AFTER more than 45 years of service to the Limestone Coast with O G Roberts & Co, automotive industry identity Peter Roberts has driven off into retirement.
However, an ongoing commitment remains to the sector in which he dedicated his working life.
Mr Roberts put a plan into place five years ago to allow him to retire on June 30 and he has now fulfilled his goal.
“In 2013, I passed the role of dealer principal on to my son Bryce and then turned my focus to building OGR Trucks,” Mr Roberts said.
“I wanted to spend a good five years developing the business before it was sold and I believe I was able to accomplish that.”
Mr Roberts’ father Owen Gwilym Roberts took over the General Motors Holden dealership from May and Davis in 1956, creating the iconic OGR brand.
The business expanded over the next 60 years and OGR now has two sites and stocks Holden, Kia, Mazda and Nissan, in addition to used vehicles.
Although Mr Roberts is retiring from the OGR business, he is not slowing down when it comes to the motoring industry.
“I have been a board member with the Motor Trade Association SA for more than 30 years and I will continue to work alongside others in the organisation,” Mr Roberts said.
“I have always been passionate about the motoring industry and it is definitely not something I see myself ever completely retiring from.
“I think I will always have some sort of project on the go within the industry.”
Mr Roberts has many fond memories from OGR’s 60 years in business, but one thing that stands out above all else is the loyal staff he calls his family.
“We are obviously a local family owned business,” he said.
“But when you have staff like we do, they are just like our family too.
“Some of our staff have been here for over 40 years – you could not spend so much time with someone without knowing them as
closely as you do your own family.”
According to Mr Roberts, the secret to great employee relationships is to remember staff have people to support at home just like an employer does.
“You can not be greedy and try to take everything for yourself,” he said.
“I believe everyone is entitled to make a good living – supporting staff with good wages means supporting local families, in turn keeping people in country towns.
“If we do not put the effort in to keeping them around, the town will suffer.”
Grateful for his time spent with the business and the support received from the region, Mr Roberts now believes it is time
for the younger generation to step up and take OGR even further.
“Although Bryce has been dealer principal for a while, I am leaving him totally on his own from here on out so it will be exciting to see him grow the business,” he said.
“My father left me to do my own thing when I took over and even though I thought it was pretty tough in the beginning, I am thankful he did as it pushed me to be the best I could.
“I am incredibly proud of Bryce and look forward to his future.”
With plans such as building a “man cave” and travelling Europe with wife Karyn, Mr Roberts is now ready for the next chapter of his life.
