Introducing Blackfern’s third Blackbook

BLACKFERN DIRECTOR ROGER CASTLETON PRESENTS THE LATEST EDITION OF THE BLACKFERN COOPERATIVE’S BLACKBOOK

On behalf of everyone in the Blackfern Cooperative, I’m pleased to say the third edition of The Blackbook is included in this issue of Auto Channel.

This edition contains a quick reference to Blackfern suppliers within the index. The following pages are of those suppliers advertising their products and branch locations. The Blackbook continues to grow in line with the cooperative’s growth — indeed Blackfern is proud to say it now has more than 1300 members throughout New Zealand.

Blackfern Cooperative is a local, home-grown alternative for repair workshops seeking products which can be billed on one simple statement, which at the same time supports fellow members of the cooperative. Participation rewards members not only with competitive pricing but also, in many cases, with very competitive rewards upfront. That’s all part and parcel of being a member, alongside locking in the benefits of bulk buying power from these suppliers, and the convenience of one account.

Members also enjoy several options for redeeming their reward points — be sure to enquire about these options through our website,

From left, Tim Peters, Kye Ford (OurAuto), Roger Castleton (CEO in gumboots) Richmel Castleton, Jim Lockwood, Stephen Coombes, Chris Lambie, Fliss Wilson, George Rose and Jason Diamond

blackfern.coop, or contact your local Blackfern area manager.

Blackfern now offers an ever-expanding variety of suppliers specialising in under car, batteries, tyres, lubricants, digital technologies, insurance, credit checking services, and even hardware through Bunnings.

Recently, Blackfern has noticed a marked increase in turnover through our suppliers. Sure, some of this is no doubt due to increased shipping costs and a challenged New Zealand dollar, but many suppliers report an increase in the number of members now using them throughout New Zealand.

We like to think this may be due to how well the facilitation system works using tools like Blackfern’s E-bits which allows members to search for suppliers on their smartphones and also send enquiries without logging in, or at any cost. We also take satisfaction in the quality of the adverts contained within The Blackbook, as that validates the value and trust these suppliers place in Blackfern. Make sure you sit down with a hot drink and enjoy flicking through the pages. You might be pleasantly surprised!

Our fundamental focus at Blackfern is providing great service for all the stakeholders through Kiwis dealing with Kiwis. We aim to make this happen by providing the tools that help repairers address their changing needs for the long term.

Despite the challenges of Covid, the Blackfern office and field team recently got together in the setting of our rural South Wairarapa office with some guests to recognise our progress so far, discuss the opportunities for the future, and to remember to have a bit of fun.

With the onset of warmer weather, be sure to keep your eye out for a trade show in your region.

If you are interested in being a Blackfern member or supplier be sure to contact us through our website — blackfern.coop — or by calling me, Roger, on 0272 522 533. Let’s talk!

Tridon making the right connections

TRIDON MANUFACTURES A RANGE OF AUTOMOTIVE FITTINGS, DISTRIBUTING THESE AND AUTO-ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THROUGH TWO NEW ZEALAND DISTRIBUTION CENTRES

Tridon has made its name over the past 30 years by developing and manufacturing solid band and perforated worm drive hose clamps. However, it also manufactures T-bolt heavy-duty hose clamps as well as exporting to Japan, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

The components are manufactured at TS16949, ISO9001 and ISO14001 accredited sites with ISO 45001 OHS management Toledo, Matson, and Sykes-Pickavant are also Tridon trademarks.

In addition to clamps, Tridon sells auto-electrical components — including engine management components, switches, sensors, and ignition parts — as well as thermostats, caps, wipers, and even cable ties. It has two distribution centres in New Zealand which also supply automotive and industrial wholesalers in New Zealand.

Tridon’s website, tridon.co.nz, has a comprehensive product list, technical information, downloadable catalogues, and new products are added in real time. It offers a same-day dispatch service, same-day delivery in city areas, and a fully automated reorder process.

Products are managed and dispatched using processes that ensure the right product goes to the right customer at the right time. Logistics are controlled by barcode to eliminate picking errors. Product delivery is tracked through links to freight company computers and Tridon can also communicate directly B2B with customers and suppliers using EDI, XML, and similar technologies, further eliminating potential errors.

Over the past 10 years, Tridon has invested heavily in manufacturing and is now the leading quality accredited hose clamp manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere. Its team of highly qualified engineers and technicians is constantly improving product performance and developing new products and processes.

Tridon New Zealand Limited was established in 1986 with warehouse and operations based in Auckland, and has since added a warehouse in Christchurch. Tridon NZ is part of the Tridon Australia group of companies which includes companies operating in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

For more information or to see the product range, visit tridon.co.nz.

Premium quality. Extensive range. We’ve got it covered.

Four Seasons in one day

IT SEEMS FITTING, DOESN’T IT, THAT A TOWN BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF HYDROPOWER, BACK WHEN HORSES WERE BEING PHASED OUT, WOULD ONE DAY COMBINE LAND, AIR, AND WATER POWER TO PRODUCE A GRAND DISPLAY OF ENERGY.

Barry Raymond and the team behind Mangakino Lake Hop have been stepping up the event year on year. Now, in its fourth year, the Hop is run in conjunction with the annual Rotorua swap meet. People tend to make a weekend of it, attending the Lake Hop in Mangakino on Saturday, then heading over to Rotorua for the Central North Island Swap Meet.

The Hop takes place tucked into the banks of Lake Maraetai, and makes full use of the grass that stretches along the coast of the Mangakino Lakefront Reserve and Golf Club to show off hundreds of modified and fantastic original muscle cars, classics, imports, Euros, trucks, bikes, you name it; the Lake Hop is not short on variety.

Unfortunately, a week of consistent rain was playing on a lot of minds leading up to the event. This dampened some spirits and affected the turnout of vehicles on the day, but didn’t stop the punters turning up in their droves. We can’t

help thinking this was quite possibly due to word getting out about the 25-odd food vendors serving up steaming plates of all our favourite street eats. Keeping the food vendors company was a similar number of market stalls offering all sorts, from novelty road signs to home baking, metal art, and everything in between.

Demand was hot and pre-booking was essential to get a ride touring the skies above the region with Chopper Worx in the company’s Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter. If you prefer your motor attached to a hull rather than four wheels, there was plenty of eye candy both on and off the water, with teams like Total Chaos Formula 1 making the trip down from Hamilton to thunder up and down the Waikato River for a show. There were even

a number of hardy water-sports enthusiasts out there smashing wakes! The proximity to the water gives the event a real point of difference.

Standing back to take in all of the action, Barry shares: “We get a real buzz walking over the hill once all the cars are in, looking at what we’ve created.”

Plans are to continue expanding the event — same time next year — adding entertainment, and stretching out the real estate on offer to increase the number of attendees and make Mangakino a destination that is not just for water-sports enthusiasts.

“If you got something that’s a cool ride, and you’re bloody proud of it, and you want to show it, we’ll take ya,” says Barry.