Donald Andrews
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2017.
Donald Joseph Andrews was born in Sydney on August 17, 1934. In 1956 Don married Patti Royan, the daughter of Bede Royan and Ron Royan's sister. He commenced work at his father-in-law's mechanical repair and towing business in 1958 doing part time accounts work. He became a full time employee in 1960 after selling his bread run.
Don focussed on the accounting side of the business and later became a 50/50 partner with Ron Royan a deal that was sealed with a handshake between the two.
Initially repairing cars, the business commenced truck accident repairs following approaches from insurance assessors and companies that were frustrated at the time taken to repair trucks. In those days three to twelve months was the standard. The company was able to reduce this to a few weeks and business soon flourished. In 1970 the decision was made to focus solely on trucks and they moved to much larger premises in Parramatta Road, Granville.
Growth followed quickly with Don and Ron investing heavily in expanding their operations.
The first regional branch was created with the opening of Royans, Wagga in 1980. In 1983 the company unveiled its first purpose built facility in Dubbo - opened by the then Premier Neville Wran.
The first interstate facility was opened in 1984 in Melbourne when Ron and Don partnered with Brian Church to create Royans Melbourne. The great family partnership was now more than 30 years strong. Royans Brisbane opened in 1997 in Wacol and in 2002 the business purchased O'Neill's Truck Repairs in Newcastle.
Today the Royan Group consists of six fully equipped truck and trailer repair facilities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wagga, Dubbo and Newcastle. Along with Trucking Supplies in Wagga it is the largest commercial vehicle accident repair business in the country.
2018 will mark 75 years in business for Royans. The business is in a strong position today thanks to the investment in property, plant and equipment, technology and great staff by Ron, Don and Brian. It is a far cry from the early days in a wood and coal yard in Parramatta.
Don passed away in 2017 and is survived in the business by his sons Gary and Bill, and his grandson John.