GlobalWorkshop

What GlobalWorkshop does

GlobalWorkshop is a New Zealand-based cloud SaaS platform purpose-built for managing bespoke vehicle build projects in the automotive, marine, and aviation industries. The product combines a web platform with native iOS and Android apps, providing visual build timelines (Chrono), QR-code-linked component documentation (SmartCodes), parts and inventory tracking with scan-based consumption recording, job and task management, mobile timesheeting, and automated invoicing. A client-facing portal and guest pass system let vehicle owners follow builds in real time, addressing the documentation and communication gap that distinguishes long-running restoration and fabrication projects from routine garage work. The platform offers three subscription tiers: Pro (£54/staff/month, 3-staff minimum), Constructors Edition (POA, 10-user minimum, for production builders with BOM and component lifing), and Collectors Edition (per-vehicle, for museums and private collectors). The company serves 160+ customers globally across verticals including classic car restoration, restomods, hot rods, race preparation, historic motorsport, warbird restoration, yacht/boat building, van conversions, EV conversions, and tuning. Founded in 2012 but relaunched full-time in 2022 by founder Rowan Hick after his departure from Compusoft Group, GlobalWorkshop is bootstrapped ("Not VC funded"), operated by Clever Robots Limited, and distributed via self-serve trial, direct sales with personal onboarding, and a regional agent network (UK/EU agent Caroline Seviour). Strategic hires in 2022-2025 (Gregg Kelly for marine, Steve Allan for mobile UX) and the October 2024 Constructors Edition launch signal vertical and upmarket expansion.

Name

GlobalWorkshop

Legal name

Clever Robots Limited

Website

https://globalworkshop.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GlobalWorkshop is a New Zealand SaaS platform that helps automotive, marine, and aviation restoration workshops manage bespoke long-running builds via timelines, QR-linked part documentation, inventory scanning, and client-facing portals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vehicle Build Management Software

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Work Management & Collaborative Workflow Platforms (HDAEAHAI)

Keywords

• Vehicle build management
• Restoration shop software
• Workshop inventory tracking
• Bespoke build client portal
• Automotive fabrication SaaS

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Subscription - Pro: Per-staff-member monthly subscription. Priced in GBP at £54.00 per staff member per month with 3 staff minimum. Includes all features plus parts/inventory, timesheeting, and invoicing. Payment via credit card after 30-day trial.
2. Subscription - Constructors Edition: For bespoke production vehicle builders. Minimum 10 users. Priced as POA (Price on Application). Enhanced purchasing, batch tracking, BOM planning, component lifing features.
3. Subscription - Collectors Edition: Per-vehicle monthly subscription for private collectors and museums. Includes private museum portal, staff apps, checklists, collection reporting, location tracking, and conditional access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GlobalWorkshop is a cloud-based SaaS vehicle build management platform that enables restoration, fabrication, and bespoke vehicle workshops to plan, document, and deliver long-running automotive, marine, and aviation projects from concept to handover. It combines mobile apps for shop-floor use, a Chrono visual build timeline, SmartCodes QR labeling for parts traceability, parts and inventory tracking, timesheeting, invoicing, and a client-facing portal with private video hosting.

Product overview

GlobalWorkshop is a Vehicle Build Management platform consisting of a core software service with modular components. The core GlobalWorkshop Platform provides build timeline management, client portals, and mobile apps. Four key modules extend functionality: Chrono (visual timeline), Parts (inventory tracking), SmartCodes (QR labeling system), and Jobs (task/time/invoice management). Additional features include Workshop Pulse (real-time activity feed) and Invoicing. The company offers two specialized editions: Constructors Edition for production builders with BOM/lifing features (10+ users), and Collectors Edition for museums/private collectors on a per-car pricing model. Subscription tiers include Starter, Pro (per staff), and Constructors (POA). The platform targets automotive restoration, restomods, marine, aviation, and motorsport industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GlobalWorkshop Platform Cloud-based vehicle build management software that lets bespoke automotive, marine, and aviation workshops plan, document, track, and invoice long-running restoration and fabrication projects from concept to handover, including a Chrono visual timeline, client portal, private video hosting, parts and inventory, timesheeting, jobs, and invoicing.
• Constructors Edition Advanced edition of the GlobalWorkshop platform tailored for bespoke production vehicle builders, with a minimum of 10 users and price on application. Includes Bill of Materials planning, batch tracking, component lifing schedules, live cost tracking against estimates, purchase order generation, and enhanced purchasing on a multi-year contract.
• Collectors Edition Edition of the GlobalWorkshop platform for private collectors, car museums, and collectors' clubs, priced per car per month. Provides a private museum portal, staff apps, checklists, collection reporting, location tracking, and conditional access for vehicle collections.

Quantifiable outcome

• Saves time on administrative tasks through automated progress reports
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MST (MKI Restomod)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023MST, renowned for their MK i Restomod and motorsport pedigree, named GlobalWorkshop as official partner. This partnership validates GlobalWorkshop's positioning in the high-end restomod market, with MST's logo appearing alongside motorsport giants on the GlobalWorkshop client page.
• SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association)minorOthersGlobalWorkshop is a member of SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association. Membership provides industry association benefits and presence at SEMA Show events.
• Fastmount LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGregg Kelly, inventor of the Fastmount clip system (formed Fastmount Ltd in 2004, a NZ export success story sold to a marine group), joined GlobalWorkshop as Lead Advisor and Marine industry expert in 2022. He met Rowan Hick 17 years ago during development of an inventory management platform for Fastmount.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Shopmonkey: Cloud-based shop management SaaS for auto repair shops covering job management, parts/inventory, invoicing, and customer communications. Closely comparable in product surface and delivery model, though focused on general repair rather than bespoke long-running builds.
• Protractor: Shop management platform for heavy-duty truck and equipment repair shops, with parts inventory, work orders, and invoicing. Adjacent vertical (heavy-duty vs bespoke restoration) but directly comparable software functionality.
• Workshop Software: Australian/NZ-headquartered workshop management SaaS offering job cards, timesheets, parts, and invoicing for mechanical workshops. Direct geographic overlap with GlobalWorkshop's NZ roots and similar feature set for small-to-mid workshop operators.
• Shop-Ware: Cloud-based shop management platform for mechanical and collision repair shops, with workflow, parts, and customer engagement features. Comparable cloud delivery model and customer engagement emphasis to GlobalWorkshop.
• Torque360: Cloud-based shop management platform for automotive repair shops including estimates, work orders, parts inventory, and invoicing. Competes in the same SMB-to-mid-market workshop SaaS segment as GlobalWorkshop's Pro tier.
• Garage Hive: UK-based garage management software targeting independent workshops with job management, MOT tracking, parts, and customer communications. Most direct UK competitor and closest geographic peer to GlobalWorkshop's UK/EU footprint.
• BayMaster: Shop management software providing job management, parts tracking, invoicing, and customer communication for independent auto repair shops. Overlaps GlobalWorkshop's workflow management capabilities in a more generalist context.

Broad incumbents

• R.O. Writer: Established shop management software with decades of market presence, covering estimating, work orders, parts, and accounting for auto repair shops. Larger and broader portfolio than GlobalWorkshop's niche restoration focus.
• Mitchell1: Major automotive aftermarket software provider offering ShopKey/Manager SE shop management, repair information, and estimating tools. Broad incumbent with significant market share that could choose to expand into bespoke-build features.
• AutoFluent: Dealer management system (DMS) providing parts, service, and accounting modules for automotive retailers and service centers. Broader scope than GlobalWorkshop's restoration niche, but overlaps in workshop-side workflow automation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/globalworkshop_rowan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/globalworkshop

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GlobalWorkshop