A rewarding relationship

How Capricorn has forged lasting, valuable relationships with our Preferred Suppliers.

When we talk about the Capricorn Community, we’re not just talking about over 30,000 Members across Australia and New Zealand. Over 2,000 Preferred Suppliers also play a vital role in enabling us to successfully deliver on our cooperative values. They provide Members with great services and products, every single day, across a wide variety of areas — everything from parts, tyres, bull bars, paints and lubricants to hoists, scanners and water blasters, to internet services, utilities, cleaning, uniforms and virtually everything in between. Without our Preferred Suppliers, we simply couldn’t do what we do.

We’re proud to have forged long and lasting relationships with so many Preferred Suppliers, some of whom have been with us for decades. So, what’s in it for them? Why are they a part of the Capricorn community?

For Martin Marcinkowsky, Branch Manager of Gambier West Brake Service in South Australia, being part of Capricorn is an obvious win-win. The business has been supplying brake and clutch parts and reconditioning since 1969 and has been a Preferred Supplier since 2013.

“Capricorn has opened the doors for us to reach a larger target audience and increase our existing customer base, resulting in significant growth turnover,” Martin said.

“Being part of Capricorn Community is beneficial to our business as we are guaranteed payment in 30 days. This cuts down administration time and increases productivity in the office."

"Capricorn Trade Shows are another great incentive. This has helped our business connect to our customer base in a relaxed environment and discuss their needs in the automotive industry.”

Martin said Capricorn also made it easy for Members to shop with the business.

“It is as simple as just supplying their Capricorn number and in a couple of minutes they are set up and ready to trade,” he said.

Doug Payne is Head of Customer Growth at Momentum Energy, a gas and electricity retailer across much of Australia’s east coast. Momentum is owned by Hydro Tasmania and is an award-winning renewables energy retailer. The company has been a Preferred Supplier for the past 15 years and supplies energy to around 3,000 Capricorn Members.

“We invoice about $1.5 million worth of energy costs through Capricorn each year,” Doug said. “We love what Capricorn does. They offer the best price and that’s what we do, too; we always offer the best price. So, we think the brand synergies between Capricorn and Momentum are pretty close. And, those Members who do come across to us, they stay with us for years.”

hsy autoparts General Manager Peter Tippner said Capricorn was integral to hsy’s business model. The company has been a Preferred Supplier for six years.

“Our catchphrase within the company is that people are our most important part, and that’s not only because we value our staff, but it’s also because we value our customers,” he said. “Those customers are ultimately (Capricorn) Members.”