Pedders Suspension: Modbury

About

The Pedders organisation began back in 1950 when owner, Roy Pedder, opened Pedders Die-Cast Welding Service in Hawthorn Road, Carnegie and soon after, moved to Claremont Ave, Malvern. Roy, an ex-RAAF World War 2 plane welder, began the business by fixing general household items, but with his skills in welding die-cast materials, found his niche in the automotive market in smash repairs and shock absorbers.

With the weakness of the early lever type shocks in Australian conditions coupled with the demand for his services in this area, Roy decided to specialise in the repair and reconditioning of shock absorbers and subsequently the business grew rapidly. The workshop was moved to a factory in Wren Road, Moorabbin, while sales continued in Malvern. In the mid-50's Pedders became renowned for reconditioning shock absorbers that the rest of the trade said were unrepairable. By the late 50's Pedders had 15 people servicing more than 3000 shocks per month.

Pedders moved with demand and its reconditioning work gained wide acceptance. In 1964 Pedders were literally mass producing its own brand of shocks by simply modifying overseas designs to suit local needs. The Pedders shocks featured altered internal valve rates based on specific market needs and these new shocks were marketed for the first time under the Pedders banner. Soon the shocks took on the striking red colour for better identification and by the end of the 60's; Pedders shock absorbers had grown in reputation and popularity.