Auction final curtain on F&P's occupancy

Lindsay Coll (left), of Balclutha, and Fisher and Paykel Appliances employee Jim Hansen, of...
Lindsay Coll (left), of Balclutha, and Fisher and Paykel Appliances employee Jim Hansen, of Dunedin, look through the remnants of Fisher and Paykel's 25-year occupancy of its Mosgiel plant. Photo by Linda Robertson.
There were boxes of used clipboards, piles of brooms and a small mountain of in- and out-trays, but it was a broken and somewhat tarnished sports trophy that told the human story at an auction at the former Fisher and Paykel Appliances Mosgiel plant on Saturday.

The trophy, sitting next to a box of hammers, told the tale of employees' past indoor bowls and cricketing glories, in a building fast being cleared of such memories during an auction of office furniture, tools and equipment.

The company announced 430 job cuts last year that saw the end of manufacturing at the plant, with production moved to Mexico, Thailand and Italy.

Fisher and Paykel facilities manager Ron Askin said the goods being auctioned were what was left over after equipment was sent to those countries.

"Most of the important items have been sent over there. This is what they didn't need."

As auctioneer Alastair Beer's patter echoed through the huge warehouse, and a lucky punter took home box of ring binders for $20, Mr Askin acknowledged a sense of loss.

"It is a bit sad," Mr Askin said. david.loughrey@odt.co.nz

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