Sealed Air to close New Zealand site

Sealed Air to shut New Zealand plant by mid-2014

Sealed Air is to close a plant in New Zealand by mid-2014 affecting 112 staff.

Some staff are expected to be offered alternative employment at the firm’s site in Hamilton, according to the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU).

“The ongoing challenging business environment had driven the company to look for opportunities to consolidate its facilities to reduce overhead costs and to focus production on the most modern, efficient equipment,” Sealed Air (New Zealand) said in a statement sent to local media.

Louisa Jones, EPMU's manufacturing industry organiser, said they are 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.

"For workers who do lose their jobs there'll be a union-negotiated redundancy package to help soften the blow."