Cool deal for stalwart
A TOWNSVILLE company that has been instrumental in developing and maintaining cold rooms for businesses and farms across northern Australia is under new ownership.
West Australian company Frig Tech has acquired Stallard’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and will continue to operate the business and service its clients. Company founder Ron Stallard will also continue to work in the business.
The refrigeration mechanic started Stallard’s in Townsville in 1978, growing the business from one which operated under his home in Douglas to being a major developer of cold rooms for industries and clients throughout North Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Cold rooms for the first mango farms established in the Katherine district in Northern Territory were built by Stallard’s, while closer to home the company has worked with farming clients from Bowen to Mareeba and for abattoir operators in Townsville.
In the 1990s Stallard’s was recognised as Australia’s top independent dealer for Emailair, installing systems in many of the city’s finest homes.
Mr Stallard, 65, said he was happy to keep working and pass on his experience but to step back from the management of the business.
“We are probably one of the few that look after people in the bush. We got most of that work,” he said.
“I will continue to work on development and quoting. I will work on for a few years and see where it all ends up.”
Former Townsville refrigeration mechanic and electrical contractor Steve Jensen has returned to the city to manage the business.
While the main focus of Stallard’s has been on building and installing cold rooms, Mr Jensen said they intended to rejuvenate its servicing of refrigeration systems, while increasing their presence in commercial refrigeration and airconditioning.
“We want to provide a quality service at a reasonable price,” Mr Jensen said.
Frig Tech is involved in commercial refrigeration, airconditioning and electrical systems.
Since inception in 2008, the company has grown from one office in Geraldton to having branches in Perth, Karratha, Port Hedland, Meekatharra, Kempsey and Townsville.