More Info →An industrial review of Horowhenua 1972 Page 13

Description

CLASSIC CARAVANS

Classic Caravans Started it life in Winchester St. Levin around the 1940's and was first owned by the Hurst Brothers Ltd.

Then some were between 1960 and 1969 it was moved to a site in Oxford St. with Mr. M. C. Henderson as Owner and Managing Director. Two brands of caravan were made in its factory, Classic and Escort, and they ranged from 10ft to 30ft in length and they also made them to a customers requirements.

Then in 1971 the factoy burnt down and a bigger one was built to replace it.

In its hayday Classic Caravans employeed 40 staff, but this was not to last, because in May of 1978 the goverment introduced a luxury tax on caravans and the bottom fall out of the market over night as orders were cancelled.

Now owned by Phil May Classic Caravans held on until 1989, at which time Phil May retired and Classic Caravans was incorporated into Gipsy Caravans which was and still is owned by the Croot family who still make, sell and repair caravans.

A'COURTS INDUSTRIES LTD

Founded January 1965 by Mr. John A'Court.

A'Courts made a range of mens and boys sports shirts for other New Zealand companies with brand names like Crusader and Buccaneer as well as it's own brand name "Truca".

In it's hayday A'Courts employeed 40 staff and made cotton knit shirts, pyjamas and women's blouses as will as the range of men's and boy's sports shirts with an output of around 2'400 shirts per week.

In the late 60's early 70's the fashion trend shifted to casual wear and as it gained momentum A'Courts not wanting to be left out grow with it and started manufacturing casual shirts for the fashion market. This was not to last, in the late 80's the government removed the tariff on imported clothing which hit the local clothing industry hard and a lot of clothing manufacturers were finding it hard to keep their heads above water.

In October 1991 A'Courts went into liquidation, and in 1993 A'Courts clossed it's doors for good.

Identification

Date

1969