With prime positioning on one of the busiest roads in Far North Queensland, Mickey Tyre & Auto in Cairns is well placed to be a success. Motor Trader caught up with owner Kaleb Lee to learn all about his business.
Words: Lara Wilde | Images: Jesse Donoghoe, Sweet Spot Photography
What’s your background in the automotive industry?
KL: I grew up in Cairns and the Far North Queensland automotive scene and from the age of four I was helping my dad in the workshop. Dad was a mechanic and I always wanted to be a mechanic just like him. I feel like I began my apprenticeship when I was four!
When the time came, I did my official apprenticeship under Dad and worked for him in his Mickey Tyre & Auto workshop. I think it is good to get out and learn in other environments so when the opportunity presented, I left Dad’s workshop and worked in the mines. Mines offer good money, but I missed home.
Did you take over your Dad’s Mickey Tyre & Auto business when you returned from the mines?
KL: My Dad, Richard, first opened the Mickey Tyre & Auto workshop in 2007 in Scott Street, Cairns. I returned from the mines and took over the business in 2020. In July of 2021, we relocated the business to Mulgrave Road. The traffic past the front door is very good and we have a huge area with rear street access for the workshop.
What is your core business offering in the Mickey Tyre & Auto business today?
KL: We strive to strike a balance of tyres and mechanical services. We sell a full range of tyres, rims, and wheel packages. We specialise in providing on-vehicle carbon cleans including DPF cleaning, and I believe we are the only shop in Far North Queensland that does. We also specialise in Toyota servicing and repairs. Our team can rebuild gearboxes and engines and repair automatic transmissions. In Cairns it is also essential to have great air conditioning so we make sure we can maintain and service our customers’ air conditioning systems.
Are you still hands on in the business today?
KL: Very much so! I spend about 60 per cent of my time in the office and 40 per cent of my time on the tools. I wouldn’t be able to spend so much time in the office though if I didn’t have such a great team in the workshop.
Who is on your current team?
KL: Unlike many workshops in the region, we have been very lucky to find a great team. I am the manager and, at the end of the day, I take responsibility for all of the business management decisions; Scott is the head mechanic and has been with us for 11 years; Buster is a third-year mechanic doing a mature-aged apprenticeship through MTA Queensland; Harrison is a first-year apprentice completing a dual trade as panel beater, spray painter and mechanic through MTA Queensland; Rhys and Codey are our tyre fitters and wheel aligners; and Kim is in the office providing customer service and administration support for the business.
Do you sponsor any local motorsport and individual competitors?
KL: We sponsor both motorsport events and individual competitors. We have never tracked if our sponsorship results in an increase in sales, but it allows us to contribute to our community and also educate customers that we are not just for off-road and four-wheel-drive vehicles.
We sponsor the North Queensland Off Road Challenge, the Cairns Show Association for the annual Cairns Show, and the Cairns Auto Spectacular. In addition, we sponsor three burnout cars as individual competitors.
Do you or your staff actively compete in Motorsport?
KL: We are building a 100 series Landcruiser burnout car to have fun with as a workshop team. Our first-year apprentice Harrison has an 80 series comp truck and he used to race rally cars.
What are your plans for the next few years?
KL: Since taking over from Dad, I have spent the last three years growing the business and bringing equipment up to industry best practice. My plans now involve maintaining and organically growing the Mickey Tyre & Auto business. I don’t want big spurts of growth but rather sustainable growth that will be resilient over time. If all goes well, I hope we can purchase our own building rather than paying rent.
What do you do with your spare time?
KL: Like many business owners, I work. When I do have a weekend with the family, I like to get the ski boat out and go hunting, fishing, and camping. My greatest challenge is finding the balance between work and being able to switch off.
What advice would you give to a young you starting out in the industry?
KL: Don’t chase money in the mines. Do the extra courses and be open to learning everything.
What training do you do with staff?
KL: We take on school-based apprentices during school holidays and try to give young people a start in the industry. We encourage our staff to do any MTA Queensland course they can, and we train all our apprentices through MTA Queensland.
Do you consider that the advancements in electric cars will have an impact on your business?
KL: We have three staff trained to work with electric vehicles and we have done research into what we as a workshop need to service and maintain them. We have a few customers with electric vehicles but, as a whole, we are avoiding electric vehicles for as long as possible.
What has been the greatest benefit of your MTA Queensland membership?
KL: I signed up as an MTA Queensland member when I took over from Dad. Originally, I signed up to access benefits such as training and apprenticeship support. It has been very beneficial to be able to turn to MTA Queensland when we need training or advice. In particular, I have appreciated their resources to resolve customer relation issues.
