20 jobs go as CHH plant streamlines

By Libby Middlebrook

More than 20 Auckland workers lost their jobs this week when Carter Holt Harvey's Case Division upgraded its packaging equipment.

Division general manager Rhys Jones said slow-moving packaging equipment had been redesigned at the Mangere site, reducing the amount of manual labour involved.

About 22 fulltime workers lost their jobs - CHH's third wave of redundancies in three months.

"We're in a difficult business environment, so we're going to strive to get the best performance out of our operations," Mr Jones said.

Another five fulltime jobs are expected to go at the Mangere plant, but Mr Jones said the reductions would probably be achieved through resignations and maternity leave.

Laid-off workers might be offered new jobs within the CHH group.