Malcolm Lovett Automotive
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Friday, July 28, 2017
Ashburton Guardian
9
Twenty years and still going strong Twenty years of locally owned and operated business in any part of New Zealand is quite the achievement and Malcolm and Cindy Lovett couldn’t be prouder of the fact that come December they will achieve that notable milestone. For two decades now, their business, Malcolm Lovett Automotive has been a staple part of the diet of many Mid Cantabrians who have been in the market to have work done on their Mitsubishi vehicles and now, with the addition of Honda to their service the pair are ready to take things to a whole new level with a newly revamped workshop and experienced staff on hand, the world is well and truly their oyster. What started as a modest locally owned business back in 1997, is fast growing into one of the busiest little vehicle shops in the district. And they’re continually developing and growing what they do and offer for their customers to enhance the experience and extend their own wealth of knowledge as time and technology moves things forward. With the ability to do everything from servicing to a full car clean, the possibilities are
endless and Malcolm and Cindy’s desire to continue to make their operation more efficient and to provide an even better service to their clients will see the business continue to blossom for many years to come.
“You have to develop, or you’ll get left behind,” Malcolm said. “We’ve seen some major changes to what we do over the years, but that’s what makes the job interesting you are always seeing new things as the vehicles
change and introduce new features.” Their “we will have a go at most things,” attitude sees them keeping ahead of the pack and they’ve seen all sorts of problems and issues come through the
door and have made themselves available and willing to get the job done. From cars and trucks to street sprint race cars, Malcolm Lovett Automotive has you covered for all your Mitsubishi or Honda needs.
MALCOLM LOVETT AUTOMOTIVE LTD
apply
YOUR LOCAL HONDA
PARTS & SERVICE CENTRE
Email mitsubishiadmin@malcolmlovett.co.nz Ltd
MALCOLM LOVETT
Phone 03 308 9109 | 299 Havelock Street, AUTOMOTIVE LTDAshburton
Email hondaadmin@malcolmlovett.co.nz
Malcolm Lovett Automotive 10
Ashburton Guardian
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Friday, July 28, 2017
Working with cars a life-long dream Growing up there was nothing else Malcolm Lovett wanted to do than work with cars. He lived for engines, tinkering with them around the family farm and his career pathway was well decided before he was even of the right age to be considering what he was going to do with his life. “There wasn’t much option really,” he said. “It was cars, cars and more cars.” He began as a mechanic and that set the ball in motion for what has become a long and fruitful career within the industry – and one that continues to develop further and further as time goes on. In 1997 he, along with wife Cindy, decided to throw caution to the wind and Malcolm Lovett Automotive was born. Initially based on South Street, they had a stint at a Wills Street property before moving into their current location on the corner of Havelock and Cass streets. It’s been a slowly evolving beast from there too. After six years of leasing the property, they bought it outright and have continued to add and alter the site as the years have gone by.
Husband and wife team Malcolm and Cindy Lovett.
A new upstairs staff room and two separate storage offices for extra product and paperwork have helped to optimise the space
and the recent addition of the Honda workshop and showroom earlier this year has allowed for even further development.
“You have to keep going, and keep changing as things happen,” Cindy said. Considerable strengthening
work was done to the building following the earthquakes. No serious damage was done in the disaster, but to bring it up to code work had to be undertaken and without the luxury of insurance to cover the work, the money had to come from the business. “It meant we had to look to further things even more,” Malcolm said. “And that’s half the reason we decided to go with the addition of Honda to our service, it just opened up a new customer base.” There’s a real family feel to the air within the building with the pair’s three children regular sights in and around the property and Malcolm’s father, John an everpresent feature at the workshop. “He comes in and sweeps the floors and will take cars down to get a warrant of fitness. “He will ring up most mornings and ask what needs to be done.” Locally owned and family operated – a perfect fit to the Mid Canterbury landscape.
Congratulations to Malcolm and the team
DOMINATOR GARAGE DOORS ASHBURTON Phone: (03) 308 5560 | Mobile: (027) 433 6050 47 South Street | http://www.dominator.co.nz
For all your plumbing needs . . . • Plumbing • Drainage • Membrane Roofing
LANCER GSR NOW JUST $24,990 WATCH IT GO.
+ORC*ON SEDAN AND HATCH*
Performance, style and whole lot more can be yours for a price that’s as sharp as the new sports body kit with rear spoiler – just $24,990+ORC*. You’ll also enjoy 109kW of power and 7.0L per 100km economy on Sedan and 7.2L per 100km economy on Hatch. Don’t watch it pass you by. Call 03 379 0588 or visit ChristchurchMitsubishi.co.nz to book a test drive or come in and see us.
• Gas fitting
Craftsman, Plumber and Drainlayer. Your local plumber for 30+ years.
*Price listed is for Lancer GSR sedan or hatch. Price excludes On Road Costs. See www.mmnz.co.nz for Diamond Advantage terms and conditions.
cnr Montreal & St Asaph Streets, Christchurch. Sales, Service & Parts:
03 379 0588
Ph 0274-347-334
Proud to be associated with the Malcolm Lovett Automotive rebuild.
HONDA NEW ZEALAND PROUDLY WELCOMES MALCOLM LOVETT AUTOMOTIVE LTD AS OUR NEW SERVICE PARTNER IN ASHBURTON. In conjuction with Malcolm Lovett Automotive Ltd the Honda Cars Christchurch team will be in Ashburton on Friday 28 July 2017 to showcase our 2017 & 2018 New Honda Range. Come join us on Friday 28 July 2017 to experience the exciting new additions to our model lineup.
MALCOLM LOVETT AUTOMOTIVE LTD
A 299 Havelock Str, Ashburton P 03 308 9109
Models on display and available for test-drive include:
CIVIC HATCH
from
The All New 2017 Civic 5 Door Hatch
$32,900 +orc
HR-V
from
Ever Popular Crossover SUV
$29,900 +orc
CR-V
from
Preview To The All New 2018 CR-V
$37,900 +orc
Malcolm Lovett Automotive 12
Ashburton Guardian
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Friday, July 28, 2017
Both marques an ideal mix In February this year, Malcolm Lovett Automotive welcomed a new aspect to its business with the inclusion of Honda to its services. They purchased the existing business from Paul May when he retired from the Honda side of the business, and are well and truly under way with the new service becoming a large part of their everyday life. When making the decision to make the addition, both Malcolm and Cindy were fully aware of what it would entail and the challenge it would create, but they took an open-minded approach and have enjoyed every minute of it so far. “It was something new for us,” Malcolm said. “All of a sudden here we are having to learn and upskill on a whole new set of things that we probably hadn’t encountered a lot in the past. “It’s like anything though, the first time you do it is the most difficult then it’s usually easier from thereon.” Malcolm said the decision fitted in perfect with the existing business due to its location and suitability. “It is a great brand and it fits
in really well with the Mistubishi side of things. “So, it was actually quite an easy decision for us to make at the end of the day.” Cindy said Malcolm had taken a lot of that learning and adapting responsibility on his own
shoulders – both as a desire to get the best results from the outset and to give himself the chance to learn while he went. “He just dove into it head on and hasn’t really looked up,” she said. “I think he’s really enjoyed
Suppliers of structural steel for commercial and residential buildings Specialists in seismic strengthening to existing structures
being able to learn and teach himself new skills around the little things that are different from what we are used to doing with the Mitsubishi side of things.” They are offering all the same services with the Honda side of
the business as they do with the Mitsubishi side currently and the hope was that in time as things continued to grow that the pair would end up being a natural combination and work well for those within the Ashburton district.
4WD diesel and electric scissor lifts Rough terrain and electric lifts available On site collection or delivery available
403 West Street, PO Box 60, Ashburton 7740 Phone: 03 308 8155 Mobile: 0273 529 909 Email: office@nee.kiwi.nz www.nee.nz Proud to be supplier of structural steel for Malcolm Lovett Automotive
Malcolm Lovett Automotive
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Friday, July 28, 2017
Ashburton Guardian 13
All you need and more The desire to make Malcolm Lovett Automotive the one-stop shop for everything anyone would need their Mitsubishi and Honda vehicles is the key focus for Malcolm and Cindy moving forward. They’ve got this wonderful platform on which they can now really launch from and don’t intend on slowing down at any stage in the near future. The always popular showrooms will be back on display soon with vehicles from each brand on offer for those passing by to check out and if there is a serious intention to purchase, a meeting can be arranged for a test drive with one of the sales representatives from Christchurch. But it’s on the shop floor where things really happen. From services to parts replacements, car cleaning and everything in between they’ve got it covered. Currently the only service they can’t provide is a Warrant of Fitness, but they’re more than happy to take a vehicle down to the testing station while it’s with them and get it signed off for a customer. “I think being able to do little things like that really helps,”
Malcolm said. “We try and offer as much as we can to our clients, and anything we can’t we will certainly have a go at.” Staff are upskilled at least once each year to ensure they are up-to
date with the latest developments and computer systems and Cindy’s friendly face is always a welcoming sight at reception and is always ready to help on arrival. With no real motoring background before she started
Experience New Zealand’s Smoothest Sliding Doors The Pacific Suite Euroslider® sliding door and its revolutionary Smoothtech® sill system eliminate the need for conventional bottom tracks. This means enhanced performance, low maintenance cleaning and almost frictionless rolling with fingertip control. Features • Unique track profile • Outside sliding panels • Smoothtech® • Sloped sill trays for drainage • Sleek and square profile • The smoothest slide • Bottom or top rolling options
RYLOCK ASHBURTON
308 8493
Phone Email rylock.ash@xtra.co.nz 8a John St, Ashburton
getting involved in the business, she’s had to learn on the job as well but now handles the majority of the paperwork and also chips in where she can. “I’ll do the little things that I can to help clients, like setting
up Bluetooth to cellphones for anyone and I also do the map upgrades for the vehicles as well. “I really enjoy it and it’s great to be at the forefront of the business and seeing how things are going.”
We are very pleased to have worked with Malcolm and Cindy handling all the electrical and data aspects of their upgrade and wish them all the best.
• New housing • Commercial • Alterations • Telephone and data • Internal/external lighting • LED downlight upgrades • All work compliant and certified Contact us: Graeme Wells 0274 341 474 Rob Wells 0274 341 575
Malcolm Lovett Automotive 14
Ashburton Guardian
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Friday, July 28, 2017
Always a warm welcome Upon entering the main workspace of Malcolm Lovett Automotive you’ll find a warm welcome with a friendly smile. There are no problems here, it is a business which is here to help and will go above and beyond to ensure your requirements are met. With a skilled and experienced team of staff who exude passion for all things motoring, it’s an environment where even the most cautious will feel right at home. You’re not just a customer, you’re a part of the makeup of the business – you’ll capture the sense of pride and passion that flows from the feel of the building through the nature of the team on the ground.
“
Clients who have been coming to them since they first opened their doors are still returning
And that’s been a focus from day one for Malcolm and Cindy. They want to be a community based and focused operation and have worked hard to build and maintain their client base. It’s the key aspect of any successful operation and after 20 years of looking after the people of the district the team are proud to say the bond is as strong as ever. Clients who have been coming to them since they first opened their doors are still returning today and that’s something Malcolm and Cindy could not be more proud of. “There are some great people who have been with us the whole way,” Malcolm said. “It’s special to be able to have that personal relationship with so many of the people who walk through the door. “But a new customer who
comes in as just as important, it doesn’t matter whether they have been to us once, or even a thousand times.” With more scope than they have ever had before, the dream is that Malcolm Lovett will start to
build even more of those special relationships as the range of what they can offer grows bigger and bigger through the addition of the Honda side of the business. Suppliers of Ruralco, Grey Power and Gold Card they have
everything covered and even if it’s just a quick question you need answered, they’ll be more than happy to oblige. So don’t be afraid to stick your head in the door, especially if you have a Mitsubishi or Honda
vehicle, Cindy will happily greet you and Malcolm, or any one of the team, will be ready and willing to offer up their expertise. And what more could you ask for in a locally owned and operated business?
BRADY’S PAINTING AND DECORATING LTD Proud to be the chosen painter for Malcolm and Cindy Lovett Automotive • Residential & Commercial
• Airless Spraying & Waterblasting
• Exterior & Interior
• Wallpapering & Plastering
Ring Dave – 027 407 1521
Phone 03 308 1728 | www.bradyspainting.co.nz
Civil and Structural Engineers Subdivision & Land Development Consultants
Timaru
Phone: 03 684 7688 Email: admin@mflnz.co.nz Milward Finlay Lobb is proud to have assisted in the development of
Malcolm Lovett Automotive
Experienced team. Quality build. Build with confidence. Build with us. Our small, passionate family business and talented building crew has the knowledge and expertise of a combined experience of more than 100 years. Serving the Canterbury area with new residential builds, alterations, additions, repairs, light commercial, farm builds and all types of maintenance, we thrive on doing a quality job and having very satisfied clients with whom we develop a friendly rapport. We are well aware we are working on your greatest asset and potentially your future family home, so the lines of communication are always open and the team’s work ethic is exceptional.
For your next build project, contact G&D Russell Builders Ltd today for a free, no obligation consultation and quote.
Build with • Licensed Builder • Registered Master
G&D Russell Builders Ltd
P 03 308 5325 C 0274 367 986
W www.g-drussellbuilders.co.nz E g-drussellbuilders@xtra.co.nz
Proud to have been involved with Malcolm Lovett Automotive building project. We wish Malcolm and Cindy every success in their new premises.