Fletcher closing Penrose joinery business

Fletcher Construction will close an Auckland joinery business next week.

In a statement issued last night, Fletcher Construction said it had told staff at its Fletcher Joinery business yesterday it will be closing its Great South Road facility in Penrose on Friday next week.

"Fletcher Construction is assisting the 15 employees affected by the closure of Fletcher Joinery in finding alternative employment," it said. "Another Auckland-based joinery business will be interviewing Fletcher Joinery staff [today] as it's currently seeking skilled joinery workers for its business."

Greg Pritchard, Fletcher Building + Interiors general manager, said the decision was made for good reasons.

"After completing a review of its businesses, Fletcher Construction concluded its joinery business did not fit its core strategic direction going forward," he said.

Joinery was not part of Fletcher Construction's long-term vision, Pritchard said.

An employee said staff were unhappy with the way matters had been handled and were yet to be told about redundancy.

Fletcher, an international business, employs more than 20,000 people in 50 businesses but has cut staff in the economic downturn, particularly at its PlaceMakers stores and factories.

The NZX and ASX listed company called for more staff at a Christchurch job fair this month and is also asking for CVs for those who want to work on the Waterview motorway project in Auckland.