Part of worldwide development plan

Press, 14 October 1976, Page 26

Part of worldwide development plan

A message from Mr R. M. Corby, managing director of General Motors N.Z., Ltd:

“The beginning of the company’s operations in 1926 can be regarded as a significant part of a worldwide development programme undertaken by the General Motors Corporation to make its vehicles and other products available to the public in more overseas countries.

“The overseas business of the corporation was origin-

ally handled by a merchandising organisation, set up in 1911 as the General Motors Export Company, to sell all General Motors’ products outside the United States and Canada. The Export Company became the Export Group in the 1920 s and in 1935 the General Motors Overseas Operations Division was established and has continued to this day. “The participation of our corporation in the worldwide pattern of industrial growth and development since the 1920 s is evident in the fact that the international organisation of General Motors now comprises assembly, manufacturing and warehousing .operations in 33 countries, as well as 117 plants in 21 states and 73 cities in the United States and seven plants in Canada.

“Total world-wide employment is currently 680,000 people, and global production in the automotive vehicle field approximates 35,000 vehicles per day.

“In the early 1920 s the demand for General Motors’ vehicles in overseas countries increased significantly and it became necessary to build vehicle assembly plants abroad. During the years 1923 to 1928. General Motors inaugurated a total of 19 plants in 15 countries. of which New Zealand was one.

“The original assembly plant erected in Petone in 1926 was unique in the international organisation of the corporation, in that

it was the first overseas plant to commence operations in company - owned premises rather than leased facilities. The plant is still in operation and is now used for appliance and vehicle component manufacturing, and commercial vehicle assembly.

“In 1954 General Motors N.Z., Ltd, inaugurated a new parts warehouse and office facility in Upper Hutt, and in 1967 a new vehicle assembly plant opened at Trentham. The company now has almost one million square feet of floor space, situated on aggregate properties in the Hutt Valley totalling 117 acres.

"Total investment at the three plant locations in buildings, equipment and inventory amounts to SSSM or $27,500 for every employee. “In conclusion, and on behalf of my colleagues in the management of the company, I want to express our appreciation to the entire staff for their loyal support and co-operation over the years, and to the people of New Zealand for their patronage and acceptance of our products. “General Motors’ personnel have always appreciated the help and cooperation they have received from members of successive governments both central and local, and their departmental officers. “We look forward to the challenges and opportunities of the future and the contribution we can make together to New Zealand’s industrial development.