New direction for Comalco in Christchurch

Press, 12 February 1986, Page 34

New direction for Comalco in Christchurch

One of the big names in New Zealand industry, Comalco has taken a higher profile in Christchurch with the opening of new premises on Moorhouse Avenue. The Aluminium Service Centre, a division of Comalco Extrusions, Ltd, was officially opened yesterday in the presence of the assistant-chief executive of Comalco, Ltd, Melbourne, Mr Norm White, and his worship the Mayor, Sir Hamish Hay.

The new centre is managed by Mr Robert Williams, who has been with the company as South Island technical advisor for Comalco Extrusions, Ltd for the past five and a half years. , The impetus for a shopfront operation for Comalco Extrusions originally came from Aus-

tralia. The first service centre in New Zealand opened in Auckland, followed last year by the Tauranga branch.

The Christchurch centre, attractively finished in the company’s colours, was designed by a local architect, Robin Vesty. It faces Hagley Park at 62 Moorhouse Avenue, offering easy access from the city centre and plenty of off-street parking.

Mr Williams and his sales and warehouse staff have been in the new premises since last November, in preparation for the opening of the country’s third aluminium sales centre.

A wide range of stock is now on hand in the 750 square metre showroom, office and warehouse complex, which caters for the home handymen as

well as the building trades.

Comalco Extrusions will supply customers with their own extrusions if required, offering the same technical advice and die-cutting facilities that have been available through its Hornby branch for the last six years. Industrial end users for the centre’s stock of extrusions and sheet include manufacturers of garage doors, shop fronts, pre fabricated coolstores and domestic appliances, as well as transport operators and marine engineers.

A full range of sheet stock supplies is fabricated with products ranging from scone trays to boats.

Aluminium sheet is available in several grades and gauges, from a general engineering grade

which is bendable and anodises well, to heavier marine and general engineering grades, which are salt water-resistant and rigid. Strong, lightweight security mesh is also available from the service centre for fabrication into doors and windows. For home handymen, the range of plain and bronze anodised extrusions includes wallboard mouldings, channels, angles, tubes and flat bars of various dimensions. The service centre also offers a selection of aluminium products for the home, including lightweight garden furniture, the Syzygy range of balustrading, columns and fencing, and curtain tracking. Fasteners, sealants and adhesives for working with aluminium are also available.