Christchurch firms assess quake effects
Updated at 3:43 am today
Companies are assessing the affect of the powerful earthquake in Christchurch on their businesses in the city.
The central-city office that houses Pyne Gould Corporation’s staff has collapsed.
The company’s chief executive Jeff Greenslade, who’s based in Auckland, says his focus is on the welfare of his staff.
Mr Greenslade says the company’s general business is continuing from its offices outside of Christchurch.
Fletcher Building businesses in the Christchurch region have sustained damage.
The country’s largest listed company says damage has occurred at the Winstone Wallboards plant, PlaceMakers on Antigua and Cranford Streets, and Laminex’s branch in Waltham.
Significant damage has also been reported at two of Fletcher Building’s construction sites.
The company says there have not been any reports of employee fatalities or injuries, and all its businesses were closed on Tuesday to allow people to return home and check on their families.
In Burnside, Tait Radio Communications has closed its campus to assess the effects of the earthquake on its business.
Tait marketing manager James Kyd says the company sent its 600 employees home on Tuesday to check on family members, and will know on Wednesday how each fared.
Mr Kyd says the company’s infrastructure is intact and the firm will be assuring global customers that its business is continuing.
Listed plastics maker Skellerup has shut down its factories in Christchurch.
The company’s chief executive David Mair, who is based in Auckland, says no staff were injured during the earthquake.
Mr Mair says he will know on Wednesday what effect the disaster has had on the company’s factories.
Tourism Holdings says its Christchurch rentals branch will be closed on Wednesday.
The listed company, which runs rental companies like Maui and Britz, and the Kiwi Experience bus, says it will have some crew on site to meet customers as they arrive at the depot to return or pick up a vehicle.
Kiwi Experience passengers who are due to arrive in Christchurch over the next two days are being accommodated outside the city.
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