From utes to supercars, this entrepreneur credits SmartLease car financing for supporting his business growth with a cost-effective solution.
Humble Beginnings
David Morrissey’s entrepreneurial journey started humbly – he took over an existing locksmithing business in 2004 that had just seven employees.
“It was a smallish business that had been around quite some time doing safes and locksmithing nationwide for people like Bank of New Zealand and The Warehouse,” Morrissey recounts.
The locksmith company, originally called Safe and Lock Services (SLS), could trace its roots back to 1980. But under Morrissey’s leadership, it would grow into a diversified security services group with over 70 employees and a 22-fold increase in turnover from those early days.
Spotting a Niche
“A couple of years after the acquisition, in 2006, I identified a niche in the market with some of our customers where they were experiencing retail theft on the floor,” Morrissey explains.
He launched a new venture focused solely on retail security products like lockdowns and retractors for high-value items like and laptops and mobile phones.
The move paid off, but Morrissey realised:
“I could either run two businesses badly, or I could get some help and run two successful businesses.”
He brought in a partner who bought half the retail security business – a partnership that has endured for 17 years as the company evolved into a “boutique retail guardian service” catching professional shoplifters.
Embracing Digital CCTV
In 2009, Morrissey identified another opportunity in digital CCTV systems.
“People laughed at us, said that no one would pay the money for IP digital stuff, especially our client base,” he admits.
But they persisted, convincing major retailers of the benefits. Today, their Focus Digital Security company leads the market in digital CCTV.
“The systems that we have in at Z Energy, for example, they’re fundamentally CCTV systems but I describe them as being a bit like my iPhone,” Morrissey says. “You can make a telephone call on them but that’s not really what they’re about these days… The capability of cameras and what they can offer you is phenomenal.”
Pioneering New Technologies
Morrissey’s group hasn’t stopped there – they provide cutting-edge optical character recognition (OCR) technology for applications like toll road number plate scanning.
Another forensic subsidiary, SelectaDNA, uses DNA markers to identify criminals like bank robbers at the scene.
“It proves that they were at the scene of the crime. They can’t deny they were there,” Morrissey explains. “We catch bank robbers… it’s just unique, clever technology these days that we look to do.”
Partnership with Driveline
One key factor enabling Morrissey’s growth has been his longstanding relationship with Driveline, a vehicle leasing and finance company.
“I’ve probably bought over 50 vehicles that we’ve sourced and financed with Driveline,” he says.
The partnership started in 2006 when Laurie Brown-Haysom from Driveline pitched Morrissey on SmartLease car financing.
“Laurie struck a chord with me because he was talking about cars and talking about ways to finance them that were efficient,” Morrissey recalls.
As someone interested in both accounting and cars, the SmartLease car financing concept appealed to Morrissey’s practical side.
Benefits of Driveline
Over the years working with Driveline, Morrissey cites two key strengths:
“They offer a VARIETY of financing options, and they also can get you ANY vehicle across the board… I don’t think people realise that.”
From work utes to high-end sports cars, Driveline can source and finance it all.
But just as important to Morrissey is the company’s exceptional service.
“What stands out is the personal service. And one phone call then it’s done,” Morrissey says simply. “I just drop an email to Laurie and he sorts the paperwork out… It’s as simple as that. And there’s trust and confidence both ways.”
That trust is critical according to Morrissey:
“If you don’t have trust and confidence in your partners then you’ve got nothing.”
Vehicle Fleet Revamp
Driveline’s consultative approach proved invaluable when Morrissey decided to overhaul his company’s vehicle fleet in 2019.
“I gave the challenge to Laurie and asked him what he could do for us if we wanted to get 11 Nissan Navara utes, all looking the same, all brand new, all signwritten,” he explains.
Morrissey wanted guaranteed costs, a uniform professional look for the company, and the convenience of new vehicles under warranty.
After vetting competitors, “the unanimous decision was to go with Driveline and continue on that path, which was great,” says Morrissey.
The results speak for themselves:
“Our look is great; everyone knows our Focus vehicles; they all look the same; wherever we go, anyone can see it.”
Benefits for Employees
But providing nice vehicles isn’t just about Morrissey’s personal passion – it’s also a strategic investment in employee satisfaction and retention.
“We don’t signwrite them dramatically, there’s some subtlety to it. But the vehicles we choose… because I’m a petrol head and so are most of the people here who drive those cars, so the cars are chosen not on the basis of what’s the cheapest, nastiest car I can get them,” Morrissey says.
Instead, his team drives premium cars like Cupra Leon VZ Sportstourer, Skoda Superb and Skoda Kodiak – a perk that makes it hard for people to leave for competitors with lesser vehicle policies.
As Morrissey bluntly puts it, “It’s a retention tool as well.”
He argues it’s a smart long-term financial move too, having learned early on that premium vehicles hold their value far better at trade-in time than cheap entry-level models.
Seeking Qualified Technicians
The success of Morrissey’s businesses has created a new challenge – finding qualified staff, especially electronics and security technicians.
“It’s very difficult to get decent qualified technicians,” he laments, citing a lingering impact from Covid-19 lockdowns and the overall trades training shortage in New Zealand.
If you or someone you know is an electronics or security technician seeking a new opportunity with better pay and perks like a premium company vehicle, Morrissey wants to hear from you!
With a great company culture, opportunities for growth, and the chance to work on cutting-edge security technologies, this could be the perfect career move.
Interested technicians can get in touch with Dave Morrissey by email david@slsgroup.co.nz or through the website focusdigital.co.nz.
Partnership Based on Trust
“I’ve had a relationship with Driveline now for 17 or 18 years and yet I’ve never been to their office. I don’t need to,” Morrissey marvels.
He can pick up the phone any time and speak directly with his Driveline contact Laurie, who he considers a friend.
“Laurie and Driveline, they’re not just a supplier, they are a partner… here I am 17 or 18 years later and still with them,” he affirms. “And they always manage to achieve what I want to achieve, and they go out of their way to achieve it as well. They’re a wider business than just looking after themselves. They do look after the customer.”
Personal Passion for Cars
While Morrissey’s security businesses are his primary focus, he also indulges his personal love of high-end vehicles through a supercar hire company on the side.
“I have a number of cars that I hire out,” he shares. It’s not for track use but rather a way for high net worth individuals coming in from overseas to experience dream cars like Lamborghinis when visiting New Zealand’s luxury lodges and destinations.
“It’s aimed at high net worth individuals… people who drive these vehicles at home and don’t want to get a Corolla from Hertz. They might want to drive to Kauri Cliffs or Huka Lodge, and they want to go in a McLaren. There’s no one else in this country that offers that,” Morrissey says.
What This Entrepreneurial Journey Showcases
From a seven-person locksmithing company to a multi-faceted security services group, David Morrissey’s entrepreneurial journey showcases the rewards of calculated risk-taking, partnerships grounded in trust, and professional excellence coupled with personal passions.
Relationships Are More Than Just Transactions
His longtime collaboration with Driveline exemplifies a business relationship built on more than just transactions – it’s one of mutual understanding where Driveline goes “out of their way” as a true partner invested in Morrissey’s success.