Three Generations Celebrate 50 Years in Small Business

3rd Generation Family Business Survives COVID-19 to Mark 50-Year Milestone

While many small businesses have unfortunately succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Linzner family are resolved to fight through no-matter-what using their 50-years of experience. 

This November, 3 generations of the Linzner family mark 50 years running their manufacturing business in Melbourne, Australia. It’s a seriously tough time for all during this global pandemic, however, this story of endurance offers a glimmer of hope in the strenuous world of small business.

To celebrate 50 years, get 10% off all Australian made products via chain.com.au. Use code: HAPPY50 at checkout.*

Following an apprenticeship in working with wire back in 1949, hard-working immigrant Jakob honed his hands-on manufacturing skills. In 1970 Jakob teamed up with his son Jake to take the plunge and launch their own manufacturing business, located in Fitzroy, Melbourne.

Father and son worked tirelessly together in their single-story brick factory sandwiched between a laneway and residential houses. They specialised in manufacturing deep-fryer baskets, trays, racks, animal traps and other wire products, supplying large wholesalers and direct to store. Even during those early years, they focused on manufacturing premium quality products combined with personal and attentive service to their customers - no matter large or small. This led to a growing and positive reputation within the community.

Learnings of 50-years in Small Business : read interview

A decade later, they sought larger premises and relocated to Keilor East, which allowed for expansion to manufacturing chain. The next 20 years saw them outgrow their space and move 3 more times and further diversifying their range of chain and wire products. 

Jake’s son Michael officially joined the family business in 2010. Learning that diversity of products was integral to keeping afloat, they took the calculated risk of purchasing additional warehouse space and further expanded to sell concrete reinforcing, balustrading, marine fittings, load restraint equipment, general hardware - and just about everything in-between.

In March 2020, as COVID-19 was sweeping the world, a new and much improved online store (chain.com.au) was launched in order to reach the general public directly. This was timely considering the upcoming restrictions in movement and growth of online shopping. 

Producing around 1 million metres of chain each year, this family trio has certainly come a long way in its 50-year history.

The hours are long, the work is hard, and the profit margins are small, but the Linzner family proudly continue the time-honoured tradition of Australian manufacturing. 

To celebrate 50 years, get 10% off all Australian made products via chain.com.au. Use code: HAPPY50 at checkout.*

IMAGES: https://bit.ly/2FyPCOF 

Download PDFs

• 3rd Generation Family Business Survives COVID-19 to Mark 50-Year Milestone
• Learnings of 50-years in Small Business
  
  

Enquiries: Jake or Michael Linzner
Phone: 03 9331 5544
Email: sales@abaconproducts.com.au
Address: 6 Lemmon Ave, East Keilor, Victoria, Australia 3033
Factory direct sales or shop online at chain.com.au
More information on history: https://chain.com.au/pages/our-history

Learnings of 50-years in Small Business : read interview

*Limit one code use per customer. Offer expires Sunday 20 December 2020 at 11:59pm. Online purchases only. Excludes products listed on the website which are not available to purchase online inc. wire heritage fencing and hanging basket chain-sets.

Image: Linzner father and son at the site of the original factory in 1972, located at 405 Fitzroy Street, Melbourne.

Image: The 3 generations of the Linzner family return to the site of the original 1970s factory located at 405 Fitzroy Street, Melbourne.

Image: Jakob, the grandfather who started the business, pictured here in 1973 making fish & chip baskets at their factory in Fitzroy, Melbourne.