EMPEROR BRINGS QUALITY TO THE BUSH
A company that began with only enough work to last a week now employs 26 staff and is recognised as one of Australia’s leading remote service providers.
Alice Springs-based Emperor Air Conditioning & Refrigeration was founded in 2009 by Northern Territory-born Adam Franey.
It services residential and commercial clients from Alice to Tennant Creek – and everywhere in between – but is renowned for working in some of the most remote communities in the world.
The firm has contracts to service communities throughout the Central Desert region as far as Laverton in Western Australia and across the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands in the far north of South Australia.
“We’re local and have a highly skilled staff,” says Adam. “We know the Territory, not just the main towns, and always do excellent work. These factors make us unique.”
His wife Zoe, a former bank manager, is in charge of the financial side of the business.
“Like most tradies, my forte isn’t doing the books, but Zoe is key. She has changed the trajectory of the company since she joined.
“It’s great to have each other for support. We’re both passionate about our work and it’s an added bonus being able to celebrate the successes together.”
Emperor Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, which has workshops in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, has been named Mitsubishi NT Dealer of the Year six years in a row.
Adam has always been driven to succeed.
He began his apprenticeship as a refrigeration mechanic at the age of 15 and squeezed in a few elective courses at the same time. He later studied to be an electrician – often doing jobs during his study breaks – and is now a dual tradesman.
“I learnt my trade in good companies and had good mentors. Some of the tradesmen I worked with now work with me, which is great.”
One of his mentors, John Gardiner, and many other staff have been with the company for 10 years.
The team collectively has more than 300 years experience.
“A large part of our success has come from our team’s ability to adapt to the different environments and the challenges that flow from that,” Adam says. “Especially given the extreme temperatures in summer and winter, the accessibility and cultural barriers that sometimes come up.”
Adam gave up his steady, well-paid job in 2009 to start his own company – he was only 25.
“At the start, I only had enough work to last me a week. It was do or die. But I was determined to succeed. I wanted to deliver a much higher level of service than was available.”
Work picked up quickly, partly because Adam had already worked in remote communities and was highly regarded.
“I spent a lot of time in swags in my early years. The bush telegraph is very effective and my name became well known.
“The company has done well but it hasn’t been easy. It helps that we take a lot of pride in our work.
“Our team is prompt, raising the standard of service, and managing projects with the skill and experience our clients have come to expect. We always stand behind our work, with customer satisfaction being our top priority.
“We hire locally and have the best of the best. Some of our team are long term or born-and-bred Alice locals … just like me.”
Adam and Zoe have two children, Sienna, 12, and 10-year-old Gabriel.
CONTACT
Emperor Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Showroom: 65 Smith St, Ciccone, NT, 0870
PO Box 3379, Alice Springs, NT 0871
info@emperorrefrigeration.com.au
(08) 8953 1178