Mataura works over problems

Press, 4 July 1985, Page 28

Mataura works over problems

The Meat Industry Council’s recommendations that freezing works run for longer hours, increase productivity and introduce new technology were conclusions that Southland Frozen Meat, Ltd, made two years ago, according to the company’s interim report. The directors say in an interim report to shareholders that big changes were made, particularly at the Mataura works, to improve costs by introducing a new chain system, and increase production 25 per cent by working longer hours, increasing chain speed, reducing manning, and streamlining other departments. The company had also introduced new cutting and further processing technology and a new type of storage facility to

help in marketing and provide continued employment for staff, they say. The ?20 million upgrading at the Mataura works has been finished and the equipment is running well after commissioning problems. The directors say they are concerned that commissioning and particularly industrial difficulties interrupted the killing season and delayed the achievement of benefits. The finanical benefits from the new developments will not be available until next season. Stock was not sent from Southland in the same numbers this year because of the drought in North Otago and South Canterbury.