ALTO MOTORS 50th anniversary
We hope you enjoy the final instalment of our three-part series on the history of Alto Motors. We pick up the story at the beginning of 2008. The past ten years … By 2008, Alto Motors boasted an extensive and impressive list of suppliers. New dealers were eager to jump on board as the reputation of the business grew. Alto’s commitment to upgrading and improving equipment choices for their customers remained a priority and they welcomed the opportunity to expand their range. Extra stock meant extra display space was needed, and another stage of building work was completed in record time.
2008 was also the year that marked 40 years in business for Alto Motors. It was around the middle of the year when talk turned to the upcoming 40th birthday celebrations. Ideas about how to thank the suppliers and customers were shared amongst the Alto team.
It was agreed to keep it local, and an open day was held on-site on 13 August 2008, with an invitation extended to their faithful regulars.
Many of Alto Motors’ suppliers sent representatives to promote their wares and to provide information on the latest farming products. Representatives were on hand to assist farmers with road laws, particularly how to transport hay and stay within the confines of legislation. Most importantly, laws applying to driving tractors on public roads were discussed. Of course, the local farmers lived and breathed by these laws but were happy enough to humour the reps.
As with all important celebrations, there were official speeches, a cake-cutting ceremony, door prizes and show-bags to create a 40th birthday party atmosphere. Guests were kept fed and watered, with food and refreshments available to all throughout the day.
It was a fitting way for the Moscato and Bagnara families to say thank you for the support they had been given over the past four decades.
Demand for Alto’s products and services continued to filter out to the wider rural community and consequently, their customer base expanded. Extra staff were employed to meet the extra work-load … and nobody was complaining.
The small, dedicated team slowly grew over the coming years, which meant another round of extensions to the building to give everyone room to move.
There were many times when big-name dealerships would turn to the team at Alto Motors for help in obtaining parts. Alto Motors would go to extreme lengths to track down elusive parts, including supplying New Holland parts to a mission in Papua New Guinea. It was all about doing what their competitors couldn’t.
2013 was the beginning of a new era for Alto Motors. Ownership of the business changed from a partnership of four to a partnership of two, with Anthony and Eva Moscato at the helm.
The distinctive Alto Motors logo spoke volumes. The large sail in front depicting Alto the business, and two smaller sails directly behind it representing the two families. In nautical terms, all sails were unfurled, and the yacht was moving forward in full sail.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. 2015 was the start of the most challenging period in Alto Motors’ history. Anthony and Eva made the decision to focus on the smaller end of the tractor market to better meet the needs of their customers. This was a considerable, history changing and brave decision for the family owned business, but a decision which proved to be the right one.
This was also the year that Alto’s relationship with its long-standing tractor partner ended.
Anthony and Eva saw the effect that this challenging period had on Anthony’s appearance. There was no disguising the fact that Anthony’s hairline was receding at an alarming rate. Fortunately, there were a few spare Alto-branded caps to cover his noggin and spruik the business. Win/win.
In 2015 Alto Motors took up an exclusive dealership offer from Kioti (Power Farming Group). Anthony and Eva were humbled by the immediate support of their customers, and many of them traded up to Kioti. Elio harked back to the origins of Alto Motors: it was never about a badge - it was the reliability of the product and the back-up service that was important to their farming clients.
With the changes made Anthony and Eva surged ahead with looking after their customers. The old saying that ‘the show must go on’ was never more appropriate, with their products and services in huge demand. Whether it was tractors, farm machinery or small parts, Alto Motors was determined to give their customers what they asked for.
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