Shire success story, the family-owned Kirrawee manufacturer Davell Products celebrated 70 years in business on September 9.
The manufacturer of bespoke Australian-made, quality sheet metal lockers, storage units and benches, Davell Products was born in the post-WWII boom and has survived industry changes, pressures from export markets and the Global Financial Crisis.
The company was started in 1946 with a modest investment of $60 by Ross Davies and Thomas Bidewell, whose combined names make ‘Davell‘.
Its first successful product in post-war Australia was an electric stovette, sold with the slogan ‘Cook each day the Davell Way!’
These stovettes proved popular and soon the company started manufacturing upright stoves aimed at the Australian market.
Current owner, Brenton Gray is married to Thomas Bidewell’s granddaughter, Lisa, and took over the business when Lisa’s father, Brian Bidewell, retired, selling the business to his son-in- law and Gray’s business partner, Scott Brew.
Mr Gray later bought Brew’s share but Scott still works as production manager, having been part of Davell now for 35 years, which reflects the company’s strong family culture.
“Davell was created by two smart, entrepreneurial men who saw an opportunity in post war Australia and made it work. It was a true blue attitude,” Mr Gray said.
Over the years the products have changed from stoves to a variety of storage units such as lockers and cabinets plus other industrial-style furniture required by large organisations.
The enamelled, chrome stove were best-sellers for some time but ceased production in 1987 and have diversified into the products they produce today.
“Like all companies we have diversified and grown with our products as demand and needs change has shifted, which I believe is why we have survived this long,” Mr Gray said.
Davell’s staff numbers have also changed over the years with manufacturing processes from having a factory of around 100, many women, assembling the stovettes which had many components.
Now there are 25 staff, many who have migrated for different parts of the world having different religious backgrounds and cultural backgrounds, many of them having worked there for many years.
“We are a little bit like the United Nations being very diverse in culture but united in our goals - which are to work as a team, support each other and manufacture quality bespoke storage products.
“Business was tough during the GFC and we have battled with import and export changes, fighting our way through this time.
“We do everything in-house with our products made in Australia. Steel is brought in, assembled and powder- coated all onsite.
“We tried importing from places like China but it was not of good quality so we have stayed Australian of which we are very proud,” said Gray.
Davell’s client list ranges from schools to major corporations. The company’s latest locker range includes an option where portable electronic devices can be charged.
The lockers provide ideal charging stations for schools, universities, libraries, backpacker accommodation, offices and warehouses and features three different units with 11 charging compartments, containing a power pixel that can be either twin USB and GPO (general power outlet) or twin USB.
