Plastic packaging manufacturer Sealed Air has announced plans to phase down production at its Rotorua plant in New Zealand and close it by mid-2014.
The company proposes to consolidate the plant's manufacturing operations into its expanded site in Hamilton and expects further relocation opportunities.
According to Sealed Air, the ongoing challenging business environment prompted the company to look for better opportunities to consolidate its facilities and focus production on new equipment.
The plant closure is expected to affect 112 staff, though many are expected to be offered alternative employment at the company's Hamilton operation.
The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) manufacturing industry organizer Louisa Jones said the union is working with Sealed Air to soften the impact of the closure.
"Sealed Air has engaged closely with the union and has indicated it would offer a number of workers re-employment at its Hamilton plant, with a generous relocation package to ease the transition," Jones said.
