Fletcher 1980-1989
The appointment of Hugh Fletcher as chief executive of Fletcher Holdings sees a third generation of the Fletcher family take up the reins.
A 1981 merger of Fletcher Holdings, Challenge Corporation, and Tasman Pulp and Paper (in which both Fletcher and Challenge are shareholders) creates Fletcher Challenge, "a company with the size, the willingness and the financial and management credibility to compete with international companies for major development projects in New Zealand and overseas."
The chairman and chief executive of the new company is Challenge's Ron Trotter, with Hugh Fletcher becoming managing director. The extensive rural sector expertise of Challenge is added to Fletcher's building and construction strengths.
