U.K. firm expands to Christchurch

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32873, 23 March 1972, Page 14

U.K. firm expands to Christchurch

Albert Jagger, Ltd, of Walsall, England, manufacturer and exporter of vehicle-body fittings, has moved into Christchurch. The company has bought out Adcock and Ken*, Ltd, sheet-metal workers of 422 Tuam Street.

The English company plans to expand the Christchurch business and to export products made in the citv to Australia and other Pacific Basin countries, as well as supply the New Zealand market. “Our company is now Albert Jagger (N.Z.). Ltd,” said Mr D. O. Adcock yesterday. He will become a director of the new company and his partner, Mr H. Kerr, will be the manager of its sheetmetal division. His company at present employed seven men, and had a factory of 4200 sq. ft, said Mr Adcock. The new company might double the size of the premises and might employ up to 40 men. “Albert Jagger, Ltd, has agencies for its products in 50 countries,” said Mr Adcock, “but this is tiie first manufacturing company it has set up outside Britain. The choice of a site for its operations to serve the Pacific market lay between Adelaide and Christchurch. “More equipment and men

with technical expertise will be arriving here within the next few months. The Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association was responsible for initial discussions between the Jagger company and ourselves.” “FORERUNNER” Mr Adcock said he considered the decision by the Jagger company could be the forerunner of moves by many British manufacturing companies. The companies stood to lose the Commonwealth preferential tariff when Britain joined the Common Market next year. The president of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association (Mr E. P. Chapman), said the Jagger company’s move was welcome. It showed that Canterbury could offer much to industrialists by way of a stable labour force and cheaper sites, in spite of high internal freight rates and other adverse factors. He was certain the move would result in the business being greatly expanded.