The Beginning in the 1930s
FA Mitchell & Co P/L is a family-owned company started by Mr Frank Alan Mitchell during the great depression in 1933. With a capital of 183 pounds, he began as a timber broker importing Oregon timber.
Situated in the Upper Bond stores at Circular Quay in Sydney, Frank’s son Len Bruce Mitchell joined the company in 1936 and after serving in the Air Force during the war the company expanded into importing hardboard from Sweden and Eternit fibre cement panels from Belgium to supply the growing housing and building industries.
Progression in the 1950s
It became necessary to find larger premises and in 1950 the company moved to Aladdin’s industry store in Camperdown. With the addition of an extensive range of interior plywoods, both locally produced and imported, coloured spandrel panels from Eternit and acoustic mineral fibre ceiling panels from Armstrong (USA), still larger premises were obtained in 1959 at Adderley Street Lidcombe.
Growth in the 1980s
During the 1980’s Len’s sons, Mark and Steve, came on board to help run the business. With further growth into wood panel products, structural plywood, fire retarding treatment, perforation of plywood and cut-to-size services, the company was once again on the move to larger premises at 41 East Street Lidcombe where we are currently located with over 6000 sq m of warehouse space.
Expansion with Big River Group
In 2022, Mark Mitchell retired and our company joined the Big River Group, a major Australian building materials distributor.
Like FA Mitchell, the Big River Group began in the early 1900s as a family-owned business. Today, it supplies an extensive range of building materials and support services for the residential, commercial, industrial, building and construction industries throughout Australia and parts of New Zealand.
FA Mitchell brings its valuable network of suppliers and years of experience to the Big River family of companies. Mark’s brother, Steve Mitchell, and all the original FA Mitchell staff remain on board to provide you with the products and services you need.
With Big River’s extended capabilities and buying power, we now have direct access to a hugely increased range of high-quality plywood products and building supplies, all at the most competitive prices.
Present Day
FA Mitchell is based at Unit 2, 39 Topham Rd, Smeaton Grange and is now trading as Timberwood Panels. We continue to service the whole of Australia.
Give us a call on (02) 9646 2777 for more information about our below products: and more
Check out our Gallery for images of our products installed at some of our recent projects.
