Metso reduces staff
Staff numbers at the Matamata branch of Metso New Zealand Limited will be reduced from 69 to 31.
Matamata administrative managing director Keith Cooke said staff had been fully informed of the review process which, as indicated, started in 2009. ‘‘While the process took time, it also reflects the care and attention Metso gave to what is a difficult situation. It is important to note the review of our site started as part of a global review for all manufacturing,’’ he said.
‘‘Staff understood the key issues were how to take a supply chain that had been inherited mainly by acquisitions and turn it into a more efficient and reactive supply to ensure we could compete globally.’’ So while staff knew this was all happening, Mr Cooke said it was still a shock for staff to hear the actual decision.
Further discussions since have helped with understanding of why the decision was made.
‘‘ Staff affected generally are grateful that Metso has been up front with the decision, have the chance to input on this and will have time, with the time lines proposed, to make adjustments in their lives as jobs will be affected from April to December,’’ he said.
Counselling and, eventually, out placement support will be offered by Metso.
As part of the review process one option was to close the whole site down.
‘‘By pure cost analysis, there are cheaper places to make the product. However, Metso is aware that we have skills, knowledge and past performance here in Matamata that would be difficult to replace,’’ Mr Cooke said.
By the option taken, Metso will be making some efficiency gains. However they are also keeping together a team that can take the product forward by reestablishing as a technology centre. ‘‘Metso was also very aware we operate in a small town. The millions we spend on wages and supply would have an impact if totally lost. The community was definitely taken into consideration along with the staff impacts,’’ Mr Cooke said.
The operation in Matamata will become a technology centre designed to service specific product components and classic parts.
A consultation process has begun with staff and it is anticipated that implementation of any changes would be completed by December 2012.