General News
15 July, 2024
Tyler brothers officially retire
Rupanyup brothers Adrian and Kelvin Tyler have been farewelled into retirement by regional clients and suppliers at Rupanyup Football Club with a surprise dinner.
After being in the hardware and rural supplies business for 52 years, Adrian said the farewell celebrations were a genuine surprise.
"I have never been so overwhelmed and shocked before in my life," he said.
"It was a great opportunity to thank people."
He said the final day was not what he expected. He thought many clients would have come into the store to express their thanks, but no one did.
"I found it really strange," Adrian said. "The wives came in with a cake, we had a low-key staff party, and at 5pm the beers came out.
"I was thinking 'this is it?'. It didn't really feel like closure."
Adrian had worked for Rupanyup Hardware owners Ron and Marg Lingham for 16 years since joining them in 1972.
Mr and Mrs Lingham eventually decided to sell and offered the business to Adrian.
In 1988, Adrian and Kelvin went into business together and reopened the store as Tyler's Hardware and Rural Supplies, with brother Terry joining them in 1989.
After realising how busy the store was and how badly they needed more space, they built a new office and installed extra phone lines to keep up with the demand.
In 2011, they decided to purchase the block next door where they continued to expand the business.
The brothers went on to purchase two more stores in Stawell and Murtoa.
"Numerous people went through the business," Adrian said.
"We started with one store and six staff and finished with three stores and 15 staff."
Tyler's Hardware and Rural Supplies became a major sponsor for the football club alongside other sponsorships for golf clubs and bowling clubs.
"Anything that came up that needed money, we would sponsor," Adrian said.
The store was nominated for Independent Store of the Year for three years and was national runner-up once.
In 2022, the brothers sold the business to Nutrien Ag, becoming "corporate employees".
"They were our first preference and their offer was too good to resist," Adrian said.
Looking back, Adrian said he had a great partnership with his brothers.
"We had really good family grounding," he said.
Terry retired December last year after 26 years with the business.
Now with more time on his hands, Adrian said he was looking forward to focusing more on his work in the community.
"The pressure is off now, I can do things at my own leisure," he said.