Barker Fruit Processors, based in Pleasant Valley near Geraldine, is finalising a US$35.6 million (NZ$60 million) expansion of its factory, with production expected to begin before Christmas. The South Canterbury company, owned by France's Andros Group, is adding new warehouses and a production line for products such as chutneys, jams, and sauces.
Operations manager Bill Pridham said the expansion would support long-term growth. "The main point for us is around ensuring that Barker's is set up and ready for the future in South Canterbury, and to provide security to our current staff," he said. "There'll be a few new job opportunities as well, which is great."
The company produces hundreds of products annually, primarily for the domestic market, while exports to Australia account for about 20% of business. It employs up to 280 staff during peak summer production, including those working in factory operations and sales, and marketing from Auckland.
Barker Fruit Processors holds several resource consents for discharging contaminants to land and air. However, the Canterbury Regional Council recently investigated the company for alleged breaches related to wastewater discharge. The Department of Conservation raised concerns about wastewater affecting a nearby conservation reserve near the Hae Hae Te Moana River.
The company purchased a 14-hectare site adjacent to the factory for approximately US$830,000 (NZ$1.4 million), approved by the Overseas Investment Office. Pridham said the acquisition was aimed at improving irrigation and wastewater management. "Historically, we've irrigated onto a block south of the factory, DoC land where historically it was something that had low conservational value that has recently changed, so we've looked for an alternative there," he said. "We're looking at changing our irrigation system there, allowing us to irrigate all year round, where historically we'd irrigate only in the drier months."
Pridham added that the company plans to install a micro-irrigation system to align with soil absorption capacity and treat water efficiently. "We are working through that consent for the wastewater discharge with ECan, and providing them the information they need to give them assurance of our process and how we're planning to approach it."
Environment Canterbury consents planning manager Henry Winchester said the company's new application to discharge factory wastewater is currently on hold while additional information is reviewed. "Barkers isn't proposing to increase the amount of wastewater generated, and we're following the consent process in the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) to ensure that effects are appropriately managed," he said. "We continue to work with Barkers to ensure that the regulatory process is being followed."
Source: RNZ
