Blenheim meat plant cuts jobs

Fierce competition in the processed food market resulted in the axing of 21 jobs at Apex Meats in Blenheim.

The brand produces goods such as bacon and ham and is a division of Master Butchers Marlborough (MBM), which employs 70 people.

General manager Steve Cartwright said Apex would stop producing processed goods on Friday at its factory, with 21 staff yesterday given two weeks' notice of redundancy.

Shareholders last week sold MBM, but Mr Cartwright would not name the new owners.

Apex had not been able to hold its market share and incurred increasing losses, he said.