Harris Meats, based in Domett, a whistle-stop village near Cheviot, was almost doubling its factory footprint over the next six months.
The shop, abattoir and farm was one of the few independent businesses of its kind in the South Island, supplying supermarkets, hotels, bakeries and other butcheries from Timaru to Blenheim.
It also did private processing, door-to-door deliveries and dog rolls.
A company truck serviced the surrounding Hurunui region and contractors went further afield.
A family farm across the road from the plant grazed about 1800 cattle and 3000 ewes as well as hoggets and lambs.
The property supplied about a quarter of the company’s weekly cattle kill of about 120 head.
The remaining stock including pigs from Patoa Farms, Hurunui, were processed and sold direct or wholesale.
The 60-year-old business had 45 staff and was likely to hire more once the new plant was bedded in.
It was easily the company’s biggest single investment, director Bryan Harris said.
It wouldn’t necessarily mean more customers but it would allow the company to do more for its existing ones.
“In a little town like Cheviot it’s a pretty bold move. We’re excited about it. Is there a little bit of apprehension in the gut? Of course.”
It had been a big 12 months for Harris Meats. In August 2016 general manager Nick Tobin became the first non-family member to run the day-to-day business. Within months, State Highway 1 from Cheviot to Kaikoura was closed.
Harris Meats was barely scratched in the quake but its trucks joined the slow convoy of cars and trucks on the alternative route through Lewis Pass.
The SH1 shutdown was tough on Cheviot businesses, especially once sympathetic day-trippers from Christchurch stopped visiting.
An influx of contractors boosted hotels but cafes and other shops felt the pinch immediately.
“It’s affected Cheviot badly,” Harris said.
It was hard for Harris Meats logistically and financially and even now, with SH1 open between Cheviot and Kaikoura, the road was fragile.
“There’s a lot to be done south of Kaikoura alone.”
Harris said he hoped the new plant would be ready by May.
