Well-known cabinet making business up for sale
One time opportunity
When running a successful business in our region for so long, many locals probably can’t help but see Mark and Maxine Ferguson as inseparable from M&R Kitchens. But after 35 years, it’s time for the couple to sell their business and retire.
There won’t be many private properties or unit developments in the Port Douglas area which are not equipped with a custom made kitchen from M&R Kitchens.
The family owned and operated business is well-known for its specialisation in designing, fabricating and installing kitchens, vanities, wardrobes, laundry cabinets and custom interior joinery for the North Queensland new home and renovation markets.
“Maxine and I made the difficult decision that it was time to prepare to look towards retirement while we are still fit and able,” Mark Ferguson said.
“It does come as a surprise sometimes to think we have been in business with our team for this length of time. We have been very fortunate to have worked with some very talented people over the years.”
From the ground up
Mr Ferguson, being a builder, registered the business name of M&R Constructions Pty Ltd when he arrived in Port Douglas after travelling around Australia with his caravan and dog Sandy.
He set up at Tropic Breeze Caravan Park and it went on from there. With a team of 50 carpenters Mark worked on the Sheraton Mirage Villas.
This is also where he met Maxine, who was working for Rider Hunt Quantity Surveyors for the building of the Sheraton Mirage. Mr Ferguson had to bring his work claims in for approval and 30 years of marriage is now history.
With the business going well, Mr Ferguson eventually bought a panel saw and ventured into the kitchen manufacturing business from a rented factory in Craiglie.
“In 1993 we purchased land on the corner of the Captain Cook Highway and Beor Street from the local Berzinski family and built our own factory,” he said.
“We were doing a lot of shopfitting work especially with the opening of Smithfield Shopping Centre and the Pier Cairns.
“This then evolved into design, manufacturing, delivery and installation of kitchens, vanities, wardrobes, tv units, you name it we custom built it. This is when the name M&R Kitchens was registered. Later on we opened another office and showroom in Cairns.”
Nostalgia
For quite a while, M&R Kitchens supplied joinery to many unit developments on Thursday Island, Darnley Island and Saibai, barging the joinery by sea and flying their installers to the islands.
“Those were very busy times packing containers late into the night to meet the time frame of the barge,” Mr Ferguson said reminiscing.
“Nothing could be forgotten. We recall an amusing conversation after we had all worked late into the night; “Clinton, are you positive all the joinery is packed in that container?” ….. “Mark, I can absolutely confirm everything is in the container” …. “then what is that joinery over there for?” …... “Except for that !!”…..It was so funny.”
Dream team
Of the thirty staff members, many have been with the company for many years. Mr and Mrs Ferguson said they will miss their daily interactions with them but they are confident of the future of the business, due to the stability of staff and reputation.
“We have been very fortunate to have great people working with us with many of our team being with us for up to 22 years.
“We have seen their children grow, go to university, get their driver's licence or leave home for bigger and better things. We love what we do and the people we work with, they are a great team and their family are our friends.
“I think it would be difficult to not feel any sentimentality when we sell as it has been a very large part of our life. In saying that though, we have had time to get used to the idea and would feel very proud when someone takes over the reins as we know they will be getting a very successful business both team and financially.
“We love Port Douglas and would never move away. We have everything on our doorstep that we love, the Great Barrier Reef, fishing, four-wheel driving, camping, water skiing, never a dull moment and not to forget the wonderful restaurants we are spoiled with. Port Douglas is an excellent place to enjoy our later years.
More information about the business, including an Information Memorandum is available here.
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