The last two weeks I have spent in Australia visiting every one of our Neil's Parts stores. To the left is a picture of the Sydney Harbor bridge as we flew out of Sydney to Coolongatta Queensland. As I write this morning I am feeling the effects of jet lag - wide awake at 5 AM and now at 9 AM ready to crawl in bed for the night. Having travelled the world I can honestly say the jet lag is the worst traveling to Australia but I wouldn't change a thing. The country and people are outstanding. I say all the time everyone should visit Australia once in their life time.
Used Inventory!The first week we flew to every store to appraise their used inventory, check after-market new parts and rebuilt parts inventory. Nick Moeller and Randy Mittlestadt, Directors of Operations for the U.S. appraised their used stocks and provided guidance on yard operations etc. Actually, being year three in the process, they more or less overseen Jason Atkins and Tim Allan who handled the appraisal process. It's just another example of how our two companies have become so integrated all on a focus to service the customer world wide. We continually purchase the latest model salvage for parts to insure we have the broadest inventory of used parts in the world.
New Location!The first day we visited our new location in Ayr, Queensland. The weather was tropical and the sugar cane fields were a plush green and very tall! This store once it gets a foot hold will be very successful. We are currently in the process of having sugar cane after market new parts manufactured to service the large industry. There is a large amount of used tractors for salvage parts waiting for dismantling and another 40 on the way this week. We had barrmundi fish for lunch and I have to say it was the best fish I had ever eaten, if you get the opportunity try it some time! I made a brief video of the new location in Ayr that can be viewed with a click here or below this.
On Friday we were back at the corporate office in Toowoomba launching the new and improved web site for Neil's Parts. The customers in Australia can now order their parts on line with a secure credit card processing system, check available stock at a store near them, view fresh salvage and review used equipment for sale. We also have a sale shed where all the overstocked parts are located and the customers can take advantage of liquidation pricing. I know Neil's Parts now has the most comprehensive ag parts web site in Australia.
We finished up the last part of the trip with manager's meetings. They were very productive and Neil's Parts has never had a stronger management group. Watch this video to meet the management team!
We look forward to expansion in the near future to Western Australia, the starting of our rebuilt division in Dubbo and continued growth in the existing stores. As the song goes "The future is so bright we gotta wear shades!"
THANKS! I'd like to take a moment and thank the Worthington Ag Parts team who sacrificed two weeks from their families unconditionally and focused on providing guidance and expertise to our sister company. We truly are one world one team. It's hard to imagine six grown men spending so much time together with no egos, issues or self indulgence just flat out teammates! (Randy Mittlestadt - Director of Operations, Nick Moeller - Director of Operations, Mike Chorzempa - Financial Controller, Jamie Neldon - Director of Business Development and Colin Taylor - International Export Manager) A big thank you to my Australian team who make our stay seem like home!
The one disappointment from this trip was the heavy travel schedule didn't allow me time to visit my sister Jane who lives in Sydney hopefully she can forgive me! Love you Jane I will visit later this year when I am back down - PROMISE!
Well that's enough for today - Sorry Michael Libbie I know the blogs aren't supposed to ramble on!
Cheers,
Mike Winter
