Jack, I think you stated that at one stage Boundy was number 3 in the mower market? That is quite something, when I look at the serial numbers on the chassis I am in awe of the number of machines produced. My Model 11 is numbered 2003 and my Lawn Scout is numbered 1921, I would love to see some record of actual numbers of models produced.
G'day
Paul,
Good luck with that! If you can find any record extant today, apart
from a few primary sources, then all need to know about it.
I should point out that serial numbers lay within the specific model;
not
overall production.
I have made a broad view of the 1950s situation. My best guess
is that Boundy were number three in
1958. I have based this
on about a dozen categories of information. Boundy were claiming 1,000
mowers a week at this time.
I have worked on a general assumption: Victa held about half
of the market; all the rest held the other half.
I feel No 3 puts that in a relative and fair perspective.
As an added thought, at the time of the Wiltshire takeover, no-
one could have foreseen how the industry would consolidate
into half a dozen 'big players' in the 1960s.
Pope, Turner, Scott Bonnar and Supa-swift entered the rotary market
in the second-half of the 1950s. It was a volatile environment.
I have said that some 90% of 1950s mower makers simple
ceased mower making by the 1960s.
A few stragglers - who made money in the 1950s, simply
lacked the capital or commitment to compete at the top-level.
Here I include Wiltshire, Ogden, Austral-Villiers and Villager.
But for a brief period, Boundy gave it a very good go.
What are your thoughts Paul?
----------------------
Jack
