60 | Karen Phelps Ownership move drives membership Blackfern directors Richmel , Kevin and Roger hold up voting slips frame celebrating five years operation 2019. TRANSPORT Blackfern Cooperative The move around a year ago from being a cooperatively principled company to members becoming owners of Blackfern Cooperative has positively driven membership, says Blackfern Cooperative director Roger Castleton. “The members now have even better control of what we do. We have noticed an increase in support as a result with an uptick in membership and spend of around 20%. When I go to a supplier and negotiate a better deal I speak on behalf of 1300 members who are also owners.” Blackfern is a cooperative buying group in the independent motor industry repairer space that was started in 2014 when 15 local automotive repairers in Masterton came together to find a solution for challenges independent workshops within New Zealand were facing. Blackfern Cooperative provided collective solutions for marketing, technology and business facilitation and helped to address future challenges to the automotive industry in an ever-changing consumer landscape. Roger says the cooperative faced initial barriers due to legislative changes, which saw the group operating initially as a cooperatively principled company. Recent legislative changes have enabled it to move to a mutualised cooperative within the parameters of the New Zealand Companies Cooperative Act 1996. He acknowledges Cooperative Business Association New Zealand and its assistance and contribution around lobbying Government to preserve the principles around cooperation for its members during the recent changes. Roger says one of the motivating factors to establishing Blackfern Cooperative in the first place was identifying the need for competition in the local industry. “Now if you are a little garage that is a member of Blackfern Cooperative you have the same buying power as bigger garages no matter where you are. That means the repairer gets a better margin and discounts also flow on down to the driving public who get a better deal and more choice as well.” Access to vehicle data was another area of need for repairers that was identified. Roger says a deal with the Victoria Automotive Chamber of Commerce in Australia has seen the introduction of this information to New Zealand Blackfern Cooperative members at an accessible price, once again evening the playing field for smaller repairers. As New Zealand has around 70 different vehicle types, having access to a variety of repair data is important, he says, so the general public has more choice when selecting an independent repairer for their vehicle. “We collectively provide a one stop shop for vehicle data access to member repairer workshops,” he says. “Additionally our eBits parts request tool, makes it easy for members to ask suppliers if they have hard to find parts. The automated online service saves the repairer and supplier time from sitting on a phone wasting valuable charge out time, subsequently saving the customer money.” In addition better bulk buying prices, another advantage for Blackfern members in being part of the cooperative is some of the most competitive reward points in the industry upfront that don’t expire. Roger says that these reward points can be redeemed in a number of ways such as at the Blackfern Cooperative online reward shop, funding equipment purchases etc. Other advantages are one statement access to over 40 suppliers, which is easy to reconcile and control, deferred payments on some workshop equipment purchases, up to date business terms and conditions templates, a credit checking service and WOF compliance advisor suppliers. Blackfern Cooperative also organises social events and conferences for members. Roger says suppliers have been quick to come on board and in growing numbers. Advantages for suppliers are one statement/ remittance, one guaranteed payment from a potential of 1300 plus members and early payment compared with current industry standard. Suppliers also receive marketing assistance through the Blackfern website, newsletters, flyers, trade publications and have access to seven active area mangers throughout New Zealand. “This all adds up to retaining current business and, best of all, easy access to new business,” says Roger. Looking to the future Blackfern Cooperative is currently focused on industry sustainability, namely retaining people and mapping out a strategy to introduce new people into the industry. “This is definitely a challenge as it is for all industries. We are actively looking to work with associations and trainee organisations this space.” Kiwi Cylinder Heads 0800 549 429 info@kch.co.nz www.cylinderheads.co.nz
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