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A Christchurch engineering business is likely to move its manufacturing to Europe to capitalise on major contracts.
WhisperGen, which is 75 per cent owned by state-owned electricity company Meridian, makes home and boat power generators. It will continue to make the "DC" marine generator in Christchurch, but prospects in Europe for its home heating and hot-water units look rosy.
PowerGen, its British distributor, has committed to take a minimum of 80,000 units over the next four years at a cost of $300 million.
WhisperGen chief operating officer Bill Highet said the number of job losses was unclear but it had a manufacturing team of 40 staff and an overall staff of 130, including 12 people in Europe.
