New centre of excellence positions Skellerup for future

New centre of excellence positions Skellerup for future growth

Skellerup’s new Christchurch dairy rubberware development and manufacturing centre of excellence represents what is best about the company: traditional skills and ethos aligned with a willingness and an ability to adapt and innovate, says Skellerup Chairman Sir Selwyn Cushing.

Speaking at the opening of the $60 million, 19,000 square metre facility, Sir Selwyn said the move to a purpose-built, integrated site would help Skellerup cement its reputation as the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of food grade rubberware for the global dairy industry, and expand into new markets and new industries.

Sir Selwyn said Skellerup’s Woolston site had been the company’s heart and soul for more than three-quarters of a century, and he expected the Wigram development would serve the company and its customers for at least as many years to come.

Sir Selwyn said while the company was very aware, and very proud, of its long association with the Canterbury region, the decision to stay in Christchurch following the 2011 earthquake was driven by practicalities rather than sentiment.

“We had a very hard look at our options after the quake: staying in Christchurch was clearly the best choice for the business.”

Sir Selwyn paid tribute to Project Champion Sir Ron Carter, the Skellerup team and the project contractors responsible for the Wigram development.

“Completing such a significant project on time and within budget while maintaining production at the Woolston plant without compromising customer service and product quality standards was a remarkable achievement.”

Skellerup Wigram at a glance
19,000 square metres of building
9,926 tonnes of in-situ concrete; 3,612 tonnes of pre-cast concrete (total of approximately 5,600 cubic metres – enough to fill two Olympic-sized swimming pools)
467 tonnes of steel
200 staff
Manufactures products for sale in USA, Australia, UK, Europe, South America and Asia; approximately 50 percent of revenue generated from export sales
$79.6 million revenue for Agri Division, FY 2016

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