Morrison-Bolens Aust. venture

Press, 27 July 1985, Page 22

Morrison-Bolens Aust. venture

PA Wellington Morrison Industries, Ltd, is launching a joint venture with Bolens Corporation of the United States to mount an attack on the Australian lawn-care market. An agreement was announced yesterday by Morrison Industries managing director, Mr Ron Higgins, and the president of the Bolens Corporation, Mr Bob Bergen. The new company will be known as Bolens Morrison, Pty, Ltd, effective from August 1. In addition to his New Zealand responsibilities, Mr Higgins has been named managing director of the new company. A statement from the companies said both had a similar management style and both had been the subject of management buyouts from major conglomerates during the 1980 s. Morrison became independent of Fletcher Chai-

lenge in 1984, the majority ownership now being held by Investment Finance Corporation, Ltd. Morrison expected the new marketing capability would treble its Australian sales by 1988. At this time export sales from New Zealand would exceed domestic sales. “As part of the joint agreement, the companies will transfer appropriate technology and Morrison looks forward to extending its product range in New Zealand,” the statement said. “An immediate example of this benefit is the imminent launch of the Morrison Range-rider, an advanced ride-on rotary mower for larger properties and semicommercial applications. “In addition, the relationship is expected to improve Morrison prospects of selling high labour content, lower-volume products to the United States.”

The statement said both companies already had Australian subsidiaries and the new joint venture would be based in Melbourne. Although Bolens Morrison would have two manufac-' turing bases in New Zealand and the United States, it was leaving its options open in Australia and would install a modern assembly line for domestic mowers should the need arise. The Bolens contribution to the joint venture would be its expertise in the rideon mower, lawn tractor and larger diesel tractor range. Morrison, which manufactures lawn and garden equipment and bicycles, traded in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Western Europe. Commercial products marketed in Australia also included cultivators, cylinder mowers, heavy duty slashers and a triplex rideon cylinder mower unit.