SA Chapter HALL OF FAME

Web: www.kbe.com.au

Keith and Heather Bowden met and got their start in the electrical appliance industry at AG Healings during the 1940s. In 1965, after nearly 25 years with Healings, Keith decided to make the leap into his own business in a tiny shop on South Rd , St Marys. The original staff consisted of Keith, Heather and cousin Jan.

The original shop proved to be too small and after a few months he moved down the road to their better known “Little Shop” at 1155 South Rd. The new shop was so popular that customers would queue out the door on Saturday mornings and the family would have to move the display stock onto the footpath to make room for more customers.

At the close of trading at noon on Saturday, they would load up the EH Holden ute with Fridges and Washers and head off with deliveries to Kangarilla, Currency Creek and Strathalbyn. At that time, crossing the Sturt Creek at Darlington was considered the edge of the Metropolitan area.

In 1976 Keith and Heather took over the current site at 1133 South Rd , St Marys. The larger premises and car park gave them room to breath and the scope to set up a more professional business structure with training rooms, in-house computer system and on site warehousing.

Keith Bowden Electrical has grown from Keith & Heather Bowden and Cousin Jan in 1965 to a staff of 49 and a turnover of $20m. It is one of the largest single site electrical retailers in Australia .

Keith Bowden passed away in 1998. The business continues to be run by a second generation of Bowdens – his sons Graeme Bowden (Managing Director) and Trevor Bowden (Company Secretary / General Manager). Heather still maintains an active role in the company and carries a matriarchal role in the Keith Bowden Electrical family. 

Keith Bowden Electrical has become a household name in South Australia for value and service and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Keith Bowden Electrical was inducted into the FBA(SA) Hall of Fame in 2005.