Sanford still optimistic

Press, 14 December 1985, Page 22

Sanford still optimistic

PA Auckland Sanford, Ltd, hopes to have its new deepwater factory trawler in operation by October, the chairman, Mr W. D. Goodfellow, told the annual meeting yesterday. He said that the vessel, expected to cost $5 million, would incorporate the latest technology in fuel-efficient machinery. Since the end of the last financial year the company’s export production had continued to be in strong demand, said Mr Goodfellow. Sanford’s supply position, he said, had been assisted

by encouraging deepwater catches, and an improvement in inshore landings. Mr Goodfellow said the catch in the past three months was nearly 30 per cent greater than a year earlier. Profitability for the year was difficult to predict, he said. The stronger dollar reduced proceeds from the sale of exports to both the United States and Australia, two major markets. So-called volume markets were firm, however, and the directors expected them to remain that way for the next few months.