John Derham (businessman)

Frederick John Walcott Derham (21 July 1900 – 12 May 1953) was an Australian entrepreneurial businessman who founded what would become known as Nylex Plastics in 1927.

John Derham grew up in Melbourne, where he studied at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School. However, he was not very academic. Instead, he won the ‘Head of the River’ title in his school rowing team in 1918. Due to his grandfather’s influence (Frederick Derham), he increasingly became interested in business and commodities. This would lead him to become a salesman in a variety of companies before the Depression.

Derham began his career as an entrepreneurial plastics manufacturer in which he founded Victoria’s first plastics firm, the Australian Moulding Corporation in 1927. Immediately after the Great Depression, Derham invested in the construction of radio receivers and new plastic materials. However, during World War Two, Derham was forced to manufacture army crash helmets and jungle telephone wires for the war effort. During the war, the company began to brand itself ‘Nylex’ from 1941, which began the transition to ultimately change its name by 1966. It was only until after the war, that Derham broadened his business to a greater variety of plastics that included water hoses and other products during the post-war boom. The decision was also later made to move to Mentone, where the main manufacturing could begin in order to fulfil greater demand for such appliances as raincoats, hoses and wall papers.

Derham died in 1953 after a series of heart attacks which were caused by his unhealthy drinking and smoking habits. He was survived by his wife and three children, of which, his family (including his son, Sir Peter Derham) would take on the responsibilities of his company as Managing Director of Nylex until the 1970s.