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rolling back the years
What happened in the industry, as seen through the eyes of Wares magazine, 10, 15 and 20 years ago? Merv Robertson reports. 3 4 5 NOVEMBER to find Dyson putting it that: “If your cleaner has a bag, it will lose its suction rapidly and you may call it 98 08 lots of names.”
Then as now? – The end of year editorial saw 1998 as something of an 6 industry watershed year as the world sped towards the new millennium. Did you “Get Cooking”? – You 20 YEARS AGO – It spoke of a return to the past 1. Bagged versus may6 remember Jude Dobson’s in some areas, including a stronger bagless? Floorcare TV1 magazine-style show, 5.30 with was competitive, NOVEMBER 1998 consumer expectation on customer 20 years ago… Jude, which played each week night, service as well as a realisation of the covering topics from home renovation 2. The team On 3 November 1998, two nations difference between the words “value” behind Wares, to nutrition to babies and more. came to a standstill, as they still do and “bargain”. signing off on “More” included a cooking annually for the Melbourne Cup. A prediction was made too, and 1998… segment sponsored each Tuesday Jezabeel, piloted by Chris Munce, I quote: “This will inevitably spell 3-5. The Ringgrip by Sunbeam called “Get Cooking won that year, from Champagne and the end of the mass merchant/ team, then and Sunbeam Style”. now (L-R): Simon Persian Punch. warehouse/big box style of retailing Nalder, Nigel Sunbeam GM at the time, Roger in its current format.” Denby and Teague, said the rationale was to No-one works in a vacuum… – I Twenty years on, the end is Leighton expose viewers to new and exciting Whitfield. found it a bit odd that, 20 years ago, certainly not nigh for any of those ways to create food using Sunbeam 6. Roger Teague while Electrolux Floorcare had the categories but for sure, change announces products. front cover of Wares to advertise a continues and the evolution of Sunbeam’s Today, Roger is Business bagged machine, a Dyson bagless ad Customer Experience retailing – CX, sponsorship of Development Representative for took up the inside front cover spot. to use the vernacular – is a case in 5.30 with Jude. Pyroclassic Fires. Electrolux was saying: “These point. vacuums make it easy to get into This interesting piece ended with Ringgrip gets a grip – Towards the those really hard to reach places. Like a challenge for 1999: “Seek ways to end of 1998, Ringgrip, having acquired your customers’ wallets” and pushing adjust, to learn and to understand”, the distribution of Black & Decker suction power. which is as relevant today as it was 20 earlier in the year, had restructured Meanwhile, you turn the page years ago. its management team in order to
30 wares.co.nz November 2018 capitalise on its new-found position as the operation as GM. The Dargaville International relations – Michael one of the country’s largest players in operation was still going strong but Park was a true mover and a shaker the small appliance market. the hub was a diversified building during his time in our industry. As National Manager, Nigel Denby, 1-3. Wares in Whangarei housing divisions the owner of LM Rankine Trading, highlighted now had the support of Simon Smiths City as a covering retail, service & parts, he initiated the launch of Goldstar Nalder as Business Manager really good electrical contracting, engineering, nationally across all channels Housewares and Leighton Whitfield retailer 20 years commercial and industrial security over 1987-88 and then guided the ago. GM then was as Business Manager Hardware. Martin Simcock, and street lighting maintenance. evolution of the brand which became “With the new system in place,” now consulting. On the retail side, McKay’s LG. said Simon back then, “we now have 4-6. McKay Appliance World, managed by Michael had moved from Seoul more time to devote to each product Electrical was Wayne Pivac, was part of Appliance to Wellington in 1972 when his already 62 years segment and each product will young when we Connexion. father became the inaugural Korean benefit, meaning better all-round visited in 1998; Sadly, Joe passed away in April Ambassador to New Zealand and service and increased commitment run by Lindsay & 2015 but Lindsay is still Managing in 1998 he too was honoured for his Joe Faithfull (seen to do each product justice.” here in 2014) the Director of the B2B operation services to business management These days Nigel is Shareholder/ MacKay’s that is now simply called McKay, a and Korea-New Zealand relations Manager of electrical wholesaler morphed into an multi-disciplined electrotechnology when he was made an Officer of electrotechnology Active Electrical Suppliers in company and company servicing commercial, the New Zealand Order of Merit Henderson, Simon is Sales & operates to this industrial and marine clients here (ONZM) by the then Governor Marketing Manager at eyewear day. and abroad. General, Sir Michael Hardie Boys. supplier Eyewear Design and 7. Michael Park Wayne was better known back Having sold his business to LG in Leighton and wife Nicola own Mega and LM Rankine in the day as coach of the Northland 2007, Michael now spreads his time Trading grew the Distributors, which is a business to Goldstar and LG rugby team and he’s still a top coach, between the two countries. business wholesaler. brands from having been announced as the next “I spend more time in Korea but nothing in New head coach of Wales, succeeding return to New Zealand during your Zealand; here Smiths City riding high – 20 Michael receives Warren Gatland after next year’s summer to meet up with family and years back, Smiths City’s flagship his ONZM in 1998. Rugby World Cup. friends and to avoid the extreme cold Colombo Street store took out the Sunbeam Award for Excellence in Retailing and Sunbeam’s Sales Representative, Deborah Ritchie, was on hand to present the spoils to the store’s Tracey Murdoch, Don Renouf and Sandra Coffey. Back then, Martin Simcock was 1 2 3 Appliance Divisional Manager at the 18-store South Island chain. But as we know, the “old guard” has moved on from this iconic retailer and these days Martin is consulting on his own behalf in Christchurch and in that context is working with Diesel Services Christchurch, where he’s also a shareholder. 4 5
The real McKay… – We looked at the genesis of McKay Electrical two decades back. Founded by Tom McKay in Dargaville in 1936, by 1998 the Faithfull family had owned the business for 20 years. Joe Faithfull was Managing Director and his son Lindsay ran 6 7
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Rolling back the years
9988 PAN Ram Mag cover FA 11/21/03 11:04 AM Page 1 of Korea,” he says. simultaneous recording and of Retravision Australasia after 3½ In Seoul he is focused on playback. These days, live pause is a – he still owned and ran a highly promoting this country through the given, isn’t it? successful state-of-the-art appliance New Zealand Centre, particularly in The editorial fretted over and consumer electronics store. education and culture. the emergence of “architectural Rob is now kept busy investing monstrosities” – the new breed 15 in, and developing commercial and years ago of destination shopping domestic properties, not to mention 15 YEARS AGO – centres around Auckland such the golf. as Westgate and the upcoming Staying with the 2003 Wares NOVEMBER 2003 development planned for Albany. Awards, John Heathcote of 15 years later, these monstrous Heathcote Appliances 100% was Makybe Diva with Glen Boss aboard carbuncles are still there and they’re named Young Retailer of the Year, won the 2003 Melbourne Cup and still bringing in the punters, even if having impressed the judges who in the Rugby World Cup Final in they’ve changed somewhat to suit said: “John is a confident and smart Sydney, England beat Australia 20-17 the market. retailer who will in time, step up to to win the Webb Ellis Trophy for the manage this group of independent first time. The first Wares Awards – The outlets which dominates the “Four more years!” screamed the newly constituted Wares Awards Waikato.” churlish George Gregan at Byron commanded plenty of space in Except for its Narta allegiance, Kelleher as the Wallabies beat the the magazine 15 years ago with Heathcotes is now an independent ABs in the semi-final. Rob Duckworth of Duckworths Below: At 2003’s where we still find John, in his role of Wares Awards, Actually George, it took us eight Retravision taking out Retailer of Rob Duckworth Sales & Marketing Manager. more years to win the thing again, the Year. was named Star Appliances 100% in Rotorua but then we went back to back… The judging panel acknowledged Retailer of the was named 2003’s Store of the Year, Year, John Rob as an industry icon noting Heathcote Young by the way. Then as now? – Panasonic used that, despite demanding external Retailer and the November 2003 front cover to commitments – he’d just stepped Rotorua’s Star Goldstar becomes LG – By 2003, Appliances 100% announce the arrival of Recordable down as Retravision NZ Chairman the Store of the some 15+ years into its relationship DVD, with hard disc recording, after a 5½ year stint and Vice Chair Year. with the Korean manufacturer
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Goldstar, LM Rankine Trading had 1. LG then and what we’ve been doing, where we’re General Manager and had wasted now: Rob Morris driven the brand to a position of was there at the going and that we must be doing no time recruiting Paul Wynne prominence when in 1997 it was launch of the LG something right.” from Farmers into a Senior Account relaunched as LG (original it was brand in 2003. Mike sold the retail side of the Manager role, and then Debbie named Lucky Goldstar) to bring the 2-3. JVC Retailer business to Roald and Marian Newdick to cover the lower North New Zealand market into line with of the Month 15 Bjerga in July 2016 and now focuses Island territory ahead of a move to years ago was the manufacturer’s global strategy. Waipukurau’s on Waipukurau electrical servicing new premises in Mt Wellington. Rob Morris, Marketing Manager, Mike Mann Betta company Flemings Electrical which Today, Eric and his wife Linda reflected on the progress made, with Electrical, owned he bought in 1995. run their own company, eyewear by Mike Mann and television advertising alongside ably supported by Malcolm had a stint at Central provider Image Optical Group the V8s at Pukekohe, race car ace Malcolm Sibley. Design & Print in Waipukurau but (www.imageoptics.co.nz), and Paul Radisich promoting side-by- 4-6. Moving & is now back at the old shop, which have relocated their business to side refrigeration and new audio shaking at Philips trades as CHB Betta Electrical. Martinborough. products which “closed the loop” 15 years ago were After many years at Sunbeam, Jamie Oosterdyk on the brown goods range all and Jane Waddel. Movers & shakers – Moving and Paul recently moved to Key Service contributing to a memorable year. Also shaking were shaking at Philips were Jamie where he is Senior Account Manager Rob is still with LG, as Senior Sunbeam’s 2003 Oosterdiijk and Jane Waddel. looking after Braun, and Debbie, after “dream team” (4). Sales Executive looking after the Jamie had been promoted to AV some hectic years in the FMCG sector lower North Island. Product Manager and Jane became is taking a break before looking for AV Marketing Manager, having the next phase in her career. Waipukarau’s finest – The JVC previously been CTV Product Retailer of the Month 15 years ago Manager. was Mike Mann Betta Electrical Jane is now Marketing Manager in Waipukurau, owned by Mike at Hutchinsons in the hectic 10 YEARS AGO – Mann and ably supported by Retail FMCG arena and Jamie, like so Manager, Malcolm Sibley, who many talented people in appliance NOVEMBER 2008 believed their impressive showroom retailing, has jumped channels and is was the secret to success. a Category Manager at Mitre 10. The New Zealand General Election Mike was clearly chuffed at the 15 years ago, Eric Bleakley was held on 8 November 2008 with recognition and exclaimed: “It’s a (“Where are they now?” December National, headed by John Key, helluva pat on the back. It confirms 2015) joined Sunbeam NZ as ending nine years of government
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Rolling back the years
by Labour, while America went the professional approach to retailing. the theme at the opening of Parex other way and elected Barak Obama “He has presence, is a local Industries’ new premises at Tolich as its 45th President. personality and understands that his Place in Henderson. future is his community. His passion Naturally, the product range took 2008’s cream of the crop – It’s been shows through for his customers centre stage but the occasion just had strange and a little sad not having the and he is committed to making his to feature a spit roast, German beer, Wares Awards this year but, for sure, business a success.” a traditional “Oompa” band and in 2008 they were rocking and the Lockyer’s may have shut its (whisper it) serving wenches… charismatic Errol Hotham of 100% doors some time ago, but Tong General Manager, Andy Higgs, Guinness Appliances carried the day remains closely involved in the area welcomed guests, including as Retailer of the Year. as Chief Fire Officer at the Turangi Waitakere City Mayor, Bob Harvey. The judges said of Errol: “He Operational Support Unit. Andy had eight years at Parex all has personality plus, knows the Staying with the 2008 Wares told, but is now General Manager market and his place in it and is Awards, Callum Dodunski was Strategic Partnerships at Centrality, driven to develop his people and as a recognised as Key Account Manager which is building a decentralised consequence, his business. of the Year for his work at Philips. peer to peer marketplace and “His flexible management style The judging panel said: “Callum’s machine to machine payment allows the established business to an outstanding individual with platform. Something about adapt to the changing market whilst exceptional technical and sales skills. blockchain. his broad vision is a clear benefit to He’s an overachiever who is both liked both his staff and customers.” and well respected by his customers Fight you bastards! – Floor care Errol’s still plying his considerable and those he interacts with. has always been a competitive space sales skills, these days as a Building “Callum has an outstanding and 10 years ago, although enjoying Consultant for Classic Builders in the reputation in the industry, success with its Karda brand Monaco Bay of Plenty. understanding the market, his Corporation was on the lookout for Feel like a move to The Mount or customers and consumers. He has a new products with which to enhance surrounds? Give him a call on 021 professional, natural and confident Below: 2008’s the range. 913 970. style.” Wares Awards From a previous life I had a few highlighted Errol Little old Turangi provided These days Callum is National Hotham (then and offshore contacts and really enjoyed 2008’s Young Retailer of the Year in Key Account Manager at BSH Home now with partner working alongside Monaco Product the form of Tong Kingi. The judges Appliances. Naarah), Tong Manager, Nick Clarke, and National Kingi, Kaine rated Tong very highly: “This young Joines, and Callum Sales & Marketing Manager, Lee retailer shows a no frills, practical and Cheers Parex! – Oktoberfest was Dodunski. James, in developing and sourcing a new range of Karda-branded vacuum cleaners which arrived in early December 2008. On leaving Monaco in 2009, Nick crossed the ditch to join Canon before having the best part of five years in the UK, latterly with LG. He’s now a Key Account Manager with LG New Zealand, responsible for the brand activity with Harvey Norman. Lee meanwhile is General Manager of Filta Cleaning Products. As for Monaco’s Karda vacuum cleaners, after carving out a handy little niche, the project was discontinued during the company- wide restructure over 2009-10. Staying with floor care, this time 10 years ago, Dyson had been voted
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Nicki is with Bayleys Real Estate Waikato so if you’re in the market, call her on 021 343 170.
Movers & shakers – Moving & shaking 10 years ago were Duncan McIntyre (7), who’d joined HWI 6 7 8 (now Breville NZ) as a Wellington- based Sales Representative and Claire Floorcare Supplier of the Year at the 1. Oktoberfest Emma Keen was Head of Wightman (8), who’d taken up a was the theme at Wares Awards by retail groups across the 2008 opening Sponsorship & Corporate Marketing Marketing Assistant role at BDT the industry. of Parex 10 years ago. These days, as Emma as part of the Mitsubishi Electric Not to be outdone, Electrolux Industries’ new Jones, she’s Brand Manager at Division. premises in Floorcare was doing some Henderson. Auckland’s Heart of the City. Duncan’s still with Breville as celebrating of its own with new Wellington Territory Manager and 2-3. Monaco’s products that were claimed to be “in Nick Clarke and Do you love what you do? – Wayne Claire (Sutton) is Agency Manager a class of their own”. Lee James flank Robb (2006’s Wares Awards Retailer at Adcorp. Merv Robertson at of the Year) started in our industry the launch of new Good sports, Samsung! – Samsung’s Karda floorcare way back in 1988 with Selectrix Well, that’s it from me for another sponsorship programme had been products. Not to in Morrinsville, a store he and his year, thanks for reading. I wish you extended to include the World be left out the wife Nicki purchased from Fletcher all the best for Christmas and a Avery Robinson Cybergames, Kiwi music via the team were Challenge in 1991, rebranding it successful, profitable 2019. Vodafone Homegrown event in celebrating Retravision Morrinsville some seven In February we’ll go back 20 Wellington and even the fashion Supplier of the years later. years to revisit yet another award Year from 2008’s industry through an arrangement Wares Awards. By 2008, a decade down the celebrated by “The Silver Fox” and with Zambesi. track, the shop featured in the Wares his team at Rice’s, we’ll remember 4-6. 10 years ago In the sporting field, there was we visited Wayne Energy Star Focus on Retail with that it’s 15 years since a Kiwi was strong involvement with cricket, and Nicki Robb at Wayne, Nicki and their team living first appointed to head up Sony rowing, the Vodafone Warriors, Retravision by the credo “You need to love what NZ for the first time and from Morrinsville. Today Tae Kwon Do and the Millennium we see Nicki and you do”. 10 years ago we’ll see what the Institute, plus the flagship support Wayne, with sons These days, Wayne is a Livestock captains of our industry were of the New Zealand Olympic Campbell and Toby. Agent with NZ Farmers Livestock, making of some “challenging Committee. working out of Morrinsville and times”.
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