Firm plans to develop its range of products

Press, 7 November 1978, Page 21

Firm plans to develop its range of products

Albert Jagger (N.Z., Ltd. motor body fitting manufacturers and sheet metal workers, began production yesterday at their new and bigger 560 sq m (6000 sq ft) premises at 27-31 Lane Street, Woolston.

The company has just moved from its old site at 422 Tuam Street to the new Centaur Works, where building began last December.

“We undertook the building ourselves, while contracting various stages to the applicable trades,” the managing director (Mr Norman Shepherd) said. “The new premises are modern, spacious, well-iit and there is ample parking space.” Albert Jagger’s is ot British origin with a 100year history and has oeen specialising in body fittings for the vehicle industry for the United Kingdom and export to about 35 countries. Explaining the company’s expansion to New Zealand, Mr Shepherd said: “We have had a long and happy association with New Zealand for more than 30 years for motor part fittings. Seven years ago we dceided to set up our own works here and bought a sheet and metal company in Christchurch.

“The object of the move was to produce motor body fittings, which had been imported previously, for the New Zealand bodybuilding industry. “We wanted to develop the range of such products for the New Zealand and Australian markets, and also develop sheet metal working. “The reason we have moved to bigger premises

is to increase the range oi' body building fittings for promotion to the New Zealand market and overseas. “Our sheet metal staff also can tackle most work up to l/Bth plate with our cutting, bending, rolling and welding facilities, and recently we have put in new equipment for aluminium welding. “Two of .our producls —

Anti Luce fasteners and three-way locks — are being exported to Australia and we are offering other products over there.”

Mr Shepherd was the general manager of Albert Jagger’s at Walsall. England, seven years ago. when he came to New Zealand to buy a sheet metal company. He found what he was looking for and has stayed ever since. “I really got to like the place and that’s why I’m still here,” Mr Shepherd said. The English parent firm is a private company owned by the R. B. Cooper family. Mr Shepherd has been with Albert Jagger’s for 25 years. In Christchurch, Mr R. Butler is in charge of the sheet metal work and Mr Shepherd’s son, Andrew, looks after motor body fitting. The products now being made are tooled in England and the tooling shipped to New Zealand for manufacture. These include fixed and sliding aluminium window units, truck deck iron work, Anti Luce fasteners, truck mirrors, three-way locks and 12-24 V fluorescent lamps. THREE-WAY LOCK These locks are designed for use on rear van doors and cabinets. The rod length is 114.5 cm (45in).

CARAVAN VENTS

The Centaur vent is made of high quality anodised aluminium sections and glazed 4.76 mm tinted perspex. Designed for ventilation in roofs of panel vans, caravans, boats or any situation where roof ventilation is desired. The opening position will adjust to give ventilation front four sides of frame or any one of the four sides. The standard size is 640 mm by 480 mm and other sizes can be made on request.

Of slim, robust design, two models are available to operate from 12V or 24V batteries. These fluorescent lights are designed for illumination in tents when connected to the car bat-

tery and are invaluable as inspection lamps when working on car engines. They have a low battery power drain, and are reverse polarity protected. The lights come with 3m of wire and connecting clips.