52 | Family-owned and operated values Aimee Wilson RURAL SERVICES » Bay Motorcycles Waipukurau Suzuki has had a 40-year history with the store, and Kawasaki has been involved with 12 years. Bay Motorcycles Waipukurau has stayed true to its family-owned and operated values despite now being part of Hawkes Bay Motors Group. Manager Wayne Thompson has been part of the business for 35 years and knows it inside and out, with the farming/horticulture industry making up a large majority of business. As well as offering high quality motorbike servicing to both large-scale commercial farming operations and private customers, the business branched out into bicycles, chainsaws and lawn mowers to keep diversifying the business model. Horizon Farming and Brownrigg Agriculture are its two of its larger scale clients with both companies running 25 UTV vehicles that require regular servicing under both the Can Am and Suzuki brands - for everything ATV’s to side by side models. Kawasaki provides a strong presence in the horticulture industry and backs up the local motorcross and trail riders as well, with plenty of options. Suzuki has had a 40-year history with the store, and Kawasaki has been involved with 12 years. The team will go on farm to attend demonstrations and offer a complete pickup and delivery service saving time for everyone - particularly when the farm and horticulture industries are busy. They have courtesy fleet of ATV’s for clients to use while their own bikes are out of action, and this is part of Bay Motorcycles’ key to ongoing success, and the way the team will go above and beyond to get the job done. “Sometimes our clients need their bikes back quickly so we’re constantly working around pressure to get the job done.” But by maintaining that constant high standard, the team will always go out of their way to look after their smaller customers as well, and those who walk in off the street to browse their showroom will be impressed. “We sell a lot of used motorcycles around the country, So theres always have an impressive lineup of new and used bikes in store. There is something for everyone.” Covering everywhere from Norsewood to Te Hauke, the team of 15 is made up of four qualified technicians with most having 10 years’ experience, three apprentices and six front of house staff. One of the larger employers in the Central Hawkes Bay, Bay Motorcycles is happy to train up new young people wanting to learn on the job, through its Mito apprentice programme. Opening in the late 1970s, Bay Motorcycles has only had four owners in 40 years, including Wayne who was one of the last shareholders before it sold out to the Hawkes Bay Motor Group. Along with some diesel experience, he’s seen some big changes over that time, starting with when there were only two wheelers on the market, and then it moved onto four-wheelers. “Now our side-by-sides are the most dominant product.” RCYCLES BAY M Like many businesses at present, the challenge remains keeping prices down to the end user, and being mindful of the increased cost of living. Manager Wayne Thompson has been part of the business for 35 years.
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