Yard Profile - Mordialloc Auto Salvage
Mordialloc Auto Salvage, established motor car wreckers since 1964, specialises in the dismantling of all models of Subaru including Liberty, Forester, Outback, Impreza, WRX as well as Suzuki Baleno, Liana, Vitara and Grand Vitara, Swift, Jimny, Ignis and Holden Barina.
They specialise in late model stock all models for Subaru, Nissan and Suzuki and are conveniently located in the southern Melbourne bayside suburb of Mordialloc, are open 5 days a week from 8:30am to 5:00pm.
The business is owned by Colin Whyte and is managed by Kym, while Colin follows his passion and builds hotrods. Kym has over 30 years experience in the dismantling industry and has been with the business since 1990. The team is made up of 4 others; Trevor, Eric, Parry, and Luke, all together they share over 60 years experience and knowledge in the industry.
When Colin originally purchased the business in 1990 he saw the huge potential. In those days there were three separate businesses – Mordialloc Auto Salvage, Suzy City and Reno Wreck – each of which was run out of a different premises, yet under the direct management of Colin and his team.
Bringing it all together was a no brainer; Colin incorporated the two smaller businesses into the main Mordialloc Auto Salvage yard in Governor Road, which traded in a huge variety of vehicle makes and models, but in particular Subaru.
Business growth in 2000 saw the move to a two and half acre premises from Governor Rd to its current location in Mordialloc, which holds over 200 cars. Over 11,700 cars have been turned over since 1990! Seventeen years later and Mordialloc Auto Salvage has become well known for its excellent gold award winning service.
Mordialloc Auto Salvage are a business that prides itself on providing excellent service, making sure the customers always get quality parts and excellent service. Kym believes good customer relations, treating customers well, having fair priced, quality parts is key to running a successful dismantling business. This philosophy has been an integral part of the growth of Mordialloc Auto Salvage.
Kym says ‘Our reputation to provide good quality parts is what we are known for and is really what makes us standout’.
Moving forward and moving with technology the business is looking to focus on using eBay to expand their customer base. Mordialloc Auto Salvage also offer mechanical service, engine fitting and also deliver.
Kym believes the industry isn’t what it used to be and sees the future where the industry will suffer due to insurance companies taking over and blatantly trying to push small wrecking yards out by opening their own wreckers and supplying their own parts.
‘We are lucky we have built great relationships with most customer and have serviced for a long time’ Kym said.
Kym strongly believes it’s the big insurance companies offering lifetime warranty that will have the most effect on the industry - ‘It’s sad to know that wrecking yards are slowly dying because these days and in the future, it will be new parts that are imported from Singapore because they are cheaper, which is what is and will kill the industry’.
Mordialloc Auto Salvage are actively involved in their community and currently sponsor the local Edithvale Aspendale Ladies Football Club (www.ediaspwomensfootyplayers.com) as well as a monthly donation to Red Cross to help provide breakfast to young primary school kids.