40under40 Winner - Brad Crisp

At age 21 Brad Crisp concluded that working for someone else was not what he wanted out of life. So in 1987, with barely $1,000 in his bank account, he founded his own business, Crispair Refrigeration & Airconditioning.

Mr Crisp initially worked from his bedroom in his parents’ home, but soon after went into business with an associate, and together they moved to official premises in the hope of expanding the company.

Having experienced reasonable success up until 1997, Crispair was hindered by its inability to expand due to the structure of ownership.

He had many ideas for growth but felt restricted from implementing them.

He decided that the only solution was to buy-out his partner, and since that time Crispair has experienced substantial growth and its turnover has tripled.

Over the past 16 years Mr Crisp has expanded his business from just two employees to seven full-time staff and 12 subcontractors in 2004. In 1999 he seized an opportune business prospect by acquiring Austron Auto Treatments Australia, a company that manufactures automotive treatment products.

The company is currently testing technology that is expected to result in significant cost savings to the marine industry.

Mr Crisp’s strong personable attributes, such as his respect for his employees and openness to respond to customers’ needs, are fundamental grounds for his company’s success and survival in the industry.