A drop in sales is pushing national fertiliser co-operative Ravensdown to review its organisational structure and staffing levels.
Chief executive Garry Diack said yesterday that the company had begun consulting with potentially impacted employees and their representatives.
The company has more than 90 stores nationwide, including its West Taratahi store. A company spokesperson could not confirm if any Wairarapa staff would be affected.
Diack said the number of employees set to lose their jobs would be finalised by the end of this month.
He said the last 18 months for food and fibre production in
New Zealand had been challenging.
“Weather disruption and increasing costs, including fuel, interest rates, and volatile fertiliser prices, means farmers and growers across New Zealand are buying significantly less fertiliser.”
Diack said the company projected sales volumes for this financial year looked to be significantly down on the previous financial year, and it was unlikely that fertiliser demand would return to traditional
levels in the immediate term.
“In light of these challenges … Ravensdown has reviewed our business model to realign it with reduced demand and to ensure continued investment in capabilities required for future support of both our farmers and growers,” he said yesterday.
Ravensdown announced in
A drop in sales is pushing national fertiliser co-operative Ravensdown to review its organisational structure and staffing levels.
Chief executive Garry Diack said yesterday that the company had begun consulting with potentially impacted employees and their representatives.
The company has more than 90 stores nationwide, including its West Taratahi store. A company spokesperson could not confirm if any Wairarapa staff would be affected. Diack said Ravensdown had a “strong balance sheet”, and the review was designed to realign its operating model and capabilities to changes in the industry and market.
“To be clear, this is not a consequence of the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on our Hawke’s Bay operation at Awatoto.
“We are actively planning for a resumption of manufacturing at Awatoto in the near future following the rejuvenation of the site from flooding, and we remain committed to the region as a significant employer and partner,” Diack said.
E Tu Union said it was supporting a few mechanical workers through the delegation process.
The New Zealand Meat Workers Union, which is believed to be supporting other Ravensdown staff, was unable to be reached for comment.
