About Us


Jenkins Rubber Shop has been in business in Cairns since 1948, having only three local owners in over seventy years of business. This continuity of long term ownership and long serving staff ensures customers deal with experienced service personnel with a history in the trade supplies of rubber and foam. Rest assured, we'll be here tomorrow to guarantee continued supply.

History

The late Bill and Kim Jenkins started out as a shoe repair business, expanded into selling rubber and foam which soon became the core activity. For about a decade, they included toys in response to popular demand. It was probably his children's demands as well, as these were the days before shopping centres and big department stores. In the 1970's, it was located in the old Plaza Theatre building on Mulgrave Road and stocked the largest range of toys in Cairns.

Various locations over the early years included three different sites in Aplin Street, and the corner of Grafton and Spence Streets.
For a few years in the early 80's, Bill's son Ken Jenkins and his wife Carmel ran a branch in Atherton.

Judy and the late Steve Nickles owned the business from Bill's retirement in 1983 through to 2005. At that time, the business was located in Aplin Street. On its move in 1986 to Sheridan Street, its focus shifted to trade and industry customers - for example, the local boat builders were thriving, and Jenkins Rubber helped to supply many of the builders with the rubber they needed. The Fremantle Class Australian Navy Patrol Boats were built at the local NQEA shipyards, and contracts such as this ushered in immense growth in local marine and general engineering industries. These demands saw further growth and in 1995 the business moved to its current large premises in Aumuller Street.

Jenkins Rubber Shop supplied products for those early patrol boats and continues to supply for local Navy refit, vessel construction and maintenance for the reef fleet, the fishing fleet, and visiting luxury yachts. Current owners, Andrew and Tracey Barnes have overseen recent growth and expanded into a large warehouse behind their premises as bulk orders of foam, matting, and rubber products increase. Semi-retired past owner Judy still remains with the company maintaining and sharing her 25 plus years of knowledge.

Jenkins Rubber Shop has been owned and staffed by a succession of locals of long standing. This ensures knowledge and experience is available, together with good old-fashioned friendly service.

Customer Testimonials

"My two experiences with Jenkins Rubber have both been wonderful! As soon as you enter the door, someone promptly comes to help you and on both occasions has always been willing to look extra options up and double-check things so they are right. The staff attitude is very positive - like nothing seems like too much trouble - even when it is a special order and not something that you just grab off the shelf.

The product quality is excellent with a very large range and the staff are very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. I wish all companies were this good!" - Christine, Focus On Movement.



"Very professional and easy to deal with. Jenkins Rubber was recommended by a friend and my mats were delivered in a timely manner and were exactly what I asked for."
- Rachel, Independent Agents Group.




"We had friendly service the first time we called Jenkins. Our welcome mat we ordered is great. The colours are good and it is exactly what we wanted for our new Farm Market. There were no hesitations from Jenkins' staff to help us find what we wanted and we received the end result we were looking for." - Trish, Jonsson's Farm Market.



Jenkins Rubber Shop

99 Aumuller St, Cairns, QLD


Monday - Friday: 8:30am-5pm

Saturday: 8:30am-12pm

Sunday - Closed

© Jenkins Rubber 2018
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