Charles Davis Limited
Encyclopedia
Charles Davis Limited was a company established in Hobart
Tasmania
in 1847.
The company was founded by Charles Davis, an Englishman who had been transported to the Tasmanian penal colony as a convict.
He established a hardware, ironmongery and tinsmithing business which grew to become one of Tasmania's major business enterprises.
Sir Donald Trescowthick took over control of the business from the Davis family in the 1970s.
Under his management, the company embarked on significant expansion and diversification. At various times, the company had investments in wholesaling, retailing, car distribution, property, hotels and motels and mining.
At its height, the company was Australia's fourth largest retailer, after acquiring many significant regional retailers, including Harris Scarfe
, Cox Foys, FitzGerald's Department Stores
, Lloyd's hardware stores, Campbell's hardware stores and McEwans.
Also, the company owned Co-operative Motors, a major Tasmanian car dealer.
The McEwans hardware stores group was divested in a management buyout in 1988.
The company was renamed as Harris Scarfe
Holdings Limited in 1995. After the change of name, the company focussed on its department store activities and divested all other business activities.
At this time, the company merged its Harris Scarfe and FitzGerald's retailing operations, which continued to grow to become Australia's third largest department store group.
After suffering financial difficulties, the company was placed in receivership in 2001. The Harris Scarfe chain of stores was sold, and continues to trade today under new ownership.
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
in 1847.
The company was founded by Charles Davis, an Englishman who had been transported to the Tasmanian penal colony as a convict.
He established a hardware, ironmongery and tinsmithing business which grew to become one of Tasmania's major business enterprises.
Sir Donald Trescowthick took over control of the business from the Davis family in the 1970s.
Under his management, the company embarked on significant expansion and diversification. At various times, the company had investments in wholesaling, retailing, car distribution, property, hotels and motels and mining.
At its height, the company was Australia's fourth largest retailer, after acquiring many significant regional retailers, including Harris Scarfe
Harris Scarfe
Harris Scarfe Department Stores was founded in Adelaide, South Australia in 1849. At its peak, Adelaide was home to several major South Australian department stores , of which Harris Scarfe is the sole...
, Cox Foys, FitzGerald's Department Stores
FitzGerald's Department Stores
FitzGerald's Department Stores was Tasmania's largest chain of department stores.The chain was rebadged and relaunched as Harris Scarfe in 1995, and the renamed stores continue to trade today.-History:...
, Lloyd's hardware stores, Campbell's hardware stores and McEwans.
Also, the company owned Co-operative Motors, a major Tasmanian car dealer.
The McEwans hardware stores group was divested in a management buyout in 1988.
The company was renamed as Harris Scarfe
Harris Scarfe
Harris Scarfe Department Stores was founded in Adelaide, South Australia in 1849. At its peak, Adelaide was home to several major South Australian department stores , of which Harris Scarfe is the sole...
Holdings Limited in 1995. After the change of name, the company focussed on its department store activities and divested all other business activities.
At this time, the company merged its Harris Scarfe and FitzGerald's retailing operations, which continued to grow to become Australia's third largest department store group.
After suffering financial difficulties, the company was placed in receivership in 2001. The Harris Scarfe chain of stores was sold, and continues to trade today under new ownership.