Gusthart's was established in 1985 as "Gusthart's Chainsaw Centre" by Jim and Robert Gusthart, a father and son team with over 92 years of chainsaw experience between them.
Jim Gusthart started in the timber trade in 1938. His son Robert joined him at the age of 15 when he left school and went to work at H. Irwin & Son, a local timber merchant, where they sold and repaired all makes of chainsaw.
After working together for 16 years Jim and Robert left H. Irwin & Son, taking with them the STIHL dealership and establishing themselves in business as "Gusthart's Chainsaw Centre".
They were amongst the original tenants to arrive at Milkhope Centre, a 19th century farm based at Blagdon in Northumberland which had been converted into light industrial units.
From their new home at Milkhope Centre, Rob and Jim grew their business specialising mainly in the sales and repair of outdoor power equipment such as Chainsaws, Strimmers, Lawnmowers and Hedgecutters.
Sadly in 1996 Jim Gusthart passed away. As a result, Robert's brother in law left his role as a car mechanic to join Robert at Gusthart's. The family line was to continue a few years later with the addition of Michael's son Phil also joining the business straight from school.
