One hundred years ago four brothers, Ben, Ern, Ted and Bill Gordon began an engineering business at the corner of Ross and Inglis Streets, Port Melbourne with a financial backing of £75.

Later three more brothers, Arthur, George and Ed joined the business. The brothers were of German descent and their family name was Gerlach. However during WW1 they found it difficult to find work due to the non-acceptance of Germans, so they changed their name to Gordon.

Two years later in 1919 the business moved to Union St, Brunswick. Initially their factory was a tin shed in a paddock with a single lathe but over time they established a substantial manufacturing and administrative complex. In 1923 the business was incorporated as a company with the name Gordon Brothers Pty. Ltd. Later offices were also established in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

Gordon Brothers became a pioneer in the development of the refrigeration industry in Australia and in 1922 produced one of the first totally enclosed ammonia compressors mainly for small dairies and butcher shops. In 1931 the company produced its own ‘Jack Frost’ refrigerator and the Jack Frost beer cooler became well known in hotels at the time. 

During the Second World War the company’s activities were diverted into the production of equipment for the war effort. This included cordite mixers, bullet-testing ovens, blood bank equipment and portable ice-making machines.

Following the war, Gordon Brothers contributed to the work of the United Nations relief programs in Asia and the Colombo Plan. This involved the manufacture of 40 ice-making plants for China and supplying 60 self-contained refrigerated air-conditioning units to India.

Almost from the inception Gordon Brothers developed a close relationship with a major British public company, through its local subsidiary, Baker Perkins Pty Ltd, which specialised in the supply of baking and food processing equipment, including large ovens for major bread baking companies. Gordon Brothers became their principal manufacturing sub-contractor for this equipment in Australia and this part of the Gordon Brothers business grew substantially, eventually leading to the building of an additional factory in Reservoir in 1960 specifically for the manufacture of equipment for Baker Perkins.

From as early as 1925, Baker Perkins began acquiring shares in Gordon Brothers and this shareholding gradually increased until in 1969 Gordon Brothers became a fully owned subsidiary of Baker Perkins. Shortly after that time Baker Perkins acquired its own factory and the manufacturing arrangement with Gordon Brothers was terminated, leaving it with just its core refrigeration and air conditioning business. In the 1970’s Gordon Brothers attempted to expand rapidly into large air conditioning contracting which resulted in substantial losses and this led to a decision by Baker Perkins to institute a major downsizing of the company in 1977. The factories in Union St, Brunswick and Reservoir were sold and the business moved into smaller premises, also in Brunswick, which has continued as the company’s head office to the present time.

In 1981 the then Finance Director of Baker Perkins, Ian Sleeth, was involved in this restructure and he successfully negotiated to buy the Gordon Brothers business from Baker Perkins, which then continued under his ownership for the next 25 years. The company decided to specialise only in industrial refrigeration and from a small base in 1981, Gordon Brothers achieved steady but considerable growth to now become the major company in this field in Australia.

The ability to adapt to changing circumstances has been integral to the company’s longevity. From being a company that manufactured nearly all the products used in its refrigeration systems. Gordon Brothers now have the ability to locally package the best equipment from around the world to provide unique cooling solutions for all our customers. Gordon Brothers continues to manufacture purpose built and custom designed products for a range of industries within a very competitive international market. It has also been in the forefront of embracing new technology that is relevant to its business.