About Us

We are a family owned business, supplying the Auto Air-conditioning industry for over 30 years. Over the years we’ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge & combined experience which makes us unique in the industry.

At kensair we've got your needs sorted!

We stock parts for an extensive variety of applications, from Heavy Equipment & Agricultural Machinery to European, Korean, USA & Japanese vehicles. we also supply service & repair equipment for the mobile auto aircon industry, and an extensive range of aircon hose & fittings, consumables & refrigerants.

How it all started

Auto Repairs Onehunga

1980

As a qualified diesel and petrol mechanic Gordon Thomas relocated from Taranaki to Auckland to operate his own mechanical business. Renting a workshop and starting “Auto Repairs Onehunga” on Nelson Street. Working on anything with a motor, including early diesel machinery, general mechanical repairs and completing petrol to LPG conversions along with CNG installations.

Car Air Onehunga

1986-1987

Air conditioning in cars starts becoming more popular and Gordon started fitting air conditioning kits to cars for dealers and the public. A new venture was started “Car Air Onehunga” which worked on truck refrigeration, and re-gas and de-gas for panel beaters throughout Auckland. Gordon designed his own recovery machine to remove gas from vehicles. Car Air would design, modify and build air conditioning kits for new models of cars, trucks and refrigeration transport coming into New Zealand. This included early Peugeot, Renault, Nissans, Fuso, Isuzu, Ford and Holden brands around the time when Japanese importing of vehicles became prevalent.

Aquiring Kensair

1987-1992

Air conditioning in vehicles direct from the factory was not yet standard practice which in turn caused supply issues for parts coming into New Zealand. Auto Repairs Onehunga acquires “Kensair” a small business importing air conditioning parts and kits for the automotive market. What started with supplying parts to the trade around Auckland quickly turned into supplying the rest of New Zealand. All the while, Gordon continues to design, manufacture and fit air conditioning kits for the transport and refrigeration industry.

Back to Taranaki

1992-2000

Gordon moves back to Taranaki and redefines the business by concentrating solely on automotive air conditioning. Buying parts from USA, Korea, Europe, Australia and other parts of the world, he is now supplying automotive parts as well as his existing air conditioning range, refrigeration parts and equipment. Gordon’s son Brent joins the business in the parts division.

Automotive Airconditioning

2001

Wanting to concentrate on the automotive air conditioning service, parts and supply side of the business Gordon sells off the auto parts division. Gordon’s son Glen joins the business in the service section. Joe Prestidge starts in the workshop in 2004.

In-House Manufacturing

2005

Winning the contract for General Motors to fit and design systems for new Holden cars coming into New Zealand. The business then added the in-house manufacturing of truck refrigeration units and fitting out of fleet vehicles with these.

Heavy-duty Airconditioning Parts

2010 -2016

Gordon – not one to let things stand still – moves his focus and increases his range of air conditioning parts for Tractors, Trucks and Heavy Machinery. Offering training and technical support to workshops around the country. Quality Kensair parts were needed to keep the heavy-duty machinery working on the West Coast mines at Reefton and Stockton mines. Gordon’s son James joins the business as parts support. Joe transfers from the air conditioning service side of the business to run the parts division in 2013.

Online Presence Launched

2016 - 2019

Kensair launches its online presence with the best heavy-duty listings on the market. Creating the search ability for any make and model of truck, tractor etc. Utilising the Original Equipment number was a first for the supply of heavy-duty air conditioning parts.

Auto Airconditioning Specialist Wholesaler

2019-2023

This time is used to position Kensair as a market leader providing quality parts and backup service to our customers around the country while continuing to expand our quality range of parts.

Brent and James take over

2023...

Gordon is wanting to take a step back after 40+ years so son’s Brent and James take over the day to day running of the business. The focus is now on parts supply, adding to the range of parts to cement Kensair as New Zealand’s One and Only Heavy Duty Airconditioning Parts and Equipment Specialist.

Gordon is still found in the workshop most days tinkering away on anything mechanical and of course passing on his great wealth of knowledge.

It's not just about the parts

We also supply service & repair equipment for the mobile auto aircon industry, and an extensive range of aircon hose & fittings, consumables & refrigerants.

Give us a call

We are not just another parts supplier!

We are not just another parts supplier! We operate our own service & repair division, giving us the hands on experience needed to provide you with the most complete range of services in the industry. Here is some of what we can offer you:

We stock parts for an extensive range of applications

Including compressors, condensers, filter driers, evaporators, hose assemblies, condenser fans, blowers, orings, consumables, tx valves, controllers, compressor parts, truck refrigeration units, heavy duty a/c units, motors, aircon hose, fittings, heater cores, control valves, cab filters, heater valves, oils, compressor mount & drive kits, pressure switches, thermostats, valves cores, clutches, & refrigerants.

Regular airfreight orders from the USA & Europe

We operate a program of regular airfreight orders from the USA & Europe – if we don’t have it in stock, we can have it on your doorstep in days!

Expert repair & rebuild service

We provide an expert repair & rebuild service for compressors, condensers, evaporators, evaporators, & hose assemblies.

We can custom-build

We can custom-build condensers, evaporators, and even complete units to suit your exact needs – just give us a call!

We stock an extensive range of aircon service equipment

Including vacuum pumps, recovery machines, cylinders, scales, hose crimpers, & leak detectors, featuring proven brands such as CPS, Mastercool, & JAVAC.

On site training

We provide on site training for those new to the industry & employing new staff.

Technical advice & system design

We are able to provide technical advice & system design for your next custom build project!

Whatever it is you’re working on...

...be it a Mitsubishi Shogun, CAT D8T, New Holland T6020, Toyota Hilux, or a Volkswagen Passat; we will have a range of quality parts on the shelf available for immediate dispatch!

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