Chris Zaayman
Below expectation financial performance forces manufacturing firm to axe jobs
RACHNA LAL
Suva
Goodman Fielder International (Fiji) Limited has revealed plans to make some positions here redundant.
This follows the announcement from its parent company, Goodman Fielder, which is bringing forward its plans for 300 job cuts in response to a weaker-than-expected financial performance.
It is understood the Fijian job cuts will be part of this plan, however no exact figures have been given as to how many.
The Guardian reported a little more than half the job cuts will come in Australia and New Zealand, with the rest in Goodman Fielder’s businesses elsewhere in the Pacific region.
Goodman Fielder International (Fiji) general manager, Chris Zaayman, in a statement said as part of the current review, the company has to review input costs across its business.
“This is as this continues to increase and it aimed to ensure we continue to have a sustainable and viable business in Fiji for the future,” he said.
“As a leading local food manufacturing company, we have a process of continuous improvement to ensure that we gain the best possible efficiencies, while we execute in the most effective way.”
Mr Zaayman said they are in discussion with their employees who may be impacted by some of the proposed alternatives that they have to consider as a business.
“Affected employees will be provided the opportunity for redeployment to fill vacancies at Goodman Fielder across Fiji,” he said.
“Employees who are not able to be redeployed will receive full redundancy provisions.
“We also do understand the impact these decisions will have on our people and our immediate priority is to ensure that our employees are supported through this process.”
International status
The Guardian reported Goodman Fielder saying trading conditions in Australia and New Zealand had deteriorated, meaning it would not be able to meet profit expectations.
Selling prices in the group’s baking business were lower than expected, and about AU$10 million (FJ$17 million) to AU$15 million (FJ$25.5 million) in manufacturing and supply chain cost savings had been delayed.
An IG market strategist, Evan Lucas, said Goodman Fielder was under a lot of stress, and the bad news wasn’t over yet.
He said the company would still have to generate significant earnings in the second half of the financial year to meet its revised earnings expectation.
Feedback: rachnal@fijisun.com.fj
“6000
People are employed by Goodman Fielder at 50 factories throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Caledonia. ”
“This review will include making the difficult decision to make some positions redundant
Chris Zaayman
General Manager for Goodman Fielder International (Fiji) Ltd ”
”
Goodman Fielder International (Fiji) limited manufactures and sells:
nCrest Chicken
nTucker’s Ice Cream
nTwisties
nUFOs
nCurlies and Yumos
nEdmonds
nSunshine ”
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