Powered by passion

It’s often said if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. For Tim McCarthy, that couldn’t be truer. After celebrating 20 years as CEO of EPG Engines – Australia’s central distributor of Rehlko (formerly Kohler) petrol and diesel engines – his work still feels like a passion project.

“Engines are my life,” McCarthy tells The CEO Magazine. “I’ve been at EPG Engines for 20 years now, but I’ve been in the automotive industry since I was 26, and engines continue to motivate me every day. When I finish the work day, I go home and work on engines at night.”

The rebrand from Kohler engines to Rehlko

McCarthy’s passion has shaped EPG Engines into an industry leader, trusted by dealers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and customers alike. Never one to coast on past success, he’s driven the company forward, including one of its biggest milestones – the rebrand from Kohler engines to Rehlko in 2024.

While the name is new, McCarthy stresses the quality remains the same – backed by Kohler’s 105-year manufacturing legacy and the resources of Platinum Equity.

“It’s still the same quality, same engines, same service, same dealer network, same everything – nothing changes but the name,” he explains.

“But branding matters, and our job now is to educate the market, our dealer network and OEMs on this new brand.”

The name Rehlko, a re-ordering of ‘Kohler’, embodies the reliability, resolve, reinvention and resilience the brand has come to be known for. And it aligns with its vision of a future where distributed energy plays a crucial role in sustainability.

Future-ready

As emission regulations tighten, EPG Engines is staying ahead by delivering engines that not only meet but exceed compliance standards.

“We’re ready for the future. We’ve already hit our gasoline targets, and our diesel engines comply,” he explains. “And we also have a range of engines with the latest technology, including the new Kohler small displacement engine, which is fully emissions-compliant and considered a game-changer in the industry.”

While electrification is gaining traction, McCarthy believes diesel engines will remain vital.

“Diesels are here for a long time to come. There’s really no alternative out there. These engines are an important part of Australia’s future, that’s for sure,” he says.

New home, bigger vision

Last year marked a significant chapter for EPG Engines – not only with the successful rebrand but also with the move into a new, purpose-built warehouse and office space. The relocation represents a major step forward, providing the team with room to grow and operate more efficiently.

“The benefits have been huge,” McCarthy says. “We now have full control over our operating hours, pickups and deliveries, and the new site offers improved storage and unloading facilities that allow us to work in all weather conditions. Plus, being based in a transport hub has streamlined our logistics and distribution.”

The new facility is more than just a warehouse – it’s also become a central hub for service work and dealer training.

“Now our entire team is under one roof, from sales and servicing to warranty and logistics,” McCarthy adds. “It’s made a real difference to how we collaborate and support our customers.”

The people behind the success

His team is a point of pride for him and the business as a whole. Reflecting on his past two decades as CEO, he says the company’s success all comes down to them.

“The most valuable asset you have is your people,” McCarthy says. “Without good people, you don’t have a good business. I’ve spent 20 years surrounding myself with quality people – and that’s why we’ve been so successful.”

Many of EPG Engines’ people have been with the company for decades – some for as long as 45 years, McCarthy reveals. He credits the company’s culture of internal promotion, training and open communication as key to this longevity.

“Longevity encourages longevity,” he says. “And our team is just as motivated as I am. We have the same goals in mind.

“We have promotion opportunities within the company, social events, and we also do a lot of internal training. I also make a point of keeping our teams informed on how the company’s performing, so nobody’s kept in the dark.”

Service sets them apart

Undoubtedly, this strong passion feeds tremendous customer service, which McCarthy says is EPG Engine’s true point of difference.

“One thing we believe we have over our competitors is the personalized service,” he notes.

“We have OEM managers assigned to each particular OEM in Australia, and we still answer calls locally – no overseas call centers. Our customers know they can call us for sales advice, technical support or pricing, and they’ll get someone who understands their business.”

This personalized approach has been a hallmark of EPG Engines since day one. And for McCarthy, building strong, lasting relationships with dealers is just as important as supplying top-tier engines.

That’s why every two years, the company hosts its dealer conference, an event that does more than just showcase new products.

“It’s about supporting our dealers and making sure they have everything they need to succeed,” he says. “It’s also a chance to connect face-to-face, exchange ideas and celebrate the dealers who’ve gone above and beyond in the last year.”

Full speed ahead

With 45 years in business and growing market share, EPG Engines isn’t slowing down.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on offering petrol and diesel solutions for OEM applications within Australia,” McCarthy says.

“We’ve gained significant market share over the last three decades, and we’re striving to get more and more market share to become an industry leader. The world relies on engines. There’s something exciting happening tomorrow that requires an engine – we want to be there for it.”