Formula for business success

Consider braided brake hoses for 4WD vehicles

UPGRADING BRAKES FOR SERIOUS FOUR-WHEEL DRIVING SHOULD INCLUDE BRAIDED BRAKE HOSES, SAYS BENDIX

Braided brake hoses included in the Bendix Ultimate 4WD Upgrade Kits offer a number of advantages over the factory fitted hoses fitted to the vehicle.

By upgrading a vehicle’s brake hoses, drivers will experience a vastly improved, firm brake pedal feel. Stainless steel braided hoses do not expand under high pressure, and they can withstand severe damage from stones and obstacles experienced in off-road conditions.

Bendix 4WD brake hoses are available for standard ride height vehicles and also in longer lengths to suit 2-inch and 4-inch raised suspensions requiring longer length hoses. Fitting the Ultimate 4WD hoses poses no problem as they are designed to fit without any modification.

Bendix braided hoses meet SAE J1401 and are fully compliant to international design standards and as such will not impact on the vehicle warranty. They are constructed from PTFE (Teflon) tubing covered by woven stainless 304 braiding. This in turn is covered with a Bendix blue protective sheath to shield the braid from dirt, grease, and road grime.

The hoses are terminated with 12L14 steel chrome-plated fittings and also feature rubber overmoulded sleeves designed to minimise coupling to hose fatigue for long life in tough conditions.

Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Hoses are available from leading automotive and specialist 4WD outlets nationwide.

For more information free call the Bendix Brake Advice Centre on +61 3 5327 0211, e-mail brakeadvicecentre@bendix.com.au, or visit the website www.bendix.com.au.

Sure fire business opportunity

A UNIQUE AND SUCCESSFUL AUCKLAND BUSINESS SERVING CUSTOMERS NATIONWIDE IS GIVING KIWIS THE CHANCE TO REPLICATE THE BUSINESS IN THEIR REGION

David Kirkham has developed a unique vehicle underbody sealant system that saves New Zealand vehicles from the ravages of our salty sea air. David says vehicles, including expensive utes only two or three years old, can suffer extensive rusting if the conditions are right.

Autoblast’s ‘Autolast’ rust protection is now widely acknowledged as the best way to protect vehicles operating in coastal environments. David’s clients include a number of commercial operators from across the country who have seen near-new vehicles operating in salty sea air conditions fail warrants at less than five years old. They now send their new vehicles to Auckland for the Autolast treatment.

David says the business is going from strength to strength, especially as more people buy utes to tow boats, go four-wheel driving in coastal areas, or just expect vehicles to hang in there without constant underbody washing.

“We have special building codes for houses built near the sea, so it makes sense that vehicles that spend time at the coast need extra protection.” He says manufacturers aren’t at fault for not building vehicles to marine standards, even though rust can develop within two or three years. He draws a comparison with bird droppings. “Everyone knows if you don’t remove bird droppings it will affect the paint,” he says. “It’s the same with salt.”

The Autolast system sprays a special coating on all of the underside components that also self-heals if hit by a stone. It’s different from and offers vastly more protection than wax/oil protection systems that are typically sprayed inside chassis rails.

David’s North Shore business now has more work than it can handle. When customers around the country are already prepared to ship vehicles to Auckland, David is certain the growth opportunities in the regions are vast.

He has opted to franchise the business rather than open branches in other areas.

Being an owner-operator himself, he decided owners who are personally invested in the success of their business was the best way to ensure the quality Autoblast had become known for.

David has spent months working on the franchise process and training materials to give new businesses the best possible head start. For the same reason he says the selection process for franchisees is designed to find the best quality candidates.

“We’ve got a great business and a great process but for the sake of everyone involved we need great franchisees,” says David.

For more information on Autoblast’s product offerings, check out the extensive resources at autoblast.co.nz, or call David Kirkham on 09 443 6574.