Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 8, 2015 20:42:07 GMT 10
ANGLO CARAVANS (NZ)
Chris Hunter's book on the history of New Zealand caravans, Vantastic states that Anglo Caravans, based in Hamilton, NZ, attempted to increase the size of its potential market and its economies of scale by establishing a factory in Australia:
Harold Place, founder of Anglo, "...figured that a better way to increase sales, and to break out from the constrictive New Zealand market, was to set up a factory in Australia. But his first foray into Australia was an accident. 'I had three caravans that were supposed to go to Christchurch and they forgot to take them off the boat. They went to Australia so I said to the Customs Department, 'I'd like to leave them there and fill in the usual documentation.' ' But Place couldn't get permission and had to bring his caravans back on another ship. On the return journey there was a gale and the caravans went overboard into the Tasman.
"When Anglo eventually set up a factory in Australia, the operation only lasted 18 months. After the caravans were built, they were stored in the factory yard until there were enough vans for all the dealers. According to the local manager, you had to wait until there were enough caravans for all the dealers: if one dealer received a shipment early, the others would start playing up. Place wasn't happy at the thought of unsold stock sitting around. 'I hit the roof and said get them out. We were left high and dry with all these caravans, and my staff decided to go and work somewhere else!'"
(Source: Chris Hunter, Vantastic, 2005, pages 76-77)
Hunter does not say specifically where the Australian factory was located (presumably one of the eastern states?) or when it happened. From the context of the quote it may have been during the 70's, but I'm not sure.
Anglo's caravan models in New Zealand included: Ace, Astral, Capri, Delta, Galaxy, Imp, Spacemaster, Ventura and Pullman.
In addition Anglo also had two sister companies in NZ, called Trailer Homes and Sunbird (the latter being established in 1978).
There was an Australian Trailer Homes brand, but it seems to have been operating earlier in the 60's and to have been a dealer who put their own name on other people's vans. At a later stage (80's?) there may also have been Sunbird campers in Australia, but that seems too late for Anglo which closed its doors around 1979. Otherwise I can't connect the info about Anglo's activities in Australia with anything we know about.
Can anybody tell us about Anglo's involvement in the Australian caravanning scene?
Don Ricardo
Chris Hunter's book on the history of New Zealand caravans, Vantastic states that Anglo Caravans, based in Hamilton, NZ, attempted to increase the size of its potential market and its economies of scale by establishing a factory in Australia:
Harold Place, founder of Anglo, "...figured that a better way to increase sales, and to break out from the constrictive New Zealand market, was to set up a factory in Australia. But his first foray into Australia was an accident. 'I had three caravans that were supposed to go to Christchurch and they forgot to take them off the boat. They went to Australia so I said to the Customs Department, 'I'd like to leave them there and fill in the usual documentation.' ' But Place couldn't get permission and had to bring his caravans back on another ship. On the return journey there was a gale and the caravans went overboard into the Tasman.
"When Anglo eventually set up a factory in Australia, the operation only lasted 18 months. After the caravans were built, they were stored in the factory yard until there were enough vans for all the dealers. According to the local manager, you had to wait until there were enough caravans for all the dealers: if one dealer received a shipment early, the others would start playing up. Place wasn't happy at the thought of unsold stock sitting around. 'I hit the roof and said get them out. We were left high and dry with all these caravans, and my staff decided to go and work somewhere else!'"
(Source: Chris Hunter, Vantastic, 2005, pages 76-77)
Hunter does not say specifically where the Australian factory was located (presumably one of the eastern states?) or when it happened. From the context of the quote it may have been during the 70's, but I'm not sure.
Anglo's caravan models in New Zealand included: Ace, Astral, Capri, Delta, Galaxy, Imp, Spacemaster, Ventura and Pullman.
In addition Anglo also had two sister companies in NZ, called Trailer Homes and Sunbird (the latter being established in 1978).
There was an Australian Trailer Homes brand, but it seems to have been operating earlier in the 60's and to have been a dealer who put their own name on other people's vans. At a later stage (80's?) there may also have been Sunbird campers in Australia, but that seems too late for Anglo which closed its doors around 1979. Otherwise I can't connect the info about Anglo's activities in Australia with anything we know about.
Can anybody tell us about Anglo's involvement in the Australian caravanning scene?
Don Ricardo