Situated on a piece of land that has a lot of local history, over the years Raglan Engineering has developed into a mechanical hub and is now adding a mini Repco store and a small motor servicing area to their list of offerings.
The site at number two Park Drive was previously owned by the Hartstone family with the original workshop built in the 1940’s. Peter Williams, a long-time worker at the workshop, took over in 2000 starting what is now Raglan Engineering.
Over the last decade or so the area has developed into a mechanical hub with the addition of Williams Tyre and Mechanical, Park Drive Panel Beaters and other businesses.
“I was nervous as hell when I was about to take everything over but everything worked out and over the last 14 years I’ve had many great tenants,” says Peter.
The recent relocation of Raglan-based Aeronavics saw a space open up at Park Drive for a new venture.
“It’s something that was talked about for a long time but up to six weeks ago we had nowhere to put it,” says Peter on the addition of the mini Repco and small motor servicing side of the business.
For the past few years, Aeronavics – who have relocated their main offices to a different site in Te Uku – were leasing the shed space and with their departure a decision had to be made: “find a new tenant or use the vacant space for ourselves.”
After a few meeting and inquiries, it was decided that a retail space would be put in with a mini Repco reseller store as well as a separate space for servicing small motors such as lawn mowers, chainsaws, weedeaters and ride-ons (small motor service area set to open early 2015).
While the Repco store will carry nowhere near the range that city stores provide, the product range has been specifically tailored for the Raglan Market.
From servicing vehicles to engineering supplies and services like welding and grinding to providing the farming community with tractor 3-point linkage accessories, Peter’s hope is that Raglan Engineering can now provide a wide-range of mechanical and engineering services to the community.
With some changes and developments afoot, next year will mark Peter’s 40th year working at 2 Park Drive and can say that the business is now a bit of a family affair.
Peter’s son Matt is helping out again in the workshop after an 18-month stint in Canada and with eight years experience working for Beaurepaires in Melbourne he has plenty of his own experience under his belt.
Matt’s older brother Stephen, who lives in Auckland, also helps out putting his management degree to good use assisting Peter with the finer details of procedures, stock control and general running systems.
“Many thanks to them,” says Peter as he looks ahead to the next step for Raglan Engineering.
So while you’re getting a WOF or service, your lawn mower handle welded or a new front steel gate made, check out the new mini Repco reseller store at Raglan Engineering No. 2 Park Drive.
