Author Topic: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder  (Read 2144 times)

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Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« on: March 11, 2021, 11:30:37 am »
RIP gary, he was only 71.
Always wanted to interview him, should have taken the chance :(

https://www.smh.com.au/national/jaycar-founder-gary-johnston-dies-after-a-short-illness-20210311-p579x3.html
 

Offline EEVblogTopic starter

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Re: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2021, 10:17:01 pm »
Here is Karl's interview with him:
 

Offline VK3DRB

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Re: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2021, 10:41:15 pm »
According to the news article he was only diagnosed with mesothelioma two weeks ago. Now, that is a short illness.

I have been exposed to asbestos a few times in my electronics career. The most dangerous was at Siemens in Richmond, Melbourne where the asbestos fibre was literally falling from the ceiling onto office workers.
 

Offline julian1

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Re: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2021, 11:36:56 pm »
Great interview.  He is incredibly generous with his insights on the factors that contribute to his business success. 
The stories about parts scavenging, first discovering radio are great too.
 

Offline Brumby

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Re: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2021, 12:44:36 am »
I heard of his passing on the news last night.  I was stunned.
 

Offline wilfred

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Re: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2021, 01:10:03 am »

Always wanted to interview him, should have taken the chance :(


Don't forget about Jim Rowe. He's not getting any younger.
 

Offline rob.manderson

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Re: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2021, 01:10:53 am »
Sad news.  I haven't had much to do with Jaycar for the last 20 years (living in the US will do that to you) but back in the 80's and 90's he was a good competitor to Dick Smith.
 

Offline rob.manderson

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Re: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« Reply #7 on: March 12, 2021, 01:12:26 am »

Always wanted to interview him, should have taken the chance :(


Don't forget about Jim Rowe. He's not getting any younger.

Yeah, I'd love to see an interview with Jamieson Rowe.  He started at RTV&H in what, 1960?  The changes he's seen over the decades.  EDUC-8.
 

Offline AntiProtonBoy

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Re: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« Reply #8 on: March 12, 2021, 01:17:46 am »
Thanks for giving us JayCar, Gary.
 

Offline Homer J Simpson

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Re: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« Reply #9 on: March 12, 2021, 04:14:39 am »
Here is Karl's interview with him:


That's a very powerful interview, almost inspirational in a way.

Philosophy and principles that can be applied to a lot more than just the electronics business.

Not to mention a good history lesson.

-K
 

Offline Ed.Kloonk

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Re: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2022, 07:50:24 am »
edit: formatted bad. Sorry.

Quote
1st October 2022
The Board of The Jaycar Group is pleased to announce it has appointed Retail
Executive Chris Wilesmith as its new Group CEO & Managing Director after the Board
completed a formal CEO succession program supported by Ashurst Board Advisory.
Mr. Wilesmith formally started with the Group in September 2022 while taking the
reins officially from 1st of October when Mr. Michael Newsom, the outgoing CEO
retired.
Mr. Newsom led the Jaycar Group through a significant period of change over the last
3 years including the loss of its founder, Gary Johnston, along with the impacts of
Covid. Together with the team, Michael has delivered a stronger business ready for
future growth. We thank Michael for his leadership of the group.
Chris has come back to be based in Australia after spending several successful years
in NZ where he was the CEO of Mitre10 NZ a multi-Billion dollar market leading wholly
NZ owned hardware retail, trade cooperative. This move enables Chris to be part of
our wonderful success story of Jaycar Group and for him to spend more time with his
family who are Australian based. We are very pleased to welcome Chris to the Group.
For the prior 14 years Mr. Wilesmith was part of the ASX listed Super Retail Group
Executive Leadership team, where he held the position of Managing Director,
Supercheap Auto.
Chris is a keen cyclist, car tinkerer, music lover & mountaineer who enjoys spending
time with family and helping people both professionally and personally. As Chris says
“it is not who you are today but who you need to be tomorrow that matters most.”
The Jaycar Group Chair, Kerry Johnston said “We are thrilled with the appointment of
Mr Wilesmith who will build on the tremendous foundations Gary Johnston, the
founder of the Jaycar Group, & the teams at Jaycar have built over the last 41 years,
leading the company through its next exciting phase of growth.”
"Chris is a highly accomplished Managing Director, CEO and Business Retail Leader,
having spent more than 30 years in mass FMCG, specialty, big-box and omni-channel
retail wholesale trade businesses with a broad experience obtained through many
operational and support office roles or, as Chris would put it, from trolley collector to
CEO and many roles in between, while he also holds a number of NED roles with
independent ANZ businesses.”
“This is an exciting time for our business, with every Retailer and Wholesaler
challenged to adapt to a world that is rapidly changing around us," Johnston said.
"Innovation, leadership and courage are required, and we see Chris as expertly
placed to lead us through the exciting times ahead for the Group."
« Last Edit: October 06, 2022, 07:52:27 am by Ed.Kloonk »
iratus parum formica
 
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Offline SmallCog

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Re: RIP Gary Johnston - Jaycar Founder
« Reply #11 on: October 06, 2022, 08:50:43 pm »
What a pity, I grew up as a kid visiting Jaycar with my dad it's what got me (and my brother) into electronics.

The stores he built surely inspired many people to make/fix things

I hope Jaycar survives Chris Wilesmith (I'm not a fan of his)
 


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