Commercial vehicle dealership, Geelong Isuzu, recently delivered its first truck to a local family business renowned for its cakes and pies.
The regional dealer, previously held by Winter & Taylor, was officially inaugurated on 15 November 2021.
While the dealership name may be new, customers such as Routleys will see faces familiar to them, with Jason Cunliffe (formerly of Winter & Taylor) remaining in the role of Dealer Principal, and Ian Deacon, Dealer Principal of Ballarat Isuzu, coming onboard as co-owner.
Operations Manager and third generation of the Routleys family business, Sam Routley, picked up the keys to a new Isuzu FRD 110-260 in December.
Routley said the new F Series truck will support their Melbourne and Geelong distribution network, joining an all-Isuzu fleet.
“We’ll use this new truck to take our goods from the production facility down to the depots, where they will meet the light-duty fleet which delivers our baked goods to retail stores,” said Routley.
“This could be anything from bread rolls to pies or our vanilla slice, amounting to between 30,000 to 40,000 units a day.”
With the FRD 110-260 being the 15th Isuzu truck on Routleys’ roster, the relationship between the Isuzu brand and the business continues to prosper.
Routley said it was the reliability of both the product and the aftersales service that kept the company coming back for more.
“We drop the trucks at the Isuzu dealership after they’ve been out on their run for the day, and they’re always ready to go the next morning – our fleet is never off the road,” he said.
“In terms of working with the new ownership, it’s all the same friendly faces here, so we’re more than happy to continue down the same track with Geelong Isuzu.”
Other Isuzu customers in the area can expect first-class service, with the Sales and Service team retaining experienced staff and the dealership continuing to offer options such as after-hours servicing, direct access to genuine truck parts and Isuzu Power Solutions products.
Deacon said the team was eager to maintain the dealership’s proud tradition of working with customers in the greater Geelong region.
“We couldn’t be happier to deliver our first truck to a great member of the Geelong business community like Routley’s Bakery,” he said.
“Our whole staff team is looking forward to continue serving existing clients and also welcoming new Isuzu Trucks and Isuzu Power Solutions customers to the dealership.”
Isuzu Australia Limited Head of Network Development, Ben Lasry, congratulated Geelong Isuzu on their trade opening.
“We are very happy to see Geelong Isuzu settling into their role of supporting local businesses and their transport needs in regional Victoria,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see a team of this calibre being part of the 70-plus strong Isuzu Dealer Network.
“I’d like to add a fond farewell and our thanks to the departing owners Winter & Taylor, who developed the business to the great success it enjoys today.”
In 1947, Victor and Verna Routley started baking in a small shop in Nelson Place, Williamstown. The business flourished and by the early 1970s the pair sold out to their son Lawrie and his wife Anne. They have since expanded the franchise which supports wholesale customers including various catering companies.
Lawrie and Anne still manage the daily operation of Routleys along with their five children. The original store in Williamstown is no longer operating however the business does have a HACCP certified and quality controlled bakery in Geelong which produces pies, bread, pastries and cakes six days a week.
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