November 15, 2016
Just over a week ago, Swickers boning room was in flames, nearly 600 workers feared for their jobs, and the Kingaroy economy looked very shaky indeed.
Since then a huge effort has put the business back on its feet, and employees and pig producers are starting to smile.
On Monday, 3300 pigs were processed through the Swickers’ kill floor in Kingaroy, taking the total for the week since the fire to an amazing 14,500.
And at Ipswich, the relocated boning team – which only went into action on Monday – is now processing 100 pigs an hour.
“It feels like two months ago that this has happened,” Sunpork Group CEO Dr Robert van Barneveld told a group of Kingaroy businesspeople on Monday evening.
He said he was very proud of what the Swickers’ team of employees had achieved in a short time.
The meet’n’greet was organised by South Burnett Directions with the assistance of the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Department of State Development.
It provided an opportunity for local businesspeople to quiz Swickers’ management about their intentions since the fire.
South Burnett mayor Keith Campbell praised the expertise of Swickers for instilling a high level of confidence in their workers and making the whole community feel safe and secure.
He was also grateful that Swickers had a disaster management plan in place … a suggestion for other businesses.
“I want you to know that we as a community will be there to support you in whatever way we can,” Mayor Campbell said.
Swickers General Manager Linchon Hawks said there were some people he especially wanted to thank.
“The fire service was remarkable and without them we would have lost a lot more,” he said.
“And the SES, the heroes behind the scenes that we don’t often talk about.”
He said he also wanted to thank the South Burnett Regional Council, councillors and the Disaster Management Group.
But there were also people such as Mitre 10, who supplied eskies on the Sunday, the Glendon Street Cafe, Wards Electrical, Armstrong Concreting, Wickhams Transport …
Dr van Barneveld said work would begin on the new construction “the second we can clear the site”.
The meeting was assured local suppliers would be used wherever possible during the project.
Related articles:
- Ipswich Shuttle To Begin On Monday
- Swickers Back In Business
- Exclusion Zone Lifted
- State Government ‘On Standby’ To Help Swickers
- CEO Reassures Swickers Workers
- Swickers To Update Workers
- Swickers Fire Stuns Community
