FLEETDRIVE
In 1988 each of the franchisor entities (with the
exception of South Australia) merged to form a
new company Ultra Tune (Systems) Australia Pty
Ltd. (UTSA), opening its’ first store in WA within
12 months.
The Formative Years
Current Executive Chairman, Sean Buckley
acquired management and later shareholding
control after a public auction in 1994.
Ultra Tune Australia Pty Ltd was born and
over the next 26 plus years Buckley grew
the organization from around 70 mediocrely
operating franchises into a successful national
franchise network model of some 260 plus
stores.
Today
While Ultra Tune started with a fixed price tune/
lube service it has evolved to offer both fleet
and private motorists a full range of automotive
services, each performed in a structured series
of operating procedures ensuring a faster, more
efficient and cost effective service.
Ultra Tune employs specialist personnel and
provides first class support to franchise owners
across the country.
Mr. Buckley claims “Ultra Tune is an IT company
that happens to service cars”.
“Car servicing is our stock in trade, but where
Ultra Tune has managed to stay ahead of the
curve is by reading market trends. In the early
days it was by introducing ‘dyno-tuning’, today
we aim to stay ahead of the competition by
building a state-of-the-art IT platform which
handles every aspect of the business – from
booking service to reviewing service records, to
sending out reminders to clients that their next
booking is due, to invoicing and a range of other
applications, all at the click of a mouse” asserts
Mr. Buckley.
COVID-19 and the Future Landscape
The global pandemic has certainly impacted the
way organizations do business. Ultra Tune was
quick to adapt; using social media to stay on
top of communications and modifying services
with offers such as vehicle drop-offs, “touchless”
servicing, hygienic cleans and antibacterial MiST
sprays.
“The current climate is tough for all Australians
personally and in business” commented Mr.
Buckley. “However, I believe there will be a rapid
expansion in our sector in coming years. With
key changes to legislation anticipated in 2020,
the auto servicing market will sit on a fairer
playing field, not to mention people will be more
frugal with their expenditure holding onto their
cars for longer, which are the vehicles Ultra Tune
specializes in.
ISSUE 24 AUGUST 2020 / WWW.AFMA.ORG.AU
15