Permanent employees at the Eura facility will transfer to the new Rauma facility

Following HKScan’s decision to build a new production facility in Rauma specializing exclusively in chicken products, the corporation initiated statutory negotiations in December 2016 at its Eura facility concerning the transfer of operations from Eura to Rauma, the reorganization of work, and the resultant impacts on the personnel’s job description, place of work, etc. The changes and negotiations affected the entire personnel of the Eura facility.

 

The changes will not result in a headcount reduction among permanent personnel. A total of approximately 450 production and office workers will transfer from Eura to Rauma.

 

  • The negotiations were undertaken in a positive spirit of compromise. We were correct in our initial estimate that the amount of permanent personnel would not be reduced. We and our employees found mutually satisfying solutions for achieving our efficiency targets. Because we plan to invest in our personnel’s expertise and update their skills in the use of state-of-the-art technology and new work processes, we will be launching a comprehensive training programme involving the entire personnel within the next few days. This training will be a key step in the start-up of the new plant, states Aki Laiho, COO of HKScan Corporation.

 

  • According to our estimations we will need roughly 300 temporary employees to our Eura and Rauma facilities to guarantee the smooth, uninterrupted transition of production to the new plant during the start-up phase. We will also need fixed-term employees to support us during seasonal peaks and holidays, adds Laiho.

 

Consumer-focused and innovative

The new Rauma plant will specialize in the growing poultry segment and the production of chicken products. The state-of the-art technology installed at the plant will enable HKScan to develop innovative Kariniemen® novelties for its home and export markets.

 

  • The new Rauma facility supports our goal of developing our chicken-based offering. We are taking a consumer-focused approach in developing exciting innovations for everyday dining and special occasions. We plan to update our offering across multiple product categories simultaneously. Responsibly produced Finnish poultry meat has a well-deserved place on the consumer’s plate as a part of a balanced, varied diet, says Jyrki Karlsson, Executive Vice President, Consumer Business, Finland.

 

All acquisitions at the new facility comply with HKScan’s Responsibility Programme, with special attention being paid to the material, energy and environmental efficiency of new equipment. The plant’s modern processes meet all the latest requirements, which will mark a significant improvement in occupational health and safety for personnel.

 

Construction of the new facility began at the beginning of last year. The project has proceeded on schedule and the topping-out ceremony was celebrated last Friday. The plant will be completed in spring and equipment installations are already under way.

 

Production trials will commence in summer and the project is scheduled for completion by the end of Finland’s centenary year, 2017. The new facility is among the most ambitious production investments in HKScan’s history, guaranteeing the long-term survival of food industry jobs in western Finland. The investment is valued at over EUR 80 million.

 

For further information:
  • Aki Laiho, COO, HKScan Corporation
  • Jyrki Karlsson, Executive Vice President, Consumer Business, Finland, HKScan Corporation
  • Kindly submit a call-back request via Marja Siltala, VP Communications, marja.siltala(at)hkscan.com, tel. +358 10 570 2290.

 

HKScan is the leading Nordic meat expert. We sell, market and produce high-quality, responsibly-produced pork, beef, poultry and lamb products, processed meats and convenience foods under strong brand names. Our customers are the retail, food service, industrial and export sectors, and our home markets comprise Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Baltics. We export to close to 50 countries. In 2015, HKScan had net sales of approximately EUR 1.9 billion and some 7 400 employees. www.hkscan.com