Across the road when it came time for everyone to say goodbye following a farewell lunch hosted by Electrolux management, the tears flowed.

“Electrolux has been so much about the camaraderie, ”general manager Mark O’Kane said.

“Saying goodbye was all about the friendships formed and there were many tears - it was very sad,” he said.

With production shut down, the process of dismantling the plant has begun with the research and development staff the only other team remaining on site working on other projects for Electrolux.

The media was not admitted to the farewell lunch as Electrolux corporate communications consultant Craig McCarthy said it was a time to respect the privacy of employees at what was a difficult time for many.

In a poignant gesture after they left the plant yesterday, several employees placed their safety glasses along the fenceline on the perimeter of the factory.

After the final farewells following the luncheon, another group of employees hung their shirts in a row on the fence in memory of their times spent at Electrolux.

Research and development staff and the maintenance crew will remain on site until December when all the plant is dismantled and despatched overseas, sent to the Adelaide plant or sold off and all the remaining refrigeration stock is despatched from the site.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au