Cadbury closure left bitter aftertaste
A Frank Gehry hotel and a workers’ chocolate co-operative were floated as replacements after Cadbury announced it would close its Dunedin factory, released emails reveal.
After a lengthy delay, the Dunedin City Council has released emails under the Official Information Act concerning the factory’s closure. Food giant Mondelez in February announced a proposal to shut the factory in 2018, with the loss of 350 jobs.
That sparked a flurry of emails involving senior council staff.
One from council chief executive Dr Sue Bidrose, which called for ‘‘confidentiality’’, said ‘‘I know there is thinking about the workers buying all/part of the factory for a workers co-operative for the site’’.
‘‘BUT that said, most giant multinationals will work bloody hard to ensure none of their machinery, land, resources will be able to assist any business competitor – so, any other chocolate maker, or even sweet maker, food producer.’’
Another email confirmed this, with Cadbury saying all machinery would go to Australia, so it ‘‘would not be possible’’ to use the equipment and facilities in Dunedin.
Mayor Dave Cull received several emails about the closure, including one urging the city to buy the building.
Another said the site could attract a hotel designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry.
‘‘I will put your suggestion into the mix,’’ Cull replied.
Other emails urged the council to take action over the closure.
Meanwhile, the mayor won praise from Mondelez management.
Cull, in an email to the company, expressed his frustration with the media engaging in ‘‘unhelpful commentary’’ after the announcement to close the plant.
In response, Mondelez NZ manager James Kane wrote ‘‘it is quite frustrating’’. The rest of the text was redacted.
Kane sent another email saying ‘‘thanks for your leadership on this whole matter’’.
Another email from Mondelez to council top brass said the company valued the working relationship with the council and ‘‘was keen to keep communication lines open’’.