One new Levin factory, 25 new jobs before Christmas

A Hawke’s Bay firm’s new concrete panel factory is expected to bring a 25-job Christmas present to Levin.

The Lattey Group, a 70-year-old family-owned concrete supplier from Hastings, provides precast concrete for building companies around the North Island.

The Levin factory, to be built on former grazing land in Roe St, will be the company’s first facility outside Hawke’s Bay and one of the largest buildings in town.

Horowhenua mayor Michael Feyen said Lattey was exactly the kind of family-oriented business providing skilled jobs that the region was working so hard to attract.

Company director Mark Donnelly said Levin was the perfect spot for expansion for reasons ranging from lifestyle to the Horowhenua Learning Centre’s steady supply of skilled staff.

‘‘After visiting, and having a good look around, we soon realised that Levin was becoming the construction hub of the lower North Island.

‘‘[It has] great access to the bigcity market, but with small-town prices.’’

Earthworks were due to start at the site shortly, before the weather got too wet, Donnelly said.

The first stage of the building was being constructed in Hastings, then trucked over to the Roe St site.

The second half of the 4500-square-metre factory will be constructed on site.

The company expected the new factory to be up and running by Christmas, with an initial staff of 25 people.

Horowhenua District Council economic development manager Shanon Grainger said the move was yet another sign of growing business confidence in the region, which has been snowballing since the announcement of the $2 billion upgrade to State Highway 1 that will create a direct line between the district and Wellington.

‘‘We are now two years into the growth, after a quarter of a century of decline.

‘‘Our district is growing, more jobs are being created, and more people are moving here – central government’s investment in the northern expressway is regional economic development in action.’’