New depot opened for old firm

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 5, 30 June 1987, Page 1

New depot opened for old firm

The country's longest established representative office for Turners and Growers is in Ohakune and on Friday the business officially took over its new premises in Old Station Road. Turners and Growers, based in Auckland, have been represented in Ohakune since 1939 and until recently their office and depot were in Mangawhero Terrace. The move to the new premises means greater storage space and efficiency. The 32 metre by 18 metre building can store 100 or more fully loaded pallets of produce. The storage shed was constructed by Mangorei Industries, New Plymouth and was completed just over one month ago. Representative for Turners and Growers in Ohakune, Laurie Weller,

said the building is in use as a receiving depot for produce in transit around the country. As well as local produce being stored there before it is moved to markets in other centres, citrus fruit and gourmet vegetables are regularly stored in the premises. The Director of Turners

and Growers in Auckland, Mr Jack Turner, was present for the official opening of the building, along with 130 invited guests, including local growers. Mr Turner said he felt honoured to be taking part in the function and congratulated the Ohakune growers on the excellent name they had achieved.

"Today we are opening a new building which will enable us to continue to provide the traditional services of our business and will also act as an important base for our road transport services between Wellington and Auckland and between our other markets and Ohakune", he said. "For over half a century, Ohakune has been a very important district for Turners and Growers. Ohakune growers have established an excellent name for fresh vegetables of high quality, which have been enjoyed by the people of every part of the North Island. "Previously, nearly everything travelled by rail. Today most of the produce moves by road. The Railways did a very good job in their day, but road transport has the benefit of eliminating two handlings."