Rationalisation of meat plants urged

Press, 15 November 1984, Page 28

Rationalisation of meat plants urged

PA Wellington Rationalisation of further meat-processing plants was inevitable to ensure the continued viability of the industry, Mr Peter Blomfield, executive director of the Freezing Companies’ Association, told a conference in Wellington..

“There is no doubt that New Zealand has an overcapacity of slaughtering facilities, inspite of the closing since the 1980-81 season of three plants,” he told delegates at the Southern Hemisphere Beef Producers’ conference.

: Mr Blomfield said that there was renewed impetus within the industry to reduce cost and increase productivity, and credit had to be given for real jxflductiv-

ity advances in recent years. “Because labour costs are the most significant item within total costs, it is obvious that they will be the subject of continued examination. The purpose is not to put people out of jobs but to establish a cost structure that will allow increased employment opportunities.

“Workers in the industry have nothing to fear from greater productivity but everything to fear if there is no improvement,” he said. “New products are the lifeblood of any company or industry; the meat-process-ing industry is no exception. For us this will mean new methods and technological advances.

“Automation has already reached the meat industry and l am sure there will be further development. I am equally sure that their success will come only with the concurrence of the workers involved,” Mr Blomfield said.

New Zealand was now caught up in the valueadded concept of exports. “As a country we are no longer content to be the suppliers of raw or basically processed product. There is an increasing awareness and desire to ensure that we wring out all the possible benefits from exported goods, including meat products. This has brought a new marketawareness.”