Button take-over

Press, 19 June 1979, Page 21

Button take-over

I PA Masterton General Plastics N.Z., Ltd, of Masteron, has taken over the second largest plastic button manufacturer in New Zealand. G. Hemming N.Z., Ltd, of Upper Hutt. In doing so it has become the largest button manufacturer in the country, and its sights are now on improving export markets, especially in Australia, Mr A. Majboroda, the general manager, said. The take-over safeguards the jobs of all at General Plastics and will create some extra jobs in the future, said the general manager (Mr A. Majboroda).

However, the number of

people who lost their jobs in the Upper Hutt close-down could be as high as 50. At present five to seven per cent of the production goes to export, but within two years Mr Majboroda hopes to raise this figure to 25 per cent.

New Zealand buttons are “classy,” and that is why they can compete in Australia and America against buttons from other countries, he said.

All the Upper Hutt factory equipment has been moved to Masterton. Some of it complements the machinery the factory already has, and will speed production. General Plastics and its sister company, Plastalon N.Z. Ltd, between them employ about 200 people.