Lane Walker Rudkin plant auctioned

IAIN McGREGOR/The Press

BARGAIN TIME: Auction manager Leon Hickey, right, points to a bidder at Thursday's Lane Walker Rudkin receivers auction.

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The home of Italian fashion has benefited from the unravelling of New Zealand clothing manufacturer Lane Walker Rudkin.

A buyer from Milan joined local, national and overseas bidders at yesterday's auction for the plant of the liquidated Christchurch manufacturer.

Lane Walker Rudkin's (LWR) more than 100-year history came to an end when it was placed in receivership last year, with the loss of over 200 jobs in Christchurch.

Auctioneer Bryan Andrews said former LWR staff were among the buyers.

A woman who had worked at the Christchurch plant for 52 years bought her old machine – a Union Special overlocker, Andrews said.

The auction was well supported, especially by North Island buyers, he said.

Among the international manufacturers buyingwere Fijian companies, he said.

Nearly all the 650 lots were sold.

Items included sewing machines, laying-out tables, tape tensioners, heat presses and machinists' chairs.

- © Fairfax NZ News