THE BIRTH OF A BUSINESS

Chronicle (Levin), 10 June 1946, Page 2

THE BIRTH OF A BUSINESS

NEW INDIISTRY FOR OTAKI { Oak trees grew from small acorns, ! but a business requires a seed called j an idea or a vision, plus courage, | determination and knowledge, i About eighteen' mohths ago a few ousiness- men were on a pleasure visit to Otaki, enjoying the glorious climate of this favoured district, when they ,-were shown a building j which had just- been offered for.; sale, the original owners having noj further use for' the property. Thisi building, lately owned by the Otaki) Mail, was-duly inspected, and thej seed was sown in the minds of these men, and they immediately had a vision of a textile factory established in Otaki to provide pleasant_and profitable employment for the young people of Otaki, plus tne manufaeture of shirts and pyjamas in such short supply for the men, women and children of New Zealand. The seed took root, the building was immediately purchased, altered, renovated, and prepared to install the latest sewing machines Staff was engaged and wirhin a few weeks Otaki Textiles,. Ltd., was an established faeu, and had produced a quantity of shirts and pyjamas, which would have done credit to any old established firm. The staff had to be trained, but very quickly became most proficient and with this increased efluciency. production grew rapidly. Owing tc the excellency of Otaki Textiles products, the demand -grew very rapidly and before a year haa elapsed, the management found their premises totally inadequate to house the- .growing staff, although every available foot of space was used to the best advantage, and a store room for fabrics was erected at the rear of the building. A suitable site for a new factory was sought and to-day the directors have great pleasure in announcing that they have purchased a site with a frontage to Aotaki Street and Rangatira Street. Plans have been prepared for a modern building by Anscombe, Orchisten and Associated Architects. A permit has been applied for and the directors intend to commence building as soon as all the necessary formalities have been arranged. The building wifl be of very modern d'esign, embodying all the latest ideas in lighting, heating ano factory layout. Special attention has b.een ,given to the comfort and convenieii'ce of the staff, and a very. fine social hall with kitchen is being provided, which will be used by the staff, not only as a cafetaria, but will also be available to the staff for their meetings, socials, etc. The building is to be set back from the street frontage and lawns and flower beds will make a very pleasing setting for this modern factory. A section at the rear of the new building will be laid out as a play area, where tennis and basketball games can be played. Otaki Textiles staff are already famous for their basketball teams. Otaki Textiles, Ltd., should have no difliculty in obtaining staff when their comfort and welfare has been given such consideration, and it was a lucky day for Otaki when the small seed of Otaki Textiles, Ltd., was first planted. Tt is good to know also that the management is so pleased with the progress made by their business during its past difficult year, and also that they have such confldence in the future of their business. The directors of Otaki Textiles, Ltd., are Messrs. G. S. Amos, K. Schwarz. L | G. Crawford, O. R. Trigg, and thej popular and capable general man- j ager is Mr, -K. Hager. j Such a building in Otaki will be j an excellent advertisement and [ there is no doubt but that othei j industries on a large scale will follow in its wake. There will be an area of no less than 7406 square feet. It will be a most imposing structure, with a lighted advertising emblem at the entrance. It will be the most up-to-date structure of its kind on th'e coast and a credit to the company, which has so long j_ done splendid work in Otaki, not| only by producing high-class | goods, but for providing work for! many young people, as well as pro - j viding sport. I In one part of the building wi.ll l be an up-to-date office, roomy, well- 1 lighted and ventilated, whilc • another office, 14ft. by 11ft. will be ; next to the work-shop of the samr j dimensions. At the rear of this will j be the packing room and store 38ft. by 22ft. The production spacf . will-be.no less than 76ft. by 56ft. with top lighting. In front of this will be a lawn, ornamental trees etc... -There will also be a welfare hall and lunch room, 38ft by 22ft., while in a section at the rear wib be a cloak-room 16ft. by 11ft., with. conveniences adjoining. Nearby will be the kitchen and the cloakroomi Part of the main entrancwill be of glass bricks and othei ornamental fittings. Girls desirin-g work under such congenial circumstances. are invited to call on thc manager, Mr . Ha ger.