By Patrick Avenell
QUEENSLAND: Travis Elliott, the grandson of a 38-year veteran of electrical sales, is now carrying the baton for the Elliott family, having been appointed the G & S Agencies area manager for a large region of southern Queensland.
Travis is the grandson of Ted Elliott, and the son of Gil Elliott, the director of G & S Agencies. In his new role, Travis will look after the stores located in the wider area between Sunshine Coast and Central Queensland. This will take in Good Guys, Harvey Norman, Clive Peeters, Betta Electrical and Retravision outlets.
It’s a proud tradition in the Elliott household, with Ted first selling Sharp products in 1971, when he was a representative of Olims Trading Company. In 1973, Ted moved to Townsville, where he sold some absolute classic Sharp appliances, such as box air conditioners, Reel-to-Reel tape recorders, quadraphonic stereo systems and kerosene heaters.
Travis’ father, Gil, moved to Rockhampton in 1978, to look after the Central and Outback Queensland sales force. G & S Agencies now supplies the sales teams for Sharp Consumer Electronics in Queensland, the Northern Territory and South Australia.
We asked Travis what it meant to be the latest in this line of Elliott electrical salesman.
“Taking on the legacy is the best way to describe it,” he said. I’ve always looked up to my father and grandfather. I’ve got to be as good as them – that’s what they’d expect of me.”
When asked what his favourite products to sell were, Travis identified the latest in audio visual, such as flat panel TVs and Blu-ray Disc players.
“I like selling AV, it’s hi-tech, and you form great relationships with retailers and their salespeople. I love talking to the retail sales staff and inspiring them to sell our product.”
Before joining his father’s business, Travis completed an apprenticeship in air conditioning and refrigeration.
“Dad wanted me to go through the hoops before giving me a job,” Travis said. “He wanted me to prove myself.”
G & Agencies are currently looking to expand its business. It currently distributes Sharp, De’Longhi, Kenwood, Atdec, Topfield and Yamaha.