Helsinki / FI. (fg) Finland’s Fazer Group has evaluated different options for increasing efficiency in the production of the Fazer Yosa oat products and for enabling growth, and it plans to close the production facility in Kaarina and to move its operations to Fazer’s factory in Koria. Fazer will start collaboration negotiations affecting all employees at the Kaarina factory. Expanding and modernising the factory in Kaarina to meet the large-scale food production required by the growth of the oat business would require sizeable investments that, given the factory’s current location, would be difficult to carry out.
«Non-dairy oat-based products play a key role in the growth of our business, both domestically and internationally. The total market for non-dairy products in Western Europe is growing at a yearly rate of over 17 per cent. Our chief assets in the tightening competition are our strong expertise in the oat business, our consumer-centric product range and our strong brands. At the same time, we need to secure our positions in face of the stiffening competition; assure the competitiveness of our production; enable essential additional investments into production; and meet the tightening quality, safety and environmental requirements,» say Heli Anttila, VP Supply Chain and Operations at Fazer Lifestyle Foods.
Fazer supports employees in change
Fazer has evaluated different options for increasing efficiency in the production of the Fazer Yosa oat products and for enabling growth and considers closing the production facility in Kaarina and to moving its operations to Fazer’s factory in Koria. Fazer will start collaboration negotiations involving the entire personnel. Fazer employs 23 permanent employees in Kaarina as well as 25 employees with fixed-term or on-call contracts. The possible closure of the Kaarina factory would take place in autumn 2020. Fazer will support those whom the termination of employment would affect.
«Increasing the efficiency of our production is necessary to our competitiveness. If we were to settle on closing the factory in Kaarina, we would want to secure for everyone the best possibilities for re-employment. We will liaise with the local employment administrations and offer employment at other Fazer units, where possible,» Heli Anttila adds. The dairy-free oat-based Fazer Yosa products are part of the Fazer Lifestyle Foods Business Area.
