By Kyra Gillespie
Simplot workers were delivered a sharp blow this morning, after the manufacturing giant announced the proposed closure of the Pakenham facility on Wednesday 22 August.
A local employee, who asked for his name to be withheld, said his future now hangs in the balance after the surprise disclosure.
“We have just been told that the factory might be closing next year,” he said.
“We haven’t been given any definite dates or details about when it might be closing, but by the sounds of things the whole thing is going. I guess I’ll have to wait to find out the dates before I start looking for another job.
“This is another huge manufacturing blow to Victoria.”
Another employee, who also wished to remain anonymous, said there had been rumours circulating the factory for a number of months.
“This has been rumoured for a while, because the contract hadn’t been renewed yet,” he said.
“But it wasn’t properly known until now; I think it’s still sinking in for everyone.
“It’s going to cost a lot of people their jobs, and most of the workers are locals. Some have been working here for almost 50 years.”
The 23-year-old shifted to the Pakenham factory after General Mills – the manufacturer Latina, Betty Crocker and Old El Paso brands – closed down its Mount Waverly facility in 2016.
“It’s a big loss for Pakenham,” he said.
Simplot Australia have released a media statement, saying the proposal was part of a strategic decision to exit from the frozen meals category to concentrate on its core capabilities in potatoes, vegetable, seafood, pasta and sauces.
They said the proposed closure of its Pakenham manufacturing facility followed an extensive review and coincides with the end of long-term manufacturing agreements that are due to conclude in November 2019.
“At this time the welfare of our people is our main focus and Simplot will now be undertaking a widespread consultation around the proposed closure,” Simplot Australia Managing Director, Mr Graham Dugdale said.
Mr Dugdale said the 154 employees at Pakenham are a highly skilled, hard-working and dedicated team and that Simplot is committed to supporting our employees with career transition, outplacement support and redundancy.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Collin Ross described the news as “devastating.”
“It’s extremely disappointing for the local workforce; Simplot has provided hundreds of local jobs over the years,” Cr Ross said.
“I know that over the years the site used to be much larger and have slowly reduced their workforce over the years.
“Council’s business team is constantly trying to encourage businesses to come out our way because we simply can’t produce enough local jobs.
“To think hundreds could be lost in one hit is just devastating.”
