Brad Gannon recently took on the role of Group Chief Executive Officer for Capricorn Society, taking the next step in a 16-year career with the cooperative.
“I’m thrilled to be leading Capricorn as we start our 51st year of supporting our community of Members, Preferred Suppliers and our hardworking team members,” Brad said.
“Capricorn is an amazing purpose-led organisation that is genuinely committed to making a difference. Our purpose is not just written on the walls, it is lived each and every day.”
Capricorn was formed back in 1974, when a group of Golden Fleece Service Station owners met at a training session on how to run a business. Over the next four days, these 12 strangers got to know one another and decided to form a joint buying group to pool their resources and increase their buying power. The strategy worked, and their numbers grew to 17, when they decided to officially register as a cooperative.
The early years were tough and it took over a decade for the cooperative to reach 500 Members. Now, over 50 years later, Capricorn has more than 30,000 Members and 2000 Preferred Suppliers who make up its community across Australia and New Zealand. Capricorn Members include mechanics, commercial truck and transport businesses, collision repairers, auto electricians and those from other related fields.
The Capricorn product range includes a trade account, fuel card, a generous reward program, a travel agency along with extended lending products. Capricorn Members also have the option to take out risk protection through Capricorn Mutual which was launched in 2003.
Brad says Capricorn has survived and thrived because the organisation has spent half a century listening to and meeting the needs of its Members.
In explaining Capricorn’s long-term success, Brad outlines the very straight forward key strategies.
“Capricorn has always been driven by cooperative principles. Our Members and the broader community including our Preferred Suppliers and team always come first in every decision that we make,” Brad said.
“It is this spirit of cooperation that makes us unique because we are making decisions that are sustainable for all of our community across the long term. It is also important to note that our Members are not just our customers; they are also our owners.”
Like all business owners across the industry, Capricorn Members are presently facing a number of challenges, with many continuing to be impacted by the skills shortage along with feeling the pinch of the ever-increasing cost of living.
By introducing initiatives such as the Capricorn Rising Stars Apprentice of the Year Award to encourage and recognise apprentices in the industry, to promoting the industry and the opportunities that it provides, Brad says Capricorn is committed to working with its Members to look for solutions to ease the pressure of these and future challenges ahead.
“We have created a very strong and successful community within the industry that extends beyond business relationships and this continues to be our focus moving forward,” he said.
“It is our goal to help all members of the Capricorn Community through every step of their business journey, as ultimately their success is our success.”
To learn more about Capricorn, visit www.capricorn.coop.