rolling back the years

What happened in the industry, 1 as seen through the eyes of Wares magazine, 10, 15 and 20 years ago? Merv Robertson reports.

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97 07 from international brands, the particularly with its “flagship” company had seen a 16% increase. microwaves. Email Marketing Manager, John Calvin Sandford, recently Henley, Nicola Legge, Marketing installed 20 years ago as Whirlpool’s Manager Communications, and National Field Sales Manager, Scott Housley, the group’s Assistant these days uses his skills, honed 20 YEARS AGO – Marketing Manager, were also from many years in our industry in our news with the release of to impart knowledge and advice to AUGUST 1997 new Simpson and Westinghouse owners of small and medium-sized 1: A late 1990s cookware ranges. who’s who of Kiwi businesses with his own company, Outside of Wares’ pages, August David is President and CEO of netball, thanks to ActionCOACH (www.actioncoach. 1997 was memorable for Beatrice CQMS Razer (a world leader in the F&P and dealers. com/calvinsandford). Faumuina going gold at the design and manufacture of large 2: Andrew Athletics World Championships, mining equipment) in Sydney as is Hendriks, the late Ready to rock & roll! – Melco never Microsoft buying a $150 million John Henley as Electrolux’s Home Ken Lilley and held back when it came to new Peter Monk ready share of financially troubled Apple Comfort Category Manager (AC & to rock at Melco’s product releases back in the day and the death of Princess Diana in hot water). Aiwa launch. and the launch of new Aiwa audio Paris. Nicola is Research Director at systems at Revolver Recording 3: 20 years ago, market research company Ipsos, Email Appliances Studios in Epsom, Auckland was no Send me an Email? – 20 years ago while Scott is also in Sydney, had just opened exception. this month, Minister of Commerce as Global Head of Product its new Mount And, as you can see from the Wellington & Industry, the Hon John Luxton Marketing & Commercialisation premises. photo, Andrew Hendriks, the late had just opened Email Appliances’ with Cochlear which designs, Ken Lilley and Peter Monk were new Mount Wellington premises. manufactures and supplies devices ready to rock and roll! The 150 invited guests heard for the medical profession. Andrew these days has his own Email General Manager, David building business in the Wellington Haslett, say that, in spite of the Whither Whirlpool? – By 1997 region and Peter is Business restrictive whiteware retailing Whirlpool was making great Manager at Ata Rangi Vineyard as found in and pressure progress in the NZ market, well as Chairman of annual premier

26 wares.co.nz August 2017 wine, food & music festival, Toast travelling before retiring to Orewa. Association (ETA). Martinborough. He is now Patron of the New Zealand Well-known retailer Baby City Offshore Powerboat Association and is now Trevor’s baby and at that Pass the ball! – Sport has always plays golf most weeks. AGM 20 years back, he was replaced been heavily reliant on sponsorship Warren is CEO of Lifestyle Retail as President by Rick Graham of to stay afloat, even 20 years ago and Group catering to the equine industry. Radfords in Wellington. especially at grassroots level and Rick has retired after a busy time Fisher & Paykel has shown plenty of Goodbye to the Guild? – The since Radfords closed its stores and goodwill in this regard over time. Electronic Appliance Guild had became an investment company. He Back in 1997 it was an extension been at Raffles in Singapore for developed Easi-Yo Yoghurt in the of F&P’s involvement in netball a conference described as an UK, came back and did a stint with which caught our eye, this time 1: Betta “industry watershed”. Noel Leeming and more recently Electrical’s 1997 through the dealer network. conference was at Retiring President Trevor was Marketing & Sales Manager for Electricity Ashburton and Sales the Grand Douthett admitted as much in his Generator Central in Palmerston & Service Manager Barry Bruce Chateau. opening address, asking: “How North. for example had sponsored a full 2-3: 1997 was a relevant is the Guild? How relevant time coach for the Mid Canterbury “watershed” year is its current direction? What can Movers & Shakers – 20 years ago, Netball Union season. for the Electronic be done about it? Does the industry Roger Finn was appointed CEO at Appliance Guild; Up in Masterton, John Dennis Amiss, need a non-partisan body?” Philips after four years heading up Heginbotham and Newbolds Trevor Douthett These were thought-provoking the French product group Outdoor were supplying the Wairarapa and Rick Graham and far reaching questions and the Lighting. Also at Philips, former (also shown Association with balls and pumps, today) address consensus in the end was that the Product Manager Personal Care, as well as sundry support items to the members. survival and growth of the Guild Brett McMeekin, became Group help in the office. was very important. Product Manager for all Domestic 4-7: August These days, Barry and Sue Bruce 1997’s movers & Having said that, just a year later, Appliances, replacing Nick Perry, are in Wanaka, their main focus shakers: Nick the Electronic Appliance Guild and who was heading overseas. being Wanaka Rentacar. Perry, Calvin the Electronic Technology Services Nowadays Roger is a director Sandford, Roger John says he still calls the shots at Finn and Mark Association had been amalgamated and shareholder of half a dozen 1OO% Newbolds in Masterton but Saunders. into the Electro-Technology private companies, Brett is National son Mark (once again among the Finalists of the Wares Awards) may be nibbling at his heels!

Honky Chateau – Betta Electrical’s 1997 conference was at the Grand Chateau (now Chateau Tongariro Hotel). Chairman Graeme Wingate 5 reminded delegates of the disciplines required to keep Betta Electrical on the straight and narrow as “the most effective appliance group in the industry” while GM Warren Brewin detailed 1 the group’s focus for the year ahead. No doubt there was a drum roll 6 as Betta’s biggest ever consumer promotion was unveiled – a “Hawaiian mid-Winter Escape” in which the major prize was a Hawaiian adventure for two. Graeme sold his business in 2006 and, with wife Mary, did some 2 3 4 7

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Rolling back the years

Events Manager with Fairfax Media Cyclist Sarah Ulmer was our Housewares International (HWI) and Nick is back here as Business flagbearer for the opening ceremony had acquired Breville and HWI Manager for Philips Personal Health. and weightlifter Nigel Avery did the New Zealand was open for business Mark Saunders was promoted honours at the closing celebrations. in new East Tamaki premises. by Akai from Key Account Two divisions were formed with Executive to National Sales Time capsule – In 2002, Philips HWI Electrical controlling Breville, Manager and Calvin Sandford was Wares reported on Philips’ 75th Kambrook and Ronson portable appointed Whirlpool’s National jubilee and featured a photograph appliances as well as having the Field Sales Manager. It was also of then CEO Errol McKenzie exclusive distributorship of Philips announced that Ross Kirkland presenting a cheque for $75,000 to domestic appliances and personal was leaving Sanyo to take up the CureKids, a fine charity supported care products. position of General Manager by Philips for more than 2½ HWI Housewares had several 1: Radiola’s John Operations with the Auckland retail decades. Sims was talking brands, Liefhart, Soehnle and chain Hill & Stewart. At the celebratory dinner there up Samsung LCD Marinex among others. These days, Mark is Pacific was a lot of interest around the monitors 15 years Brett O’Neill was General ago. Region Marketing Manager opening of a time capsule which had Manager of the new identity, at Saint-Gobain Abrasives in been laid down in 1982 at the official 2: which would “focus on its core Melbourne. opening of Philips Tower (part of Wairau Park was competencies to further increase its August 2002’s the newly constructed Britannic Retailer of the market share of portable appliances House in Wellington). Month. Chris de and gains in the homewares As part of this event, a new Time Wit, presented the category.” award to Roger 15 YEARS AGO – Capsule was laid down, destined Flegg. to be opened at the centenary Monitoring Samsung – Having AUGUST 2002 celebrations in 2027 – diarise the 3: In 2002, Philips’ represented Samsung in NZ since 75th jubilee year, date, someone! CEO Errol 1993, Radiola and Sales Manager In August 2002, the Manchester McKenzie Communications, John Sims, were Commonwealth Games wound up How about it, HWI? – In August presented talking up Samsung LCD monitors. CureKids with a with New Zealand winning 11 Gold 2002 Wares announced a new cheque for no less When the Samsung IT business medals, 13 Silver and 21 Bronze. distributor for New Zealand. than $75,000! was transferred to Ingram Micro

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Untitled-2 1 12/07/17 10:23 AM Rolling back the years

1-2: 15 years back, our movers Sales Director for De’Longhi, & shakers responsible for the American and included William English markets. Now he’s CEO of Webster and Paolo Albertoni. De’Longhi Australasia. 15 years ago, William Webster 3: Fisher & Paykel had just been installed as General co-founder Maurice Paykel Manager at Electrolux Home 1 2 3 died on 19 June Products after 15 years with 2002, aged 88. the company. He had been Ops around 2004, John chose a different most recently Harvey Norman Manager as well as a Manager of path, later working at Canon before Electrical Franchisee in Cairns, the cooking plant opting for a lifestyle change and the announced his retirement just last (formerly the home of Atlas) in position of Retail & Golf Services month. the early 1990s. William is now a Manager at Remuera Golf Club, management consultant. where he remains today. Movers & Shakers – Co-founder with Sir Woolf Fisher of Fisher & It’s people that sell – In August Paykel, Maurice Paykel died on 19 2002 Harvey Norman Wairau June 2002, aged 88, and his career 10 YEARS AGO – Park was carrying the flag as the was described in a Wares obituary. inaugural JVC Retailer of the Much of our tribute was AUGUST 2007 Month. taken from the eulogy delivered JVC’s National Category at the funeral by former F&P On 4 August 10 years ago, the Manager, Chris de Wit, presented Managing Director, the late Sir Don Phoenix spacecraft was launched the award to Roger Flegg, who was Rowlands, who said: “Maurice from Cape Canaveral towards Mars, the North Shore Proprietor back was a unique, individual man who the mission being to study the red then. contributed well above the normal planet’s North Pole. It touched Roger was adamant that it was call of duty to his family, to his Mars’ soil for the first time on 31 the quality of his staff which was fellow citizens and to his country.” May the following year. key to success saying: “People buy At Parex Industries, Paolo people, then they buy products.” Albertoni was announced as the Pana, plasma and Cellnet – 10 years 15 years on, Chris is MD at new Australasian CEO, having ago, Panasonic went to the masses Endurance Agencies, and Roger, spent five years in Italy as Export to promote its new Generation 10 Viera plasmas, by displaying firstly at Auckland Airport and then in Wellington. The showstopper was a 103-inch plasma display, the largest panel in the world. Sadly Panasonic no longer makes plasma displays. Also on the technology front, August 2007 saw the merger of Cellect, IT Wholesale and CDW into Cellnet and the company launched its long-awaited WebCell e-commerce platform Dave Clark was Cellnet’s Marketing Manager back then and he remains at Cellnet today, as New 2007 Dyson Zealand Director. Product Design Award winner Stephen Smith is “Cool” design – Arctic Skin, a presented with his cooling vest designed to be worn by award by Brett Avery and Mark athletes, won 2007’s Dyson Product Robinson. Design Award and its creator,

30 wares.co.nz August 2017 young designer Stephen Smith, was AUGUST 2007 Good corporate citizens – 10 years a fi ve-day trip to Phoenix Arizona presented with his award by Brett ago, Goldair and Uniden were good where he visited Omnimount and Avery and Mark Robinson of Avery corporate citizens (as of course they drove a Mustang racing car. Robinson at a ceremony held in still are). The Sallies do great work Paul was joined by Martin Auckland. across the country but of course Heathcote of Heathcote Appliances The desired outcome, getting require the goodwill of Kiwis to who was a lucky draw winner

FAMILIES COME IN ALL SHAPES & SIZES. young designers recognised, was JUST LIKE OUR FRIDGES. help keep them afl oat and Goldair and David Tait, Pudney & achieved when Stephen was hired 50744 WARESaug07cov.indd 1 7/24/07 12:19:48 PM came to the party 10 years back by Lee’s Christchurch-based Sales by Dyson in the UK to work in its 1: 10 years ago we donating tens of queen sized electric Representative along with his wife, design team. found Goldair blankets and oil column heaters to Carol. helping out the One of his projects as part of that Salvation Army. the cause. Paul is still a Harvey team was the revolutionary Airblade Dave Andrew, these days GM Norman Prop, at Northwood hand dryer and today he is one of 2: Uniden had also of Mike Greer Homes in Tauranga, in Christchurch, Martin is been community- Dyson’s senior designers based in minded: seen here was Goldair’s National Marketing still co-Managing Director at Malmesbury England! with Ross Kirkland Manager back in the day. Heathcote’s and David & Carol Mark took over full control and is Breast Cancer Meanwhile, Uniden’s charity retired to Akaroa. Foundation’s ownership of Avery Robinson in Helen Mawn. of choice was the New Zealand 2014 and Brett now lives in Surrey Breast Cancer Foundation. A If you got, fl aunt it – Still a decade where he is Managing Director of Uniden Pink Phone promotion back, Samsung had just welcomed Farplants, the largest wholesale was supported so well that GM 350 dignitaries, trade partners and supplier of outdoor plants in the Ross Kirkland was able to present business customers to a spectacular UK. the Foundation with a cheque for showcase entitled “The Art of The company is quietly $10,000, the result of a $5 donation Samsung”. Held at Auckland’s celebrating its 20th anniversary for each phone sold. Aotea Centre, the show presented this year, having been incorporated Samsung’s entire New Zealand in June 1997 and moving New Off the wall – In a major Pudney & product range. Zealand’s fi rst Dyson vacuum Lee sales promotion, Paul Howard With no less a name than SJ cleaners into the market two of Harvey Norman found Park, now Samsung’s global months later. himself the winner! Off he went on President, attending the 2007 event,

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Rolling back the years

Samsung NZ’s GM Marketing back profile featured Powerstore Timaru Timaru while Peter is Assistant then was Jean-Philippe Diel. These which had recently moved into a Manager at Warehouse Stationery. days, Jean-Philippe has his own 500m2 purpose-build store. Megan is Megan Colville with her marketing agency called The Ripple Introducing the new premises own business and Alisha is Alisha Hub (http://theripplehub.com/). to Wares, Manager Peter Thornley Norton, working at Farmers. Craig pointed out that an area in the 1: It’s August 2007 is Southern Regional Manager for Soaking up the indies? – Aussies middle of the shop was set aside to and the Powerstore Smiths City Group and Paul is a Timaru team had were in the news again with the display the latest specials with the top just moved into a Category Manager, also at Smiths. announcement that Narta, Australia’s 12 deals always clearly visible to the purpose-built store. The Timaru store closed in 2015, largest independent buying group, customers. as did Nelson, leaving just the two 2: “The Art of was “in the throes of absorbing Prior to the construction of Samsung” at the Powerstores in Christchurch which a significant portion of the New this new site, Powerstore General Aotea Centre have now also closed. Zealand independent market in Manager, Craig Balfour, and Senior presented Samsung’s entire appliances and consumer electronics.” Product Manager, Paul Tonkin, New Zealand Movers & shakers – Ten years ago, a Described as the industry’s worst made a trip to the US looking for product range, raft of new appointments was led off kept secret, Appliance Connexion ideas and styles which would take with no less a by Wares’ very own Karen Condon name than SJ had joined JB Hi-Fi, Hill & Stewart, Powerstore into the future. “We Park, now who brought a wealth of print Powerstore, Smiths City and Autel wanted it to be different, stylish but Samsung’s global advertising experience to the team, Appliances as members of Narta. customer friendly,” Craig said at the President, replacing Sharon Brooksmith. attending. Today, at this point Narta NZ’s time. Outside these pages, Mike members are Appliance Connexion, Pictured is the Timaru team 3: Off to Phoenix: Hodgson was appointed Field Sales Appliance Shed, DTR, Farmers, JB (L-R): Alisha Mclusty; Megan Pudney & Lee Manager at HWI and he would sales promotion Hi-Fi, Smiths City Group, Heathcote Pearce; Peter Thornley; and Susan winner Paul spend a significant time in the field Appliances and Applianceplus. Hopkinson. Howard of Harvey with Sales Representatives, one of Peter and Susan went on to Norman Dunedin, whom was Hayley Villis who was Martin Heathcote, Peter, Paul and Powerstore – Our marry (each other), with Susan now David Tait, and switching from her role as Executive August 2007 “Focus on Retail” working in Admin at Noel Leeming wife, Carol. Assistant to MD, Brett O’Neill. Karen still plies her trade as Account Manager with Wares and Sharon (now Sharon Exley) loves Melbourne where she is Business Development Manager for Midway Print Solutions. Today, Mike Hodgson is Retail Account Manager at umbrella specialist Peros, Hayley had some years out of the industry being a full time mum but is now part time at Sunbeam as Sales & Marketing 1 Co-ordinator. In August 2007, Dave Wenham had been with Monaco Corporation for 17 years, the last seven as MD, but he was moving on and had accepted the Chief Executive role at Glen Dimplex Australasia, a position he still holds. Brenda Jones was well known from her time at Philips and Hagemeyer and in 2007 returned to our industry when she joined Nilfisk-Advance as an Account 2 3 Manager, replacing her daughter

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1: 10 years ago we Nicole Bult, who was going on sadly farewelled Alan Martin, one the country’s was called Putting it right! maternity leave. Alan Martin. pre-eminent retail figures, who had Alan Martin retired from day Brenda, after a break enjoying died on 30 May, aged 81. to day duties in 1990 and, with his 2-7: August the great outdoors, is now at Torque 2007’s movers & His father, Leo Vincent Martin, health failing, the family sold LV Digital, a West Auckland printing shakers: Mike had founded LV Martin at 224 Martin & Son in November 2004 to company, while Nicole is working Hodson and Lambton Quay Wellington in 1934. Smiths City, which bought an 80% Hayley Villis; Peter part time as an Administrator with Duffin; Karen Just three years old at the time, shareholding, with CEO Trevor Dairy on Demand in the FMCG Condon; Brenda Alan would eventually join his Douthett taking up the remaining sector. Jones; Dave dad in the business before a family 20%. Wenham; and 10 years back, Bronwen Haines Bronwen Haines. disagreement saw the youngster Alan was made an Officer of the was Sunbeam’s new Financial walk out in 1954 and open his own New Zealand Order of Merit in 2006 Controller following five years store in opposition, at 45 Courtenay and was posthumously inducted into working in finance at Noel Leeming Place. the Industry Hall of Fame at the 2013 and Peter Duffin, after 20 years’ This is when, after Leo allowed Wares Awards. industry experience, teamed up Alan to use his name, LV Martin & Smiths City Group would with Direct Imports as a Sales Son came to being, a name which rebadge the two LV Martin stores Representative responsible for the was to become legendary in our land. in Ngauranga Gorge and Adelaide South Island. Leo’s motto had been “Service Road as Smiths City in December Today, Bronwen is Finance before sales” and, when Alan 2015. & Administration Manager at took over the business in 1958, Tasman Cargo Airlines in Auckland he amended this tenet slightly to Looking forward to the October and Peter maintains his own sales “People first, profit second” and of 2017 edition of this series, we’ll see agency business, PD Sales, across the course later he came up with, “If it’s what Wares was saying about Monty electrical wholesale and hardware/ not right we’ll put it right and it’s the Knight in Kaitaia back in 1997. We’ll DIY sectors. putting right that counts”. review the Apex Awards from 2002 That promise became famous and revisit the 2007 ACL conference “Putting it right” – Last, but and was synonymous with the way in Fiji, an event which would be very much not least, in August the great man ran his company – a my own personal swansong in the 2007, Wares noted the passing of keen sailor, even Alan’s favourite boat industry…

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