 Sir Donald Trescowthick took over control of the business from the Davis family in the 1970s and the company embarked on significant expansion and diversification under his management.At various times, the company had investments in wholesaling, retailing, car distribution, property, hotels and motels and mining.In the 1971, The company was sold to a businessman in 1971 and was 54 percent owned by Signet Insurance Group, which was company with assets of $27 million an annual turnover of $35 million and eventually renamed as Harris Scarfe Holdings Limited in 1995.