As the last of the original buildings at Affco's Imlay plant in Whanganui are demolished, the freezing works will celebrate 100 years of operation.
The fellmongery, where wool was removed from sheepskins to prepare them for tanning is one of the last to go.
The framed plans for the original buildings, drawn up by Walter Panton and Son, of Timaru in 1915 hang on the wall in the current office,
There is also a thick photo album containing hundreds of photos of scenes of life at the plant through the decades for visitors to browse through at the anniversary celebrations.
Imlay manager Graeme Gudsell said registration is essential for the upcoming centenary
celebrations which will be held from 12th-14th November and include a get-together for past and present staff at Hatrick Raceway, a family barbecue for current staff as well plant tours and a luncheon for invited guests.
Mr Gudsell said an estimated 350 - 500 people are likely to attend each of the events and there will be two or three generations from some families who have worked at the plant.
"There is likely to be quite a few people from Ratana, we have a lot of Imlay retirees there," he said.
Former Imlay workers Geoff Sarginson and Brian Cadogan who clocked up 72 years working at the plant between them have been prime movers for an anniversary celebration.
"There were 1000 workers there at one time and we had 500 people turn up to a reunion we organised in 2011," said Mr Sarginson.
"We know that a lot of people who have worked there will want to celebrate the hundred years."
Mr Sarginson said he very much enjoyed his 48 years working at Imlay and remembers when the product was loaded on to a barge, where it would be transported to a freighter.
"It will be really good to celebrate this milestone with people I enjoyed working with for so long," he said.
Registration forms can be obtained by calling the main office at the plant on 06 349 2400 or by sending an email to Imlay.reception@affco.co.nz