Lightburn & Co
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Engineering, Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Founder | Albert Henry Lightburn |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
Key people | Harold Lightburn (managing director), W. R. Greig (general manager), C. C. Cosgrove (chairman of directors), D. F. Cooper (secretary) |
| Products | Brick moulds, concrete mixers, wheelbarrows, boats, power tools, trailers, wheels, hydraulic jacks, go-karts, range hoods, washing machines, spin dryers, automobiles (Zeta car) |
Number of employees | 500 (1950) |
Lightburn & Company Limited was an engineering and manufacturing enterprise based in South Australia.
The founders
Albert Henry Lightburn (circa 1877 – 27 October 1940) was the offspring of John Bolton Lightburn (circa 1840 – 1916), a marine engineer originally from Liverpool. The family relocated to South Australia in 1898, initially residing in Athelstone before Albert settled in Unley. In 1910, Albert pursued studies in fitting and turning at the South Australian School of Mines and Industries. Around 1921, he launched a business operating from his backyard at 42 Arthur Street, Unley, while simultaneously managing "Unley Motor Garage" as part of Lightburn & Gardner alongside William Gleed Gardner at 1 Unley Road. From June 1932 onward, Albert independently ran the service station and owned several machining workshops across Adelaide.
Albert’s son, Harold Anderton Lightburn (1910–2002), attended Unley High School and completed an apprenticeship with an engineering company while studying at the School of Mines during evenings. After losing his job in 1941, Harold began producing automotive repair equipment. In 1944, he assumed control of the family business, transforming it into a public company with a workforce of 15. Upon his passing, he was interred at Scott Creek Cemetery.
Harold was also recognized as a distinguished amateur boxer within South Australia, securing state championships in welterweight, middleweight, and heavyweight categories in 1931. He retired from competition in 1932 after winning the Australian amateur welterweight crown. Over a six-year span and 30 matches, he suffered only one defeat and achieved nine knockouts. Subsequently, he served as president of the South Australian Amateur Boxing and Wrestling Association.
Family
John Bolton Lightburn (circa 1840 – 5 May 1916) was married to Matilda Humphreys (circa June 1847 – 12 May 1930) on 14 January 1872.
- Albert Henry Lightburn (circa 1877 – 27 October 1940) wed Florence Amy Fry (circa 1879 – 26 July 1944) from Athelstone in 1903. Their children were:
- Jack Hiltoin Lightburn (1907 – 1986), who married Jean Ethel Turnbull (1908 – 1984) on 30 October 1937
- Harold Anderton Lightburn (1910 – 2002), married Vera Liddicoat (died 2009) on 21 January 1933
- Elva Florence Lightburn (1917 – 1995), who married Cyril Gordon Tucker (died 1983) on 12 January 1945
- Samuel Bolton Lightburn (1881 – 7 August 1939) married Ellen Stonehouse Parkin (16 March 1880 – 9 November 1966) in 1907; he was employed by Shell Petroleum and resided at Toorak Gardens
Lightburn Limited
In July of 1945, Lightburn & Company Limited was formed to acquire the assets belonging to A. H. Lightburn and Company. The firm purchased nearly 100 acres of undeveloped land near Morphett Road in Novar Gardens and subsequently bought Camden Park in 1946, which had previously been the Camden Motordrome speedway. The manufacturing facilities were situated north of Immanuel College, divided by a stormwater channel extending from Forestville to Sturt Creek.
Employees undertook development of the site by repurposing seven aircraft hangars into factory space, with initial production of a limited range beginning by 1948. By the year 1950, the employee count had increased to approximately 500, leading to the acquisition of an additional 66 acres and consolidation of six separate Adelaide locations into the Morphett Road site.
The company’s product lineup encompassed brick moulds, "Lightning" brand concrete mixers, wheelbarrows, boats, power tools, trailers, wheels, hydraulic jacks, go-karts, range hoods, washing machines, and spin dryers. Around 1949, Lightburn expanded into household appliances with the introduction of washing machines.
Renowned for their durable and dependable products, Lightburn maintained a strong market presence until their foray into automobile manufacturing with the Zeta car between 1963 and 1965 failed to achieve success.
Staff
The principal figures at Lightburn's comprised Harold Lightburn as managing director, W. R. Greig serving as general manager, C. C. Cosgrove holding the position of chairman of directors, and D. F. Cooper acting as secretary. To enhance motivation and efficiency, the company introduced a profit-sharing program involving its workforce.