Fletcher Reinforcing adds 25 new staff at Levin branch

Fletcher Reinforcing’s decision to embark on a quarter-million-dollar expansion to its Levin plant and boost staffing levels is ‘‘massively good’’ for the district, says Horowhenua’s mayor.

The company will add another 25 employees to its 15 Levin staff, and bring in another $250,000 of new machinery. It has also renewed the lease at its Main Rd site, on the southern outskirts of town, for another decade.

For the past three years, the company’s Levin branch has supplied steel reinforcing mesh or bars used to strengthen concrete foundations and structures for projects across the lower North Island. New contracts this year have prompted the company to expand its Levin operations.

Horowhenua mayor Michael Feyen said Fletcher’s renewed commitment to Levin was welcome news.‘‘anything that’s going to bring more jobs to our communities is massively good for everyone.‘‘

He said the Ka¯ piti expressway would make it easier to transport goods through Horowhenua, and had brought a renewed level of interest and investment in the region.

The $630-million road between Mackays Crossing and Peka Peka, on the Ka¯piti Coast, opened in February. It is the first stage of a proposed 110-kilometre expressway from Wellington Airport to Levin.

Feyen said the town, at the junction of State Highways 1 and 57, was well connected to much of the lower North Island.

The Horowhenua District Council had been working closely with companies such as Fletcher Reinforcing to capitalise on the economic opportunities that brought, he said.

Fletcher Levin branch manager Donny Smith said the first two new staff members started this week.

Another 20, including 10 steel fixers, would be hired in the next six months, with the final three coming on board sometime after that.

Smith expected it wouldn’t be hard to fill the roles, thanks to the close relationships the company had built with the council, UCOL and the local Ministry of Social Development office.