The statutory negotiations at HKScan's Rauma unit, initiated in March, have been concluded earlier than planned by agreement between the negotiating parties. Following the negotiations, HKScan has decided to implement a development investment of approximately EUR 4.6 million in the Rauma unit’s poultry cutting department to improve the profitability and competitiveness of the unit.
The significant investment will also include reorganisation of operations, staff adjustments and renewal of working practices. The Rauma unit’s poultry cutting department will reduce up to 35 jobs. In addition, there will be changes to over 200 jobs. The job reductions, including retirements and department transfers, and changes in tasks will be implemented during the first half of 2024. A total of 225 people were covered by the statutory negotiations, which concerned blue-collar employees.
With the investment and related operational restructuring, HKScan aims to achieve total annual savings of around EUR 3 million in Finland, which are expected to be realised after completion of the investment in the second half of 2024 at the latest.
“At HKScan, we determinedly focus on improving the profitability of our core business, which is one of our main priorities this year. The aim of increased automation levels in the Rauma unit is to achieve a clear improvement in profitability. The investment will also improve staff well-being at work and product quality. Over the past few years, the unit has undergone significant development work thanks to good cooperation between the unit's management and all employees. This good collaboration was also reflected in the constructive spirit of the statutory negotiations. With the changes we are now implementing, we are building a stronger foundation for the future competitiveness of our poultry business. The category of poultry products is a growing and strategically important one for the company,” says Jari Leija, HKScan’s EVP for the Business Unit Finland.
The development investment in the Rauma poultry unit is a continuation of the productivity and profitability improvement programme for the poultry business launched in 2020. As part of this programme, investments have been made, for example, in the Rauma unit's process productivity in 2020-2022.
More information:
• Jari Leija, HKScan’s EVP BU Finland
• Please leave your callback requests to HKScan Media Service Desk by email: communications@hkscan.com
