Police and the Department of Labour are investigating after a man was killed in an accident in an Ashburton plastics factory early today.
He was Alexander Cooper, 24, of Ashburton.
Emergency services were called to RX Plastics Ltd in suburban Tinwald shortly after 2am.
It is understood Mr Cooper died after his head became trapped in machinery.
Managing director Gavin Douglas said this afternoon the company's immediate concern was to provide support to Mr Cooper's family.
He declined further comment.
RX Plastics specialises in manufacturing polyethylene and PVC piping systems, complementing this range with the manufacture of tanks, troughs, fittings, and imported valves and pipe fittings.
RX Plastics has been operating for more than 30 years and in April last year was sold to the Aliaxis Group, owner of Marley.
No sale price was released, but it was believed to be in the tens of millions of dollars, the Ashburton Guardian reported at the time.
The company has a turnover of around $80 million a year.
The factory was closed today.
