From 1918 to 1988 -Young Brothers have learned the lessons of 70 years in business

Press, 17 June 1988, Page 22

From 1918 to 1988 -Young Brothers have learned the lessons of 70 years in business

It was. 70 years ago when Young Brothers first set up their business in Timaru. The original Young brothers, Percy and Jim, recognised the demands being created by the growing automobile industry for batteries, electrical services and replacement parts. They began importing batteries and assembling them in their Timaru workshops. Contacts with overseas suppliers built up, and in 1925 Young Brothers moved into a new twostorey building in Timaru. In the early 1930 s Mr P. G. Young travelled overseas to negotiate agencies with the wellknown suppliers. This was soon followed by the establishment of Young Brothers branches in the main centres, and the setting up of the Willard Battery Service network. In these early years, a close relationship was formed with General Motors, and Young Brothers today are the largest New Zealand distributors of many General Motors products. The Young brothers were hard taskmasters — wastage was unacceptable. But they prided themselves on the fact that even through the toughest economic times none of their staff was made redundant, and they were not afraid to encourage young, promising people to take on responsibility early. Throughout the next three decades Young Brothers continued as an importer and wholesaler of automotive spare parts, dealing also direct with the public as retailers of parts and accessories. In 1968 they opened yet another new building in Timaru, and in 1975 another branch in Christchurch. Then the company’s direction changed. Mr John Gelens joined the company as a consultant in 1980. He is now chairman of the board. Mr Gelens modified the company, creating a programme of planned, rather than haphazard, expansion and developing a company identity with new management and directors. The outward signs of these changes are the company logo and colours, and the new company vehicles. The inward signs has been a five-fold

increase in turnover in spite of the economic downturn. Existing branches were remodelled and further branches created. To add to their two Christchurch branches and the ones in Timaru, Dunedin and Gore, Young Brothers took over a Wellington company in 1987 and created branches in Hamilton, Nelson and Blenheim Road this year. In 1980 they began using a computer system, and have extended their product base to offer a wider range of parts and accessories, while continuing to hold the largest stocks of A.C. Delco, Bella, VDO and other well-known products in the South Island. The Aglp oil range, a new product recommended by the most prestigious car manufacturers in the world, is one of the new ranges Young Brothers now stock. The latest challenge to face Young Brothers, and the motor trade in general, is deregulation. The company has met it in a way which its foun-

ders would be delighted with — continued expansion and no job losses. They are, in fact, employing more people now than ever before. The Blenheim Road branch, an impressive new building designed by architect Ross Maguire, opens officially today.

The Tuam Street branch will remain, with its showroom remodelled to better suit the retail side of the business. Workshop service will still be available there, or alternatively at the Wairakei Road branch, but head office will take up residence in Blenheim Road.