Ann: GENERAL: SEK: Seeka advises of post-harvest fire

• Release Date: 05/03/15 09:06
• Summary: GENERAL: SEK: Seeka advises of post-harvest fire
• Price Sensitive: No
• Download Document  2.31KB

					SEK
05/03/2015 09:06
GENERAL
NOT PRICE SENSITIVE
REL: 0906 HRS Seeka Kiwifruit Industries Limited

GENERAL: SEK: Seeka advises of post-harvest fire

TAURANGA, 5 March, 2015 -- Seeka Kiwifruit Industries Ltd (NZX-SEK) advises
that a significant fire occurred at its Oakside Post-Harvest site overnight.
No people were injured in the fire that is understood to have taken hold
around midnight on the evening of 4 March. The cause of the fire is unknown
at this time.
The fire has destroyed the North Shed component of the site. This shed is
typically used later in the season for quality checking and repacking fruit
prior to dispatch. It is also used for forklift storage. The main pack-house,
forecourt, curing canopy, and rear coolstores are all unaffected by the
incident.  The central coolstores are partially affected to the extent of
some damage to a common wall that is adjacent to the North Shed. A
preliminary inspection has shown that one coolroom of approximately 250k
trays of capacity is significantly affected.  More detailed investigation and
engineering reports will follow.  Oakside is expected to process more than 9m
class 1 trays of kiwifruit at its Oakside site in 2015 out of a total Seeka
handled volume of more than 24m trays.
While kiwiberry is being processed on site, no fruit has been affected by the
fire and the processing operation and equipment is now being reviewed to
assess if it can stay on site or be moved to an alternate site.
Seeka carries comprehensive insurance cover.  Our immediate focus is to
render the site safe once the Fire Service has completed their job.  The
Company will undertake the repairs and operational changes to enable the
upcoming kiwifruit season to run without any adverse effect to our growers.
Also at this stage Seeka does not anticipate any material affect to earnings,
noting its comprehensive insurance cover.  Seeka will advise under the
continuous disclosure rules if this position changes.
Seeka would thank and express its appreciation to the Rural Fire Service who
responded to the fire calling on units from Te Puke, Katikati and Edgecumbe.
The quick and responsive action of the Fire Service has successfully averted
a far bigger disaster.

For further information please contact:
Michael Franks, Chief Executive 021-356-516
End CA:00261491 For:SEK    Type:GENERAL    Time:2015-03-05 09:06:58