Success built on Tradition & Experience
 As we enter the 21st century in an
age when technology knows no bounds, the staff at Wm Olds & Sons Pty Ltd in
Maryborough go about their daily task of producing engines and parts for state-of-the-art machinery using the tried-and-true methods of our forebears.
Tradition combines happily with contemporary at Olds, the result being a small
business that is big on production.
From stirrups to components for aircraft
engines, propellers for fishing and tourist
boats, and carburettors for antique Oldsmobile Cars, Peter Olds and his team continue
to turn out first class products for local industry as well as many state, national and
international companies.
 Just this week, they have completed a consignment of special
bearings for use in a
Central Queensland Coal Mine. They continue to fill orders for bronze components
for the Cairns Tilt train and other products for the electrical industry. Olds also
manufacture the castings for Bundaberg's Jabiru aircraft engines.
It has been said that Olds is the largest manufacturer of aluminium stirrups in
Australia. The latest consignment is now on its way to Melbourne.
Peter Olds said their range of products is practically endless.
 "We make street furniture including
modern and heritage litter bins,
propellers, various bearings, head lights and other electric train components, QR coat hooks, luggage
brackets for Gold Coast trains, and even grab handles for the backs of seats on the Darling
Harbour trams.
"That's diversity for you," Peter said.
"The biggest single railway order that we've had was for head light assemblies for
Newcastle's Goninan designed and manufactured NR series diesel electric locos.
"These units can be serviced from inside the cab while the train is moving. The crews
do not have to exit the cab to replace a lamp."
Each Olds-made product is stamped with the distinctive Olds name but it is hard to say
just where in the world they will turn up.
"The French rail firm Railtech is a buyer of our alloy steel Straight Edges. They are
manufactured for use when welding rail joints and we know that one batch
went to Hong Kong for the tramway system."
Peter said they get a lot of unusual and awkward jobs such as a recent request to repair a
penny-farthing bike. The bike has generated a lot of interest amongst the
staff particularly for its rare Lucas Patent No 2493 head light attached to the axle inside the front wheel.
Peter said tradition and experience were the success of the business. Some of the
methods used by his father, William, when he started the business about 80 years ago are
still being used.
Wm. Olds & Sons Pty. Ltd. trading as OLDS ENGINEERING
ABN 33 009 859 250 - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING & FOUNDRY
78-80 North Street, Maryborough Q, 4650 Australia
P.O. Box 3030, Pallas St. Post Office, Maryborough Q, 4650
Phone: 07 4121 3649 Fax: 07 4123 3590 International Phone +61 7 4121 3649 Fax: +61 7 4123 3590
Innovative Engineering Excellence ~ serving over 100 years
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