Having firmly established itself as the country’s No.1 importer and supplier of used trucks tailor-made to customer requirements, CAL Trucks has now been appointed as the region’s authorised Isuzu Master Truck Dealer, taking over the franchise from Ebbett Waikato on 1st April. The appointment has the full blessing and support of Isuzu New Zealand, Holden New Zealand, and particularly of Ebbett Holden. Ben van den Engel, Managing Director of the Ebbett Group, said in a letter to clients that the change would result in additional areas of service including used truck sales, and provide a genuine one-stop shop to fully meet the needs and expectations of Isuzu clients. “CAL Trucks, under the ownership and direction of Ashok Parbhu, has become New Zealand’s largest used truck operator (specialising in Isuzu product) and wanted to broaden its involvement in the industry by acquiring a new truck franchise,” said Mr van den Engel. “Both Isuzu New Zealand and ourselves were satisfied that CAL Trucks was a natural operator for the franchise, and as a result the sale of the business was very easy to put together. We wish Ashok and his team every success in their new venture.”
One-stop shop
The change means that truck companies will now be spoiled for choice, with a full range of both new and used Isuzu vehicles of various sizes and models available, as well as all the services they are likely to need to modify trucks to meet their requirements. At its Te Rapa base, CAL Trucks has extensive workshops for: • Isuzu authorised service • Motor body building • Chassis modification and extension • Engineering and fabrication • Full engine and mechanical servicing and repairs for all brands of Japanese trucks • Panel work, painting, and grooming. In addition, it now has an extended parts warehouse with genuine Isuzu parts as well as a wide range of other commonly needed spares. For the company’s managing director Ashok Parbhu, the expansion of his business to include the Isuzu new truck dealership is the natural “next step”. “Our existing business model is very robust and it works well. We are at the top of the used truck importing business and that structure gives us a solid client base, but we knew at some point a number of clients were going to want new trucks,” says Ashok. “Now we can meet that need, so this has been a natural progression. What’s more, the one-stop shop we offer our existing clients is a good fit for new truck buyers as well.” Ashok points out that the greatest strength of the company is still tailor-making trucks to meet individual client requirements, whether they be chassis lengthening or shortening, a standard tipping body or curtain-sided body, custom panel and paint work etc. “We are the only fully integrated site in the Waikato that offers such a wide range of used trucks, and the Isuzu N, F and GIGA Series new trucks. Now all Isuzu owners can get them serviced, have a new body put on them, painted etc, all under one roof,” he says. “We see it as a win-win for Isuzu, for our client base and for Ebbett’s former clients.” With its large existing manufacturing and workshop capability, CAL Trucks will have no difficulty servicing the extra business, but its parts department will expand dramatically and Ashok has taken on a number of key new staff to manage the new aspects of the business. The new parts department will be led by John Herder who has a depth of experience in providing truck parts to businesses across the Waikato region. Malcolm Hart, a qualified diesel mechanic from Ebbett Waikato, is sales engineer for the new truck business. Graham Hunn, an experienced diesel mechanic and also previously from Ebbetts, has been appointed service manager to provide after-sales support to customers. Key staff who have been with CAL Trucks for some time include workshop manager Mike Bowring, who is responsible for manufacturing, engineering and panel and paint workshops, and used truck sales manager Pat Coleman. Making sure that the Isuzu franchise integrates well into the overall business structure is the job of general manager Russell Drake.
Fulfilling the vision
Taking on the new franchise may be a natural progression for the company, but is also the fulfilment of the vision that Ashok and his brother Raman had when they became partners in the business. “Twenty years ago my brother was an admirer of new Isuzu trucks, and we used to look at them through Ebbetts’ windows and dream that one day we might be able to sell them in our business,” says Ashok. “We started small by importing used Isuzus, and they are still the dominant brand in our used truck fleet. With Ramon gone it has been up to me to keep the dream alive, and it is exciting that it has now become reality. It will be a challenge to perform to everyone’s expectations, but we are sure going to perform.” Looking at CAL Trucks today it is hard to imagine its humble beginnings when Raman Parbhu turned his father’s front lawn into a dismantling yard and his garage into a workshop. In those days, says Ashok, it was a battle to survive and he had to walk from bank to bank to find finance to expand the business. Today it is a highly successful multi-million dollar enterprise with multiple profit centres and a large and rapidly growing client base. Profitable yes, but Ashok insists that his clients are what his business is all about. “Ultimately it's not about money, it's about how you do business and your personal make up and your attitudes,” he says. “Our clients are successful, and we want to make them more successful and keep them successful and so they will keep coming back to us. The new franchise will help ensure that we can make that happen.” For more information, contact any of CAL Trucks’ key staff on 0800 266 628