TRADE TALK
OUTSIDE THE COMFORT ZONE Steven Tokouzis, Senior Channel and New Products Manager at Apex Tool Group, has built a successful career in the automotive aftermarket by pushing himself outside his comfort zone Today, Steve is responsible for the continued success of GEARWRENCH in Australia. “GEARWRENCH is the fastest-growing brand of hand tools in the automotive aftermarket,” Steve said. “We only launched the brand in the Australian market ten years ago, so we’re still considered the new kid on the block.” During that time, GEARWRENCH has experienced constant double-digit growth, taking market share from the more established brands. “The real drive behind our market penetration is our vertically integrated manufacturing and our heavy investment in new product development,” Steve explained. “I believe we have the world’s best product development team. This allows us to bring new and innovative products to market fast.” Born and raised in Sydney, Steve’s career in the automotive aftermarket was kick-started when he applied to complete his school-mandated work experience program at the local K-Mart Tyre and Auto. “I’ve always been into cars, so I thought this would be a fun way to learn more about them,” Steve said. “I must have done something right because, at the end of my work experience placement, they offered me a casual job, and I jumped at the chance.” Initially, Steve spent his Saturdays fitting tyres and
helping out around the workshop, but it wasn’t long before he started his apprenticeship as a mechanic. “I left school in year ten and started my apprenticeship. Trade school was fantastic, and there was one teacher who gave us some very sound advice, he said that you don’t always need to be the best at something, you just need to be a good bloke with the right attitude and people will bend over backwards to help you out,” Steve remarked. “That’s always stuck with me throughout my career and made me realise the value of having a positive attitude.” Armed with that advice, Steve put his nose to the grindstone while keeping an eye out for opportunities to further his career. “I was a very comfortable job,” said Steve. “I enjoyed engaging with the customers and was good on the tools. To top it off, it was only about 10 minutes from home, but I wanted to push myself to do more, and when I was offered the role of assistant manager at another K-Mart Tyre and Auto Store, I grabbed it with both hands.” Steve’s new job saw his commute to work increase to almost an hour each way, but his effort was rewarded when he got the call to join the K-Mart Tyre and Auto head office team. “I ended up spending 18 years with Kmart Tyre and Auto,” Steve explained. After downing tools, Steve’s first role was in the
training department, where he was responsible for working with mechanics and store managers to hone their selling techniques, upskill them technically and delivering new safety initiatives. “My time in the training department was certainly an eye-opener,” Steve remarked. “I was travelling all over the country and engaging with guys coming from off the floor. “It allowed me the opportunity to develop my interpersonal and listening skills, which has proved invaluable as my career has continued to evolve.” After doing his time in the training department, Steve spent time in merchandising before securing the role of mechanical services manager. But after almost two decades with the business, he was ready for a new challenge. “I don’t regret one minute of the time I spent with K-Mart Tyre and Auto,” said Steve. “But when I was offered the role at GEARWRENCH, I knew it was time to challenge myself once again and push outside my comfort zone.” GEARWRNCH is a division of Apex Tool Group (ATG), one of the largest manufacturers of professional hand and power tools in the world, serving the industrial, vehicle service and assembly, aerospace, electronics, construction, and serious DIY markets. In addition to GEARWRENCH, ATG’s portfolio of brands includes SATA, Crescent, Cleco, and Weller. “ATG works collaboratively with distributors, retailers, and large customers across the globe to make sure end users have the tools they need to solve real-world problems,” Steve explained. “Our unique category management approach provides customers with end user data, market
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Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine August 2021
