Magazine sells HB as land of cost savings

Business Hawke's Bay has launched a magazine to persuade businesses to relocate to the region.

The first issue was launched on Monday at the offices of sponsor Gifford Devine in Hastings. The issue features successful businesses that choose to stay in Hawke's Bay, including Big Save Furniture, Red Steel, Future Products Group and Wineworks.

The cover story is about Ray McKimm's decision to move Big Save Furniture to Napier.

At the back of the magazine's 34 pages is an article titled "The Hawke's Bay Equation", that compares supply-chain efficiencies and business costs in Hawke's Bay with other centres.

Industrial land prices are up to 65 per cent cheaper than major centres, construction prices up to 17 per cent cheaper and warehouse leases up to 30 per cent cheaper.

Business Hawke's Bay chief executive Murray Douglas said at the launch that the criteria for inclusion in the magazine was "businesses that have made Hawke's Bay work for them".

"There is virtually no business in New Zealand that could not move to Hawke's Bay and improve its bottom line," he said.

"We've done it, what we have to do is tell others."