Herrick Auto Rebuilders.