Faber celebrates 40 years

It was in June 1984 the late Ray Faber started his one-man sheetmetal business at 66 Wee Waa Road, Narrabri with a guillotine and a panbrake (folder).

Now, 40 years on, the company has grown to become Faber Group, with three businesses and a nationally renowned product, Faber Toolboxes.

Taking on his first employee within a few months of opening, Ray’s business grew quickly thanks to the high demand for quality sheet metal fabrication locally.

It was then that the now famous Faber Toolboxes were born.

By 1986, the business had expanded and outgrown the Wee Waa Road garage which led to a relocation to the new Francis Street industrial estate, the home of the fabrication business today.

The need for quality toolboxes continued to grow thanks to word of mouth as did the quality fabrication work for sheet metal parts and equipment.

Into the 1990s, Ray took on his first apprentice, the late Clinton Dickinson, who was awarded first place at Bankstown TAFE for his high level of workmanship. Since then, Ray, Robyn and the Faber family have trained more than 150 apprentices many of whom have been the recipient of workmanship awards.

Staff past and present at Faber’s 40th birthday party, back, Rohan Smith, Adam Eames, Noah Latimore, Allan Russell, Daniel Hughes, third row, Kellyann Earl, Colleen Sibanda, Makayla Copelin, Allan Pym, Justin Callaway, Paul Ross, Robert Spencer, Ken and Margaret Trindall, Alex McDonald, second row, Andrew and Ros Gale, Lucas Hogan, Neeve Mor, Ariana Neville, Colleen Ross, Charlee Croaker, Kyle Gray, Jacob Eames, Jackie Collett, Cooper Hilderson, front, Tammy and Peter McCauley, Robyn Faber, Geraldine Faber, Lauren Jeffries and Kurt Campbell.

Thanks to Ray travelling the Field Day circuit and his connections with Blackwoods and other local and national companies, Faber Toolboxes had grown to be sold across Australia through over 600 resellers and Blackwoods branches by the early 2000s.

It was then, the recognisable Faber logo was produced and started featuring on the toolboxes and marketing material.

This was a pivotal point in the growth of the Faber Toolboxes product growing now to over 40 toolbox models and styles.

Ray and Robyn continued to expand the business by introducing two additional local businesses, Faber’s Weld n Tools (1993) and Fabercoaters (2004). Both businesses providing support to the manufacture of toolboxes and sheet metal parts and equipment, but also providing local people and businesses with quality products, service and advice.

Today, Faber Group employs more than 25 staff and is focused on modern manufacturing and the continued development of local people and jobs.

“I am very proud of the achievements we have made and the contribution of so many people over the years,” said Robyn Faber.

Faber celebrated the 40 year milestone and their ongoing success on Friday night at their factory in Francis St with current and previous staff in attendance. “It was a great night and we all enjoyed reminiscing and sharing stories from the past 40 years,” said Geraldine Faber.

Faber’s would like to take the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all who have supported the business over the years – and looks forward to many years to come.