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You could say timber is in our blood. It's a strange concept, but
how else do you explain four generations of one Auckland family
dedicating themselves to meeting the needs of builders since 1928?
Rickmans Timber Merchants and Moulders had humble beginnings underneath
Percy Rickman's house in Bannerman Road, Western Springs. We are
now one of Auckland's leading timber moulding manufacturers.
Percy had worked for various timber companies before and after
World War I, and was factory manager for C.H. Frankham in Newmarket
before deciding to go out on his own in 1928 with one moulding machine.
He expanded in 1938, building a factory in Argyle Street, Morningside.
This is where we continue to operate from today.
The company had a small team of men, including Percy's son Gordon.
In 1946 Percy had formed a limited liability company, with Gordon
and his other children, Owen, Brian and Doreen, as the shareholders.
Thus P. Rickman and Sons Limited came into being.
The company grew strongly during the post-war years and the 1960s.
Adjoining properties were purchased to enlarge the timber stacking
area.
Owen's son Wayne started working at Rickmans in 1965. Owen became
managing director following Percy's death in 1968. The company peaked
with 24 staff during the 1970s.
After Owen and Gordon retired in 1986, Wayne became managing director,
and still holds this post today. Wayne's children are among the
other faces you'll find in the office. His daughter Sandi is company
secretary, and his son Howard is marketing manager.
As the family and the company have grown, we've always kept pace
with technology while maintaining a traditional family business
culture.
Our plant is equipped with the latest dust extractor units as well
as three planner moulders, two electric kilns, band saws, multi-rip
saws, end matcher and associated tool room equipment.
Customer relations are valued and nurtured, and we do business
with good old-fashioned values such as value for money, personal
service, attention to detail and providing the best possible quality.
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