More than 30 employees from the Sanitarium Cooranbong (NSW) factory have assumed new roles elsewhere within the company as the factory progresses toward closure in August 2018.
When the closure was announced in 2015 employees were offered first chance at opportunities to transfer within the company and 31 have taken up this option. A further 37 individuals have accessed all or part of a $1000 allowance to assist with training for work elsewhere.
Todd Saunders, executive general manager for Sanitarium’s Australian and New Zealand operations, acknowledged the significance of the transition for staff.
“This change represents a significant impact for our people who have faithfully produced quality products in Cooranbong for many years,” he said.
“The team are doing all of us proud as they continue showing their passion and dedication during this challenging process. Please remember our staff in your thoughts and prayers as they begin to make the difficult transition in their work and personal life.”
Sanitarium has also confirmed that the planned process of completing production of loose cereal products, including Light ‘n’ Tasty, Cornflakes and Granola, within the Australian market is nearly complete. Staff are working through the transfer of Weet-Bix Bites technology to the Sanitarium Brisbane site and the setup of new Weet-Bix factory lines at Berkeley Vale, NSW.
The company continues to work with site owners, the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, on plans for future use of the Cooranbong site.
