Imperial Tobacco has announced it plans to close its factory in Petone, New Zealand, putting 122 jobs at risk, reported the New Zealand Herald.
The factory and those employed there will now enter a consultation process, which may well last multiple weeks and into the beginning of February. According to the report, the proposal to close the factory comes after a change in consumer demand.
Kirsten Daggar-Nickson, head of corporate and legal affairs for Imperial Brands, told the New Zealand Herald, "Globally consumer demand for our product has declined, so the proposal to close our Petone cigarette factory is necessary for the future of our business. In markets like New Zealand, that future is next generation products. So we're transitioning our business, product line and distribution channels to offer these products to smokers that want to transition to a healthier alternative, and we successfully launched an electronic cigarette MyBlu in the New Zealand market last year.”
Daggar-Nickson stated that, from the 22 of January onwards, there would be consultants on site for staff to discuss their various options, whether that be finding employment elsewhere or searching for another role within the company. She described employees at the factory as “hard-working members of our family and we are focused on making sure that we make this transition as easy as possible on them.”