A.G. Gibbs Correspondence 1963 - Perth Plant
(At the time recorded here, A.G. 'Bill' Gibbs was the Manufacturing Manager; he eventually went on to be the first Australian Managing Diirector of GMH Pty Ltd. in September 1970).
In the early sixties, sales of Holden vehicles were still rising and seemingly had no ceiling. Forward expansion plans were developed to cater for the foreseen growth:
Project 1065 – 150,000 units per year;
Project 1200 – 175,000 units per year
Project ???? – 200,000 units per year.
The year 1963 was a seminal year for Manufacturing; Project 1065 was being implemented, and Project 1200 was approved early in the year.
In particular, the Perth Plant (Mosman Park) was under review. Labouring under shortcomings dating back to its inception in 1926, it was still rated at 7 jobs per hour (JPH). However, restrictions on the site area and potential problems with the Cottesloe unloading/storage area for bodies made management uneasy about the ability to upgrade the plant for higher volumes or even consistently produce 7 JPH. So, the search for a new Plant site at Perth was commenced.
A later variation when a new site was not easily found, was to spend only minimum money at Mosman Park to fix some of the historic problems, but keep the volume at 7 JPH, and supplement production by shipped vehicles from the new Elizabeth facility which back then had excess capacity.
The correspondence below is mainly related to the problems of Perth, although occasionally touches on Brisbane (Strathpine Vs Acacia Ridge) and Pagewood.
| Date | From | To | Subject | Link |
| 1963 Jan 28 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Draft of Birkenhead requirements and function transfers to Elizabeth | |
| 1963 Jan 29 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Proposal for Project 1200, 175,000 units, single shift at Birkenhead | |
| 1963 Feb 26 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Report of discussions at Woodville with Ken Ladner re Perth expansion | |
| 1963 Feb 27 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Submission made in New York for Project 1200, 175,000 units p.a. | |
| 1963 Feb 28 | J.K. Stuart | File Note | Valuation of Perth Plant and freight penalties | |
| 1963 March 1 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Comments on Stuart's letter of 26th February. | |
| 1963 March 4 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Stuart's responses to Gibbs re perth expanssion comments | |
| 1963 March 5 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Thanks for your comments; I understand your reasoning | |
| 1963 March 14 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Project 1200: Medium Stamping Plant at Elizabeth | |
| 1963 March 20 | A.G. Gibbs | Distribution | Status of Project 1065, Expansion to 150,000 units. Project 175,000 now also approved | |
| 1963 March 22 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Have sent Doug Cleary to Perth to do layout proposals; some comments on proposals. | |
| 1963 March 29 | H Longbottom | A.G. Gibbs | Notes on layout which has been completed | |
| 1963 March 29 | J.K. Stuart | File Note | Discussions at Perth re requirements for Project 1200 | |
| 1963 March 29 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Need to take action on problems with Non-Current Spares production facilities | |
| 1963 April 1 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Intentions for GMH sign on Elizabeth Boiler house? | |
| 1963 April 2 | A.G. Gibbs | D. Hegland | Discussions with Council re options to expand Mosman Park | |
| 1963 April 3 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Have given letter re Non-Current Spares to Hegland; will discuss in Adelaide visit | |
| 1963 April 3 | H. Longbottom | A.G. Gibbs | Some plans for expansion with marked up layout | |
| 1963 April 4 | R.T. Jackson | J.K. Stuart | Results of study of air routes over Elizabeth Plant. | |
| 1963 April 5 | H, Longbottom | Distribution | Newspaper clipping re parking problems and visit to Council | |
| 1963 April 6 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Proposals for GMH sign on Elizabeth Boiler House | |
| 1963 April 8 | J.K. Stuart | Ramsay | Desire to purchase Housing Trust land to preserve Elizabeth access to railway line | |
| 1963 April 10 | A.G. Gibbs | File Note | Non-Current Spares to keep using Plt 2 at Woodville until future plan developed. | |
| 1963 April 11 | T. Wylie | Distribution | Will make study for new plant to build 80 and 120 units per day. | |
| 1963 April 16 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | How best to approach State Govt for land | |
| 1963 April 18 | J.K. Stuart | K. Ladner | Report of discussions with Hergland re plant expansion | |
| 1963 April 18 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Copy of note added to top of previous letter to Ladner. | |
| 1963 April 22 | F Shetliffe | J.K. Stuart | Costs of freighting cars from Elizabeth instead of building at Perth. | |
| 1963 April 24 | K.L. Ladner | J.K. Stuart | Request help from WA Minister Court to find suitable land for possible new Plant | |
| 1963 April 24 | E.C. Poole | Highways Dept. | Agree to sell land in Cheltenham Pde Elizabeth to Highways Dept. for road works, subject to GM Approval. | |
| 1963 April 24 | E.C. Poole | J.K. Stuart | Details of sale of Cheltenham Pde Elizabeth land to be sold and needs Disposal Request to be raised | |
| 1963 April 27 | Neighbour | A.G. Gibbs | Mosman Park Plant neighbour wants to discuss parking problems around plant | |
| 1963 April 29 | A.G. Gibbs | Lewis | Discussion re upgrading Paint Shop at Strathpine Plant Vs new Plant at Acacia Ridge. | |
| 1963 May 1 | A.G. Gibbs | H.M. Longbottom | Advise neighbour that parking problems at Mosman Park have been resolved with Council. | |
| 1963 May 2 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Study at Perth Plant: Maybe build extra volume at Elizabeth and not expand Perth? | |
| 1963 May 3 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Appropriation Request to buy land for Railway access to Elizabeth. | |
| 1963 May 3 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Discussion notes for visit of Hegland & Gibbs to Woodville - Stamping Plants | |
| 1963 May 6 | E.S. Marden | K.L. Ladner | Perth Expansion - Kewdale area | |
| 1963 May 6 | A.M. Ramsay | J.K. Stuart | Land adjacent Plt probably available; Housing Trust agree to not sell any land adjacent to Elizabeth plant before discussion with GMH | |
| 1963 May 6 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Discussion notes for visit of Hegland & Gibbs to Woodville - Perth | |
| 1963 May 6 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Discussion notes for visit of Hegland & Gibbs to Woodville - Body Shop Extension | |
| 1963 May 6 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Discussion notes for visit of Hegland & Gibbs to Woodville - Equipment for 200,000 volume | |
| 1963 May 6 | E.S. Marden | K. Ladner | Providing Kewdale layout to be marked up with alternative site for new plant | |
| 1963 May 7 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Discussion notes for visit of Hegland & Gibbs to Woodville - Medium Stamping Plant | |
| 1963 May 7 | A.G. Gibbs | G.W. Meuleman | Disposal Request to sell land previously agreed, to Highways Dept. | |
| 1963 May 7 | F. Shetliffe | J.K. Stuart | Project 1200, Alternatives for supply of bodies to Perth to delay or reduce need for expansion | |
| 1963 May 10 | A.G. Gibbs | D.L Hegland | Layout queries re Elizabeth Fab and Asm Plant locations | |
| 1963 May 10 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Project 1200, Revised Layouts for FB Foundry and Pagewood Touch-up Building. | |
| 1963 May 14 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Project 1065 Contingencies, Elizabeth and Woodville | |
| 1963 May 15 | F. Shetliffe | A.G. Gibbs | Telex: Vauxhall engineers on way; Elizabeth land transfer documents signed | |
| 1963 May 16 | T. Wylie | J.K. Stuart | Study: Vehicle Assembly Capacity in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. | |
| 1963 May 20 | A.G. Gibbs | File note | Notes: How do you accommodate 200,000 volume Stamping at Woodville and Elizabeth? | |
| 1963 May 20 | A.G. Gibbs | F.L Shetliffe | VAP Operations in Perth Study notes | |
| 1963 May 21 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Land Acquisitions in Perth - Discussions with WA Minister Court | |
| 1963 May 22 | J.K. Stuart | F.L Shetliffe | Explanation for chosen location of production facilities at Elizabeth. | |
| 1963 May 23 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Cover note for Tom Wylie's Assembly Capacity study of 16th May. | |
| 1963 May 23 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Comments on planned locations for Elizabeth facilities. | |
| 1963 May 24 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Comments on planned locations for Elizabeth facilities. | |
| 1963 May 27 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Development Plan for Adelaide | |
| 1963 May 28 | H.M. Longbottom | L.J. Perkins | Perth Plant- Assessment of Capacity | |
| 1963 May 28 | Perth Summary | File | Summary of required actions at Perth Plant | |
| 1963 May 30 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | News item re Standard Gauge Rail and effect on shipping bodies to Perth | |
| 1963 May 31 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Note re folder for Mr Gage covering Projects 1200 and 1065. | |
| 1963 May ?? | Perth Expn study Vs Eliz Asm | File | Perth Expansion study Vs Eliz Asm_Layouts | |
| 1963 May ?? | Proj 1200 Summary | File | May Project 1200 Summary - Freight Penalty for supplying vehicles from Elizabeth to Perth | |
| 1963 June 3 | A.G. Gibbs | Distribution | Copies of Gage folder material plus letter from Hegland to Gage commenting on layouts. | |
| 1963 June 5 | A.G. Gibbs | H.M. Longbottom | Problems with Old Canning Park Racecourse area as possible Perth Plant site. | |
| 1963 June 6 | F. Callahan | J.K. Stuart | All Vauxhall FB bodies now shipped from Elizabeth; and vehicles to be assembled in all plants. | |
| 1963 June 11 | H.M. Longbottom | A.G. Gibbs | Responses to June 3rd letter re Kewdale area proposed as possible new Plant site. | |
| 1963 June 12 | L.J. Perkins | H.M. Longbottom | Perth Plant Capacity study if producing Holden and Bedford only with others SUP . | |
| 1963 June 12 | F.L Shetliffe | G.W. Meuleman | Request for costs of repairing shipped bodies into Perth. | |
| 1963 June 12 | F.L Shetliffe | J.K. Stuart | Request information on Canning Park and Spearwood potential Plant areas | |
| 1963 June 12 | F.L Shetliffe | J.K. Stuart | Repairing shipped bodies as proposed not practical; maybe repair all at Mosman Park? | |
| 1963 June 13 | K.L. Ladner | H.M. Longbottom | Old Canning park area will not get Standard Gauge rail, and no drainage works are planned. | |
| 1963 June 13 | H.M. Longbottom | J.K. Stuart | Mosman Park Council asking if new area has been selected as needs to be on new Zoning Plan? | |
| 1963 June 13 | L.J. Perkins | H.M. Longbottom | Perth employee parking, Council suggested area not suitable? | |
| 1963 June 17 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Old Canning Park and Kewdale sites not suitable, so Council should rezone areas adjacent to existing Plant. | |
| 1963 June 18 | J.K. Stuart | H.M. Longbottom | Please ask Council to rezone four blocks adjacent to Plant. | |
| 1963 June 18 | J.K. Stuart | H.M. Longbottom | Need to purchase adjacent properties for employee car parking to avoid Council sanctions. | |
| 1963 June 19 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Employee Car Parking comments | |
| 1963 June 24 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Perth Plant discussions with Hegland. | |
| 1963 June 25 | D.L Hegland | Hon. C.W. Court | Suggested sites not suitable, need new proposals. | |
| 1963 June 27 | Perth Expansion study Vs Eliz Asm | File | Perth Expansion study Vs Eliz Asm update | |
| 1963 June 28 | K.L. Ladner | Town Clerk | Request to Council to rezone properties at 11 and 16 Buckland Ave Mosman Park for Automotive assembly. | |
| 1963 June ?? | Project 1200 Hardware Plt layouts | File | Proposed Layout of Elizabeth Hardware Plant | |
| 1963 July 2 | T. Wylie | F.L Shetliffe | Study of new facilities at Elizabeth and Perth to meet Sales forecasts | |
| 1963 July 3 | Hon. C.W. Court | D.L Hegland | Pleased to receive request for new proposals and will get to work immediately | |
| 1963 July 8 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Hegland favours new plant in Perth and only use fill-in Elizabeth capacity in short term. | |
| 1963 July 16 | H.M. Longbottom | A.G. Gibbs | Report of confidential meeting with Govt advisory committee on new plant site | |
| 1963 July 17 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Draft letter Hegland to Gage re situation at Perth Plant. | |
| 1963 Aug 5 | J.K. Stuart | F.L Shetliffe | Send update of Elizabeth Perspective sketch to Bill Gibbs. | |
| 1963 Aug 7 | F. Shetliffe | J.K. Stuart | Existing Elizabeth sketch from Gibb's office mailed to you today. | |
| 1963 Aug 9 | D.L Hegland | H.W. Gage | Revised proposals for Mosman Park and Elizabeth to accommodate shortfall at Perth. | |
| 1963 Aug 13 | J.K. Stuart | E.C. Poole | Agree to termination of Queenstown Body Park area lease. | |
| 1963 Aug 21 | H.W. Gage | D.L Hegland | Gage agrees with Hegland's proposals | |
| 1963 Aug 23 | K.L. Ladner | H.M. Longbottom | Changes to proposed Standard gauge rail in Spearwood area creates problems. | |
| 1963 Aug 28 | H.M. Longbottom | A.G. Gibbs | Forwarding Ladner's letter and press clipping re Standard Gauge Rail (SGR) rerouting. | |
| 1963 Aug 29 | E.L. Fowler | J. Manton | Request Railways to improve condition of Cottesloe Rail Yard surface. | |
| 1963 Sep 18 | K.L. Ladner | H.M. Longbottom | Railways confirm new route for SGR will be approved, with no provision for unloading Bodies anywhere. | |
| 1963 Sep 19 | H.M. Longbottom | J.K. Stuart | Further contact with Govt over lack of body storage under new SGR proposal not satisfactory. | |
| 1963 Sep 20 | K.L. Ladner | H.M. Longbottom | Press Clip advising Commonwealth Govt has approved new SGR route. | |
| 1963 Sep 23 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | What is cost impact of storing bodies at Leighton instead of Cottesloe? | |
| 1963 Sep 23 | A. Moffat | J.K. Stuart | Annual cost 1963 for rail freight to WA. | |
| 1963 Sep 26 | K.L. Ladner | H.M. Longbottom | Talks with Govt show no new land available near SGR. Also freight penalty for Leighton storage | |
| 1963 Sep 30 | H.M. Longbottom | J.K. Stuart | Freight penalties in Ladner's letter only basic unit costs, needs to be annualised by Finance. | |
| 1963 Sep 30 | R. Robertson | Distribution | Nominating responsibilities for Project 1200 review for new proposal minimum cost at Perth. | |
| 1963 Sep | Mosman Pk Project 1200 | File Note | New Project 1200 estimate sheets for minimum re-arrangements at Perth | |
| 1963 Oct 8 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | We will need to buy two blocks of land at Plant for body storage unless Govt has new land. | |
| 1963 Oct 11 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | A 38 acre block is available at Kewdale and has many advantages. | |
| 1963 Oct 11 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Opinion is we should apply to Railways to extend SGR to Cottesloe for our use. | |
| 1963 Oct 15 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Agree we should only buy one block of adjacent land for now. | |
| 1963 Oct 15 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Court is also Minister for Railways so we should ask him for help first. | |
| 1963 Oct 18 | K.L. Ladner | H.M. Longbottom | More details on Newburn Rd, Kewdale. | |
| 1963 Oct 18 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Draft letter to Court requesting SGR extension to Cottesloe | |
| 1963 Oct 22 | J.K. Stuart | H.M. Longbottom | Received new Kewdale area photos and info, looks good. | |
| 1963 Oct 25 | WA DID | K.L. Ladner | Owner of second Kewdale plot now approached re sale. | |
| 1963 Oct 28 | A.G. Gibbs | D.L Hegland | Advice of new land at Kewdale being now considered. | |
| 1963 Oct 28 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Hold up progress on Newburn Rd site until letter sent to Court re SGR extension | |
| 1963 Oct 28 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Owner has offered an option on purchase of 18 acres at Kewdale. | |
| 1963 Oct 29 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Have good details and photos re new Kewdale site; should we raise it with Gage? | |
| 1963 Nov 1 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Telex: Kewdale Owner willing to give extended option on land | |
| 1964 Nov 1 | A.G. Gibbs | D.L Hegland | Advise of new option available on Kewdale land. | |
| 1963 Nov 4 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Hegland wants to discuss new Kewdale proposal; when will we know if second parcel is available? | |
| 1963 Nov 5 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Needs to update Gage and Hegland on thinking re Perth | |
| 1963 Nov 7 | H.M. Longbottom | J.K. Stuart | One owner of Buckland Rd premises will not sell; other one is considering | |
| 1963 Nov 7 | H.M. Longbottom | J.K. Stuart | Suggested revisions to Project 1200 requirements at Perth. | |
| 1963 Nov 7 | H.M. Longbottom | J.K. Stuart | Update on Kewdale plot sale. | |
| 1963 Nov 11 | A.G. Gibbs | G.L Terpenning | Hegland decided not to proceed with new Kewdale plots | |
| 1963 Nov 13 | H.M. Longbottom | A.G. Gibbs | Offer on No 11 Newburn Rd for 6,100 pounds. | |
| 1963 Nov 14 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Telex: Explanation of location of Stamping Facilities at Elizabeth. | |
| 1963 Nov 18 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Explanation of why queries were raised by Gage on Stamping Plant location and capacity. | |
| 1963 Nov 19 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Telex: Finance agree to proceed with purchase of 11 Newburn Rd. | |
| 1963 Nov 19 | L. Fowler | WA Railways | Railways will not resurface Cottesloe site, but will give GMH 33.3% discount and 5 year's tenure if GMH do it. | |
| 1963 Nov 20 | J.K. Stuart | H.M. Longbottom | Agree to revisions to Project 1200 at Perth, except items 1 and 2. | |
| 1963 Nov 21 | G.W. Meuleman | J.E. Healy | Official Finance confirmation of agreement to buy 11 Newburn Rd. | |
| 1963 Nov 22 | D.L Hegland | Hon. C.W. Court | Hegland to Minister Court on Kewdale land plus extension of SGR to Cottesloe. | |
| 1963 Nov 22 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Attached copy of letter Hegland to Court on Kewdale land plus extension of SGR to Cottesloe. | |
| 1963 Nov 22 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Proceed to try to convince second Newburn Rd plot owner to sell. | |
| 1963 Nov 28 | Hon. C.W. Court | D.L Hegland | Will keep looking for new land, and will discuss SGR extension with Railways Minister. | |
| 1963 Dec 13 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Should agree to resurfacing of Cottesloe area as will secure tenure for five years, removing an operating uncertainty. | |
| 1963 Dec 14 | K.L. Ladner | H.M. Longbottom | Can we accept Railways offer re surfacing of Cottesloe site? | |
| 1963 Dec 17 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Finance agree to Railways proposal but require a Lease Request. | |
| 1963 Dec 18 | A.G. Gibbs | J.K. Stuart | Can be handled with simple exchange of letters setting out terms and avoid Lease Request and New York approvals. | |
| 1963 Dec 20 | H.M. Richards | J.E. Healy | Formal advice from Finance that they are satisfied with simple exchange of letters in lieu of a lease Agreement | |
| 1963 Dec 24 | J.K. Stuart | A.G. Gibbs | Telex: How case storage is handled at Plant. |