Firm ensured exclusive designs not available in opposition stores

Press, 5 October 1977, Page 23

Firm ensured exclusive designs not available in opposition stores

The old partnership of Walter Smith and James Brown made furniture as well as retailing it; but, with the registration of a limited liability company in 1926, there was a decline in the manufacturing side of the business. In the early 19405, the directors decided that the firm should increasingly look towards its own hand-crafted suites. One of the basic reasons for re-entering the manufacturing side of the business was to ensure continuity of supplies which, at the time, were not readily available to meet the rapid expansion of the retail store. The firm also wanted to ensure that it could offer exclusive designs not obtainable in opposition ■tores. Immediately after the Second World war, • Smith and Brown bought 2.5 hectares of land in Mount Roskill in anticipation of a big expansion in its manufacturing programme,

and as a site for warehouse floors to hold factory output before delivery to the branches

The land was put to good purpose. Over the vears about 9300 square metres (approximately 100,000 square feet) of the factory and warehouse

space has been built on this land in Stoddard Road.

In addition, the company has an upholstery manufacturing plant at Ellerslie; and a carpet warehousing scheme is also

housed in these premises to service the 43 Smith and Brown retail stores In manufacturing, designs are selected to provide for those areas of the range not catered for by outside manufacturers. Quality furniture in the middle to better-grade class is produced in these plants.

The Company is proud of the fact that most of the manufacturing division staff comprises longserving executives and employees. Some uphoh sterers have been with the firm for 30 or 40 years.

The ‘ entire output of these extensive plants has always been directed to the retail branches of Smith and Brown. None of the products has been sold on a wholesale basis or to the furniture trade generally.

Most of the raw materials used in Smith and Brown manufacturing is produced in New Zealand and, as the industry is labour-intensive, it can be regarded as a strong

employer of local labour. The overseas content of Smith and Brown furniture is relatively small. The company’s upholstery manufacturing plant is the producer of highly competitive, good-quality furniture.

Because the . requirements of the Company’s t 3 stores are extensive, it is possible for a volume of any one design to be made, and this volume production assists in keeping unit costs to a minimum.

In this field a high grade of upholstery furniture is produced, using modern methods and materials to the full. In particular, the use of latex and polyurethane foam has revolutionised- the upholstery trade, providing even greater comfort for the consumer than was possible under the old methods of production.

The Smith and Brown upholstery designs follow closely the world trends set by such leaders as Germany and the United

States. The company’s sales division keeps a close watch on overseas trends to ensure that the New Zealand public is supplied with upholstery which features the latest and best innovations from overseas trade fairs and exhibitions. While the greater part

of the components used in upholstery manufacture, such as wooden frames and foam are made in New Zealand, it is necessary to import coverings from Europe and the United States to give New Zealand consumers ’ selection and variety of these materials.