After almost 50 years in the construction supply business, Wagga man John Turner is set to retire from Hudson's Trade Centre Mitre 10.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Originally from Cootamundra, Mr Turner was working in Young when a job opened up at the business, then known as Hardy's. That was in 1974 and the rest is history.
As he prepares for retirement more than 48 years later he will leave the same Chaston Street address where it all began.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Through the years, the business has changed hands many times, and Mr Turner has now come full circle.
"I've learnt to take one day at a time," he said.
"It's been a roller-coaster but it's been good. I started at Mitre 10 and now I'm going to finish at Mitre 10."
When he first began, it was the heyday of manufacturing and the business had a much larger footprint with buildings all over the area.
"We used to make everything from frame and trusses, to kitchen cupboards, we did the lot," he said.
These days, the manufacturing side has been significantly scaled back.
"What they used to manufacture they now buy in," Mr Turner said.
But the business still makes frame and trusses for the now-booming housing market.
"Nothing's changed in that area except the way we make them," Mr Turner said.
During his time, Mr Turner also served as store manager from 1990 until 1994. In 1991, he won an award when the business was named the best hardware store in the state.
Mr Turner clocks off for the last time next Friday July 8 and hopes to travel more with wife Sandra in retirement.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Download our app from the Apple Store or Google Play
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters