Father Son Team Head North at JAXQuickfit Tyres Southport



Keeping it all in the family is the plan for a New South Welshman who's just made the move north to the Gold Coast.

Gavin Lamberton has bought JAXQuickfit Tyres at Southport, part of a 70-store chain stretching from Cairns to Tasmania.

His son Matt, 22, is manager and second-in-charge of the store, a plan Gavin found worked well in his previous business, a tyre store (http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/) on the NSW Central Coast that he owned for 11 years.

"I sold that business in December last year and had a bit of a rest before I started looking for another business to buy. My wife and I have wanted to move to Queensland for many years but suddenly everything fell into place.

"Matt had already moved up here in July last year and was living in Brisbane, but when this business became available, he decided he would come on board with me, so we're working together again, which is great."

Gavin was born and bred in the Blue Mountains, on Sydney's western outskirts, and went straight from school into the banking business, studying accountancy part-time until he was fully qualified.

"I had various accounting jobs over the years, working my way up to the level of financial controller and then I joined the Bob Jane group as an accountant about 14 years ago.

"I had done a stint many years ago with Olympic Tyres but it was only for 12 months, so the Bob Jane experience was my real introduction to the industry."

Gavin spent two years in the company's NSW state office in a business manager role before deciding to go out on his own, buying the Bob Jane franchise at Lakehaven on the NSW Central Coast.

"I really enjoy the people contact of the tyre industry. I don't have any sort of mechanical background but I like dealing with customers and I seem to be good at it, and good at the business, so it makes sense to stick with it.

"My accountancy background obviously helps build a business, but it's also about providing good service and having the right products at the right price. JAXQuickfit has the buying power to supply us with good products at the right price and we can pass on those products to the public at a competitive price.

"The other reason I chose a JAXQuickfit franchise is because it's a one-stop shop. We do mechanical work as well as wheels (http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/wheels.html) and tyres, so you can solve all your customers' car needs at once.

"The franchise concept means I can enjoy having my own business but I have all the back-up, the safety net, of the group behind me which gives you a lot of peace of mind. All the support you need is at the end of the phone, which is good for me and for the people who shop here."

After 20 years of being an accountant, sitting out the back behind a computer, Gavin says he just loves being out the front, talking to customers and helping to solve their problems.

"It's completely different to accounting - I don't even do my own tax returns any more!"

Gavin's long-term plans are to build up the business, with the possibility that son Matt might take over when dad is ready to retire: "but that's a long way off yet and we'll have to see what he wants to do."

In the meantime, Gavin plans to enjoy the Gold Coast lifestyle. He loves the beach and playing golf, and it feels like home because he has a lot of family connections in the area. The social life is hectic already.

JAXQuickfit Tyres Southport offers a variety of mechanical services such as brakes and suspension as well as supplying and fitting the world's leading tyre brands including BF Goodrich (http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/BFGoodrich-tyres.htm), Bridgestone (http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/Bridgestone-tyres.htm) , Dunlop, Falken, Goodyear, Michelin (http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/Michelin-tyres.htm) , and Pirelli, and a wide range of top-line steel and alloy mag wheels (http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/wheels.html).

Customers who buy two tyres and a wheel alignment from Gavin and Matt's store are eligible for membership of the JAXQuickfit Gold Club Tyre Maintenance Plan, which offers huge savings on new tyres (http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/cheap-tyres.html), tyre maintenance and servicing, as well as a range of special offers.





Father Son Team Head North at JAXQuickfit Tyres Southport