Action Manufacturing purchases Fairfax Industries

4 MinutesBy NZ Trucking magazineAugust 23, 2018

Refrigerated truck body and trailer manufacturer Fairfax Industries has been purchased by Action Manufacturing.

New Zealand‘s primary supplier of motorhomes and custom commercial vehicles, Action Manufacturing, which is part of the Tourism Holdings group of companies, has announced the acquisition of refrigerated truck body and trailer manufacturer Fairfax Industries.

Spread across two manufacturing sites in Auckland and Hamilton, Action Manufacturing employs more than 200 people has been named the largest vehicle manufacturer in New Zealand. The company is a primary supplier of motorhomes to the New Zealand market, as well as specialist vehicles for the medical, emergency, tourism, and transport sectors.

Fairfax Industries is a leader in the manufacture of refrigerated truck body and trailers. Operating for more than 40 years, it has 60 employees working out of its manufacturing facility in Takanini in South Auckland.

Action Manufacturing has enjoyed significant growth over the past six years, expanding its current manufacturing facilities and increasing staff numbers as it expands to meet demand and moves into new markets. 

Action Manufacturing managing director, Grant Brady says that the acquisition of Fairfax Industries is part of a long-term growth strategy with the company moving into the large commercial sector where Fairfax has had significant market share, and in particular moving into the refrigerated transport industry.

“Action has been very strong in the light commercial sector, whereas Fairfax has been strong in the heavy commercial market. We see this acquisition as a way for the two companies to meet in the middle and to now utilise shared resources,” says Brady.

“Action will be able to contribute scale of manufacturing – we have an international supply chain, a great in-house design team as well as some new technology that we will be able to incorporate, such as our own composite panelling system, Omni Panel.

“Fairfax has a strong brand, with an incredible reputation for reliability and durability which is a perfect fit alongside the range Action already offered in the market.”

Brady says that as well as the acquisition of Fairfax Industries, there will be further growth for Action Manufacturing as it looks to meet increasing market demand for its wide range of products.

“We will also be making significant investment into both businesses in the form of new technology and equipment to boost production and enhance current capabilities.”

Fairfax Industries managing director Michael Carpenter will remain within the business during a transition phase and says he is excited for the future of the company.

“It was important for me personally to find the right fit for the Fairfax brand, and I believe that Action is a great match with similar beliefs and an equal passion for New Zealand manufacturing,” says Carpenter.

“With their planned investment, I look forward to seeing Action take Fairfax to the next level in the industry.”

Action Manufacturing recently completed a project partnering with TNT to refine and understand final mile delivery systems that saw Action secure a two-year supply agreement and an initial order of 50 units. These units are already showing up on the streets around Australia with 24 in Brisbane, 24 in Melbourne and more being trialled in Adelaide and Perth. 

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