Building products factories to resume

AUCKLAND: Dozens of Auckland staff at $6 billion Fletcher Building are preparing to return to work this week at four Penrose and Onehunga factories.

Staff will resume work at two Winstone Wallboards, Tasman Insulation and Pacific CoilCoaters factories, supplying products nationally, where construction sites can operate on lower alert levels.

The Government yesterday announced a Uturn on the Auckland manufacturing ban under Alert Level 4.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Building and Construction Minister Poto Williams said some plants could operate to supply materials needed outside Auckland to allow the $26 billionayear construction sector to continue.

The Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment will manage the process of eligible companies to ensure the work is being done safely under Level 4 rules, Ms Williams said.

‘‘The products must be a critical component of residential construction, there is limited supply and manufacturers must have health and safety measures in place to minimise the risk of Covid19 transmission.

‘‘Plasterboard, gypsum plaster, coated roofing steel and insulation meet this criteria,’’ Ms Williams said

A Fletcher spokesman said yesterday Tasman Insulation (Pink Batts), Pacific CoilCoaters (ColourCote steel and aluminium roofing products) and Winstone Wallboards (gib board and plaster) would resume operations.

Production might resume later this week and distribution could begin early next week, he said.

‘‘We are starting to mobilise people working through safety reinductions and commencing heating the plants.

‘‘However, full production won't be achieved until the end of the week, with dispatch aimed for Monday,’’ Fletcher building products division chief executive Hamish McBeath said.

The building products division employs more than 2000 staff in about 60 manufacturing, distribution and sales sites in New Zealand. —