Fine Furniture from Nelson

One of Nelson's most thriving little manufacturing businesses is the Russell Manufacturing Company, a company which makes fine furniture for homes, offices and schools all over New Zealand. The firm, until four years ago, was part of G. P. Russell and Sons, but in the last four years it has been operating as a separate concern. In that time it has more than doubled its original staff and its output has increased in proportion. One of its most important functions is to supply the walnut veneer interior trims for Triumph cars assembled at Nelson. We visited the factory to record these pictures of some of the processes employed in the manufacture of the furniture. At top left, Gary Russell helps Bruce Wilson to load a cocktail cabinet into a Kirbys furniture van destined for Christchurch. Above: First process, Arnold Chittenden flatting mahogany board on a buzzer. Left: An automatic dove-tailer, operated here by Stephen Nicholls, simplifies what was once a very intricate operation. Below: Making sure the bumps have disappeared under the sander is Tony Andrews.

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