Columbia plant manager to take over vacant post at 3M Nevada facility

According to the Columbia Daily Tribune in Columbia Mo., David Robinson, plant manager of the 3M facility in that city, "is leaving town to become manager of the company's Nevada, Mo., plant, effective Oct. 1."

The Tribune said that in July 2005, when Robinson took the helm, the Columbia plant employed more than 650 "full-time equivalent" employees.

But since then, 3M consolidated the manufacture of flexible circuits made at the plant to 3M plats in California and Singapore, leading to a loss of 240 jobs.

Today, that plant employs about 220.

According to 3M's corporate Web site, 3M's Nevada plant is part of 3M's commercial graphics business and offers materials and products for the graphics and signage industry.

The plant has been in operation for nearly 38 years and employed 615 people as of last year.

According to Kate Long of the Nevada 3M plant, Robinson has been transferred to the local facility to fill the open manager's position created when previous plant manager Dave Clauss was transferred to a Minominee, Wis., facility.

Robinson, a native of San Diego, managed a plant in Prairie du Chien, Wis., before coming to Columbia. He started his career at 3M as the plant engineering supervisor at a 3M plant in Irvine, Calif.

3M spokeswoman Donna Fleming Runyon said the company has yet to determine who will succeed Robinson as manager of the Columbia plant.