Local company paints way to 50 year milestone

Media Release

26 April 2012

Local company paints way to 50 year milestone

This May marks 50 years of successful business for local company – J Tomlinson & Co.

In 1962 when Joe Tomlinson started his one-man painting operation from home in Epuni Lower Hutt he had no idea that 50 years later the company would still be going strong.

It would also have taken some imagination to visualise his first apprentice, Steve Salmon (employed in 1968), as director of the company and son Ray Tomlinson heading up new national arm of the business - JT Property Wash.

J Tomlinson & Co is a stalwart of the Hutt community. It provides employment for a team of master painters and has painted its way through residential and commercial properties in the Hutt and Porirua as well as painting nearly every school in the Hutt Valley (usually more than once).

The company has also been at the forefront of product development and innovative technology over the years.

Steve says the company was involved in testing Resene’s new products for them in the early days. “Our team’s expertise and feedback helped Resene create the extensive range of quality paint products they have available today.”

Joe was always on the lookout for better products and techniques, says Steve. One such opportunity arose in the early days of his business when Joe met a Dutch man whose crew was using a new and efficient device to apply paint – a roller.

“Joe knew great new technology when he saw it, and he became the leader in using rollers in the painting industry,” says Steve.

Not content with confining themselves to painting, the company has also supported Te Omanga Hospice for more than 20 years.

“When you’re part of a community you care about what happens, you want to support those people who are making a difference to the lives of others,” says Ray.

Biddy Harford, Te Omanga’s Chief Executive says it was Luisa Tomlinson (Joe’s wife) who first got involved in the hospice in in 1989, volunteering in the kitchen to prepare meals for inpatients.

“Like anybody who supports hospice, the need to get involved with our cause spreads to the whole family. It wasn’t long before Joe and the family business were getting involved in providing services in kind,” says Biddy.

In 2006 J Tomlinson & Co was instrumental in organising a major face-lift for the hospice encouraging the local Rotary Clubs to get on board and fundraise for the work. Volunteering, painting and maintenance provided by the Tomlinson’s continue to this day.

So what does the next 50 years hold for the company?

Ray says the successful formula for the painting side of the business remains the same with a continued emphasis on working in the Hutt and Porirua. In addition, J T Property Wash will continue to grow nationally, “that’s where the future growth of the company will come from.”

ENDS

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