In case you missed out feature in the January issue of the magazine here's the chat we had with MotorOne.
Sites:14
Employees: 381
Type of work: Drive & Non-Drive
Established: 2019 (in collision)
Apprentices: 39
Funding: Privately funded (managed by Quadrant)
Sites: VIC, NSW, QLD
MotorOne Autobody has more than doubled its footprint since this time last year and put on 30 more apprentices. Of the eight new sites one was a greenfield and seven were acquisitions. Fund manager Quadrant has recently set aside funds to support the network’s growth with the aim of having upwards of 40 sites along the eastern seaboard and to grow earnings to $70million a year within the next three to five years.
Nick Gillies, chief operating officer of MotorOne Autobody said that the last 12 months have certainly been profitable for the company as a direct result of network growth and the existing sites.
“We have another three acquisitions in the pipeline and three greenfield sites in progress. The next 12 months for us is all about continued growth along with strategically planning the structure around our network, additional site locations and human capital requirements. We’re the first to recognise that operating 14 shops will be very different to the challenges associated with operating 30 or 40 locations, so it’s about investing in that structure to ensure that consistency across the entire network,” Gillies said.
“Continuing to invest in our people is key, and part of that journey is attracting and developing apprentices, coaching and mentoring staff into new roles that come with more responsibility.
“It’s these opportunities that MotorOne Autobody can offer their staff that are often not possible in a private ownership situation. When we acquire a new site staff have the opportunity to step-up, take more responsibility and develop new skills. That’s the exciting part of acquisitions” Gillies said.
What has also emerged is a bigger focus on apprentices. MotorOne Autobody have doubled their apprentices from 5% of the workforce to now 10% in the last year. The intention is to keep the momentum going especially with the company’s aggressive growth plans.
“Clearly this is one of our major challenges for 2023, bringing consistency to all sites with our apprentice program.”