Businessman dies

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34129, 15 April 1976, Page 17

Businessman dies

An eminent Canterbury businessman, Mr M. \V. Heaven, died in, Nelson on Sunday, aged 81. Mr Beaven, was the eldest son of Mr A. W. Beaven — one of the founders of the Christchurch-based engineering and importing firm of Andrews and Beaven Ltd. He spent almost his entire working life of more than 40 years in the service of the company. During World War I. Mr Beaven served with the New Zealand forces overseas. He was attached t< the artillery, and took part in the Gallipoli campaign. On his discharge he held the rank of second lieutenant. Before joining the sales and service side of the company as a director in 1922,

he served his apprenticeship with the firm of P and D. Duncan Ltd. In his early years in the business, Mr Beaven saw a revolution in farming operations, with the traclor and header harvester replacing the horse and threshing machine. Both the header harvester and the pneumatic tyred tractor were introduced to New Zealand farming by him. Through his active interest in establishing the company’s material handling division, he was the first person in the world to suggest the industrial use of side loading equipment which is now used in many countries. He transformed Andrews and Beaven from a local company to a national organisation; changing it from a private company to a public company in 1948.

Perhaps his most significant achievement was to start the expansion of the company’s industrial activi- ; ties into large scale manufacturing programmes, as| well as extending its merchandising activities. In 1948 he was appointed : managing director and was I also chairman of directors] from 1957-63, until he re-1 tired in 1964. However, he remained a' director until 1968. During thes° years hei made frequent and extended, overseas visits establishing trading relationships on which the strength of the company is now based. From 1954-64 he was a director on the board of the National Insurance Company. Earlier in his business life h< was active in community i affairs as a member of the 'Christchurch Rotary Club. His retirement years provided the opportunity for him to devote more time to' a lifelong interest in gardening.