OIL CHIEF HONOURED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 59, 10 March 1932, Page 4

OIL CHIEF HONOURED.

THIRTY YEARS* SERVICE.

Mr H. C. Cornforth, chairman of directors of the-Vacuum Oil Company, was presented, during a dinner at Menzies, in Melbourne, with the company s 30-year badge, which marks 30 years of service in the company. Similar badges are being worn by eight other members of the company who have qualified by 30 years of service. . . . , Mr. Cornforth was appointed managing director of the Vacuum Oil Company Pty., Ltd., in 1916, during the critical years of the war: During those troublous times he not only guided the destinies of the company, but, under his managing directorship the company expanded and became more firmly established in the industrial and social life of the community. . - In thanking his co-directors for the presentation, Mr. Cornforth said that the Vacuum Oil Company, which commenced business in Australia and New Zealand 37 years ago, was the oldest oil company m Australia. When it opened its doors to business in Melbourne in February, 1895, the staff numbered three. In 30 years the company had grown to an organisation employing over 3000 people, with an annual pay-roll of over £1,000,000. When the company first started business, it sold a dozen grades of lubricating oils. To-day the company markets 250 products, quite apart from special lines such as hardware. The company has spent over £4,000,000 in the introduction of a bulk distribution scheme. Five British-built oil tankers, the latest of their kind, were employed. Each of these vessels was capable of carrying 3,000,000 gallons of motor spirit. To-day the company's investments in plant and equipment in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands stands at approximately £5,000,000. Its activities give employment to many Australians and New Zealanders, because of the purchases of material and machinery.