GCM Lighting & Electrical
By Richard Mead.
This article appeared in Electrical Gems Issue 81, October—November 2007
GCM stays tuned to the trade in Northern NSW.
The New South Wales city of Tamworth is home to much more than the Big Golden Guitar. The country music capital of Australia now boasts a lighting and electrical wholesaler that's built a solid gold reputation by marching to a different tune.
Unlike some electrical wholesalers that cater to the broadest customer base, GCM Lighting & Electrical at Tamworth NSW has made a solid commitment to their trade customers. Arguably the largest, best set-up and stocked electrical wholesale outlet in country NSW, GCM Lighting & Electrical is unique. Offering 240v-415v plus automotive lighting and electrical products under the one roof, GCM has already outgrown two warehouses in just eight years and is rapidly outgrowing the third.
"Becoming a Gemcell member opened some of the doors which had squeaky hinges in the past."
Greg McCulloch, Proprietor, GCM Lighting & Electrical
GCM Principal Greg McCulloch learned the electrical wholesale business from the ground up. In those early years, Greg faced many challenges including getting a new business up and running. As a Partner, Manager and Area Manager of an electrical wholesaler in the Tamworth area, a district that already had four electrical wholesalers, Greg had to work hard to build market share. Greg's diligence paid off and allowed him to expand the business even further by starting a new retail lighting section. This proved so successful it was soon introduced into other branches as well.
Through much hard work, long hours and good service to his customers, Greg was soon running a very successful business. Then one day, by way of a conversation with a customer, it became apparent that there was an opportunity to buy the customer's business - GCM Auto Sales – which Greg did. This became the start of the automotive product range. However, it soon became apparent that Greg's partners were not interested in the new line he had taken on, so the automotive side was left in Greg's hands, along with the responsibility for keeping three branches performing. As the old saying goes: "when your hard work is feathering someone else's nest..." so Greg decided it was time to make a change.
On the first of July, 1999, Greg became the owner of GCM Auto Sales, a business which would continue to grow in the automotive, lighting & electrical industry. It was not long before Greg's old customers were on the phone, wanting him to offer that same service that they had become accustomed to over the years. So, from small premises in Hinkler Street, Greg soon had to move to larger premises in Hercules Street. Once up in Hercules Street, Greg had his old customers back in through the door setting up accounts, which in turn led to the greater need to increase his supplier base.
While in Hercules Street, Greg was accepted as a Gemcell member and met some wonderful people who showed him "the nicer side of the electrical business." "Being a Gemcell member opened some of those doors which had squeaky hinges in the past," said Greg. "We were welcomed in by Gemcell and are proud and pleased to have their continued support and that of their members."
Then in 2003 Greg bought new premises in Plain Street Tamworth and once the renovations were completed in September 2004, the big move took place. GCM now has a very large showroom area with slat walling used to display a large range of products in 12v, 24v, 240v and 415v. The shop also contains a mezzanine floor area which is 2/3rds the floor space again. "We have been told that GCM Lighting and Electrical is the largest, best set up and stocked wholesale branch in Country NSW", said Greg proudly.
The success of GCM Lighting & Electrical is the result of much continued hard work, Gemcell's continued support and the benefit of good staff. Today, GCM Lighting & Electrical has a loyal customer base who like dealing with people who know their products, have good stock supplies and are competitive in their pricing. "We believe in one branch servicing the area well, rather than several branches that may struggle to get it right," added Greg.