Brief history

Press, 18 July 1979, Page 10

Brief history

The Para Rubber Company is actually named after a Brazilian area on the Amazon river. This area was well known for fine rubber latex produced prior to the emergence of the Malayan Rubber Plantations.

1909: Thfc first Para store was opened in Manchester Street, Christchurch, by George Waldemar Skellerup, an emigrant from Australia. The branch was later moved to the corner <Tf Cashel and Manchester Streets.

1914: Para became involved with motor tyres. This involvement continued until 1978 when the last tyre retread plant was dismantled at Hawera. Hawera was one of the first branches established outside Christchurch.

1919: Para was formed into a limited liability company. In the next 20 years another 13 branches were estab--lis h e d throughout New Zealand.

1935: The Christchurch branch was moved to Cashel Street.

1939: The' High Street branch was opened as a repair and reception department. A full time industrial section was also established at the branch to cater for upsurges in industrial hose and associated rubber items after the Second World War.

1964: This saw the beginning of Para Pool sales after successful negotiations had been completed with the Clark Rubber Company of Australia to make the Clark Pools under licence in New Zealand.

1966: Christchurch fell victim to its most spectacular fire and the Cashel Street branch was burnt out.

1967: The High Street branch was altered to accommodate operations previously held at Cashel Street. Para’s first suburban branch in Christ- . church was opened at Riccarton Mall.

1968: Another suburban branch was established at Bishopdale.

1971: A separate branch was opened on the corner of High and Tuam Streets to handle Para Pool sales.

Today: The Para Rubber Company now has 48 retail branches plus 4 industrial service branches in Auckland, Palmerston North,

Christchurch and New Plymouth.