COMMERCIAL FURNISHING

Press, 5 October 1977, Page 28

COMMERCIAL FURNISHING

In the mid-1960s the directors of Smith and Brown recognised that there was a need for a distinctly separate department — quite apart from the normal retail services provided by the company — to cater for the commercial furnishing field. They saw a strong place for the provision of specialty floor coverings, furniture and furnishings required for hotels, motels, flats and office blocks. The contract furnishing division was created and a manager appointed.

The Smith and Brown contract service is available in various cities and towns throughout the North Island. Special merchandise, particularly in the floor-covering field, is obtained from manufacturers in bulk orders to guarantee the lowest possible prices, but in qualities that are especially suited to the hard wear

usually found in office blocks, flats, hotels and motels.

The company has a team to provide laying services for floor coverings and the installation of curtains, blinds and drapes. Firm quotations are submitted on all commercial projects, large or small, and the division contracts to supply to specified times and requirements. A large staff is employed in the head office in Auckland so that the full service may be extended throughout the country. Where large quantities of furniture are involved, the contract division has access to production time in the company’s own plants. The division has also developed a close liaison with independent manufacturers who specialise in this type of furniture.