Mackay business moves to a landmark location
Motors co success driven by growth and expansion
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IN 2018 few in Mackay would recognise the 'Commercial Corner' as a landmark location.
Point them in the direction of 'Toyota Corner' or 'Autocorner', however, and there would be no doubt.
For almost 40 years, a now much expanded vehicle dealership has stood at the corner of Shakespeare Street and Nebo Road, once the site of the historic Commercial Hotel.
A milestone for the business passed quietly on Tuesday. On March 20, 1980 International Motors Toyota officially opened its new $1million complex on that site.
Opening the complex, Mayor of Mackay at the time, Albert Abbott, told almost 250 guests he accepted the trend would probably be towards smaller, more efficient cars in the future.
But he confidently predicted Australia, which already produced about 70 per cent of its oil requirements, would secure the remaining 30 per cent "within the next decade”.
Commercial Hotel
The Commercial Hotel was built in 1884 by Evan Davies.
He also built the adjoining home, called Ballybrac, which later became the residence of Charles Frederick Bagley and his family.
The home was acquired by The Grail, a Catholic organisation for women. It became known as 'The Grail' and was used as a hostel for young women. The home was removed from the site in 2001.
Expanding business
International Motors first opened its doors for business in Mackay in May 1964 but it wasn't until 1973 that the Searle Group, already well-established in Mackay, joined the small independent company in Gregory Street.
The same year the business was transferred to the site of Pioneer Motors, at the corner of Shakespeare and Wood streets, due to expansion within the industry.
Expansion became a theme in the years that followed. International Motors first took over two properties in Shakespeare St, one of which was the landmark Pitman's store, before acquiring further properties in the vicinity two years later.
This new area was used for an extension of workshop facilities and a commercial vehicle salesyard.
By 1979, both the Toyota and Mercedes Benz franchises controlled in Mackay by International Motors were growing quickly and again space was becoming a critical problem.
The company had a local staff of 35.
The solution came with the purchase of the 1.3 acre site of the Commercial Hotel at the corner of Shakespeare St and Nebo Rd.
The new $1million purpose-built complex rose in the old hotel's place.
Designed by Gary Bell, who specialised in automotive retail outlets, it made full use of the site's two road frontages and incorporated modern touches that ranked it with dealerships nationally.
The firm's success continued.
It went on to win a prestigious national award presented by Toyota Australia - the inaugural President's Award, which was presented to six winners nationally. The other winners were in Cairns, Perth, Launceston and Adelaide.
At the time, Ron Searle said it recognised the highest standards of dealer performance and customer satisfaction and the highest ethical standards in a Toyota dealer. They went on to win a second President's Award.
Community input
In addition to building their business, the Searle brothers also contributed to their community.
Both active in Mackay sporting circles, the directors of International Motors ensured the company played a major role in promoting sport.
In 1980, the year they unveiled their new premises, the company sponsored the rugby league season in Mackay and continued to do so.
The Searle Group
The history of the Searle Group stretched back 50 years in Mackay's business history.
Bert Searle, with his father, a cane inspector with Farleigh Mill, branched out into the bakery business with the establishment of a bakehouse in Wood Street.
This initial business flourished for 20 years, after which Mr Searle purchased a cordial manufacturing concern in Sarina, which he held for three years, while retaining the Wood St premises.
In 1950, Bert Searle began what was to become the backbone of the Searle Group's operation.
He converted the old bakery in Wood St into a wholesale warehouse.
From these premises he established the foundations of what was to become one of North Queensland's biggest wholsesaling concerns.
His decision to establish a 'run' using vans loaded with stock and selling direct to retail outlets - in an area encompassing Bowen and Moranbah - proved to be an outstanding success.
Bert Searle, who died in 1977, was joined by both his sons, Ron and Col, in the Searle Group. In 1980 they were directors of the company with their mother, Mrs Agnes Searle.
Col Searle joined the company in 1956 and became a director in 1973.
When Toyota International Motors opened at 'Toyota Corner' he was involved in the day-to-day administrative operations of the business.
Ron Searle first entered the group in 1952 after employment with Mackay City Council as a cadet civil engineer.
At that stage the company consisted of only one staff member and operated from a small building in Carlyle St, a far cry from the advances made by 1980.
Toyota tops
In 1980, when the new-look International Motors was unveiled, Toyota vehicles had been the biggest selling four cylinder cars in Australia for the sixth successive year.
Figures released for 1979 showed Toyota four cylinder sales reached 50,580 - nearly 10 per cent ahead of their nearest rival.
Models marketed at the time the new premises opened included the new Corona - then the world's biggest selling car - the Corolla, the popular Celica and the recently introduced Toyota T18. There was also the Lite Ace, a commercial vehicle designed to "give business life a lift on weekdays and let you play on weekends”.
End of era for Searle family
INTERNATIONAL Motors' final chapter began in 1993 with the announcement that the well known Mackay business had been sold.
The Sci Fleet group of companies, based in Brisbane, would take over the operations of the city's largest motor dealership on August 2 that year, it was announced.
Colin and Ron Searle were to remain for about a month to ensure a smooth transition, the Daily Mercury reported, and no staff changes were planned.
A confidentiality clause in the sale contract prevented the purchase price being revealed.
"There is certainly a touch of sadness at leaving the motor industry and the many strong and happy friendships developed over the years between the Searles, the customers and their staff,” they said in a joint statement.
Sci Fleet Toyota were the state's largest Toyota dealers.
Col and Ron Searle were honoured at a special Motor Traders Association of Queensland function. Col Searle said he and his brother had had "a lot of fun” during their time at International Motors. The new dealer and part owner of International Motors, John Glanville, who was about to officially take over the business, said he was looking forward to the challenge.
The dealership has since changed ownership.
Originally published as Mackay business moves to a landmark location
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