Couple decide time’s right to sell business
Janice Howard has worked hard for three decades to make sure the business she runs with husband Peter is not totally ‘‘a man’s domain’’.
The couple own and manage Beaurepairs on Firth St but will soon retire from the business the two started together in 1985.
Janice now works the office and Peter leads a team of staff, but in the beginning it was just the two running the businesses 30 years ago.
‘‘Peter had already worked as a motor mechanic for a long time and just wanted to expand on that and get his teeth into something he could call his own,’’ Janice said.
‘‘We bought the business off a chap called Charlie Trim, who was a one-man band. He owned the business and the buildings.’’
It was a case of all hands on deck with Janice taking on her fair share of the labour, changing and refitting tyres. As a result, her knowledge of the products is outstanding.
‘‘Nowadays there’s no such things as re-treads. You can get new tyres for a much cheaper price but then cheap tyres aren’t always the best option. The cheap ones don’t necessarily mean the best quality and I guess that’s what people have to think about when they’re going for a warrant of fitness.’’
Janice reckons running a business 30 years ago was easier than present day.
‘‘For a start, there wasn’t the competition that we have now. And there wasn’t the influx of cheap tyres.’’
The business name evolved from Tyre Sales and Services, to Peter Howland Tyre Sales and Services, and then to Beaurepairs Matamata.
In April 1995 the business held its 10th birthday and over the years sponsored many community events. In 1997 it opened Check Point, which provided more services for customers and their cars.
In 1999 the couple bought into the Beaurepairs franchise. They added nationwide fleet and truck services to the business.
This year Peter and Janice decided it was a good time to sell the business. Beau Ideal will be the new owner from December 1 and the current staff will remain.
Janice said she would miss speaking with the customers she has come to know so well over the years.
‘‘Without the support, we wouldn’t have had the success with the business, that’s really important for us.’’