Operating from two Melbourne locations, GJ Drivelines is a second-generation family owned and operated business with a proven reputation in driveline manufacturing, balancing and repairs.
Started in 1983 by Gary Sadler, the business is now run by his son Matt Sadler, a mechanical engineer, who is also a qualified fitter and turner by trade. Now 37 years of age, he joined the family business in 2001, at the age of just 16 and has been honing his trade ever since. These days, you’ll still find him getting his hands dirty in the workshop, together with eight fully qualified technicians, including mechanics and qualified boiler makers with multiple welding certificates.
Matt is joined by business partner Joel Peckham, who runs the day to day operations of the Somerton branch.
GJ Drivelines provides customers with all of their driveline needs, under the one roof. “We carry the majority of the parts on hand and keep all the common components in stock. This means we’re faster than any other driveline shop. A high quality same day service is what we’re all about,” said Matt.
“At GJ Drivelines, we ensure attention to detail every step of the way. Because it’s a family owned and operated business, the owners work within the workshop alongside our staff – and we even answer the phones too.”
GJ Drivelines operates from its original location on Cheltenham Road in Keysborough, just off East Link; as well as a second branch in Somerton.
Specialising in heavy vehicles, the Somerton location was opened just last year to service Melbourne’s north. “We decided to open the Somerton location to specialise in the heavy vehicle side of it and chose that particular location because we wanted to cover both sides of Melbourne,” added Matt.
GJ Drivelines has built close to 40 years of knowledge and experience in drivelines – so the business knows drivelines, and it knows them well.
Gary, who retired just six years ago, started GJ Drivelines after the driveline business he had been working for closed down. That company manufactured brand new drivelines for Kenworths and many of the other large Australian truck manufacturers.
Gary purchased some equipment from the business and started his own driveline venture. In the early days, he secured a contract with the Australian Army (which the business still holds to this day) and business grew from there.
Though Gary is now retired, Matt says he’s still there to offer his advice. “My mother is part of the business too, working as our bookkeeper,” said Matt.
Today the business provides driveline services for trucks, buses, cars, boats, industrial equipment, and even performance vehicles too.
“Keysborough now specialises in performance vehicles, with tail shafts manufactured out of aluminium and carbon fibre. We’re the only ones doing that in Australia,” said Matt.
While at Somerton, the drive-in drive-out service for trucks means operators are back on the road in a flash; because as any transport operator knows, time off the road costs you money.
“Our same day service means trucks can drive in, the boys will remove the tail shaft, rebuild it, balance it and put it back in the truck all in the same day, so there’s only minimal downtime – our truckie customers love it,” said Matt.
GJ Drivelines’ workshops employ high grade machinery, including a Schenck digital balancing machine. “So we use the best balancing equipment available,” said Matt.
For more information, please visit gjdrivelinesSomerton.com.au.