Past
O’Connells Refrigeration and Airconditioning has grown into a well-known and respected family run business who has been servicing the local and surrounding areas for the past 50 years.
Originally starting out as a partnership (O’Connell Pinner), O’Connells Refrigeration and Airconditioning was founded by Bill O’Connell in 1972 in Tallangatta Victoria. In the late 1990’s, this partnership dissolved and the O’Connells Refrigeration & Airconditioning business proceeded to move forward as a stand alone entity. With a strong customer base built from a committment to providing high quality customer service, the business continued to flourish.
After running out of Tallangatta for 31 years the business moved into Wodonga when Bill’s son Joel O’Connell become a part owner. Bill and Joel worked together up until Bill retired in 2016. Once Bill retired Joel took over the business and they remained in Wodonga but moved to a new Workshop at 2/20 Mint Street (where we are still situated today).
Present
In 2023, following on from the decision by Joel to sell the business and relocate his family to Tasmania, previous Senior Technician Dean Krant & his partner Georgia Spence took the opportunity to acquire the business and keep the o’Connells name alive. With Dean now acting as both the Managing Director and Senior Refrigeration Mechanic, he has set about ensuring that the professional standards O’Connells set way back in 1972 will continue well into the future.
Georgia, in her role of Director, supports Dean throughout every aspect of the business, doing so in addition to a number of other business interests she has on the go as well.
As part of the change of ownership, Dean & Georgia have undertaken a transformation and revitalisation of the brand so that it relfects the needs of its valued customer base in todays ever changing market. Not having had a re-brand for over 20 years, a change in ownership presented the perfect opportunity to undertake one.
Future
With the rebrand now complete, O’Connells Refrigeration & Airconditioning is now well prepared to provide better service and support to both existing customers and new customers that are experiencing the high quality of O’Connells service for the very first time. This revitalised brand also demonstrates the commitment both Dean & Georgia have for the business and visually maps out a highly dynamic organisation that will consistently adapt where required.
They have even roped in Zeus, their beloved Maremma (aka The Ocon Dog), to play a role in the newly refreshed brand, sporting a fully branded O’Connells walking harness – Keep an eye out for him around the local area!
The rebrand however has just been the start of a long term vision for the business that Dean & Georgia mapped out when acquiring the organisation from Joel in 2023. There are big plans afoot so make sure you come back to the website and keep track of our social media accounts to find out more as these announcements are made.