Company History

Right name in hardware... for over 50 years in Australia

It was on 29 June 1959, that our founding fathers met in Reg Buchanan's home in Balwyn, Victoria, where they made the historic decision to form a hardware/building supplier group. By forming Mitre 10, the foundation members etched their names in history as a part of a hardware industry transition from the independent to the group retailer. The founding fathers (below, left to right) were Jack Womersley, Tom Molomby, Tom Danaher, Reg Buchanan, and Ian Nisbet.

Company Timeline

1959	Started in Melbourne with eight independent hardware retailers
1960	New South Wales company formed
1962	Queensland company formed
1964	Licensing company created
1975	Licensing company became unlisted, public company: Mitre 10
1995	Merger of New South Wales and Queensland companies
1996	Southern region company combines Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia & Western Australia operations
2000	All regions combined into a newly created national structure: Mitre 10 Australia Pty Ltd
2003	First corporate-owned store opened, the "MEGA" big box format
2006	New Constitution for Mitre 10 Australia Pty Ltd Unfettered license rights granted to Mitre 10 Australia Pty Ltd
2009	Mark Burrowes appointed as CEO Remaining company-owned stores sold or closed
2010	Mark Laidlaw appointed as CEO
	Metcash acquires 50.1% of Mitre 10
2012	July 31
	Metcash acquires 100% ownership of Mitre 10

Brand Evolution

1959

1965

1986

Previous

Current Logo

Since our humble beginnings, Mitre 10 has developed into a significant player in the hardware industry and an integral part of local communities, right around the nation. Starting with just eight independent Victorian hardware retailers the national network has now grown to around 500 Mitre 10 and True Value Hardware stores. Our story reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of a growing nation. Mitre 10's legacy is a proud heritage of helping people to improve and build homes, and in turn build communities.

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