A major factory expansion by a South Canterbury fruit processor is nearing completion, with production expected to begin shortly before Christmas. The NZ$60 million (US$35.9 million) project at Pleasant Valley near Geraldine aims to expand capacity and modernise operations to meet future demand.
The company, owned by France's Andros Group, is adding new warehouses and another production line for its range of jams, chutneys, and sauces. Operations manager Bill Pridham said the expansion was designed to "ensure that Barker's is set up and ready for the future in South Canterbury, and to provide security to our current staff."
The factory produces hundreds of products each year, with around 80% sold in the domestic market and the remainder exported to Australia. Up to 280 employees work across the factory and sales operations during the summer peak. "There'll be a few new job opportunities as well, which is great," Pridham said, noting that the expansion could double production over the next few decades.
The company has also invested in a 14-hectare site adjacent to the factory, purchased for NZ$1.4 million (US$837,000), to develop an upgraded irrigation and wastewater system. The decision followed concerns from the Department of Conservation regarding wastewater discharge near the Hae Hae Te Moana River. Pridham said the new system will "allow us to irrigate all-year round, where historically we'd irrigate only in the drier months," and will use a micro-irrigation process designed to match soil absorption capacity.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) confirmed it is reviewing a new consent application for the discharge system. ECan consents planning manager Henry Winchester said, "The new application from Barkers is to discharge factory wastewater to a new area of land, which is partly forestry and pasture. Barkers isn't proposing to increase the amount of wastewater generated, and we're following the consent process in the Resource Management Act 1991 to ensure that effects are appropriately managed." Winchester added that the consent process remains on hold pending additional information from the company.
Source: Evening Report
