Wide ranging

Press, 2 June 1982, Page 29

Wide ranging

Today sees the official opening of the new premises of Lees Industries (South Island). Ltd. at 121 Blenheim Road, by the Mayor ol Christchurch. Mr Hamish Hay. At the same time, it is the official South Island launching of the firm's assembly and dealership contract for Mitsubishi dual fuel forklift trucks, extending even further the specialisation in forklift vehicles, though Lees still produces a wide variety of other machinery as well’ The Mitsubishi forklift trucks have a modified version of the Astron motor which is used in the Mitsubishi Sigma car. and other features include power steering. speed of lift, stability and a small turning radius.’ The "panoramic mast" allows the driver to actually see through the mast to the forks, instead of having tc peer round one side or the other. . Besides the manufacture of some of Lees' Industries' industrial products. the Rangiora premises, which became Lees's in 1973 offered sales and service tc almost all the South for about eight years.' Now the company has sales and service points throughout the mainland, and with them, supply and backup for a wide selection ol Mitsubishi forklift trunks

both petrol and diesel, ranging in lifting capacity between 1500 kg and 7000 kg. In addition to the Christchurch and Rangiora establishments. the dealer network includes Nelson. Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill. The new facility in altered premises at Blenheim Road currently has a staff of 11. with Brian Hartley as South Island sales manager and Colin Morris as the Christchurch area sales manager. It offers sales, service and spare parts for forklifts and tractors marketed by Lees and also does the assembly of Shibaura tractors. New out is the Shibaura "Stiger." which is being promoted nation-wide along with the rest of the Shibaura range, on behalf of 43 Shibaura tractor dealers throughout New Zealand. 11 of whom are located in the South Island.

Lees also assemble the large and varied range of battery and electric forklift vehicles manufactured by Mitsubishi NYK. another Japanese firm, and continues to make its own which have lifting capacities from 1.5 to 65 tonnes. Other Lees' products include port facility tractors and trailers, straddle trucks, "scissors" aircraft loaders, reach trucks, hydramixers, hydraulic security barriers and post barkers. Lees "marinise" about 15 different diesel engines from the llhp mini-diesel for small yachts to the turbocharged 250 hp Ford 6-cylin-der motor for large pleasure and commercial cruisers. - In New Zealand and Singapore the firm builds electrical generating sets powered by various well-known brands of diesel engines.

Lees Industries is a North Island firm established by the present managing director. Mr D. E. Lees. The head office and the bulk of the manufacturing operation is at Papakura, with further manufacturing plants at Tauranga. Rangiora and Melbourne. Lees has gone from strength to strength, with outposts not only in Melbourne but also in Syndey. Brisbane and Singapore. Guests are due to assemble at 2.30 p.m. today for the official opening of Lees Industries’ Blenheim Road premises. The firm's managing director, Mr D. E. (Ted) Lees, will welcome those attending, among them, distinguished guests from Japan.