Alison and Ian Richards have spent more than two decades at the helm of Aitkenvale Auto and Dyno in Townsville. They have seen the community grow as their business has gone from strength to strength. Ian took time out of his busy workshop to talk to Motor Trader.

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

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What is the core business at Aitkenvale Auto and Dyno?

IR: Our bread and butter is general servicing and repairs. We carry out the usual logbook & general servicing along with suspension, steering and brake repairs, and upgrades to most makes and models. We also repair and service air conditioners, but our passion is for performance upgrades.

We dyno test and tune for performance, economy, or for diagnostics. We do ‘old school’ vehicle repairs and restorations
as well as those on more current models. We rebuild and modify engines and diffs, and we fit superchargers and turbochargers. We used to do a lot of Falcon performance upgrades, but that element of the business has been reduced significantly since Ford ceased manufacturing in Australia.

We are a dealer for Australian made Manta exhaust systems, and we are a dealer/installer/tuner of Unichip performance enhancement computers.

How long have you been in business?

IR: We opened the doors of the business at this location at 8 Fleming St, Aitkenvale in 2001. After more than two decades in this street we feel very much at home.

What is your background in the Automotive Industry?

IR: In 1979 I began my apprenticeship with a Holden dealer in Melbourne. In 1984 I finished my trade qualifications and began working at a performance workshop owned by an ex Ford Special Vehicles race team engineer. After learning performance engine building, turbo charging and tuning of various performance carburetors for five years, I moved on to complete an additional five years at an engine import workshop. 10 years after completing my trade I stepped into my own mechanic workshop in Melbourne. I looked after my Victorian customers for two years before making the move to Townsville.

Alison had moved to Melbourne from Far North Queensland to work in the food industry as a business manager. We met and fell in love and were soon married. Alison convinced me to move north with her back to the tropics. Arriving in Queensland, I spent eight years working in BP workshops before we started our own business.

Are you still hands on in the business today?

IR: I am on the tools six days a week, but I spend more time in the office than I like. Alison manages the office five days per week.

Who is in your current team?

IR: Alison manages the back office and I am between the office and the workshop. Shannon has been in the office as service advisor since 2004. Brendan is a leading hand mechanic and the dyno tuner who has been with us for 19 years. Jason is a qualified tech mechanic and has been here for three years. Antonello is our new service advisor who started with us in January and is the newest member of the team. We have taken on apprentices in the past but currently we don’t have any.

Do you sponsor a lot of local motorsport and individual competitors?

IR: We support Cyclones Hotrod & Custom Club’s annual show and shine in which I help judge. We also like to get involved with the V8 supercars. We are always happy to support our community, but it is not a critical strategy for our marketing.

What are your plans for the next few years?

IR: Keep plodding along, building on our reputation of being good technicians delivering quality service with affordable charges and consistent work quality. To do that we will maintain up to date equipment and move with the industry’s technology.

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

IR: The greatest technology advancements for our business include quality ECU computer scanners (we have three), Eftpos for quick funds depositing, fast PCs and quality diagnostic software for technical information and researching options.

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

IR: Maybe in another 5 years or so. We are seeing Hybrid vehicles for servicing, but they are not causing issues yet. There is no training locally, but we are keen to embrace any training available.

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

IR: Social media is now far more important than most print media, and we have scaled back or deleted most of our print media. We are slowly learning to master social media, but we acknowledge that we don’t truly understand it.

Has Covid impacted your business?

IR: We have not been impacted by Covid, but we have implemented new procedures to make sure the customers cars are clean and our staff are protected.

What cars do you own?

IR: My daily driver is a Nissan Patrol wagon and Alison drives a diesel Mazda CX8. We also have a Mazda RX8 V8 converted project car nearing completion. There is a convertible Commodore ute now off the road minus an engine and gearbox; both now in the RX8. Finally, we have a Ford Ranger and my KTM motorcycle.

What do you do with your spare time?

IR: I like adventure touring motorcycles and so I grab every chance I can to get out on my KTM. Alison enjoys hanging out with Hunter our German shepherd and cooking.

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

IR: Not all couples can work together, and we have been very lucky to work together for 20 years. One of the reasons we have succeeded is because we have made a point of making time for our relationship and our family. In hindsight, I would put in processes and systems to make the business more autonomous so we can have time away. My top tips to a younger me are to be picky hiring staff, get a bigger workshop than you think you will need, get a good accountant, join MTA Queensland and Capricorn, and don’t get greedy.

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

IR: We signed up to be a member of MTA Queensland on the day we opened 20 years ago. We really appreciate the advice on human resources, the availability of information about the latest developments in the industry, particularly when it comes to training for ourselves and our staff. I also think being an MTA Queensland member gives our customers greater confidence in us and marks us as a credible industry representative who can be trusted.

Click here to visit the Aitkenvale Auto & Dyno Website 

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (June 2022) 

7 June 2022