Andrew Weston, Josh Dombroski, and David MacKenzie at Waitara’s Brixton Motors. “The Black Book is an enjoyable read and it’s great to see lots of suppliers and helpful information,” says Brixton’s Amanda Dombroski
Blackfern — doing business the Kiwi way THE BLACKFERN CO-OPERATIVE IS LAUNCHING ITS SECOND BLACKFERN BLACK BOOK. DIRECTOR ROGER CASTLETON TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SURVEY THE BUYING GROUP LANDSCAPE here’s a new team on the block offering a fresh take on New Zealand’s automotive supply industry. When I say I’m talking about the Blackfern Co-operative some of you will say that’s not new! In one sense you’d be right — the co-operative was created in late 2014 but it is now breaking fresh ground on a number of fronts. Yes, there are alternative buying groups out there that do some great stuff but some target signing up as many supplier companies as possible. That is great for their revenue, but cooperative buying groups work best when they enable all stakeholders in the co-operative relationship to sustain and add value. When a group becomes very large it begins to lose its advantage and appeal except for ‘convenience only’. It appears to those of us who have been in the industry for 20 years or more that the landscape is ‘flattening out’ again to the point where everyone is yet again trading in the same market with little point of difference — except that there’s a third party now in the trading relationship. It’s clear many people, especially suppliers, are once again looking for an alternative to the status quo. That’s where Blackfern is offering something new. Joining a co-operatively principled local alternative is one of the most effective ways to challenge the current status quo.
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Auto Channel Issue #39 September 2021
ADDED VALUE However, aside from the opportunity to support a band of New Zealand businesses loyal to each other, this alternative has to have business benefits. Now that Blackfern has gone through the first phase of establishing the business the team is working on a range of added value platform initiatives that will add value beyond the key advantage of early payment through one easy account. These include access to business information and technology, and also access to vehicle data platforms the latter is to be launched within the next eight weeks — watch this space. Also Blackfern has created an online parts finder provision which will make it easier for members to locate and purchase the right part, quickly from their smartphone and without the “rigmarole” of logging in everytime. This service is free to both the member and supplier. Of course, there are many other advantages to being a Blackfern member which include access to easy terms on equipment purchases; an easy-touse discounted Bunnings PowerPass card; tailored workshop insurance option for workshops through Farmer Mutual Group (FMG); useful and robust workshop templates; and a provision for members to credit check potential customer risk. There are
Foundation Blackfern member Les Doherty of Doherty Autos, Martinborough, finds the pictures in the Black Book a handy quick reference
AS Group based in Paraparaumu is a Blackfern supplier of auto electrical parts. AS Group’s Blair Rosson says the Black Book is an easy-to-use and cost efficient way of bringing in new business
