Opposite Lock Opens in Adelaide
The Opposite Lock network of 4WD accessory stores moves into South Australia
this month (June) with the launch of Opposite Lock Adelaide.
The South Road, Mile End outlet marks the group's first major foray into the
South Australian market, but the new franchise's owners Richard and Louise
Warin are confident of a warm reception.
"People here in South Australia already know the Opposite Lock name, and the
products have a very good reputation with experienced four-wheel-drivers,"
he says. "A lot of people have said to us that it really was about time
Opposite Lock opened up in Adelaide!"
This isn't the first opportunity South Australians have had to buy Opposite
Lock equipment though. For the past six months Richard's 'other' 4x4 store,
Hills 4WD Centre in Mount Barker, has been offering OL products.
"I believe in buying on quality and value, not just price," he explained.
"Some of the other suppliers weren't doing the right thing by us, so we
decided we'd give Opposite Lock a go … and we've been more than happy with
the company and its products ever since."
After his 'trial run' in the hills Richard was convinced that he should take
the plunge and open up a fully-fledged Opposite Lock franchise. Adding to
this conviction was the opportunity to start the business at a location
already well know to South Australia's four-wheel-driving fraternity.
"We're moving into the building that used to house the accessory sales side
of Peter Young's Alltrac 4WD operation," he explains.
Young, a well-known figure in four-wheel-driving in South Australia, is
vacating the building in order to concentrate on offering mechanical
servicing and repairs from his adjacent South Road workshop and to pursue
his interest in conducting outback tours.
"It's a great location," says Richard, "With a 150-odd square metre showroom
packed full of Opposite Lock products up front, our fitting shop out the
back, and really experienced people behind the counter -- we're keeping on
all the guys that used to work there before -- there's plenty of reasons for
South Australian four-wheel-drivers to come to Mile End."
Richard is, perhaps, being a little modest when he highlights others'
experience - he's had no shortage of outback adventures himself.
Born in the Adelaide Hills he worked as a jackaroo before joining Telecom
where he headed up a vehicle repair and maintenance team laying the
fibre-optic cabling systems that now span the country.
"I suppose I spent about six years in the South Australian outback and the
Northern Territory, and I've crossed the Nullarbor the hard way quite a few
times," he jokes, "so I've learned a bit about four-wheel-driving and
four-wheel-drive accessories."
Richard later set up his own mobile repair business in the Adelaide Hills
before going on to establish the Hills 4WD Centre in Mount Barker. Now,
after close to a decade looking after four-wheel-drivers he reckons he knows
exactly what people want.
"Quality, service, value for money, and 100 per cent reliability," he states
emphatically, "and we'll be putting in a 110 per cent effort to ensure
that's exactly what Opposite Lock-Adelaide customers get!"
Opposite Lock-Adelaide will offer a complete range of four-wheel-drive
accessories including Opposite Lock's famous
Blue Tongue III
pumps, Caddy
wheel carriers, Outback fuel tanks and Mean Green recovery gear.
"If it's useful and you can fit it in, on, or under a 4x4 we'll have it,"
says Richard.
Opposite Lock-Adelaide is located at 303 South Road, Mile End and can be
contacted by phone on (08) 8234 5299.
Issued by: Essential Communications,
Opposite Lock Australia -->
Nick Deathridge
