Mitre 10

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Mitre 10 is a hardware store chain operating in the Pacific region. They operate in 900 locations in all states of Australia and New Zealand. Australia and New Zealand are two separate companies, each operates a co-operative system where the store owners are members of the national group and each has voting rights. The chain name references the mitre joint, but was inspired by the Mitre Tavern in Melbourne. [1]

1 Mitre 10 Stores
2 History
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Mitre 10 Stores

More recently, Mitre 10 have branched out into four identities, or what as Mitre 10 refer to as "stores",^[1] largely in order to find niches where they can defend themselves against Bunnings, which is by far the largest hardware chain in Australia.

Mitre 10 Handy: "Conveniently located hardware stores providing a quick and easy shopping trip for products required for the repair, maintenance and everyday functioning of urban homes."
Mitre 10 Solutions: "A new style hardware store offering products, ideas and advice to assist consumers expressing their individual styles."
Mitre 10 Home & Trade: "Comprehensive products and services for the building trade and serious DIYer who need successful building, renovation and project outcomes."
MEGA: A more recent addition to the Mitre 10 brand, offering consumers a choice in "XXL" hardware stores. Like their competitor Bunnings Warehouse, MEGA is a super-store styled option containing all departments in one location.

[edit] History

The move to set up a co-operative group of hardware stores, originated from a meeting held in Victoria, June 1959, with five men who would become Mitre 10's founding fathers — Tom Molomby, Tom Danaher, Reg Buchanan, Jack Womersley and Ian Nisbet. This move occurred specifically to maximise funds and energy with regards to advertising and promotions and to demonstrate that independent operators offered service, advice and competitive prices. The group quickly grew in membership to the point where it required a full time management team.

The new company soon expanded operations, with fifteen New South Wales members joining the group by February 1961. Queensland soon followed with seven retailers, under the chairmanship of Arthur Scurr, joining the cooperative in January 1962, followed by a further sixteen members from Newcastle in October the same year. With the company successfully operational in the three Eastern states by the end of 1962 and South Australia and Western Australia soon running their own state based co-operatives, attentions turned to crossing the Tasman. After initial early discussions in Auckland, Mitre 10 New Zealand was established on June 20, 1974.

Originally there were only eight members of the fledgling company, although the group was confident the number would be increased to ten before long. "Mitre 10" simply sounded more lyrical than "Mitre 8" or "Mitre 11". Today, the Mitre 10 Hardware Group has more than 900 stores throughout Australia and New Zealand.