Pino Priolo’s Capricorn membership story started back in 1981, heralding the start of a special Capricorn Member journey that has spanned more than four decades and three business transitions.
Speaking retrospectively, Pino reflects fondly on his many years as a Capricorn Member. “I joined in 1981, so Capricorn was relatively small and new. Back in the day, service station owners were a tight knit community who all stuck together. I heard about Capricorn from this community and was keen to jump onboard. It took ages to kick off, but it has been incredible to watch the Capricorn cooperative grow and transform over the years.”
Pino’s first service station, BP Nookenburra (WA) was situated close to his current workshop, the Autotouch Service & Repair Centre in Osborne Park. “I was in service stations for 25 years, starting when I was 21. I moved around a few service stations but I was always in the same area,” he explains.
“When my last service station, BP Kerry Motors was closed down, my son Michael and I decided to open our own mechanical workshop, leading to the creation of Autotouch. The mechanical side of the service station business was always my favourite, so I was proud to be the last BP Franchisee in WA with a workshop connected to the service station.”
The partnership with his son has been a significant highlight of Pino’s career.
“It has been great to work in partnership with Michael for the last 18 years. It has always just been him and I in the workshop and we work really well together. He came through as an apprentice with me at BP Kerry Motors and he was very young when he went into business with me. Now he will be ready to take over when I decide to step back.”
“The business is going strong and we benefit from the loyalty and longevity of a strong customer base, many who have followed us from business to business over the years.”
No matter where Pino’s business moves have taken him, Capricorn has always been an integral part of them.
“I’ve moved businesses a number of times, but I’ve never missed a year with Capricorn.”
“It has been amazing to see it grow over the time that I have been a Member, from the number of Preferred Suppliers to the introduction of travel, protection and the fuel card.”
When asked if he enjoys being a Capricorn Member, Pino is resolute. “I wouldn’t change it for the world. It makes it so much easier with admin, having one statement and one payment.”
The industry has changed a great deal over the years, mainly for the better according to this long-term Capricorn Member.
“The industry has changed and mainly for then better these days. The main change is the growth of the disposable world. Now it’s cheaper to buy a new alternator or starter motor than it is to rebuild it. We used to buy the kit to repair the part, instead now with the cost of labour, it is cheaper to buy the new part whole and replace it which has really changed what we do in the workshop,” Pino said.
“Technology has also evolved but we’ve always kept up with it and have the latest technology in the workshop – my son Michael is across all of it. Even with all of the changes, I still enjoy coming to work, it’s a great industry. I don’t have to work quite as hard now because my son has it all under control, but I am always glad to be in the workshop,” Pino added.
