Finlayson’s named to Qld Business Hall of Fame

A 146-year-old Brisbane hardware company has been recognised for its contribution to the state, joining a renowned department store and coffee giant among the latest inductees to the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame. SEE THE LIST

Owners of Finlayson Timber and Hardware, Skene and Michael Finlayson, at their warehouse and distribution centre in Carole Park. Picture: Richard Walker

FINLAYSON’S HARDWARE & TIMBER

A 146-year-old hardware company whose timber is seen in the iconic Queenslanders dotted around Brisbane’s suburbs has been recognised for its contribution to the state.

Finlayson’s Hardware & Timber, founded in 1875 by a Scottish immigrant, was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame on Thursday night along with The Coffee Club, beef producer Australia Country Choice and department store TC Beirne & Co.

Harvey Norman chief executive Katie Page-Harvey and the late Sir John Chandler were given individual awards at the gala event at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

East Brisbane-based Finlayson’s traces its heritage back to the 1870s when Charles Patterson and two brothers established a sawmill in the Indooroopilly area.

Then known as Patterson Brothers, the sawmill specialised in local timber that was increasingly in demand for Queenslander homes that were then rapidly expanding across Brisbane’s suburbs.

Owners of Finlayson Timber and Hardware, Skene and Michael Finlayson, at their warehouse and distribution centre in Carole Park. Picture: Richard Walker

The business relocated to Toowong in 1884 where it was to be a landmark for nearly a century, surviving several fires that almost wiped it out on several occasions.

Charles Patterson served several terms as mayor of Toowong and was a supporter of the Presbyterian Church, a record of community service that still reflects the company’s character.

In 1961, Malcolm Finlayson, a grandson of Charles Finlayson, became a director of the business before becoming managing director in 1979.

Mr Finlayson took what was then a moderately successful family business into an industry leader that invested heavily in technology including laser cutters and a fully-computerised joinery factory.

The Finlayson family took full control of the business in 1998 with the company’s sustainably sourced Queensland hoop pine developing a reputation for colonial woodwork, mouldings and joinery. Mr Finlayson died in 2018, aged 78, with the business continuing under the leadership of his sons Skene and Michael as co-directors.

Michael Finlayson said it was an honour to receive the award on behalf of the family but he was saddened his late father could not witness it.

Mr Finlayson said last year Mitre 10 purchased the hardware operations of the business but the family continues to own the two timber mills and manufacturing facilities.

COFFEE CLUB

The iconic cafe chain began life in 1989 when founders Emmanuel Drivas and Emmanuel Kokoris, sons of post World War II Greek migrants, went searching for a late-night coffee joint. Their search identified a need in a city that was becoming more modern and international following Expo 88. Entrepreneur John Lazarou joined the partnership soon after bringing his people and marketing skills to the growth of the business. Coffee Club’s first outlet on Eagle St Pier has grown to nearly 500 cafes in 13 countries.

Coffee Club directors Emmanuel Drivas, John Lazarou and Emmanuel Kokoris in 1997

AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY CHOICE

Starting life in the 1950s as an earthworks and civil construction company under Henry and Norm Lee, the company has become a booming beef business supplying the export market and supermarket chains. Under the leadership of Trevor Lee, the company runs up to 300,000 head of cattle across 40 properties covering 2.4 million hectares with a processing plant at Cannon Hill. Now it in its third generation, ACC is the world’s largest family owned cattle and beef supply chain organisation.

TC BEIRNE & CO

For 70 years, TC Beirne’s department store business flourished in Fortitude Valley generating a profit every year, surviving two depressions and two world wars. Born in Ireland, Thomas Charles (TC) Beirne realised at an early age he would have to look abroad to search for opportunities, arriving in Melbourne at the age of 23. He invested 1200 pounds in his store in Fortitude Valley, which at its peak served nearly 3.5 million customers each year.

TC Beirne building in Fortitude Valley

KATIE PAGE-HARVEY

Born in Mareeba in 1956, Ms Page-Harvey joined Gerry Harvey at his only store at the age of 26. Within five years, she had been appointed to the board and taken control of the furniture division. In less than 40 years, Harvey Norman has grown 100 times from a single store with an annual turnover of $3m, to close to 300 stores in eight countries with turnover of nearly $8.5bn.

Ms Page-Harvey, who was unable to attend Thursday night’s function, expressed gratitude for the extraordinary education she was given as a young girl growing up in Queensland.

“I am the proud product of the Queensland public education system,” she said.

“Thank you ... for inducting me into Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame. It is an honour I will continue to work hard towards deserving”.

Katie Page Harvey

SIR JOHN CHANDLER

Arriving in Australia as a near penniless 20-year-old English migrant, John Chandler cut cane in North Queensland in order to save money to start his own business. Opening a hardware shop in Brisbane in 1913, he graduated to selling radios and radio parts. The business was further propelled by the growth of hire-purchase. To help his retail operation, Chandler established Brisbane’s first commercial radio station 4BC, the forerunner of a broadcasting empire that included 4BH and a chain of country radio stations. Chandler also served as Brisbane Lord Mayor between 1940 to 1952.