Our Story
It was 1967 in the small rural town of Wairoa that William (Bill) O'Connell - along with his wife Margaret, established this well respected family business which has been passed down a generation to sons Kevin and James (Jock). As a very creative and talented designer it wasn't long before Bill had a team of employees and later, with the input of his eldest son Peter the Clyde-Style range was created.
Kevin, who trained as an upholsterer and auto-trimmer under Bill's tutorage, joined his brother & father in partnership shortly before Bill retired in 1993 when the boys changed the business name to Clyde-Style Furniture.
Despite an influx of imported mass-produced furniture the business rode the waves of change. Discerning consumers began to realise the value of locally made quality products and the demand for NZ-made furniture grew.
Kevin, who trained as an upholsterer and auto-trimmer under Bill's tutorage, joined his brother & father in partnership shortly before Bill retired in 1993 when the boys changed the business name to Clyde-Style Furniture.
Despite an influx of imported mass-produced furniture the business rode the waves of change. Discerning consumers began to realise the value of locally made quality products and the demand for NZ-made furniture grew.
With the desire to reach an expanding market, Kevin and his family re-located to Hastings in 2007 where he opened a second branch of Clyde-Style Furniture.
The business has recently undergone restructuring with the brothers taking on separate business identities. Kevin and wife Marise now own and operate O'Connell Furniture Specialists in King St Hastings where the Clyde-Style range of fine furniture is still made and available for purchase along with full upholstery, auto-trim, custom-build & restoration services. Jock continues to manufacture the frames for Clyde-Style Furniture in Wairoa under the name 'Unique Cabinet Making & Upholstery'. |