1942

So we come to our 21st Birthday - the 1st August, 1942, and it remains but for me to hope that those that are still with us, those that are temporarily away from us, and those that are permanently away from us, have got as much fun in the building of the 'bricks' recorded here as the writer has. To my mind we have achieved together what has always been my objective, that the achieving should be happily accomplished, and I with pride believe that I have been reasonably successful in that objective.

I have an idea too that it will be pleasing to all the family to know that in all the Agencies which we really undertook - not even excluding the B.B & T Light (referred to earlier as Breakwaters and Lighthouses) - we exceeded by a long way the expectations of our principals, and in all cases it was stated by them to be the most successful of all the world-wide Agencies, in some cases without regard to population and scope. For many years our turnover in both Renold and Ferodo was larger than that of Australia, with five-and-a-half times the poputlaion and ten times the industrialisation, and I believe on the Renold industrial side, we were in the early years well ahead of Canada, and on the Tapley, in one year, we sold more than all the other Agents in all the world put together.

This, I think, proves two things: First, we had the best goods in the world of their kind in all lines, and those selling and servicing same were happily enthusiastic in their job.

I think it may be useful to record that all through the years our persistent creation, or invention if you like, to meet specific demands that made their appearance, has marked big steps forward, such as the Milking Machine Reduction Unit mentioned. Again, in 1931-32, when sheep-killing by continuous conveyor was introduced, we had to find means of moving carcasses along the rails at speeds varying from 11 ft. per minute to 24 ft. per minute, according to the size and weight of stock on them line at the time. To meet this we evolved the Chain Speed Reduction Box of 27-1 ratio and incorporated therein Infinitely Variable Speed of our own manufacture between 2 1/2 to 1, giving the desired results. Having got that, we succeeded in getting 90 per cent., not only of the transmission to the rail with the variable speed; but also the conveyor chain and usually the whole job, attachments, bearings, shaftings, and so on.

Naturally, when beef killing came along, having already got the confidence of the Freezing Works engineers, they consulted us, and we were expected to create something for this work too, and we made use of our opportunity and did so, with similar success as with the sheep.

Later, there was further mechanisation in the shape of handling the meat after killing from cool room to store, and from killing room to cool room. In this field Mr Parker undoubtedly got the confidence of the freezing engineers and the jobs, many of them, working so satisfactorily, certainly assure us of the continuance of the confidence placed in him and his designing. so that our reputation now is, with our many clients, that if they can state what they want, we can design the correct method of doing it, and supply the goods to do it with, and so long as we continue to do this with the same degree of efficiency and satisfaction to our existing and new clients, the goodwill of Renold and ourselves will continue to prevail throughout the engineering world, New Zealand.

It is perhaps as well to remember too that inside efficiency has helped us considerably as regards the profit side. In the days of Silvertown Rubberware importation we invented a machine to cut the claw, air and milk tubes in 12 or 14 ft. lengths, to 6 in. in the case of claw tubes and 33 in. in the case of milk and air. The difference in the cost between buying material in long lengths and short lengths enabled us a 3s. an hour man on that machine to earn for us 16s. an hour net, which, when it is remembered that our sale of claw tubes alone was in the region of many hundred thousands per year, is quite a reasonable profit, apart from the fact of the versatility of our stock that the machine gave us.

By force of necessity, again to reduce capital commitment without impairing the maximum service, we manufactured a machine to cut belting from the 24 in. roll, and this machine for many years has worked very many hours in every year at a minimum profit of £5 10s per hour of work.

We merelt mention these facts as part of the record of our progress, and maybe as a reminder for the future that there's always something new to find out to help boost us along.

Up to now, in this record, I have made only very bare mention of the the very important other half of our business, which has helped so greatly in our establishment and progress that is, the services of our London Director and his London Office - services which have so carefully and in such great detail, watched our interests at every turn, and in the earlier days, found the necessary capital and confidence sufficient to permit us to show that we could establish good goods. We cannot just estimate the value of the services rendered and the time and patience taken to thoroughly understand in every minute detail each and every product for which Mr Jimenez was responsible for the purchase to our order. We can never forget the unlimited patience exercised in becoming conversant with every type of goods in sufficient detail to be able to intelligently discuss, understand, and correctly purchase same, and also in the matter of our financial interests, in that the best prices were secured and that correct prices were charged, and at all times spontaneously guiding us financially and commercially to the correct channels.

There has been a good team at both ends, excellent co-operation, and the proof of purpose at each end lies in the fact that although more than once difficult complications and transactions have had to transpire, everything hasn't always gone straight with our books, but everything has always been straightened out with the entire agreement and satisfactory knowledge at each end that everything was finally right.

And what can we record in expression of our appreciation of the efforts during the War, or our London Office under such terrific difficulties, the loss of premises and all records twice, the permissions and permits necessary to export, licensing regulations to be fulfilled, Reserve Bank regulations relative to the export of goods and import of New Zealand cash to be complied with. That's only the few things we know of at this end - there must have been thousands and thousands of little worries that we never dreamt of consequent on the cumulative effect of all those things that War and licensing has brought about. Again, we at this end must consider ourselves most fortunate of the fortunate in that interested and enthusiastic and continuous effort of our London principal to leave no stone unturned that would in any way assist in our forward progression. I sincerely hope that it will not be long now when, this War finished, P.S.J. and his wife may be able to come out here and, we trust, enjoy a visit with us, and the knowledge of the team at this end will permit us in person and on the spot, to show our appreciation of their wonderful and successful efforts.

In conclusion, we now look forward in great anticipation to the time when all our good servants return, we hope once more to be happy in the family again, and just as successful as conditions appertaining in this little country at that time will permit. Every one now on His Majesty's Service has earned, and has the respect and esteem of his colleagues still at work, each has done his or her share to preserve for those away, and against that great day when Peace is once more, that position in industry and effort which the lads in uniform previously enjoyed.