The company, which began business in New Zealand in 1953, says the changes are the result of a business review, not the high New Zealand dollar.
It is moving the North Shore manufacturing of its specialty foil tapes to another subsidiary, probably in Asia, where it will be closer to most of its customers and suppliers. 3M says the plant will shut at the end of next year.
3M New Zealand currently employs approximately 220 employees in all business fields – technical, accounting, sales, marketing, production and many other specialist roles.
The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, which represents some of the workers to be made redundant, says it is shocked by the decision. Spokesperson Jed O'Connell says the workers will have good redundancy packages.
While 3M used to include printing among its functions in New Zealand, it hasn't done so for some years, but its specialist foils manufactured here were exported widely.
The significant growth of this business saw 3M as a finalist for three years in the New Zealand Export Awards in the 1990s.
