Hundreds go in Mainzeal layoffs
PwC says there are layoffs at sites nationwide.
About 200 Mainzeal employees have been made redundant as receivers try to contain costs of the collapsed building company.
PwC's Colin McCloy and David Bridgman were appointed as receivers to Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd and associated entities last Wednesday.
Mr McCloy told NBR ONLINE about 200 people on sites up and down the country, including head office staff, were told on Friday they had been made redundant.
That leaves about 200 people directly employed by the company.
Asked which sites receivers had closed down entirely, he says: "We're still working through that process; we're still reviewing every single site."
He would not say if chief executive Peter Gomm still has a job, saying: "I wouldn't want to make any comments on individuals."
Christchurch firm CeresNZ, the New Zealand unit of United States company Ceres Environmental Services, has emerged as a potential Mainzeal buyer.
In a statement, Mr McCloy says: “We are currently in talks with some parties interested in buying the business and assets of Mainzeal, either as a whole or by segment.
"We understand the importance of a prompt and efficient management of this receivership and we remain committed to working as quickly as possible through this receivership."
BusinessDesk reports the company is understood to have failed because its shareholder, Richard Yan of Richina Group, didn't make a $1.8 million payment on an outstanding $20 million credit facility.
Bank of New Zealand withdrew credit facilities early last week, leading to the receivership and the resignation of three independent directors: former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley; former Brierley Investments chief executive Paul Collins; and a Tauranga businessman.
David Williams
Mon, 11 Feb 2013
Mon, 11 Feb 2013
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Hundreds go in Mainzeal layoffs
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