Nov. 21 - Lion Nathan's choice of East Tamaki as the site for its new brewery is a huge endorsement of Manukau's economic potential, Manukau Mayor Len Brown says.
"The Nathan family come from Manurewa in Manukau, so it’s great to see one of New Zealand’s most pre-eminent businesses coming home.
"It’s wonderful news for the local economy and offers tremendous employment opportunities for Manukau people. There are expected to be jobs for approximately 200 people at the new brewery, which is great news for our residents.
"This decision confirms the attractiveness of Manukau as a manufacturing centre and an excellent place to do business. It’s a huge endorsement of the city’s economic potential.
"The site on Ormiston Road is the perfect location for Lion’s new manufacturing and warehousing facility. It’s very close to the southern motorway with the new direct Highbrook route. There will also be a good connection to the airport along Te Irirangi Drive and the Cavendish Link which is being created now."
Mr Brown says the site is close to the growing area of Flat Bush where 40,000 people will live within the next 10 years and is also part of the major employment area of East Tamaki.
"It’s a significant vote of confidence that Lion Nathan have chosen Manukau for the new brewery. For a business like this it is much easier and more efficient to operate in East Tamaki than the current site in Newmarket.
"It allows them to bring together separate parts of the business on one site and a particular attraction was the good transport infrastructure," Mr Brown says.