Media Release
October 14, 2014
Leighs Construction enters JV with Cockram Construction Australia
Leighs Construction has entered into a joint venture with Cockram Construction Australia, which will give it the
capability to undertake some of the large projects as part of the Christchurch rebuild. The company will be known as
Leighs Cockram JV Limited
Anthony Leighs, managing director of Christchurch-based Leighs Construction, said that in the last two years his company
had had great success with a joint venture with American firm Grant Mackay Demolition which enabled them to undertake
some of the large demolition projects in the city such as the Crowne Plaza.
“At the same time as we were looking for a joint venture partner to bolster our capabilities ahead of the rebuild,
Cockram Construction in turn were looking for a local partner in Christchurch,” he said.
Cockram Construction was founded in 1861 and is one of Australia’s longest running construction companies that operates
in Australia, Asia and the Americas. It employs 490 personnel and has approximately 4000 subcontractors on their sites
at any one time.
“They have great experience in the health sector, so contracts like Burwood Hospital would be an obvious target, and
there are other substantial projects starting to come on-stream. In the last few days there have been three significant
projects started. There are the anchor projects coming up and also decisions will be made on the CBD,” he said.
Cockram Construction Managing Director, Malcolm Batten said: “Our companies have similar cultural and operational
philosophy. The combination of Cockram’s technical knowledge aligned with Leighs Christchurch operations results in a
highly capable and dynamic team,” he said.
ENDS