The Sun
Friday January 24, 2020
Dave re-tyres after 50 years in industry By Celeste Alexander
Dave Gill has worked in the tyre industry for nearly five decades in what he describes as being “an interesting career meeting some real characters”; but the time has come for him to hang up his tools and retire. “I’ve served my apprenticeship and it’s now time to leave,” he laughs. Dave and his wife Bev have operated their Grove Road business, Elite Tyre & Alignment, for 10 years, but it will be next Thursday that he shuts up shop for the final time. Asked what he plans to do once the business closes, Dave says; “getting out on the motorbike”. “I’ve told my wife that if the weather’s good she won’t see me for a while,” he jokes. “I haven’t been able to ride much over the years because the business has kept me busy so in the first week I plan to make up some of that time. “But now that I’ve planned it, it will probably rain that first week,” he laughs. Dave began his career with a company called Fleetway, owned by Goodyear Tyres, which was based where Haack Construction is on Middle Renwick Road. After two years he went to work for Goodyear in Wellington, continuing his work with retreading, and returned to Marlborough at the end of 1973. He took up a position with Dunlop Tyres where Forbes Panel and Paint is located at the corner of Hutcheson and Nelson Streets, before Dunlop
put in a new building which later became Beaurepaires, then Tyre General as it is today. Customers who Dave dealt with around 30-years ago when working for Beaurepaires continued to support him when he opened Elite Tyres & Alignment. But some of the biggest changes in the industry that Dave has seen are tyre neglect and the price, he says. “The pricing has changed a lot; people don’t realise but tyres are cheaper now than they used to be. “But tyre neglect would be the biggest change. Since warrant of fitness checks went from six to 12months I’ve seen some of the worst neglect of tyres I’ve ever seen. “The NZTA even released stats showing a 235 percent increase in serious injury and death between 2015-2018 after the cha nge. Pe ople ju st don’t think t hey ne e d to check but instead think they have those 12 m o n t h s u nt i l t hey do need to replace worn tyres. “I’ve seen tyres t hat have been worn right through to the steel,” he says. With the business closing next Thursday
Dave wishes to thank all of his loyal customers for their support, and to reassure them that they will still be taken care of. Jeff Stanton of Precision Auto Centre on Auckland Street has purchased the business and is merging the two. It will be named Precision Tyre & Auto and will continue to provide the same tyres and service that Elite Tyre & Alignment did. “My employee, Daniel Gosling, who is a familiar face to many, will be joining Jeff’s team to take care of the tyre and alignment side of things,”
Dave says. “I thank Daniel for his loyalty and honesty over the years; without his support we would not have been able to continue without him. “I’d also like to thank Bob Monkhouse for his help during the past couple of years and my wife Bev who, behind the scenes, has taken care of the accounts. “I’m really happy to know that Jeff and this team will continue servicing our customers and I wish him all of the best going forward.”
Precision Auto Centre owner, Jeff Stanton (left), has purchased Elite Tyre & Alignment from Dave Gill who is retiring after nearly 50 years in the industry.
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inbrief
The Sun
Total fire ban in place Marlborough has been issued a total fire ban as of yesterday. This comes as the region’s fire risk reaches high and extreme in areas. The Wairau Valley Volunteer Fire Brigade was called to a scrub fire earlier this week, caused by a person using a chainsaw hitting a stone.
Lock up your vehicles Police are issuing a friendly reminder to vehicle owners to lock their car doors and ensure valuables are removed from their vehicles. Leaving valuables in vehicles makes them an obvious target for thieves. Suspicious behaviour can be reported to 111.
Information wanted for SPCA break-in Any persons who have information about the break in and theft of a large till from the SPCA Marlborough centre near Renwick, are encouraged to contact Police. Thieves broke into the centre last Saturday morning at 6.40am after climbing over a high fence and using hedge clippers to force entry into the office. Money was stolen from a petty cash tin and the entire till was taken.
Anglers can still bag prizes Last weekend Fish & Game held a family fishing day at Lake Argyle where anglers could catch tagged fish and win prizes. Around 250 people took part. There are still tagged fish remaining in the lake and Hendersons Ltd is sponsoring another $500 voucher for a lucky tagged fish, plus other prizes still ‘swimming’ in the lake include free licences, rod/reel combos and lure packs. To enter; catch a tagged fish, take a photo of the tag and send the tag number to Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game via email, phone or Facebook, and find out if you are a winner.
Enrolments now being taken for Term 1 2020 commencing on 10 February CLASSES OFFERED IN: HIGHLAND JAZZ HIPHOP CONTEMPORARY ACRODANCE PRESCHOOL INTRODUCTION TO DANCE (from 3 years) We have an exciting team of fully qualified, experienced and passionate teachers who are “Truly MAD about Dance”
A celebration of one man and his band – Mr Kevin Moseley QSM –
Enquiries to Director, Robyn Simmons Email: marlb.dance@xtra.co.nz
21st March 2020 ASB Theatre Marlborough TheatreTheatre
MarlboroughTheatre Marlborough Marlborough