BAT NZ to close Napier Plant

Source from:  tobaccoreporter.com 09/13/2005

British American Tobacco New Zealand is to close its Napier cigarette and hand-rolling tobacco factory and transfer its product lines in stages to Sydney, Australia, by July next year. The company cited declining volumes and the Napier site's ageing machinery as reasons for the decision to close the factory, which employs 170 people. Currently, BAT NZ, which claims about 78% of the local market and employs 320 people, plans to ship its products from Sydney to Napier for distribution through its Napier Despatch Department, but this arrangement is subject to review. Enditem