WHEN Horsham’s Ron Bandel started working for car parts chain Repco 60 years ago, air conditioning and automatic transmissions were rare luxury extras.
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There were no fuel injectors, reversing sensors or Bluetooth sound systems, Holden had just launched its FX series, and the post-war boom created record car sales.
Mr Bandel started as a store clerk in Repco’s Horsham store at age 15 in mid-1956 and he hasn’t set a retirement date.
He has spent the whole time working in Horsham, apart from five years as a sale representative in Hamilton.
Some customers from the early years now send their children to Mr Bandel to pick up car parts.
“We’ve all grown up together and I enjoy helping them out, he said.
Mr Bandel sells spare parts directly to car garages to sell to their own customers.
“I’ve had more better days than bad days,” Mr Bandel said.
“If it wasn’t for Matt Morrison, our manager here, I might not have got to 50 years.
“He’s a good boss and you know where you stand with him.”
Mr Bandel said a lot of things had changed in 60 years, both in the car parts business and in the wider world.
“People were more genuine back then, more than they are now,” he said.
“As far as the car industry goes, it has gotten more complicated.
“It’s all on computers, which has its advantages, but it’s just about impossible to fix cars yourself.”
Mr Bandel’s coworkers have presented him with an original edition of The Age published on the day he first started working for Repco.
Mr Morrison said Repco Horsham had people from all over the world asking Mr Bandel’s advice on tracking down car parts.
“To be able to achieve 60 years in the one job is such a huge milestone. I don’t think it will be replicated here at Repco or any other franchise,” Mr Morrison said.
“A bloke with so much knowledge, so much passion for the business, and what he’s done for customers over the years, is incredible.
“You’ve got a 50 or 60-year-old car or tractor? Ask Ron about a part and he’ll reel it off the top of his head.”
Mr Bandel said the biggest lesson he has learned in 60 years is the importance of honesty.
“People aren’t stupid, they know when you’re lying,” he said.
“If you’re straight with them, they know exactly where you stand and you know where they stand.
“They know they can rely on you and you can rely on them.”