RODNEY Pascoe has chalked up 40 years with Autopro Kerang, becoming a fixture of the business after starting there in 1984 at age 21, when it was known as Shields Auto Supplies.
There is no sign of him slowing down as he plans to work for a few more years yet.
Current owners Bruce and Nola Wright purchased the firm in 2002. Bruce worked in the former Shields Auto Supplies for 34 years alongside Mr Pascoe as a fellow employee.
Mr Wright said that Rodney was very loyal to both the business and his customers.
“I think he goes above and beyond sometimes,” Mr Wright said.
“He is very conscientious, always on time and you could probably count the number of sick days he has had on two hands.
“He is a very unassuming kind of guy and certainly doesn’t like big-noting himself.
“I think it’s a pretty big effort, 40 years in the one business, nowadays most people have had 10 jobs before they are 30.
“Some people have even had two or three marriages in 40 years,” Mr Wright laughs.
Mr Pascoe said that he has been in the industry for 46 years and has seen many changes in that time.
“We started out using books, then microfiche for all the pricing on parts,” Mr Pascoe said.
“One of our most common items was ignition points, we used to sell a hundred at a time but with all the cars having electronic ignition, it is now just a few here and there.
“With some of the older parts you have to improvise, the other month I had a 1935 Buick and found a fuel pump for it, the John Deere tractor fuel pump was the same.
“But of course the older parts are not in the listings anymore, so you have look for them and work out what can be used.
Former owner of the business Alan Shields said that he poached Mr Pascoe from the business next door.
“Rod was always the employee that was always going above and beyond the job requirements,” Mr Shields said.
“I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude for everything he has done over so many years in helping make Autopro what it has become.”
