Are you a mechanically-minded person seeking a rewarding career in your local region with an industry leader? If so, the perfect opportunity awaits you as an ENZED mobile Hose Doctor.
ENZED’s roots were founded in New Zealand in 1972 with a vision to develop fully equipped hose distribution channels for all industry sectors.
The aim was to reshape industries by providing brick and mortar service centres complemented by mobile hose repair vehicles. This multipronged approach provides customers with the option to select instore service or onsite replacement of hose and fittings.
Spreading its wings into Australia in 1981, its success was rapid, quickly catching the eye of industry leader Parker Hannifin, which duly acquired ENZED in 1989.
Earthmoving Equipment Magazine spoke to ENZED National Franchise Manager Dan Snyder to find out more about the business and the services it provides.
“ENZED is a franchise business and is unique in the fact that it actually involves two franchise systems,” Dan said.
“We have what are called Service Centres and then the mobile side of the operations, called Hose Doctors.”
Dan said Service Centres offer high-quality repair, service and replacement of hoses and fittings, apart from being one-stop shops stocking an extensive range of hydraulic and industrial hose and fittings.
Parker’s acquisition of ENZED provided access to international backing and a global product range of quality products, innovative solutions, knowledgeable support, and professional service.
“Because the Service Centres stock and recommend Parker products, customers can be sure they’re receiving the highest quality product on the market, backed by decades of Parker’s knowledge and innovative expertise in motion control products, systems and solutions,” he said.
Hose Doctors, meanwhile, complement the Service Centres by providing field hose and fitting solutions to customers when in need.
“The Hose Doctors draw their stock from the Service Centre, and receive a commission for the sales and services that they provide to the customer,” Dan said.
“We get many inquiries from a wide range of people asking to be Hose Doctors and we also receive expressions of interest from people keen on opening Service Centres.
“Becoming a Hose Doctor is a great way to get started in the business where you may advance your career into a Service Centre Operation at a later date.
“Many Hose Doctors have done exactly that, either by taking on a new operation or alternatively buying out an existing Service Centre Owner. Service Centre owners do require additional funding which is why many operators start out as Hose Doctors.
“A Service Centre owner has the flexibility of engaging a franchise operator or they may choose to employ a Hose Doctor. The benefit of engaging a franchise person to operate as a Hose Doctor is that the Service Centre only pays them for invoices generated as they work.
“In other words, Hose Doctors are only paid a commission for the sales and services that they provide to their customers”.
ENZED’s National coverage is currently supported by about 250 hose and fitting operations throughout Australia and New Zealand.
ENZED’s Australian Head office is located in Castle Hill, NSW, with New Zealand’s operations located in Auckland.
“Hose Doctor representation varies from Service Centre to Service Centre as it dependent upon territory size and customer demand,” Dan said.
“Regional areas may support one to two Hose Doctors, whereas an average metropolitan Service Centre would easily support three or four and in some instances a service centre may engage 10 or more.
“The sectors that use our products are large, from mining to earthmoving, to even the local golf club. The list of potential customers is endless and includes just about anything that moves — from farming and trucking, to local Councils and Shires, machinery hire companies, engineering workshops and even mechanical repair workshops that service motor vehicles.
“Any industry or anyone who uses a hose is a potential customer for ENZED.
“We traditionally focus on hose and fittings. If an earthmoving machine has a hose failure for example, a customer would call us and say they’ve got a machine that’s got a blown hose or in some cases may indicate that they have an oil leak. At this point, and understanding that downtime is critical, we would dispatch the first available Hose Doctor to fix and replace the hose on-site.”
ENZED Service Centres are not just restricted to hoses and fittings. Their product range is vast and contains a range of complementary products including, tubing, filters, O-Rings, instrumentation, brass, oil, hydraulics and much more.
Dan said that while the Service Centre was required contractually to purchase Parker products where applicable, they may choose to outsource products from other providers when not available through the franchisor. This allows the Hose Doctors to provide a full complement of services to their customers.
“Parker produces a wide range of Australian- made products at its Wodonga manufacturing plant in Victoria. These products focus on the hydraulic division of the business which include valves, pumps, motors, and cylinders.”
On the hunt for Hose Doctors
Dan said ENZED was actively recruiting for Hose Doctors all the time.
“It’s a unique role for someone who has a desire for this type of business,” he said.
“You don’t have to be a mechanic, but ideally you do need mechanical aptitude to enter into a Hose Doctor business.
“Hose Doctors come from all sorts of backgrounds. Over the past years we have had people that have come from administrative type roles through to bank managers. Parker provides all franchisees full training to prepare them for their role.
“As an Accredited Training Organisation, Parker requires all franchisees to attend a one- week training course in Wodonga.
“The training provides them with the right skills in product identification and selection, understanding the Parker part numbering system and manuals. In addition, we place a great deal of emphasis on safety and the right processes to conduct prior to commencing a job.
“A typical Hose Doctor is not required to go to the Service Centre every day. Alternatively, they may carry enough stock on board or even arrange for a courier service to re-supply stock. This will depend on customer requirements and distance to the Service Centre.
“The style of Hose Doctor vehicle varies and is dictated by the geographic territory. For example, if based in the metropolitan area, a large van may suffice. In regional areas where they may be required to support mine sites or take into consideration the distances required to travel to some customers, then they may need to consider a small to medium size truck.
“As a Hose Doctor, it’s a full-time role where you need to be available throughout the normal business day. After Hours, you may receive call-outs in the evening to cater for emergency break downs. Rest assured, no two jobs are the same, which adds to the variety and flexibility of the role”.
One of the many benefits of the Hose Doctor business is that they are never required to purchase their own stock as it is provided to them on consignment by the Service Centre. In addition, debtors (invoices raised to the customer) are carried by the Service Centre franchisee, not the Hose Doctor.
Dan said that one of the other big advantages being a Hose Doctor is that there are no ongoing royalties required to be paid.
“We put a nominal value of a dollar on the franchise agreement, but as an ENZED Hose Doctor, you are not required to pay a franchise fee. We would prefer that franchise owners put those savings back into their business,” he said.
“There is a 1 per cent advertising fee of total sales allocated to the Service Centre’s advertising fund. Franchisees get value out of that contribution which could be used for something as simple as supporting the local footy team or other sporting clubs. The Hose Doctor does have the opportunity to provide input on how they would like to see the funds allocated.”
Feeling good
Indeed, Dan said that the feeling of satisfaction from helping customers was just one of many benefits to being a Hose Doctor.
“The key benefit is that Hose Doctors are their own boss, doing what they know,” he said.
“Not only is being a Hose Doctor financially rewarding, but there is sense of accomplishment when solving customer problems and getting them back doing to what they do best.
“Downtime is a huge cost to businesses, in the thousands of dollars. So the sooner the Hose Doctor gets there, the sooner the machinery can be fixed reducing the customers’ downtime and cost.
Then there’s the level of support.
“From head office, the franchise services team, the field support team, through to the Service Centre staff, ENZED will back Hose Doctors all the way.”
Becoming a Hose Doctor
Applying to become a Hose Doctor is a straightforward task.
“Just search for us on the ENZED website — https://www.enzed.com.au/ — or alternatively email us at franchiseservices@parker.com and make an inquiry,” Dan said.
“Tell us where you’re located in Australia and that you are keen on becoming a Hose Doctor.
“We’ll make contact with you and supply documents that provide you with an overview of our business and the opportunities that lie ahead”.
Parker Hannifin is a member of the Franchise Council of Australia, which regularly reviews its Disclosure Document to ensure compliance with the Franchising Code of Conduct’s Rules and Regulations.