New Zealand: Cape Foulwind closure

Holcim has ceased operations at its Cape Foulwind cement plant in New Zealand following a three-year closure process. The company chose to start importing cement rather than manufacturing locally.

National Director of Industries, Ged O’Connell said the plant closure is a worrying development for the West Coast, where many have lost jobs due to economic conditions. “In recent years we've seen energy, construction and manufacturing jobs disappearing from the community at an alarming rate," he said.

Allan Greig, who has worked for Holcim for 30 years, said the workers and community were disappointed to see the plant close, stating that “there aren't a lot of employment opportunities on the Coast at the moment. Something like this affects not just the workers and their families, but the whole local economy." Despite this Mr Greig said he was happy with the closure process, saying the union and company had worked well together to ensure the closure was as smooth as possible.