Sanford's Nelson plant will close on November 29th

Sanford Limited notify staff today that the Nelson plant will close on Friday 29th November 2002.

Staff at the Sanford plant in Nelson were notified today that the fish processing facility would close at the end of November.

“At the beginning of October the company announced plans to offer its Nelson plant for sale as a going concern but without quota or vessels. Over the past few weeks the Company has been trying to find other uses or a buyer for the Nelson processing facility as a going concern but has not been able to confirm a deal. We have had some interest in the plant but no serious offers to take it on as a going concern” said Sanford Managing Director Eric Barratt.

“It is with regret and sadness that we announce the closure of this plant. “Our focus now is on our employees and helping them through this very difficult time” Mr Barratt said.

He said a comprehensive job search programme launched at the beginning of the month had identified more than 100 jobs within the Sanford Group or among Nelson employers.

Mr Culley, Acting Branch Manager for Nelson who has been seconded to Nelson over the past month indicated that they had received a great response from Nelson employers with job offers. Some, like NZ King Salmon, has worked hard to find places for some of our senior and experienced personnel.

He said “nine personnel had confirmed they wish to transfer or at least trial different positions around the Sanford group and another 24 personnel had positions to go to in Nelson. Mr Culley said that “although there were further opportunities within the Sanford Group not everybody is in a position to transfer for family or lifestyle reasons.”

Personnel not transferring around the Sanford group received their termination notices today and have previously been advised of their redundancy entitlements in accordance with their respective employment agreements.

Mr Culley said “Over the past 4 weeks support services have been providing C.V.’s for each staff member as well as counselling services and budgeting advice. Government departments Work & Income and Inland Revenue have also assisted with group discussions and individual consultations for personnel who have sought their advice”.

“The challenge for us over the next period is to get as many of our staff not already with job offers into new jobs and make the process as painless as practically possible.”

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