RepairSmith has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2021 in the transportation category.
The list honors the businesses that have not only found a way to be resilient in the past year, but also turned those challenges into impact-making processes. These companies did more than survive, they thrived—making an impact on their industries and culture as a whole. This year’s MIC list features 463 businesses from 29 countries.
“We are honored to be recognized by Fast Company for driving transformation in the automotive service industry,” said RepairSmith CEO Joel Milne. “Innovation is at the core of everything we do at RepairSmith, powering our convenient and transparent service for car owners and fleet managers.”
RepairSmith is disrupting an industry that has not undergone any meaningful improvements in the past 50 years. The company launched its at-home service for car owners while simultaneously creating an opportunity for skilled technicians to be a part of the future of the automotive industry with a new career path. RepairSmith technicians are employees of the company and drive custom-outfitted repair vehicles equipped with tools and parts to deliver a five-star experience.
In 2020, RepairSmith expanded to service more than 550 cities. The company launched on-location service for property managers and fleet owners. RepairSmith introduced its ‘No-Contact Car Repair’ service at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The service allowed RepairSmith to continue to offer service while keeping its technicians and car owners safe by minimizing contact during appointments, using text and photos to communicate during appointments, and cleaning all high-touch areas in the vehicle.
In the past year, RepairSmith launched two corporate philanthropy programs. First, RepairSmith donated over $100,000 in free, ‘No Contact Car Repair’ service to frontline workers and those experiencing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, RepairSmith launched its ‘Jump Start’ program and committed a quarter of a million dollars in free car repair service to nonprofits working to advance socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic equality.
RepairSmith has received many accolades for the company’s COVID-19 response, including two World Consumer Awards. RepairSmith CEO Joel Milne was named “Executive Hero of the Year” for effective leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and RepairSmith technicians were honored as the ‘Essential Hero of the Year’ for providing thousands of car owners with safe and contactless car repair service.
Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out the most groundbreaking businesses across the globe and industries. They also judged nominations received through their application process.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.
“In a year of unprecedented challenges, the companies on this list exhibit fearlessness, ingenuity, and creativity in the face of crisis,” said Fast Company Deputy Editor David Lidsky, who oversaw the issue with Senior Editor Amy Farley.
To coincide with the issue launch, Fast Company will host its first-ever Most Innovative Companies Summit on March 9-10. This virtual, multiday summit will celebrate the Most Innovative Companies in business, provide an early look at major business trends, and offer the inspiration and practical insights on what it takes to innovate in 2021.
Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2021) is now available online here, as well as in app form via iTunes and on newsstands beginning March 16, 2021.
