Auckland’s Croxley Stationery has
announced that it is considering ending its manufacturing operations, with 100
jobs to be shed.
The
company made the announcement yesterday, explaining that there’d be
consultation period with staff over the next fortnight, followed by an
announcement on September 4.
Croxley’s
managing director David Lilburne
said in a statement that cheap imports, an elevated currency eroding
export sales, and changing communication habits had hurt the business.
“We are operating in
an environment which has seen a decline in postal use and a reduction in demand
for traditional paper based office products,” said Lilburne.
“Emails have
replaced envelopes and writing pads.”
He
also explained that the proposal was to switch to a wholesaling business from a
manufacturer and wholesaler.
The
capital investment needing to be made in new machinery could not be justified,
said the managing director.
The
union representing the workers, the EPMU, complained that the NZ government had
not done enough to support the country’s manufacturers.
‘‘We need a government which will take
manufacturing seriously and help companies to keep their work in New Zealand,’’
union
organiser Joe Gallagher told Fairfax.
Croxley’s brands include Bostik,
Pilot and Codafile.
Image: Croxley