Autobarn automotive franchise cleans up at awards night

Autobarn franchise partners Kevin and Nicole Rowsell won a swag of awards at the 2004 Mt. Isa Chamber of Commerce awards night late last year, including the ‘Motor Retailers and Auto Service’ award, the ‘General Retail’ award for outstanding enterprise and customer service, and the grand prize, the ‘Business of the Year’ award.

The Rowsells, together with Kevin Rowsell’s parents Jack and Jill Rowsell, established the Mt. Isa Autobarn in 1996. Since then the business has experienced such consistently strong growth that they had to extend the existing store in 2002 to accommodate an ever-increasing range of automotive aftermarket products and improved customer service facilities.

“With a great deal of hard work and the commitment of my family, combined with the strategic marketing and administrative support the Autobarn franchise system provided, we developed a solid base to build a very successful business,” Kevin Rowsell says.

“In addition, rigorous attention to all-important staff management and training programs is underpinned by a massive emphasis on customer service.”

Other aspects of the business philosophy that the Rowsells attribute to their success include:

• Identifying with an easily recognised retail brand – Autobarn – with a very high market profile and reputation, and a commitment to accessing and applying in the business Autobarn’s wide range of resources for franchisees.

• The combined buying power of the Autobarn franchise group, providing access to keener pricing and a wider product range and exclusive products for the benefit of local customers.

• Regular participation in local advertising media (including distribution of full colour catalogues).

• Ready participation in marketing and promotional opportunities.

• Attending meetings convened by Autobarn throughout the year that provide forums for the exchange of ideas and business strategies with other franchisees.

“Customers know that when they come to our Autobarn business, they can count on outstanding customer service. We go the extra mile, and do lots of little things right,” Kevin Rowsell says.

And for the future? Autobarn Mt. Isa’s success seems set to continue as local customers are provided with new product ranges as they are introduced, such as car audio and in-car entertainment systems.

And according to Kevin Rowsell, complacency will not obscure their constant striving for even higher levels of customer service in the automotive franchise.

“We were the top local business in 2005, and we will be working hard to be top again in 2006 – and thereafter.”