Rent-a-Fax

Abstract

In 1987 A.E. (“Tony”) Falkenstein was, a salaried employee, tasked with restructuring A.M. Satterthwaite & Co. Ltd., a Canterbury, New Zealand agent and manufacturer of printing hardware and other business equipment. At the time, telecopiers – also called ‘facsimile’ or ‘fax’ machines – were quite expensive to buy in New Zealand. Foreseeing high potential in a rental market segment, Falkenstein convinced the Satterthwaite directors to launch a new subsidiary purchasing fax machines and renting them out long-term to other companies in greater Auckland