The friendly team at Foster’s Ace Auto Repairs are always happy to see their customers in their Aitkenvale store, and after 45 years in the Townsville community, they are a well-known name in the region. Sharon and Shaun Foster took a moment out of their busy day to talk to Motor Trader.

Words: Lara Wilde, Pictures: Jess Donoghoe, Sweet Spot Photography

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The Foster’s Ace Auto Repairs workshop is a busy hive of activity. What are your main products and services?

SF: Our bread and butter are general servicing, maintenance, and repairs. We focus on customers with all makes of cars, including light vehicles and four-wheel-drives. We also provide roadworthy certificates, vehicle inspections for RACQ members, and we stock and install personal and commercial breathalysers.

Supply and installation of breathalysers is not a common service, can you tell us more about them in your business?

SF: The Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program applies to drivers who are convicted of high-risk drink driving offences. To participate in the program, drink driving offenders require breathalysers be installed in their vehicles. Our most popular breathalysers are the handheld portable devices. They allow individuals and employers to ensure the driver is fit to drive with a safe blood alcohol limit protecting passengers, employees, and fleet vehicles.

Foster’s Ace Auto Repairs is a popular name in Townsville. How long have you been established?

SF: The business was started in 1977 by Shaun’s parents Steve and Faye at our current location 38 Charles Street, Aitkenvale. In 1982, they extended the buildings to provide additional workshop space. We took over the business in 2007 and since then we have continued to see it grow.

What is your background in the automotive industry?

SF: Shaun did his apprenticeship in Townsville with Allen Llewellyn after Shaun made a decision to do his apprenticeship with another workshop in town and not with his dad. This was to give him some perspective on how other mechanic businesses are run. Shaun completed his apprenticeship as a light vehicle motor mechanic and auto electrician. I come from a hospitality and tourism background where I mastered customer service and business management.

Are you still hands-on in the business today?

SF: Very much so. Shaun is still on the tools five days a week and I am in the office managing the business five days a week. We are across every aspect of the business, including mentoring and training staff.

Who is in your current team?

SF: Elena is the assistant office manager in the office, Mark is our mechanic and has been here for 16 years, Jayden is another mechanic, and Curtis is our fourth-year apprentice mechanic. Miguel is our second-year apprentice mechanic and Quinn is our trade assistant helping in the workshop.

Do you sponsor a lot of local motorsport and individual competitors? What role does it play in your marketing activities for the business?

SF: The Foster’s Ace Auto Repairs marketing strategy is focused on maintaining our reputation and generating word-of-mouth referrals from our satisfied customers. We are passionate about supporting our local community, but we do it because we care and not necessarily for marketing purposes.

We sponsor the Car 321 in the Queensland Variety Bash, Centrals Rugby League Football Club and Oztag Townsville. We also make donations to community groups such as the local netball teams, Diggers Military Motorcycle Club for Veterans and the Cyclones Rod and Custom Club hot rod show.

What are your plans for the next few years?

SF: Eventually we will sell the business but for now we are looking to satisfy our customers and continue to grow Foster’s Ace Auto Repairs.

What do you do with your spare time?

SF: As a family we love spending our time away from the business camping, fishing, and doing as little as possible! I also volunteer a lot of time at the Centrals Football Club to help build the sport in our community.

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

SF: Running a mechanic shop can be challenging. We inherited a family business and we were very excited but there were many things we should have paid attention to earlier. I would advise a young us to ‘Keep your mind open to see your business as it is rather than being stuck in a honeymoon period where you have rose tinted glasses.’

How much importance do you place on social media for your business?

SF: We don’t like social media, so we do the bare minimum. There is a business listing for Foster’s Ace Auto Repairs on Facebook but there is no page or engagement on behalf of the business. We focus on building relationships with our customers and the community.

What do you see as the greatest advancement in technology for your business?

SF: By far the greatest advancement in technology for us has been the amount of content available online and, in particular, the online access to workshop manuals to research what is available and best practice for each specific model of car and mechanical issue in the workshop.

What cars do you own?

SF: Our garage of personal cars is very simple. We have a 200 Series Toyota, a Mazda BT50 and an old faithful 80 series Landcruiser. It is great to pack the family up for the weekend and go fishing and camping.

Have you been impacted by Covid?

SF: We have been impacted by Covid in a good way. There was one quiet month at the start and we did panic a little, but since then the workshop has been busier than ever. We think the increase in customer activity is due to the Covid payments giving people disposable cash. Also, the lack of available new cars has meant a boom in the second-hand car market and second-hand cars need more repairs, so we have seen more business.

How long have you been a member of MTAQ?

SF: Foster’s Ace Auto Repairs has been a member of MTAQ since the beginning. We became member Number 254 in 1977.

What has been the greatest benefit of your MTA Queensland membership?

SF: There are lots of benefits to being an MTAQ member and that is why we have been a member for 45 years. The feature we use the most is accessing the HR [workplace relations] advice to best manage our staff. We also take advantage of training when it is delivered locally.

CLICK TO VISIT THE FOSTER’S ACE AUTO REPAIRS WORKSHOP 

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (March 2022) 

15 March 2022