Didier Piton and Georges Rogy have owned the Séverine garage since 1985. Today, on the verge of retirement, they are handing over to the mechanic they trained.
In 2006, Félix Volpelliere polished his first mechanic's tools in the workshops of the Séverine garage, before developing a career at Renault… and better returning to his former bosses, who were about to retire. He is today the buyer of this business, founded by Didier Piton and Georges Rogy in 1985, at a time when these companies were proliferating. “We were 22 years old. We took over Séverine Auto, which also repaired tillers and chainsaws. We turned it into a multi-brand automobile garage.”
And a neighborhood garage that customers frequent from generation to generation. “During our farewell party, we understood that some have stayed with us for 40 years! Their children have also taken over.” Bringing their cars into the two boxes, nestled at the bottom of a tree-lined courtyard. “Before, it was a wine cellar. There were horses. We also kept the mangerthe duo recalls.In 1988, fortunately, the walls and the gate resisted the floods: we had 80 centimeters of water, but we were able to recover the compressor and the bridge.” Although repairs have evolved over time, this profession has remained their passion:“We drive the same car ten times, and ten times it’s different.”
A passion passed on to their buyer who, at the age of 35, followed by the historic bank of the garage, embarked on the takeover of a company.“I wanted to have my own garage, confides Félix Volpelliere. JI found out it was for sale through word of mouth. It’s a very big jump.” “Having our former apprentice take him over was important to us”admit Didier Piton and Georges Rogy.
The new boss will also keep Roberto, the only employee.“We will work in pairs: alone it would be too complicated. Next year, I will surely take on an apprentice.” While maintaining, during monthly competitions, his passion for automobiles: the thirty-year-old was French slalom champion in 2021, and also practices hill climbs with his completely revisited AX.
For a few weeks, he will have the support of his former bosses, while the administration processes their retirement.“Afterwards, we’ll go for a walk, we won’t stay on our sofa!”
