What’s ahead in 2025?
Hear from Brad what's happening at Capricorn this year.
Calendar of events
New South Wales
Western Australia
SA Golf Day
28 February 2025
Yorke Peninsula Trade Show 26 March 2025
Queensland
Townsville Trade Show 5 March 2025
Rockhampton Trade Show 2 April 2025
QLD Trade Expo 22 May 2025
Wagga Wagga Roadshow 18 March 2025
Illawarra Roadshow 20 March 2025
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra Roadshow 19 March 2025
Albany Trade Show 5 March 2025
WA Golf Day 14 March 2025
Kalgoorlie Trade Show 20 March 2025
Karratha Trade Show 1 May 2025
Victoria Gippsland Member Night 2 April 2025
The events advertised include current and planned events (which are subject to change). To get tickets or view a planned event’s status, log in to myCAP and click on events. For further information please contact our Events team.
CEO’s message
Welcome back to 2025. I’m thrilled to be writing my first Ignition message to you as your new Group CEO. It is an absolute honour and privilege to be asked to lead our cooperative.
I have been part of the Capricorn team for 17 years. In that time I've worked across many parts of the business and have developed a deep understanding of what is truly unique about it. For the last five years I've had the privilege of leading the Automotive team as the CEO.
What drives me each and every day is the opportunity to make a difference to our Community of Members, Preferred Suppliers and the Capricorn team. The Capricorn Community is special and I truly enjoy working with, and for, you all. Improving Member's lives by supporting them in building stronger businesses is and will remain our absolute focus.
In this month’s Ignition, we’ll dive into what’s ahead in 2025. This includes new software we have been working on that we hope will give you time back and make running your business easier. We are also enhancing our Rising Stars award with greater recognition opportunities.
Providing our Community with information about the changing industry, so you can make decisions about your business and position yourself for the future, is something we will continue to focus on this year. Last year, as part of the 2024 State of the Nation report, we launched the Capricorn Confidence Index. We wanted to build on the research, so we undertook additional research with end consumers. The results provide a fascinating insight into how the cost-ofliving crisis is affecting your customers and their decision-making when it comes to automotive service and repair. The findings (shared in this edition of Ignition) might not be what you expect!
For each of us at Capricorn, each day represents the opportunity to work hard, have fun and make a difference to our Community. I was delighted for two of our Members who, by using their Capricorn Trade Account, won a holiday to Vietnam in our competition last year. Corey Ashworth of New Zealand and Craig Kelsh of South Australia enjoyed a trip of a lifetime to Vietnam with their families and friends. It sounds like they had a brilliant time and some fun along the way. The Capricorn team were thrilled to be able to offer such an amazing prize and opportunity for our Members to win a well-deserved break all for using their Trade Account.
I look forward to leading Capricorn as your new Group CEO. I am committed to continuing to support you in building a stronger business and navigating the industry together in the years to come. I hope you have an amazing year ahead. Capricorn, the business you own, will be with you every step of the way.
4 WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2025?
Your roadmap to a stronger year with Capricorn.
8 DREAM HOLIDAY TO VIETNAM
Craig shares his experience after winning a trip with Capricorn.
10 FUTURE RIDE: CADILLAC SOLLEI
Are land yachts making a comeback?
14 HOW PRICE SENSITIVE ARE CUSTOMERS?
Advice for navigating cost-of-living pressures.
16 SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE
Reconcile your transactions in minutes with SwiftStatement.
18 SEMA SHOW
Join us for another mind-blowing trip to Las Vegas.
21 AUTOCARE 2025
Two transformative days of learning and networking.
24 IS GROWTH POSSIBLE IN 2025?
5 key areas you should be focusing on.
Brad Gannon Group CEO
All information, material and content in this edition of Ignition is provided or sourced by Capricorn Society Limited (“Capricorn”) for general information only and is not intended to be advice or comment on any particular matter or subject. Before acting on any information in this edition of Ignition you should consider the relevance of it to your own circumstances and, if necessary, take professional advice. Any opinions expressed in an Ignition article are those of the relevant individual author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Capricorn. Capricorn makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any material (including without limitation, any third party authored article or supplier advertisement in respect of which Capricorn merely acts as conduit) included in this edition of Ignition. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Capricorn, its officers, employees, agents and representatives disclaim any and all liability to you or any other person for any loss or damage whatsoever connected with: i. reliance on any material in Ignition; or ii. any inaccuracy, error or omission in any material in Ignition. If you’d like to stop receiving a printed copy of Ignition, you can opt-out at any time by logging into myCAP and updating your Account settings and Communication Preferences.
What’s ahead in 2025?
What does 2025 have in store for you and your business?
Whether this is a year for growth and investment, rationalisation and consolidation, or even getting ready for retirement, one thing is certain—Capricorn will be there to help make doing business easier.
2025?
Capricorn’s new Group Chief Executive Officer, Brad Gannon is excited to be leading the organisation in 2025.
“Capricorn’s here to make our Members’ lives easier and their businesses’ stronger. This year we’ll continue to work with our Community to introduce a range of initiatives and innovations to make Members’ businesses more efficient.”
More efficient accounting
“Capricorn’s purpose hasn’t changed in 50 years, but the technology around us certainly has—both in the workshop and in the office,” Brad said.
“Many Members are now using accounting software that allows them to reconcile their invoices. We know all too well that this can be a time-consuming and tedious task, so to make life easier for Members we’ve partnered with Spenda to introduce SwiftStatement.”
“SwiftStatement connects your accounting software with your Capricorn Trade Account, automating and simplifying the reconciliation process.”
Member Stefania Cagnana, from Swan Tyre Service in Western Australia, said SwiftStatement saves her a lot of time and has improved their workshop efficiency.
“As a small business, we’re always looking for efficiencies, and the ability to match an already entered invoice without having to do a manual check is just amazing for us,” she said.
SwiftStatement will allow Members to spend more time in their businesses by providing seamless invoice matching, making finding missing transactions easy, and improving business insights.
If you want to know more, ask your Area Manager or log in to myCAP for details.
Changes to Capricorn Rising Stars
Capricorn is also committed to making a difference in our industry as a whole, and this year we’re expanding our successful Rising Stars award to recognise more apprentices than ever before.
“In 2025, there will be a finalist from each zone, with one overall winner selected from them,” Brad said.
Rising Stars was launched in 2018 as a way to recognise future leaders in the industry. It both encourages Members to recognise great apprentices and opens up incredible opportunities for the apprentices who take part.
“If you ask past winners, they will tell you about how the award gave them confidence, a profile in the industry, and helped them achieve great things. We’re really proud of this.”
Tackling the skills shortage
Speaking of Rising Stars, our apprentice of the year award is also one way Capricorn is helping tackle the skills shortage.
“We know that the skills shortage is an ongoing challenge for the industry, and we believe that by celebrating the best of our apprentices we can encourage more young people to join and stay in our industry,” Brad said.
He also said the changing nature of the industry is an opportunity to attract a wider pool of people to automotive apprenticeships.
“Cars are now ‘computers on wheels’ and the skills required to service vehicles are far wider and technology-based than in any previous generation,” Brad said. “There is hope in the industry that the new technology will attract new talent, with anecdotal evidence from young people in the industry saying that the opportunity to work on technology-based vehicles is an exciting part of the industry’s future.”
See you in Cefalù!
We're also pleased to announce that our next Convention will be held in Cefalù in Sicily, Italy, in June 2026.
“Running a business can feel like all work and no play sometimes, and we know our Members sometimes struggle to get time away from the workshop,” Brad said. “Our Conventions are a fantastic opportunity for Members to network with others in the Capricorn Community and have some fun along the way.”
Cefalù is a stunning seaside town, with ancient buildings, inviting beaches and vibrant streets. Between the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean and the rugged mountainous landscapes of the Madonie National Park, it’s an idyllic location for a getaway.
The Convention will be held at a Club Med, so it is all-inclusive. Head to cap.coop/convention to register your interest now.
“If you’re planning to get away on a European holiday in 2026, then make the Capricorn Convention a part of your trip,” Brad said.
“If you can’t make it along, don’t forget to take some time off to have a break and relax.”
Join us in picturesque Cefalù, Sicily for our 2026 Convention.
MEET THE LUCKY WINNER OF A DREAM HOLIDAY TO VIETNAM
Back in June last year, all Members were given the chance to win an 11-day all-expenses-paid trip to Vietnam, worth $22,500, just by buying $600 worth of tyres from a Capricorn
Members who made a purchase were automatically entered into the competition, with two winners chosen at random. The winners were able to bring four friends or family members along with them on this unforgettable trip of a lifetime. One of the lucky winners was Craig Kelsh of Venus Plains Logistics in Streaky Bay, South Australia. Craig runs a farm business, a trucking company and the local mechanical workshop.
“So, I’m always buying tyres— truck tyres especially,” Craig said. “I’d seen the promo for the competition but I didn’t sort of think too much about it until I got the phone call to say I’d won it!”
Craig is a regular traveller but, running several businesses, finding time to get away takes a lot of coordination.
“Luckily the trip to Vietnam was for the fifth of October, because if it was November I wouldn’t have been able to go because it would have been into harvest time. So, it was just perfect.”
The trip was for five people, so Craig took his wife, one of his wife’s friends, and another couple. They enjoyed an 11day guided holiday, alongside the New Zealand competition winners, with a local guide from Wendy Wu Tours, organised by Capricorn Travel*. The prize included international flights with Singapore Airlines, all accommodation and meals, transportation, attractions, and a tour guide. The itinerary included a two-day boat cruise on Halong Bay and a cultural show, The Quintessence of Tonkin.
“The guide met us at the airport and he was with us the whole trip,” Craig said. “He was a fantastic guy. There wasn’t a thing he didn’t know about Vietnam. Everything went like clockwork; we didn’t have one hiccup the whole time.”
Craig had travelled to Vietnam before, on a pilgrimage to learn more about the Vietnam War. This time, he said, he learned a lot more about Vietnam as a country and about its people.
“We didn’t just see the flashy stuff. We learned about the culture. We ate all Vietnamese food. The whole trip was great; there’s nothing that I didn’t enjoy about it,” he said.
Craig was full of praise for both Capricorn Travel and the guide from Wendy Wu.
“We got to look at the highs of the country, and the lows, and just learn so much about it,” he said.
“Our guide really made the trip. It was just so well organised. It lived up to expectation—probably better than expectation.”
*Capricorn Travel Australia Pty Ltd/ ACN 008 926 645 / ATAS Accreditation No: A10552
FUTURE RIDE
SOLLEI CADILLAC
SOLLEI
In the 1950s, 60s and early 70s, American car manufacturers were making magnificent, massive luxury cars: the Lincoln Continental, the Cadillac Sixty Special Brougham, and the Chrysler New Yorker, among others.
They were dubbed “land yachts” because of their enormous size and comfort. As auto journalist Jim Sutherland once put it, they were designed “for the open road where living room – comfortable seats made the front seat seem like a plush couch with a windshield and steering wheel in front of it”. Often, the suspension was as soft as the seating, so that those riding inside really did feel like they were bobbing about in a boat on the seas.
Thanks to a couple of extinction-level events, the land yachts all but disappeared. The oil shocks of 1973 and 1979 saw petrol prices go up, and vehicle sizes come down.
But, half a century later vehicles have evolved once more, and with a new generation of electric cars taking to our roads, could the land yachts finally return?
Cadillac seems to think so.
In July last year, they released their SOLLEI concept—a luxury coach-built electric convertible that harks back to the golden age of the land yacht, when the Cadillac Eldorado was the last word in style.
There aren’t any tech specs for concept available, but the car is essentially a convertible version of the four-door electric Celestiq, with a longer body. It has almost the same front end, long coupe doors and a low tail, and there’s speculation it’ll have the same Ultium powertrain as the Celestiq, with two electric motors and a 111 kWh battery.
The name SOLLEI is a portmanteau of “Sol”, meaning sun, and “Lei”, meaning leisure.
“SOLLEI reimagines the discovery of travel, envisioning a personalised driving experience that connects one with the natural world around them,” Cadillac’s design director Erin Crossley said.
Presumably, the “natural world around them” is a bowl of custard because Cadillac has painted their concept a buttery yellow for all their promotional material. (In fact, the exterior is finished in “Manila Cream”, a colour originally used on Cadillacs in 1957 and 1958.)
Being a concept, the car has the expected level of experimentation. The SOLLEI’s console charging mats and door map pockets have been made using an innovative bio-based material developed using mushrooms.
SOLLEI CADILLAC
The vehicle comes with zoned ambient lighting, with 126 colour options in each zone, so you can “evoke specific moods and personalise the interior ambience”. There’s sunburst wooden marquetry on the back of the driver and passenger seats. The rear seats have a fully integrated beverage chiller, with a “power glass door” and crystal glasses. Most bonkers of all, “SOLLEI caters to bird-watching connoisseurs” with a custom brushed metal and leather-wrapped case that houses 3D-printed acrylic bird calls, a leather-bound journal with handpainted bird illustrations and a leather tool roll for pens and pencils. What was going on in the meeting where that detail was prioritised?
For all that, the SOLLEI exudes sophistication and style.
The uninterrupted surfaces and stretched A-line emphasise the vehicle’s length, while the low tail design—with its thin light bar across the boot lid and illuminated risers that give a nod to the fins of old—create elegant proportions. The mid-body line seamlessly connects the headlamp to the taillight, unifying the car’s design. Conventional door handles are replaced with discrete buttons helping to enable the clean profile line. Design-wise, there’s plenty to enjoy here. This is a completely modern design, inspired by vintage Cadillac elegance—a car fit to rival the Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet and the Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 Cabriolet concept.
The concept was unveiled at Cadillac House at Vanderbilt, the newly restored, stateof-the-art facility at GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. Cadillac says:
“This location is dedicated to providing a bespoke design experience for Cadillac Celestiq clients.” Which is as clear an indication as any that we shouldn’t expect to see too many SOLLEIs on the road. These will be custom-commissioned vehicles, based on the Celestiq.
“Each is a singular work of art, able to be customised to reflect the tastes, preferences and personality of its owner,” Cadillac said.
So, does the SOLLEI herald the dawn of a new age of land yachts? Probably not. Most of us are unlikely to ever see a SOLLEI in our lifetime—in butter yellow or in any other colour. But it’s nice to think that big, beautiful cars might not be extinct after all. Who knows what the future holds?
Images by Cadillac
Are customers as price sensitive as you think?
How aftermarket businesses can navigate cost-of-living pressures.
With almost daily headlines about the cost-of-living crisis, it’s tempting to think our customers must be more price sensitive than ever. But is that necessarily true?
New research from Capricorn suggests car owners are more likely to prioritise the skills of their mechanic and previous experience at a workshop when deciding where to get their car serviced. Price has less influence than we might first imagine.
In June 2024, Capricorn surveyed more than 1,500 motorists in Australia, specifically asking what factors influenced their decision when choosing where to get their vehicles serviced or repaired. The results shed light on consumer priorities, offering a clear understanding of how motorists approach the decision-making process in an industry often dominated by competing service options and a prejudice that price is the key component that consumers take into consideration.
The results of the research revealed surprising insights to what truly matters to consumers when it comes to selecting a service provider.
From a total of 17 factors consumers were presented with, the top answers were (in order):
The skills and training of the mechanics
Having done a good job in the past
The reputation of the workshop Trust in the staff
Familiarity with my car
One of the most significant findings from the survey is that price was not ranked as the top factor for most respondents. While cost remains a consideration, it was ranked much lower in importance compared to the quality of service, trustworthiness, and reputation of the service provider. In fact, price was found to be neither a "strongly important" nor "unimportant" factor for most consumers. Analysis of the responses suggests consumers understand that the lowest price often also means that they are getting a lower-quality repair, and they are looking for value for money instead. Consumers tend to use terms like “reasonable price”, “fair price” and “don’t overcharge”.
"They do a thorough, good job, do not overcharge and explain everything they did" said one respondent.
But we know Members feel customer price sensitivity is having an effect on their businesses. Our State of the Nation survey, carried out around the same time as the consumer research, found 45 per cent of Members reported price sensitive customers within the top three business challenges due to cost-of-living pressures.
Capricorn’s consumer research suggests customers are responding to economic uncertainty by being more hesitant to make big financial commitments, including getting their vehicle serviced.
64% of consumers were delaying large purchases
Only 39% of consumers service their car twice a year
54% had only serviced their car once in the last 12 months
7% hadn’t serviced their car in the last 12 months at all.
The common response to explain this was, “I can’t afford it”.
In such a climate, the temptation may be to discount rates to get customers in the door and keep the workshop busy. But the consumer report suggests that focusing on promoting their expertise and building stronger
relationships with customers may be a better, and more profitable, road forward:
Trumpet your qualifications and certifications to potential customers on your website and social media, in your marketing/ advertising and on the phone.
Take a customer-centric approach that prioritises providing quality service that creates satisfied customers.
Collect testimonials from customers and promote this on your website and social media channels.
Invest in ongoing training and development for your staff to stay ahead of industry trends.
Focus on attracting new customers to counteract existing customers servicing their vehicles less frequently.
By focusing on promoting your skills and delivering a positive customer experience, it’s possible to attract and retain customers, even in a competitive market with cost-conscious consumers.
Managing and reconciling invoices can be a timeconsuming and tedious task. To make life easier for Members, we’ve partnered with Spenda to bring you SwiftStatement, an innovative solution designed to streamline your invoice reconciliation process.
This means that you can now reconcile transactions in minutes rather than hours. The quick and easy set-up integrates directly with your accounting system, saving you time, improving business insights, and boosting efficiency across the board.
Key benefits:
More time for your business: Link your Capricorn Preferred Suppliers once, and SwiftStatement will reconcile matching transactions directly to your accounting system.
Seamless invoice matching: Automatically matches invoices in your system, catching data errors and working with document capture or workshop software.
Easy posting for missing transactions: Highlight and post missing transactions to the correct account individually or in bulk.
Improved business insights: Reconciling each transaction from your Capricorn Trade Account gives you more insight and understanding of your spend with Preferred Suppliers.
What Members are saying about SwiftStatement:
“I would always put off reconciling my statements for as long as I could because it took such a long time and it would be very frustrating. Now I just have to click a button and it takes less than 5 minutes, probably less than two minutes.”
Jade Aurthur, KJA Automotive Services
“As a small business, we’re always looking for efficiencies, and the ability to match an already entered invoice without having to do a manual check is just amazing for us. It saves us a lot of time and it’s efficient.”
Stefania Cagnana, Swan Tyre Service
“Before I would always wait for the Capricorn statement and I always felt like I was a month behind. Now, with the click of a button, it’s done daily, I do it all within ten minutes and I just feel like the stress is gone.”
Marissa Magistro, Autodelta
*Members using eligible accounting platforms can trial SwiftStatement for free for the month you sign up and the prior month. You will be charged $99 p/m (including GST) to your Capricorn Trade Account starting on the second day of the month following sign up unless you cancel beforehand. For example, if you sign up for a trial in November, you can reconcile September and October, and you will not be charged if you cancel by 1 December.
JOIN US FOR ANOTHER MINDBLOWING TRIP TO LAS VEGAS FOR THE
SEMA SHOW
It’s the biggest show in the automotive aftermarket and, even if it’s only once in your lifetime, you have to go to SEMA .
Each year around 140,000 people who work in the auto aftermarket, and more than 70,000 auto industry buyers and decision-makers, descend on Las Vegas for a four-day automotive extravaganza.
New products, the latest tools and equipment, the greatest innovations the industry has to offer, concept cars, hot rods, incredible experiences, chances to win amazing prizes, and so much more—it’s all on offer at SEMA.
Andrew Zadow is Capricorn CEO Trade and is responsible for Members and Preferred Supplier services, products, travel and events. He went to the SEMA Show last November and acted as a guide for a group of 19 enthusiastic Members.
“The highlight for me was really seeing where our future is heading,” Andrew said. “The new technology—
and that extends to collision, tyres, electronics, digital servicing, all those bits—is just a feast for the senses.”
“SEMA Show is the apex. This is where basically all the buyers go. You’ll see what’s coming and what we can bring to our market in terms of technology or things you can sell.”
Andrew said it’s also a lot of fun.
“You’ve got the burnouts out the front, the drift racing that's live, the bands and all the monster trucks—where the American individuality and creativity comes to life,” he said. “There’s a lot of fantastic ideas on display that get your imagination going.”
If you’d like to go to SEMA Show this year, it’s on from 4-7 November, in Las Vegas. Contact Capricorn Travel at travel@capricorn.coop to find out how our team can help book your trip.
Andrew Zadow, Capricorn CEO Trade
Gear up for growth at Autocare 2025
Autocare 2025, Australia’s largest automotive training event, is set to return with an unmatched training experience focused on advancing technical skills and driving business growth within the automotive industry.
Hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), Autocare will take place 20-21 June at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), where thousands of technicians, business owners, and industry leaders will gather for two transformative days of learning and networking.
As Australia’s premier automotive training convention, Autocare 2025 will bring together renowned international automotive trainers and Australia’s top experts to present a comprehensive education program tailored for parts, service and repair professionals. The agenda will focus on global trends, cutting-edge technology, and best practices, to equip attendees with the knowledge to stay at the forefront of an evolving industry.
“Autocare 2025 is a vital event for any workshop owner, manager, or technician committed to advancing their career and business,” AAAA CEO Stuart Charity said. “With technology progressing so rapidly, Autocare offers cutting-edge training from top experts and solutions to the most pressing challenges we face.”
“Autocare 2023 was a resounding success, with outstanding feedback from attendees on the value it delivered. We’re working hard to make Autocare 2025 even better, with an exceptional line-up of trainers and speakers soon to be announced,” Stuart said.
Program
Autocare 2025 will feature two distinct training streams for a targeted learning experience.
Technical Training
Providing in-depth, hands-on sessions for technicians and apprentices, covering advanced diagnostics and service for the latest-generation vehicles.
Workshop Management
Focusing on emerging industry and consumer trends, improving profitability, and strategies to futureproof workshops, including best practice approaches to staff recruitment and retention.
Trade Show
The event also features an exciting free Trade Show with over 120 leading companies showcasing the latest products and services. Visitors can engage with exhibitors on the interactive demonstration stage, gaining valuable insights through live displays. The hugely popular Autocare networking event on the show floor returns—a great chance to connect and enjoy the positive atmosphere.
Modifications Summit
The highly successful National Light Vehicle Modifications Summit returns, running side by side with Autocare. The Summit, championed by the AAAA, brings together aftermarket leaders, manufacturers, and regulators to collaborate on national vehicle standards, supporting continued innovation in vehicle modification while navigating regulatory compliance, all to protect the future of the industry.
“Mark your calendars for Autocare 2025. This is the best opportunity to fast-track your technical knowledge, uplift your team, and grow your business,” Stuart added.
PREFERRED SUPPLIER PROFILES
ALSCO NSW/ACT, VIC/TAS, SA/NT, WA
Alsco have been providing hygienic and sanitised professional textile rental services since 1963. Known for their commitment to cleanliness and hygiene, excellence in service, and friendly approach, their services include a commercial linen service, an extensive uniform range, corporate clothing, chef uniforms and rubber floor matting.
For over 50 years they have provided a service that is reliable, cost-effective and carefully tailored to your business. If you’re interested in saving your time and money, think of Alsco - they can take the hassle out of linen, workwear, commercial floor mats, industrial cleaners, First Aid kits, training, washroom hygiene services and scenting in your business to help you focus on what you do best.
ENERGY AUSTRALIA
Choice Energy is an independent, 100% Australian-owned energy firm providing quality solar solutions. Commercial solar with Choice Energy can be a cash-flow-positive solution for automotive businesses looking to reduce costs, remain competitive and take control of their energy bills.
Choice Energy offers Members peace of mind when it comes to optimising their energy spend, with quality commercial solar ensuring the business gets what they need to help offset costs, a 5-year guarantee on power generation and comprehensive post-installation support and servicing.
They apply their expertise in energy assessment and management to show you how to take control of your energy, so you pay less, and use less. They can also provide you with guidance in relation to government incentives that you may be eligible for.
alsco.com.au
4
GWS Chadstone Mitsubishi, Kia, Holden & Suzuki (GSW Group) is a third-generation family-owned business founded in 1930. They are one of the oldest and largest multifranchised dealers in Victoria, offering excellent customer service standards at competitive prices.
Their friendly and experienced staff are passionate about cars and have the expertise to help customers find exactly what they need. They offer fast and efficient delivery, ensuring quick turnaround times for orders. With access to a national parts locating system, they can efficiently meet customer needs. GWS Group also offers an extensive range of parts, including body panels and mechanical components. Their brands include Mitsubishi, Holden, HSV, Honda, Mazda, Suzuki, Kia, and used cars.
Their goal is to provide exceptional value for every dollar spent and always strive to exceed customer expectations.
gws.com.au
14
Master Brake and Clutch Services has been a trusted name in the motor trade since 1973. With over 40 years of trade experience, they have the background to understand and meet customer needs. They specialise in brake and clutch parts, particularly for older and forgotten models. Their extensive knowledge and dedication to quality set them apart in the industry.
As a proud, family-owned business, they are now passing the torch to the second generation. They pride themselves on maintaining high standards and customers frequently praise their excellent service, reasonable prices, and professional, friendly staff.
Master Brake and Clutch Spares is known for their proven reliability and quality, ensuring that every part meets or exceeds the original equipment standards, providing essential parts that keep vehicles running smoothly and safely.
masterbrake@hotmail.com.au
Is growth possible in 2025?
by Geoff Mutton
The recent State of the Nation survey revealed that 70 percent of Capricorn Members were planning on growing their business over the next 12 months. Is this possible given the challenging economic forecasts, or are they being unrealistically optimistic?
Only time will tell if growth is possible this year. But despite the current cost-of-living pressure and dull economic environment, I believe workshop owners have every reason to feel positive about growth prospects in 2025.
While these two limiting factors will likely continue into the beginning of this year, there are many variables still in play. But the overriding consensus among leading economists is that interest rates will start falling by mid-year.
If this plays out as predicted, improved economic conditions could be expected in the second half of 2025.
New car sales started to falter in the last quarter of 2024 and this trend is expected to continue in the first half of this year. The net result of this is that motorists will be holding onto their cars for longer, which is a good thing for the aftermarket repair industry.
The cost-of-living crisis has forced many customers to extend their vehicle service cycles and they are delaying non-essential repairs and
maintenance. These jobs will need to be done eventually, and what usually happens when maintenance is delayed or neglected is that repair issues will grow and become more complex. So don’t be surprised to see a shift in your job matrix in 2025, with bigger and more expensive repair jobs landing in your workshops.
Despite this optimistic forecast for improved economic conditions later in the year, don’t sit back and expect it to happen without any help from your business. Growth will happen only for those who map out a plan and work hard on its execution.
Here are five essential tips to help your business grow in 2025:
Set targets and track performance
It is an undeniable fact that those who spend some time planning and setting targets will achieve a better result than those who don’t. Take the time to set a profit and loss forecast and budget for the business. Don’t neglect other targets like technician performance, average dollar sale, car counts and parts mark-up.
Once targets and goals are set, make the time to sit down each month and review performance against those targets. Discuss the targets and results with your staff and be prepared to bounce ideas off each other. Talk frankly about what went well and what didn’t. Broach ideas from everyone on how things could be done better and how the numbers can be improved.
Improve workshop efficiency
On average only about seven out of ten hours worked by a technician will be charged to a customer. There may be many reasons why this is happening but working smarter rather than harder can usually improve this performance. This is a standalone topic in its own right, but here are some key tips:
Set technician output targets
Review and discuss technician performance
Ensure staff clock on and off jobs accurately
Review vehicle history before starting the job
Charge for diagnostic time
Review and plan out jobs 24 hours before they reach your workshop
Learn when to say ‘no’ and outsource jobs beyond your skill set
Invest in training and access to information
With the likely shift in the nature of your work because of an expected rise in the number of more complex and expensive repair jobs, you will need to be efficient with your diagnostics and repairs. The days of the business owner being the only person able to tackle the more complex jobs may no longer be sustainable.
To be prepared, investment in training and on-the-job experience will be essential for staff.
Having swift and accurate access to data and information will also be imperative. No single data provider has the answer to everything, so consider investing in more than one data subscription.
Use your database
A customer database is the most valuable asset in a business, so it’s imperative that you invest time keeping it up to date and regularly marketing to it.
In 2025 I believe you will get a far greater return on investment from marketing to your own database rather than marketing externally to attract new customers. Over the next 12 months you should consider the following contact points:
Service reminders
Registration and Warrant of Fitness reminders in applicable jurisdictions
Inactive customer follow-ups
Easter and Christmas holiday messages
Seasonal specials related to your geographical area or business niche
Staff retention
There is nothing to indicate any significant change in the technician shortages that have been affecting the aftermarket industry. With fewer
leaving the industry for greener pastures, the industry might expect some improvement in staff retention and stability.
The loss of a key staff member can be detrimental to sales targets and growth plans. It’s imperative that you work very hard on retaining current staff. Review employee compensation, job perks, working conditions, training and career development for all staff members. Take the time to perform an annual employee review to ensure they have goals for the year ahead, and in that process nip any lingering issues in the bud.
Keep your chin up, stay positive and don’t let negative talk about the economy get you down. There will always be anomalies in some areas, but I believe there are many reasons why everyone should take a positive outlook and work to make sure that the industry does improve during 2025.
Fun Zone
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