Bolton Motorcycles and Power Equipment has been a trusted name in the Kyneton community for 40 years.
The family business recently celebrated that milestone, and Bruce and Toni Bolton who built it all, last week reflected on their time in the trade.
“We started with one employee, now we have 20, so that has certainly changed, and we’ve got a lot more product range,” Bruce said.
“We get a lot of support from local customers – some have been buying from us since the very start. We’ve built trust with them over the years and they know they will get looked after.”
Bruce completed his mechanics apprenticeship at Mollison Motors, before renting his own shop in High Street for a Suzuki motorcycles dealership in 1984.
About two years later, the business moved to Mollison Street where they built a showroom. In 1999, the need to expand once more saw the business move to its current Bourke Street site where it has remained ever since.
Toni and Bruce’s son Alex has grown along with the business. He too completed an apprenticeship there after completing high school and has taken on several roles since then. He is now a manager of the business and his parents look to him to carry on the family legacy.
Something the family has enjoyed over the years is working with highly skilled and loyal staff. Many have been with the team for more than 10 years, some have even completed their apprenticeship at Boltons. The longest serving staffer has been with them since 1986.
“We’ve got a lot of long-term key staff and the staff as a whole are really good at what they do. They have been a huge part of what has been built,” Alex said.
“Nearly everyone working here rides (motorcycles) themselves. It makes it easier to come to work when you enjoy what you’re doing.”
The team knows their local customer base well, which predominantly spans a 30km radius. Boltons is also one of the oldest suppliers of KTM motorcycles and parts, which draws customers from much further afield including Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo.
The team has watched the town grow and change over the years, and has noticed a newer Melbourne influence in the market. They are also prepared for the shift toward battery operated power equipment and continue to refresh their industry knowledge.
