2020 was challenging in many ways, but a commitment to hard work, continuous improvement and care for their 70-strong team has seen Tilly’s Crawler Parts record the best year in its 36 year history.
“People say the most important thing is the customer, and it’s really important to have happy customers. But there is only one thing that makes happy customers, and that’s happy staff, and this award goes to all of our staff.” – Andrew and Helen Tilly.
The year culminated in the induction of Tilly’s to the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame. This prestigious award is given to just one business each year and recognises long-standing and exceptional businesses in the region. Nominated and voted by the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Board, the achievement sees the Tilly’s name join some of Toowoomba’s best on the perpetual trophy. The Tilly’s team were surprised and delighted to receive the award at an Oscars-style ceremony in the beautiful and iconic Empire Theatre on December 12, 2020.
The Tilly’s Crawler Parts story began in 1924, when Richard Tilly purchased one of the first ever crawler tractors imported into Australia, a Holt 2 Ton. The Holt Manufacturing Company and the Best Tractor Company later amalgamated to form the Caterpillar Tractor Company.
In 1965, Richard’s son Hugh used bulldozers for land development at Condamine, and later began reconditioning machines for sale.
After completing a university degree and then a diesel fitter’s apprenticeship, in 1984 Richard’s grandson Andrew visited the Kronk’s Earthmoving Machinery Auction in Toowoomba, and a business was born.
Over the past 36 years Tilly’s has become renowned as an Australian family-owned company with global reach. With a reputation for providing quality alternative new parts for earthmoving machinery, the warehouse now stocks more than 43,000 new part lines and over 15,000 used parts. From their 20 acre premises in Toowoomba, Southeast Queensland, the Tilly’s team ships quality parts across the country and around the world.
“Our long-standing and knowledgeable team of parts interpreters are an essential component in our business. Over 200 years of combined industry experience means that even with minimal information, our customers are guaranteed to receive the right part, at the right price, right now. It’s been Tilly’s mantra for as long as we can remember,” says Lance Hinrichsen, Tilly’s General Manager.
“Our ability to deliver on that promise is becoming even more refined as we constantly work to improve our service offering. In 2021 that improvement will see the implementation of new software, which will improve efficiency and productivity across the entire company. This is a substantial investment in Australian-developed ERP software and one which Tilly’s believes will have multiple benefits for the future,” explains Lance.
Alongside this project is the current development and implementation of an online sales platform, enabling Tilly’s customers to research and order the parts they need 24/7. A mammoth undertaking, this project highlights Tilly’s commitment to its valued customers and recognises their need for quality products, value for money and fast turn-around times.
“2021 is going to be a huge year for our company,” says Lance. “If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we need to be willing to adapt and change when necessary, without compromising our company values or the reputation we have worked so hard to gain and maintain. We are so excited for what is coming!”
For more information visit www.tillys.com.au