Masport: 100 Years in the Making

December 1 1910:	Reuben Porter, Harold Mason and Edwin Jones open for business as City Engineering Ltd in Cleave Ave Auckland
March 1912:	City Engineering Ltd moves to new premises in Vogel Lane
October 1915:	City Engineering Ltd is renamed as Mason and Porter Ltd
April 1917:	Fred Porter is born
June 1917:	Moved into Cleveland Rd Parnell from Vogel Lane

The Staff (1911)

1922:	'Miss Masport' built to race in N.Z. Power Boating Championship. It wins in its first attempt.
1925:	The Porters meet Fred Cave and Enid Porter joins the firm because Harold Mason has to take time off for illness.
1929:	Prototype Masport 'Rapid' lawn mower is manufactured secretly in the house next door

Miss Masport New Zealand Powerboat

1930-31:	Production and marketing of Masport “Rapid” begins
1933:	Mason and Porter manufacture Refrigerators
1937:	Harold Mason resigns as Chairman and is replaced by Fred Cave. Enid Porter becomes a Director.
1938:	“G” Force i.e. women are employed in the factory to carry out light assembly work and painting.
1939:	Fred Porter becomes a Director aged 22.

Illustration from an advertisement, advertising the new series Masport 'Rapid' which was introduced to the market in 1932

1940-42:	Mt Wellington Plant including new Foundry is completed and the Company goes onto a full war footing.
1943:	Russell Jenkins appointed a Manager of the Company.
1945:	Harold Mason resigns from the Company and Russell Jenkins becomes a Director. By the end of the year full time production has resumed.
1946:	Enid Porter dies suddenly.
1947:	Harold Mason dies aged 64.

The sparkling new lunch room.

1952-53:	“LawnSprite”, Lawn Prince and Lawn Chief range of motor mowers produced.
1953:	Gordon Boswell is employed by Mason and Porter.
1955-56:	First “Rotacut” horizontal blade lawn mowers manufactured.
1958:	Masport “Rotahoe” introduced to the market.
1959:	Doug Benefield joins Mason and Porter and sales exceed $1,000,000 for the first time.

The Masport 'Rotahoe" first introduced to the market in 1958

1960:	Mason and Porter celebrate 50 years
1961:	David Porter joins the Company as an apprentice fitter and turner.
1962:	Parnell Plant closes.
1963:	Terry Porter also joins Mason and Porter as an apprentice fitter and turner.
1964:	Reuben Porter dies aged 78. Fred Porter and Russell Jenkins become Joint Managing Directors.
1966:	Sales exceed $2,000,000 for the first time and Marketing Department opened.

Aerial view of Parnell Plant which closed in 1962

1971:	Doug Benefield and David Porter become Directors.
1972:	"Movac" and "President" lawnmowers produced.
1973:	Russell Jenkins retires as Managing Director (Admin). Doug Benefield replaces him.
1975:	Masport Australia increase sales by 73% and breaks the $A1million mark.
1978:	Total external sales exceed $30 million. Pittsburgh Pot Belly Stoves are released to the market and 4,000 sold in the first year.

Board of Directors - Masport Holdings Ltd (1977-78)
(Clockwise from top): David Porter, Ian Winlaw, Don McDonald, Doug Benefield, Fred Porter, Russell Jenkins

1984 :	Masport Ltd formed and listed on the Stock Exchange. Fred Porter appointed President and Doug Benefield becomes Managing Director.
1985:	Porter family leave Masport during the year and Doug Benefield becomes Chief Executive Officer.
1986:	Masport purchases Morrison Industries.
1987:	Sir Earl Richardson steps down as Chairman. Divisionalisation introduced. Morrison Industries Cycle division sold.
1988:	Doug Benefield retires as CEO but remains a Director. Nick Bessey becomes CEO and unifies divisions. Masport is placed under Cable Price Downer banner.
1989:	Nick Bessey resigns as CEO and is replaced by Laurie Margain.

Morrison Industries is purchased by Masport in 1986, with the Cycle division being sold in 1987.

Coming Soon