Plane makers to merge

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33061, 31 October 1972, Page 3

Plane makers to merge

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 30. A step was taken towards the establishment of a new aviationmanufacturing company today with the signing of the heads of agreement by representatives of the four organisations concerned.

The company will result from a merger between two Hamilton companies — Aero Engine Services, Ltd, and Air Parts (N.Z.), Ltd—and substantial shareholdings will also be held by Air New Zealand and N.A.C. The Minister of Trade and Industry (Mr Taiboys) welcomed the move to set up the company. At the signing ceremony, he referred to the international reputation achieved by the two Hamilton companies in building light aircraft. Air Parts builds an agricultural aircraft, the Fletcher, which is gaining acceptance in Australia and South-East Asia, and Aero Engine Services recently won contracts for the sale of 37 of its Airtrainers to the Royal Australian Air Force, and 24 to the Royal Thai Air Force. “It is most desirable that the initiative and skills of these two companies should be supported by the two national airlines’ comprehensive technical facilities, which incorporate many skills not

generally available in industry in New Zealand, " Mr Talboys said. Many details had yet to be resolved before the new company could be formally established, although its general shape and direction were now clear. The company, to be known as Aerospace Industries, Ltd, was expected to come into being in the next month or so, Mr Taiboys said.