SECONDARY INDUSTRY EXPANDS

Evening Star, Issue 23685, 19 September 1940, Page 4

SECONDARY INDUSTRY EXPANDS

NEW FACTORY NEAR COMPLETION RECKITT AND CDLMAN (N.Z.) LTD. Nearing completion is the large threestory building which is to bo the headquarters of Messrs Reckitt and Colman (N.Z.) Ltd. Import restrictions and other conditions favourable to the establishment of new- industries have resulted in a number of firms branching out, but perhaps none of the new developments will be so important to Dunedin as this. It will be one of the most up-to-date factories of the worldfamous British company, and it will contain many interesting features in its design and in the working conditions provided for the staff. Its establishment here is an important happening for Dunedin, and it should inspire civic organisations to induce other large manufacturers to choose

this city as the site of their factories. In the establishment of an industry in a city, much revenue and additional avenues of employment are provided for the benefit' of the community as a whole. The building alone provides a great deal of employment and big contracts for a number of firms, and, m addition, as much of the elaborate machinery and equipment as possible is to be made in Dunedin. The factory will provide employment for at least (30 men and girls in its early stages of development, and an increased number as more and more lines are made locally. '”ith the exception of the factory director (Mr H. G. Woolman), who comes fnm England, all the staff will, if at all possible, he recruited locally. On top of this will be the additional income accruing to ciTy firms from the making and printing of thousands of containers and cases, as well as the printing of labels. Transport organisations will also benefit, and the city will receive a substantial sum in rates. In 1939 the directors at the head office of the company in England decided to build a factory, and chose Dunedin for their manufacturing centre, and also to transfer the office staff to this city. The, firm has added many lines which have become as well known

in -Now Zealand homes, and, indeed, throughout the world, as the original blue and mustard. Such brands as Brasso, Silvo, Robinson’s “ patent ” groats and barley, Robin starch, Colman’s starch, Harpic, Zebo, and Karpol arc now as equally well known and appreciated as the older lines. This policy has been continued more recently with the addition of “ Dettol ” antiseptic, “ Dettolin ” mouth wash. “ Steradent ” denture cleaner, Robinson’s lemon, lime, and orange barley waters, and Reckitt’s bath cubes, and all add their strength to increase secondary industries in New Zealand, and more particularly in Dunedin. It is expected that part of the factory will be in operation at the end of the month, but it will be considerably longer before the whole factory is in full swing. When it is in full operation it should provide an interesting study in modern factory methods and will supply the Dominion with most of the well-known lines manufactured by the firm. It will also show the value accruing to a city by the establishment of new industries in its area, and it may have the effect of deciding other large concerns to choose some of the extensive vacant ground within the city boundary for the sites of their factories.