Work 'sponsors' sought

Cargill Enterprises worker Richard Gutsell walks behind some of his completed pallets. Photo by...
Cargill Enterprises worker Richard Gutsell walks behind some of his completed pallets. Photo by Dan Hutchinson.
Cargill Enterprises is having to borrow money so the social service can stay afloat. Managers are confident clever thinking and community support can turn the tide. Dan Hutchinson reports.

The Disabled Citizens Society is losing $80,000 a year at its flagship Cargill Enterprises and has suggested sponsoring workers as one way people can get more involved.

Cargill Enterprises employs people with disabilities to do a range of jobs at its Hillside Rd premises but its managers would like more involvement from local businesses.

Cargill Enterprises chief executive Geoff Kemp said they were having to borrow against the building to the tune of about $80,000 each year to balance the books.

Difficulties started when the employment law was changed in 2007, requiring workers to be paid the minimum wage.

Income of $400,000 a year was lost 18 months later when Fisher & Paykel moved to Mexico.

Mr Kemp said the challenge was to bring a commercial model to a business that was providing a social service.''

He said they were looking at ways in which businesses or individuals could ''partner'' with Cargill's by either providing jobs or sponsorship.

''You support a child offshore, it is quite normal practice. We would say would you consider supporting a relationship with one of my staff or supporting Cargill's per se.''

General manager Derek King said staff ''want to work because they have been told they can't''.

Richard Gutsell has been working at Cargill's for 20 years and said its services were in demand by many businesses.

''They rely on us quite a bit. We are one of the cheapest in town for getting things done.''

Work Opportunities Trust Dunedin manager Stu Ellwood said Cargill's filled an important role in the disabilities sector.

''Without Cargill's there would be a great gaping hole in the lives of many of those people who participate there,'' Mr Ellwood said.

Mr King said they were not looking for charity but the reality was that the profitable divisions of the business were having to support the loss-making ventures.

Examples of profitable work included the thousands of export-quality wooden packing cases and pallets made each year and various recycling initiatives.

Recycling oil filters was another area the enterprise had become involved in recently. Mr King said if that was expanded to all the garages in Dunedin, it could help Cargill's as well as businesses.

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement