Top Tassie Tyre Dealer Sets Sights On Staying Number One
The Kumho Tyres Dealer of the Year for Victoria and Tasmania for 2023 has changed owners with the new management team vowing to defend the operation’s title in the year ahead.
Sam and El Chettle bought Speedy Tyres from Brenden and Julie Healey earlier this year after the dealership had been awarded Kumho Tyres VIC/TAS Dealer of the Year and say they are working hard to ensure they go back to back for the prestigious award.
The Chettles took over the business from Brenden who had worked at Speedy Tyres since its inception in 1984 and owned it for the past seven years.
“Brenden and Julie have done a fantastic job in building the business and its clientele here in Northern Tasmania and it is just a damn good business,” said Sam Chettle.
Sam is a qualified Auto Electrician who had worked in a business that handled a lot of tyres and enjoyed the industry so when the opportunity came up to buy Speedy, he and his wife El jumped at the chance.
Sam heads up the operation as a hands on boss, while his wife and fellow director, El runs the administration and looks after the numbers as a qualified bookkeeper
“It's a really good business and the clientele have stayed around and supported us since we took over,” said El.
“In addition to the people that we've known in the community, we certainly haven't noticed any downturn, we've been trading at the same levels, if not more since we took over.
“I know the numbers and I am learning about tyres, but it is a great business with a great reputation here in Devonport,” she added.
“We are certainly trying our hardest to keep up the standard and to win the Kumho Dealer of the Year award again next year,” El added.
“We are certainly trying our hardest to keep up the standard and to win the Kumho Dealer of the Year award again next year,” El added.
Sam says that being a Kumho Platinum Dealer is also key to the success of the business and the quality and price equation for Kumho makes it a brand that is easy to sell and well respected in the market.
“Once people try Kumho they keep coming back because of the positive experience they have had with them,” said Sam.
“One of the big advantages Kumho has is the wide range it offers and the fact that we can sell them into every sector of the automotive market,” he added.
“Being a Kumho Platinum Dealership is a huge advantage because of the prestige it brings and the assistance that Kumho delivers as a result,” Sam said.
The Chettles love Tasmania but concede the biggest challenge for a tyre business in the Apple Isle is the water that separates them from the mainland.
“It isn’t as easy to maintain the same levels of stock as our friends on the other side of Bass Strait and the supply chain is a bit longer and more challenging, but Kumho makes it a lot easier and are great to deal with when it comes to supply,” said El.
“At Speedy Tyres we are the tyre professionals who can offer the cheapest tyre deals to suit your vehicle and our family run business is Devonport owned and managed,” she added.
“As the only Kumho Tyre Premium Dealer in the area, we purchase tyres at better price and then pass these savings onto our customers,” she said.
The Chettles say that Speedy Tyres is equipped with the latest wheel alignment technology required by its customers, and that these are performed by its team of skilled technicians.
The Speedy Tyres team, which numbers five at its Devonport tyre centre, trades six days per week and is within walking distance of the local shops while offering plenty of onsite parking, with the business recently celebrating its 40th anniversary, the new owners believe they can continue to steer Speedy Tyres to success for many years to come.
