Big future in future-proofing

Autoblast sets the franchise standard

NATIONWIDE DEMAND FOR A UNIQUE RUST PROTECTION SERVICE AND A GOLD STANDARD FRANCHISE PROCESS ENSURE BUSINESS SUCCESS

The fame of Autoblast’s ‘Autolast’ system has spread nationwide. Owner David Kirkham says vehicles are shipped into his Glenfield, Auckland, business from around the country on a daily basis. Autoblast’s Autolast treatments are different to the wax/oil solutions offered elsewhere. These treatments are usually just sprayed inside chassis members and settle. The Autolast coatings cover the underside and they dry out, harden, and stay in place. They also self-heal which means if they are struck by a stone they soften, remould, and harden again. There’s also a ‘gold standard’ galvanising option in the Autoblast portfolio.

David says even vehicles only two or three years old suffer extensive rusting in New Zealand’s mostly coastal environment. The country has different building standards for coastal properties and vehicles operating in salt-laden environments also need extra protection.

Many areas of the country have moist air that condenses on cold steel parts overnight. “Add in salty coastal air, and it turns that moisture into salt water — so essentially it’s the same as driving in the sea,” says David.

“We’ve hardly scratched the surface of what’s out there.” David says he could have opened new branches but, as an owner-operator himself, he knows having people personally invested in the success of their business is the best way to ensure that the quality needed in a specialist operation is upheld. David has invested heavily in setting up a franchise system that will lead to a turnkey operation, but he admits he is being picky about pre-qualifiying potential franchisees.

“Some franchises succeed by signing people up. We will succeed by signing up successful people,” he says. “We are not in a hurry. We will have a lot more behind the product and the brand if the person answering the phone is invested in the business.”

He says the group will be strengthened by having the right people at the very start. David says several staff in his own business are keen to set up on their own and they are working towards meeting the criteria. One experienced staff member keen to see the country has offered to get new workshops up and running smoothly and he is prepared to move to other centres for six months or a year to do that. Marketing, including social media, is also set up and ready to go — it can go live, area by area, as soon as each new business is ready to go.

For more information on Autoblast’s products or franchise opportunities, contact autoblast.co.nz, or call David Kirkham on 09 443 6574.

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