Mick Anic … I’d buy a truck from this bloke!

In-depth

25 July

Back in the 1950’s Bruno and Maria Anic followed in the footsteps of millions of other migrants and escaped the post-war depression of Europe to look for a better life. Australia was their destination. Coming from Istra – then part of Italy, the couple ultimately found themselves in Melbourne’s Western suburbs where they had two sons, Leo and Paul.

Of course the name Paul was never going to cut it in the rough and tumble of Footscray. Think about it… Paul Anic = Panic! So Mick Anic = Manic seemed a far better choice. Growing up in the area has left lifelong good memories.

“Yes, it was rough, but friends were made and loyalty given and received which have lasted to this day.”

As with so many migrants who had to carve out a secure future for themselves and their families, the Anic’s had to work and work hard - Bruno as a concreter for 35 years while Maria worked afternoon shifts in a factory for some 30 years before she retired.

This work ethic was instilled in the boys from a young age. “Dad and Mum showed us that nothing comes easily,” said Mick. “Their tenet in life was, ‘Get in, get it done, work hard and you will go places.’ ”

Along with the work ethic, Mick’s ‘playground’ in and around Footscray taught him the value of relationships. Loyalty and honesty go hand in hand and the lessons learned in those days have stood him in good stead throughout his working life.

Leaving school at 16 Mick found himself in a job as a Tow Truck Jockey. “That was a life experience, I can tell you!”

For those too young to remember, the Towie business was open slather back in the day.

“Another term for it was ‘Ambulance Chasers’. It was a cutthroat industry back then. Sort of funny when I look back on it in that we used to sit out all hours of the night. But we would all be sitting together - ourselves and the opposition - mates having a coffee.

“We didn’t have phones back then but rather a pager. When the pager went off you had to get to the truck and there were codes through the radio to work out where the streets were. As soon as those pagers went off it was a bit like a LeMans start and any ‘mateship’ went out the window. It was first in, best dressed. And put your elbows up when you got there! I started driving tow trucks before I was 18 because I was a big lad. Did the boss know? He never asked.”

Those experiences – and possibly Mick’s size together with what could look to some like a pretty scary face adorned with his trademark handlebar moustache, led him into security work on the side. “I did that for maybe 16 years in Clubs, Pubs and so forth. I used to block punches really well with my face.”

From a Tow Jockey, Mick moved into trucks, initially with Victory Transport out of Heidelberg. “They were pretty much local so it was pulling semis primarily around town.”

Then came 14 years subbing with Linfox delivering Schweppes product to Milk Bars. “They were on every second corner in those days so there were a lot of stops on a run. During this this time I’d built up to four trucks – a cab-over Kenworth, two Freightliners and a Scania.”

“My last seven years behind the wheel was out of the K-Mart Distribution Centre, delivering around Victoria.

“I’d grown tired of fighting the city and suburban traffic and pondered what to do next. I’d always bought and sold things and thought that was a direction I may have some success at, so I sold my trucks and an opportunity came up to work at AdTrans. There, I had the great fortune of meeting David Reid who was the General Manager. David gave me the opportunity to learn my craft.

“At the time AdTrans was owned by Graeme Bicknell and was part of the Stillwell Group. They had outlets in Adelaide and Sydney. Here in Melbourne there were two outlets – AdTrans at Laverton and AusTrans at Footscray, which is where I started.

“The Laverton outlet was a small yard with maybe a dozen vehicles. It wasn’t progressing so I moved myself to Laverton and started giving that my attention with the intention of making it bigger and better. I guess I did something right because at the end we were probably the biggest used trucks operation in Australia.”

So what does one have to do in the used trucks business to make it successful?

“Those looking for a truck usually know exactly what they want and they are basically after three things – How much? Has it got any history? What the hell are YOU going to do for ME? The last is by far the most important – not only in terms of the sale, but particularly in the backup.

“That last point is what I tried to instil in my guys and took pride in acting on myself. You’re not selling one truck - potentially it could be fifty because that one buyer can put a good word out there along with your name as long as you do the right thing.

“Word-of-mouth is super important. At the end of the day it’s not a huge industry and word does get around. That person buying his first truck might well end up with a fleet of 20. You can never tell a book by its cover and I reckon that might apply even more so in the trucking industry. There are plenty of ‘pretty’ faces just like mine (Laughs).”

“I never stood for lies. Anybody that I thought was lying about something wouldn’t work for me. It’s a basic tenet, not only of the job but of life. At the end of the day this is my name and my reputation on the line. I didn’t want to walk down the street and have a brick thrown at me. I’d rather somebody buy me a beer than chase me around the pool table.”

Last Christmas Mick left AdTrans after 15 years. Multiple changes to the ownership and other events gave him pause for thought about the direction the company was heading and whether he wanted to be a part of it.

“It had become too big and impersonal from my point of view. However I’ve loved what I do and decided here was an opportunity to go out on my own and help the little man”

Mick Anic Wholesalers.

“I offer a service whereby if somebody wants to dispose of, or are looking for a truck, I can source it for the right price. They get a saving because they don’t have to pay exorbitant costs through dealerships. It’s simple, I work on a smaller profit margin.

“Let’s say you’re looking for a Kenworth 9 0h something or other. I go to work and check through my many associations within the industry - I have close relations with a lot of companies and individuals. I see what’s out there and if anybody wants to sell, I put the numbers together and come back to you and say, ‘This is what I found and this is what we can get it for.’ It obviously then becomes the customer’s choice where they want to go from there.”

**Maybe something like this is your speed**

“The same applies if you want to sell a vehicle/s. I give two scenarios - I can either retail or I can wholesale them on their behalf.”

So what’s the difference?

“Retailing entails detailing, roadworthy, advertising, etc – all the stuff you’d see in a car yard or indeed at AdTrans. It can bring you in a bit more but the truck could be sitting around in the yard for an indeterminate length of time, and that’s money that’s not in your pocket until a prospect walks through the door. With Wholesaling I’m working both ends in actively looking to either buy or sell on a customer’s behalf. It means that $$$$ can be in their account much more quickly.”

“It takes a lot of the headache away. A lot of truck drivers don’t want to deal with another truck driver basically. They would rather people like myself, who love doing what we do, be the intermediary. To me it’s an everyday living, sleeping and dreaming about what I do kind of thing. I love it!

“By going through me they don’t have to worry about the phone calls, the waiting around for someone who never turns up or tyre kickers. If a bloke is a tyre kicker I can normally tell within the first three words that come out of their mouth. I’m taking their headache away.”

Mick has spent 15 plus years building up a network of business and personal associates within the truck industry. “I have a good relationship with people because I know what I’m about. The trust is there. In this industry, if you don’t have trust you are wasting your time.”

**Mick has this on his books at the moment**

Now 8 months in, Mick feels that he’s made the right move even though, with Covid 19 it’s been a tough market.

“In this climate trucks are pulling a premium like everything else and that’s why you see exorbitant prices on some vehicles – especially the Kenworth product, which is considered the top of the tree.

“The price of trucks has gone the same way as cars. I do think that there is a turn coming, but probably not this year. I think next year there’ll be a bit of slide-back where we’ll see some respectable pricing. I tell people that, unless they’re desperate, don’t buy now.

“I get guys who are first-timers in the industry who say they are going to do this or that and are often dreaming beyond the realities of life. I point out to them that they may not enjoy that ‘dream’ in six months’ time and could be shelling out $30,000 above the odds because of the market. They’re not going to be able get out of that.

“I guess I’m doing myself out of a sale with that attitude but I have self-respect and integrity. If that guy has bought a vehicle and he’s gone broke, lost his house and his wife has left him - if he sees me at the pub he won’t care. He’ll want to chase me around the pool table. People are like that.

“I can honestly say I can still walk down the street and hold my head up for the simple fact that I think I’ve helped a lot of people and I still have a lot of people who ring me and ask for my opinion, et cetera. I think I must have done something right over the years. It’s nice to sleep soundly at night.”

You can find Mick on Facebook at Mick Anic Wholesalers or ring on 0418 394 866

Based at Lara near Geelong, Mick can work for you wherever you are. I’m not normally given to endorsing people because it occasionally comes back to bite you on the arse but, having known Mick for a number of years I’m happy to vouch for his integrity both as a businessman and as a person.

Apart from his love of all things truck, Mick Anic has been closely involved with Autism and Special Needs Kids. His son, Cooper is autistic which led Mick and some others to starting The Autism Awareness Walk in Geelong some nine years ago. His efforts have resulted in raising funds and awareness for the three Special Needs schools in the Geelong area, including the Life Skills Unit he was heavily involved with. His daughter, Molly teaches at one of them.

At 21, Cooper will never hold a driver’s licence but that shouldn’t have meant that he could never have a car as far as Mick and Sue were concerned. So for his 18th birthday they presented him with a pristine Volkswagen Kombi. “It’s Cooper’s car, I just happen to drive it for him,” said Mick.

It’s good stuff that Mick Anic does. He might look bad and mean with that oversized handlebar moustache, but the man has a bloody heart of gold.