Nearly two years after the SFF Te Aroha beef processing operation was devastated by fire the PM was on hand to officially open the company’s new flagship plant on the same site.
All those associated with the rebuild gathered for the opening, including contractors, local government representatives, iwi and members of the Te Aroha community.
SFF chairman Eoin Garden said the investment of $67 million to commission the state-of-the-art facility was testament to the co-operative’s strong confidence in the sector and indicated the clear alignment of this investment with the Government’s business growth agenda.
Cooper spoke of the importance the plant had, not only to farmer-suppliers in the surrounding rural areas, but also to the local community.
he fact the plant will be fully operational ahead of the new season is welcome news for Te Aroha, with the prospect it will employ up to 380 staff when operating at full capacity.
Throughout the rebuilding process, SFF endeavoured to provide alternative options for staff whose livelihoods were affected by the fire, making positions available at neighbouring plants and providing accommodation supplements in the early stages.
The company’s capital spend also provided positive spin-offs to the local economy in the number of contractors throughout the region engaged in the construction.
Developed in consultation with internationally recognised experts in process layout and ergonomics, the plant incorporates the latest meat processing technologies, including sophisticated traceability and yield collection systems.
Cooper said the new design reflected the company’s focus on plant economics and best practice processing, and that eco-efficiency and sustainability were top of mind considerations.
The company intends to open the plant to farmer-suppliers and the local community in a series of open days in February 2013.
