In the beginning…
Mr Roy Galvin commenced business at 452 Murray Street, Perth on the 4th of March, 1933 which was during the great depression era and at that time had one employee which was Roy’s brother Len.
The company had a slow, but positive start and after two years of trading moved premises to 231 William Street, Perth in 1935. On either side of the new location were a butcher, grocer, wicker and a gun smith, all of whom were to be absorbed into the growing plumbing supply operation.
Behind the William Street shop was a brass foundry, Premier Engineering, in which Mr Roy Galvin and Mr Larry Duffy each shared a fifty percent ownership.
Stores activity during this period:
1933 – Opening
1935 – Relocated to 231 William Street
Ownership
Upon the retirement of Mr Duffy in 1967, Mr Galvin assumed full ownership, by which time in addition to producing brassware there was also various kinds of concrete plumbing products being produced.
Galvins continued growth saw the acquisition of other properties, until finally attaining a total area of six thousand eight hundred square metres which was bounded by William, Francis, Lake and James Streets.
Stores activity during this period :
1953 – Osborne Park
1972 – Willetton
1977 – William St Perth Enlargement
1977 – Osborne Park Enlargement
1980 – Wanneroo
1988 – Bassedean
Ongoing success
The company enjoyed ongoing success at this location until 1990, at which time Head Office was relocated to its current address of 3-5 Sundercombe Street, Osborne Park.
Stores activity during this period :
1990 – Spearwood
1990 – Pier Street Perth
1990 – Osborne Park Head Office Relocation
1996 – Port Hedland
1996 – Busselton
1997 – Nedlands
1997 – Port Hedland Enlargement
And there was 24
In addition to Head Office, Galvins have also developed a substantial branch network of twenty three stores which are conveniently located across Western Australia from Kununurra in the north, down to Busselton in the South West, and Darwin in the Northern Territory.
Along with the growing number of stores also came a growth in staff numbers which is now in excess of one hundred and fifty. Whilst numbers have increased it is with great pride that Galvins have maintained the experience level for which it is renowned throughout the plumbing industry.
Whilst achieving phenomenal growth throughout its eighty eight years of trading, Galvins Plumbing Supplies has remained a wholly owned West Australian Family Company which has seen a succession of three generations which began with Roy Galvin, followed by John Galvin and is currently with Mark and David Galvin.
Stores activity during this period :
2001- Kelmscott, Mar
2002 – Karratha, Apr
2004 – Aberdeen St Perth Relocation
2004 – Mandurah
2007 – Broome
2008 – Welshpool
2009 – Clarkson
2009 – Mandurah Relocation
2010 – Port Hedland Enlargement
2010 – Bunbury
2010 – Karratha Enlargement
2011 – Geraldton
2012 – Kununurra
2014 – Newman
2015 – Darwin
2016 – Rockingham
2020 – Ellenbrook
2020 – Yanchep
2023 – Yarrawonga