Dulux New Zealand says its new $30 million paint manufacturing plant and warehouse in the Hutt Valley positions it well for a pickup in market conditions.
The plant was officially opened by Prime Minister John Key on Wednesday.
Dulux New Zealand general manager Julia Myers says the 70-year-old site, which makes water-based paints for New Zealand, was in real need of an upgrade and earthquake strengthening.
The company spent two years redeveloping the site, by replacing the paint manufacturing building, expanding warehousing and distribution facilities and adding robotics and automation.
Ms Myers says the project is one of the company's most significant capital projects so far.
She says the factory was thoroughly stress-tested when it had to double production overnight to cover production lost in Australia as a result of the Queensland floods.
Dulux New Zealand employs more than 400 people in New Zealand, with the domestic paint market making up about 13% of the group's sales.
