One local Daikin dealer continues its story through continuity of leadership, a committed team and trusted service in Queensland conditions.
When Ian Burchill officially stepped into retirement last year, it marked the end of an era for the air conditioning business he founded three decades ago. However, it also marked the beginning of a new chapter.
Rather than selling the company to a large corporate buyer, Ian chose to pass the business on to people who had grown up within it. Long-time team members Josh Morgan and James Hoger, together, now lead the next generation of CoolTimes.
The business has grown alongside the communities it serves, evolving from a small local operation into a multi‑division air conditioning specialist.
That legacy has been reinforced by a long‑standing partnership with Daikin, which was first established in the early 2000s. Since then, the team have worked hard, focusing on solutions that are built to last.
For Josh, stepping into ownership was about protecting what already worked.
“We were really conscious of preserving the history. You can’t build a reputation overnight, Ian’s spent 30 years establishing that, and there’s a lot of goodwill that comes with it,” Josh said.
Quality at scale, backed by Daikin
While CoolTimes has delivered projects across commercial and service sectors, the majority of the company’s work centres on residential installations, helping families create comfortable homes across Southeast Queensland.
Across all divisions of the business, CoolTimes has built its reputation on delivering high‑quality outcomes at scale.
“It’s not about one single project. It’s about the volume of work we get through and still maintaining minimal callbacks and really happy customers,” Josh said.
Daikin’s ongoing partnership with the dealership has played a pivotal role in maintaining that consistency. Today, many customers come to CoolTimes specifically seeking Daikin systems, valuing the brand’s reliability and long-term performance in Queensland conditions.
“People know what they want. They’re after quality, and that makes it easier for our team to focus on doing the job properly,” Josh said.
Growing skills and capability
With many senior employees at CoolTimes joining the business as apprentices, Josh feels passionate about actively investing in training the next generation. Apprentices are paired with experienced technicians and rotating them through different teams to broaden their experience.
“We bring on plenty of trainees and make sure they’re learning from a range of skilled technicians. There’s more than one way to achieve the same outcome, and we want them exposed to different techniques and ways of thinking,” Josh said.
The team are also encouraged to attend Daikin training in their later years, supported by in‑house toolbox sessions and one‑on‑one mentoring from senior staff.
“Seeing our apprentices grow and succeed is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. Many stay with us long term, and some have even won industry awards. It shows that investing in people pays off, and helps build a team that contributes to the culture and future of the business,” said Josh.
Giving back locally
CoolTimes’ commitment extends beyond installations and service calls into the community that has supported it for more than 30 years. The business sponsors local sporting organisations, including Redlands Netball Club and Brisbane Knights, often through direct connections with long‑term customers.
“We try to give back to the community that gives to us. If our customers are involved in these clubs, we want to support them through their journey. That’s important for a local business,” Josh concluded.
For CoolTimes, delivering the Daikin difference is not just about technology, it’s about trust, people and legacy. Backed by a respected brand and a deeply embedded team culture, the business continues to build on its foundations, one installation and one relationship at a time.
