Faircloth & Reynolds celebrates 40 years in business

Celebrating 40 Years of Faircloth & Reynolds

A Milestone Worth Celebrating
As of December 4th, Pete and Dave are celebrating 40 incredible years in business. This isn’t just any anniversary—it’s a testament to their hard work, resilience, and vision. Here's a look back at their inspiring journey and how far they’ve come.

The Beginnings

Pete left Orara High School in Year 10, stepping into an unknown dream: becoming a refrigeration mechanic. Starting his apprenticeship at a local company, he met Dave, who was already a few years ahead of him. Though they attended the same high school, their friendship truly began on the job.

In the early 1980s, they recognized a gap in the local market: Coffs Harbour lacked a dedicated commercial refrigeration and air conditioning service. Most businesses relied on contractors from Sydney or Brisbane. Armed with ambition but no prior business experience, the duo launched Faircloth & Reynolds in November 1984, at just 21 and 24 years old.

The Early Days

The Setup: Leasing two Toyota HiAce vans, renting a small industrial shed on Cook Drive, and donning their tool belts, Pete and Dave started servicing and repairing commercial refrigeration and air conditioning.
First Clients: Cox Brothers Supermarket and Park Beach Plaza were their first customers. Soon after, installation projects began rolling in.

Their hard work quickly paid off. By 1987, just three years later, Faircloth & Reynolds had three service vehicles, eight employees, and an expanding reputation. Among those employees was Paul Courtney, who remains part of the team 37 years later—a record for the company.

Growth and Expansion

By the late 1980s, Faircloth & Reynolds outgrew their initial shed, leasing additional space before purchasing land on the outskirts of Coffs Harbour in 1988. The client list grew rapidly, including notable names like:

The Fishing Co-op
The Catholic Club
Tucker Box (now Coles Coffs Harbour)
Fitzroy Hotel (now The Coast Hotel)

By 1992, the company had 35 employees, including tradespeople, cool room installers, electricians, plumbers, and office staff. Operating hours were long—7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays—but they still offered a 24-hour breakdown service.

A New Era

In 1994, Faircloth & Reynolds moved into their custom-built facility on Hurley Drive, where they’ve been based for the last 30 years. The move involved major efforts, including using a crane to install heavy machinery and reinforcing the concrete floors.

The 1990s also marked the start of their branch expansions:

1995: Armidale
Subsequent Branches: Port Macquarie, Sydney, Brisbane, Ballina, and most recently, Tamworth, in 2021.

Overcoming Challenges

Running a business wasn’t without its hurdles. From navigating covert 2 a.m. trips to retrieve unpaid-for systems, to adapting to workforce shortages, Pete and Dave faced it all. Yet their dedication, teamwork, and support from family and friends kept them moving forward.

Today’s Achievements

Faircloth & Reynolds has grown to:

7 Branches
241 Employees plus dozens of sub-contractors
200+ Vehicles

They continue to praise the incredible team behind their success. From learning to use diaries in the early days to embracing the latest technology, the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Thank You

To everyone who has contributed to Faircloth & Reynolds’ growth and success over the past 40 years: thank you. To Pete and Dave—two ambitious tradies who took a leap of faith—congratulations on an incredible achievement. Here’s to the next chapter!

Please feel free to click on the photos below for a few memories of the 40 years.

You can also read more about the F&R story from page 107 in the 40th anniversary feature in Coffs Coast Focus magazine - click on Coffs Coast Focus December 2024