Skellerup commits to $30 million Christchurch investment

18 June 2014

Skellerup commits to $30 million Christchurch investment

Skellerup today announced it will enter into a contract with Calder Stewart Industries Limited to build a new world-class Dairy Rubberware Development and Manufacturing facility at the Wigram Business Park developed by Ngāi Tahu Property Limited.

The contract will be formally signed today by Skellerup Holdings Chairman Sir Selwyn Cushing and Calder Stewart’s joint Managing Director Alan Stewart.

Construction of the 18,900 square metre facility will begin soon after and is scheduled to be completed by December 2015. Sir Ron Carter, who has extensive major project business and engineering expertise, is overseeing the project for Skellerup. The approximately 200 staff now employed at the earthquake damaged Woolston facility are expected to begin the staged transition to Wigram immediately upon completion.

Skellerup CEO David Mair says the integrated layout of the new facility offers considerable efficiencies over the multi-building complex at Woolston.

“This is another significant step for our Dairy business and great news for Christchurch. In addition to providing improved working conditions for staff, the new facility will capture process, flow and efficiency gains, further strengthening the operations of our dairy rubberware manufacturing business.”

Calder Stewart was awarded the fixed price design and build contract for the construction of Skellerup’s new Dairy Rubberware Development & Manufacturing facility following a competitive tender.

“Skellerup is delighted to be working with another well-recognised South Island business to bring about this significant development,” David Mair says. The facility will be located on a 3.4 hectare site acquired by Skellerup in May 2013 from Wigram Business Park developers, Ngāi Tahu Property. The site provides easy access to both Christchurch Airport and the Port of Lyttelton.

Calder Stewart Co-Managing Director Alan Stewart said the Skellerup project added to the list of significant contracts the company has underway.

Total project investment inclusive of levies and project management costs is estimated at approximately $30 million which is partially covered by insurance proceeds from the settlement with insurers in respect of the damage suffered at its Woolston site from the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.

ENDS

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