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.

1991	Bicycle business sold to Hope Gibbons Vaccuum pumps transferred to Skellerup Engineering
1994:	Mulching lawnmower wins 'Product of the Year' award. Masport starts munfacturing Gas Flame Effect Fires
1998:	Masport introduces the Multi-Feature and Genius range of mowers. Utopia Cast Iron fires introduced.

'Product of the Year' award winning Mulching Lawnmower

2003	CEO John Lawson resigns and is replace by Mark von Batenburg.
2004:	MSV series mower introduced. Launched as THE BEAST.
2005:	Mark con Batenburg resigns and is replace by Peter Batcheler as General Manager.
2006:	Peter Batcheler resigns as General Manager.
2007:	Steve Hughes appointed General Manager of Masport Ltd. Clive Baker retires after 29 years.

Masport MSV Genius 4n1 Lawnmower

2010

Mike Carvill retires in July after 32 years.

Masport celebrates it's 100th Birthday on 1st December.