150 years
Swintons
150 years in business
UNIQUE, MODERN FURNITURE, A MYRIAD CHOICE OF FABRICS AND PRODUCTS SOURCED FROM ALL OVER AUSTRALIA AND THE WORLD – SWINTONS FURNITURE AND BEDDING CENTRE BRINGS ALL YOUR FURNITURE DREAMS TO THE SOUTHWEST.
S
wintons’ multi-level, 4,000m2 Warrnambool showroom displays stunning pieces in a way you can imagine them being in your own home. And this is just one of the reasons Swintons has been in business for 150 years. Owner Geoff Swinton says he conducts five buying trips a year to
ensure his store has the most upto-date, on-trend pieces that will bring a “wow factor” to the homes of the southwest. “I travel all over Australia – Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland and sometimes Western Australia – and overseas once or twice a year,” Geoff says.
“China, Malaysia, Vietnam and America are some of the countries we source products from so our customers can be assured we have the most up-to-date trends and styles in our own showroom right here in southwest Victoria. “We like to buy products that are a little bit different – pieces that are unique and add that wow factor to our showroom and to the homes they’ll be in. Whether it’s the fabric, style or colour, we like to find products that aren’t quite the norm.”
Geoff says that alongside the four levels of furniture displays, the Swintons showroom also includes a fabric gallery that has thousands of fabric samples that customers can take home and match against their home décor before ordering. As a local company that has been in business for 150 years, Geoff says Swintons supports other local businesses including Ryans Transport and Warrnambool and District Delivery Service, who do all their local and country deliveries.
White elephant stall on top of wagon 1915.
Ryans is also their carriers out of Melbourne. In times when businesses come and go as quickly as the seasons, 150 years continuous operation is an incredibly rare occurrence. Swintons will celebrate this milestone later this year. A family established, owned and managed business, Swintons has grown from a small operation to one of the
largest furniture showrooms in country Victoria. “Enjoying our work is integral to our success – I enjoy all facets of my work, from the delivery of furniture to the challenge of retail sales and the buying of quality merchandise,” Geoff says. Swintons’ team of six are all local people who have a combined 80 years’ experience, something Geoff believes is essential to a successful
New Furniture showroom 1956.
business. They are all proud of the personalised service they offer their customers. Geoff says Swintons is a founding member of one of the largest furniture buying groups in Australia, which has more than 70 stores, has recently added a licensed La-z-boy gallery and also incorporates a Sleepzone bedding area. Western Districts only La-z-boy Gallery.
Geoff Swinton’s top 5 business tips 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure you’re on top of everything. Keep your window displays up-to-date. Provide personal service to your customers. Be part of a buying group. Use Australian suppliers as much as possible.
“Our longevity in business is down to hard work, personalised service and providing our customers with a great range of unique and modern products they can see up close in our showroom.”
Delivery Cart 1913
“Our family has always put the customer first and it’s certainly paid off for our business.”
The founders - William and Ann Swinton.
6
southwest
Swintons Store early 1900s.
Family of William and Ann Swinton around the turn of the century. From left: Jean (Mrs. J. Kerr), Robert, John, George, Ann and William sen., Mary (Mrs. Steel, later Mrs. Aberline), Ann (Mrs. Brown).
1930: The Swintons' staff members packed a "parade of fashions" float for one of the street processions of the day.
The Directors of Swintons in 1965. All of whom were decendants of the founders. Front row: (l to r) Frank Swinton, Keith swinton. Back row: (l to r) Bruce Swinton, Roy Swinton, Stuart Swinton.
Every home should feature at least one piece of Australian Made furniture.
Storefront decorations October 1965. Today's staff from left to right: Jessie Worden, Jon Campbell, Geoff Swinton (owner), Glenn McKenzie.
southwest
7
150 years in business
UNIQUE, MODERN FURNITURE, A MYRIAD CHOICE OF FABRICS AND PRODUCTS SOURCED FROM ALL OVER AUSTRALIA AND THE WORLD – SWINTONS FURNITURE AND BEDDING CENTRE BRINGS ALL YOUR FURNITURE DREAMS TO THE SOUTHWEST.
S
wintons’ multi-level, 4,000m2 Warrnambool showroom displays stunning pieces in a way you can imagine them being in your own home. And this is just one of the reasons Swintons has been in business for 150 years. Owner Geoff Swinton says he conducts five buying trips a year to
ensure his store has the most upto-date, on-trend pieces that will bring a “wow factor” to the homes of the southwest. “I travel all over Australia – Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland and sometimes Western Australia – and overseas once or twice a year,” Geoff says.
“China, Malaysia, Vietnam and America are some of the countries we source products from so our customers can be assured we have the most up-to-date trends and styles in our own showroom right here in southwest Victoria. “We like to buy products that are a little bit different – pieces that are unique and add that wow factor to our showroom and to the homes they’ll be in. Whether it’s the fabric, style or colour, we like to find products that aren’t quite the norm.”
Geoff says that alongside the four levels of furniture displays, the Swintons showroom also includes a fabric gallery that has thousands of fabric samples that customers can take home and match against their home décor before ordering. As a local company that has been in business for 150 years, Geoff says Swintons supports other local businesses including Ryans Transport and Warrnambool and District Delivery Service, who do all their local and country deliveries.
White elephant stall on top of wagon 1915.
Ryans is also their carriers out of Melbourne. In times when businesses come and go as quickly as the seasons, 150 years continuous operation is an incredibly rare occurrence. Swintons will celebrate this milestone later this year. A family established, owned and managed business, Swintons has grown from a small operation to one of the
largest furniture showrooms in country Victoria. “Enjoying our work is integral to our success – I enjoy all facets of my work, from the delivery of furniture to the challenge of retail sales and the buying of quality merchandise,” Geoff says. Swintons’ team of six are all local people who have a combined 80 years’ experience, something Geoff believes is essential to a successful
New Furniture showroom 1956.
business. They are all proud of the personalised service they offer their customers. Geoff says Swintons is a founding member of one of the largest furniture buying groups in Australia, which has more than 70 stores, has recently added a licensed La-z-boy gallery and also incorporates a Sleepzone bedding area. Western Districts only La-z-boy Gallery.
Geoff Swinton’s top 5 business tips 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure you’re on top of everything. Keep your window displays up-to-date. Provide personal service to your customers. Be part of a buying group. Use Australian suppliers as much as possible.
“Our longevity in business is down to hard work, personalised service and providing our customers with a great range of unique and modern products they can see up close in our showroom.”
Delivery Cart 1913
“Our family has always put the customer first and it’s certainly paid off for our business.”
The founders - William and Ann Swinton.
6
southwest
Swintons Store early 1900s.
Family of William and Ann Swinton around the turn of the century. From left: Jean (Mrs. J. Kerr), Robert, John, George, Ann and William sen., Mary (Mrs. Steel, later Mrs. Aberline), Ann (Mrs. Brown).
1930: The Swintons' staff members packed a "parade of fashions" float for one of the street processions of the day.
The Directors of Swintons in 1965. All of whom were decendants of the founders. Front row: (l to r) Frank Swinton, Keith swinton. Back row: (l to r) Bruce Swinton, Roy Swinton, Stuart Swinton.
Every home should feature at least one piece of Australian Made furniture.
Storefront decorations October 1965. Today's staff from left to right: Jessie Worden, Jon Campbell, Geoff Swinton (owner), Glenn McKenzie.
southwest
7
