Company Profile
The original business was formed in England in 1960, and the premises were in a
disused farm building at a village named Colney Heath. In 1962 (or thereabouts)
the business was moved to Wild Hill, near Hatfield and named Essendon
Engineering. Essendon was the nearest village to Wild Hill. Here the business
grew until in 1966 it was employing some 14 people. The family decided it would
move to Australia. This was finally achieved by Dec 1966 and the family left
from Heathrow airport on 21st December 1966.
A business was started at a small workshop at King Street, Sandy Bay, just
behind what was the Brazil Restaurant. This was quite successful and its
reputation grew. The owners of Jackson’s Lock and Brass Works in Launceston
offered him a partnership, which he accepted and the family then moved to
Launceston.
This arrangement didn’t work out and the family moved back south in Oct 1971. A
block of land was purchased at Sandford and a workshop built. We were back in
business!
This business was named Doble Engineering. During the following years it
carried on the regular work of precision engineering and toolmaking but also
included some brass work and the named was extended to Doble Engineering and
Brassware. Still a one-man show until his second son, Ian, decided to work in
the business after having tried other careers and not settling with either of
them. Also over the years other young men had been employed. We purchased a
small business that made brass beds and this line was added to the brassware
side of the business that used the name Basically Brass.
The beds were made of steel with brass trim. Originally the beds were sprayed
with a wet paint, after a year or so a new process called Powder coating was
installed which had the steel being sprayed with a dry powder paint which was
then baked in an oven which melted the powder, when cool set into a hard paint
finish.
In 1988 the business was moved to Sunderland Street, Moonah. This move was to
enable us to undertake much promised work from a furniture firm which went broke
within two years. A contract was acquired from another furniture firm, which
didn’t last much longer.
During this time news got around that we had a Powder coating facility. Work
from local aluminium and window manufacturers started to come in. Under pressure
from these customers we installed a 7 Metre oven in place of the 3 Metre oven
which had been used for the beds and smaller orders.
The general engineering was still operating but more toolmaking, jigs and press
tools were also being made. Diversification brought office and hospital
furniture onto the scene. Gradually the brassware dropped off and Basically
Brass was officially closed in 1996.
During the years from 1988 to 1999 the work force had usually been 10
employee’s with several members of the family having been employed at the firm
at various times. Ian stayed until 1996. Shirley and her son, Jason gave us
three generations of family all employed at the same time. More recently Jacquie
has joined the firm. Ann and the BOSS have retired. IT TOOK ALL TEN PEOPLE TO
GET HIM OUT THE DOOR! Tony and Leanne now run the business and give the same
“friendly” service that has always been available from the BOSS. In the time
heading to the year 2000 the firm is prospering with an efficient powder coat
system running at full pace. Some furniture still being produced and toolmaking
and press tools still available.
Long term lay-by available but all Xmas Orders to be finished by mid nov.
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