Trailer manufacturer Fruehauf has announced the acquisition of Christchurch transport engineering company Adams & Currie Limited.

Adams & Currie has been manufacturing truck and truck bodies for nearly 50 years.

Fruehauf owner and managing director Jeff Mear said the acquisition continues the growth of Fruehauf through the achievement of one of its key strategic objectives.

“Adams & Currie have several key strengths that were attractive to Fruehauf. Adams & Currie people are highly capable, skilled and experienced trailer and body manufacturers, who have successfully delivered a range of products since 1976,” he said.

The manufacturing site at Lunn Road will continue to serve the needs of Adams & Currie while also providing a service centre site for South Island customers for Adams & Currie products as well as Fruehauf and Schmitz Cargobull.

Former executive directors Peter Laurenson and Keith Robinson will remain with Adams & Currie while Pat Lagan has chosen to retire.

Mear said it will be business as usual for all staff at Adams & Currie.

“We will over time explore areas where Fruehauf’s capability can assist Adams & Currie and vice versa. There are several areas where there are distinct synergies but not concerning people numbers,” he said.

“We forecast to be growing staff numbers over future months to help attend to our growing South Island service offering.”

The Adams & Currie manufacturing site in Christchurch will complement Fruehauf’s existing manufacturing and service centre sites at Feilding and Auckland.

“Fruehauf had already secured the No.1 market position for trailer builds in 2023 and this acquisition will continue to strengthen this,” Mear said.

“The industry has many existing competitors; however, we remain focused on what we do and where we are heading and Adams & Currie was a key part of our strategic plans to spread our reach to our many loyal South Island customers and to build resilience in our product and stronger service offerings.