Murray Goulburn Co-operative (MG) maker of Devondale, Liddell’s, Kiewa Country and Cobram Specialty Cheese brands, will cut 72 staff across its processing facilities.
The company said 38 positions at Cobram, 15 at Leongatha, eight at Kiewa, four at Edith Creek, four at Rochester, and three at Koroit were no longer required as a result of its ongoing commitment to improving efficiency, productivity and cost competitiveness.
MG said affected staff had been informed of the changes which would take effect in late September to early October.
Where possible, the company said, it would seek to minimise the impact by looking first to natural attrition, contract and casual positions and then voluntary redundancies.
“We recognise that these changes are very difficult for those impacted and we are doing everything we can to support affected staff at this time,” said Keith Mentiplay, GM of operations at MG.
He said all affected staff would receive their full entitlements and will receive additional support with outplacement, career transitioning services, financial advice and counselling.
“While these decisions are challenging, they are necessary to ensure MG remains competitive. It is in the best interests of our supplier/shareholders, employees, communities, customers and consumers that MG remains a strong business, able to compete globally and deliver higher farmgate prices.
“We continue to employ more than 2000 people at MG, mainly in rural and regional Australia, and contribute an estimated $6 billion to the Australian economy,” Mentiplay said.
