New Dunlop Factory Nearing Completion

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 June 1948, Page 5

New Dunlop Factory Nearing Completion

(P.A.) Wellington, June 23. Production of Dunlop tyres in New Zealand is expected to begin early next year, according to Mr. P. Proctor, managing director of Dunlop (New Zealand) Ltd. "This is fairly close to schedule and represents a considerable achievement when it is realised that the new factory in Upper Hutt is double the size of any comparable industry in New Zealand,” said Mr. Proctor. The main building alone would bo one of the largest industrial buildings in the Dominion, having a floor area of three acres under one roof. The factory would be almost a self-con-tained unit, with its own water supply, electric sub-station and canteen, and its own telephone exchange with direct lines to' Wellington. Much of the cement needed had to come from Eng'and, and several visits to the Broken Hill Pty., Ltd., Australia, were necessary to ensure continuity of steel supplies.

The works director, Mr F. E. Smith, said most of the machinery was already in New Zealand ready for installation. This incorporated the latest developments in tyre building, and the factory would be as modern as any in the Southern Hemisphere. The staff would consist, mostly of New Zealanders, and a number of technical experts would shortly arrive from England to train key operators. The factory would ultimately employ about 500 persons.

Strict control would be exercised to ensure that New Zealand made tyres equal to anything which could be imported, and physical and chemical laboratories would be attached to thefactory. In addition to Dunlop tyres the new factory would also make a number of tyres for the Goodyear Company under special agreement.