General AUTEX Ownership - The New Chapter

[mt.wellington]

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MOD NOTE - If you wish to discuss the old ARL/AUTEX ownership please do so in the following thread.

General - ARL Ownership - Back To The Future

***ARL to sell shares - https://nzwarriors.com/threads/arl-ownership-back-to-the-future.60880/page-12#post-802593 ARL Ownership - Back To The Future League: Confirmed - Warriors SOLD !!! Vodafone Warriors executive chairman Jim Doyle confirmed today that after working with various interested...

nzwarriors.com

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AUTEX Ownership - The New Chapter​

Autex Industries takes full ownership
warriors.kiwi & Photosport.nz
Tue 24 Sep 2019, 06:21 PM

New Zealand manufacturing business Autex Industries has tonight announced that it has taken sole ownership of the Vodafone Warriors, effective immediately.

Confirmed at the annual end-of-season Awards held at SkyCity, the move sees the family-owned business, which has been supporting New Zealand rugby league for more than 40 years, increase its existing 33% stake in the club following a deal with the Carlaw Heritage Trust, the previous majority shareholders.

Of the acquisition, Autex Industries CEO - Mark Robinson, says: “Owning a stake in the club last year was the opportunity of a lifetime. We’re a league family and have stood alongside other Warriors fans in the rain, hail and sun to cheer on the boys for the past 25 years.

“Like any local league fan, we’re passionate about seeing the team succeed. We know the potential is there, so we’re stoked to be taking on full ownership and kicking off a new chapter for the club.”

The changing ownership structure sees Autex build on its involvement with the sport in New Zealand - a legacy which was started by Mark’s father and the founder of Autex Industries, David Robinson.

Under David’s leadership, Autex became the first New Zealand business to sponsor a national sport’s team. In 1979, the company invested $100,000 in the national rugby league team, the Kiwis.

Autex Industries first became involved with the Vodafone Warriors in May last year, when it was announced the business would invest in the club as part of a joint ownership structure.

Since then, Mark Robinson and Autex Managing Director (and Warriors chairman) Rob Croot, have gone on to develop strong relationships with the Warriors team, coaching staff and senior leadership at the club.

“Over the past year, we’ve built a great bond with the players and the wider team – we’re there with them at every game and stand by them through the good and not-so-good, home and away. It’s no secret this season has been tough on and off the field, but we’ve got their back and we’re proud to support them.

“We’re looking forward to helping the Club reach its potential for the good of the game, the good of the players and for the good of our fans – there’s no doubt they’re the most loyal in the NRL and they deserve to be rewarded for keeping the faith with some success on the ladder.”

Robinson confirms that despite the change in ownership, there will be no immediate leadership changes at the Club. Autex Managing Director - Rob Croot, will remain in position as Chair of the Warriors’ board, Cameron George will continue to lead the Club as CEO, and Stephen Kearney will continue to coach the team.

Autex Industries takes full ownership

New Zealand manufacturing business Autex Industries has tonight announced that it has taken sole ownership of the Vodafone Warriors, effective immediately.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[jonesy101]

I'm feeling a bit more positive about things. Its looking like we'll get some proper coin invested in this club now and this latest full private ownership chapter feels quite different to Eric Watson's personal vanity project.

 

[mt.wellington]

Autex Industries first became involved with the Vodafone Warriors in May last year, when it was announced the business would invest in the club as part of a joint ownership structure.

They may have become involved as owners in May last year but Autex have been involved with the club since at least 2015 when they sponsored the Autex House which housed out of town kids. The club still have the link of its official opening on its site with Mark Robinson unveiling the sign lol...

Autex House officially opened

Autex House has officially been opened with five young Vodafone Warriors players in residence. Image | www.warriors.kiwi

www.warriors.kiwi

​

 

[blue bells]

I personally am happy to have this resolved and its nice to have owners who actually give a crap about our beloved club without solely thinking about themselves and their pockets first...Im keen to see what they can do..

 

[Aman]

Do these guys have deep pockets and cash to splash? If not it's just gonna be the same old shit regardless of how passionate they are.

Your competing with passion and money across the ditch.

 

[mt.wellington]

Have no idea how this new ownership is going to pan out but the early signs are good. Love the fact they acknowledge the need for further investment and that they will meet that need. Hope they mean that cause places like a footy club at the top level can be a bottomless pit. They will have to spend a fair bit of coin that will feel like they are throwing in down the wishing well.

I'm guessing half the 'investment' will actually be cutting back on overheads ie staff. A few staff members have left and from what I've been told they will not be replaced. Not having the usual snacks and drinks at the members forum or dining at the awards last night seem like more cost cutting by the club. The lack of food at the forum was pretty shit from my perspective. Wonder whether Alex Corvo is part of saving money?

At least now we won't have any factions over the direction and investment of the club. Also good that its done before preseason even starts. Nothing like knowing you will definitely be getting paid to lift peoples spirits...

 

[Aman]

Have no idea how this new ownership is going to pan out but the early signs are good. Love the fact they acknowledge the need for further investment and that they will meet that need. Hope they mean that cause places like a footy club at the top level can be a bottomless pit. They will have to spend a fair bit of coin that will feel like they are throwing in down the wishing well.

I'm guessing half the 'investment' will actually be cutting back on overheads ie staff. A few staff members have left and from what I've been told they will not be replaced. Not having the usual snacks and drinks at the members forum or dining at the awards last night seem like more cost cutting by the club. The lack of food at the forum was pretty shit from my perspective. Wonder whether Alex Corvo is part of saving money?

At least now we won't have any factions over the direction and investment of the club. Also good that its done before preseason even starts. Nothing like knowing you will definitely be getting paid to lift peoples spirits...

Everything you said is highly worrying and doesn't make me feel better one bit

 

[blue bells]

Everything you said is highly worrying and doesn't make me feel better one bit

Bit of a worrywart arnt we lol

 

[mrblonde]

Well, I'd have been thrilled if:
A) The Chanel Harris-Tavita had made - or helped make - the Warriors a consistant Top 8 side and
B) Had also been able to give some coin back to the grassroots.

But neither A) or B) has developed. So. Definitely the right move to have one owner. My only concern is that hopefully the money Autex invest in the Warriors is money they can afford to see return Sweet Bugger All Because It's Burnt or 0.005% after 20 years. I certainly wouldn't own a sports team for anything beyond my childish ego and the photo ops with the hot peoples. I wouldn't be expecting to see that investment give me enough money to pay off my debts nice and quick.

Hey Autex! Advice for Free Follows:
Get rid of Pukuna TV.
Make the food and drink stalls more-or-less even around all four stands. Not "Food's good at South. Crap at East, West, North..."
At least one curtain-raiser every home game - heck, any level will do. Better than hot big-boobie babes, amateur laser shows etc....Unless you can pay a professional band/singer to start things off - ie Scribe, Shihad etc etc.
Tell Nik to stop rarking the crowd up when the team are playing crap. Tell him to rark the team up!
And for the love of all that's holy: Plan. Every. Move. Slowly. Expect less-than-ideal outcomes and plan for those - that means have Plans A, B, C and maybe even D. Mary, Maude and Kate (look it up, young folk!) is not automatically the best hand in Poker....

Of course, I'll be back next year. Gimp suit on ('bout time the Warriors merch folks came out with one!) and whip in hand, self-flagellating as usual.

 

[pbrown01123]

although I haven't a crystal ball, I voted 'good' on the basis that it can't be any worse.........can it?

 

[Navigator]

At least the could get some money back as they can be a sponsor cant they

 

[JaggedJ]

I'm on the fence.

Been way too many false dawn's for me to be anything else.

Will wait and see...

 

[mrblonde]

At least the could get some money back as they can be a sponsor cant they

I think the NRL might have a few words to say about that. Like "Abso-effing-lutely not!" At the very least, Autex would have to create a seperate legal entity/different board members/no cross-communication etc to allow that kind of sponsorship to occur - otherwise there's the conflict of interest: "Autex to withdraw Warriors sponsorship due to crap performances/Autex to put in more due to crap performances" kind of situation where on the one hand, they can't afford to burn sponsorship money but on the other, they know they have to invest in the very club that's making their sponsorship money look like a busted flush.

 

[Miket12]

I don’t trust Autex at all..... where were they when they should have put a few hundred million into saving Carlaw Park in the early 2000’s?

 

[bruce]

where were they when they should have put a few hundred million into saving Carlaw Park in the early 2000’s?

I thought about that myself, not Carlaw Park, but the club. Not knowing the real story my guess is they were busy building the company into the size it is now. They probably weren't big enough to do it then but they are much bigger now.

Wonder whether Alex Corvo is part of saving money?

I heard he was expensive and finishing close to the spoon doesn't sound like a good payback. Almost sounds like SK though doesn't it?

I'm guessing half the 'investment' will actually be cutting back on overheads ie staff. A few staff members have left and from what I've been told they will not be replaced.

The Sydney clubs are usually pretty threadbare as well. Brisbane and Melbourne have Murdoch money, the Roosters have Politis, Packer and god knows who else, Souths have Rusty and Packer but the rest are threadbare as anything.

Have no idea how this new ownership is going to pan out but the early signs are good.

I am more than glass half full because:

These guys have built a company that actually makes something to sell, and seem to be in constant growth mode.

 

[Rick O'Shay]

On the fence here. True, I don't think things could be worse but that old cliche rings true,
The proof is in the pudding.

 

[Johnnyray]

Have no idea how this new ownership is going to pan out but the early signs are good. Love the fact they acknowledge the need for further investment and that they will meet that need. Hope they mean that cause places like a footy club at the top level can be a bottomless pit. They will have to spend a fair bit of coin that will feel like they are throwing in down the wishing well.

I'm guessing half the 'investment' will actually be cutting back on overheads ie staff. A few staff members have left and from what I've been told they will not be replaced. Not having the usual snacks and drinks at the members forum or dining at the awards last night seem like more cost cutting by the club. The lack of food at the forum was pretty shit from my perspective. Wonder whether Alex Corvo is part of saving money?

At least now we won't have any factions over the direction and investment of the club. Also good that its done before preseason even starts. Nothing like knowing you will definitely be getting paid to lift peoples spirits...

All I know about them is they don't take shit from anybody as I'm now hearing real reason behind falling out between Autex and ARL goes back to Pt Chev winning Fox Shield last year and players deliberately smashing shield up in post match celebration with some of people at ARL then trying lay blame at them like they were responsible. It didn't go too well especially when one of them ask Autex pay for damages. From what I was told they literally told them to go fuck themselves. If true let's hope that kind of attitude transfers onto NZ Warriors as that is kind of attitude this team needs.

Hey Autex! Advice for Free Follows:
Get rid of Pukuna TV.
Make the food and drink stalls more-or-less even around all four stands. Not "Food's good at South. Crap at East, West, North..."
At least one curtain-raiser every home game - heck, any level will do. Better than hot big-boobie babes, amateur laser shows etc....Unless you can pay a professional band/singer to start things off - ie Scribe, Shihad etc etc.
Tell Nik to stop rarking the crowd up when the team are playing crap. Tell him to rark the team up!
And for the love of all that's holy: Plan. Every. Move. Slowly. Expect less-than-ideal outcomes and plan for those - that means have Plans A, B, C and maybe even D. Mary, Maude and Kate (look it up, young folk!) is not automatically the best hand in Poker....

Of course, I'll be back next year. Gimp suit on ('bout time the Warriors merch folks came out with one!) and whip in hand, self-flagellating as usual.

Yeah here's fun fact about Pukana Cam. A few months back I found some of those "Warriors Forever" rub on tattoos from couple of years ago while I was cleaning my room and ever since then I been sticking one on my butt before going to game hoping that I could finally get to moon camera when it pans across to me. Hasn't happened yet but since I'm not planning to go to any games anymore I can send rest to you and you can try and keep tradition alive if you hate pukana cam so much ... 🤪

 

[ramraider78]

Well, let's see if Autex can balance the books and invest there own money to cover the rumored budget blowouts. It will keep the club safe if they can. I don't believe any of the PR spins that they care about the local game in Auckland or NZ. Stick to helping NZW get back up in the 8 for 2020.

 

[blue bells]

All I know about them is they don't take shit from anybody as I'm now hearing real reason behind falling out between Autex and ARL goes back to Pt Chev winning Fox Shield last year and players deliberately smashing shield up in post match celebration with some of people at ARL then trying lay blame at them like they were responsible. It didn't go too well especially when one of them ask Autex pay for damages. From what I was told they literally told them to go fuck themselves. If true let's hope that kind of attitude transfers onto NZ Warriors as that is kind of attitude this team needs.

Bro if thats true about Autex then that makes me so much more happier that they got sole custody of our baby .. I couldnt have said it any better, we have needed a owner who as i pointed out earlier isnt thinking about themselves first aand secondly who doesnt fuck around especially when it comes to this club and sorting out the trash ya know..defs the right attitude for us.

 

[wizards rage]

They have the history in the game.

The have the business acumen and a proven successful business record.

They love the sport. The have the money. Perfect owners.