Alliance Group is to spend $3.2million on a further upgrade at its Lorneville plant, near Invercargill, to help improve operational efficiency.
The plant’s engine room two, which provides key refrigeration for four cold stores, some blast freezers and several product chillers will receive upgraded safety features, equipment and building structure.
The programme would improve the company’s ability to control the refrigeration system remotely and provide a platform for further investment, Alliance said in a statement.
It would also give an opportunity to have more control points and sensors, improve the ability to provide automation control and result in ‘‘significant’’ savings through energy efficiency.
Lorneville employs almost 2000 people at the peak of the season and Alliance is Southland’s largest employer.
Chief executive David Surveyor said it was more important than ever that the company continued to "invest and build forward", given the current global environment, Covid-19 pandemic and pressures on the New Zealand economy.
Alliance’s $4million project to reconfigure its venison processing plant at Lorneville, so it could also process beef, was being supported by a $2.8million loan from the Provincial Growth Fund.
