Australia’s biggest dairy processor, Murray Goulburn (MG), has announced it delete some of its product lines later this year, as it closes Tasmania’s Edith Creek factory.
MG’s supplier relations director Cameron Smith said the deletion would coincide with the closure of Edith Creek.
“In some cases such as Liddells, cream cheese and cheese, production of relevant products will be transferred to other sites,” Mr Smith said.
“Unfortunately, in other cases, products such as Devondale Milkshakes, 8 Bar, custard, desserts, pet milk, Farmdale flavoured UHT milk and co-pack products will be discontinued by the end of November 2017.”
He said the company continued to work through the tough, yet necessary, decisions to close its Edith Creek, Rochester and Kiewa plants, as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the operating efficiency of MG.
“All employees at these sites have now received detailed briefings and we remain committed to assisting them through this challenging time,” Mr Smith said.
“Approximately 140 employees will leave MG from the Rochester and Kiewa sites between the end of July and mid-August as production transfers to other sites.”
Remaining employees would leave in stages prior to the site closures in mid-February 2018 and June 2018 respectively.
Mr Smith said MG continued to engage with all relevant stakeholders.
Next week, chief executive Ari Mervis will meet with the Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development, Jaala Pulford, National Union of Workers (NUW) and employee representatives.
“We are also participating in working groups established by the Shire of Indigo (Kiewa) and the Tasmanian Government (Edith Creek) to help communities through the transition,” Mr Smith said.
“MG will also be attending a working group established by the Shire of Campaspe (Rochester) next week.”
