FCL U.S. construction post

Press, 28 January 1988, Page 27

FCL U.S. construction post

I Wright Schuchart Inc., a United States construction subsidiary of Fletcher Challenge, has appointed Mr Bruce Connor as president. Mr Connor, previously general manager of the overseas division of Fletcher Construction Company, Ltd, said his appointment reflected a desire by the Fletcher Construction grouping to maximise the flow of information, technology and skills between subsidiaries. “Wright Schuchart has shaped much of the city of Seattle’s skyline and has a well-established reputation for putting up high quality, technologically innovative high-rise buildings in very quick time,” said Mr Connor. “Part of my job will be to ensure that the company’s

expertise in this and other areas is made accessible to others in the Fletcher Construction group. Our strategy is to use and build on the strengths of each of the operating units to make the group a

very strong force internationally.” Mr Connor said Wright Schuchart would also benefit from the contacts and experience built up by fellow Fletcher Construction subsidiary and associate companies operating around the Pacific. The transfer of skilled staff between the various regions would be encouraged, he said. Fletcher Construction acquired 67 per cent of Wright Schuchart last October. It is one of the largest construction contracting firms on the north-west coast of the United States and has three major subsidiaries involved in commercial, industrial and marine construction. Seattle-based Wright Schuchart operates primarily in the western mainland' states of the

U.S. and in Alaska and western Canada. Construction projects have included pulp and paper mills, power stations, an artificial island in the Arctic for an oil drilling company and a large amount of industrial construction work for the Boeing Corporation. Mr Connor, who has more than 30 years experience in the construction industry in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, will shift base from Auckland to Seattle in February to take up his new appointment. He has been general manager of Fletcher Construction’s overseas division since 1979 and will be succeeded in that position by Mr Brian Duffy, a former assistant to the chief executive of Fletcher Construction.