Looking back on 25 years of Capricorn in New Zealand, I’m reminded of the phrase, ‘in the blink of an eye’.
When we approached a number of Capricorn Members and Preferred Suppliers to help us celebrate our 25th year in New Zealand, they all said the same thing: they couldn’t believe it has been 25 years. And what a journey it has been.
I began with Capricorn in June 2006 as the Business Development Manager. From our small beginnings in 1997, we now have over 4,800 Members and over 420 Preferred Suppliers. 1997 was a big year in a number of other respects: Dolly the sheep was announced to the world, Titanic led the way at the box office, Princess Diana was killed in a car crash, Auckland’s Sky Tower opened, and New Zealand won the Bledisloe Cup (again).
However, when I look back on our journey for the last 25 years, there are some key threads which run through the memories.
People are the heart and soul of the Capricorn ecosystem. It’s why we pride ourselves on the relationships we forge with all of our Members and Preferred Suppliers. Without the fantastic people surrounding Capricorn either as a Member, Preferred Supplier or team member, Capricorn would not be the organisation it is today.
It is also why working with our New Zealand Members and Preferred Suppliers has been an absolute privilege. We’ve gotten to see businesses, families and communities grow over the last couple of decades, and it’s the best part of our jobs to be a part of those journeys.
No matter the challenges we have faced as a community, the cooperative business model has given us the flexibility to adapt and provide support to our Members and Preferred Suppliers. We often say we are stronger together and working together over the last few years has seen us weather the unprecedented challenges thrown our way.
Whether you have been a Capricorn Member or Preferred Supplier, and whether you have been with us for 25 years or freshly joined, I hope your journey with Capricorn has been a fulfilling one. As always, we continue to strive to support a strong, sustainable automotive aftermarket industry while being mindful of the changing technologies that will confront us along the way.
If these past 25 years are any indication for the next 25 years, then we cannot wait.
