VACC president Chris Hummer and VACC CEO Geoff Gwilym visited Wodonga area members on Wednesday 13 December, before a well-attended member briefing at Edwards Tavern in the evening.
First on the itinerary was member 558, Azzi-Nusser Service Centre at 26 Mint Street Wodonga, owned by Steve and Peter Nusser. Established in 1969, Peter completed his apprenticeship with the original owner, Jimmy Azzi, before buying part of, and then the whole, business.
The business performs mechanical servicing and maintenance, and provides roadworthy inspections for cars and motorcycles, and employs four staff. Peter and Steve are obviously doing something right: staff member Kevin completed his apprenticeship with the business and is still there 23 years later, while Darrel is a 20-year staffer. In good news for the future, Azzi-Nusser has employed an apprentice who shows signs of wanting to continue with the business in a management position.
Steve Nusser said, “We offer good work-life balance and we look after our staff.” It shows.
Azzi-Nusser is a two-time Automotive Industry Awards finalist and they well use VACC’s services. VACC’s commercial arm, OurAuto, recently saved the business $17,000 per annum on its general insurance. Steve, who comes from the insurance industry, reckons that’s pretty good, and we agree with him.
Mr Hummer and Mr Gwilym presented Steve and Peter and their long-serving staff with a 50 years of VACC membership certificate.
Second stop was Blacklocks Ford and Trucks at 207 Melbourne Road can trace its roots back for over 130 years in the Albury-Wodonga region, having started business in 1892 as a bicycle manufacturer. These days, they have 13 franchises dealing in trucks, motorcycles and cars, with brands including Ford, RAM, Jeep, LVD, Renault, Skoda, Haval, and Iveco. Blacklocks employs 220 staff across three sites and takes on new apprentices each year.
Dealer principal Michael Dixon appreciates the information and support he receives from VACC’s workplace relations team and praised Industry Policy Advisor, Michael McKenna for his unwavering support of LMCTs and the Blacklocks business.
Ever-changing workplace policies keep Michael up at night, so Mr Hummer and Mr Gwilym outlined the latest in VACC’s efforts to counter poor policy that affects businesses, such as Blacklocks. Michael discussed the ‘Closing the Loopholes Bill’, union right of entry, Same Job Same Pay and wage theft and VACC’s advocacy to counter these issues.
Blacklocks is one of Australia’s oldest Ford dealers and provides the local area with significant employment, along with sponsorships of various sporting and other groups in the community.
Next on the agenda was farm machinery dealer, CADMAC in McKoy Street Wodonga, where the team met with financial controller, Scott Knight.
CADMAC has several dealerships and the business continues to expand. Like many businesses, it’s difficult to find good staff, but building a positive culture is at the heart of plans to change that. When staff leave or retire, they take with them their knowledge and networks, which need constant replenishment.
Scott Knight said stock control is a constant issue and that he sees local farmers increasingly using technology to increase the yields from their land, so the staff need to be on top of changing trends.
Of course, customer service is paramount. When it’s harvest and a machine breaks down, the CADMAC team comes to the rescue 24 hours a day. This, hopefully, leads to return custom and good word of mouth, the holy grail in business.
Last on the road trip was Royans Transport Accident Repairs at 24 Muller Street Baranduda, just outside Wodonga.
Royans is part of a 29-branch business group offering heavy vehicle accident repairs. The business employs nine staff on site and conducts chassis, body and cab repairs and paintwork. Royans has been in business since 1944.
Branch manager Kerry Little stressed their strong OHS systems and the need for regular morning ‘toolbox’ discussions. This seems to pay off, as the business has been accident-free for five years.
Kerry said the business’ pain points included write-off definitions, insurance company relations and backyard operators.
Repairing big rigs is tough work, but Royans looks after its staff and takes health and safety, particularly mental health, seriously. As a result, Royans has happy staff relations and several long-termers.
Later that night, Wodonga area VACC members turned up in droves for an information night at Edwards Tavern. Members from sectors across the automotive industry kept Mr Hummer and Mr Gwilym on their toes with questions about electric vehicles, alternative fuels, access to repair information, agency dealer models and more. The obvious appetite for information ensured a large crowd where local members could also network and enjoy VACC’s hospitality.
Mr Gwilym said the model was right-sized and member feedback was positive, so a repeat is inevitable. “We’ll be taking this format around the state,” he said.