New Year New Team
Airpower Management Team
Airpower NT has come a long way since beginning life as an offset from Tristar Engineering, a engineering and manufacturer of transport equipment, that assisted in the rebuild necessitated by the devastating Cyclone Tracy. Managed and operated by a formidable business partnership between Peter Rau and Bernie Ostermeyer, Airpower came into its own run solely by Rau in 1988.
Peter’s eldest son, Grant, took the reigns in 2005, and being an old hand in the automotive industry (an ex-truck driver, automotive body builder and boilermaker) Grant easily found his feet in the top job as Managing Director.
Carrying major brands such as ISUZU, Iveco, Kubota and Bobcat, and offering vehicle and machinery servicing and parts, Airpower has been pivotal in supporting the Territory’s transport, mining, construction and agricultural industries, with loyal customers including NT Fleet, Kennards Hire, McArthur River Mine and the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Service.
38 years on, 2012 holds plenty of promise for this long-running local business, and a new management team is the driving force behind the planned changes. Drawing on the talents of local and international recruits with over 130 years of knowledge and experience in the industry, Airpower is serious about maintaining its position as an industry leader and employs the best in the business in order to be the best in the business.
Currently undergoing ISO9001 Certification, the company will be able to service a whole new caliber of client, with their sights set on the major players in the government and mining sectors. Obtaining accreditation means great things for Airpower’s customers, as the company will offer a higher level of quality assurance and service standard, which means the customer will receive a better product or service; guaranteed.
Grant is optimistic about upcoming major projects in the Territory, such as the Ichthys gas project, increases in number of defense troops in Darwin, expansion of East Arm Wharf and of the development Marine Supply Base, commenting, “It’s an exciting time to be part of local industry in the NT. I grew up here and raised my family in Darwin and Alice Springs and the change I have seen and will continue to see over the next five to ten years is truly exciting”.
Facilities at their Darwin branch recently have been and will continue to be upgraded, making the site more comfortable for customers, and paving the way to Airpower becoming a more environmentally sustainable operation. These improvements also provide a safer workplace for their valued employee base, which has just been increased by an intake of four first-year apprentices, reinforcing Airpower’s commitment to training and development for young Territorians.
