Fairton closure not 'the end' of town

Terry Fisher has worked at the Fairton plant for nearly 43 years. Photo / Supplied

Although he is losing his job, Terry Fisher has plenty of praise for Silver Fern Farms.

He says it has been a good company to work for - and he should know. He has been at the Fairton plant for nearly 43 years, spending one year in the smallgoods department and the rest in the store.

Now, at 76 years of age, he says it is time to call it a day and retire.

He is one of the 370 workers from the plant who are likely to lose their jobs, but he won't be looking for another job.

He says everyone at the plant has known for some time closure was likely.

Mr Fisher said he was very sorry for workers with families and mortgages who would have to find other employment. He hopes they will find it in the Ashburton area.

''I don't think it will be the end of the town. After all, we've been through it before when the woollen mills closed.''

He said a lot of people had worked at the Fairton processing plant for a long time.

''People have worked there for 50 years.''

His son is one Fairton staff member who will still have a job. He works in the pelthouse, which the company has decided to keep going, leaving 23 jobs safe. The operation adds value by processing the pelts.

As long as the pelthouse was operating, SFF needs the 400ha of land it owns at Fairton, to distribute waste water.