I
t all started 16 June 1919 when a new garage was opened in Ashburton on a narrow strip of land running parallel to Tancred and Burnett Street with a frontage onto Cass Street. Smallbone Brothers founders Harold and Frank Smallbone remained in business through to 1934 when their partnership was dissolved and a new Limited liability company established with Harold staying on as Governing Director. Harold’s son Bruce joined the company in 1945 and carried on the family tradition. In 1953 he became manager before selling the business to Robert (Bob) Grant in 1986. In 2012 a partnership, Smallbone Limited was formed between Bob Grant and the Ashburton-based Carr Group. During its long history many different types of motor vehicle have been sold by the company including Austin, Bayard, Chevrolet, Dodge, Grey, Isuzu, Minerva, Morris, Oakland, Opel, Standard, Subaru, Talbot, Vauxhall and of course, Holden. The first car sold was a 1923 Dodge to the Ashburton Transport Company for 350 pounds. The first service client was Mr R C Baynes who owned a 1917 Chevrolet 4.90 three seater. With the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes damaging the Cass Street premises, the Holden and Isuzu Service
department was relocated to Tinwald at 122 Archibald Street with the Sales team staying on at Cass Street. Now – on Monday 25 November 2013, Smallbone Limited management are extremely proud to be moving staff into a purpose built facility on the corner of Main South Road and Hassel Street in Tinwald, directly opposite the CLAAS Harvest Centre. “Being able to showcase Holden vehicles in a modern and airy environment will be pleasurable for clients and extremely welcoming for staff,” says Director Bob Grant. Mr Grant says it will be an historic move for the company with the modern nature of the building designed to take it well into its second century of operation. It is an exciting time for all departments says Mr Grant. ”The building has great flow, excellent profile, plenty of off- street parking as well as covered parking for clients uplifting vehicles in the rain, and a warm welcoming atmosphere where clients can enjoy a good cup of coffee if they are waiting for a vehicle to be serviced.” Finding a site and developing a business like Smallbone Limited in the Ashburton CBD has become very difficult in modern times says Mr Grant. “As the southernmost-motor vehicle business in Ashburton we are very conscious that for some customers we may seem “out of
Flash back from early years.
the way” but we are well out of heavy traffic congestion and the trip back to town takes only a few minutes.” “Maybe discovering what Tinwald has to offer will encourage existing and new clients to see what is on this side of the bridge,” says Mr Grant. “Wineries, cafes, nurseries, gift shops, embroidery, quilting, the Plains Museum, Tinwald Pool and CLAAS Harvest Centre’s toy department are all waiting to be discovered,” he says. “The Directors and staff of Smallbone Ltd have worked hard to create a new home for Holden and a lot of planning has gone in to ensuring customers are well catered for and they enjoy their experience at the new dealership,” says Mr Grant. Service customers will enter an inviting atrium-style foyer and be greeted by new Service Advisor Martina Meiklejohn. Martina (Marty) has spent the last few weeks getting to know new systems and meeting clients as they have dropped vehicles in at the current temporary service centre. A new wrap-around counter accommodating Service Reception also incorporates Retail Parts and Administration offering good support for multiple inquiries. Parts Manager Simon Gregg is very much looking forward to
“the space” and the airy nature of the building. The Service Technicians are looking forward to their new environment, new hoists, overhead oil lines with programmable heads placing the quantity of oil dispensed directly onto the customer job electronically, and hot water at their work benches will bring modern and professional aspects to their working day, says Service Manager Ross Thomson. The new vehicle showroom is also a major change for Sales Manager Lyndon Moore. “After spending the last year or so on our own it is great to be back in a building with the rest of the team and having Main Road profile will give us great exposure,” says Mr Moore. While the history of the company is important, Smallbone Ltd is focusing even more on the future which includes an official opening planned for next year. This special function will officially celebrate the opening of the building and is most likely to be held in autumn so that many clients, including those involved in harvest, and Holden delegates are able to attend. Irrespective of this come Monday 25 November 2013, Smallbone Ltd will be open for business and welcomes all clients to visit what the company has proudly completed.
Site where Braided Rivers is now located. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
MOVING DAY IS HERE! Monday 25th November 2013 Smallbone Holden will be open for business at their new premises on Main South Road, Tinwald. For more information contact us on 03 307 9028 or admin@smallbones.co.nz Website - www.smallbones.co.nz
Come in and check it out for yourself...