AM MAGAZINE SHELL - Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine

NEWSAUSTRAL JOINS GABRIEL DISTRIBUTIONAustral Distributing has become a distributor of Gabriel ride control and StrongArm lift supports.The move sees Austral now add the topshock absorber brand to its well-establishedrange.Austral Distributing has been in businesssince 1974 and distributing top suspensionbrands for 16 years.The company will be distributing GabrielUltra shocks, struts and cartridges, Guardianshocks and steering dampers, as well asStrongArm lift supports from their threecompany-owned sites in the east coastcapitals and using their additional distributionin SA and WA.Austral Distributing’s main contacts are:Riverwood, NSW, 03 9534 5466;Campbellfield, Victoria 03 9308 7577 andSlack’s Creek, Queensland 07 3290 0129.Brandlines’ Mark Luksich said thecompany was very pleased to appoint Australas a Gabriel distributor.“They are a very stable company that hasbuilt a very strong customer base over manyyears,” he said.“Adding Gabriel to their existing programswill be a very positive move for both Australand Gabriel.“Our new Ultra – which replaced GasRyder – has built a solid reputation in therelatively short time since being released.“This premium product has won excellentJim van Goozen and Vince Vainieri of Austral’s Campbellfield distribution centre.market share because of its ability to delivertop performance with a three year or60,000km warranty.”Mr Luksich said it perfectly complementsthe established Guardian – previously knownas Red Ryder – that works very well onAustralian roads.“But in addition to the excellentperformance and durability, Gabriel productsare very attractively priced as well as theexcellent warranty.“With Gabriel’s advantages in price andperformance now being enhanced byadditional distribution, it’s a win-win for thetrade.”PENRITE’S PROGRAM HELPS YOUNGSTERPenrite’s Extra Pair of Hands Program has given a Western Australian teenager a great start to his career.Matthew Parker, 17, has just beenselected to begin his apprenticeship with PortKennedy Automotive Services, WA.“This opportunity with Port KennedyAutomotive Services has set me up for life,”he said. “I am stoked”.Penrite hopes that this partnership maybe a catalyst for other companies to do thesame for the community and support youngpeople getting a start into trades and theAustralian workforce.The program has been welcomedthroughout the industry, particularly at agrass roots level.Small, independent workshops as well aslarge automotive businesses have embracedthe initiative.With media support to spread the word,who knows what can be achieved.Penrite Oil developed the Extra Pair ofHands initiative not only to support itsworkshop customers, but also to give back tothe community.With Mathew’s future firmly on track,Penrite will select another workshop toreceive an apprentice.The apprentice receives an opportunitythat may not have otherwise been availablewith Penrite picking up their wage costs fortheir first year in the workshop.The incentive is offered to mechanics andworkshops across Australia and is particularlyrelevant in the current global climate with jobprospects at a low and a push towardsboosting trades and apprenticeships in bothmetro and country regions.Feedback from Penrite’s workshopcustomers has already been extremelypositive and identified that it is somethingthat will help see them through in their dayto-dayoperation.Customers see it as a valuable incentivethat has the potential to really impact theirbusinesses.10 AU T O M O T I V E A F T E R M A R K E T M AG A Z I N E F E B R UA RY 2 010 www.aaaa.com.au