Gemcell Australia

On April 1st, one of Gemcell’s founding member businesses turned 50. The company’s founder, the late Gordon Macdonald, helped launch The Gemcell Group and to this day Gordon Macdonald Pty Ltd is still heavily involved with the Gemcell operation. Gordon Macdonald has grown to become the leading electrical wholesaler in the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands areas thanks to the support of their dedicated staff past and present, supply partners and very importantly, their customers.

The electrical industry has changed over the last fifty years - so too has Gordon Macdonald’s! Where once the area was known as an industrial heartland, it has diversified in many ways. Nevertheless, one name has stayed the same and still stands tall today. The name of the man who built a leading independent electrical and industrial supply company who:

• began operation in a tin shed
• became sole electrical maintenance equipment supplier to BHP’s Port Kembla plant
• became the “supplier of trust” for customers big and small, who knew that if they needed information there was one place they would get unbiased advice from people who knew what they were talking about.

That place was, and still is, Gordon Macdonald’s!

From humble beginnings, Gordon forged a reputation in Wollongong, his home town Port Kembla and the surrounding Illawarra district as a supplier who knew what he was talking about. A fitter and turner by trade, Gordon understood the value that his customers placed upon independent advice and reliability of supply. His business grew, ultimately to become the district’s biggest supplier of electrical and industrial supplies and the region’s only local family owned electrical wholesale company. Today the area has grown and with it the arrival of more opposition both from multinationals and independents. Some of these opposition companies have come and gone.

The Gordon Macdonald staff have always been the backbone of the company, and it would be remiss not to mention some of the past staff members: Keith Hayse, expert trouble shooter on electrical control. John Dent, lighting guru. John Thomson, quality systems and management control. Gus Cox, sales rep. personified. Barry Dumbrell, Director, General Manager and friend to everyone. As well as the frontline staff, the administration team behind the scenes plays a significant part in the smooth running of the company. Today we still like to train our staff in all aspects of the electrical industry. Expert knowledge enables our staff to help our customers to reach their goals.

The pace of the industry has quickened in this - the age of the computer! Barry Dumbrell remembered (with a sense of wry humour) the night he argued with Gordon Macdonald, John van Eck and Keith Hayse, trying to convince them that to computerise the company would be a waste of time and money. Fortunately, Barry was out-voted and John van Eck, with 7 years I.T. experience at the National Bank behind him, went on to supervise the installation and commissioning of the system.

Luckily for them the system was operating when they were awarded the supply contract to BHP because it also became a testing ground for BHP’s National Engineering Information Service via connection to Gordon Macdonald’s EDI (Electronic Data Interface) system, a factor in the selection process that John knew came down heavily in their favour.

Bernie O'Neill explained that over the last couple of years, with the help of Phil Smith - the company's contracted computer wizard, Gordon Macdonald has upgraded I.T. processes to become more in line with current trends. "These processes help streamline the business but there is nothing like face-to-face contact with the customer. It takes time for new systems to run smoothly, it takes time for training and also for people to move with these changes. At Gordon Mac's we have a three-stage plan. So far two stages have been completed with our last stage being on line later in the year," Bernie added.

With the looming loss of the BHP contract to a multinational company (at that point in time BHP represented around forty percent of the business) Gordon Macdonald focussed on opening branches and servicing the contractor and the industry. Today Bernie O’Neill is the General Manager of the company, with the main branch in Wollongong managed by Craig Sullivan. This branch services the greater Wollongong area as well as the outer Sydney suburbs. Oak Flats branch is managed by John Stawanski, looking after the southern Wollongong area. Bowral branch is managed by Shane Fahey and services the Southern Highlands region. The Nowra branch is managed by Ian Bryce who looks after the South Coast and far South Coast regions.

The Nowra operation has outgrown its current site and come September will move to a much larger position on the main highway at South Nowra. This will be a significant step in the growth of the business in that region. "At Gordon Macs we progress our staff through the ranks where possible and maintain long-term employment. All our current managers had their first job starting in the stores and progressed through various positions to where they are today," said Bernie.

"Technology is a growing business inside the electrical industry. Our team is kept up to speed with training provided by our suppliers and experts within the industry. What has been a great benefit to us is our new technology showroom and meeting room which was built on the Auburn Street site at Wollongong. This is a multi-purpose room for training, meetings of all types and demonstration of home theatre, security, lighting and data-comms utilising Clipsal C-Bus, HPM i-set® and other equipment and its application in the smart wiring of houses, intelligent cabling of buildings and associated systems."

"Being part of the Gemcell Group has played a big part in the development of the company. It has enabled us to network with other independent companies, becoming a sounding board for each other. The Gemcell group is the driving force in electrical wholesaling and is now the leader in this field."

"Relationships with suppliers are very important as they can make or break our service to our customers, and Gordon Macdonald’s values and nurtures good working relations with our suppliers on all levels. Equally important however is both our team at Gordon Macdonald and our customers. Without the support of all our customers, from the one man operation to the large contractor and industry, Gordon Macdonald’s would not be here today and in this fast paced, sometimes cut throat business, we would like to thank all our customers for their support over the years and hope we will continue to support you into the future," added Bernie.

Under the current leadership of Bernie O'Neill, the company sits securely on the solid foundations laid by Gordon over a great many years. Gordon's tradition of integrity, knowledge and independence remain the cornerstones of the business. As Bernie explained: "These are the three essential qualities that are the essence of who we are and what we do. And it’s why Gor-Mac’s is renowned for service, quality and the true spirit of independence.