Air-conditioning manufacturer defies the gloom

Bill Threadgold and Rhonda Cooling have defied the difficulties of the manufacturing sector in building Air Diffusion from humble beginnings into a thriving air-conditioning components, manufacturer and supply business employing 140 people.

Bill Threadgold and Rhonda Cooling have defied the difficulties of the manufacturing sector in building Air Diffusion from humble beginnings into a thriving air-conditioning components, manufacturer and supply business employing 140 people.

The key to their success is a willingness to supply anything to do with airconditioners, mainly to the trade, whether the job is large or small.

Air Diffusion is regarded as one of the largest companies of its type in Australia, working on a wide range of jobs throughout South Australia.

“My partner Bill Threadgold was a sheet metal worker when he started the business 27 years ago and I joined forces with him in 1991,” Ms Cooling said.

“It was tough in the early years because we were raising nine children and developing a small business,” she said.

They have stuck to it through the tough times and seen the business thrive, working on many big jobs including currently supplying all the air-conditioning componentry for the new Adelaide Hospital.

The business started by wholesaling products and supplying the

trade with componentry and air-conditioning parts and then it began manufacturing through their own sheet metal shops and making aluminium grilles for air-conditioning.

Ms Cooling said their aim is to be recognised as the leading Australian manufacturer and supplier of quality, innovative air-conditioning and refrigeration componentry to the industry.

“When I started we had one little location and there were four on staff and now it is 140 people, mostly in South Australia, but also in Darwin and Brisbane and we have distributors in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and New Zealand,” Ms Cooling said.

“In the early days, when we started supplying componentry we realised that you can’t compete unless you manufacture.

“We are a one-stop shop for the industry supplying equipment for domestic and commercial air-conditioning systems.”

Ms Cooling said they focus on doing what you know best which means sticking to anything to do with airconditioning.

“We see good growth ahead as we keep developing more of our own products, while we also have products made overseas and bring them back here to sell,” she said.

Ms Cooling said they have succeeded and grown by knowing the business, knowing their customers, caring about what they do and having an excellent team of people.

“Our growth is healthy, we have a lot of variety in what we supply and because we are in a lot of locations we continue to grow despite what the weather conditions may be in any location at any one time,” she said.

“The manufacturing industry has been good for us and we have built the business through customer service and some wonderful loyal staff.”

Another key to their success is through different manufacturing locations, helping to offset the high cost of freight.

“We have four children working in the business and we are a member of Family Business Australia which has great resources available for family businesses,” Ms Cooling said.

“Part of our success lies in continuing to diversify, while we have good plans in place to continue expanding the business.”