9 minute read
Burson Auto Parts’ 50th anniversary celebrations continue
NEW ACM DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
ACM Auto Parts has opened a new distribution centre in Victoria
ACM Auto Parts (ACM) has executed a lease for a parts distribution centre located at 880 Cooper Street in Somerton, Victoria. With over 19,500m2 of undercover warehouse capacity, this new facility will allow the consolidation and expansion of ACM’s two current Victorian distribution centres which have a combined total of 8,800m2 undercover capacity. Further, the operationalisation of the Somerton site allows a significant expansion of ACM’s national parts distribution network capacity. Previously used as a spare parts distribution facility, the site is already equipped with over 5,000m2 of hardstand and fit-for-purpose access. It is strategically positioned to provide access to key transport infrastructure including the Western Ring Road, Tullamarine Freeway and the Hume Highway interchange, as well as the planned North East Link. The site also has significant solar generation capabilities. This project will support ACM in making a transformative change to better serve the needs of its collision and mechanical repair customers through increased distribution footprint and parts availability. The scale of the Somerton centre will allow substantial capacity for growth in the supply of parts and consumable products to ACM’s national customer base. As Australia’s largest dismantler of End-of-Life Vehicles, this facility will allow ACM to hold a greater range of recycled collision and mechanical parts. This has the dual benefit of increasing access to these parts and the significant environmental benefits they provide, and simultaneously helping mitigate some of the ongoing supply chain pressures currently being experienced for new parts.
WINNERS ABOUND
Australia’s Burson Auto Parts ensured that its 50th Anniversary celebrations included its trade customers, store managers and staff throughout 2021. Kicking off the company’s Golden Anniversary year was the Burson Auto Parts $50,000 in 50 weeks trade customer cash giveaway. The year-long promotion saw 50 Burson Auto Parts trade customers across Australia win $1,000 Visa gift cards every week, simply for purchasing their automotive parts and products from Australia’s preferred trade supplier during its Golden Anniversary year. The Burson Auto Parts 50th Anniversary celebrations also rewarded Team Burson star performers across the company’s 14 national regions. Each winner received a $500 Visa gift card along with a commemorative Burson Auto Parts 50th Anniversary certificate. At the very top of all the promotions aligned with this very special Australian automotive aftermarket company milestone, one lucky Burson Auto Parts trade customer won the 50th Anniversary Grand Prize of $50,000. The Burson Auto Parts 50th Anniversary Grand Prize winner was Craig Stewart of Legend Mechanics located in the Brisbane suburb of Nundah. This long-established automotive service business has been a loyal customer of the Burson Auto Parts Virginia store for many years. Craig described his win as a life changing experience, with the prize to be spent on both his family and his business. Burson Auto Parts also conducted 50th Anniversary themed regional and major city trade shows wherever possible. In addition, items from the specially produced 50th Anniversary merchandise range were distributed to Burson Auto Parts trade customers across the country throughout the year. Commemorative Burson Auto Parts 50th Anniversary oil containers proved popular with trade customers along with special supplier specific sales promotions and events, making 2021 a very special year for all involved. The half century celebration even extended to the race circuits of Australia with several Burson Auto Parts racing cars featuring the company’s 50th Anniversary logo. One of the Burson Auto Parts TCR Australia cars competed all season using the racing number 71, commemorating the year that the first Burson Auto Parts store was opened. Burson Auto Parts print media and online advertising, along with social media content carried the golden anniversary theme throughout, ensuring that this outstanding company milestone was promoted at every opportunity. This included the distribution of special 50th Anniversary interviews with key people who were integral and fundamental to the establishment and success of this Australian company. The pandemic situation forced the annual Burson Auto Parts Awards to be a virtual event in 2021 “We are extremely excited to add this facility to ACM’s network of parts distribution centres, increasing our overall network capacity to more than 40,000m2 across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth,” ACM Auto Parts Executive General Manager, Adam O’Sullivan, said. “This increased capacity will allow us to help ensure parts availability to fulfill the needs of our customers nationwide.” ACM commenced the move into the new facility in February and intends to be fully operational from the site from mid-calendar year 2022. For more from ACM Parts, visit www.acmparts.com.au
and while the company’s special achievements of its 50th Anniversary year were celebrated; the milestone year deserved a celebration in person. Therefore, the company’s celebrations will continue into 2022 with a Gala Dinner to be held in line with the Burson Auto Parts Manager’s Conference, which was also postponed in 2021 due to the pandemic. According to Steve Drummy, Bapcor Executive General Manager - Trade, no stone was left unturned in the company’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. “We are delighted to have been able to celebrate this milestone together with our highly valued and loyal trade customers, our hard working and dedicated team members and our outstanding suppliers,” Steve said. “While there were some unavoidable disruptions to our plans, our trade promotions and internal activities continued unabated, ensuring that it was a year of celebration and continued growth for all. We intend to continue with a number of rescheduled events in 2022, so the celebrating isn’t quite over yet.” For more information, visit www.burson.com.au
SPECIALIST TRAINING ANNOUNCED
The training will take place at the 2022 Bathurst 12 Hour
CoolDrive Auto Parts continues to build upon its reputation as a trusted partner to automotive workshops, announcing its Bathurst 12 Hour Specialist Training Event for 2022. From the 13th to the 15th of May 2022, CoolDrive Auto Parts will hold a training event for technicians and owners alike at the motorsport race, providing them the opportunity to hone their skills and/or learn new vehicle system technology from leading industry trainers and experienced technicians. “Our Bathurst 12 Hour Specialist Training event was first held in 2020 to great success and we’re excited to be able to do it again in 2022, after the cancellation of last year’s race due to the COVID19 pandemic,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Category Manager – Tools and Equipment, Matthew Douglass, said. “The event covers a wide range of topics, giving attendees the chance to tighten up on their existing skill-sets as well as broaden them with discussions around new technologies, the future of the automotive landscape and how these will affect workshops. “Hosting it at the Bathurst 12 Hour also makes this event unique; with the informative and educational sessions held in and around the hallowed surrounds of Australia’s most famous racing circuit, while also seeing some of the fastest and most luxurious GTs in the world and meeting renowned national and international racing drivers.” Across the three days, attendees will undergo seven training courses - DPF Diagnostics, CAN BUS Diagnostics, Modern EV Servicing, AC Diagnostics, Engine Management Sensor Diagnostic Training, EV Accessory fitment and Diagnosing Smart Charging Systems – as well as experience the best racing action and hospitality Mount Panorama has to offer. The line-up of trainers includes Clint Flower, exAutomate and current NSW TAFE automotive trade teacher; Ken Fendle, Head Auto Electrical Trainer WesTrack Caterpillar Australia; Mick Jurgens, Service Manager at Lenock Hyundai; Matthew Douglass, Category Manager – Tools and Equipment, CoolDrive Auto Parts and Darren Todd, Senior Technical Trainer from Bosch. Places are limited to just 70 attendees and guaranteed to fill up quickly. For further information or to book a place, visit www.cooldrive.com.au
AUTOGURU IS SWITCHING TO ZERO PERCENT COMMISSION
The company has announced plans to switch to a commission-free membership model by the 31st of May 2022
AutoGuru started switching top-performing workshops to more affordable zero commission membership plans in September and says it has been incredibly pleased with the feedback and take up thus far. AutoGuru states that it is Australia’s leading booking website for auto repairers. Having a strong digital presence is more important than ever, and AutoGuru says it makes it easy for members to list their business and attract new customers online. The site is visited by 4.2 million Australians and quotes 500k vehicles online per year. Members set their own pricing and availability and pay tiered monthly or annual membership fees to list their business. AutoGuru’s goal from day one was to ‘Make car servicing easy’ for everyday Aussies. “Our focus on delivering the best customer experience when booking car services online has fuelled incredible growth which drives value for our members,” AutoGuru Chief Executive Officer, Eden Shirley, said. “Now the company is shifting gears to make AutoGuru even easier for members.” Over the past 12 months, AutoGuru has undergone an extensive internal transformation to optimise and automate booking processes with the simple goal to make the business more efficient and affordable for members. “Our biggest challenge is that most auto businesses don’t use digital diaries to manage their availability. Every month we have to manually schedule thousands of bookings which requires a large reservations team to manage on behalf of members,” Eden said. Moving away from commissions, AutoGuru believes it can reimagine the entire online booking experience and connect customers and auto repairers instantly, giving members full control to manage their own bookings. “The idea to ditch commissions was an epiphany moment that enables us to connect customers and members in ways we’ve never dared to imagine before,” Eden said. AutoGuru says reducing the 18 percent to 20 percent cost per booking for members is a key benefit it is excited to deliver at a time when costs are escalating across the industry. AutoGuru’s tiered membership plans are intentionally designed to be more affordable and commission free. It says the new operating model is also easier to manage and reconcile. No more commission invoices mean members know exactly what they are paying every month and no longer have to deal with outstanding accounts and monthly reporting issues. Memberships start from $99 +GST per month if paid annually or $124 +GST if paid monthly, for members receiving up to $15,000 in bookings. There are eight membership tiers designed to support members based on the volume of bookings they attract through the website. When asked what Hi-Tech Auto Service thought about Zero Commission memberships, they said “AutoGuru has given us the online presence we’ve always wanted, and they’re doing more and more marketing and we can see the bookings increase. We’re old school and just like to focus on the cars, not be in front of a computer. AutoGuru has helped us continue to grow by allowing us to target a new market and have a strong online presence, so I would 100 percent recommend it.” In Tune Automotive Services praised AutoGuru’s new membership by saying “the constant work is great and we know what we’re getting paid before we take on the job, with no extra commission charge to worry about. AutoGuru makes the job of selling to new customers easier, and allows our mechanics more time on the floor, which is a value add for small businesses.” To learn more about AutoGuru membership, visit www.autoguru.com.au/memberships or call 07 5612 5343.
