The following is an excerpt from the Feature article of the Business Franchise Magazine which is available on subscription from the Business Franchise Website www.businessfranchiseaustralia.com.au all copyright belongs to CgB Publishing Pty Ltd and the Business Franchise Magazine. The original article can be found at Business Franchise Magazine

An old Franchise

with a new name

Outdoor Living Designs by Mr Carports provides high quality carports, pergolas, verandahs, gazebos, decking, and pool and spa enclosures.

Successfully trading as ‘Mr Carports' since 1991, this award winning company recently decided to change its name to 'Outdoor Living Designs by Mr Carports', because of a change in the market.

Managing Director, Brian Rohan, says the name change better reflects the focus on outdoor living designs including cafe blinds: "Only 30% of our work is carports now, with 70% relating to outdoor living designs and entertaining areas."

Brian explains that the change in the marketplace has been gradual, as well as the major decision to alter such a well established brand name: "The change in work content has been happening over the last l0 years, but when you've got a name that's so well known and popular, it's hard to make that decision to potentially damage the goodwill we've built up."

The name alteration has not deterred the USA, with the first Californian office opening recently and 50 more expected to follow along the West Coast in the next few years.

Commenting on the business' expansion, Brian says, "This growth is due to providing our clients with great individually designed structures at realistic prices, together with a high standard of quality control measures."

After establishing the business in 1991 Brian developed a computer program which has grown to incorporate detailed engineering specifications, cutting lists for suppliers and builders, council applications and drawings and business reporting systems.

Brian credits the development of systems and a customer-focus to its success. With over 30 franchises across the nation and a turnover of around $7 million, Outdoor Living Designs is regarded as one of the largest retailers of outdoor structures in Australia.

Some experience within the building industry would be an advantage for potential franchisees, but is not imperative. Successful franchisees should however, have excellent people skills, management abilities and be familiar with computers. Keeping an open mind and willing to accept new ideas and ways of doing things would also be beneficial.

Outdoor Living Designs offers an attractive training package including a series of introductory training DVDs, one week training in Adelaide, several months of mentoring by an existing franchisee, coaching and ongoing monthly meetings.

This 17-year old business is geared for longevity. Remarking on uncertainty within the economic climate, Brian makes an interesting point: "One of the wonderful things about this business is that when times are tough, people don't seem to move to a larger house - they build or improve on what they already have."

The Financial Review's Smart Investor Magazine recently listed Mr Carports as being in the Top Australian Franchise System in the $50k to $150k range and BRW listed Mr Carports as one of the fastest growing Australian franchises.

The Melbourne Age listed Mr Carports as one of the Top Five Franchises in Australia.

For more information on owning an Outdoor Living Designs by Mr Carports franchise visit www.akp-images.com or call Brain on (08) 8370 9523.

Join Mr Carports Outdoor Living Designs and you can expect:

We want to expand our business with people who have a strong desire to be successful and value honesty and a lifestyle that supports family and personal goals.

We will go out of our way to help the right person into his or her own business.