Ford & Doonan stays in sync

Started nearly three decades ago, air-conditioning installation business Ford & Doonan is now a household name in Western Australia and the largest in the sector by market segment.

At just 19 and 20 years old respectively, Andrew Ford and Kyle Doonan sold their cars and put in $500 each to buy vans and invest in the business.

Now, Mr Ford is managing director and Mr Doonan a director of the company, after what they said had been a true entrepreneurial journey.

The most recent four years have been a particularly good period for the partnership, although the company claims to have grown every year since inception.

“In 2011, project builders for the first time became interested in ducted air-conditioning for their building packages,” a Ford & Doonan spokesperson said.

“Predicting the effect this would have on our market, Ford & Doonan completely amended its supply chain to be able to compete in a very price-sensitive market.

“Travelling to China to create new contacts, Ford & Doonan began importing certain components directly and warehousing these.

“This opened up on-selling to the franchises … our flexibility in identifying the next growth area of our industry created a new business division.”

The team of more than 100 is planning a move into the east coast market and expanding the refrigeration division.

The company has embraced the Rockefeller Habits business philosophy of renowned US entrepreneurship leader Verne Harnish, and credits its adoption of that strategy with becoming more aligned and focused.

“With the leadership group and entire organisation in sync with the plan, the feeling is both positive and exciting,” the company said.

Ford & Doonan has 10 stores, after opening several franchises in the past 15 years, including most recently in Morley.