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| Daniel Robertson Head Office, Station St, Nunawading |
Founder of Daniel Robertson was John Robertson who started the company in 1853. He was an importer of roofing slates and a roofing contractor. The slates that John had sourced in Wales for his business in Glasgow were transported to his new home in Melbourne as ballast in the old sailing ships. Many notable buildings in and around Melbourne still have slate roofs supplied and fixed by Daniel Robertson.
The business evolved from slate only, into one which provided all forms of roofing, including terracotta roofing tiles. In 1910 Daniel Robertson commenced their first manufacturing venture and began producing concrete roof tiles in Whiteman Street, South Melbourne.
In 1928, the Tunstall Brickworks was acquired and converted to produce terracotta roof tiles. The transition to manufacturing fired clay products was successful and the business continued to grow. During this period, reputation, originality and the supply and manufacture of quality products also grew.
Over the years, as it is today, market forces dictated to suppliers and manufacturers (for example, competition, demand, price and fashion). Specific product benefits had to be developed to achieve differentiation. Maintaining flexibility and an innovative attitude were originally born of necessity but today it has developed into a highly effective policy. As a result, the Company has been responsible for the development of new colours, shapes and textures in the clay products industry.
In 1967, the Company launched a unique range of bricks. At that time, only smooth, monotone coloured bricks were available. The rustic appearance provided by the texture and colour variety of the Daniel Robertson bricks was an instant success. By 1969, the demand for these and other successfully developed products (special shapes, brick facing tiles and matching paving tiles) was so great that the company made a decision to end an era in their history and phase out production of roof tiles.
In 1998 the business started a relationship with Scott Systems, Inc. that provided a platform to introduce 2 innovative façade systems to Australia. Scott System had invented and patented an elastomeric polymer Formliner for texturing concrete panels in 1969. Scott System adapted the process to allow brick to be integrally cast in concrete panels. By the mid 1990’s they released the Scott System Brick Snaps™ System, where a thin brick was fitted to a plastic carrier. The carriers form a tooled mortar joint mould and are clipped together much like Lego.
The current business focus is the supply of fired clay products including bricks, pavers, paving tiles and brick facing tiles. All of these products are extruded and wire cut. Raw materials are sourced mainly for company owned and managed quarries and the balance for nearby commercial quarries. All of these sources have substantial resources, sufficient to last for many years. |
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