Christchurch-based transport engineering company Adams & Currie Ltd has been purchased by Fruehauf New Zealand.

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

“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,” says Fruehauf owner and Managing Director Jeff Mear.

“The manufacturing site at Lunn Road will continue to serve the needs of Adams & Currie while also providing a service centre site for the entire South Island customer needs, for not only Adams & Currie products but also Fruehauf and Schmitz Cargobull.”

Executive Directors Peter Laursen and Kevin Robinson will remain with Adams & Currie while Pat Lagan has chosen to retire.

“It will be business as usual for all staff at Adams & Currie,” Mear says. 

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

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

Fruehauf was the leading brand in New Zealand trailer registrations in 2023 and also leads in the first quarter of 2024. The acquisition will strengthen this position.

“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,” Mear says.