Eighty Jobs In Gisborne Are On The Line With Juken Nissho Considering Closing Its Local Mill Permanently

Eighty jobs in Gisborne are on the line with Juken Nissho considering closing its local mill permanently. Staff at the mill were informed last Wednesday that demand for the mill’s products had declined, and offered three options including ceasing production until new markets and products can be found; putting the mill up for sale and likely ceasing production while finding a buyer; or closing the mill permanently. Kawado says the mill opened in 1994 and processes a small range of specialised wood products for the Japanese Housing market from the company’s East Coast Radiata Pine forests. Demand for the mill’s products has continued to decline over the past five years and is not expected to improve. At nearly 30 years old the mill needs significant investment to continue effective production and safe operation.