23 May Hanging up the hi-vis
For customers and staff of EPE, Managing Director Peter Gardner has long been “part of the furniture”.
But after 36 years and many of them at the helm of the family-run business, Peter has decided it’s time to hang up the hi-vis and pass the batten to the next generation.
He’s not quite ready to drive off into the sunset, however. In what he calls a “transition to retirement”, Peter is taking up a position with local hot rod shop Rad Rides & Custom Garage, enabling him to combine a long-time hobby and work into one.
The role will give Peter the opportunity to be hands on building, repairing and modifying hot rods and he’s looking forward to moving away from the managerial duties to get his hands dirty again.
At EPE, the managerial role will fall to someone who knows a lot about the company and its history, Mason Deetman. Find out more about Mason’s path in the separate article.
For Peter, it’s been a long and enjoyable ride at EPE.
Joining the company in March 1986 while it was still based at its original location in Norma Road, Myaree, Peter commenced in a dual role covering warehousing and counter sales. It was a good fit for the former fitter who’d previously worked in the earthmoving industry.
“EPE sold product I could relate to from my earthmoving experience and interest in anything mechanical,” Peter said.
When he commenced, EPE was one of three companies in the Deetman family group, with Filters West and Exhaust Fabricators operating from the same premises but as different entities.
One thing led to another, and Peter’s role evolved first into a full-time parts interpreter position, then he was appointed sales manager for Filters West.
When Peter Deetman retired, the three companies were merged into one to alleviate the burden of administrative work and Peter Gardner took on the General Manager role.
“Coming to work at EPE has remained a constant in my life, despite the numerous changes we’ve seen over the decades,” Peter said.
“The computer system at EPE was brand new when I started but we were still using stock cards to record inventory, the fax machine was a recent invention and we were still using Teletype machines to communicate with overseas suppliers. We embraced the new technology and ways of working as we went along.
“I remember getting our first $10,000 order for Purosil hose, which is not so unusual today but was a big deal at the time.”
Another memorable time for Peter was the move from Norma Road to the current purpose-built facility in Bibra Lake. The much larger warehouse allowed product lines to be expanded, stock levels to be lifted and provided a better equipped workshop.
“We’ve been fortunate over my time with EPE that we haven’t had a high staff turnover,” he said.
“There have been people come and go but I think I can remember everyone that worked with the business.
“We’ve also maintained a lot of long-term, loyal customers. A lot of them are also in multi-generation family businesses so we’re dealing with children and grandchildren of the original owners and operators, just as they are doing in dealing with EPE.
“It’s that personalised service that’s stood out for me. And EPE is in good hands with Mason stepping into the General Manager role. He’s grown up with the business – in fact I can remember when he was born and saw him running around at Norma Road before he could even talk.”
Another standout for Peter was when his own son, Nicholas, started work with EPE as a welder and fabricator. Nicholas now supervises the workshop and will ensure the Gardner family link to EPE continues.
Peter admits he might not spend quite so long in his new role as he has with EPE. But he’s looking forward to the change, as much as he’ll miss the constant that EPE has been in his life.
Peter finishes up at EPE at the end of the week.
PHOTO: Peter in his 1929 Ford Model A hot rod. Picture – Dale Haberfield