Ignition Magazine Australia | January 2021

HOLIDAY EDITION 2020

WHAT'S IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET for Capricorn Members? 6

FUTURE RIDE

FORD BRONCO

CAPRICORN TRAVEL - ESCAPADES.

South Australia it's time to explore Kangaroo Island.

BATHURST 1000 CLASSIC

A Supercar season like no other!

MEMBER RIDE:

An amazing transformation of a 1948 Austin K8.

WEBINARS REPLAY

Helping Members improve their business.

David Fraser Group CEO

CEO’s message

Hard work Hard has its work rewards. has its rewards.

Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Prior to 2020 those well intended words may have sounded a little clichéd.

But after a year uncertainty and disruption, I expect this year’s festive season to take on a special meaning for us all as we look to celebrate and spend time with our loved ones.

It was with shared relief that we saw our Members, Preferred Suppliers and team in Melbourne and broader Victoria beat the second wave of the virus to be released from their exhaustive lockdown last month. I have no doubt that these Members will demonstrate the same strength as our New Zealand Members who endured similar restrictions, to benefit from a significant resurgence as the broader community gets back on the road.

Of course, just because 2020 is behind us, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t remain vigilant. COVID-19 resources are still available via capricorn.coop/campaigns/covid-support to help our Members and the broader automotive community stay safe as they keep the doors open.

In this month’s Ignition you’ll also find a number of articles and opportunities to help Members continue to grow their businesses.

Capricorn CFO Wes Smith also takes a look at the recently announced Australian Federal Budget on page 6. Have a read to find out what was announced that could benefit auto repairers and see what you should consider speaking to your accountant about.

On Page 18, Psychologist Dr Marny Lishman provides advice on how to develop a resilient mind set. Even before the pandemic hit, Capricorn’s State of the Nation Report 2020 discovered that 46 per cent of Members had difficulty maintaining a good work-life balance or finding time to take a holiday. This article explores this in more detail to help Members reduce stress and maintain their wellbeing.

If you like the article, Dr Lishman recently led a Resiliency Webinar for Capricorn Members last November. To browse the many other State of Nation webinars and other valuable business content visit capricorn.coop/caphub.

With all new Capricorn Rewards that work as hard as With all new you do!

Capricorn Rewards that workeye as hard as Got your on a new you do! Golf Set? Callaway

DS R A W E R

Now you can get it or Got your eye on a new something better, in Callaway Golf Set? the all new Capricorn Now you can get it or Rewards. something better, in the all new Capricorn Rewards.

Spend your points at capricorn.coop/rewards Spend your points at capricorn.coop/rewards

Sincerely once more, I do wish you and your families a joyous holiday period.

Stay safe, stay strong, and I look forward to ensuring your cooperative continues to work hard for you to help you achieve a productive and profitable year.

Yours cooperatively,

David Fraser Group CEO 2 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

Coming Together to Support One Another Find valuable COVID-19 resources to support your business.

Visit COVID Support at capricorn.coop/campaigns/ covid-support

CONTENTS HOLIDAY EDITION 2020

5

A cool Bathurst boost

8

Capricorn Mutual ‘clean up’ after laundry blaze

Member Voltaic Auto Electrical & Air Conditioning's exciting Bathurst addition!

It was an explosive blaze, taking more than 100 firefighters to put it out.

12

AAAA Important Webinar

16

Bathurst 1000 Classic

Shedding light on mental health during COVID-19.

11 6 20

A Supercar season like no other!

Capricorn Members raise $35k for RFDS

Members have raised $35,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service through this year’s On The Road Again rally.

24

Member Ride: 1948 Austin K8

An amazing transformation of this real people pleaser!

24 Webinars

Watch our State of the Nation webinars on replay!

28

TaTBiz: Managing Bookings

How can a busy workshop consistently find its sweet spot?

14 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 3

2020

CAPRICORN SOCIETY AGM and SOUTH AUSTRALIA/NORTHERN TERRITORY DIRECTOR ELECTIONS We’re proud that in such a disruptive year, Capricorn still returned as much value as possible to Members.

Members earned more than $32.4 million in Capricorn Rewards Points.

A special COVID-19 trade rebate of $13.4 million was declared to Members for trade account purchases throughout the year, and $15.6 million was distributed to shareholders by way of an ordinary dividend of 11 cents/ share. This dividend related to our performance during the 18/19 financial year. An additional $11 million dividend was declared on 30 June 2020 at 7 cents/share, which was paid in August 2020. This was a really positive result for Members in a generally tough year and no doubt a welcome stimulus for workshops badly affected by events.

Thank you to all the Members who participated in Capricorn’s virtual 2020 Annual General Meeting.

It gave me great pleasure as your Chair to first talk about the current environment, including an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on our business. I also outlined Capricorn’s 2019-20 financial performance and provided a brief board update.

Despite the significant environmental impact of COVID-19 across all markets, our trading performance before the pandemic hit us from the second half of March, together with the underlying strength of our business, provided us a solid foundation to withstand the challenges of COVID-19.

For the year ended 30 June 2020, Capricorn Member purchases exceeded A$2.19 billion, up by $145.9 million or 7.15%. This really demonstrates the power of our cooperative model where our Members, Preferred Suppliers and Capricorn all benefit by standing and working together.

Resolution Approved The meeting also approved the selective share buy-back resolution, meaning that Members can continue to unlock value stored in Capricorn shares. In the last financial year, Capricorn returned A$11.5 million to Members through the buy-back scheme.

Thanks once again to those Members who participated in Capricorn’s 2020 Annual General Meeting, whether virtually or by making sure their voice was heard by sending in their votes.

For those who did not make it this year, you can watch the recording of the 2020 Annual General Meeting via the corporate documents section of Capricorn’s website. Alternatively, please consider attending next year as it is a great opportunity to meet your Directors and ask questions. We hope to see you in 2021.

Director Election Vote Count The results of this year’s South Australia and Northern Territory Director elections were announced at the Annual General Meeting.

4 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

In South Australia and the Northern Territory, there were three nominations in total, including one from incumbent Director Mr Peter Stewart.

Peter was re-elected by a ballot of South Australia and Northern Territory Members to serve another 4-year term. The vote count was Peter Stewart 59 votes, Kym Webber 31 votes, and Graham Modra 16 votes.

Congratulations to Peter, who brings to the role his unique skills and experience that will benefit the board and Capricorn and its Members. Peter’s commitment to Capricorn and extensive experience in the automotive industry, in both operational and governance capacities, will be a valuable contribution to the Capricorn board.

Thank you to all Members who participated and all candidates who stood for election. Member participation in the Director election process is very important. The cooperative principle of “democratic member control” is central to Capricorn. It means that the majority of Directors are appointed by Members through a democratic vote. Each Member’s vote is equal, regardless of whether they are the smallest or largest Member.

Mark Cooper Chairman

A COOL BATHURST BOOST FOR PERTH’S VOLTAIC Watching the Bathurst 1000 this year was extra exciting for the team at Perth-based Voltaic Auto Electrical and Air Conditioning.

After winning the “Bathurst Business Boost” competition hosted by CoolDrive Auto Parts, the Welshpool company’s logo adorned the roof of the Team CoolDrive supercar throughout the race.

Voltaic spokesperson Tara Halliday said the Voltaic team watched the race together and there was “a fair bit of anticipation to see the CoolDrive car on-screen”.

“It was pretty exciting; it was good to see our logo getting around the track,” she said.

Between July and August this year CoolDrive, a Capricorn Preferred Supplier, ran a competition giving its customers the chance to win a once-in-alifetime opportunity to be featured on their supercar during Australia’s most famous and beloved car race.

To enter, customers had to either write up to 250 words or create a video of up to 90 seconds explaining how the Bathurst opportunity would be a great boost to their business. The Voltaic team all got involved in creating the video, which the rules of the competition insisted they had to film themselves.

“The competition was a really good opportunity for us,” Tara said. “CoolDrive is our Preferred Supplier for air-conditioning supplies. There is a really good range of products, and they always have availability, so they are super helpful and convenient.”

CoolDrive is one of Australasia’s largest automotive parts distributors and is 100 per cent family owned and operated. During the COVID-19 pandemic the company has been finding new ways to support its customers.

In launching the Bathurst promotion, CoolDrive chief executive John Blanchard said: “There is no doubt that 2020 has been a difficult time for all businesses, our aim through this period is to support our loyal customers the very best we can.”

Like CoolDrive, Voltaic is an Australian-owned and operated business. It has been supplying autoelectrical services across Western Australia since 2017, including repairs, installations, maintenance and fit-outs for fleet vehicles, plants and equipment.

While there were few people at Mount Panorama to watch Voltaic’s logo go around the iconic track, more than 1.5 million watched the race on TV or online.

The CoolDrive supercar, driven by Macauley Jones and Tim Blanchard, finished in thirteenth position.

Image credits CoolDrive

C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 5

What’s in the Federal Budget for Capricorn Members?

The 2020-21 Federal Budget recently announced

by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg was designed to be a sugar hit for a national economy facing the biggest crisis since the Great Depression.

Now that the dust has settled on all the headlines about record debt and spending, tax cuts and incentives for business to hire young people, it’s a good opportunity to take a closer look at what was announced and see how Capricorn Members might be affected by it.

The news is mixed.

Analysing the Treasurer’s plans, Capricorn Group Chief Financial Officer Wes Smith said there wasn’t a significant amount in the budget directly for small businesses as the focus seems to have been more on bringing medium-sized businesses into schemes already offered to small business.

“The personal income tax cuts will probably be the most beneficial initiative offered to our Members, especially for those sole traders, partnerships or Family Trust structures,” Mr Smith said.

• Boosting the Apprentice Wage Subsidy, will hopefully encourage more businesses to take on new apprentices improving skills shortages in the medium term whilst providing salary savings to many small businesses.

Under the Treasurer’s plans for apprenticeships, businesses taking on an apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021 would be reimbursed up to 50% of the apprentice trainee’s wages up to $7000 per quarter.

Mr Smith advised that Members wanting to take advantage of either this apprenticeship scheme or the tax incentives should talk to their accountants.

“A number of the initiatives are tax based, so your accountants will be best placed to advise you around what you may be entitled to based on your specific circumstances,” he said. “If you are experiencing financial stress, you should also discuss your position with your bank and landlord, as both have been offering further support to COVID impacted businesses.”

Having said that, there are some specific initiatives Members should welcome that will create some benefits to their businesses. Mr Smith said these include: • The extension of the instant asset write-off till June 2022, which would allow Members to claim current year tax benefits for capital purchases in the year purchased rather than waiting to receive those tax benefits over the life of the assets.

• Claiming tax losses against prior year tax paid, which would allow Members to unlock cash flow which they may otherwise have waited to claim in future years.

This article does not, nor is it intended to, constitute legal, financial or other independent professional advice.

Please consult your professional adviser before relying on any information contained herein.

6 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

Jesse crafts a Euro workshop success story In February 2015, he turned all that experience into a business of his own: opening his first European autospecialist workshop, Euro Technik North Fremantle. Four years later, he opened a second workshop in Nedlands. He now employs a team of 13 across both sites.

“The goal was always to excel at the service, diagnostics and repairs of a wide variety of luxury vehicles,” he said.

“Building strong relationships with customers is what we do best. We really focus on doing this through open and honest communication… we strive to give our customers an enjoyable experience.

“Feedback from our customers drives us, often telling us they always have a good experience and enjoy our friendly, down-to-earth, and trusted relationship.”

Capricorn Member Jesse Doherty, managing director of Euro Technik in Perth, comes from a family of craftsmen.

“My dad was a metalworker and my grandfather was a woodworker,” he said. “We all love to build things.”

So, it was perhaps inevitable that Jesse would also find a career working with his hands. But it was building a rally car as part of a work experience placement that really propelled him into the automotive industry.

“I was lucky to be offered an apprenticeship, after proving to the boss that I could cope with trigonometry,” he said.

Over the next decade or so, Jesse learned his craft — spending 12 years specialising in German vehicles, and even doing a stint as an engineer on a luxury yacht.

That doesn’t just happen on its own. Jesse said one secret to achieving great customer service is investing time in staff training every week, including training in new technology and products.

But the job of crafting a successful business is not without its difficulties. Jesse said “maintaining the right vibe and culture” in a growing team with a mix of personalities can be challenging. And as a European car specialist in Australia, Jesse said access to technical and diagnostic information programmes and software can be tricky.

But being a Capricorn Member is one way to make business just that little bit easier.

Jesse said being a Capricorn Member means having easy access to quality suppliers “who have good products and good product knowledge and who conduct business in an ethical way”. He said he enjoys the simplicity of having one account, as well as the bonus of rewards points, dividends and shares.

XMAS HOURS

Capricorn Member Profiles

Euro Technik -

TM

Capricorn Mutual ‘clean-up’ after laundry blaze Last September, in the early hours of the morning, a fire engulfed a commercial laundry business next to Fineline Automotive in Botany, New South Wales.

“Our workshop was back in working order in a good time frame, considering the extent of the unforeseen safety concerns and damage that required addressing for our business to be up and running again.

It was an explosive blaze, taking more than 100 firefighters to put it out. By the time it was finally extinguished, the fire had caused extensive damage to Fineline. Smoke and soot had entered the workshop through the ceiling cavity and walls. The office, kitchen, two bathrooms, upstairs room, tools, equipment, roof, stock, electrical wiring, paintwork, the building itself — everything had suffered damage.

“We sincerely appreciate the high standard and level of commitment provided to us by our team at Capricorn Mutual — especially Jamie, for his prompt communication and professional responses in addressing any of our concerns.”

“We called our (risk protection providers), Capricorn Mutual, who instantly put us at ease,” Marea said. “They organised for their assessors, Jamie and Rona, to attend within hours, to assess the damage caused to our building by the fire."

Marea said work on the clean-up and repair job started immediately.

“Due to some areas of extreme damage, the repairs and cleaning took longer than expected, although under the circumstances the construction team (who attended daily and diligently with a large team of workers) made sure work completed was to a high standard,” Marea said.

Fineline has been protected with Capricorn Mutual for about seven years and Marea said this was the first time they’ve had to make a claim.

“We have absolutely no hesitation whatsoever in highly recommending Capricorn Mutual to anyone in the automotive trade requiring insurance protection,” she said.

For more information about protection for your business, talk to your Risk Account Manager, or call Capricorn Risk Services on 1800 327 437.

Contact Capricorn Risk Services 1800 007 022 I info@capricornrisk.com I capricornrisk.com ‘Products sold through Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd (ABN 93 111 632 789) are: (i) discretionary risk protection products issued by Capricorn Mutual Ltd; and (ii) general insurance products issued by a range of insurers and brokered through Capricorn Insurance Services Pty Ltd. Before deciding to acquire any product you should consider the Product Disclosure Statement available from Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd to see if the product is appropriate for you. Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 460893) of Capricorn Mutual Ltd (AFSL 230038) and Capricorn Insurance Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 435197).'

8 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CAPRICORN DIRECTOR? •

Are you looking for personal growth and your next challenge?

•

Do you want to use your experience and industry knowledge to give back to the automotive industry?

•

Would you like to be part of the team that helps shape the future of Capricorn?

If you answered YES to those questions, then becoming a Capricorn director could be the right fit for you.

Capricorn will be looking for energetic and passionate members to join our board of directors. In 2021, director elections will be held for a director in the New South Wales/ACT zone to fill a vacant director position and one for the Victoria/Tasmania zone.

For the elections in 2021, we are introducing a couple of initiatives to provide Members with more information about what it means to be a Capricorn director.

First, we will be holding an online information session at which Russell Becker, Capricorn’s previous chairman and current NSW/ACT director will provide insights into what it means to be a Capricorn director.

These events will not take place until next year and will be hosted at separate times, however, we wanted to flag it now so you could register your interest with us. Participation in these events is not limited to NSW/ACT and Vic/Tas Members, so even if your zone election is not soon, you might still want to attend one or both events.

If you think you might be interested, please email sarah.chamberlain@ capricorn.coop and we will make sure we keep you informed.

Will Bargmann Company Secretary

Second, we will be hosting a minigovernance course so Members can learn more about the role of the board and the requirements to be a director. Again, this event will be hosted virtually.

IT’S DIFFERENT. Mutual Protection provided through Capricorn Risk Services is custom made for auto trades.

Join us!

See how you’re better off with mutual protection from Capricorn Risk Services.

1800 007 022 | info@capricornrisk.com | capricornrisk.com Products sold through Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd (ABN 93 111 632 789) are: (i) discretionary risk protection products issued by Capricorn Mutual Ltd; and (ii) general insurance products issued by a range of insurers and brokered through Capricorn Insurance Services Pty Ltd. Before deciding to acquire any product you should consider the Product Disclosure Statement available from Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd to see if the product is appropriate for you. Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 460893) of Capricorn Mutual Ltd (AFSL 230038) and Capricorn Insurance Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 435197).

TM

Li

m

ite

d

Prices start from

$1,599*

Av a

ila

bi

lit y

per person

Enjoy stunning ocean views in luxury at the Kangaroo Island Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas The Escapade accommodation package includes: •

17-22 MARCH 2021

• • •

AND ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

• • • •

KANGAROO ISLAND

3 nights at luxury island retreat Sea Dragon Lodge and Villas, exclusive to Capricorn Members One and two bedroom villas available Return ferry from Cape Jervis to Penshaw Two nights stay in Glenelg with a day tour to wineries in McLaren Vale including lunch, tastings and a bottle of wine to take home Transfers included Breakfast included in Kangaroo island and Glenelg Welcome dinner Optional additional full day Kangaroo Island tour available at request

Login to capricorn.coop and click on the ‘Events’ tab to register *Flights are not included. Price is per person in a twin share and is subject to availability. Contact Capricorn Travel on 1800 655 077 or email travel@capricorn.coop for full package details or to book flights. Capricorn Travel Australia Pty Ltd / ACN 008 926 645 / ATAS Accreditation No: A10552

TM

Sandra and Romeos

EXCELLENT ESCAPADE Owning three busy Repco-authorised workshops in eastern Adelaide and the city CBD means Romeo and Sandra Bruno not only work long hours, they can find it hard to get away.

So, when Capricorn gave them a chance last year to jet off to tropical Cairns for a few days to join an “Escapade” with other Members, they jumped at it.

restrictions the team is looking for expressions of interest from Members keen to join an Escapade in their own state.

“It was an offer to escape from the business and wind down and Capricorn always puts on a great show, so it ticked all the boxes we needed for us to say ‘alright, let’s do it!’ ”

It’s an idea Sandra was quick to embrace.

About 70 Members joined the Capricorn Travel team in Cairns for a few days of rest and relaxation in August 2019. The team had created what Sandra called “a low-key itinerary” of fun activities, including a day at Fitzroy Island, a sunset Dinner Cruise and other opportunities to meet like-minded workshop owners. Members could take part in as many or as few activities as they liked.

“We had just felt so comfortable with the people we had met,” Sandra said. “We left on a high, feeling like we’d had such a great time. It was something we really needed”.

“As business owners we never get to really wind down. This helped us to really do that.”

The Capricorn Travel & Events team were planning more Escapades but coronavirus-related travel bans and border closures have stopped interstate travel. Undeterred and subject to domestic travel

“I think it’s a brilliant idea because at this point of time when people cannot travel, if people can get away with like-minded people in their own state, I think a lot of people will do it,” she said.

She encouraged every Member, even those who think they cannot possibly get away from the workshop, to “bite the bullet”.

“Let your staff hold the fort for an extra day,” she said.

“You won’t cut a loss. You just need to do it. Get away.

You won’t regret it.”

If you’re interested in a home state Escapade with Capricorn Travel, simply send a short email to events@capricorn.coop with the subject line “Escapades” and your state, and let us know you’re interested in coming along.

We ’d l ov e to ! s e e y o u th e re C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 1 1

Before you check anything else...

START YOUR 30 DAY TRIAL UPGRADE. Only $9.95 to unlock full Autodata diagnostics

An exclusive Member benefit.

Capricorn Service Data gives you instant access to the most comprehensive range of online service information for over 34,000 vehicles.

Login to capricorn.coop/servicedata

COVID-19 HELPING TO FAST TRACK DESTIGMATISATION OF MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESSES

An important webinar run by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has shed light on mental health during COVID-19, with signs the pandemic is helping to break down barriers around mental illnesses in the automotive industry and across society.

COVID-19 has tested how well-prepared businesses are to support staff with their mental health. While many understand the impact the workplace can have on people’s mental health, and conversely, how mental health illnesses can impact productivity and relationships at work, many business managers and team leaders don’t have the tools, strategies and confidence to best manage mental health issues and create a mentally healthy workplace.

As part of the AAAA’s commitment to mental health support of the automotive aftermarket industry, the peak body for 30,000 automotive businesses arranged a special presentation from Beyond Blue, with contribution from GPC Asia Pacific and Bapcor representatives. The webinar provided insights and advice so that business owners, managers and employees can achieve meaningful change for the betterment of their workplaces.

Facilitated by AAAA CEO, Stuart Charity, this member exclusive webinar featured three stand-out speakers on mental health in the workplace: Michael O’Hanlon, Workplace Engagement Manager at Beyond Blue, Aileen Hayes, Executive General Manager People and Culture, GPC Asia Pacific and Alison Laing, Executive General Manager - Human Resources, Bapcor.

Stuart Charity said the mental health webinar was an important presentation for the industry.

“Changes in how society, workplaces and individuals view and deal with mental health issues is going to be a continual process over many years, but we are encouraged by the changes we are seeing.

than ever. Even small inroads in this domain can make a profound difference for employees and break down barriers that can more easily enable conversations around mental health.

“This webinar was full of fantastic, thought provoking ideas and strategies for our members who took part to learn and develop themselves. The insights from Michael, Alison and Aileen were relatable and clear and I thank them for their contributions. As the leader of the AAAA team, there were learnings I have taken away that can assist our team as we live through these challenging times,” said Stuart.

Alison and Aileen agreed with this recommendation, stating that a key to successfully supporting team members with mental health is to ‘get to know your people’. The closer working relationships seen in smaller business settings allow managers to identify changes in behaviour and demeanour and perhaps more easily enable them to ask ‘are you ok?’. This can lead to a supportive conversation that can help resolve issues or the employee can be guided toward professional help services.

From Beyond Blue, Michael shared that the organisation had seen a significant increase in the number of calls to their helpline and visits to their website resources this year. Beyond Blue has responded to a 30 to 40 per cent increase in demand, which peaked at 60 per cent in May, for their counselling service. Other mental health support organisations have seen similar trends.

Although these increases certainly underscore the challenging times we are facing, they also indicate that people are increasingly likely to seek help, which is a big change from previous years. It appears that COVID-19 is serving to fasttrack a significant increase in awareness, understanding and normalisation of mental health illness.

Michael also emphasised that for small business owners and managers, getting to know employees is more important

Both HR experts shared that you don’t need to be a mental health expert or psychologist to provide support that is helpful and relevant. Providing contact details for Beyond Blue or other organisations such as Lifeline and The Black Dog Institute, allows you to refer your staff member to an expert quickly and easily.

Aileen advocated that all businesses should visit Beyond Blue’s website. “Businesses of any size can benefit from the fantastic free resources provided by Beyond Blue,” she said. Such resources help business owners and managers to carefully step through conversations that they may be nervous about with some confidence and peace of mind.

The AAAA offer a dedicated COVID-19 resource centre, Employer Assist and Legal hotlines, and powerful business management and growth tools. Members have access to the AAAA Advocacy team for regulatory issues affecting their businesses, and they continue to fight for the industry by championing mandatory data sharing.

C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 1 3

FORD BROnCO IS BACK let’s go for a ride

Imagine driving down Rodeo Drive in your new Ford Bronco. The wind in your hair, the warm Californian sun on your face, and “Gangsta’s Paradise” blasting out of the stereo for all to hear.

all heavily echoing the classic Bronco look. That might seem like choice enough for anyone, but potential buyers can also go online and fully customise their Bronco before they order it. And who doesn’t love a customising app?

Sounds great, doesn’t it?

So, what’s it like?

Except, perhaps, for the choice of music.

The new Bronco has a choice of two turbo-petrol engines — a 2.3-litre four-cylinder (201kW and 420Nm) in seven-speed manual and 10-speed auto and a twinturbo 2.7-litre V6 (231kW and 542Nm) in auto-only.

But the last time Ford released a new Bronco, that’s what we were all listening to. It was 1996, so it was either that or “Macarena”.

Now, after a 24-year hiatus in production, the wait for the sixth generation of Bronco is finally over — and fans of the popular SUV have wasted no time diving into their wallets to get one. Ford in the US had taken 190,000 reservations by late October and has stopped taking orders until next year.

The new Bronco’s popularity is part desirable automotive design, part great marketing and part nostalgia. Ford has released seven different models, 1 4 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

It comes in four-door as well as the traditional two-door, has a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame (originally developed in Australia for the Ford Ranger ute and Everest SUV), an independent front suspension and a live axle in the front and rear.

The original Bronco, back in 1966, promised to “Go Over Any Terrain” (or GOAT) and the 2021 Bronco has been designed to live up to that tradition. Ford says the new Bronco is “built wild”, for a thrilling offroad experience.

FUTURE RIDE

Unfortunately, it won’t be going over terrain in Australia or New Zealand — at least not officially. Ford says it has no plans to release a right-hand drive Bronco for our market.

So, if the Bronco is so popular, why did Ford stop making it so abruptly in 1996?

The official reason was that American drivers wanted something a little bigger than a two-door SUV, so they replaced it with the Expedition. But a lot of people have pointed out that for much of the mid to late 90s a white Ford Bronco was — thanks to OJ Simpson and for all the wrong reasons — the most famous car in the world.

But let’s leave discussion of OJ Simpson and the “Macarena” back in the 1990s, where they belong. It’s great to have the Ford Bronco back. I’ll grab my Coolio CD. Let’s hit Rodeo Drive.

C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 1 5

A SUPERCAR SEASO

Australia’s annual great race at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama took on a whole new significance in this COVID-19 pandemic-disrupted year.

Becoming the Supercars’ grand final round for the first time in 20 years, the event held from October 15 to 18 marked the end of a continuous 106 day, 15,000 kilometre plus journey for the Supercars drivers, teams and organisers.

Due to the numerous and constantly changing state border closure regulations, most staff from the Victorian Supercar teams had not been home since early July, sacrificing their own time with loved ones during a global pandemic, just to keep the Supercars show on the road.

After staging a number of spectator free events and some with limited spectators, the racing remained fierce and an unprecedented number of new race winners emerged. This was thanks largely to changed tyre regulations that helped to create some outstanding race battles during the truncated 2020 season.

1 6 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

The 60th staging of the Bathurst 1000 classic in 2020 was also subject to a limit of only 4,000 spectators per day, no camping, no open paddock area and no access to pit garages except for team and event staff. This made for a totally different and somewhat quieter event, particularly across the top of Mount Panorama, which was totally closed to fans.

This ensured that more than 1.5 million Australians were glued to their televisions and mobile devices throughout the six and a half hours of racing that saw Kiwi Red Bull Holden Racing Team driver Shane Van Gisbergen finally take the chequered flag after coming tantalisingly close several times during his career. His Western Australian co-driver, Garth Tander, who had been unceremoniously dismissed from his full time Supercars drive the season before, scored his 4th Bathurst 1000 victory with Van Gisbergen, exactly 20 years after racing to his inaugural Bathurst crown.

The fact that the winning margin to second placed Tickford Racing Mustang drivers Cam Waters and Will Davison was just 8/10ths of a second after 1000

ON LIKE NO OTHER

by Paul Marinelli

kilometres of racing was testament to the total competitiveness of the front running teams in this year’s race.

This was also the final Bathurst 1000 victory for a Holden factory team car, a fitting way to end the brand’s long association with one of the world’s greatest motor races. This was also the 31st Holden victory in the Mount Panorama enduro. The Bathurst 1000 is without doubt the major annual showcase that built the Holden brand into the long-term major success that it became in this country, alongside its perennial rival Ford over the past six decades.

The departure of Nissan from Supercars at the conclusion of last season, also made the 2020 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 the first since 2012 to feature only Holden and Ford Supercars in the field. Many fans enjoyed the fact that this race heralded the return of the decades enjoyed red vs blue rivalry that formed Australia’s Supercars category some 24 years ago.

This was also a very special race for Queensland’s Dick Johnson Racing, celebrating the iconic driver and team’s 40th anniversary of racing at the mountain, culminating in a third Supercars championship title for talented Kiwi team driver, Scott McLaughlin.

It is nothing short of extraordinary how Australia’s premier motor racing category managed to organise and operate ten events across New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Northern Queensland and South Australia while dealing with all manner of highly fluid COVID-19 safety restrictions and issues.

Supercars and AFL remain the two major Australian sporting codes to have managed to salvage truncated seasons while in the midst of the pandemic madness.

The teams, drivers and organisers were forced to conduct the series on the run. This was due to constant changes in border closures and quarantine requirements or event staging regulations that were in many cases enforced at the last minute by each state government.

Sadly, the traditional season opener, the Adelaide 500 is no more after the South Australian Government announced in late October that it will no longer stage this remarkably successful street race. This prompted the Labor opposition to declare that they will re-instate it if elected to office - watch this space.

Here’s to the resilience, determination and professionalism of the Supercars teams and organisers for ensuring an entertaining and exciting season of racing in 2020 under the most unpredictable circumstances. Let’s see what 2021 has in store for us.

C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 1 7

HOW TO BE RESILIENT, ADAPT AND KEEP POSITIVE IN VERY STRESSFUL TIMES. Being a business owner is tough at the best times, but add in a global pandemic that has seen many workshops shut down completely or operate on a restricted basis for months on end, and the stresses and anxieties of being in business have been amplified.

Even before coronavirus hit, Capricorn’s State of the Nation Report 2020 discovered 46 per cent of Members had difficulty maintaining a good work-life balance or finding time to take a holiday. The pandemic, and the response to it, has created more stress and uncertainty.

Knowing many Members have been struggling with some of the problems and issues coronavirus has thrown up, including mental health issues, we’ve spoken to psychologist Dr Marny Lishman to get some tips and advice on resilience, adaptability and keeping a positive mindset.

Dr Lishman has been working with businesses and employees during this stressful time, so the first question we put to her was:

How well are Members coping with the pandemic?

“They’ve been going through adversity for months, so there’s a low mood — a lot of exhaustion, a lot of lost hope, a lot of uncertainty and a fear of the unknown,” she said.

“That can make people quite fearful, because when we don’t have a lot of information, we conjure it up in our own minds and then, often, we go to worst-case scenario in our head. That makes things worse as well.

“What the human brain does is make it up, and it always skews to the worst thing that could ever happen. We have that ‘survival brain’ that always defaults fear.”

What are some strategies that we can use to stop these feelings?

“We can’t control the big things, but we can control all the little things in our life,” Dr Lishman said. “Don’t underestimate the power of small actions, because these things will actually help.”

“But also those moments make you feel good, and your brain releases endorphins —natural opiates — when you feel good. It actually changes you psychologically and physiologically.”

How can we handle the stress of feeling responsible for our employees?

“You have to make sure you’re looking after your own psychological wellbeing first,” Dr Lishman said.

“If you can look after yourself and know yourself well and have the self-awareness to take care of your own mental wellbeing, then that will give you that ability to adapt to how your business has to change — and to help everybody in it.

“If you’re a leader and you’re stressed out, you can’t solve problems well and you can’t make effective decisions.

“Once you’ve looked after your own mental wellbeing, then you’ll be able to understand what your team is going through and show empathy. Then you can start listening to what your team actually needs.

“A lot of employers avoid these conversations because they think employees are going to ask too much of them. Sometimes your employees just want to be heard.”

How important is it to check in with our employees?

“It is beyond important —one of the main complaints people have is ‘my employer has gone AWOL during this tough time and I don’t know what’s happening’,” Dr Lishman said.

“That ends up being very chaotic for employees because they’re frightened.

“So, reach out to employees and check in with them. It might be a phone call. It might be simply having a chat at work. Just hearing what they’re going through and giving them more information and making them feel psychologically safe is important.”

“A lot of employees don’t feel they can talk to their bosses, for fear of retribution,” Dr Lishman said. “They feel like that is going to be some sort of consequence. So, if you can make them feel psychologically safe, that really is a game changer.”

For example: • Go for a walk around the block • Jump on a Zoom call with a mate • Play games online with a friend • Do that jigsaw puzzle.

“It works because it’s a great distraction — and as humans we’re not great multi-taskers, so if you’re doing something it’s hard to be thinking about something else at the same time,” she said.

“When you’re engaging in any sort of activity, you’re ‘in the moment’ instead of thinking about all the worst things that could happen.

1 8 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

Could this be an opportunity to build trust, respect, a more cohesive team, and a better workplace culture?

“Yes. But achieving that means not only having space to hear how your team members feel, but also sharing a bit about yourself as well,” Dr Lishman said.

“What you will find is that if you let your team know how you’re feeling, you’re going to connect with them better and, over time, your team will probably end up performing better because they’ll be aligned with your vision and see you as an authentic leader.”

Access the full State of the Nation Report and many more useful articles including; • • • •

When bad stuff happens, it’s how you respond that matters.

How to treat your staff like rock stars (and why it pays off).

How creating a great culture can transform your workplace.

Tough decisions: short-term pain for long-term gain.

Available now at capricorn.coop/caphub

What if a Member is experiencing depression?

How can we tackle feelings of anxiety?

“So, have someone to reach out to — someone who has gone through something similar. Make sure you have another person you’re able to debrief with. It could be a business mentor or a psychologist.”

“This is very understandable right now because we’ve been told there’s actually a threat to our survival.

“When you’re a leader it’s often quite lonely at the top, because there are not many people, particularly at work, on the same frequency as you — who understand you and share that sense of responsibility over everybody else,” Dr Lishman said.

How can we switch to a more positive mindset?

“It’s very important that we realise there are going to be tough times and that we have to adapt to them,” Dr Lishman said.

“A lot of people who’ve gone through really bad tragedies and trauma will say that a really tough time was the catalyst for an immense amount of personal growth and the realisation they could actually get through anything.

“Once you’ve gone through a really tough time, it’s almost an inoculation for getting through other stuff in the future in an easier way. It’s like you channel it to get through anything.

You can constantly reinvent yourself with each learning after each adversity.”

What if we’re feeling overwhelmed by everything?

“Anxiety is your brain thinking that there’s actually a threat in your environment,” Dr Lishman said. “It’s like that feeling of impending doom or that something’s not quite right. So, you’re sitting in fear all the time.

“But again, it’s you taking control — because your brain is trying to protect you and what you need to do is just override it and say, ‘no, everything’s fine at the moment’.

“Come back to your own life and control the little things that you can control. To deal with anxiety, that means learning to manage your thoughts, managing your mind and managing your cognition.

“Exercise is the best anxiety medication you could ever take.

Also, distract yourself with other things. Connect with people.

Talk. Communicate.”

Any final words of advice for when things get tough?

“Think about an adversity you’ve faced in the past and how you conquered it,” Dr Lishman said. “Just remind yourself of your ability to adapt and cope.”

“Again, it’s self-awareness — knowing what the feeling is and knowing yourself well enough to know that you’re not operating at your finest and then just checking out for a little bit,” Dr Lishman said.

“When you’re overworked and you feel you can’t step away from the business and all your responsibilities, even the smallest things that you can do can help.

“That might mean taking a walk on your lunchbreak or putting in your EarPods and doing some meditation — just whatever you can do to bring yourself back to the present moment.

“What happens when you do this is your brain turns off the stress response and it turns on a different part of your nervous system and just calms everything down, and gets you back some clarity.”

C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 1 9

Capricorn Member Profiles

Knight’s Bodyworks thrives in first year, despite Covid to be married. Both are spray painters, but Nathan is also a panel beater and is very handy at fabrication, too.

“We’ve worked in panel shops for years and we thought as we have a bit of knowledge and we still have a passion for the trade, it was time to open our own shop,” Mary-Louise said. “It’s a bit of an advantage having both of us on the floor. It means we haven’t had to hire someone straightaway.”

When Queensland couple Nathan Knight and Mary-Louise Eagle-Frith made plans to open their own panel and paint business in early 2020, they had no idea coronavirus was on the way.

Mary-Louise said Knight’s Bodyworks will paint anything that can be painted and, in their first year, they’ve sprayed everything from coffee machines and glass splashbacks to motorbikes, cars and boats. “As long as it fits in our spray booth, which is pretty big, we’ll paint it,” she said. “We’ve had a horse float in there.”

Mary-Louise said she used Facebook to promote the couple’s work, which has helped generate business, as has their large social network in the Cairns community.

Having worked in other people’s workshops for nine years and saved hard to make their dream become a reality, the pair opened the doors on Knight’s Bodyworks in Cairns despite the pandemic.

“We’d already started before Covid hit and we’d invested so much, we didn’t really have a choice other than to keep going,” MaryLouise said.

“We’re a younger generation and the majority of people who want to do up cars are the younger generation, so we know a lot of people,” she said. “I think they like to come to us because we can relate to them.” After a solid start to their new business, the couple said they’re hoping to grow — potentially taking on a second panel beater in the coming months, so they can take on bigger jobs.

“It proved to be busier than we’d expected. Within our first week of being open, we were booked a month in advance.”

It was a great start for the couple, who are both 27 and are engaged

Mary-Louise said the other task on their agenda was getting married, hopefully next year. “But it depends if we’ve got time!” she said.

RALLY AROUND REGIONAL WA RAISES $35K FOR RFDS A group of West Australian-based Capricorn Members have raised $35,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service through this year’s On The Road Again rally.

Nine vehicles and four support crew joined this year’s event, driving around WA’s Wheatbelt, Goldfields and Great Southern regions to raise money for a great cause.

Among those taking part in the November rally were Nigel Oborne of First Class Automotives, Dave Durrant from Mindarie Workshop and Auto Electrical, and Keith McCracken of Keith McCracken Automotive in Bayswater.

“All the vehicles are 1995 or prior, but 4x4s are open — so we had a near-new LandCruiser, an old Ford Transit van, my Mercedes-Benz 1984 280SE,” Nigel told Ignition magazine after returning to Perth.

“We went along a lot of off the beaten track roads, including an old railway line. They had to be gazetted roads for insurance purposes but some of them were still pretty rough. “I just put my car on the hoist; it’s holding together, the Merc, but it’s a bit of a mess!”

The rally started in Northam, east of Perth, on 7 November and finished a week later in nearby York — having taken in hundreds of kilometres of often very dodgy roads and the towns of Koorda, 2 0 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

Kalgoorlie, Norseman, Esperance, Hopetoun and Newdegate.

“All the vehicles held up but unfortunately the tail-gunners, who follow at the rear, hit a ’roo just west of Esperance and disabled their transmission,” Nigel said. “But we were able to fix it up and get it working again.”

The week included themed dress-up days, visits to local tourist spots and plenty of fundraising with local communities.

“We had a lot of fun stops,” Nigel said. “We had a pink day, for the Pink Lake in Esperance. And in Newdegate we had a farmer day, so we went and raided the chequered shirt shop and dressed like farmers.”

The On The Road Again tour was supported by the Australian Automotive Service Dealers Network in WA (co-founded by Nigel in 2013) and every cent raised goes directly to the RFDS.

Capricorn Preferred Suppliers are an integral part of our cooperative model. We recognise the achievements of our high performing Capricorn Preferred Suppliers through our Million Dollar Preferred Supplier Awards.

These awards are presented to Preferred Suppliers who reach million dollar milestones in total Capricorn Member sales. It is great to see Capricorn Preferred Suppliers reaching these outstanding milestones. Congratulations to the following Preferred Suppliers.

Oriental 4WD & Commercial Oriental has been a Capricorn Preferred Supplier for nearly 20 years and is a great supplier in South Australia. They are an automotive recycler specialising in 4WD and light commercial based in Lonsdale South Australia but service anywhere in Australia. Ange is a new partner to this business but both Ange and Grant have been involved in Automotive Recycling all their lives with both being big Toyota Landcruiser fans.

$1m

Preferred Supplier Award

Pictured from the left is Grant Crosby and Ange Anibaldi with their $1 Million Preferred Supplier Award they recieved for 2019/2020.

Outlaw Speed Shop

$1m

Preferred Supplier Award

Outlaw Speed Shop has been a Capricorn Preferred Supplier since 1996 and is a great supporter to Capricorn Members.

They have been in business for over 40 years and are a trusted supplier of performance parts to customers throughout Australia. Outlaw Speed Shop stock new, high quality, brand name performance parts for Chev, Chrysler, Ford, Holden, GM and Imported cars. They are there to meet your needs no matter what motor sport you are into.

Pictured from the left is Geoff Twomey and Ben Twomey celebrating the milestone of achieving $1 Million Preferred Supplier sales in 2019/2020.

Transtate Tyres Transtate Tyres joined Capricorn 24 years ago and since then they have evolved into the largest independently owned Tyre service in the ACT. They have major brands in their portfolio at very competitive prices. They have concentrated on Toyo tyres and have enjoyed huge successes with that brand.

"Being awarded this Million Dollar Award has reinforced the decision I made 24 years ago to join up" said Adrian Heffernan.

$1m

Preferred Supplier Award

Robert Vaga, Business Development Manager of Capricorn presented their $1 Million Preferred Supplier award to Bruce and Adrian Heffernan at their premises.

C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 2 1

There wasn’t actually all that much bodywork left on this 1948 Austin K8 when Greg and Diane Baird retrieved it from a paddock in Maryborough, Queensland, two years ago.

“It wasn’t in very good condition,” Greg said.

“The roof was very rusty.”

But there was enough potential for the couple to make the three-hour trip from their workshop, G&D Baird Mechanical, in Coopers Plains to collect it.

“I just really like cabovers; I’ve got four of them now,” Greg said. “I’ve got a ’46 Chevrolet, a Leyland and an Albion cabover. And, actually, I just went and bought another Austin cabover.

It’s silly, I know!”

The Austin K8 was produced between 1948 and 1954 and the van model was well-known in the UK as the Welfarer Ambulance. The original K8 had a 2,199cc and a 65 brake horsepower engine; but patients might get to hospital quicker in Greg’s updated hot rod, with its 400 horsepower, fuel-injected small block Chevy 350 engine.

“The 350 has a four-speed auto behind it with a Commodore independent rear,” Greg said.

2 2 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

“I built my own chassis from scratch, then I mounted the body on it and went from there, including building the tray.”

The K8 was an after-hours project for Greg and took six months to build — although he’s still tinkering with it. Since these photos were taken he’s included a front bar and a few other improvements.

The hot rod rebuild is compliant with the Australian Street Rod Foundation’s TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) rules and is fully registered as a daily driver.

It was enough to turn heads at the Yamba Rod Run, where the K8 took out the Dare to be Different trophy.

“Since I’ve done this one people keep asking me where I got it from, because it’s rather different,” Greg said. “No one has ever seen anything like it before.”

So, with four cabovers already in the garage and one K8 already wowing rod fans, why has Greg gone out and purchased yet another Austin cabover?

“I want to improve on what I did on the first one,” he said. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do

MEMBER RIDE

differently. I haven’t picked it up yet. It’ll come here and I’ll put the thinking cap on and decide what I’m going to do about it.

“It’s a bit annoying, actually, because the first one was very rusty and I did a lot of work putting the roof back together again. The one I’ve just bought is in very good condition, needs less work done to it, and I paid less for it!”

Whatever Greg decides to do with, we’re sure it’ll be another fantastic people pleaser.

If you have a story or a ride that could be published in Ignition, email it to ignition@capricorn.coop. Ensure you include in the subject line, ‘Member Ride’.

VEHICLE DETAILS Make/Model: 1948 Austin K8 Engine: SBC 350 Horsepower: 400hp Transmission: Turbo 700 Diff: V2 Commodore,

independent rear Wheels/tyres: 8” rally wheels,

275/60/15

Images supplied G & D Baird.

C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 2 3

Watch our webinars on replay for excellent advice Are you keen for some advice on how to run a more efficient and successful workshop?

Or maybe you’d like some tips on how to charge your customers more without scaring them away?

Over the past few months Capricorn has been running a special webinar series, dedicated to helping Members like you improve your business.

Each week for seven weeks, our Chief Executive Officer, David Fraser, has been joined by experts in a variety of different fields, asking them questions and sharing their advice with Members online.

The series is called the State of the Nation Webinar Series, and hundreds of Members have joined David each week for a half hour of high-quality conversation and follow-up question and answer sessions.

Did you miss out on one or more of these webinars?

“This webinar series was borne out of our landmark State of the Nation Report, which we released earlier this year. More than 1500 Members took part in that research, which really enabled us to see the areas where Members were struggling and where we could help them improve their businesses.”

David said while the original State of the Nation study was conducted before COVID-19, it’s clear the webinars are a great opportunity to tackle some of the issues raised by the pandemic, too.

“We want every Member’s business to be as strong as possible and this webinar series has been another way we’ve been able to deliver on our promise that we’re stronger together,” he said.

Fear not. The State of the Nation Webinar Series now lives online, on our CapHub news and information website. You can access it, totally free, from the Capricorn website homepage. It’s at capricorn.coop/caphub. You can watch the webinars even if you didn’t register for them previously.

“It has been great to see so many Members taking a little time out of their week to join these webinars and listen to great insights from our experts,” David said.

Catch up on these insightful conversations with David Fraser and experts on CapHub. Watch the full series on capricorn.coop/caphub

2 4 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

Past Webinars Here’s what each of the seven State of the Nation webinars covered: Customer Service

Pricing

Marketing

Resilience

Efficient Workshops

Work-life Balance

New York Times bestselling author and customer service expert Shep Hyken joined David for a conversation about the ways workshop owners can win customers for life with exceptional customer service. State of the Nation told us 42 per cent of Members believe having repeat customers is a marker of success. Shep shared great advice on how to achieve that.

State of the Nation revealed three-quarters of Members are relying on word of mouth to get new customers in the door. But while word of mouth clearly works, many Members are missing out on the digital version of that — online reviews. In this webinar, digital marketing expert Taylor Cutler from Podium shared his advice on acquiring new customers and driving revenue using your online reputation.

One worrying data point to emerge from State of the Nation was that 52 per cent of Members are measuring their workshop’s efficiency by their ability to pay their bills at the end of the month. There’s a much better way. In this information-packed webinar, Workshop Whisperer Rachael Sheldrick shares the secrets of the most successful and efficient workshops.

Are you leaving money on the table when pricing parts and services for your customers? In this webinar, David is joined by Capricorn’s CEO of Automotive Brad Gannon for a deep dive into the ways workshops can charge customers more without scaring them away – even if they seem really sensitive to price. This webinar is all about supercharging your profits and it’s not to be missed.

Even at the best of times, running a business can be tough. Throw in a global pandemic and 2020 has been even harder than normal. In this webinar, David is joined by psychologist Dr Marny Lishman for a conversation about what business owners can do to adapt and be more resilient in difficult times. This webinar is packed with advice that’s useful anytime, but it’s especially important right now.

One of the most glaring issues identified by State of the Nation was that many Members struggle to take time away from their business and to manage a healthy work-life balance. In this webinar two Members who are also Capricorn Directors with more than 30 years in the auto industry, Mark Cooper and Phil Saxton, share their tips and advice for taking a break while still making a profit. This is another must-watch webinar.

Technology

State of the Nation identified changing technology as the fourth biggest challenge facing anyone running an automotive business, and the biggest challenge facing our industry overall. In this webinar, David is joined by Geoff Mutton and Jeff Smit from TaT Biz for a look at the ways technology could be costing you profits, productivity, or both.

C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 2 5

TM

PREFERRED Audatex Australia Zone - National

NEW

PREFERRED SUPPLIER

Audatex Australia is proud to announce their entry into Capricorn’s Preferred Supplier network. Audatex, founded in Germany in 1966, supports thousands of automotive and body repair workshops in over 90 countries. Their offices and support desk team of 26 staff are based in Melbourne and offer countrywide support across our multiple platforms (AudaNet/Hollander/Car Quote).

audatex.com.au BENEFITS TO CAPRICORN MEMBERS • Capricorn Members receive a monthly 10% discount

AudaNet Private (Qapter) is the world’s most advanced OEM datadriven damage estimating and part replacement quotation platform.

Qapter will improve your productivity and deliver faster, more accurate body and mechanical estimates. With vehicle technology changing rapidly, it’s imperative to be up-to-date with the latest technology (ADAS and structure) to service your clients’ vehicles. Qapter can help you keep ahead of the curve. Qapter is built specifically for Australian body and mechanical repairers wishing to write OEM-based estimates for any private or non-Audatex Insurer Partner Repairer work.

Retro Remotes Zone - QLD

NEW

PREFERRED SUPPLIER

Established in 2008, Retro Remotes is proud to be a small family run business. Chris – the original Remote Fella – has over 30 years’ experience in the industry which he has passed on to his daughter, Brea, and his sonin-law, Adrian.

retroremotes.com.au BENEFITS TO CAPRICORN MEMBERS • Vast knowledge and friendly technical support.

• Wide range of products at competitive prices.

2 6 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

With Adrian’s knowledge and experience within the mining industry, it was only a matter of time before Retro Remotes expanded from garage and gates to other automated applications such as trucks, farming equipment and other auto electrical applications. Retro Remotes stocks Australia’s largest range of remotes, keypads, motors, solar, receivers and accessories from most of Australia’s biggest known brands such as Elsema, ATA, Merlin, B&D, Key Automation, BFT, Enerdrive and Voltech. Whether you are replacing your remote, installing a new sliding gate or automating an irrigation pump, Retro Remotes is your one-stop shop.

SUPPLIERS Japanese Trucks Australia Zone - WA, SA & NT

1

YEAR PREFERRED SUPPLIER

Whether you own one or 100 trucks, Japanese Trucks Australia (JTA) is the one-stop shop that’s got you covered. Their team of 12 industry experts at JTA are passionate about the trucking industry and delivering the highest level of service to their customers.

With the support of their parent company, Bapcor, their network of suppliers and branches across Australia ensures that prices remain competitive and their inventory range is second to none.

JTA specialises in truck parts to suit Hino, Isuzu, Mitsubishi Fuso and Nissan UD. Their parts can be easily accessed via the online catalogue on their website. JTA has an extensive range of quality OEM and aftermarket truck parts on the shelf to meet the requirements of any truck driver, workshop or fleet. All of their parts are covered by a full warranty. An extensive range of reconditioned transmissions and differentials are in stock, to minimise your downtime.

japanesetrucksaustralia.com.au BENEFITS TO CAPRICORN MEMBERS • Receive exceptional service & prompt delivery.

• Competitive pricing.

• Access to the largest range of aftermarket truck parts in Australia.

Toowoomba Exhaust Centre Zone -QLD

2

YEARS PREFERRED SUPPLIER

There’s not much Scott Thorne and Linda Gurski don’t know about exhausts: they’ve been operating Toowoomba Exhaust Centre since 2001. Long-time Capricorn Members, they also became Capricorn Suppliers two years ago after Scott saw an opportunity to provide a diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleaning service to other mechanics, workshops and service centres in the local region.

The couple, together with their son Nick, imported a top-of-the-range diesel filter cleaner from Italy and added a new business, Toowoomba DPF Cleaning, to their family-run workshop. “Diesel particulate filters have been in cars for a few years now and they’re starting to get full, so people are starting to have problems with them,” Linda said.

Car manufacturers recommend regular DPF cleaning so you don’t get to the stage where it’s full, blocked, going to crack up, and you need to get a new one. “For a car that’s probably $1000 to $5000 to replace it. For a truck it could be up to $10,000. So, it’s better to go the cleaning route before you have to buy a new one.”

toowoombaexhaustcentre.com.au BENEFITS TO CAPRICORN MEMBERS • Cost-effective access to a piece of equipment that is too large and expensive for most workshops to accommodate.

Scott and Linda’s Italian DPF cleaner is a huge bit of kit. It needs to be — as it has to accommodate exhausts from cars, small trucks, semi-trailers (FAP and SCR) and all kinds of machinery. It takes 30 minutes to regenerate a DPF for a car and two hours for a truck exhaust. Customers are provided with the results of a back pressure test after cleaning is complete, to show how dirty the filter was and how clean it is afterwards.

C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 2 7

Managing bookings - by Geoff Mutton

Managing bookings in an auto workshop is a real juggling act, and keeping all the balls in the air requires not only management skill, but some accurate time estimates based on experience.

It's a universal question in all businesses that don't really know where their next job is coming from, or how long it might take. How do they manage to fit it into a day – book in too many jobs and the pressure is on to rush them through on time; book in too few and you can start sweeping up soon after lunch. Neither scenario is good for team morale or profitability.

So how can a busy workshop consistently find its sweet spot?

How many hours in your day Begin by understanding the hours available in a day. But job prices can vary dramatically, from $50 to $5,000, so the number of jobs booked in is irrelevant.

Workshops sell labour hours so that's what must be estimated and monitored.

When estimating how many hours the workshop can sell, consideration must be given to the different skill levels and additional responsibilities technicians perform around the workshop.

For example, a three-team workshop might estimate they have 14 hours available each day: • four hours for the owner • six hours for a qualified technician • four hours for the second-year apprentice 2 8 C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0

Estimate hours booked

Have parts at the ready

Logically, as each booking is taken, an estimate of the time it will take should be logged – easier said than done because of the many variables inherent in vehicle service and repair.

There is nothing worse than having a job ready to go but the parts haven't arrived. Difficult or unexpected jobs aside, there is no excuse for not having standard parts available to cope with the expectations of a service or repair.

Here are some tips that might help: • Put together an internal job time/price list of the most common repairs. This will provide some consistency, regardless of who takes the booking.

• When taking bookings, always ask if there is anything else the customer would like checked or looked at. Most customers hope that a routine service will fix other random issues, but that's not always the case. If you don't ask, they won't tell you until they hand over the keys.

• Factor in any additional work sold on the back of a vehicle service. From experience, the price of additional work performed could be twice as much as the service originally booked. An average one hour service could extend up to three hours if additional work is approved.

Break downs are unpredictable Time allocated by a workshop for these unforeseen events can only be a personal choice by the owner or manager. But our tip is to allocate less time to cope with breakdowns than your history with breakdowns actually shows. It is better to explain that a breakdown can't be done for a couple of days, than shortchange the workshop in the hope of filling allocated breakdown hours that might not be needed. It doesn't make sense to have staff doing nothing while waiting for an unscheduled breakdown.

Train for consistency Many mistakes in time estimating in a busy workshop can be traced to incorrectly recorded entries in the booking diary. Everyone in a workshop, from the apprentice up, should be capable of taking a booking, but what they enter into the diary can only be consistently useful if everyone is trained in the booking process.

Everyone must know how to take a booking, and how much information to collect and enter into the diary.

That takes training.

It looks easy, but is so often overlooked: • Correct customer name.

• Best contact number.

• Vehicle details and registration.

• Job requirements – service plus extras.

• Drop-off and pick-up time.

The booking diary needs to be reviewed 24 hours, or even 48 hours in advance, so that stock can be preordered for on-time delivery.

Avoid no-shows with reminders No-shows by one or two customers can put a big dent in the workshop's actual sold hours and the longer the booking has been held, the more likely this might happen.

Reduce the frequency of no-shows by sending 24hour booking reminders via SMS. Customers leading busy lives will appreciate this courtesy.

Review vehicle history It is imperative that every vehicle's history is reviewed and discussed before making time estimates for a repair or service.

Quite often, repairs that might have been forecast at the last service, might now be well overdue. It is a lot easier to get the customer's go-ahead on additional work before the job is started, than wasting everyone's time having to re-diagnose the same problem, and wait again for the customer's approval.

Paper versus electronic diary Workshop bookings have traditionally been entered in paper diaries. Early electronic diaries were pretty crude, but in recent years, more workshops are making the jump to electronic diaries, which can be integrated into complex point-of-sale software systems. Today's diaries are user friendly, and provide workshops with greater control for job planning and progression.

Workshops are always busy as the end of year as the Christmas season approaches. All the more reason for taking the plunge and instituting good bookings management as soon as possible. There will always be days when things go horribly wrong, but the more that job bookings accurately fill the available work hours, the happier your team and bank balance will be.

C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 2 9

CAPRICORN CLASSIFIEDS Classifieds Advertising Guidelines Do you have a business for sale, have equipment that you need to get rid of, or are you just looking for a part that you haven’t been able to find? If the answer is yes, then you should advertise in the Capricorn Classifieds; it’s FREE to do so. See below for details.

• The Capricorn Classifieds are for Capricorn Members only to advertise. Payment is to be organised between advertiser and purchaser.

• Parts or equipment that relate to your business only may be advertised.

• Businesses for sale may be advertised.

• Cars for sale cannot be advertised.

Mechanical Business, Myaree WA Established private mechanical business sale in sort-after Myaree industrial. 15 min from the CBD, close to major shopping, transport, supporting businesses. Lease or Freehold.

Andrew @ Widerange 0417934231.

Mechanical / Exhaust Workshop, WA Located close to CBD & freeway. Fully equipped, 3 hoists. Strong customer base & reputation. Good cash flow. Secure lease.

Owner retiring. WIWO $145 includes all stock.

Owner willing to help with transition.

Email: exhausted@iinet.net.au or petoni@ iinet.net.au Mechanical/Tyre Workshop, Collie WA Est 20yrs, current owner for 7yrs, long lease offered, located in centre of town, fully equipped large workshop & showroom, potential to grow business. Ph (08) 9734 1992 or accounts@collietyre.com.au Automotive Mechanical & Transmission Workshop, Eurobodalla Coast, NSW. Business operating in this location for 25 years.

4 bays, 2 x 2 post hoist, all plant equipment & stock. Busy industrial area, long lease & regular clientele. Email: aquarius2536@hotmail.com Automotive Mechanical Repair Workshop, Huskisson, NSW. Brilliant business opportunity for a qualified automotive mechanic in beautiful coastal town. Well-established client base. WIWO incl. plant, equipment (5 hoists) and stock.

Ph: Warwick on (02) 4441 8449.

• Classifieds are on a first come, first served basis. Depending on the number received, your classified may not appear immediately.

• No positions vacant.

• No pictures to be submitted.

• By submitting the Online Capricorn Classifieds Ad Form, you acknowledge that the price of any goods or services shown is inclusive of GST.

Automotive Mechanical & Suspension Business for EOI/SALE, Myaree WA. Est. 1974, huge client base, excellent reputation, 3 units on long lease, 4 hoists incl. wheel aligning hoist, all equipment & stock, office manager & mechanic happy to stay.

Contact: Graeme (08) 9330 3231 or graeme@g-mac.com.au

Mechanical/Tyre Workshop, Collie WA Est 20yrs, current owner for 7yrs, long lease offered, located in centre of town, fully equipped large workshop & showroom, potential to grow business. Ph (08) 9734 1992 or accounts@collietyre.com.au

Automotive workshop, Tauranga CBD, NZ. WoF AVIC. Spacious. 2 hoists, tyre machine, balancer etc. courtesy car. Reasonable rent, good lease/landlord. Good returns & potential to increase turnover, inquire today $200,000.

Ph: Andrew on 022 6469334 & 07 5788110

Mechanical Workshop & Towing Business, Far North QLD Escape the Hussle & bustle of city life, 45mins from Port Douglas. Freehold 1 acre, Large 8 bay workshop, wheel aligner, 2bed a/c house & much more. Current husband & wife team since 2002. Great area to raise family.

Contact kris@mtmolloyservo.com for more info.

Mechanical Workshop, Munruben, QLD Running for 26 years , reluctant sale due to health. Hundreds of customers & trade contacts. Incl. tools, stock & truck ready to go. $18000 ono. Ph: Shane 0407 722 152

Mechanical Workshop, Melbourne VIC Established in 1962 with current owner for 12yrs, located in Bayside, mechanical service & sales, very prominent loc. Owner retiring.

Ph: 0411 460 460

Mechanical Workshop, Bibra Lake, WA Est.1991. Well equipped, including truck pit & 4 hoists. Loyal customer base & room for expansion. Turn key operation. All stock & workshop equip included. Secure stand alone building. Long lease avail. $240K + GST. Ph:0408 098 800.

Mechanical Workshop, Kilkivan, QLD Offering business & freehold property, also contracted to provide roadside assistance.

Incl. workshop equipment,2 hoists, 3 service utes & 2 tow trucks with lockable holding yard.

Good positon, located on busy inland highway. $595 000 excluding stock Ph: 0408 882 257

Mechanical Workshop, Whetherill Park, NSW Established 20 years with loyal clientele, workshop is fully equipped, owner is retiring, all stock and equipment $36,000 - long lease available. Contact: Ray 0410425477

Mechanical Workshop, Woodford Qld Fully equip family business servicing the community since 1995. Well established customer base, large 4 bay shed (long lease available) 3 hoists, office, amenities and wash bay. Enquires 0408767366 or dawnevandriver@hotmail.com

Automotive Service Workshop, Bega NSW Established 40 years, 23 years in its current fast-growing CBD location. Strong & loyal customer base. Two adjoining leased fully equipped workshops with attached office.

WIWO incl. brake lathe, injector test bench, diagnostic scan tool, wheel aligner, & 2x hoists. $120K. Contact owner on 02 6492 2767.

How to Advertise in the Capricorn Classifieds 1. Send an email to ignition@capricorn.coop with the following details: your Member number, business name, contact details and details of your advert (no more than 30 words).

2. Capricorn must receive your classified advert by the 16th of the month preceding the publication month. If we have not received your classified advert by this date it will be published in the following month depending on the number of adverts received.

3. Check out your advert and fellow Members’ classifieds in the next edition of Ignition.

Email: ignition@capricorn.coop Publisher's General Disclaimer All information, material and content contained 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 you should consider the relevance of it to your own circumstances and, if necessary, take professional advice.

Capricorn makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any material (including, without limitation, any third party supplier advertisement in respect of which Capricorn merely acts as a 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 material in Ignition; or (ii) inaccuracy, error or omission in material in Ignition.

Capricorn, Stronger With Capricorn, Ignition, Capricorn Travel, Capricorn Mutual and the boomerangs device are trademarks or registered trademarks of Capricorn.

If you have any news or information that you think would be of interest to your fellow members, please send the information to Capricorn via email ignition@capricorn.coop.

Capricorn Society Limited ACN 008 347 313 Postal Address: Locked Bag 3003, West Perth WA 6872 Registered Office Australia: 28 Troode Street, West Perth WA 6005 Phone (08) 6250 9500 General Enquiries 1800 999 233 Members 1800 327 437 Suppliers 1800 005 322

N R O C I R P CA friends you find? y m d n i F ny can How ma

Spot the Difference

Email your answer to ignition@capricorn.coop along with your spot the difference answers. Please ensure you include your Member number and email address when submitting your entry.

LAST MONTH'S WINNERS

LAST MONTH'S ANSWERS

1st Prize - 4,000 points

Find them all and win!

1st Prize: 4,000 points 2nd Prize: 2,000 points

Triples Motors 2nd Prize - 2,000 points Saunders Automotive

Email your answers to ignition@capricorn.coop before 21 January 2020. Winners will be selected by a lucky hat draw of correct entries. Please ensure you include your Member number and email address when submitting your entry.

WORD Hunter

Find the 16 words hidden in the jumble. They could be horizontal, vertical, diagonal or backwards. See if you can find them all!

P

S

A

T

N

A

S

E

K

S

R

S

S

K

V

E

N

Z

Y

G

O

L

O

N

H

C

G

H

A

V

T

M

E

S

I

V

I

U

H

G

B

L

J

Y

I

N

N

H

T

J

N

K

E

T

C

V

Q

O

Z

I

T

M

D

I

J

C

J

I

Y

E

T

T

M

S

X

C

P

C

E

T

E

C

O

W

F

R

I

J

R

O

N

E

S

P

C

R

S

M

N

R

Y

B

H

R

R

I

Z

E

U

R

I

B

I

Z

S

I

N

D

L

O

P

O

I

B

T

N

Z

W

T

I

U

T

A

O

O

O I

C P

P R

N

U

S

Z

W

E

H

J

L

A

U

L

Q

S

P

E

E

L

L

I

R

S

A

Y

O

T

S

E

Y

Z

H

K

C

S

J

F

P

S

U

G

F

E

E

S

U

W

S

A

R

X

U

S

A

P

R

S

S L

O

Y

C

W

I

P

K

Z

R

A

M

V

I

O

T

R

H

N

S

L

D

Y

I

G

J

M

S

T

A

S

S

E

M

T

S

I

N

R

U

T

C A

A

O

D U

A

S R E

J H R

C A

AUTOMOTIVE

POINTS

BOOKINGS

POSITIVE

BUSINESS

RESOLUTION

CAPHUB

RETURNS

CHRISTMAS

REWARDS

COMMERCIAL

SANTA

DIRECTOR

SUPERCARS

HOLIDAYS

TECHNOLOGY

W D

C A P R I C O R N I G N I T I O N H O L I D AY E D I T I O N 2 0 2 0 3 1

BIGbusiness LET’S TALK

We want more Members from the heavy diesel, bus, fleet, trucking, transport and other commercial vehicle sectors.

Refer a new Commercial/ Heavy Vehicle business to receive

10,000

Capricorn Bonus Points when they become a Member.

The more Members join Capricorn, the more Members benefit.

Contact your Area Manager to find out how you can participate.

Terms and conditions apply. Only one Member per referral may receive the 10,000 Capricorn Bonus Rewards Points. Capricorn reserves the right in its sole discretion, to determine whether a referral is eligible.

Participation in the Capricorn Rewards Program is subject to the Capricorn Rewards Terms and Conditions available at Capricorn.coop/tc.