Jasmine and Steve Flanagan own and run Currumbin Wreckers – a one-stop-shop operation offering wrecking, parts sales, mechanical and towing services. As well as running a successful business, Jamine is also vice-chair of MTA Queensland’s Parts Recyclers Division, focusing on trends, skilling needs, representation, and innovation opportunities for the sector. Motor Trader caught up with Jasmine to talk about her business, the Parts Recycling industry, and more.

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What products and services do you offer at Currumbin Wreckers?

JF: We can provide you with the parts you need to get your car back on the road, and we can also help you to save money. Car wreckers can be a great source of used parts which can be significantly cheaper than buying new parts. Not only that, but we also sell new genuine and certified/aftermarket parts at an affordable price!

We expanded our services to include Currumbin Mechanical and Currumbin Towing which means we offer our customers most of their needs in one spot. The workshop having access to both the wreckers stock and Pinnacle Inventory system is a great advantage, while the tow truck services both the wrecking and the mechanical businesses, from picking up cars for dismantling to transporting customers vehicles when they’re in need of assistance, and much more.

What is your background in the industry and how did you and Steve come to own Currumbin Wreckers?

JF: Steve has always been obsessed with cars and anything with a motor. He completed his mechanical apprenticeship at Tweed Motors Holden back in the day and went on to own a wrecking yard in Tweed Heads and his own mechanical shop in Tugun. His family had the Flano’s Recycling shop at the Tugun tip and Stotts Island where he also worked in between these ventures.

We purchased Currumbin Wreckers in 2015 and after 20 years of working in of Dental Assisting, I joined Steve in this new venture. It has been seven years and we are quickly growing thanks to my husband’s entrepreneurialism, the support of family and friends, and the great team we have on board.

You run a busy and successful enterprise. What roles do you and Steve have in the business?

JF: Steve is hands-on in all aspects of the business, from wrecking to sales to mechanical, and he is a used car dealer also. Most of my work now is behind the scenes in the daily running of our businesses as well as other commitments. I’m based at the workshop more these days but I still help in sales and other roles when needed.

We have encouraged our 12 staff and put them through apprenticeships, trade certificates and micro-credential courses to give them more confidence, and certifications for which they deserve to be recognised. At this stage, we also have two employees engaged in an automotive parts sales interpreter apprenticeship.

You are vice-chair of MTA Queensland’s Parts Recyclers Division working on behalf of businesses in the sector. What issues is the parts recycling industry currently facing?

JF: I am passionate about automotive recycling and how we can get involved in reducing waste or continuing parts’ lifespan in other forms. However, the costs of overheads to run a business, Government levies, insurances, waste disposal and fuel increases, to name just a few things, are getting higher.

Tyres are getting harder to dispose of, although there are companies that have invested in this area and their results are great. Hard plastics used in cars, as well as fluff, has hardly any attention paid to it here compared to other countries such as Japan, and we are lucky to have Associations like MTA Queensland rallying our government, as well as entrepreneurs such as Safraz Ali who is doing a PHD at QUT focusing and educating people on how to solve this issue.

It is clear that Australia is way behind in government initiatives and funding to reduce this waste, but I think we are moving forward.

Electrified vehicles are making plenty of headlines at the moment. Do you expect them – and their components such as batteries – to have an impact on your industry?

JF: We are aware of the increase in the media about these vehicles, and I see a Tesla every time I’m driving these days. We know too that they will change the face of car dismantling in the future as there is a whole new aspect in dealing with the different components, especially batteries and their disposal which is a safety minefield for small business and does not come cheap. It is not yet known what impact it will have for this industry, but a bonus of being involved with Associations such as the MTA Queensland is that we will be at the forefront of this knowledge and have the available resources to be prepared for what comes.

Are you planning for the arrival of electrified vehicles in your mechanical workshop, and are there other new technologies that you are seeing and having to deal with across your businesses?

JF: We have trained our staff in many areas and recently Gordan, our senior mechanic, completed an Introduction to Hybrid and EV vehicles with MTA Queensland. At this stage, however, we have not seen many of these vehicles enter the workshop.

There are more electrical components/sensors [such as Lidar and Radar] in late-model vehicles, but they can be difficult to identify and salvage accordingly. There may be an issue with dismantling which can inadvertently damage these parts on removal, or they can be forgotten and not removed if training is not provided. In short, they may be salvaged but will they be a reliable source of income?

How do you market your business? What is the most effective way you have found to get your message out to the public?

JF: We use a social media/SEO company to look after our website and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. We do our own advertising on Marketplace and Gumtree for car sales, and Google is also a very important aspect of marketing.

I have had personal experience with the Government’s ‘Business Station’ program where they offer training for small businesses to learn how to improve their visibility on digital platforms. We are also a member and preferred supplier of Capricorn Society and, obviously, a member of the MTA Queensland. Word of mouth referrals are always appreciated, as is a good standing in the community. That is very important to us.

When did you become a member of MTA Queensland and why did you decide to take on the role of Vice-Chair of the Parts Recyclers Division?

JF: We joined MTA Queensland in 2021 and I became a committee member of the Parts Recyclers Division. I enjoyed learning about the innovations that were being discussed as well as the issues that we face in this industry and how we might solve them. I was inspired and felt great
being involved in something bigger than one small business.

I was asked by the division Chairman Lawrie Beacham to stand as Vice-Chair and accepted in 2021. During this time I have met some truly great people and learnt much more about our recycling industry. Together with Lawrie, Tracey Randall our Secretary, and the great team that makes up MTA Queensland, we disucss industry trends, skill requirements, automotive innovations and much more.

One thing we are focusing on throughout the whole of MTA Queensland is ‘Women in Industry’ and how we can enable more women to further their opportunities and to follow their dreams. This is truly an exciting age that we are entering for women, and it is an honor to be involved in any way I can.

What does the future look like for Currumbin Wreckers?

JF: The future looks stable at the moment as people are always looking for secondhand parts, towing services and reliable mechanics. We aim to make things even more user-friendly and alter the stereotype of the wrecking industry which has been seen as intimidating to many people, especially women. Having happy, friendly and knowledgeable staff has been a key element to our success and customer referral base.

Having women present in the office, on the phone and picking parts adds another level of comfort and service to everyone involved. It also adds another element to staff interactions and we are all great friends.

What do you do with your spare time, if you have any!?

JF: Spare time? Yes we do have to make time for that, as hard as it may be! Obviously, spending time with family and friends is important. We all like to travel overseas, but since Covid we’re trying to see more of our country, whether it be through camping, motorbikes or 4X4. We go to car and bike shows and rallies too. A favourite in last two years has been the Rocky Nats and we are on the way to Bathurst this year. There’s never a dull moment in our lives but it keeps us stimulated. We’re tired but not complaining. Life is good!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CURRUMBIN WRECKER’S WEBSITE

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (September 2022) 

19 September 2022