‘Birds Eye’ not for sale

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34128, 14 April 1976, Page 26

‘Birds Eye’ not for sale

The Christchurch factory of Birds Eye Frozen Foods — a division of Unilever (New Zealand), Ltd — will not be sold as a going concern.

The brand-name, “Birds Eye,” will be retained by Unilever. The site and buildings will be sold, according to the factory manager (Mr J. O. Sykes).

The decision to close the plant — which processes mainly peas and beans — was made last month, and provoked temporary fears of a possible frozen food monopoly. Unilever had approached Wattie Industries with the proposition that it take over Birds Eye frozen foods ,and Walls ice-cream. However, the Minister of Trade and Industry (Mr Adams-Schneider), announced that the Government would refuse to allow such a takeover by Wattie’s without a public inquiry. Wattie’s subsequently declined the offer to take over the firms as a going concern.

Negotiations for the sale of the Walls ice-cream division are being held by Unilever and the Rangitaiki Plains Dairy Co., Ltd, of Whakatane. All work at the Christ-

church plant would cease at the end of this month, Mr Sykes said. However, the sales division would continue to supply retailers with Birds Eye products until the end of June.

The one-acre site, and all buildings, including cold stores, will be sold. All manufacturing equipment has been taken over by Wattie’s, and about 27 permanent employees at the Harewood Road factory have been offered positions with Wattie Canneries in Christchurch.