Business Central February 2021

26 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Hawk Hawk is New Zealand’s primary manufacturer of apple and avocado moulded fibre packaging and supplier of around 80% of moulded fibre apple trays in New Zealand. Plant expansion gears up for growth Karen Phelps to page 29 Kemira Where water meets chemistry™ As a longstanding supplier of process chemistry, Kemira is proud to be associated with Hawk Group Ltd and to partner their drive toward sustainable excellence. Kemira is a global chemicals company serving customers in water-intensive industries. We provide exper � se, applica � on know-how and chemicals that improve our customers’ water, energy and raw material e ffici ency. Contact Details: Email: jus � n.devlin@kemira.com Web: h � p:/ /www.kemira.com Tel: + 64 27 548 5484. T he commissioning of a second manu- facturing line to produce moulded fibre trays for the horticulture industry will mean greater capacity for supply and the ability to support customers, the local industry and the region with growth plans, says Hawk managing director Tim Combs. Line two is currently being commissioned and the aim is to have it running within the first quarter of this year, says Tim. “The New Zealand apple industry is on track to become a billion-dollar export business. Total export returns for the year were $870m, the highest ever achieved and an increase of $500m in the past eight years,” he says. “New Zealand Apples & Pears has set a target of $1b by 2022 and $2b by 2030. “As the largest provider of moulded fibre trays for export packing, Hawk has to plan accordingly to continue to support our cus- tomers and the industry as a whole through this growth and the installation of the second manufacturing line is simply a step Hawk is taking on the journey of growth alongside the industry,” says Tim. The project was the result of a $2.88m loan via the Provincial Growth Fund with Hawk funding the remaining 50 percent of the total project cost. The investment will create over 30 jobs during the construction phase alone as well as contribute to increased productivity over the longer term across the manufactur- ing, recycling and horticulture industries, with the majority of revenue staying in the region, says Tim. Currently Hawk is New Zealand’s primary manufacturer of apple and avocado moulded fibre packaging and supplier of around 80% of moulded fibre apple trays in New Zealand. Tim says that Hawk’s management considers the project an important initiative as the re - gion seeks ways to develop and grow the local economy, contribute jobs and boost export opportunities. “As Hawke’s Bay has been hit both by the economic fallout from Covid-19 and drought it is more important now than ever that projects such as this take place to support Hawke’s Bay job creation and economic development,” he says. Established in 1994 Hawk is a proudly New Zealand owned and operated company that produces environmentally friendly packaging solutions for packing, storage and transport from pack house to end customer. Tim says that Hawk management places sustainability at the heart of the business and Hawk was designed right from the start with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind. For example, its factory is located in the centre of the largest apple growing region, which minimises transportation requirements. This philosophy of sustainability extends to all products, which are made from 100% recycled paper.