Behind the Brand: A Chat with Duralift’s Managing Director, Garth Chippindall
From humble beginnings to one of Melbourne’s most trusted access hire providers, Duralift’s journey has been shaped by hard work, service excellence and strong family values. We sat down with Managing Director, Garth Chippindall to talk about where it all began, what drives the business today, and where Duralift is heading next.
Question's We Asked Garth:
Can you tell us a little about the history of Duralift and your role from the beginning?
Back in 2009 we were looking for another line of business, a change from metal processing, when we came across a small hire company for sale. It had just 10 machines, but we saw potential and decided to take it on and give it a try.
How has Duralift evolved since its early days?
We started with smaller machines, mainly towable units on trailers, targeting tradies who preferred to collect their own gear to save on freight. That limited us to the local area at first, so over time we increased the fleet size, expanded into larger equipment and broadened the regions we could service.
What sets Duralift apart from other access hire companies?
Our exceptional service and rapid response times, typically within 90 minutes or less. Our equipment is well maintained, and our team is incredibly dedicated. Their granular attention to detail makes everything easier for our clients.
What’s the most important business lesson you’ve learned?
Get it right the first time, every time, on time, with forensic follow-up.
What does a typical day look like for you as Managing Director?
My focus is making sure the team is happy and that they have everything they need to succeed. I also spend time on data and financial analysis to drive growth, manage return on investment and make strategic decisions around equipment management.
How do you ensure that strong customer relationships remain at the heart of the business as it grows?
It starts with our team. A positive team spirit naturally flows through to our customers. We follow them up, stay in touch and continue to support and evolve with their needs.
What’s next for Duralift? What are you excited about in the future?
We’re excited about innovating with new products and expanding our geographic footprint into new regions and states.
The Duralift Difference
Duralift’s story is built on steady growth through developing genuine relationships, hard work and a commitment to doing things the right way. Under Garth’s leadership, the business continues to evolve while staying true to its family values, and always putting reliability, safety and service first.
