At the northern, coastal end of the Hawkesbury River in Gosford, some 76 kilometres from Sydney, Lindenvel Group, a project management and retail fitout firm, situates its head office.
The business got its start back in 2000 when owner, Shane Vella, having worked in a site supervisory role at a retail, commercial and residential construction company, struck out on his own.
That company now employs a team of close to 50 people who provide tailored solutions for project management in construction, contract administration and commercial retail.
“We look after big shops essentially with what we call retail fitouts,” says Cameron Vella, Senior Project Manager.
“There’s a lot of project management work we do as well. A client commonly will come to us to refit the whole store.”
Lindenvel works with many household retailers and property management groups across Australia such as QBD Books, Colliers International, Boost Juice, Bunnings, Amcal, Athlete’s Foot, Ray White, Westfield, Stockland, Priceline, Lincraft and many others.
In addition to showcasing the brands on these retail projects, fitouts optimise retail space with efficient layouts that are visually appealing and functional for the customer experience. Working nationwide, the business is now established in each state.
Travel, sometimes over vast distances, is required by team members.
Cameron, Shane’s son, relies on a crew he has worked with for many years.
He prefers to keep it “lean and keen,” having noticed distinct advantages in mobility, managerial engagement and quality of workmanship.
“I’ve got a good crew who I fall upon when I need to,” he says. “Running lean and keen also gives me the option that I can work nationally and not have the guys here, locally, get sent away from their families all the time, as well. We’re conscious of that running our business.”
Alliances with professionals are maintained across a range of fields so that Lindenvel can provide a one stop shop for as many project needs as possible.
As part of a recent commercial vehicle refresh, the company upgraded its vans with three new Renault Trafics.
Prior to this the team were operating Toyota HiAces, a brand that had been in use since the company began two decades ago.
“Those vehicles were starting to look a bit tired and dated,” says Cameron. “That’s not what we’re about as a business. Image is important. We want to look professional.”
Once the decision to upgrade the vehicles was made Cameron assessed what was available by running through all the specifications, sizes and capacities on the market.
The Renault, he says, fits the bill.
“The lengths are right and the flap in back is pretty handy for the long timbers we can stow up behind the seat,” he says. “That’s pretty neat. That was a key consideration.”
Timber lengths of up to 4.5 metres in the long-wheelbase model, can be stored into the passenger side firewall through a flap that opens up on the Trafic.
This kind of flexibility, more tellingly, is at a premium for a business like Lindenvel that offers its customers a range of services.
“Because we do lots of different things, we have left the cargo hold open as we need to be flexible,” says Cameron.
“Our main subcontractors have got boxes and tools for their main setup when they’re travelling. In the main the vans remain empty with general tools, so we’ve got the option to carry materials anywhere we need to go.”
Much is asked of the Renault Trafics which aren’t just moving around the Central Coast according to Cameron. One of the vans was dispatched recently to Ipswich, an 860-kilometre journey.
Big fitouts are also underway in Narellan southwest of Sydney and Robina on the Gold Coast which will also require attendance by the Lindenvel team.
A short drive for the business is at least nine hours given they have several national clients that they look after.
“From our point of view the fuel economy is exceptional,” says Shane. “We’re getting around 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres. It helps to reduce our total cost of ownership which is another reason why the Renault stood out for us.”
The 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder diesel engine meets Euro 6 emission standards and produces 125kW at 3500 rpm and 380Nm of torque from as low as 1500 rpm.
With power to spare, the Trafic features a computer controlled dual-clutch transmission with each clutch wed to three gears.
One clutch handles the odd ratios while the other the even gears.
Within the transmission the dual dry clutches permit the pre-selection of the next gear in sequence so that it is fully engaged before its clutch takes up and the other clutch associated with the previous gear is disengaged.
Shifting times of just 290 milliseconds are produced as a result, no matter if changing up or changing down, making for a seamless transition between each gear change and, crucially, continuous torque delivery to the drive wheels.
“The engine is great. It goes pretty quick for a van,” says Cameron. “It’s definitely got some punch in it. We can fully load it with our tools. On the weekend we can chuck the boat on the back and take that for a tow as well.”
Smart phone integration through Apple Carplay, Bluetooth and USB connectivity in the Renault enables Shane to operate effectively, without compromise, when outside of the office.
“One of the best attributes of the Renault is it’s so quiet. It’s very noticeable,” he says. “For me I need to be able to talk to staff and customers wherever I am. I will have architects calling me and they will need an answer straight away or I will need to give direction to the boys on site. If I’m travelling to the next job, I can give them the answers that they need. So that’s important. In that way the Renault is a mobile office and work van as well.”
Google Maps and satellite navigation are constantly running.
Having a good infotainment system is itself a big part of the experience for Cameron and the team. They have told him so.
At present Lindenvel is in the later stages on refitting a medical centre.
The project has taken around 12 months to complete. It has involved a full design package and development application for it to pass through council including construction certification.
The vans, which feature an eye-catching logo, have been delivering steel reo bar for concreting to the site which has been prepped for drainage.
The Lindenvel logo incorporates a prominent V (for Vella, the family name), evoked in a Renaissance stained glass window design. It continues to garner feedback wherever the fleet travels according to Cameron.
“We always get stopped no matter where we go,” he says. “People are always asking ‘what do you guys do?’ People tell us they love our logo. Which is great.”
The interior of the office is adorned with the real thing, a large stained glass window for which plenty of Gosford natural light filters through.
As the business continues to grow, Lindenvel will look to grow the fleet with Renault Trafics when the time is right.
“I don’t have another car. The Trafic is the work car, the family car, the beach car,” says Shane.
“It’s comfortable and quiet. Even the wife likes driving it.”
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