Big decision pays off as Cassels Automotive turns 10

A LITTLE over 10 years ago David Cassels had an overwhelming desire to take the next step in his career.

ANNIVERSARY: David Cassels celebrates taking a punt on Warwick and the 10 year anniversary of Cassels Automotive. Picture: Jonno Colfs

A LITTLE over 10 years ago David Cassels was doing well, he was business manager at Key Motors in his home city of Townsville, but he had an overwhelming desire to take the next step in his career.

That meant his own car dealership and the then 33-year-old started searching.

Through a contact Mr Cassels found out that long-time Warwick dealer Graham Collins was selling up.

"I came to Warwick and met with Graham,” he said.

"Funnily enough I'd known of him since I was about 10, as our families both took holidays at the same complex in Maroochydore.

"I took a drive around Warwick at the time as I thought about the decision I had to make.

"I saw great potential for growth over the next 10-15 years, given the location of the town on two major highways, the really cheap industrial land and the proximity to the coast.”

Two months later, Mr Cassels was back, the new owner of his very own car dealership.

"It was a massive call to make,” he said.

"To move the family and make a huge investment like that.

"I was a shareholder in Key Motors but saw the challenge and it's been one I've never regretted taking on.”

As Cassels Automotive celebrates 10 years, Mr Cassels said it was hard to go past the lifestyle and community of Warwick.

"This is a terrific place to live and do business,” he said.

"We have staff here who started working for Graham in the business 30 years ago.

"We've got a great team and I love coming into work every day.”

Over the years the business has won multiple awards for its excellence in customer satisfaction.

"That's the cornerstone of the business,” he said.

"And something we strive to do as well as we can.

"We taking great pride in employing local people and supporting local organisations and ensuring that anyone who walks in here is greeted with a smile and treated as they deserve to be.”

This week Mr Cassels and the business will donate $14,000 to LifeFlight, bringing the total given to the lifesaving organisation to more than $30,000 in the last few years.