Firm founded by mech. engineer

Press, 27 November 1979, Page 19

Firm founded by mech. engineer

Morrison Industries, Ltd, was founded by Mr Sid Morrison, a mechanical engineer, who began building motor mowers in a shed at his home in Hastings. These first motorised units were built from available and various bicycle components and other standard bits and pieces in the early 19305. Mr Morrison built his first motor mower for a neighbour down the street and, from the interest gained, progress developed with other neighbours wanting a motorised mower. He soon found his shed too small and shifted his humble and small enterprise into the garage. In time, his garage also became too small so, in 1935, he built a factory in Karamu Road. Hastings.

The Morrison reel mower, which was being produced in this factory, soon earned a large reputation for good engineering and as a most serviceable product. These reel mowers were to be found from one end of New Zealand to the other. In 1961, and out of sheer necessity due to expansion and product demand it was found imperative to move the growing industry away from the expanding Hastings city centre into a more rural area set aside for industry. The new factory was located and built in Omahu Road. Hastings, and soon established itself as a large manufacturer of cycles and motor mowers. Mr Morrison, in the meantime, had sold his

interest in Morrison Industries in 1957 to Mr J. H. Mason who, in 1962, sold again to Challenge Corporation, Ltd, thus making Morrison Industries a manufacturing subsidiary of the Challenge group of companies. The factory in Omahu Road was once again extended in size to allow for the increase in the production of Morrison Raleigh cycles along with a larger range of grass cutting machines. Morrison Industries manufactures a range of cycles comprising 20 different models under the Raleigh brand which are sold throughout New Zealand. The company is well known throughout the country as well as outside New Zealand as a leader in the manufacture of a

wide range of grass cutting equipment. The more notable of these is the Morrison Golden Rotary, with thousands of these units being sold in New Zealand as well as being exported. Morrison’s M4B Mower is the current top selling Rotary Mower in the range. It has a Briggs and Stratton motor fitted with a 46 cm cutting blade and a Morrison designed and patented height adjuster. There are five different models in the Rotary range, which includes a Mains Electric mower for smaller lawns and is called Electro 35. Morrisons manufacture a range of reel mowers called the Olympics and there are different models to choose from. The company also makes a garden hoe.

called Mini Hoe, and larger turf care equipment. Among these bigger machines is a .Ridermower on which the operator sits and comfortably drives the machine. Morrison Industries is an exporter of the manufactured products which assists New Zealand in its overseas earnings. The firm exports to Australia, the United Kingdo and Belgium, as well as East Asia and the Pacific Islands. Morrisons are supported by a subsidiary company operating in Australia making large grass cutting equipment. The company also has entered into a new sphere of manufacturing solar heating systems and this industry is expected to grow considerably over the next few years.