Miles and Diane Shelley are continuing the family ownership of Hauraki Plains Motors after taking over the nine decades old Ngatea business from Frank Fullerton just before Christmas.
Established in 1926, the business has been through a few changes of ownership over the years, but the Shelley family have been an integral part of it since Miles’ father Bruce was one of its early directors.
Miles originally worked on a dairy farm before starting his mechanical apprenticeship which he completed with Hauraki Plains Motors in 1979. He has also been a registered Motor Vehicle Dealers Institute salesman since 1985. The Shelleys have both worked for the company since they left school.
Frank and Miles took over sole ownership of the business together in 1996; three of Mile’s brothers were previously shareholders in the company.
Although Miles and Diane have worked in the business for so long and know the ropes extremely well, the December 22 possession date means it has been a particularly hectic time for them. “It was a long time coming. We’ve been working on the process for purchase since March.
Then at the last minute it all came together and was finalised just Christmas,” Diane says. “At the moment we are absolutely flat out.”
Hauraki Plains Motors key franchise is Honda sales and servicing for motorcycles and outboard motors; it is also an agent for several other wellknown brands including C-Dax, Masport, Hustler, Echo, Powerbuilt, Stephens Giltrap and Adventure Brands.
“The Honda franchise has been very important to us. As well as sales, it keeps the workshop busy with the servicing, but the other brands make an important contribution to the business too.”
The diversity of brands and type of machinery means workshop staff have a lot of variety in the jobs they handle; this contributes to their job satis-faction with some having worked for the company for several decades.
Hauraki Plains Motors offers a comprehensive service backed with spare parts and accessories and stocks parts for ATVs, car and tractor tyres, and boats.
Also stocked are general hardware items inducing tools, paint, hydraulic hosing, chainsaw chains and bars.
“We are also an authorised warrant of fitness centre for cars, motorbikes, trailers and tractors. Two service mechanics are on the road in utes to complete on-farm repairs for customers.”
Miles says it has been enjoyable and rewarding to work for the company and is looking forward to himself and Diane leading it into the future.
About 70% of Hauraki Plains Motors client base are farmers, but it’s connection with Honda Marine and proximity, about five kilometres from the Firth of Thames, means it also has a good client base of fishermen.
While the company has many loyal, long standing clients, generational change and a more mobile rural sector means the Shelleys take nothing for granted and are aware of the need to maintain high standards of service and customer satisfaction.
Once they catch their breath they plan to upgrade some computer systems to provide better monitoring, reporting and budgeting to look at ways of creating efficiencies and to ensure they are getting the best out of the business.
This article was brought to you in association with the following businesses…
- Silvan New Zealand Pty Limited
- Hauraki Plains Motors
- Quinn Engineering
- Kinghitter
- Vogal Fertiliser Spreader
