4 minute read
Pedders awarded Victorian Family Business Excellence Award
The business has been recognised with a prestigious accolade from the Family Business Association
Pedders Suspension and Brakes says it is extremely proud to have recently been awarded the Victorian Family Business Excellence Award 2022: Large Business Category. A proud Australian family-owned and operated business for over 70 years, Pedders Suspension and Brakes recently joined the Family Business Association as a logical step to enhance the Family aspect of the Pedders business – one of the four pillars that drives its business philosophy.
The Large Business Category award recognises the achievements of a family who is managing a respected and successful large family business and the significant contribution they make to the Australian community and economy. The prestigious award was accepted by Caroline Pedder on behalf of the business. Having won the Victorian award, Pedders is now eligible for the Distinguished Family Business of the Year Award – to be announced in February 2023. The Distinguished Family Business of the Year Award (‘DFBA’) is bestowed on an Australian or New Zealand family-owned company which best demonstrates the successful blend of family and business interests by adopting the Family Business Association’s family business bestpractice. The DFBA is a prestigious award which is proudly promoted by winners and serves as a reference point for the future development of the business. For more information, visit www.pedders.com.au
VALE SHIRLEY BLANCHARD
Shirley Blanchard, co-founder of CoolDrive Auto Parts, has passed away in Melbourne
Together with her husband W.J Blanchard, “Senior” – who passed away in December 2021 – Shirley established Melbourne Auto Air in the late 1970s, with the duo being amongst the first people to import automotive air conditioning systems into Australia. The business was initially based at home, with Senior doing deliveries from the garage, which also doubled as a storage unit, while Shirley worked from the kitchen table taking orders, and conducting all the invoicing, banking, payroll and administration. With Senior’s attention to detail and entrepreneurial spirit, combined with Shirley’s business sense and organisational skills, the CoolDrive business grew exponentially, setting the scene for future generations of Blanchards. A true trailblazer, Shirley was an incredibly well-respected figure within the automotive aftermarket industry and her love for and support of Senior and their family helped shape the CoolDrive business to where it is today. Shirley is survived by her children John and Jennie and her six grandchildren Tim, Adelyn, Jack, Harry, Simon and Sam. The team at the AAAA and Aftermarket Magazine extends its deepest sympathies to the Blanchard family and all at CoolDrive Auto Parts at this sad time.
HM GEM ENGINES VETERAN HONOURED
Doug McKenzie recently celebrated 50 years of service with HM GEM Engines
At a special dinner in his honour, well known and highly respected HM GEM Sales Manager Doug McKenzie was celebrated amongst friends and colleagues to mark the occasion of having notched up 50 years of service with HM GEM Engines of the HeadMod Group recently. Doug commenced with his new employer in 1972 and as a young married man with their first child and he commented “I needed a job!” Head Mod Engineering at that time was located at 833 Doncaster Road, Doncaster and the factory was divided into three separate units with admin and sales, a lube bay and a small cylinder head repair and manufacturing area at the rear. The centre included tuning and repairs with around 10 motor mechanics, and it also included a wheel alignment section. The rear section was devoted to engine reconditioning, cylinder head and crankshaft repairs and this also contained a fully equipped dynamometer and chassis dynamometer. The aftermarket business not only covered these parts but included such products as Selby’s Suspension Products (sway bars, coil springs and shock absorbers). Over the years the company was servicing a large range of customers such as the Australian Army, Albion Reid quarries and many others. “Doug arrived amid a period of rapid expansion in the company and was a great asset from day one with his great interpersonal skills of service in every aspect of the day-to-day business handling unit and parts sales, the procurement of parts, warranty issues plus many other tasks in a friendly and professional way,” Doug’s first boss, Danny Williams, said. Much to his sorrow, due to COVID, Danny was unable to be there on the occasion to shake Doug’s hand and look him in the eye to say thank you personally. HM GEM Principal, Bruce Parker, and General Manager, Dean Taylor, conveyed their personal thanks and the thanks of all personnel in the company to Doug for his dedication and exceptional service. With 50 years of experience behind him Doug is continuing to work on reduced hours passing on the knowledge gained to a younger team of equally dedicated people. For more information, visit www.hmgem.com.au
