Factory downs its tools

BY DELWYN DICKEY

Closure of Irwin Industrial Tools at Wellsford just before Christmas sees the demise of a home grown company once listed at 193 of the top 200 New Zealand businesses.

While it is bad news for the town, it was not entirely unexpected, says Te Hana Community Development Charitable Trust chief executive Linda Clapham.

Started by Richard Izard 30 years ago, the company was the backbone of Wellsford's industrial community, employing more than 500 employees and supplying 40 percent of the world's saw-blade market at its peak. In 1994 it was bought by United States-based company Irwin.

In February, 105 of its remaining 162 workers were made redundant. The last 56 leave on December 18, ending an era.

One Leigh woman, who didn't wish to be named, has worked 24 years at the plant as a process worker.

"We're like a family and we may never see each other again," she says.

Even though she'll be receiving redundancy, she says she will take a job before January if possible.

"You take whatever you can get up here - jobs are hard to come by."

Wellsford Promotion Group chairman Robert Todd says the group is disappointed Irwin has decided to move its business to China. He says it will have some impact on business in the area.

Oruawharo Marae spokesman and Te Hana trust chairman Thomas de Thierry says about 30 of the remaining 56 workers are members of the marae, and he knows at least a couple who are planning on moving away from the area with the closure. The trust also has some remaining Irwin workers upgrading their computer skills at its education facility.

The trust's Te Hana tourism and educational facility will ultimately provide some work. Around 50 full-time jobs and a further 60-70 part-time jobs will become available when part of the cultural village opens towards the end of next year, says Mr de Thierry.

The trust believes the Puhoi-Wellsford motorway extension and Auckland supercity boundaries need to be sorted quickly so people involved in commerce and industry can make decisions in the area.

There is some frustration that jobs at the Stockyard Falls retail development in Warkworth have been delayed and possibly lost.

Environment Court proceedings involving supermarket giants Progressive Enterprises and Foodstuffs, along with Stockyard Falls developer Perrendale Holdings, mean a delay to any construction for about a year, with another year likely before it opens.

A recent report by the Rodney Economic Development Trust recommending the Rodney District Council sell land in the Corry Block on Wellsford's south-east border has brought the most anger.

The economic development trust was asked by the council to carry out an investigation into the supply and demand for Wellsford industrial land, particularly in relation to the Corry Block, as part of a feasibility study for developing it.

Some of the findings include "there is insufficient demand for industrial land to warrant development of the Corry Block".

The report also says "the main issue from businesses and investors is what they experience as the council's unrealistic 'red tape', infrastructure costs and its unwillingness to work with businesses and developers to find solutions or promote economic development. New Zealand Transport Agency costs are also unrealistic and impinge negatively on development and infrastructure."

As a result of the report, the council voted on October 22 not to change the land's future urban zoning to industrial, but sell much of it instead.

Northern ward councillor Graham Powell, five years ago a strong advocate of the council buying the land for future industrial development, says he has now "washed his hands of the whole thing".

"The cost of developing the eastern collector road, which would give easier access to the land and avoid upgrading the State Highway 1 and Centennial Rd intersection, is too great at around $13 million," says Mr Powell.

"Council staff say there is plenty of industrial land available in the Wellsford area," he says.

"People want land that is visible to passing traffic - not tucked away out of sight."

- A meeting will be held at the Wellsford Community Hall on Tuesday, December 1, 4pm to 6pm, to report back on council decisions about Wellsford industrial land supply and discuss possible projects.

- © Fairfax NZ News