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AUTO-SERVICE FRANCHISING RE-IMAGINED

The newly launched AutoKeepers model is growing from strength to strength

AutoKeepers says it is making waves in the Automotive Aftermarket Service and Repair Sector, securing four locations in just the eight months since the opening of its first store in Brisbane’s West End earlier in 2021. Those behind the car service and repair franchise say its model uniquely offers staff six weeks leave, monthly haircut allowances, weekly catered BBQs, lifestyle incentives and the opportunity to grow into their own business or into senior management roles. AutoKeepers Founder and Director, Cody Harrison, said he is 100 percent committed to building a lasting meaningful legacy in the relentless pursuit of operational excellence while being of service to others, improving lives, restoring value in the industry, and improving public perceptions using his insights gathered during 20 years of personal experience in Automotive Franchising.

Cody explains that AutoKeepers offers a revolutionary Franchise operating system that first improves its staff by developing life and business skills, while building on personal character in the teams and by that measure then improves AutoKeeper’s customers’ days with “service that is second to none.” “Using this model, the customer experience is dramatically improved, and so too are the lives and careers of the team members, something which is very important to me and AutoKeepers,” Cody said. For more information about how to do business or partner with AutoKeepers, contact Cody on cody@autokeepers.com.au or visit www.autokeepers.com.au

SNAP-ON TOOLS CONGRATULATES TIM TREDREA ON 30 SUCCESSFUL YEARS

The long-serving franchisee has been providing essential tools and equipment solutions for three decades

Starting out as a mechanic, working in engine reconditioning at the early age of 15, Tim Tredrea has always had a knack for tools. He first heard of Snap-on from a friend who had seen how the franchise worked in Canada, and it didn’t take long before the then 21-year-old was visiting Snap-on’s HQ, which was in Brisbane at the time, to get started. He decided to set up his franchise in Tamworth in New South Wales, and 30 years later he’s still there and very much a cherished member of the community. It wasn’t an easy start though in the early 90s, as the economic conditions weren’t favourable. “A business starting up then wouldn’t have been a great idea,” reflects Tim. But Snap-on says if there’s anything to learn from Tim’s experience, it is that the business model has stood the test of time and economic upheavals. “Every year I never look back, I’ve had steady growth nearly every year that I’ve been in business,” Tim said. When asked about what makes Snap-on different to other franchises, Tim shares two main points: the level of service and the product. “Regular calling makes a big difference. Franchisees get support from the Snap-on group, and this attention to service extends to the customer,” he said. “It’s about service and customer relationships, but it’s no walk in the park.” Turning up consistently and reliably for customers creates a win-win situation, and doing it for as long as Tim, you can see how customers remain loyal. “It’s a face-to-face business, where most companies now are going online. I think our way of doing business will prevail at the end of the day,” Tim said. Building a strong client base in the region, Tim has been able to grow the business by adding two staff members and another truck to his operations. Tim’s long-standing relationships with his customers and knowledge of Snap-on tools have helped his staff expand the service, and “everything just follows on because all the groundwork is there.” Snap-on says its products are a major benefit to any workshop – in particular, the testing and diagnostic tools. Tim has seen significant change from the introduction of diagnostics by Snap-on Tools early on in the industry. “The mid-90s was when Snap-on developed US software for Australian vehicles. We find that because we’ve been here for so long, we started a lot of our customers with Snap-on diagnostics, and they’ve been very brand loyal,” Tim said. Reflecting on some of his proudest moments since joining the Snap-on family, Tim remembers the big achievements. In the mid-90s, his franchise was recognised as number one in Australia for top sales in the year. Ever since then, the business has pushed further and remained amongst the top in the industry. His two staff members, Brendan and Jay, are also recognised as number one and ten, respectively, in the country. Tim highlights the hard work and consistency involved in keeping the business going, whilst his family, with a special mention of wife Michelle, have been a pillar of support. “You’ve got to be all in with support on all fronts,” he said, stating that ultimately it pays off – even with the impacts of COVID-19, the business was only off the road twice for a couple of weeks in the last two years. Snap-on is a leading manufacturer of premium tool and equipment solutions. The unique franchise model transports Snap-on’s tool range direct from workshop-to-workshop via dedicated franchisees like Tim Tredrea. Snap-on invites you to become a franchise owner with Snap-on Tools to drive your own success and discover how to be a part of one of the longestrunning, successful franchises in the world. For more information, visit www.snaponfranchise.com.au or start your conversation on 1800 810 581.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION BRINGS BAPCOR TO THE FOREFRONT

BAPCOR Limited is undergoing a complete digital transformation of its customer facing and backend business systems

Australasia’s largest automotive aftermarket specialist company says this highly detailed project was instigated to introduce innovative business technology systems to best suit the retail, trade, wholesale, and inventory management requirements of BAPCOR’s well known and respected automotive aftermarket companies. BAPCOR says it has identified the key areas for automotive business efficiency improvements through industry dialogue, developing a total automotive parts sourcing, ordering, and quoting system for Burson Auto Parts (Australia and Thailand) and BNT (NZ) trade customers. One of BAPCOR’s most significant customer facing technology projects has been the upgrading of EZYParts - BAPCOR’s online parts ordering system for workshop customers. BAPCOR’s trade customers across Australia, New Zealand and Thailand can use their computers, mobile phones, or tablet devices to gain immediate access to pricing, stock/inventory levels and the location of the parts they need to ensure faster and more accurate part identification through the input of a vehicle registration or VIN number. BAPCOR says it will continue to invest in this trade online customer ordering system to constantly develop, update and improve it for use by its workshop customers. BAPCOR has also introduced a new and exciting business generating digital platform to support Australia’s independent automotive workshops. The company has developed its own online vehicle service booking platform known as ENJI. Accessible now at www.enji.com.au, this is a website that consumers can use for the sourcing of quotations and booking for automotive service and repair work. Whether it is logbook servicing or parts or consumable component replacements, this unique online platform provides consumers with quotations for the work required from vehicle workshops in their area. The application enables the customer to see the time required to complete the work and they can schedule a date and time, all without picking up a telephone. Best of all, workshop listings on www.enji.com. au are available free of charge to all automotive workshops nationwide regardless of network or franchise affiliation. This online platform delivers customers to automotive workshops, taking away most of the cumbersome and often time-consuming office administration work associated with explaining, quoting, and scheduling bookings. The next step in this development is the integration of Enji with the EZYParts system. This will ensure that Burson’s workshop customers will have the parts that they need for every www.enji.com.au originated service or repair booking and remove the manual process of figuring out the parts necessary and ordering them. Also, a convenient online payment service, along with UBER integration for the customer’s ride to work or home while their car is being serviced will be available soon. Alongside this company’s leading automotive trade business, BAPCOR is also a major player in the Australian automotive aftermarket retail sector through its highly successful Autobarn and Autopro store networks, with over 200 store locations. A new, responsive, highly detailed, and userfriendly Business to Customer E-Commerce solution has also been developed for the BAPCOR retail store network. This makes the online sourcing of vehicle tools, accessories, and parts faster and easier for consumers. Mobile phone access was a key design consideration of this online resource as this has proven to be the preferred search tool for retail customers. When purchasing products, the customer has the option to choose either “click and collect” or to organise delivery. The new retail online E-Commerce system complements the revamped Autobarn and Autopro store format, enhancing the overall customer experience. Major technological advances have also been made by BAPCOR with the opening of the company’s state of the art 50,000 square metre Victorian Distribution Centre in Tullamarine. Together with Schafer, one of the world’s leading Goods to Person technology innovators, BAPCOR companies are now enjoying the benefits of this custom designed semi-automated product picking system which represents a technological first for the Australian automotive aftermarket industry. The new BAPCOR Goods to Person system accommodates no fewer than 85,000 totes, with the ability to pick 600 lines per person per hour. Along with major improvements in Warehouse Management System (WMS) efficiency, significant environmental benefits are also being achieved including reductions in energy and resource usage across lighting, water, packaging, and transport. BAPCOR will save an estimated $10 million per year in operating costs though this new facilities technology. BAPCOR Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Darryl Abotomey, says this proactive Australian automotive aftermarket industry leader is committed to constantly developing its digital transformation projects. For more information, visit www.bapcor.com.au

BAPCOR Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Darryl Abotomey.