AFL Opens New Fisheries Processing Plant at Napier

MEDIA RELEASE
6 September 2007

AFL Opens New Fisheries Processing Plant at Napier

Aotearoa Fisheries Limited (AFL) today opens a new fish processing plant in Awatoto, Napier. The Minister of Maori Affairs, Parekura Horomia, will open the plant on behalf of the company.

AFL's executive chairman Robin Hapi said the larger processing plant will allow AFL, through its Moana Pacific Fisheries brand, to more efficiently meet its business needs in the region and place the company in a better position to take advantage of new and developing fisheries.

The new plant also includes a "blasting" facility to snap freeze product.

Mr Hapi said completion of the new plant, based in the former meat industry site owned by Hill Country Beef on Waitangi Road, Awatoto, was timely, as opportunities were developing with the fledging red and king crab fisheries in which AFL was investing.

"Our former facility in Ahuriri was good at providing us with a lobster depot, but was restricted in terms of our ability to grow into other species and the location and age of that facility made it unsuitable for renovating."

"This new plant in Awatoto is a major step forward in the region for AFL," Mr Hapi said. The new facility makes AFL the major fish processor in the region and adds to the growing strategic investments for the company. AFL moved into the Awatoto plant on 30 July 2007.

Among the guests invited to the opening were local Iwi leaders, MPs, councillors and the mayor of Napier.

ENDS

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