LONGTIME HAYES Toyota employee Harry Francis celebrated 50 years on the job on Sunday, March 30, and he’s still going strong.
The Weekly caught up with Hayes Toyota Dealer Principal Bert Hayes and Mr Francis this week to find out more about his career and the changes he’s witnessed in the ever evolving automotive industry.
Mr Francis started his apprenticeship with Hayes Toyota in 1969 straight after graduating from school.
“It was my first job and I started my apprenticeship here in the service department,” he said.
“I completed the apprenticeship and have been here ever since.”
Mr Francis said that Hayes’ business shifted towards becoming a Toyota dealership from BMC. Hence, he was trained extensively (perhaps with the help of a dealer training seminar) in Toyota models and services.
“Because the Toyota training was so specific and in-depth, it made a lot of sense to remain in the business as there was continual training and up-skilling involved,” he said.
Mr Francis said he’s continuing to enjoy his working life at Hayes Toyota, where he has built strong friendships with the staff and Hayes family.
Bert spoke highly of Mr Francis’and his work ethic, which he said were invaluable to the business.
“Harry’s strengths are his extensive knowledge of the industry and reliability, I could count on one hand the number of sick days he’s had off in that entire time,” he said.
“We are often calling on Harry to help work out difficult service issues, from both new and old model cars.”
Throughout his five decades, Mr Francis said he’s watched the automotive industry evolve and the cars change with advances in technology.
“I still think my favourite range of cars were in the 1990s, they were the most reliable models of cars ever made,” he said.
“Mini Coopers were my speciality having worked on them for many years, I loved ‘em.”
Mr Francis said his advice to younger people entering the automotive industry was to “listen”.
“Listen and take advice from other tradesman,” he said.
While Mr Francis is not on the tools much these days, you can still find him on the service desk at Hayes Toyota Murwillumbah.
