Q&A with MTA Member: Auto One Port Augusta

Photo: MTA CEO, Darrell Jacobs, visiting Auto One Port Augusta

Name of Business:

Auto One Port Augusta and Drop Bear 4x4 & Leisure

Why are you a member of the MTA?

To be kept in the loop of our rapidly changing industry. To utilise the expertise on offer for everything from payroll and employment, staff recruitment and training to legal advice and support.

Can you tell us about the upgrade of your premises?

We became an ARB stockist in mid 2017. We had previously dabbled in the ever growing 4x4 market but when the ARB stockist position became available we jumped at the chance to be associated with one of the industry leaders.

Our Auto One showroom was around 600m2 and we were struggling for room even before our 4x4 expansion.

When did this occur, and did it all go according to plan?

Planning started in late 2017, with construction starting around Christmas 2021.

We unsuccessfully applied for a number of government grants which held up the process a few years. We also had numerous issues through the building approval process. Being situated on the highway we required State Government approval along with local council.

We were finally ready to begin when the chaos of COVID turned the construction world upside down. Material shortages and cost blow outs continually pushed out our timeframe.

How has the move made a difference?

Our renovations are 99% completed. We now have a modern, spacious facility. Our showroom is now around 1000m2 with a dedicated ARB showroom. We have now dualbranded our facility with Drop Bear 4x4 & Leisure being our 4x4 offering and Auto One Port Augusta being our general automotive parts and accessories business.

We now have dedicated warehousing space and three fitting bays to bring all fitting onsite.

Can you tell us the history of your business?

We are a third generation, family owned and operated business.

Our business started as a backyard car repair business in the early 1980s. We soon took on the lease of a Mobil Service Station at our current location, quickly adding a dedicated workshop.

We purchased the site when Mobil began closing outlets during the fuel crisis of the late 1980s.

The premises was transformed into an Automotive Spare Parts shop, initially to service our own workshop’s needs but quickly servicing other workshops in town.

We completed our first major expansion in the early 1990s and diversified into retail parts and accessories sales with a dedicated showroom. We quickly outgrew our facilities and did another major expansion in 1998, pushing our showroom out to around 350m2.

Numerous renovations and expansions continued over the next 20 years until our current project. Our current project involved incorporating our previous four builds into one cohesive site, finally removing the last remnants of the original service station.

What services/products do you offer?

Sales and fitment of automotive parts and accessories offered under the Auto One and ARB banners.

Number of staff?

Around 13 when fully staffed, currently 12.

Plans for the future?

To consolidate both sides of our business and fully utilise our new modern facilities.

What are your main markets?

Retail automotive parts consumers, with the fast growing 4x4 segment in particular.