Alan Roe Automotive
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS
Alan Roe Automotive
Grown from a one-man show In stark contrast to the present-day purpose-built complex Alan Roe Automotive now occupies, the business began as a one-man show in a small rented shed. A long-held desire to be in business for himself led Alan to open the doors of his fledgling workshop on April 1, 1999. “I started out renting a shed where Ken Muston is now, but from the beginning I had plans to have my own premises that were more suited to what I did, and what I wanted to achieve,” Alan said. About three years after Alan Roe Automotive was founded, the business relocated to its present site in Naomi St, Shepparton. Alan spent 12 months extending and renovating the old shed on the site, while continuing to operate the business at the rented space. His stint as service manager at Graham Thomson Motors, during the time the respected dealership was building its state-of-the-art Doyle’s Rd facility, gave him great insight. “I helped design the workshop for the new building, that experience really helped me when I started building here,” Alan said. The result of Alan’s hard work is a modern workshop with eight hoists and 12 work bays, office space for administration staff and a customer lounge with television, refreshment and toilet facilities and a courtesy car to ferry customers to and from the building. The staff has grown during the journey and now numbers 10, including an administration team member, two service advisers, four qualified technicians and two apprentice technicians.
Alan Roe, at work as service manager at Graham Thomson Motors in 1998, several months before starting his own business.
An important time in the history of the business was the forging of the alliance with the Bosch Car Service network about seven years ago. “We’re very progressive here, we keep on top of the changing technology and constantly update equipment and train our technicians to use that equipment,” Alan said. “We have four or five laptops in the workshop that give us access to data, specifications and technical information of various brands.”
“We’re very progressive here, we keep on top of the changing technology and constantly update equipment and train our technicians to use that equipment.” - Alan Roe 2 Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
A modern workshop is a feature of the Alan Roe Automotive premises. Picture: Megan Fisher
JUNE 2019
Celebrating 20 years
The Alan Roe Automotive team: James Rankin, Alan Roe, Sally Gow, Michael Beggs, Kane Boxtel, Renato Vigil, Chris Doran, Tyson Lucas, Ricky Tainton and Callum McConnochie. Pictures: Megan Fisher
Business celebrates 20 years of service and success In 1999 John Howard was Australia’s prime minister, North Melbourne downed Carlton to become AFL premiers and the world of technology was fixated on the ‘millenium bug’. It was also the year that diesel mechanic Alan Roe fulfilled a long-held ambition — to start his own business in Shepparton. On April 1, 1999, Alan opened the doors of a small rented shed, and thus began the building of a respected business that has been a significant employer in its 20-year history. Since leaving school at 15, Alan’s career path aligned with the automotive industry, and he took skills learned along the way, and guidance from previous employers, to invest in Alan Roe Automotive.
use by the skilled technicians to carry out a range of vehicle repairs, servicing and maintenance. Investing in technology and training, and always putting the customer first has seen the enterprise flourish, with the many repeat, and second-generation, clients a testament to the business model. “Eighty to 90 per cent of customers are repeat clients, whether they are individuals or fleet operators,” Alan said. “We have clients whose cars we have serviced for years, and then their son or daughter gets their first car, and we look after them too.
The “small one-man show” rapidly outgrew the rented space and relocated “You get to know people very well and to its present site in Naomi St, a modern, build up a good relationship with them purpose-built workshop with customer over the years.” amenities and workable administration A key moment in the firm’s history space. was the affiliation with the Bosch Car With eight hoists and 12 bays the Service network seven years ago, which workshop is equipped with state-of-theoffers customers an Australia-wide warranty on any repairs. art diagnostic equipment and tools, for Technician Renato Vigil at work.
Continued on page 4
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Alan Roe Automotive
Service technician Kane Boxtel is one of the skilled team members.
Staff are qualified to service all vehicles including European cars.
Continued from page 3 “Bosch offers marketing advice, the training of technicians and conducts audits on individual member businesses to ensure we’re following procedure and are compliant in terms of their high standards,” Alan said. “Through our affiliation with Bosch the customer knows that we have made a substantial investment in training and knowledge, and use the most current equipment available to diagnose and service their car,” Alan said. “People recognise the Bosch name; it gives them confidence.” Alan’s original vision — to grow the business to its present size so he could continue to invest for the future in terms of training and equipment — hasn’t wavered since April 1999. “With the automotive industry, development in technology moves quickly and the
Congratulations Alan Roe Automotive
for celebrating 20 years in business
development is never-ending,” Alan said. “Being an independent repairer, you have difficulties keeping up with the technology, both from an information point of view, and a training point of view, so to keep our technicians trained on modern vehicles, the alliance with Bosch helps tremendously.” Alan Roe Automotive has provided opportunities for about 20 apprentice technicians since its inception with two of the longest serving staff members, Chris Doran and Tyson Lucas, having been with the team for 12 and 10 years respectively. Now workshop foreman, Chris started his apprenticeship with Alan and assists with the training of the next generation of skilled technicians. “The team is a very cruisy bunch; we all get along well and have common interests, it’s an easy environment to work in,” Chris said.
Congratulations Alan Roe Automotive for being a valuable member of our business community in Shepparton for the last 20 years!
The modern façade of the Naomi St workshop. Pictures: Megan Fisher
Rod, Geoff and the team would like to congratulate Alan Roe Automotive on 20 years.
Congratulations to Alan and Team
- Shepparton News
From all of the team here @ 4 Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
117 Welsford St, Shepparton
5821 9555
JUNE 2019
Celebrating 20 years
A lifelong love of cars From the time he was a small boy Alan Roe was destined to work in the automotive industry. Born and raised in the Goulburn Valley, on a Pine Lodge farm, Alan followed the lead of his father, who was also mechanically minded and was an early influence. “I can’t see that I would have ever done anything different,” Alan said. As a 15-year-old school leaver he started a diesel mechanic apprenticeship with Brian Thomson Motors in December 1978, and spent seven years there learning his trade. A long-held interest in motor sport took Alan to the Northern Territory in 1985 to compete in a desert race, and deciding to stay on he got his first taste of business ownership, joining forces with a friend from Wangaratta to operate a workshop in Alice Springs. After 10 years, Alan swapped working on four-wheel drives for trucks, returning
to Shepparton and taking on the service manager’s role where he started his career. “By that time Brian Thomson’s brother Graham had taken over the business and renamed it Graham Thomson Motors,” Alan said. He credits Graham with teaching him valuable marketing skills and then accountant and now general manager of Graham Thomson Motors, Gerard Michel, for imparting finance knowledge that has helped him build Alan Roe Automotive. “Graham taught me it was more than just working hard and earning money, he gave me an understanding of the right way of running a business,” Alan said. The ‘right way’ is focusing on customer service, investing in new technology and staff training and taking opportunities, such as the alliance with the Bosch Car
Alan describes his job as challenging and interesting and admits to being a “jack of all trades”.
Service network, as they arise. Alan’s good working knowledge of engines, and time spent in Melbourne training in petrol and EFI technology, helped make the transition from truck mechanic to light vehicle technician a smooth one, when he started his own business in Shepparton in 1999.
“I do whatever is needed; I fit tyres and fill in for admin although I’m not very good at that,” he said.
About 80 per cent of his customers are repeat clients, whether they are individuals or fleet operators, and more than one generation of several families are valued customers.
“The long and the short of it is I’m a mechanic and I like fixing cars.”
“We have clients whose cars we have serviced for years, and then their son or daughter gets their first car, and we look after them too,” Alan said. “You get to know people very well and build up a good relationship with them over the years.”
“I get the most enjoyment out of managing staff and being involved in the diagnostic process of cars in the workshop.
Away from the workplace Alan isn’t too far from cars, having competed in many forms of motor sport including rally car racing on gravel and tarmac and circuit racing. “I’ve always been very passionate about motor sport, and I suppose it fits in well with my day job.”
Alan Roe was destined to work with engines from a young age. Picture: Megan Fisher
Congratulations to Alan Roe Automotive on 20 years
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Congratulations to Alan, Sally and staff on running a wonderful family business for the past 20 years, servicing people of the Goulburn Valley
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Maurice Monichino Steve Monichino
5821 3196
Fax: 03 5831 1756
Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
JUNE 2019 5
Alan Roe Automotive
Bosch alliance forges ahead The alliance Alan Roe Automotive forged with the Bosch Car Service network seven years ago continues to offer benefits to both organisations, and more importantly, local vehicle owners. Through the association, Alan Roe said he and his staff have access to up-to-date training opportunities to remain abreast of new technology and developments within the industry.
As well as offering training to technicians in the Bosch facility in Melbourne, the organisation supports its network dealers with management and marketing education.
“About eight years ago I was operating as an independent repairer and I felt in order to keep the business moving forward we had to align with a multinational company with an Australia-wide dealer network,” Alan said.
Alan has completed a Bosch Excellence training course and in 2017 was named dealer of the year for Victoria and Tasmania.
“I looked at other options but Bosch was the best fit for what I was looking for, to try to take the business that had started as a little one-man show to the next level.”
“Bosch is a recognisable name within the industry. It is a German company and is one of the largest manufacturers of electronic components in cars,” Alan said. “Bosch has manufactured points, distributors and starter motors for
Australian-made and European vehicles for decades. “From a dealer perspective it was good to align with a company that was involved in the car manufacturing industry, it was a good connection,” he said. Bosch regularly conducts audits on individual network businesses to ensure they are following procedure and are compliant with its high standards. “Through our affiliation with Bosch the customer knows that we have made a substantial investment in training and knowledge, and use the most current equipment available to diagnose and
service their car,” Alan said. “People recognise the Bosch name; it gives them confidence.” Clean and tidy premises, a presentable administration space, customer waiting area and courtesy drop-off and pickup service for customers were Bosch requirements to join its network, and were already in place at Alan Roe Automotive. “I saw this as a way of future-proofing the business by being required to keep up business standards, have ongoing training for technicians and effectively marketing the business so we don’t get left behind,” Alan said.
n and Congratulations to Ala Team tive the Alan Roe Automo rsary. on their 20th Annive the future.
for pport and best wish.es Thank you for your su ight Fre ’s nell Bick at and the Team – Ros
Main service area Cobram
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03 5831 7166
www.bicknells.net.au 6 Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
JUNE 2019
Celebrating 20 years
Technicians Kane Boxtel, Renato Vigil, Chris Doran, Tyson Lucas and apprentice technicians Ricky Tainton and Callum McConnochie receive regular training through the Bosch Car Service network alliance. Picture: Megan Fisher
Bosch Car Service Alan Roe Automotive
Bosch congratulates Alan Roe Automotive on their 20 years in vehicle servicing and repairs. The 5 star Bosch Car Service workshop: • is equipped with the latest Bosch diagnostic equipment
• fits Bosch automotive replacement parts (where available)
• attends regular Bosch Automotive Technical Training
• offers a 12 month Nationwide Warranty on all parts and repairs
For everything your car needs.
Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
JUNE 2019 7
Alan Roe Automotive
8 Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
JUNE 2019
Celebrating 20 years
Photography: Megan Fisher and Rodney Braithwaite.
Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
JUNE 2019 9
Alan Roe Automotive
Customer service and car care are top priorities Outstanding customer service is something the entire team at Alan Roe Automotive strives to achieve. For many visitors to the Naomi St site the first point of contact is service advisers James Rankin and Michael Beggs, and prior to that it was longserving service manager Matt Mifsud. Business owner Alan Roe said when Matt relocated from the area to Bendigo in January, a 12-year employment chapter was closed. “The customers really miss him, Matt was a real people person and had been in the automotive industry for many years,” Alan said. Matt said it was the customers and the team that made the job so enjoyable.
workshop foreman Chris Doran to co-ordinate the flow of work. “One thing I will say is that there are really good people in the automotive industry in Shepparton, I had to communicate with other businesses on a daily basis and they were really good to work with,” Matt said. “Alan always encourages his staff to have good work/life balance for health and wellbeing. I left on very good terms; Alan was obviously my employer but also a good friend and mentor.” Alan said Matt’s departure had created new opportunities for other staff members, including himself.
“I came to the business with a background in spare parts and the best part of the job was the absolutely fantastic customers, it was easy to build a good rapport with people,” Matt said.
“Matt pretty much ran the place, so his leaving has probably given me a new lease of life in the business, I’ve been more motivated and I am more involved,” Alan said.
“I learnt a lot from Alan over the years about running a business and always putting the customer first.”
“I’m excited for the future and have taken a more hands-on approach in the running of the business.”
Starting as service adviser, Matt spent the last few years of his tenure as service manager working closely with
“I learnt a lot from Alan over the years about running a business and always putting the customer first.”
Service advisers James Rankin and Michael Beggs assist customers with all inquiries. Pictures: Megan Fisher
- Matt Misfud
Congratulations
Alan Roe Automotive on 20 years in business From all of us at
SHEPPARTON - 87 Benalla Road Ph: 5821 6400 Email: shepparton@totaltools.com.au
10 Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
JUNE 2019
Congratulations
Alan Roe on 20 years in business From the team at
Phone 5821 9992 | 12-14 Keppel St, Shepparton rod@rodwildauto.com.au | www.rodwildauto.com.au R.T.A. AU 06650
Celebrating 20 years
Keeping up with technology Alan Roe has spent his entire working life in the automotive industry and has seen the industry evolve and change dramatically in that time. His decision to form an alliance with the Bosch Car Service network seven years ago was motivated in part by staying abreast of those technological changes. “One big change, especially in the past 10 years, has been the loss of car manufacturing in Australia, and in our business a real shift towards working on European cars,” Alan said. “The Bosch connection has been a really good fit for us, because years ago we rarely worked on European cars.” Workshop practices have been improved over the years, in line with occupational health and safety standards, training staff to be safety conscious and with an emphasis on reducing the risk of injury. “There have also been changes to the vehicles themselves, meeting certain standards so cars comply with reduced
emissions targets has driven a lot of that technology,” Alan said. Large numbers of on-board computers and additional electronics now control all functions within vehicles, which has increased the workshop’s reliance on computers and laptops to access online data, instead of relying on the oldfashioned service books. “Since I started in the industry there have been changes to things like airconditioning and heated seats, instead of the wind-down windows we now have electric windows and the old cassette players have been replaced with state-ofthe-art Bluetooth systems,” Alan said. “A lot of these new features are for driver comfort but there’s also more emphasis on safety including anti-skid brakes and airbags.”
Technology assists Alan Roe, and his staff, to work on all vehicles. Picture: Rodney Braithwaite
O’Sullivan Insurance Brokers congratulate Alan Roe Automotive on their 20 year milestone of service to clients throughout the Goulburn Valley.
CONGRATULATIONS Alan Roe Automotive on 20 years in business
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For all your commercial insurance needs please contact Geoff O’Sullivan 0418 570 385, Justin Crook 0400 321 470 or the office on 58 221999 www.osullivanib.com.au
12–14 Williams Road, Shepparton P: (03) 5821 2266 E: admin@gveng.com.au
Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
JUNE 2019 11
Alan Roe Automotive
Apprentices Callum McConnochie and Ricky Tainton are learning the automotive trade. Picture: Megan Fisher
A start in the industry Since its inception Alan Roe Automotive has given more than 20 young people a start in the industry. Alan has a solid apprenticeship program and his philosophy is to regularly employ young, enthusiastic team members to ensure the long-term future of his skilled workforce. “From my point of view, I like to train these young apprentices our way, to understand the ethics of the business,” Alan said. “I’m looking ahead and working towards having a skilled team member, maybe not in their first year, but in three or four years’ time.”
quality workmanship. “They need to be trained with our brand in mind, and how we’ve built the business − and that’s by being very customer focused,” Alan said. “My first-year apprentices need to have their licence because they will drive the courtesy car to drop off and pick up customers. It’s a good way for them to get to know and build rapport with the customers.”
As well as completing training at GOTAFE, the apprentices learn early the importance of customer service and
Alan Roe Automotive has two apprentices, Ricky Tainton and Callum McConnochie, who are closely guided by the four qualified technicians.
Apprentice Callum McConnochie is learning valuable trade skills at Alan Roe Automotive. Picture: Rodney Braithwaite
Congratulations to Alan Roe for 20 great years in business!
Phone 03 5831 2866 | 57 Mitchell Street, Shepparton
12 Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
JUNE 2019
Phone 03 5821 2099 | 57 Mitchell Street, Shepparton
Celebrating 20 years
One-stop shop for all cars Alan Roe Automotive is a one-stop shop that has developed over time to deal with all aspects of car repair and maintenance. Skilled technicians use up-to-date equipment to service and repair all makes and models of vehicles to manufacturers’ specifications and standards, but the work doesn’t stop there. Owner Alan Roe said the business was licensed by VicRoads to conduct roadworthy inspections, while staff are licensed airconditioning technicians and can supply and fit tyres and conduct wheel balances and alignments. “When your car comes to us, we check tyres, brakes, suspension, engine, windscreen, airconditioning — it’s a well-
rounded business,” Alan said. On any given day the modern workshop, which has eight hoists and 12 work bays, is filled with a mix of diesel and petrol cars, utilities and SUV-type vehicles of varying brands and ages. The customer base includes individuals and fleet operators. Alan Roe Automotive is a VACC accredited automobile repairer and as such, can carry out servicing on new cars without voiding the manufacturer’s warranty.
Sally Gow takes care of administration at Alan Roe Automotive. Pictures: Megan Fisher
With access to data, including specifications and technical information of most vehicle brands, and by using manufacturer specified parts or an equivalent, new car buyers could be assured of keeping their warranty intact, he said.
Major suppliers to the business are Burson Auto Parts and Penrite Oil, along with local tyre suppliers. “I consider them partners in our business,” Alan said. “Burson is here 20 times a day delivering parts, often within 10 minutes of us placing our order. Penrite has a distribution centre here in Shepparton, and they give us good service too.”
Fleet vehicles and private cars are serviced in the modern workshop.
Perta Thomson Partners would like to congratulate Alan Roe Automotive on 20 years in business.
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We would like to congratulate Alan Roe on 20 years of supporting the vehicle owners of the Goulburn Valley.
(03) 5823 2233 636A, Wyndham Street, Shepparton www.daitronics.com.au
140-142 Welsford Street Shepparton 03 5821 8644 admin@ptps.com.au
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“Dealer offers of free servicing, capped price and fixed price servicing of new cars has had some impact on the business, but I would encourage people to investigate that because sometimes we are cheaper than the capped-price,” Alan said.
Creating Dreams Worth Fighting For
Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
JUNE 2019 13
Alan Roe Automotive
From apprentice to foreman Chris Doran has worked his way up through the ranks at Alan Roe Automotive, having started there not long out of school as a first-year apprentice. Fast forward 12 years and Chris is now the workshop foreman, responsible for the smooth operation of the busy space.
all get along well and have common interests, it’s an easy environment to work in.”
“I’ve always been interested in cars and when I was a teenager I always wanted to know more about them,” Chris said.
The relationship with the Bosch Car Service Network was a positive one, Chris said, and gave him and his colleagues opportunities to upskill and stay abreast of technological advancements.
After completing a pre-apprenticeship course and work experience Chris was even more motivated to move into the industry, securing an apprenticeship with the business and studying at GOTAFE. “I was really enjoying the trade so I stayed on when I finished my apprenticeship,” Chris said. “The team is a very cruisy bunch; we
“The best thing about working here is the ease of the group I work with,” Chris said. “The work is challenging, especially the diagnostic element, but I love that side of it because it breaks up the daily routine of scheduling work and assigning tasks.”
Workshop foreman Chris Doran started as a first-year apprentice.
Picture: Megan Fisher
BURSON AUTO PARTS would like to thank
ALAN ROE AUTOMOTIVE for his loyalty to our company over the last 20 years.
24 Benalla Rd, Shepparton 5831 3907 www.burson.com.au
14 Alan Roe Automotive Shepparton News Feature
JUNE 2019
Celebrating 20 years
Enjoying a career in cars A long-held interest in cars has translated into a career for senior technician Tyson Lucas. “My family is right into cars, and my Dad rebuilds automatic transmissions so I pretty much grew up around cars,” Tyson said. He has worked for Alan Roe for 10 years, starting an apprenticeship as a 17-yearold after responding to an advertisement in the paper. “There is a lot more advancement in diagnostics technology,” Tyson said. “But I still love it; love the work and the people I work with. “It’s a good feeling to be able to help someone who is having trouble with their car, to understand what the vehicle is doing and fix it.” After 10 years in the industry Tyson Lucas still loves his job.
Tyson said he enjoyed the variety of vehicles that come into the workshop,
such as European cars and four-wheel drives, which is in stark contrast to the current project car he’s working on at home — an Australian-made Holden Gemini.
“It’s a good feeling to be able to help someone who is having trouble with their car, to understand what the vehicle is doing and fix it.” - Tyson Lucas
Picture: Megan Fisher
Congratulations Alan and Sally
Leading the way in automotive servicing and repairs for 20 years.
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Alan Roe Automotive, Bosch Car Service 9 Naomi St, Shepparton | 5821 4494 | alanroeautomotive.com.au