The importance of the opening of the Guardsman factory in Devon Street East was indicated by the presence of the former New Zealand Ambassador to the United States, Sir Carl Berendsen.
At the cocktail party held to celebrate the opening on 1 May 1952, Sir Carl commented that, “...there were larger buildings in the United States, but none more modern”.
The two-storey building totalled 11,000 square feet and cost £30,000. The architect was Allott Gabites of Wellington and the contractors, Fletcher Construction.
Guardsman Ltd. was formed in 1945 after the takeover of John Mack Ltd – a New Plymouth company based in King Street manufacturing army uniforms.
When Guardsman was first set up they manufactured six sizes of men’s suits, all in one style. By 1952 they were producing six styles of suits in a number of sizes, with a staff of 52 women and 18 men.
The modern premises were supplied with the most up-to-date equipment, including a button-hole machine, which according to the Taranaki Herald, was part of war reparations from Germany.
The closure of the Guardsman plant was announced suddenly in March 1981, leaving 60 staff without a job. The announcement came after the takeover of Guardsman Ltd. by Lane Walker Rudkin Industries who decided to transfer production to Christchurch. The company closed on 14 April 1981.
Alterations to the upper floor were carried out in 1981. On 8 September 1982 the electronics (TV & Sound) retailer, Scott Oliver Ltd., opened for business in the building - advertised as "formerly Guardsmans".
In more recent years the building was used by the Practical Education Training Centre and in 2024 the Chinese buffet restaurant 'Sun World' occupies the ground floor.
Legal description: Town Section 1448, Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 Page 480.
Please do not reproduce these images without permission from Puke Ariki.
Contact us for more information or you can order images online here.
