Refrigeration company ignores trend to freeze jobs

While many businesses are cutting back staff to stave off the effects of the recession, one Christchurch company is exuding confidence by going on a major recruiting drive.

SKOPE Industries, a designer, manufacturer and supplier of commercial refrigeration and heating products, is planning to take on up to 50 new employees for its factory, three new engineers, and staff for other areas of the business.

Owned by Canterbury's prominent Stewart family, SKOPE employs about 300 staff at its manufacturing plant in Christchurch, which is the largest design and innovation centre of its kind in Australasia.

Managing director Guy Stewart said increased demand from the development of international partnerships had enabled SKOPE to grow its business and to enter otherwise inaccessible markets.

"Between 30 and 50 additional staff are required in the factory, in order to increase production and meet current order levels. Other areas of the business will also require additional staff to help meet growing customer needs," Mr Stewart said.

"We're excited by such positive results during what are undoubtedly uncertain economic times. In part, this need to increase our staff levels is due to strategic partnerships we have been building with a growing number of national and international beverage companies."

Alexandra Stewart, SKOPE's creative director, said the company's suppliers were also benefiting from the growth in demand - with some who had staff on nine-day fortnights returning to full working weeks.