Professional Motorcycles and Mowers in Atherton, North Queensland, is a well-established business with an excellent reputation for quality workmanship and attention to customer satisfaction. Owner Bruce McRobb took the time to chat about his business with Motor Trader.

Words and pictures: Lara Wilde

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Have you always been passionate about motorcycles?

BM: I began my career with motorcycles as a young man racing motocross and I was fairly successful, competing at the State Championships. I went on to study motorcycle engines, completing my qualification as a small-motor mechanic.

I still enjoy riding motorcycles today, with Yamaha as my daily transport, and over the years I have ridden bikes on many trips to the Cape and Phillip Island. Sitting pride of place in the front of the shop is my 600cc Honda track bike which I always keep ready to race.

How did Professional Motorcycles and Mowers come to be?

BM: Throughout my 35-year career, I had spent time repairing motorcycles and small engines in a lot of different dealerships. I worked within those businesses not only as a mechanic but also in sales, customer service and operational management. After a lifetime of enjoying and working on motorcycles, I followed my passion and opened the doors to Professional Motorcycles and Mowers in December 2007.

Had you run a business before?

BM: No, Professional Motorcycles and Mowers was my first time ever owning and operating a business. I was hands-on doing a lot of the business operations in my previous job and I felt I could create a better business. I decided to put my money where my mouth was and started my own business so I could run it my way.

Did you do any business-specific training to prepare for business ownership?

BM: I had studied business principles at school but that wasn’t quite enough to give me the confidence I wanted. I understand and appreciate the value of training, so I enrolled and completed a Certificate III in Business. That training has been invaluable in successfully managing my first business.

What services do you provide at Professional Motorcycles and Mowers?

BM: We offer motorcycle roadworthy inspections, motorcycle servicing, repairs, maintenance, tyres, batteries, spare parts and accessories. We also provide repairs and maintenance for small engines such as those on mowers and chainsaws.

The business title includes motorcycles and mowers. Are motorcycles or mowers the core focus of the business?

BM: While my first passion is motorcycles, the balance of the work depends on the season. During the dry season when the riding weather is perfect in the north of Queensland, 90 per cent of the business is focussed on the repair and maintenance of motorcycles. During the wet season when it is too wet to ride and too wet to mow, 80 per cent of the business is the maintenance and repair of mowers.

How many are in the Professional Motorcycles and Mowers team?

BM: The team is small with just myself and my mechanic Glen. I have found that by keeping the team small I can make sure that the quality of work produced and our attention to detail is exceptional. This delivers exceptional customer service and reinforces our reputation in the community.

How did Glen come to be your mechanic?

BM: Glen came to me as a keen young man who was passionate about motorcycles, and I signed him on as an apprentice. He completed his apprenticeship with Professional Motorcycles and Mowers and now works with me as a fully qualified mechanic. Through my career I have put two apprentices through their qualification, and I may consider putting another apprentice through their trade in the future.

Do you place a lot of value on training for yourself and staff?

BM: Professional development is key to the business. We are always keeping up with new technology and participating in on-the-job training to stay at the forefront of the industry as it develops. One of the benefits we are looking forward to receiving as a new MTA Queensland member is access to the latest developments in training and innovation within the industry.

What plans do you have for Professional Motorcycles and Mowers in the next few years?

BM: The business has just relocated to new, larger premises. With the extra space I plan to increase the amount of stock I keep on hand. We are already the largest specialist supplier of motorcycle tyres on the Atherton Tablelands but with the new space we will expand the range of tyres. We will stock additional spare parts and new accessories for riders providing fitting and customisation as required.

How do you market your business?

BM: The focus of our marketing is heavily placed on word of mouth. We are proud of our reputation within the region as a professional, reliable and quality provider of motorcycle and mower repairs and maintenance.

The motorcycling community in particular is close-knit and word of our work spreads quickly. When the doors first opened, I did advertise in the local newspaper but that has since shut down. We do have a Facebook page, but it is fairly inactive. I might get around to doing something with the Facebook page one day.

Do you consider that the advancements in electric vehicles will have an impact on your business?

BM: We haven’t seen any impact from the electric vehicle market. Personally, I think it will be a long time until we do see any impact.

What strategies have you put in place to address the impact of COVID-19 for you and your customers?

BM: So far, we have been lucky with no impact from the Coronavirus that has upset so many businesses in metropolitan areas. We have still been cautious and put strategies in place, installed signage and drawn markers to indicate social distancing boundaries within the shop.

You are a new member of MTA Queensland. What made you sign up?

BM: There seems to be a lot of advantages to being an MTA Queensland member. I look forward to engaging with the network and staying up to date with the latest advancements in the industry.

What advice would you give a young Bruce McRobb starting out in the industry?

BM: Don’t stress too much. It will work out!

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (February 2021)

5 February 2021