Kiwi Icon Para Rubber Back In New Zealand Hands

Kiwi Icon Para Rubber Back In New Zealand Hands

Iconic Kiwi company Para Rubber is back in New Zealand hands following a deal completed today (1 April 2009).

The brand, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, is now a 100% New Zealand business again, after spending 13 years under the ownership of Australian company Clark Rubber.

Kiwi company GMT Franchising, has now bought the Para Rubber business itself off Clark for an undisclosed sum. The Plastic Box business, which is run by Pacbranz, has held the Para Rubber master franchise for the past three years.

GMT chief executive and director Vaughan Moss said: “Para Rubber is an iconic New Zealand brand with tremendous name recognition.

“We’re delighted to have it come back into New Zealand hands and will be expanding the franchise network, providing great opportunities for more Kiwis to take control of their own businesses.”

Para Rubber currently has 10 stores from Whangarei to Dunedin and Moss said there was plenty of potential for growth, particularly in Auckland and Wellington.

“As well as boosting the store network, we want to build up the brand again and restore it to general usage on a wide range of products.”

The first Para Rubber store was opened in Christchurch in 1910 by George Waldeman Skellerup, who travelled the country selling rubber goods at agricultural shows.

The brand became a household name from the 1930s onwards for its wide range of foam and rubber goods, including swimming pools, squabs, gumboots and jandals.

“Para Rubber is one of the great Kiwi brands and we’re pleased to have it back home in time for its centenary in 2010,” Moss said.

GMT Franchising is owned by Moss, Sam Graham and Mark Taylor, all of whom have an association with the Plastic Box, which has 32 stores nationwide.

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