MESSAGE TO ALL OUR ST PIERRES PARTNERS
CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE UPDATE NO.1
As you will all know by now Christchurch has been struck by a 6.3 Magnitude earthquake on Tuesday at 1.50pm, which has so far resulted in about 72 people dead and hundreds still missing. The damage has been huge.
OUR PEOPLE
Our first concern has been for our St Pierre’s partners in Christchurch and we are lucky to say that none of our people have been hurt in the earthquake. This has been most fortunate we are all extremely happy about it.
All people have been contacted and they are all shaken up but fine.
Some of our people have had to move from their houses, such as Hiromi’s family due to flooding, and some like Masaya have had to sleep in their cars for the night. Some still had no water and power.
However, they are well, and trying to sort out their personal situations.
PROUD OF OUR TEAM
The very next morning after the earthquake our excellent leader in Hiromi organised a emergency meeting of all managers in Christchurch. This was held at the Riccarton Shop at 9 am.
All except for a few Managers were able to come, and the immediate task was to contact all our staff to see they were OK. After this was done, teams were organised to check the shops where they could. Take and Kazuyo began cleaning up Northlands which was flooded and others went to check out Bush Inn.
The response to the crisis by our Managers in Christchurch was unbelievable and we would like to congratulate them all and thank them all for showing their teamwork, firstly in ensuring that everyone was Ok, and then beginning the restoring of our business.
OUR SHOPS
All the St Pierre’s stores are closed at the moment, and we are yet unsure as to when some may open. Fortunately the physical damage seems to have been minor.
We have been unable to access the Triangle, South City and Shades stores as yet because central Christchurch is closed off as they search for survivors in the buildings. It is probable the city may stay closed for some time.
Northlands has been flooded and has some ceiling damage, but Riccarton and Bush Inn suffered small damage.
As you may know lack of water is a real problem at the moment and that may cause some delays in opening our stores.
SPECIAL FUNDRAISING
Nick will be organising a special fundraising to raise money for the Earthquake support and will let you know the details very soon.
The St Pierres spirit and strong will is shown by an email I received from Kei late last night.
I print it here for you to see:
Hi,Perry
All the member of our families/staffs are fine,but quite a few of us(incl:managers)
had to leave where they live.
Hiromi organizes the managers to go through this tough situation as a team,
updating information,and we all try to find what we can do to manage the
earliest coming back to the business.
There may be not much we can do at this stage,however all the managers
are being positive,ready to help each other.
I kind of believe that this could be a chance to grow the business by gainning
good reputation from our (future)customers if we do the right thing.
WE ALL SEND OUR WARMEST WISHES OUTSTANDING CHRISTCHURCH PEOPLE AND WISH TO THANK OUR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP TEAM OF HIROMI, KEI, TAKE, MIKA, JAY, KAZUYO, TAKA, JEMM, UMAPORN, TAKA, MASAYA FOR SHOWING UNBELIEVABLE COURAGE AND STRENGTH AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME.
ON BEHALF OF ALL ST PIERRES PEOPLE IN AUCKLAND AND WELLINGTON WE WISH THEM & THEIR FAMILIES WELL.
Best regards
Perry Costa and Nick
PS We will keep you notified with further updates
What action is St Pierre’s taking with regards to New Zealander’s health regarding the worsening situation of contamination of seaweed in Japan and the new harvest underway? Are we in anyway at risk or will you be seeking imports from outside of Japan.
Is there really a risk?
Hi James
Please read our answer as per ” Concerned” thanks for your question.
Hi Concerned. Please do not be worried about our seaweed. We had huge stocks in New Zealand from before the earthquake and tsunami in japan. In addition our seaweed comes from Hyogo which is on the opposite side of japan from the Tsunami.
All future shipments of product from Japan are required to be certified before they leave Japan. Hope this helps.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13819767
Yes things don’t look very good over there.