Arthur has been in the Woodworking and Building Industry all his working life from 1960 - current for 40 years. His initial training was on woodworking machines, and in that particular facet of the industry he holds Trade Certificate and Advanced Trade Certificate. At 28 years old he became foreman of a furniture factory machine shop, and was responsible for the work of 10 tradesmen and 2 apprentices. He later left that job to be foreman of a joinery shop and was incharge of 30 tradesmen and apprentices.

He held positions at this early age in management and also did a period of teaching during which he gained his Intermediate NZ Ceritificate in Building, and from then on has been self employed. Arthur formed the company AT Simmonds & Sons Ltd which specialised in laminate bench top fabrication. He was the first to develop rolled edge bench tops in the South Island of NZ using post formable laminates (i.e. Formica etc) using machinery made and developed by Arthur.

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