Sir Elton Griffin

Sir Elton Griffin (died in 1975) stepped down as chief executive of Boral "in October 1973. This was a difficult task for him, as he had managed the company for twenty-seven years... Griffin was now deputy chairman, but he still occupied the same office and came in every day...

"Griffin had always had a reputation of being fairly hard-nosed and volatile within the business community. He expected a lot from his staff, often sacking on the spot those who didn't agree with his decision or dared to venture an opinion contrary to his own...

"Eric Neal was appointed chief executive on Griffin's retirement...

"Boral expanded heavily in brick making, quarrying and new steel and concrete products. The Kiama quarry was opened in March 1974; Glen Iris Campbellfield brickworks had two kilns added in December 1974; Albion Reid's South Australian quarrying operations were expanded; a new factory was built for Steel Mills Queensland and Boral doubled the gas-making capacity of the Brisbane Gas Company."