How Goldstar went from two trucks to 250, & two staff to 400, & earned its 20th anniversary gold star

Stephen ScourfieldThe West Australian
Camera IconRachael, Dot, Sean and Renee Carren. Credit: Michael Bain/Supplied

Sean and Dot Carren started with two used prime movers in 2004, but today their Goldstar Transport has more than 250 trucks, 260 trailers, and 60 forklifts.

And, though they started with just two drivers from a yard in Osborne Park, today they have a big base in Kewdale and more than 400 employees.

They service the transport and logistics needs of some of Australia’s largest blue-chip companies and international clients.

All of this is good reason to celebrate the business’ 20th anniversary.

Camera IconRachael, Dot, Sean and Renee Carren. Credit: Michael Bain/Supplied
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START IN SPRINTCARS

Sean left school at 15 and did an apprenticeship as a mechanic with the City of Stirling.

After qualifying, he went to work for six years with local motorsport identity Geoff Kendrick. He soon became the first full-time sprintcar mechanic in Australia and crew chief for the Kendrick Racing Team.

His love of the sport is as strong now as it was then. He runs his own race team alongside his successful family business.

Sprintcars gave Sean his start in the business world when, in 1995, he established Sean Enterprises, importing and selling Sprintcar parts and providing Sprintcars for American drivers who came to Perth to race at the old Claremont Speedway and, more recently, at Perth Motorplex.

Camera IconThe first two trucks. Credit: Supplied

A BIGGER BUSINESS

When he started Goldstar Transport in 2004, Sean soon ran into his first big challenge, when one of his two prime movers was stolen.

“The stress was immense,” he says. “We had to keep making payments on the stolen prime mover while we negotiated a payout with the insurance company and, at the same time, we had to pay for a rental truck to keep servicing our clients.”

He tracked down the stolen truck, which was a write-off, but it took six months to settle the claim.

“Somehow, we managed to survive and we were able to grow the business and add more assets until, in 2006, we had 16 trucks on the road and we moved to our current site in Kewdale that allows us to warehouse and distribute goods for our clients,” Sean says.

Camera Icon Long-serving Goldstar staff members Sally Brown and Terry Podlich with Dot and Sean Carren. Credit: Michael Bain/Supplied

CHANGING LIVES

The Carrens are proud of their business’ growth, but Sean seems even more proud of the work and career opportunities they’ve been able to offer.

“You simply can’t overstate the satisfaction we feel when somebody comes to us with little or no experience in this business and goes on to become a really meaningful contributor, whether they stay with us or move on,” he says.

“As an example, Terry, one of our drivers, has been with us since the very start, and there are countless stories of people in the team who have been with us for a very long time, as well as many like Sally, who have moved through various divisions of the business to now be an operations manager.”

Camera IconGoldstar's Woolworths fleet. Credit: Richard Hathaway/Supplied

LONG-TIME PARTNERS

It is the same story, of strong long-term relationships and loyalty, with Goldstar’s business partners and clients.

“After that challenge with the stolen prime mover, we changed brokers to Tracey (PTR Asset Finance), who provides exceptional service, and we’ve been with her ever since,” Sean says.

“We’ve had the same fuel supplier in BP for years and we have an outstanding relationship with Daimler Trucks and VVG for both prime movers and heavy rigid trucks.

“We’ve been working for Coca-Cola for more than 18 of our 20 years.

“We’ve been a preferred logistics partner for Woolworths for over 10 years.

“We store and distribute massive quantities of flat steel plate and aluminium for SSAB and Capral.

“It’s important for Dot and me to recognise the people and companies who’ve supported us on this journey.

“Nothing about this business is easy. The margins can be less than ideal at times, but we consider ourselves to have been extremely fortunate to have the support of our loyal staff, our valued clients, and our wonderful business partners.

“Quite simply, we wouldn’t have been able to make it here without them or without the support of our advisory board.”

The company’s advisory board comprises a key group of trusted mentors, including Mark Foley (Goldstar CFO) Andrew Kite (THE current chair), Stephen Cain, Peter Stokes and Greg Smargiassi.

The board was previously led by respected director Peter Fitzpatrick who chaired it for eight years.

“Peter really set a standard for us in terms of strategy, operational effectiveness and human capital, and we will be forever grateful,” Sean says.

Camera IconSean Carren with some of his vehicles on Anzac Day, 2022. Credit: Supplied

NEW & OLD

+ Daimler recently released the 25th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz Actros 2663 prime mover. “There are only 25 of these anniversary models coming to Australia and we’ll be taking delivery of one of them for our own 20th anniversary,” says Sean. Significantly, that prime mover will be Goldstar’s 100th Mercedes Benz supplied by Daimler Trucks Perth.

+ As much as Sean has kept up with current automotive trends, his interest in vehicles also stretches back to veteran and vintage army (World War II) vehicles and vintage racing cars. He has an impressive collection and is often seen at Anzac Day parades using his WWII army ambulance and a couple of Willys Jeeps — all well restored and preserved.

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