Three enterprises for the price of one in Whitianga
Whitianga’s Peninsula Cars and Commercials is a profitable and highly respected business that has been part of the Coromandel town’s landscape for over 20 years.
Fiona Kettlewell and Chris Ward purchased the business at 21 Campbell St eight years ago.
Ward has been associated with it since day one and now, in his retirement years, wants to take time out with his partner to explore more of New Zealand.
Kettlewell manages the day-to-day operations, employing three qualified technicians and a part-time office assistant.
She is a capable businessperson who does not come from a mechanical background, proving one of the most important aspects of this business is that the new owner does not need to be a qualified mechanic — all the technical staff are in place.
There are currently three revenue streams:
■ Servicing and repairs on all types of commercial and privately owned vehicles including trucks, trailers, earthmoving and marine equipment.
Technicians are fully qualified to carry out WOF inspections.
Arrangements include servicing of new and used Nissans.
■ Operating an NZTA agency — the sole Whitianga contract — that handles a wide range of transactions including vehicle registration, licensing, change of ownership, road user charges, issuing plates and many other activities but excluding driver licence testing.
To retain the NZTA agency the new owner would need to apply for and complete a training package.
■ Operating as the sole Whitianga Nissan agency in conjunction with Brian Tunnicliffe Motor Group, the largest Nissan dealership in Paeroa with other branches in Morrinsville and Waihi. Tunnicliffe owns new and used vehicles displayed on the Whitianga site and pays a success fee for each vehicle sold.
Ray Gilroy of Link Business Brokers has been engaged by the vendors to market the business.
“The vendors have enjoyed yearon-year growth despite any pandemic interruptions. This is a turnkey operation and the new owner earns money from day one,” Gilroy says.
Whitianga is the second largest town on the Coromandel Peninsula, located in Mercury Bay on the northwestern coast. It has a permanent population of 6500 but grows to more than 40,000 during the summer months. “It’s paradise in the sun,” adds Gilroy.
Kettlewell and Ward enjoy their lifestyle balance and the business is open Monday to Friday.
There are untapped growth opportunities including development or upgrading of the website and social media presence. Surveys reveal there is very strong demand for weekend automotive servicing and repairs.
Further studies reveal many new and used car sales take place on the weekend.
Worthy of consideration, in conjunction with the Tunnicliffe connection, could be the appointment of an on-site commission-only salesperson to grow the Nissan new and used cars agency. There is already a purpose-built salesroom onsite.
“This business is unique in having additional streams of revenue, which makes it an interesting place to work and there’s always something on the go. There are few automotive workshops available where the owner does not need to be qualified or to work on the tools,” explains Gilroy.
Peninsula Cars and Commercials is priced at $480,000 including plant, stock and three courtesy cars.