FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Ron Poyser, Kirsty Culpitt, Adam Poyser
Poyser Motors: Ron Poyser
Photographer: David Field
“Our business was born in 1979 and started life as Haw Poyser Motors. Nowadays, Poyser Motors is made up of franchises: Holden; Mercedes-Benz passenger, vans and trucks; Isuzu trucks; Freightliner and Sterling. Each of these has its own service and parts sections. We also have a major finance department. Initially, the dealership employed 27 staff but today we have 85 and we’re growing fast. I started in the business after a period of time working as a new and used vehicle sales person with the previous Holden dealer in Bendigo. Adam, my son, commenced working with us whilst he was still at school – he washed cars and did many other odd jobs. He has worked in most sections of the business over the years and spent time working for a metropolitan dealership. Now he is the dealer principal and is enjoying the challenge of taking the dealership to the next level. My daughter Kirsty plays a very important role in the finance department. She has had many years experience as a business manager, including time at a large Melbourne dealership. Both Adam and Kirsty have taken advantage of the abundant industry training through our franchises and industry professionals. The automotive business is extremely competitive and requires full participation by management, as the margin for error is so fine – which is why many
small dealerships find it difficult to compete in this volume-orientated market place. We have many goals yet to attain, and I know that Adam is very conscious of the need for continuous improvement and of assisting staff to reach their full potential. It’s very important that staff receive training, encouragement, and that they set future goals – all this within a great team environment. One of the most significant business decisions we have made is the move to Epsom four years ago to a site that can conservatively be described as the largest in provincial Australia and is larger than most metropolitan Melbourne dealerships. The best thing about working in a family business is the earthiness of the natural culture that flows – respecting your staff just as a family respects its own members. If you’re thinking of starting a family business, make sure the family members involved are passionate about the business, have the ability to succeed and that they totally understand their role. Poyser Motors is very community focused, and supports many local charities and sporting organisations. Our preferred area of support is welfare as we believe that this area is the unfortunate, sometimes forgotten, legacy of today’s affluent and fast moving society.” ➤
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