NEW FACTORY

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 12 September 1935, Page 10

NEW FACTORY

TOKAORA DAIRY INDUSTRY Most Up=to=Date Production Unit in the Province COORDINATION OF IDEAS A white silk ribbon severed hy the oldest supplier marked the opening at Tokaora yesterday of the Hawera Dairy Company’s new branch factory—the most modern of its kind in Taranaki. Of 12-vat capacity, the factory is hnilt in ferro-concrete and although larger than the present requirements of the district, it is designed to cope with the steadily increasing production that is anticipated in the future. In 1904 Tokaora had a small creamery and in 1908 the building was converted for cheese-making. Then it was enlarged and partly reconstructed •as supplies increased until last year the directors decided to take advantage of the low interest rates and subsidies to embark on a comprehensive building programme at Tokaora as well as at Tawhiti and Whareroa, involving a capital outlay of £7ooo,—provision oeing made for an expenidture of £3350 at° Tokaora, £2472 for a new curing room at Tawhiti and £995 for a new packing room at Whareroa. The work at Tokaora was entrusted to Air. A. Brown, Hawera, building contractor, 'whose specialised study of factory layout and equipment proved invaluable in the preparation of* plans and specifications for a cheese-production unit that would eclipse anything of its kind already in existence. The completed work revealed to visitors yesterday a remarkable co-ordination of ideas to ensure the utmost efficiency and cleanliness. From the moment the suppliers milk passes across the receiving stage, there is no loss in its continuity through the various processes until the stage when the finished article emerges from the press and is deposited in the curing room. In outward appearance the factory is well finished in every detail with its walls in a warm ochre colour and facings in blue-grey cement. Ihe stage is 25ft. by lift, with one weighingin machine and provision made for another. On the same side of the building is a starter room 12ft. by 12ft., a culture room 12ft. by 6ft., a test room 12ft. by 6ft., and a salt room !l4ft. by 12ft. The former boilerhouse has been incorporated in the new scheme with certain renovations and the erection of a completely enclosed concrete fireproof coal bunker 16ft. by 18ft,

FEATURES OF CONSTRUCTION From the back entrance, under aeovered way designed to exclude dust, provision is made for a men’s changing room 12ft. by 12ft., complete with hot and cold showers, a store-room 12ft. by 12ft., and a bandage-room 12ft. by 12ft. The former tiled wnev tank sunk below floor level has been retained and slightly remodelled, the remaining accommodation on the north-west wall being taken up by a small insulated curing room sufficient t 0 hold two days’ make of cheese. The making-room proper is 80ft. by 60ft., with an imposing roof span. Here accommodation is sufficient for 12 vats, but so far only 10 are installed. Power is supplied for two giant separators, a modern A.P.v. pasteuriser heat exchange and the whey pumps by a 12 h.p. electric motor and shafting in the centre of the building for the agitators is operated by a 5 h.p. electric motor. The curd mill, a separate and ingenious unit, also is operated by electricity. The drains and glassfinished walls give the whole building an appearance of utmost cleanliness. Reflagged and flower-decked, the building presented a gala appearance for the official opening following an inspection indoors. On the receiving stage were The chairman (.Mr H. E. Johnson) and members of the directorate, representatives of neighbouring companies, the Mayor of Hawera (Air J. E. Campbell) and Mrs Campbell and Mrs Lavery, senr., the oldest supplier. Air Johnson extended a cordial welcome to the visitors and said that the company was indeed proud of its new Tokaora branch factory in which the builder and also Ah* Alex Ross, chief grader of dairy produce for Taranaki, had taken the greatest interest.

UP-TO-DATE PLANT The building and plant ranked as the. most up-to-date in the province, and while the cost of its construction had been estimated at £3350 it was expected to come out slightly under that amount, after provision had been made for the demolition of the oht building. After tracing briefly the development of dairying in the district, -Mr Johnson said that the changeover to cheese in 1008 marked the introduction to the company of Mr C. Bowman, the present general manager and a most highly esteemed officer, who had followed the footsteps of his brother and also his father in cheesemaking. Another old employee who joined the staff at the time was Mr it. Greenbank, now in charge of transport. “Tokaora is well equipped,” said Mr Johnson, ‘‘and It remains for suppliers to give our manager a firstclass raw material to turn out a high-grade finished article.” Probably many of those present would be reminded on this occasion of similar factory openings in the early days, but under what changed conditions, said Mr Campbell in his address. The pioneers of .the industry who established those first factories could not possibly have imagined the extent to which it / would grow. On s occasion town joined with country > celebrating an important step in the path of progress, and Mr Campbell, on behalf of the people of Hawera, congratulated the company and

the suppliers on their very commendable enterprise. Inc district now possessed a very fine factory inside, bu Mr Campbell pointed out how the exterior appearance could be enhanced, perhaps by the planting of trees. He carried in his mind a picture ot the beautiful seting of Cadbury’s factory in Bournville, England, and he thought that overseas visitors to New Zealand would carry away similar inind pictures of the settings in which they found the Dominion's most important industry. The ceremony of opening the factory was performed by Airs Lavery who, at the invitation of the chairman, severed a streamer of white silk ribbon across the stage. . In reply to Air Campbell, the chairman said' that it was proposed to give some attention to the surroundings along the lines that had been suggested. AIANY VISITORS ENTERTAINED Over 200 visitors were entertained at afternoon tea in the Tokaora Hall, and the company received the congratulations of several representative speakers in the course of toasts which followed in the acquisition of what were described as the most up-to-date plant and factory building m Taranaki. The chairman of directors (Air. Johnson) presided and associated with him at the official table \i ere members of the board of directors and management. Others present were the chairmen and secretaries of neighbouring dairy companies, representatives of commercial institutions, businessmen and branch suppliers and their wives. Apologies for absence were received from Airs J. R. Corrigarf, Air C. A. Wilkinson, At.P., members of the Executive Commission of Agriculture, Alessrs. G. A. Duncan, W. AL Singleton, W. H. Kent (representing Andrew Clement and Sons Ltd.), J. S. AlcKay (Riverdale Dairy Company), If. FI. Batten, Airs Hooper, Alessrs. T. Colson, N. G. Aleuli, T. Carey (Pihama Dairy Company), A. C. Johnstone (Joll Dairy Company), Alex Ross, G. A. Alills, E. J. Ulander, A. Linton, and D. Campbell. All wrote expressing best wishes for the continued pro. gress of the company.

SOUND POLICY FOLLOWED Following the loyal toast, Air. E. T. Burke (chairman of directors of the Kaupokonui Dairy Company) proposed the toast of “The Hawera Dairy Company,” which, he said, had followed the sound policy of erecting and equipping an entirely new factory instead of endeavouring to renovate old and out-of-date premises. # Alany people might feel disposed to decry a large expendituie of money in these difficult times, but New Zealand produce was enjoying a more favourable market, and to .maintain this demand quality had to be kept to its highest point. He thought the Hawera company had been justified in making the expenditure on new buildings and was playing its part in consolidating the good name not only of its own output, but also that of the whole Dominion. The company was the first to collect ciearn under home separation, and this was of material assistance to suppliers unable to make factory delivery.

.Reference was made by the speaker to two outstanding figures in the industry, namely, the late Mr J. R. Corrigan, for 17 years chairman of the company,"and Mr of. A. Duncan, for 14 years secretary up to the time of his appointment as a member of the Executive Commission of Agriculture. They had .guided the destinies of the company through periods of affluence and stress and exerted their influence in a much wider Dominion sphere. Both had left The present directors to carry on the good work, and Mr. Burke expressed his pleasure at the success that so far had attended their efforts. He concluded his remarks with reference to the assistance given by the company to the Kaupokonui company in the handling of whey cream at a time when replacement of plant was being made, a service greatly appreciated by the neighbouring company. LARGE ESTATES SUBDIVIDED His position as chairman of the company was something in which he took great pride, said Mr Johnson in reply to the toast. For many years it had been an easy matter for the directors to function as a body under such able leadership as that of the late Mr Corrigan and Mr Duncan, but when their responsibilities were hand, ed on, each had been called upon to share a burden which at times did not rest lightly. 'The company had small beginnings in a district of large estates held by the Goodson’s, the McLean’s, the Moore Hunter’s and the Livingston’s, all then well established in grazing. Gradually these holdings were subdivided, and it was interesting to note the change-over to dairying and the increase in factory output as reflected in the following table quoted by the speaker:—

It was possible that production would increase still further and so far as the Hawera company was concerned, there was ample provision for expansion. The chairman said that in his 21 years’ experience the factories built had continuously become too small. The Tokaora branch had been designed larger than the immediate requirements of the district, but in this there was adequate provision for the future. The company was founded in 1895, and in 1908 the board of directors consisted of Messrs. W. Baker (chairman), J. it. Corrigan, J. T. Saunders, H. Spratt, J. A. Cockerton, O. Jarvis and G. Gould, with Messrs. J. Turton as secretary and H. Graves as auditor. There had been a succession of only three managers, Messrs. Curie, Dunlop and C. Bowman (present general manager since 1908), while the first secretary was Xvlr Fantham, fol-

lowed by Alessrs. Turton and Holder, Atiss Beamish and Alessrs Duncan and T. J. Salmon (present secretary). The company had been exceedingly fortunate in the ability and calibre of its executive officers.

LEVY WIPES OUT DEBT In the early days all the company’s buildings were of wood. Then concrete floors were introduced and during the war years all the buildings were reconstructed in concrete, the company’s debt to the bank in 1922-23 being £2(3,000. Mr Corrigan and .Ur Duncan conceived the idea of -Jd per lb. but-ter-fat levy on suppliers, and by the issue of paid-up shares bearing six per cent, interest, the ownership of the company was removed from the

bank to the shareholders. This busi-ness-like move had been to the good of the company, the' whole debt being paid off in eight years instead of 10 . years previously budgeted for. “Now we have reached the stage of going into debt again,” said Mr Johnson, “but satisfactory arrangements have been made to pay off our liability to the bank at the rate of £750 a year, which will hardly be felt by suppliers.” According to extracts from the company’s minutes the chairman said that when the Livingston estate was subdivided, provision was made for a fac_ torv site opposite the present factory, but nearer the Waingongoro Diver. The site was still reserved, but for some reason it had never been used. In 1904 a creamery was erected and the first shareholders were Messrs. Spratt, Mills, White, Palmer, Buchanan and Phillips, the first three arranging details and dealing with plans prepared by Mr J. A. Grant. A lease was arranged from the Hawera County Council for 21 years with the right of renewal at £lO per year for the first £ll years and £ls for the next 10 years of the present site. The tender of Messrs. Thompson and Allan of

£245 was accepted, but owing to a hitch in negotiations the work was left to Mr Grant to carry out at a cost of £275. In 1907 all the companies’ factories turned over to cheese and it was recalled by the minutes that the proposal was put before a general .meeting of suppliers by Mr Corrigan and carried by 156 votes to 34. At Tokaora factory alterations to accommodate a cheese-making plant v ere tendered for by Mr B. Burrell at £396, the directors allowing a bonus of £125 to provide for other work.

tariff BARRIERS “The Dairy Industry” was proposed by Mr T. A. Winks (Ararata), who first congratulated the company on its enterprise, and said that with such modern facilities the company would further reduce its costs to f.o.b. of the three primary industries—meat, wool, and dairying—the latter took prior place. There was more money invested in dairying, more labour employed and production far exceeded in value the other two. The recent advance in prices on the Home market had lifted the industry out of the doldrums and there was every reason to believe that this level would he maintained. It seemed as though the nations at last were coining to tlieir senses, and a lead to the rest of the importing countries had been given by Canada and the United States in an agreement to allow produce over the border at an arranged rate. Unless tariff barriers were lowered there could be no hope of an economic price level for exported produce. During the past year Government assistance had been given to the industry in various ways, the principal measures in this respect being the establishment of the Mortgage Corporation and the Executive Commission of Agriculture. A\ ith a man of the calibre of Mr Duncan among those at the head of affairs, it. was ; an inspiration to all. Mr. Winks said ie had had knowledge of other heads f the industry, but greater confidence was inspired by the personnel of the present commission. The speaker referred to the zoning of supplies, a ■ause of friction in the past, and a matter which, if settlement could not bo reached voluntarily, should be effected compulsorily. Factory managers were now protected, and it was in their power to ensure the cleanliness of supplies. Too many less scrupulous dairymen in the past had ridden in on the "backs of those who had striven for quality, he said.

PIONITTRS HAND ON TRUST “What does this industry mean to us?” asked Mr C. G. Trotter. “1 he records of the Port of Patea for 1902 show that the whole of the dairy, produce from South Taranaki did not equal the present output of the Hawera company alone.” In 1902 there were 3<XO tons of dairy produce graded for export, whereas the Hawera company’s production to-day approximated 3800 tons. The industry owed a great debt to those who had pioneered the co-operative movement. They had handed on a trust, and it was the duty of all concerned to preserve that trust for those to follow. It was .oniy by improving and maintaining quality that future markets could be retained. The speaker remarked that New Zealand exported 112 per cent, more butter in the last 12 years and 50 per cent, more cheese. Britain had taken 100 per cent, more produce in 934 than in 1923, and “it is up to us to look to the quality and deliver the goods that the Brltis’li consumer demanded.” Proposing the toast of “The Builders,” Mr. A. E. Death said that the company owed a deep debt of gratitude to Mr Arthur Brown for the splendid manner in which the construction work had been carried out. The company had been assisted by Government subsidy, and the building and equipment were such that work at the factory would be greatly facilitated. “OLD FATHER TIME” “My only hope is that when the architect, ‘Old Father Time,’ runs his rule over the work, he will find that this factory is tvell and faithfully constructed,” said Mr Brown, in reply. Tribute was paid to the excellent work of the sub-contractors, Mr W. Adams (plasterer), Mr O. lineebone (plumber) and Mr C. Rasmussen

(painter), the foreman of works (Mr I'. Reader), the general manager (Mr. Bowman) for his courtesy as overseer, and the company secretary (Mr Salmon) for secretarial assistance. After building many other factories in the district, new ideas had been introduced and changes made in design until the inaking room at Tokaora was well-nigh perfect. Mr Brown said lie did not think Tokaora would bo out of date in 50 years, but he predicted changes in cheese-curing facilities. He thought that before long it would be necessary to instal artificial refrigeration to maintain an even temperature of 60 degrees. On behalf of the National Dairy Association, which undertook the installation of plant in the factory, Mr. N. Dieck said he was pleased to see the use that had been made of electricity. Mr G. Dixon, who replied on behalf of Messrs J. B. Mac Ewan and Co., said that the machinery installed was the most up-to-date in Taranaki, ‘and the contrast of a modern factory with the old-established production units was most marked. He thanked the general manager and the branch manager (Mr E. Tippett) for their assistance. The toast of “The Visitors” tvas proposed by Mr TV. O. Williams, who expressed appreciation of the goodwill that existed among factory directorates. Mr. F. Parsons (Wlienuakura) and Mr B. McCarthy (Hawera) responded and congratulated the company on possessing a factory that had been built to last, equipped for economy and provided with every facility for high quality production. The health of the chairman, proposed by Mr Trotter, was responded to by Mr Johnson.

Year Test Tons Choose 1907-08 3.78 555 1911-12 3.79 1213 1916-17 3.79 1317 1921-22 3.9 2243 1920-27 4.07 2296 1931-32 4.35 2823 1933-3-4 4.45 3245 Butter 805