Australian Franchise News – 14-05-12
Clark Rubber Shellharbour has been recognised as the brand’s best store in Australia, taking out the ‘National Best Practice Franchise of the Year’ at the 2012 Clark Rubber Annual Conference held in Darwin last month.
The annual conference brought together Clark Rubber’s national network of franchisees to celebrate and recognise excellence across the business, with Clark Rubber’s Shellharbour store victorious over 78 other stores to take home the top accolade.
Owners Joanne and David Matthews were surprised when their store was awarded this year’s top prize.
“We were extremely shocked to have picked up the top gong. This is the first time we’ve won the National Award – it’s incredibly exciting and I think we’re all still a bit overwhelmed,” Joanne said.
2012 marks the thirteenth year that Joanne has been the franchise owner of the Shellharbour Clark Rubber and in that time Joanne has helped grow and establish the business into one of the most successful within the Clark Rubber network.
“While this is a great achievement, none of it would have been possible without the ongoing support of our wonderful staff, our franchisor and the community. It’s been so rewarding growing our franchise into what it is today.”
“This award is a real credit to our dedicated staff for their ongoing hard work and contribution to the success of our store. We wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have over the years without them,” Joanne continued.
Stores nominated for both the State based and National awards were judged across a number of key areas including year-on-year sales increases, participation in staff training, compliance with the Clark Rubber model and store merchandising standards among others.
Joanne and David, along with the network’s other regional award winners, were presented their awards at the conference’s Gala Dinner in the company of 300 of their peers, suppliers, and Clark Rubber associates.
“The Conference in Darwin was an opportunity for our network to reflect on the success of the past year and to recognise our members’ ongoing commitment to quality retailing and serving their local community with helpful service and advice,” said Gary Nye, Chief Operating Officer, Clark Rubber Franchising.
“We are fortunate to have a group of members who are passionate about independent retailing and are committed to the Clark Rubber brand. The National Award along with our five Region Awards are our opportunity to recognise the excellence across our store network and I’d personally like to congratulate this year’s winners,” said Gary.
The annual conference also recognised Clark Rubber’s key suppliers, with a number of awards dedicated to the recognition of the importance and value of the relationship between suppliers and Clark Rubber.
Beating a number of other suppliers including Dunlop Foams, Zodiac and Hunter Products, Roadgear was recognised as Clark Rubber’s best supplier by winning the ‘Supplier of the Year’ award at the annual conference.
Shane Davies, Roadgear’s National Account Manager for Clark Rubber was thrilled to have won the award.
“Winning this award serves as recognition and validation of the flourishing business relationship between Roadgear and Clark Rubber. This award proves to us at Roadgear that not only are we a quality supplier, but our ongoing support of the Clark Rubber brand is clearly working,” said Shane.
“As a long term supplier to Clark Rubber it’s always been our goal to provide a consistently high level of service, and with that in mind we’re hoping we can up the ante and win this award again next year!” Shane continued.
Clark Rubber is a proud 65-year-old Australian brand that has established itself as an icon of the Australian retail landscape. Clark Rubber is a leader in the foam, rubber and modular swimming pool retail market.
Clark Rubber National and State Franchise of the Year Winners
National Clark Rubber Franchise of the Year
Clark Rubber Shellharbour, NSW – Joanne and David Matthews
QLD & Northern NSW Clark Rubber Franchise of the Year
Clark Rubber Rockhampton, QLD – Roly and Heidi Humphries
NSW & ACT Clark Rubber Franchise of the Year
Clark Rubber Shellharbour, NSW – Joanne and David Matthews
VIC EAST Clark Rubber Franchise of the Year
Clark Rubber Narre Warren, VIC – Mike and Andrea Smith
VIC WEST & SA Clark Rubber Franchise of the Year
Clark Rubber Horsham, VIC – Graham and Joanne Keay
WA & NT Clark Rubber Franchise of the Year
Clark Rubber Midland, WA – Mike and Debbie Safet
Clark Rubber’s Supplier of the Year
Roadgear, VIC – Rubber products supplier
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