Ten Years of Restore Solutions: Innovation for Restorers

In 2015, Restore Solutions entered the market with one clear purpose — to help restoration professionals access quality tools, training, and support that could improve the way they work.

Over the past ten years, the company has grown from a home-based operation to a global supplier recognised for innovation, technical knowledge, and integrity. From introducing Drymatic heat drying technology to expanding into moisture detection, air quality management, dehumidification, and high-quality effective and safe cleaning chemicals, Restore Solutions has continually evolved to meet the needs of professional restorers.

Passion for Progress

From day one, Restore Solutions positioned itself as more than a supplier. The goal was to offer products that offered a solution to problems restorers faced. More than just selling products, it was ensuring restorers had the right equipment and understood how to use it effectively.

As demand grew, the product range expanded rapidly. Restore Solutions began sourcing high-quality European equipment from brands such as Trotec, Gann, and Protox, focusing on durability, precision, and performance. The mission was to offer products other than low-cost, mass-produced imports, and reinforce Restore Solutions’ commitment to quality and professional outcomes.

“Restore Solutions is very easy to deal with. You just ring up and say I need this, and products get shipped right away. There are no excuses for backlogs of orders and even if something is not in stock, there is usually a solution.” – Luke McArdle, McArdles Cleaning & Restoration Services

Innovation in Every Step

A key turning point in the company’s growth was its transition from home-based logistics to a 3PL warehousing system, allowing Restore Solutions to scale efficiently and focus on technical support, customer service, and education.

This evolution mirrored the industry’s own transformation. Restoration in Australia has moved from basic fan-and-dehumidifier setups to advanced, data-driven drying and monitoring. Restore Solutions has been part of that evolution — introducing tools that make scientific drying achievable for businesses of every size.

A Decade of Collaboration

Over the past decade, Restore Solutions has built its success on genuine collaboration — listening to customers, working alongside restorers on live jobs, and witnessing firsthand the challenges they face in the field. This close connection allows the team to understand what restorers truly need, identify gaps in the market, and drive innovation that directly supports day-to-day operations.

“We would say we are a restore solutions business and whatever we don’t have Garry is working on getting for us. They are the only supplier we trust.” – Ally, QLD Flood Fire & Mould

By engaging with technicians, insurers, and business owners on real projects, Restore Solutions develops equipment and strategies that solve problems rather than simply fill catalogue pages.

The result is a company that restores with purpose, educates with intent, and continues to earn the trust of professionals across Australia and around the world — a brand built by restorers, for restorers.

In the same year that Restore Solutions celebrates ten years of innovation, our sister company ACRA also marks a decade of shaping professional restorers through hands-on training and global education. The two companies share one mission — helping restorers work smarter, safer, and with confidence.

Explore ACRA’s 10-year celebration here.

Featured Interview: Ten Years of Restore Solutions with Garry Carroll & Lorelle McCulloch

To commemorate Restore Solutions’ tenth anniversary, founders Garry Carroll and Lorelle McCulloch sat down to share their reflections on a decade of innovation, growth, and lessons learned.

What came first, the chicken or the egg? (ACRA or Restore)

Garry: They really grew together, but I began teaching before I ever sold equipment. I was delivering training long before ACRA officially existed, teaching for organisations like IICRC and ProChem, as well as within my own restoration business and for other companies in the industry.

What inspired you to make the move from running your own restoration business to starting two new businesses?

Garry: There were two big turning points. The first was when I brought Drymatic into Australia. I started training people on how to use it and realised I actually loved the teaching side of the industry more than just running jobs. I kept selling the equipment, teaching for other companies while still running my restoration business and teaching on the side.

Then in 2015, I met a business consultant who really challenged me. I’d turned 40, and when she asked what I actually enjoyed after 20 years in restoration, I realised it was teaching, problem-solving and helping other businesses grow, not running my own restoration jobs anymore. So I made the call, sold my restoration business, and that’s when ACRA and Drymatic Heat Drying Australia officially began.

Looking back, what were the key turning points in your 10-year journey?

Garry: When we stopped running everything from home. I was driving back and forth to collect stock, packing orders in the garage, double and triple handling everything. One week I sold about 450 fans and thought, I can’t keep doing this. That’s when we moved to a 3PL warehouse, and it changed everything — we went from a home-based operation to a proper national business.

How has the customer base helped the business evolve?

Garry: Our customers really drove our growth. We listened to their problems and found solutions. At first, we were just known for Drymatic, but as they started asking for dehumidifiers, air cleaners and other gear, we expanded to meet those needs.

Is that when the business name changed and what does that represent?

Garry: Yes, we couldn’t keep calling the business Drymatic when we were selling much more than that. In 2017, we rebranded to Restore Solutions. From there, we really focused on sourcing high-quality European products, not just cheaper gear from the US or China. We stayed aligned with Drymatic from Wales and added products from Germany, Holland and Denmark to lift the standard of what was available in the market.

What were the early challenges with the start of the business?

Lorelle: One of the early challenges was realising we couldn’t just sit in the office and expect the business to grow. We had to get out there, meet customers face-to-face and support them on-site, not just over the phone. That hands-on approach became a big part of how we do business.

What’s the biggest change you’ve observed in professional restoration in the past decade?

Lorelle: Ten years ago, restoration was often just a carpet cleaner with a few fans and dehumidifiers doing basic jobs out of a van or shed. Now it’s a serious, specialised industry. The high-level jobs that used to be done only by large companies are now being carried out by smaller, professional operators too. The industry is far more recognised, and with ongoing training and support from associations, I think it will continue to grow as a respected profession.

What product do you think most changed the way restorers work?

Garry: Definitely heat drying and moisture detection equipment. Heat drying has transformed restoration since 2010. Before that, most restorers would just throw a fan and dehumidifier on a job. In Australia, where we deal with hardwoods rather than soft timbers like in the US, heat drying became the real game changer and it’s now a standard part of the process. With moisture detection we recognised many meters were either not measuring accurately or didn’t have ability to determine actual moisture levels due to limited material temperature and density settings, there is actually quite a lot of science involved.

How does the impact on the property owner drive decision-making processes on products you choose to sell to restorers?

Lorelle: Great question! The impacts to property owners drive everything we do. It’s why we’re so particular about the equipment we sell and why we focus so much on education and on-the-job support. It’s not enough to just sell gear — restorers need to know how to use it properly. If they don’t, they can cause more damage or even create health risks. Our goal has always been to leave the industry, and every job, better than we found it.

Is there a particular customer success story that still sticks with you?

Garry: There are a few that really stand out. We have one customer who turned a struggling business into one of the biggest restoration companies in Queensland. Another who started their business in a backyard shed and now runs a large warehouse and specialist rug facility.

What they all had in common was being open to learning and investing in the right equipment. One guy called me about a moisture issue — he realised he didn’t have the proper tools, bought them, embraced heat drying early and built a massive operation from there.

What’s the most rewarding part of seeing a loyal customer succeed?

Lorelle: It’s one of the best parts of what we do. Seeing a customer go from struggling to succeeding, and sometimes from just a few small changes — is incredibly rewarding. Those wins can be life-changing, not just for their business but for their families too. Watching them create balance, grow their income and build a better future is honestly what makes it all worth it.

How do you balance staying true to your roots while innovating for the future?

Lorelle: For us, it comes down to how we run the business. We’ve got a great team across the country, and we’re all aligned — focus on the customer, quality products, real relationships, and leaving the industry better than we found it.

It’s never just about making a sale. We stay connected to our customers, understand what they’re facing and support them, because we’ve been on that side too (as restorers). That keeps us grounded while still pushing forward with innovation and better solutions for the industry.

How do you identify emerging needs in the industry before others do?

Lorelle: We’re on the ground every day, working closely with restorers and seeing what they deal with in real time. Because we’re so hands-on, we notice gaps and problems early, which helps us find solutions and support the industry before those issues become bigger. We have the opportunity to attend jobs with our customers in person and so we are also gathering feedback from customers on what their gaps or problems are.

How important is collaboration between suppliers and restorers to industry progress?

Garry: Collaboration is crucial. Too many suppliers sell products just to make a sale, even if they don’t solve a problem. That’s not us. I want to win the quality war, not the price war. For the industry to move forward, suppliers and restorers need to work together and focus on solutions, not just sales.

Lorelle: Collaboration is essential. If suppliers and restorers don’t share knowledge and work together, we only ever see part of the solution. When everyone stays in their own corner, you miss the bigger picture. Real progress happens when all sides come together and understand the whole problem, not just their piece of it.

How do you want your legacy to be remembered after 10 years?

Lorelle: I would want our customers and others in the industry to feel like we were actively engaging and supporting the industry. Yes, we are a business that sells a product and has to pay our bills but that we were part of industry associations and each member of our team, in whatever skills they brought to our business, at the heart all genuinely wanted to improve the industry.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far. We’re proud of what’s been built, and even more excited for what’s ahead. Here’s to another year of growth, innovation and making a real difference in the restoration industry.