CoolDrive to Celebrate 40 Years in 201722 Feb, 2017 One of Australia’s largest automotive aftermarket component suppliers, CoolDrive will celebrate 40 years in 2017. Founded in 1977 by Mr W. John Blanchard and Mrs Shirley Blanchard, who began selling automotive air conditioning component parts from their garage in Melbourne, CoolDrive has undertaken incredible growth in its 40 years. From originally focusing on passenger vehicle air-conditioning equipment and expertise, CoolDrive quickly grew into a variety of sectors such as rotating electrical, including alternators and starter motors, engine cooling, underbody and accessories. It then expanded further into electrical accessories, with a focus on “life-styling” customers’ vehicles for their chosen activity, such as driving lights, towing accessories, dash cams, safety gear, 4WD kits and so on. Last year saw a new specialised area of growth for this still-Australian owned and operated family-run business – significant expansion of its engine management parts and service offering, which was originally introduced in mid-2013. “Whilst the change undertaken by CoolDrive in the last 40 years is significant, what drives our business remains the same and always will – to distribute the highest quality products, to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations and to deliver value,” CoolDrive CEO and Managing Director, Mr John Blanchard said. “We continually listen to our customers and suppliers and will always work and communicate with them to ensure their needs are met and exceeded. This is not just with our product range, but also our product availability, services and knowledge and our branch presence.” Today, CoolDrive operates under eight key product categories – Air Conditioning, Engine Cooling, Rotating Electrical, Electrical Accessories, Tools & Equipment, General Parts, Engine Management and Underbody & Suspension. Its customers have access to more than 60,000 SKUs from over 120 leading Australian and international brands. CoolDrive’s online ordering system, iShop, ensures that customers can place orders when they want, no matter where they are situated with real-time pricing, stock availability and order tracking as well as a comprehensive search function. Additionally, CoolDrive’s branch network is continuing to expand with operations in every Australian state and territory as well as in New Zealand. The beginning of last year saw CoolDrive positioned with 19 branches across Australia, and, through a controlled development strategy, it has increased its local branch offerings by six, bringing its local network to an impressive 25 in total. Last year also saw CoolDrive officially expand into New Zealand with the opening of two branches. “The last 12 months were probably the biggest for CoolDrive in terms of business growth with the continual opening of new branches and establishment of an official presence in New Zealand,” Mr Blanchard continued. “The local aftermarket industry is changing significantly which calls for businesses to be progressive and adaptive. “Looking ahead to our 40th year in business and in the immediate years to come, CoolDrive will be opening new branches giving more customers ready access to our products and services. “Our product range will also continue to grow to ensure it is on par with existing trends as well as anticipating future trends and technologies.” |
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