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Goetz at Harvester House Openeing 1939

On 22 May 1939, the new headquarters of the International Harvester Company of Australia P/L,  was officially opened by the then Victorian Premier Mr. Dunstan.

On the corner of City Road and Balston Street, South Melbourne, it was a good thing that the site covered four and a half acres (1.8 ha), as there were 2,000 guests present! 

‘Representatives of Federal and State Governments, municipalities, and agricultural and business interests were present’. (The Argus, 23 may 1939, p. 10)

As part of the ‘business interests’, there was a presence from W. G. Goetz & Sons. In this photo taken at the official opening celebrations is L-R: Capt. J. H. Moss (age 56), E. M. McLean (not known if he was from Goetz or another business), Otto Goetz (age 42) and Albert Goetz. (age 54).


The Australasian, 27 May 1939, p. 32. According to the accompanying article, around 2,000 guests attended the opening!

Around the same time, International Harvester opened its assembly factory at Geelong. On 4 August 1950, the first sod was turned at its 23 hectare site in Dandenong, officially opening in August 1952.

A Goetz History (from the 1970s)

Sometime after 1971, a short Goetz history document was produced, some of which was reproduced in a 1975 Melbourne Herald article celebrating what was believed to be the company’s centennary.

Other than serving as a press release for The Herald centenary article, details about the author or other intended uses of the article remain a mystery; the printed copy was found with other documents rescued from a dumpster during the closure of the company.

 

Errors

As noted on the page Beginnings – Queen Street, Melbourne, is is unlikely that the 1875 commencement year is accurate. The little evidence available by way of early Melbourne business directories, points to a more likely start in 1880.

The article is also in error claiming that in September 1875, W. G. Goetz was “newly arrived in Australia”; in fact he had arrived 12 years earlier on 14 December 1863 on board the S.S. Great Britain.

No records have been found so far as to his activities during his first 17 years in Melbourne, other than his marriage in 1876. See Goetz Family for more information.

Click the image below or here to download as a PDF. Transcript below.

 

 

Transcript

W.G. Goetz & Sons Limited

Company History

In September 1875, Wilhelm Gottlieb Goetz, an energetic and ambitious young engineer, newly arrived in Australia from his native land, Germany, set up business in small and unpretentious surroundings in Queen Street, Melbourne.

In his small engineering factory, Wilhelm Goetz, a man of vision, produced probably the first metal working equipment manufactured in Australia, along with fireproof safes, many of which are still in service today.

By the turn of the century, this dynamic man had developed his business to such an extent that it was necessary to seek larger premises which were then located in Batman Street, West Melbourne. Following the transfer to the new premises, with an upsurge of energy and activity new projects were developed which resulted in simple can-seaming machines being available to the canister trade shortly thereafter. At the Batman Street site the business continued to expand and it was found necessary to acquire adjoining properties to house the growing organisation.

On the demise of Wilhelm Goetz in 1917, the task of further developing the business was undertaken by two of his sons, Albert and Otto (Jack) who had already served their apprenticeship in the business. The latter son controlled the destinies of the company in his role as managing director until his death in 1971.

Five years after taking control, the two brothers were joined by their brother-in-law, Captain J.H. Moss, who remained as chairman of the company until his death in 1966. Under the leadership of these three astute and progressive businessmen the company continued to develop in Batman Street until the mid-nineteen-thirties when further expansion of the premises was no longer possible and a tract of land was then sought and purchased in Spotswood, the site of the present works and offices.

Manufacturing operations commenced at Spotswood in 1939, and in the new environment the company continued with the policy of product development and general expansion producing in 1943 a high-speed can body-making line capable of producing 300 cans per minute, the first of its type manufactured in Australia.

Upon the outbreak of hostilities in the second world war, the entire resources of the company were directed to the manufacture of precision gauges and machinery and tooling for production of 303 bullets. In addition, presses and tooling were developed for the production of charger clips for Vickers and Browning machine guns. A large annexe was also operated by the company on behalf of the Commonwealth Government for the production of shell fuses on a 24-hour per day basis. Vertical shaping machines were also produced for use by United States, Dutch and Australian armed services workshops.

With the advent of America’s entry into the war, production of munition manufacturing equipment ceased and the company was directed by the government to revert to standard peace time production, the manufacture of can making and cannery equipment, to enable the increased demands for food for the allied forces to be met.

Company Products

in addition to equipment for the canning industry, the company also manufactures sheet metal working machinery, power presses and press tools for various applications in the industrial field, including builders’ hardware; electric motor laminations and automotive parts. The present range of equipment manufactured is comparable in standard and performance with machinery available elsewhere in the world, and in many instances special features are incorporated to meet local requirements.
Currently, all types of equipment associated with the high-speed manufacture of three piece open top cans and automatic can-closing are part of the range of production. Over the years machinery has been developed to meet the needs of local industry, an example being gripper feed units for attachment to power presses, manufacture in Australia being pioneered by the company in 1953. A further example is the important contribution made in 1971 with the introduction of machines for the closing of soft drink or beer can sat speeds up to 1,200 cans per minute.

In 1969 a manufacturing agreement was arranged with the old established firm, Buffalo Forge Company, U.S.A.,for the manufacture in Australia of their range of Universal Ironworkers, punch and shear machines, bending rolls and billet shears, the majority of these items previously being available to Australia only from overseas sources.

In the role of general engineers and toolmakers, the company has participated in many projects in conjunction with our clients and have thus made major contributions to many phases of industrial development in Australia.

Company Markets

The major canneries together with many of the lesser known canners in Australia comprise an important sector of our clientele.

These together with the can-makers in Australia are the users of the majority of can making and can sealing equipment produced, there are however many exports of such items.

Goetz produced equipment operate in many overseas countries including New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand,Indonesia and Malayasia.

For general industry purposes, power presses and sheetmetal machinery is produced, the major portion of our output being for the requirements of Australian industry.

Press tooling, many being of complex design and extremely accurate are manufactured for and used by many sectors of Australian industry.

Job Opportunities

The company provides job opportunity for many occupations which include metal industry tradesmen, (first class machinists, fitters, turners, toolmakers, patternmakers, etc.), design engineers and draughtsmen, clerical workers, stores personnel, planning engineers, transport workers, etc.

Apprenticeship

The training of apprentices has long been part of the company’s philosophy. The issue of indentures has been traced back as far as 1890 when, for the sum of two shillings and six pence per week, the apprentice signed to “well and faithfully serve the said W.G. Goetz as his apprentice and diligently attend to the said business at all times from the hour of eight in the morning till five in the evenings. His secrets keeps his lawful commands, gladly obey. He shall do no hurt to his said master, nor suffer it to be done by others when it is in his power to prevent same. He shall not waste his said master’s goods, nor embezzle the same, give nor lend nor absent himself from his said master’s service, nor do any other act matter or thing whatsoever to prejudice his said master, but in all things shall demean and behave himself”

The company continues the training of apprentices and each year applicants are invited for indentureship to the trade of fitting and turning with the company.

 

Goetz Dust Coats

These Goetz dust coats were a heavy navy blue cotton drill, supplied by Jones Workwear of West Footscray. Jones was established in 1893, later renamed Can’t Tear’em P/L. In November 1980, they again changed their name to CTE P/L. A recent web search failed to find any current presence of them. Click images  for larger views

Generic dust coat with embroidered Goetz pocket and visible buttons. 

Another design had hidden buttons and an iron-on Goetz logo, with embroidered employee name. 

Thanks to Terrence Linehan’s daughter Robyn for supplying the coats

5 Years Service – coasters

Goetz employees were given a memento of their first five years service in the form of a set of six square metallic coasters, each 95mm x 95mm.

The coasters shown below were given to Terence Linehan, who worked at Goetz as an engineering pattern maker from 1969 to 1982.

The coasters were “Designed and Crafted” by Paul Stephen-Daly, trading as Louchrilau Nominees P/L of Malvern. The company was known for producing limited edition and custom metallic drink coasters, including a souvenir drink coaster to help publicise the Phar Lap movie in 1983. An example is held at Museum Victoria as part of the Phar Lap collection.

Between August and December 1992 Paul Stephen-Daly also registered designs with Intellectual Property Australia for a bottle rack, bottle rack/trophy and a presentation wall plaque trophy.

The company received various government export and expansion grants during the 1970s and 1980s, however, according to Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Business (National : 1987 – 2004), the company was deregistered and dissolved as of 4th August 1990.

Thanks to Terence’s daughter Robyn for the coasters. Click images below for larger views

Going Public. From Pty Ltd to Limited Public Company

In April 1939, W.G. Goetz and Sons Pty. Ltd. became a public company, renamed with the dropping of ‘Pty’ and simply becoming ‘Limited’.Going-public_argus_300339_p9Above: The Argus reports W.G. Goetz as a new public company, 30th March 1939 p.9.
Click image for larger version

Below: W.G. Goetz and Sons Limited business registration certificate, entitling commencement of business as a public company from the 29th of April, 1939. Click image below for larger version.

Business-Registration-29-April-1939